Thorne doesn’t like the school nurse, Ms. Leanne. Instead of being crazy and assuming Thorne was some deadly creature, she was intelligent and witty and knew that Thorne was a vampire. There was a difference because while Coach Emile feared him, the school nurse had no fear. She knew how to deal with Thorne, so Thorne wasn’t a threat.

Yet, she never told a soul. She swore she’d never tell anyone and Thorne doesn’t like being indebted to her. She had a little too much power over him with the knowledge she possessed.

The nurse’s office was on the first floor, right next to the stairs that took you to the gym. Thorne stares at the pristine white door for a second before kicking the swinging door in, much to Jordan’s dismay, as the door slammed against the wall with a resounding thud.

“Well, at least I know who it is whenever my door gets closer to being knocked off its hinges,” Leanne says, looking Thorne up and down. “What happened this time?”

“He took a dodgeball to the face. His nose is probably broken, but I’m not a doctor.”

“Toss him.”

Thorne shakes his head, walking over to the tiny bed. He sets Jordan down gently, brushing some of his loose curls away from his face.

“Husband…” Jordan whispers.

“Drop it.”

“Sorry.”

Leanne chuckles, getting up from her desk in favor of leaning over Jordan’s body. She grabs a few tissues, insisting that Jordan hurry up and wipe the red substance away, giving Thorne a mean look while she’s at.

“Does it sting?” She asks, prodding at the side of Jordan’s nose.

“A little. Is my nose out of place?”

“It doesn’t look that way. Your nose seems to still be stiff. It would’ve cracked if it was broken.”

Leanne gives Thorne a knowing smile and Thorne quirks a brow.

“Did you hear it crack?”

For a moment, Thorne notices Jordan trying to remember if he heard such a sound, only the question isn’t really directed at Jordan but rather Thorne, because apparently Thorne’s supposed to have good hearing or something.

Well, he does, but he can be obvious about it.

“I don't think I heard it crack or anything,” Jordan finally says.

“Then you're probably fine. Don't worry. I know Thorne will take care of you.”

Thorne sighs as Leanne settles back into her chair, reaching for the nearby phone on her desk. She probably had Jordan's mom on speed dial considering that Jordan was practically a resident of the nurse's office. While she makes the call, Thorne glances back at Jordan´s nose, which isn't broken now that Thorne is taking a closer look at it. He's seen a broken nose. He gave one to his cousin Virgil only a few days ago after the creep snuck up on him while Thorne was getting a midnight snack.

He should've known that Thorne was the last person you'd want to sneak up on.

The flow of blood from Jordan´s nose had started to slack up and Thorne is thankful for that. The smell of it had almost knocked him to the ground in the hallway, but Thorne swore he had better control than that. He isn't like the rest of his family, salivating at the tiniest bit of human blood, but Thorne can't deny that the more than usual amount started to bother him. He can´t ignore it because Thorne swore he'd be better than the rest of his family. He could live peacefully among other humans without acting like some ravenous animal, right? Surely, he couldn´t be slipping already. He isn't even a tenth as old as some of the rest of his family. Thorne´s younger and should be more adapted to a mostly human run society.

He should have more control than all of them.

“Hey, Thorne,” Leanne begins, snapping Thorne out of his thoughts. “Jordan´s mom wants you to take him home. She can't catch a break at work.”

“O-Of course. I´ll take good care of him. Does he need anything special?”

“No, just keep his nose plugged up and put some ice on it. It isn't broken, but it's definitely gonna bruise.”

“Fair enough.”

Already, Thorne notices Jordan holding his arms out for Thorne to pick him up.

“Absolutely not,” Thorne deadpans. “You aren't disoriented at all.”

“What? But your arm twitched,” Jordan says, with a wink. Thorne grits his teeth.

Jordan gives him a mischievous look and for a moment, Thorne considers throwing Jordan over his shoulder and carrying him that way, just to wipe that stupid look off of his face. He considers it because Jordan always expects him to carry him like a bride never seeming to realize that Thorne doesn´t have to carry him that way. Thorne could also carry him with Jordan´s legs wrapped around his waist.

Not that he would.

Before Thorne can decide which embarrassing way to take his best friend out of the building, the door to the office opens with a loud creak. Thorne immediately recognizes the guy that comes in as Ezekiel, who places both Jordan´s belongings and his own on the ground.

“I’m really sorry about hitting you in the face…” Ezekiel says, timidly. “It's not broken, is it?”

“Nope! I'm perfectly fine!” Jordan says, smiling. “I accept your apology.”

“Thank goodness. I’d hate it if you got seriously hurt.”

Realizing what he said, Thorne notices Ezekiel turn pink. He laughs nervously, slowly exiting the office.

“Um...I'll see you on Monday!”

Ezekiel leaves as fast as he comes in, Thorne notes, glancing at Jordan once the door swings shut.

“Wasn’t expecting that…” Jordan mumbles, somewhat embarrassed. “He really is nicer than he looks.”

“Yeah, well that’s what you get for judging a book by its cover,” Thorne scolds. “...you ready to go?”

“I dunno. Are you gonna carry me?”

“How about I drag you instead?” Thorne growls, and Jordan shoots up from the bed so quickly that he almost trips over Thorne’s feet in the process.

Thorne finds himself stupidly amused at the sight, even letting out a soft chuckle. He quickly slaps his hand over his mouth, but Jordan is already gaping at him.

“I can’t believe you!” Jordan gasps, though Thorne can hear the playful tone in his voice. “Laughing at my pain…You suck!”

“I suck? Maybe I shouldn’t drive you home then since I suck so much. You can stay here and suffer with your messed up nose.”

“You--”

“Would you two get the hell out?!” Leanne yells.

And without missing a beat, the two are already rushing down the hallway, giggling like a pair of idiots.

Thorne wouldn’t have it any other way.