Helping Hands ((Open))

[Timo Väinämöinen]

It wasn’t surprising that Timo caught the flu in the first week that it started to go round. Working as a waiter, he saw so many people coming in and out of the café that it really would have been surprising if he hadn’t caught it. As it so happened, he managed to catch it so early that he didn’t even know what it was, and although he was light headed and sniffly he went to work anyway. He couldn’t miss out on the day’s work! The cold lasted for a couple of days, and just as it started to fade he realised what it was that he’d had.

The kind hearted young man was horrified thinking of how many people he might have accidentally infected, but at the same time relieved that he’d been lucky enough to get off with the lightest form of it. Although the cold had made him uncomfortable, he hadn’t even reached the second stage of the plague. He felt guilty for that as well – he was young and strong, he’d much rather that he had the flu than someone who was weaker or already ill. With all of his work, though, he didn’t have much time to dwell on it.

At least, until everything closed down. Timo spent the first day panicking, between catching up on sleep. By the second day, though, all the free time had left him with nothing to do. He was completely unused to having so much time to himself. So when he saw the posters up around town, he headed down to the make shift tent city that was starting to form with as many of his blankets as he could carry. Even after his boss went against the government guidelines and started to run the factory again with a skeleton staff of those who had already had the plague, Timo continued to give all of his free time to help those who had been infected.

Bustling through the tents, his arms full of blankets, humming to himself. For a young man in a place full of the sick and dying he seemed surprisingly happy, but that was Timo for you. He’d decided pretty early on that there was no point being unhappy. At least if he smiled he could try and make everyone else feel better. And it worked, at least a little. Most people seemed to at least try and smile while he was with them. Going from make shift bed to bed he made sure that everyone was at least comfortable, tucking them in and giving more blankets were they were needed. He mopped brows and helped people to drink from the bottle of cold water he was carrying with him. Eventually, though, he ran out and had to return to the main room. The main nurse looked up at him tiredly. “Ah, Timo, a new person’s just come in. They’re in the waiting roo—tent. Could you go help find them somewhere to sleep?”

“Of course! I’ll be back shortly!” Timo said, giving her a reassuring smile and then heading off. Five minutes later he’d located a free bed and changed the sheets and he trotted off to find his new patient, bustling into the waiting tent that had been set up and looking around.

[Alfred Jones]

Settled on one of the benches in the tent looking rather uncomfortable was a young man, a little dirty from actually having a coughing fit so hard he collapsed. He didn't look pleased to be here either...He'd been forced to come here basically, with his friend having noticed him getting ill he escorted him here himself. Normally he liked the guy but this was too many people together at one time, even if it was close to the second stage of this illness he didn't come get help because of knowing how it would be.

Glancing up as Timo came in, he eyed him warily for a moment, really giving the impression of a trapped animal. However the coughing fit that came couldn't be stopped and he quickly covered his mouth before he settled down with a small whine. Of all the rotten luck...He'd been in the forest before this started until around a week and a half ago and he'd quickly contracted the sickness. Personally he blamed that kid on the train who sneezed on him, little brat. Obviously they needed to put some more effort into teaching kids to at least cover their mouths and noses...However, he was here now, and as such he looked at Timo curiously, waiting to be told what to do and what not.

If possible he'd like to help out, if only to not feel as vulnerable, but he was thinking that it was unlikely. He could barely stand without feeling dizzy and collapsing half the time. It wasn't the most ideal thing for Alfred...And he was worried about how Arthur was doing. The guy was skinny enough and he was thinking he probably was the type to get sick easily as well...

[Timo Väinämöinen]

Timo missed the weary look that he was given, but he did notice that the young man looked pretty uncomfortable. That was fair enough. Most people were uneasy when they first came in, what with all the deaths and, well, the general state of this place. Timo and the other volunteers were doing what they could to keep it tidy, but it was hard since they didn’t really have any financial support and the make shift shelters were already starting to fall apart. As he started to cough, Timo moved over, gently rubbing his back until it passed. At least he didn’t have to worry about getting the plague again.

“I’m Timo.” He said, giving him a friendly smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll look after you.” He wanted to tell the boy that he’d be all right, but, well, he couldn’t truthfully. He’d done that at first, but when someone that he’d been taking care of had died he’d felt awful. Picking up the clipboard beside the boy he skimmed over what information he’d put down there. “Your name’s Alfred? It’s a nice name.”

Putting the clipboard back down, he straightened up again and offered Alfred a hand to help him up. “Let’s get you cleaned up and into some clean clothes first.” He suggested. “I’ve made up a bed for you, and we’ll get you something to eat and drink as well.” Really, there wasn’t much the volunteers could do but make sure that the patients were comfortable and warm. Timo spent a lot of his time trying to keep people’s minds off the plague, trying to keep everyone positive. After all, if they stayed positive then they were more likely to try and fight the disease! At least, that was what Timo hoped.

[Alfred Jones]

When he was touched immediately his response was to flinch away from it. Old habits died hard after all. However, he did let him continue rubbing, as it did at least help with the fit to calm it down..Letting out a small sigh as it passed, his blue eyes looked on up at 'Timo'...Well at least he didnt seem to be a bad person, from what he could distinguish on meeting. To be honest he kind of reminded him of his mom, weirdly enough...That was most likely the only reason he was still sitting here after being touched.

Shifting where he was seated slightly, he cleared his throat a bit but nodded in confirmation to the question slightly.Glancing up again when he offered his hand, slowly he took it and stood, showing that he was taller than the other man, but then he cleared his throat enough to speak. "If it's alright, can I just sleep outside the tents..? I have this..Paranoia thing and it gets bad around a lot of people.." his voice was low and scratchy from his sore throat, but at least he wasn't just silently staring at him now.

The mention of food at least did seem to perk him up though, he hadn't really had much to eat these last few days because he just flat out had not felt up to going and getting something. And unfortunately that showed, really despite the muscle he had the fat that was once there had been used up to keep him going.A hopeful look was being directed towards Timo though, he knew that it would get bad if he stayed in around a lot of people. And really that would probably be best in the long run, even if it was colder out there.

[Timo Väinämöinen]

Timo frowned a little at the flinch, a little worried by that reaction. Had he gone too far? He wasn’t knocked away, though, and it seemed to help, so he continued, at least until Alfred’s coughing had stopped. Obvious concern filled his face; he hated seeing anyone like this, and the other blonde looked so young… never mind that he was probably only a year or so younger than Timo, who had gone through plenty of hardships in his life, Timo would willingly go through more to keep anyone else safe, this stranger included.

“Um… Actually that’s the only place we have beds left anyway.” Timo admitted, twisting his hands uncomfortably. It didn’t feel right, making ill people sleep out there, but at least it was (mostly) sheltered and there were plenty of blankets to go round for now. Timo usually did his best to make sure that everyone was in stage two were in the better beds, but there was so little to go round that it was hard. “The bed I’ve made up for you is on the edge of the camp, though, if that helps?” He wanted Alfred to feel as comfortable as possible. Something about him told Timo that he wouldn’t be afraid to run away from the camp if he felt uncomfortable, and that would no doubt make him even worse. Timo would have to pay special attention to him to make sure he was comfortable enough to stay safe until he started to recover.

Noticing how Alfred perked up at the mention of food, Timo made a note to make sure he got more than usual. He probably needed it. A faint twinge of hunger reminded Timo that he hadn’t eaten since he left home, but he pushed it away. He didn’t really have any money for food since he wasn’t getting his wage while everything was shut up, but there was no way he was going to take food from here. He’d feel awful if he took food from the sick. “Come on. We at least have a bathroom here, so you can have a shower.” He said. “Do you need help, or will you be all right walking?”

[Alfred Jones]

The news that he was going to be sleeping outside on the edge of the group kind of helped admittedly. At least then he might be able to kind of try to pretend he wasn't there. Still, for everyone else...Well he hoped that they at least had a tarp roof or something incase it rained. Yeah to be honest with how this epidemic was going he wasn't exactly expecting the best conditions for people here.

Slowly he moved as he spoke, pulling his bag out from under the bench then holding on his bag with one arm. It was heavy, sure, but he was used to carrying it around even if he was sick. "I can walk." He managed, but turned to muffle a cough and as it turned into more of a fit his legs gave out, and he flopped back onto the bench, face red both from the exertion and from being embarrassed at that. Obviously he wasn't liking being so helpless at the moment judging by the look of annoyance once his coughing had stopped. "...Sorry." he mumbled then, but after slowly standing on his own he looked at him a bit shyly and shifted faintly, looking uncomfortable by having to have his assistance.

Once they were on their way though, he glanced at him and then looked ahead again, familiarizing himself with his surroundings. "Timo, are you also sick with this stuff?" he asked then, quiet once they were in a room with other people, as if he were afraid his voice would bother them...Which it might, assumably some of the people in the 'room' they passed were sleeping.

[Timo Väinämöinen]

That bag was massive! Timo eyed it a little worriedly, but for now let the other man carry it. He’d take it if it seemed -- as Alfred started to cough, Timo moved, catching him. He wasn’t strong enough to take his weight, but he at least helped to lower him down to the bench so he didn’t hurt himself. “It’s not your fault. Let me take that bag for you, and here, put your arm over my shoulder.” He helped Alfred up again, this time taking his weight. “Really, I’m amazed you can even walk.” He said, cheerfully. “Most of the people who are in stage two can’t. You’re doing really well, so just stay strong, all right?”

Timo took it slow on the walk to the showers, not wanting to tire Alfred out. “Oh, um. I got it really early, right at the beginning of the month. I only got stage one as well, so I was really lucky.” He said, cheeks a little red. He felt bad that he hadn’t had to suffer like everyone else still. “But at least that means I can help everyone else!” He said, cheerfully. “There haven’t been any cases of anyone getting it a second time yet, so I don’t have to worry.”

When they reached the shower room, Timo helped Alfred into a cubicle, then paused. Judging from how he hadn’t liked to be touched earlier he wouldn’t want help. “Will you be all right?” He asked, concern all over his face. “I mean, if you want privacy that’s fine, but if you want help that’s all right too! If you want me to go I’ll just wait outside so you can call me in if you need me.” As he spoke he went back to a cupboard and pulled out a nice big fluffy towel for Alfred and some clean pajamas that looked like they’d fit him, setting them where the shower wouldn’t reach them.

[Alfred Jones]

Frowning at the other taking the bag, slowly he nodded and allowed his arm to rest on his shoulders, body tense from the contact alone. Glancing at him speaking then, a brow arched a little and he made a small noise. "Gotta do what you gotta do I guess..." he mumbled, somehow doubting he was the only one. Surely there were others and Timo was just trying to be nice.

Glancing at him a bit curiously, Alfred hummed lightly at that, nodding. Well it was at least...Reassuring that it could at least be beaten. He'd seen the death toll after all. "Then you're all healed of it?" Was the next question, gripping on the material of his shirt when he had to muffle a cough in his own shirt sleeve. "What's the fatality rate on it now?" Came after that then after he'd stopped the fit.

Relaxing slightly that it was at least a cubicle and not open shower room, he looked at him with a noise and then nodded slightly. "I'll be fine.." Watching as he put the towel and clothes down, he sniffed and then cleared his throat to get rid of some phlegm. "I'll just be like ten minutes, don't worry." And if he needed to he'd just have to sit even if the thoguht of the germs made him mentally twitch! In any case, once Timo was out and he was shielded from the world, he slowly took his clothing off and then turned the water on.

At least that was nice, he hadn't had a warm shower for the past month and a half since he'd last seen Arthur...He hoped Arthur was alright. He should probably text him at least. And after that moment of enjoyment, he started cleaning up, finishing up in around the time he said and drying off as well as he could before he pulled the pajamas on, even if when he stepped out his hair wasn't fully dry. Seems he was just too impatient to dry it properly.

"Finished, Timo."

[Timo Väinämöinen]

Timo smiled brightly and nodded, trying to encourage Alfred. Hope would see people through a lot of things, and it didn’t take too much to keep it alive in people. Something told him it would be a little harder with Alfred, but that wouldn’t stop him from doing his best. “Yep!” He said, cheerfully. “All better. I was only ill for a couple of days as well, I was really lucky.” He paused while Alfred coughed, rubbing his back again, and then helped him to continue walking once it had died down. “Um… Well, it keeps changing, but I think it’s just under 10% at the moment. So it’s really not too bad! You’re going to be fine, don’t worry!” He really hoped so. But Alfred was so much stronger than most people he’d seen in stage two, so Timo was sure that he would come out fine. He’d just need a couple of days to get better, that was all!

Nodding, but looking just a little unsure, Timo backed out of the shower room, letting Alfred have his privacy. At least this and the kitchen were in the permanent part of the camp, so it was a lot easier to keep them clean. The volunteers like Timo were doing their best, anyway; after Alfred had finished, someone would come along to disinfect the shower that he’d just used. While he waited for Alfred, he checked his phone, frowning a little. He was waiting for texts from Berwald and Will. He was worried for his friend and his family, and worried for Will as well, but mainly waiting for the news that the factory had been reopened. He really needed to do some work, even though Will had agreed to lower his rent until everything was open again, he didn’t have any money for food.

When Alfred emerged, he looked up and then smiled. “Better?” He asked, as he pocketed his phone again and stood up, taking the towel. “You know, you should make sure that you’re properly dry or your cold will just get worse.” He reprimanded him gently as he started to finish up drying Alfred’s hair. When it was a little dryer, he hung up the towel to be washed, then took Alfred’s bag for him again and started to lead him onwards. Like he’d promised, the bed that he’d found for Alfred was on the edge of the camp – although how long it’d stay there would have to be seen. The camp was constantly expanding as more and more people came in. Drawing back the clean sheets, Timo helped Alfred to lie down, fluffing up the pillows for him so he could sit against him. “There, is that okay?” He asked, smiling brightly. “I might be able to find you another pillow, if you want. Or another blanket if you’re cold. I’ll get you something to eat as well. Is there anything you don’t like or you’re allergic too?”

[Alfred Jones]

Well it was at least good to see that it wasn't a completely deadly virus.Now he just had to keep an eye out for zombies...The percentage wasn't too bad though, and he continued walking once the fit had passed. "What happens after stage two...? I havent seen it myself, I wasn't really in the city when this thing struck." Was what came next, and he looked at Timo intently, wanting information of what he should expect.

At least the showering went without any real issues, and he curiously glanced around as he stepped out. He'd heard some cleaning going onin the next stall and he was wondering where it had been coming from. Nodding at the question then, he made a quiet noise as he was being dried, eyes closing while he tensed up a bit but then relaxed slightly again. "I forgot." The younger man whined gently, but he followed him once again when the other seemed content. At least his hair was dry, he supposed...Though he wondered how Arthur was doing then, and if he was feeling alright.

The bed at least looked comfortable enough--better than the ground he'd been sleeping on the past few weeks anyway. Settling down with Timo's help was at least helpful, and he let out a slow sigh as his body adjusted to laying in a more comfortable spot before looking on up at him. He didnt want another blanket, he'd feel bad if someone else needed it, but.." Um...Food..? I'm not allergic to anything that I know of, so.." He blinked at him, smiling tiredly. Really he'd most likely fall asleep if left alone too long, but the food did sound good. And at that thought, his stomache let out a low, demonic sounding growl, announcing it's agreement with that, causing Alfred to flush and then hide his face under the blankets, embarrassed because he'd drawn attention to himself.

[Timo Väinämöinen]

“Well, it’s not really been published a lot… I think they want to make sure that people don’t get too scared.” Timo chewed on his lip, not sure what he should tell Alfred. After all, he didn’t want to scare him! But he’d probably see it sooner or later, even though Timo doubted that he’d reach stage three. “You’ve heard about stage three? It happens after about five days, when everyone else starts to get better. I don’t really know exactly what happens, but you get boils, and then, well… Everything starts to get worse.” He’d seen it happen, people that he thought that he’d thought were going to get better suddenly weaken and die almost before those around them could realise what was happening. It was awful.

Timo laughed when Alfred’s stomach growled, and he smiled at him brightly. “I’ll be back in a couple of minutes. Try not to fall asleep, all right?” He could tell that Alfred was tired, and he knew that sleep was important for people to recover his strength. One of the doctors had told him so. But he needed to eat something first, and then Timo would let him sleep. Hurrying out of the room, he went to the cafeteria that had been built up in the main building. He peered at the few choices, wondering what Alfred would like, and in the end went for spaghetti with meat balls, deciding that that was something that everyone liked. He got plenty of salad for Alfred as well, and some orange juice too because a little bit of extra vitamin c never hurt anyone.

“Here you go!” He said, brightly as he returned to Alfred’s side, carrying the tray easily. He was used to carrying them from work. “I hope this is all all right for you. I figured that everyone likes spaghetti and meatballs!” Placing the tray on Alfred’s lap, he passed his knife and fork over. “Do you want me to stay here while you eat?” He’d be more than happy to keep him company.

[Alfred Jones]

Slowly nodding at that, Alfred frowned a bit. Well that at least made sense. Muffling a sneeze, he made a small noise and nodded. "A little bit at least. There was someone who had been at the last stage and they died on the street when I was trying to help them get somewhere that could assist him.." Alfred said, frowning a little before he wrinkled his nose. It'd really suck if he got to that point, he didnt want to go through that much pain...

Blinking up at him a bit tiredly, he chuckled a bit and nodded. "I'll try." He offered, but he could tell his eyes were getting heavy as soon as he was comfortable in bed. He was dozing by the time that Timo returned, and inhaling softly he made a noise at the smell( From what he could smell) of food and opened his eyes again. Sitting up, he let Timo set it there, though he did flinch slightly, before accepting the knife and fork.

The offer made him blink, and he nodded after a moment of apparent thinking. "You can eat the salad if you want. Never been a fan of them." He stated with a small chuckle, plus with the size of the spaghetti and the way he'd been eating, that would be more than enough to fill him up. "So Timo...What do you do for a living outside of helping the sick?" He asked, trying to eat carefully so no sauce would fling out and hit one of them and makea mess. It was difficult holding back though, he was starving.

[Timo Väinämöinen]

Blinking at the offer, Timo looked at Alfred, but then smiled and shook his head. “You should eat your salad!” He said, amused at how much he sounded like his mother when he said it. “It’s good for you, you know. You should look after yourself, it will help you stay strong.” They had vitamins to give to all of the victims, but eating some vegetables would never hurt. After all, there was nothing really that they could do for those that were ill than keep them warm and comfortable and hope that the illness passed.

“Oh! I have two jobs. I work in a toy factory and I work in a café as well.” He said, smiling bright for a moment, but then his expression fell. “But the café’s closed at the moment, obviously, and Will’s been told to keep the factory closed as well. Hopefully I’ll be able to go back to work soon, though, even if it’s just at the factory.” He smiled at Alfred. “What about you?” He couldn’t help but glance at Alfred’s bag curiously. Why was it so heavy?

Noticing that Alfred was making a bit of a mess, Timo stood up and got a cloth, offering it to him so he could clean up when he was done. It was easy to see how hungry Alfred looked and Timo thought that he should have brought him a dessert as well. Oh well. He’d do that later. Alfred would want to sleep as well no doubt, so when he woke up Timo would bring him a dessert and another drink as well.

[Alfred Jones]

The younger mans response was a sour face. He hated salad. He didn't like most vegetables unless he had to eat them or they were covered up by the taste by something else. Staring at the leaves then, he frowned a little in thought before he sighed with a mumble, rolling his noodles around the fork before he took a bite. At least it was decent--he'd eaten worse too, so.

Humming at that, Alfred wondered if perhaps he'd visited the cafe before, looking at Timo as he spoke before he smiled weakly. "Well until this all passes it's probably better right?.." Was offered as he took a bite of his food, chewing and swallowing before he answered Timo's question. "I work here and there, but I don't exactly have a set job. I'm sort of a wanderer I guess."

At least he didnt seem worried, but he blinked at hte offered cloth, accepting it and embarrassedly cleaning his face. It was just a bit hard to sit up and eat spaghetti, which was notoriously a somewhat messy meal. However, he cocked his head a little as he looked at Timo, studying him for a moment. "Timo? Are you working yourself here a bit too hard..? You look kinda thin." he said then, slowly, not wanting to offend the other while blue eyes then curiously loked towards his face again.

[Timo Väinämöinen]

“That sounds like fun!” Timo said, brightly. “Is it easy to find jobs? It must be a little difficult finding money to make rent if you’re here and there.” The idea of being a wanderer in the homeless sense that Alfred was didn’t even occur to the other blonde, who was too attached to the idea of a home and a family to be really happy living like Alfred did. Besides, he liked his home comforts! “I guess it is better for the people who haven’t got it already, but those who have could go back and work and then that would stop everyone from losing out on their pay and mean that things start going back to normal quicker.” He pointed out, frowning just a little.

Timo blinked as Alfred said that, and then blushed, pulling his jumper down a little. Normally people didn’t even tend to notice underneath his thick jumpers, especially since his hips were big for a man’s. Still, he wasn’t exactly tiny, and it was probably actually a good thing that he’d lost weight since he’d had to drop out of school, since he’d always been chubby when he was younger. “Um, not really. I’ve not actually been doing that much work here, not compared to my usual hours.” He only admitted that because Alfred couldn’t know that he usually worked nights and days. “But things are stretched a little, since I haven’t been paid for a week. Once things go back to normal I’ll be fine, though!” Hopefully, anyway. As long as his rent didn’t go up again any time soon.

When Alfred was finished, Timo leant in to take the plate, putting it back on the tray and helping him clean up a few spots that he’d missed. “There we go!” He said, cheerfully. “Do you feel better now?” He found that often people did feel a lot better just from having a wash, being comfortable, and getting something to eat. “Do you want to sleep, or should I stay with you for now? Resting’s the best way to give your body a chance to recover, you know.” He said, cheerfully, smiling brightly at Alfred.

[Alfred Jones]

A brow arched at the other really not seeming to grasp what he was kind of inferring at, but ah well. The guy seemed like he'd be annoying to deal with if he realized he was homeless. "Well it is sometimes. It's mostly me knowing a lot of people around, though." he nodded faintly, shifting to move his leg a bit more comfortably.

The reaction did tell him some of what was going on as well as the way he pulled his jumper down a bit. However, he cocked his head a little like a puppy as he spoke as if he was trying to understand while he continued eating. "Mm...Well okay then. Don't work yourself to death though, hm?" He said with a slight smile before he had to turn to cough, though after that fit he finished off the food.

An eye closed at the assistance with the cloth, he felt like a freaking kid with him doing that and it made him uncomfortable. However he nodded at the question, as with food in his belly he was much more comfortable. "I think I'm about ready for a nap if that's cool with you...You probably have other stuff to attend to anyway." he said thoughtfully, then shifted and moved down before he flopped his head on the pillow.

[Timo Väinämöinen]

Timo chuckled and nodded his head. “That sounds like a lot of fun!” He said, enthusiastically. “It’s nice to have friends all over the place. My best friend lives on the other side of the Lowlands, where we grew up, so it’s always nice to go and see him.” He said, a fond look in his eyes. “And I know someone else who doesn’t even live in the city at all! I haven’t had the chance to visit him yet, though.” Timo very rarely left the city, like most Lowlanders. It was too expensive, and he didn’t have enough time anyway.

“Of course!” Timo took the tray away, then tucked Alfred in a little better. “If you need anyone, there’s usually people passing back and forth all the time, so just shout out for someone, or I’ll come back to check on you every hour or so until I leave at 8, and then someone else will take over from me.” He smiled brightly as he moved a glass of water closer to Alfred so he’d be able to reach it easily, and then picked up the tray. “Sleep well!” With that, he left Alfred to his nap.

As the other had guessed, Timo did have other things to attend to, but like he promised he checked up on Alfred every hour or so. The make shift hospital was pretty busy now, so it wasn’t as often as Timo would like, but he did do his best to keep it up, like he did for all of his other patients. After all, it was much nicer to know that some one was looking out for you, especially in a place like this. Fortunately, the volunteers were all well connected, and so as soon as Alfred woke up, the word went round, and Timo finished what he was doing and bustled over only fifteen minutes or so later. “Hey! Did you sleep well?” He asked, as he slipped into Alfred’s tent.

[Alfred Jones]

The others lack of thinking of anything but the best amused him, but was also rather nice. There weren't many people like that in the lowlands. That fond look made him smile slightly as well--he looked like a young girl in love if he was being blunt about it. "Mm. Well I'd consider that a good thing if it means he isn't here right?" He offered, aware it might mean something worse but figuring that sounded nicer.

Timo tucking him in was also a little strange--he hadn't had someone do that in years not counting when he'd been stuck at Arthurs from those gun wounds. "Alrighty. Don't work too hard." He offered, but after a bit he was able to relax and get used to the noised around, and his eyes slowly closed as he turned on his side, his back to the more protected side, and soon dozed off.

In the very least Timo didn't have to do much for him, whenever he checked he was still asleep in the same position, sweating occasionally from a fever or perhaps a dream. And a few hours later he did wake, slowly, and sat up, rubbing his eyes. It wasn't the most restful sleep, but he'd take what he could get. Slipping out of the bed, Alfred ignored the ache for a full stretch instead, even if it made his head dizzy he just needed it. Nevermind that he had to sit down again a moment later--it was totally worth it to at least pretend he'd been healthy enough to pull that off as he usually would.

Looking up as Timo entered, Alfred gave a small smile. "Mm, well as good as is possible with the achey muscles and stuff." He decided, nodding and then rubbing his neck to try and get a kink out. He really should check his phone..."What time is it..?" he asked then, letting his feet rest out of bed. THe cold air felt a bit nice compared to the fever he currently had, darn whatever it was that the old saying went...Starve a fever or whatever it was. Or meant. He was probably wrong on that anyway.

[Timo Väinämöinen]

“He still got sick, but he’s getting better now.” Timo said with a nod. “I’m glad that he’s all right, but I’m worried about his parents as well. They all have a habit of worrying about each other and not about themselves. Still, I’m sure they’ll be fine.” He smiled at Alfred. He hadn’t meant to burden him with his troubles. And he was sure that Berwald and his family would be all right, simply because he couldn’t imagine life without them (even though he’d been dealing with that life just six months ago. It seemed like a lifetime now).

Heading over to the young man, Timo rested his hand on his forehead gently. Still far too hot. Well, unfortunately, there was little he could do about that aside from a cold compress. “At least you got some sleep, that’ll help your body to recover.” He said, smiling at Alfred. “It’s almost five, so you slept for a couple of hours. Sleeping is the best thing you can do, though, really.” Allowing Alfred to poke his feet out, Timo fussed around him for a moment, tidying up a little, but then pulled away. “I’m going to get you a cold compress, I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

Dashing out of the tent, sure enough it only took a little while, and then he returned, gently dabbing Alfred’s forehead before laying it there. “Hopefully that’ll bring your temperature down. Do you need anything from your bag? If you have a phone that needs charging I’ll have to take it to the main building for you, but I can do that before you sleep again so it’ll be ready for you when you wake.” He offered, smiling at Alfred. “Don’t worry, we have lockers there, because there isn’t proper electrics in any of the tents, so we decided that was the best way to deal with things.”