Chapter Text
Jawbone whips up a surprisingly tasty soup for dinner; Fabian spends more time looking mournfully at it than actually eating, but he doesn't complain, so... small victories.
"I'm gonna go get the kid some medicine," he tells Adaine, patting her on the shoulder. "Don't burn the place down?"
"No promises," Kristen calls.
. . .
"My parents are back in Elmville," Gorgug notes, the closest any of them have come to mentioning leaving. The conversation melts off there; the apartment is small and the kids are not, but they've made it clear that (contagion be damned) they're not going anywhere. Jawbone doesn't mind.
Fig and Riz are having some playfully-heated argument about a vulture when Fabian shoves from the pile on the couch. He gets two steps down the hall before he stumbles; the other kids are the only things keeping him from completely faceplanting.
"No," Fabian croaks, pushing at Gorgug's arms as he tries to stand. "I can't— Mama will be mad and Cathilda—"
"Slow down," Riz interjects, "What's wrong?"
"Mama will be mad," Fabian whispers, and then he retches.
Now, the Bad Kids are adventurers. They've leapt up corn ass and flipped cars and have seen their fair share of insides turned outsides. This is different, though. Seeing someone get affected by Ray of Sickness is very different than watching your friend throw up on an apartment floor.
Gorgug shifts his grip and pats Fabian gently on the back. "It's okay, bud," he says, sounding quite a bit like his parents, "Just, um, get it out, okay? You're okay." Riz (pragmatic as ever) springs forward to hold the half-elf's hair back.
There's a franticity in Fabian's eye as he stares at the mess, a fear bubbling beneath the surface. Adaine's Insight leads her to put two and two together; she's familiar with condescending adults talking down to you because of something you can't control.
"It's okay," Adaine whispers, smoothing a hand down his back. "We'll deal with the mess, okay? I've got Mending, it'll be fine," she explains.
"You, um..." Gorgug holds Fabian's unoccupied hand, thumb rolling across it in steady circles. "You done? It's okay if not. Just figurin' out if it's safe to pick you up."
The half-elf blinks, thickly swallowing. "I— I'm sorry," he whimpers, curling ever inward. "I'm sorry, Mama, I didn't mean— I'm sorry," he babbles, senseless apologies halfway between fever and flashback.
Gorgug's face twists in an amalgamation of negative emotions, staring helplessly. "I didn't— Fabian, it's okay," he tries, but Fabian doesn't seem to hear him.
Icy white Mending wooshes away the mess, and Gorgug picks Fabian up to set him back on the couch. Kristen nudges a trash can over. All the while Fabian's sobbing, apologizing to his mom and Cathilda and even Gilear once or twice.
The other kids do their best to soothe him; eventually his sobs fade to hiccups, and his wails slow.
"I got the shit!" Jawbone calls, nudging through the door and grinning at the pile of kids on his couch. Fabian is practically hidden, between the blankets and the Bad Kids. "Didn't know what kind he would like, so I just went for the classic," he says, plopping the bag down on the table.
Fabian pokes out from between Riz and Adaine, languidly blinking. Jawbone must immediately clock the fact that he's been crying, because his expression softens. "Hey, buddy."
"Hi, Jawbone," Fabian whispers, gaze pressed downward. His lower lip wavers, guilt weighing on him. "Classic's okay," he manages, voice breaking off into something somehow smaller. "I'm sorry."
"Nothin' to be sorry for, bud," Jawbone responds easily. "Y'know, there was this one time, a couple months before I started hangin' out at the Black Pit—"
"Is this a sex story?" Riz interjects, vaguely protective.
Jawbone reads the room, amusement still glimmering in his eyes. "I'll tell you later," he shrugs. He busies himself pulling out bottles and boxes (he'd really just stocked up on everything he could), and, when nobody talks, continues on. "Since you kids really didn't burn the place down, any non-fiery excitement while I was out?"
There's a few moments without an answer, gazes flicking between each other. "I got sick," Fabian finally says, a scary sort of defeat slumping his shoulders. "Adaine cleaned it, but I—" he chokes, wincing hard and sinking further into the blankets. "Made a mess. 'M sorry."
"No harm done, kiddo." Jawbone's snout scrunches now that the Seacaster can't see him, worry and confusion fighting for his expression. The kid sounds smaller, now, almost hiding behind his friends.
Fabian was skittish around adults. Not the strangest thing in the world for a kid who had plenty of expirience with evil adults, but Fabian's... was different. All the "Hangman says he can't go home" and "Mama would have been mad" and the constant scent of fear fear fear all paint a scary picture.
"Kiddo," Jawbone starts slowly, shuffling over. He works his lips and tries to find the words. "Let's start with medicine." Liquid over pill, cherry over grape, takes it like a shot (concerning). Still looks guilty, like everything is his fault.
"Fabian," Fig says, beating Jawbone to the punch. "Does— does your mom get mad when you're sick? Like, at you?" Fabian doesn't respond.
"Just... because you're sick?" Gorgug tap-tap-taps a drumbeat into the couch arm. He's genuinely trying to understand; his own parents had trouble being mad on a good day, sure, but they would have even more trouble if he were sick or hurt.
"Not if I don't make a big deal of it," Fabian finally manages, "It... it shouldn't get in the way of training."
"That's like... the number one thing that should get in the way of training. People are like 'you shouldn't go to school if you're sick,' right?" Kristen looks baffled too, hand squeezing at the half-elf's. "Training should be the same way, right?"
"Being sick and being hurt," Adaine agrees. "Those should be the two main shouldn't-train-right-now things."
"Does she get mad when you're hurt, too?" Riz asks, a hint of bitterness seeping into his tone. Of course Riz would know something, Jawbone thinks, mostly fond. Riz probably had a whole board, red string and all, dedicated to all the evidence against Bill and Hallariel Seacaster.
Fabian responds with a slow nod. There's a collective moment where nobody does anything, each steeling themselves in their own way.
"How about," Jawbone intervenes, reaching into the bottom of the grocery bag, "we talk about this when Fabian's feeling a little better, huh?" He comes out with a little red stuffed hellhound, yellow button eyes and all. "Thought this little guy looked like your bike."
"You..." Fabian gingerly takes it, expression catching between anger and awe. "You got me a toy?"
"When I was your age, I practically walked around with a stuffie when I was sick."
The kid bursts into tears.
. . .
A few hours later, when sleepover plans have been made and adults have been notified and when mismatched snores fill the living room, Jawbone pulls out his crystal.
Responsible Adults:
Jawbone: I'd like to apologize in advance for any contagion that might happen here. Seems pretty low-grade though
Sklonda: hasn't it taken Fabian completely out?
Jawbone: I think that's more about Fabian than the bug, to be completely honest. Poor kid took an unwilling swim and has apparently had his mom "training" him almost nonstop
Jawbone: Speaking of. What's the consensus on her
Gilear: I don't think this question is intended for me.
Gilear: However, she is an... eccentric parent
Sklonda: Riz is trying to rack up enough stuff to warrant looking into her
Sklonda: He's been really worried
GortholaxInsatiable: yeah she seems. uh.
GortholaxInsatiable: fabian thinks the world of her but. tactfully put i dont know if she deserves it
GortholaxInsatiable: he gets dodgy about it
Wilma: Fabian's a real sweet kid, but I get where the concern is coming from!
Sandralynn: Why're you asking?
Jawbone: The hangman (bike) said it wasn't safe for the kid to go home
Jawbone: Apparently she puts the "training" above everything. Even if he's sick or hurting
Sklonda: Hurting because of her? Because she pushes him too far?
Jawbone: Hes staying the night here at least. Told him we could talk when he was feeling up to it
Wilma: I know the kids won't let him forget it, but make sure he knows he's got folks fighting in his corner!
Digby: He's welcome to come stay with us if it comes down to it!
Sklonda: Same here. Riz and him are practically brothers anyway
Sandralynn: Well, the kid's got options at least. I think any one of us would take him
GortholaxInsatiable: without hesitation
Jawbone: Kids are asleep so that means it's my turn
Sandralynn: I'll swing by with breakfast in the morning
Sklonda: Keep us updated.
Jawbone: Thank you
Jawbone: and will do!
He stows his crystal and slips back into the other room, watching the comforting mass of kids. Fabian holds his stuffed hound, his real one standing guard outside.
Jawbone sighs. "You're gonna be alright, kid. I promise."