I will

rise up

in spite of the ache

Henry looked quietly at the bird nestled in Sterling's arms. He couldn't remember the bird ever being a part of Sterling's life when he was around, but then again...it had been months. He knew the arrow would need to be removed, and he hoped the poison would not kill the bird. Clearly it meant quite a bit to Sterling.

Finally, the man agreed to go home. When he was standing, Henry wrapped his arm around the other's shoulder, keeping him close as they began to slowly walk through the streets towards the apartment complex. Henry was careful to look around each corner, not wanting to start a scene with his nakedness. Next time he would take the time to actually undress.

By the time they made it up to the apartment, Henry was starting to shiver. The night air was cool and crisp and left him shivering. When the door closed behind them, Henry went back to the master bathroom and flipped on the shower. He waited until the water was warm before grabbing a towel and tying it around his waist.

Moving back into the living room, he looked up at Sterling. "Go get you a shower...Let me see what I can do for your bird." He wasn't sure if his magic would heal the animal at all, but he supposed he could try. Knowing that Sterling would not want to leave his friend, he cocked his head and raised his eyebrows. "Go on..." His words were much like the demand of a mother.

Taking the bird as Sterling passed him, he moved into the bedroom, raising the lights with his magic so he could see the bird's injuries a little better. He sighed. Slowly, he began to heal the wound from the inside out, effectively pushing out the arrow as the flesh beneath it began to heal. When it finally came out, Henry tossed it on the floor and finished up the healing. He didn't know how to grow feathers, so unfortunately the bird would have to do that on its own.

He placed the bird on top of a perch, allowing it to rest and recuperate on its own. While it's physical injury was healed, Henry had no idea what the poison might do to it.

And once the bird was safe, Henry moved out of the bedroom and into the kitchen where he used some wet rags to clean up most of the blood. When he looked a little more presentable, he took out some butter, bread, and cheese. Slowly he began to butter the bread and stick it in a warm frying pan. He placed the cheese on the bread and then the second slice of bread to make the beginnings of a grilled cheese sandwich. By the time Sterling got out of the shower, he would have a modest dinner waiting for him.

Henry Tudor

I will rise a thousands times again