DT Serum, Primary Testing In Progress

"He's skittish right now. Seems to be not so happy about Tramp, but doing okay. Least he's not hiding under his bed again," Lex replied.

Ashton nodded. "Be extra nice to him for me please?" He asked Lex hopefully.

Lex grumbled under his breath but nodded. "Fine. When Tramp's better, you'd best hang out with Shuni more."

Ashton nodded. "I will." He promised. "Thanks Lex."

Lex nodded and stepped out.
Tramp stirred, moaning softly as he came around.

Ashton gently rubbed Tramp's back, staying quite while he kept trying to keep him feeling comfortable and safe.

Tramp sat up slowly, moving away from Ashton but not breaking the contact on his back. He rocked in place slowly, his skin covered in goosebumps. "I don't want to go back," he mumbled. "Don't want to."

"Go back to where?" Ashton asked softly. As long as Tramp seemed to enjoy the back rub, Ashton would keep it up, or his arm fell asleep.

"Don't want to go home," Tramp mumbled, his eyes glassy, a sure sign he was feverish. "Grandma, please, let me stay here."

Ashton realized that he must have been in a fever vision and just stayed with him for now. "You can stay here." Ashton assured Tramp, although he wasn't sure how much it would help.

Tramp managed to nod. "I don't want to go home... Grandma? Grandma?" He tried to get up, but his knees wouldn't support him. "Grandma! Wake up!"

Ashton wrapped his arms around Tramp, not wanting Tramp to hurt himself. "Shhh.... Tramp, it's a dream, okay? Ashy is here. I got you now. You're safe here."

"NO!" Tramp screamed, struggling. "NO! Please, no! Grandma! No!"
The door burst open. "Ashton, what's wrong?" Lex demanded.

"Fever vision." Ashton explained with a grunt. He held Tramp securely, like a small child, close to his chest and in a way that as long as Tramp didn't overpower Ashton, it would be hard for him to escape and hurt himself. "Shhhhshhshhh.... Tramp, you're okay. You're safe."

"NO!" Tramp squealed, bucking his body. "No, please don't hurt her! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please!"
Lex nodded and came close, ready to help if needed.

"Tramp,  you're dreaming. I'm right here. I'm safe, and you're safe. It's okay..." Ashton kept trying to reassure him, maintaining his strong hold on Tramp, although careful not to injure his companion.

Tramp jerked in Ashton's grip then hung panting, sobbing incoherently as he came back to the present.

As Tramp relaxed, Ashton relaxed his hold on him, but still kept him near and softly continued to tell him he was all right and safe here, and that it was okay now.

Tramp looked up slowly, shaking hard. He swallowed. "I'm sorry," he croaked. "I'm... I'm okay. I'm sorry."

Ashton smiled kindly. "It's all right. Do you want some water?"

Tramp nodded jerkily. "Please."

Ashton looked at Lex hopefully, silently asking him if he would please get it for Tramp.

Lex grunted and headed downstairs. He returned with a cup of water and handed it to Ashton.

Ashton nodded a thanks to Lex and gently tried to coax Tramp into drinking some water. "You're all right. See? Lex even got you a glass of fresh water. You're safe here."

Tramp managed to put his hands around the glass, but he was shaking so much if Ashton let go there'd be water everywhere. "Thank you." He sipped slowly, trying to come to terms with reality.
Lex noticed a rather concentrated look passing over Tramp's expression and grabbed a bucket. Just in time, too, as Tramp hunched over the bucket and ralfed.