“You brought a new Neptune with you!” She smiled at Milo, who managed a nod.

“Yup. This is Milo.” I gestured at him, almost accidentally hitting him in the chest. He was sticking close to me, and his nerves would be endearing if it were anyone else.

“Hey.”

The kids had taken notice of our group, and moving slowly, they clustered around us. I loved feeling like an actual superhero for a moment, even if my superpowers couldn’t extend as far as I’d like. Some kids were in pajamas and slippers, while others were in hospital gowns and robes. A few had IV poles with them, and as usual some were in wheelchairs while a couple of others had walkers. We got some smiles and waves from those who had seen us before, and as much as I didn’t want any kid to have a long hospitalization, making our regulars happy made my insides all warm.

“So, who’s up for a game of Odyssey?” I asked the group.

“Are you going to let me win this week?” Jenny, an imp of a girl who reminded me a lot of a younger April, offered me a toothy grin as she leaned on her walker.

“No chance.” I wasn’t going to play one of my best decks, but I’d still give her a good game.

“I want to play Prince Neptune.” Chase, another regular, spoke up from his wheelchair. His eyes were more tired this week, his skin pale, head slumping forward. His dad, who was an ever-present fixture on the ward, hovered nearby.

“I…uh…” Milo swallowed several times. His own skin was a worrisome shade of greenish-white. Crap. The guy couldn’t even manage five minutes in costume. I should have known.

“Sure thing,” I answered for Milo. He’d play Chase even if I had to personally shuffle for him and push him into a chair. “Let us get the decks out.”

I steered Milo toward the table in the back of the room that I always used as a staging area for the decks and props.

“What’s your problem?” I demanded as soon as we were out of earshot.

“I don’t have one.” His expression was more pained than sullen, but I still wasn’t impressed.

“Yeah, you do. You think you’re too good to play some kids?”

“No! That’s not it.” Milo was quick with the denial before pausing to lick his lips. Gaze darting away, he still radiated discomfort. He lowered his voice further. “I… Other than April when she was little, I haven’t been around a lot of sick kids. Like that boy… He’s really sick.”