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As the obnoxious sound of the alarm going off filled the room, Adrien groaned as he reached out and blindly searched for his phone. After a few tries, the blond was able to shut it off, but by then the blond knew three things.
1: It was pointless to try to go back to sleep.
2: There was a big test today in science.
3: He felt absolutely miserable.
Adrien sniffled, trying to breathe through his stuffed up nose, and ending up coughing. It was a wet, bone racking cough that made is chest hurt. Once the hacking fit subsided, Adrien idly noted that his body was shaking, he was sweating, and his pajamas were sticking to him. The blond groaned again as he stumbled out of bed and went to take a shower. The steam and hot water helped, he could breathe now, he was clean, and he felt much better. As the blond went through his morning routine, he ignored the headache beginning to grow, did his best to stifle his cough, and tried to hide his shaking.
“Hey, kid, you okay? You don’t look so hot. Maybe you should stay in today,” Plagg suggested at seeing how sick the blond was.
Adrien gave his kwami a smile. “Nah, I’m okay Plagg, just a case of the sniffles is all. And besides, I can’t skip school today, I have a big test in science, remember? I’ll be fine,” Adrien replied, before trying to hack up a lung.
Plagg gave the blond an unimpressed look. “Uh-huh. Right. I can tell you’re at the peek of health. You know if you go to school like that, Caden will just carry you back to bed, right?”
“What? No he won’t. I mean, yeah, he’ll be worried, but Caden won’t do anything crazy just ‘cause I’ve got the sniffles,” Adrien denied.
Plagg, if possible, just looked even more unimpressed. “Adrien, the last time you said something like that, Caden ended up carrying you bridal style everywhere after you sprained your ankle. For three days. Even during an akuma attack, Lupus was piggybacking Chat Noir the entire time. Seriously, what do you think he’s going to do when he finds out you’re sick?” the cat kwami asked.
“… Nothing?” came Adrien’s unsure reply.
Plagg snorted, “I’m so saying I told you so when he locks you up until you’re better.”
“Plagg! Caden won’t lock me up,” the blond protested, before sneezing, which had him coughing again.
Plagg just shrugged, and ate a piece of camembert, metaphorically washing his hands of the situation. Adrien will be fine, Caden would insure that. Yuuki’s cub was reliable like that.
Adrien made his way downstairs for breakfast, only stumbling once. Once I tell you! After sitting down, Nathalie started rattling off Adrien’s schedule for the day, not noticing that the blond wasn’t eating much, or that he looked feverish. Once he managed to stomach as much food as he could, the blond made his way to school, somehow managing to hide his coughing fit from the Gorilla.
When he arrived at the school, the blond was greeted by Nino. “Adrien! Hey dude, you ready for the test today?” asked the dark skinned boy.
Adrien gave his friend a shaky smile, “Yep. Ready as I’ll-” he stopped speaking as he started coughing.
Looking concerned, Nino patted his friend’s back, both to help and give him some comfort. “Easy there, dude. You do not sound okay. You don’t look it either. Are you sure you should be out of bed?” asked Nino.
Sniffling, Adrien gave Nino a watery smile. “Yeah, I’m okay Nino. Don’t worry about me, worry about the test we’ve got later today,” assured the blond.
The dark skinned boy was about to protest, when he saw something, or rather, someone, come up behind Adrien. Nino relaxed, and gave Adrien a teasing smile. “Okay, my dude, whatever you say. But, heh, good luck convincing him,” said Nino before backing away. Adrien looked confused, but then ended up tensing when he felt a familiar body heat come up behind him.
“Adrien, minn auðr, did you seriously come to school when you’re sick?” Caden asked. Gulping, Adrien turned around, (ignoring the shiver that shot up his spine at the sound of his soulmate’s voice) with a smile on his face. “What are you talking about, Den? I’m fine, it’s just the sniffles, is all,” lied the blond.
Silver and gold eyes stared Adrien down, as Caden raised a brow. Without warning, the taller teen leaned down and gently pressed his forehead against Adrien’s. Watery green eyes widened in surprised, and the feverish blush on Adrien’s face deepened.
Caden hummed, deep in his chest, before saying, “You have a fever.”
Straightening, Caden looked over to Nino and ordered, “Nino, tell the teachers we can’t make it today. Adrien has a fever and I’m taking care of him.”
“What? Caden, no! We have a test today!” the blond protested, and proceeded to try and hack up both his lungs.
By the time he got over this coughing fit, Caden had taken off his hoodie, put it over Adrien, shouldered the blond’s bag, and picked up the blond. Then ravenette then proceeded to walk away from the school, with Nino calling after Caden to take good care of Adrien. Caden didn’t bother giving a response to that. His mate was sick, of course he was going to take care of him.
Adrien sniffed, and pushed the hood back so he could glare (read: pout) up at the taller teen. “Caden, put me down. We can’t skip today, there’s a test. And Father will be angry,” spoke the blond.
“I don’t care. You’re sick and in need of a lot of TLC, so that’s what you’re getting until I’m satisfied. And your father can kiss my ass. Bastard can’t even tell when his kid’s sick with a fever,” replied the ravenette, annoyed by the continued neglect of his summershine. Not that it’d continue for much longer.
“TLC? What’s that?” Adrien asked, choosing to ignore the insults to his father. It’s not like he could argue against them, after all. “It’s an acronym for ‘Tender Loving Care’,” Caden answered. Adrien then proceeded to blush down to his chest and hid his face in the ravenette’s firm chest. He can’t believe his mate sometimes. He actually said that with a straight face!
The flustered, sick blond stiffened when he realized something. “Wait, you said until you’re satisfied, what does that mean?” asked Adrien.
Caden stopped walking, and looked down at his soulmate with a smirk. “It means,” began the teen, “that I’m going to care for you until I’m satisfied with the amount of TLC I’ve given my summershine.”
Adrien felt his breath catch in his throat in the intense look in Caden’s bi-colored eyes. “So… until I’m better?” asked the breathless blond.
The ravenette chuckled, deep in his chest, before kissing his mate’s cheek. “You’re adorable. I said I’d stop when I’m satisfied, Adri. What makes you think I’ll be satisfied with just your improved health? I’m afraid it’s going to take a lot more than that, annwyl,” Caden whispered, kissed his mate’s cheek again, and continued walking.
Adrien squeaked, eyes wide and hid his face in Caden’s hoodie, before pressing closer to the teen’s chest. Stupid Caden! Stupid, sweet, ridiculous soulmate! At this point, he was going to kill Adrien before graduation! Caden chuckled at his mate’s cute mutterings, and walked into an alley. He’d be taking a much faster route home, his mate needed bedrest, after all.
“Yuuki?” The wolf kwami poked his head out from Caden’s mop of hair.
“Yes, cub?”
“I need to get Adrien home, do you mind?” the teen asked.
“Not all, cub. I can smell the scent of sickness growing in your mate. It’d be best to get him in the den, quickly,” replied Yuuki.
Caden nodded, “Fangs bared.”
Lunam Lupus was fast and silent, avoiding cameras and people as he carried his precious mate home. He tried his best to keep his movement from jostling his drowsy mate too much, but rooftop travel wasn’t exactly smooth. Still, they arrived at Caden’s home a lot faster that they would’ve with the teen carrying Adrien on the ground.
Landing on the balcony, Lupus said, “Fangs sheathed.” Caden stepped up and through his window, hopping over the window seat and walked over to set the blond in his nest/bed. “There we are, love. Home,” the ravenette said softly.
Adrien pushed the hood back and glared (read: pouted) at his mate. “Caden, I told you, we can’t skip. There’s a test we have to do today,” Adrien whined.
Caden raised a brow. “I don’t care, you’re not leaving this bed until you’re better. If you’re worried, I’ll arrange it so we can take the test next week, and it won’t effect our grades. Or we can be excused from it, and any other assignments all together this week,” rebut the taller teen.
Adrien blinked up at Caden. “Really? How are you gonna mange that?”
“You forget, sweetheart. I’m a Sigerīc. There’s a lot of things I can do,” Caden replied with an amused look on his face.
Adrien blushed, he had forgotten. He was so used to Caden being called Solheim, that he sometimes forgot that his soulmate was really a Sigerīc. It didn’t help that Caden didn’t really use his family’s name all that often. Unless he wanted to do something special for Adrien, then there was no holding the older teen back. But since Adrien managed to negate that to a once-a-month thing, instead of an every-other-day thing, that didn’t happen too often either.
Caden clapped his hands, “So first things first, let’s get you changed into something comfy. Or do you want to take a bath first? The steam should help with your sinuses, as well as any aches you’ve got.”
“I don’t need a bath, Den. I showered this morning.”
“And then you came to school and tried to cough up your lungs. You’ve probably got some chest pain, as well as a headache, right?” Caden asked.
Adrien pouted and looked to side, silent.
“I’ll take that as a yes… Right then, bath time,” decided the ravenette.
Adrien protested, but was ignored by his soulmate. Said mate went into his private bathroom and got things ready for his sick mate. Low lighting to not aggravate the headache, hot water, scented bubbles via bathbomb, a plush towel for him to rest his head on, the works. His mate was sick and in need of TLC. So he was going to give him TLC, damnit.
The ravenette walked out of the bathroom to see his mate, still swaddled in his hoodie, attempting to climb up and over the window to get to Caden’s balcony. Unfortunately for the blond, his fever was making him lightheaded, so he was wobbly and uncoordinated. Fortunately for the blond, when he lost his footing because of the fever, he had his mate standing behind him, so he fell back into a firm chest and strong arms, instead of the hard floor. Caden looked down at his mate, who gave a sheepish grin and a chuckle, that turned into a cough.
Rolling his eyes, Caden adjusted his hold on Adrien, and carried the protesting blond to the bathroom. Setting him on his feet, Caden looked over the blond with worried silver and gold eyes. He really didn’t look so good.
“Adrien, will you be able to get undressed and into the tub okay? You’re shaking,” the taller teen asked. Adrien was about to insist he was fine, but paused and thought about it. He did trip trying to climb onto the window seat. Who’s to say he wouldn’t do it again to get into the bath? Still, the thought of being naked around his mate made the blond blush.
Caden mistook his mate’s silence for unease, and went to reassure him. “Hey, it’s okay, summershine. If my being here makes you uncomfortable, just tell me and I’ll leave. But if you really do need help, that’s nothing to be ashamed of, and if it helps, I’ll keep my eyes closed the entire time, kay?” cooed the ravenette as he cupped the blond’s cheeks and stroked them with his thumbs. Adrien relaxed into the hold and whispered that he did need some help, and would feel better if Caden’s eyes were closed. Caden nodded and kissed Adrien’s feverish forehead, before closing his eyes.
He used his hands to feel out where he needed to removed his mate’s clothes, making sure to keep his touch light and gentle, not wanting to make his mate uncomfortable. When it was time to remove Adrien pants, Caden asked if the blond wanted to do that himself, using Caden as support. Adrien’s blush was starting to become permanent, as he nibbled his lip, before saying that his jeans were starting to stick to his legs because of sweat and humidity, and that he’d need help. Caden nodded, eyes still firmly closed, and helped his mate get his jeans off his legs, but did his best not to touch the blond’s boxers, or his ass.
His mate was sick and in need of love and comfort, this definitely wasn’t the time to play grab ass.
Once Adrien was in the tub, Caden left to cook his mate food, as well as make a few calls.
Meanwhile, Adrien relaxed back into the bath with a sigh of relief. He wouldn’t admit, but his body and head had been aching, so the hot water was doing wonders, same with the low lighting. The towel under his head was plush and comfortable, and the steam and scented bubbles also worked in clearing his sinuses; he could breathe now. The bath didn’t stop the coughing, but it helped keep his body relaxed and it felt like it eased the chest pain afterwards. Another thing that was starting to go away, was the nausea, though the blond wasn’t sure if it really was the bath, or if it was his mind playing tricks on him because of the bath.
Downstairs, Caden was done making the arrangement needed to ease his mate’s mind, as well as keep him here. Honestly, the nerve of Gabriel Agreste. If the man couldn’t be bothered to keep his son’s health in mind, then he didn’t deserve to watch over his recovery. Assuming the man, himself, would even bother to look after his son, and not just leave it to his staff. None of which even noticed Adrien was sick, and they’d seen him this morning. Incompetent curs, all of them.
Caden stopped what he was doing, and took a deep breath. Getting pissed wasn’t going to help his mate get better faster, the soup, however, would. Nodding to himself, Caden continued making the soup. It was an old family recipe, one that worked wonders for him and his sister when they got sick with a fever, and he was sure it’d work for his mate too. Once the soup was done, Caden put it on low, and scooped some into a soup cup, so that Adrien could eat it himself without help. As much as he’d love to handfeed his mate, he was sure that at this point, the stubborn blond would be too embarrassed to actually eat more than a few bites. That’d have to be a goal for later.
Heading back up to his room, Caden set the food down on the nightstand, and got out clean clothes for his mate to sleep in. Knocking on the door, Caden asked if he could come in. After receiving permission, the ravenette opened the door at smiled at the blond. He looked a bit better now. His face was still flushed, but he didn’t look to be in pain, his breathing was better, and he looked cute when he was sleepy.
Sitting on the rim of the tub, Caden reached out and stroked the blond’s hair. “Feeling better, annwyl?” the taller teen asked.
Adrien leaned into his soulmate’s touch with a content hum, and nodded.
“Good,” replied the ravenette, before leaning down and kissing Adrien’s still feverish forehead.
Leaning back, Caden whispered, “As much as I hate to disturb you, summershine, it’s time to get out, before you turn into a prune.”
Adrien pouted up at his mate with sleepy green eyes, and was going to protest, but he ended up giving a yawn instead. Chuckling, Caden rolled up his sleeves, and gently picked up his mate out of the tub. Adrien squeaked, and blushed, but was too drowsy to really do anything as he was set down, gently dried off with a towel, and wrapped in a too large bath robe, before being picked up again and carried out of the bathroom.
Caden carried his mate to his nest/bed and carefully helped him get dressed into his clothes. Then, the ravenette changed himself, and climbed into bed, behind the sick blond, so he could be a human pillow. Once they were comfortable, Caden reached over and got the soup cup, holding it for his sleepy mate so the blond could sip at it without spilling. Adrien hummed as he sipped at the soup, tasting pepper, chicken, sweet onions, carrots, ginger and garlic. It was a bit on the spicy side, but not too much, and it warmed him to his bones, more than the bath did, and it didn’t bother his stomach either.
When most of the soup was gone, Caden set the cup back on the nightstand, and picked up the medicine. The ravenette tried to get his tired mate to drink it, but the stubborn blond was refusing to cooperate, saying that he felt fine now, and that it tasted horrible. Sighing, Caden was left no other choice.
He knocked back the medicine like he was downing a shot, then he tilted his mate’s head and kissed him. Adrien squeaked again, feeling more awake now, but relaxed into the kiss. When he felt Caden’s tongue lick at his lips, Adrien opened his mouth, and let out a whine when he tasted the medicine. Caden fed Adrien the medicine through their kiss, not letting the blond go until it was all gone. Caden released his hold on Adrien, who glared (read: pouted) at his mate for the trick he pulled.
Caden chuckled again and kissed his mate’s nose, earning another squeak and blush, and picked the soup cup up again. Adrien grumbled, but ate what was left of the soup, grateful that it washed away the nasty taste of the medicine, and yawned. Another reason why he hated taking medicine, was that it always made him drowsy.
Caden set the empty soup cup aside, and snuggled down with his mate in his arms, tucking him in close and humming a lullaby to help the blond sleep.
Adrien’s fever lasted for a week, in which the blond acted a bit bratty, while at the same time was being cute and cuddly. At least in Caden’s opinion. Their kwamis just shook their heads and left their humans alone, taking the time to chat and catch up some things. And when there was an akuma, Caden refused to let his sick mate transform and join the fight.
Instead the ravenette took care of it himself, without leaving the room. He just told his wolves they had five minutes to find and break the object containing the akuma, as well as destroy the akuma itself. Which they did in less than three minutes. Caden, as Lupus, even had a wolf relay a message. Hawkmoth was to leave Paris alone for a week, or Lunam Lupus would crush his throat with his bare hands, as the man wasn’t worthy of his fangs. The message was apparently received and taken seriously, as there wasn’t a single disturbance since then.
Adrien just snorted and shook his head at his soulmate’s actions. While some (read: Ladybug) might see Caden’s actions as crossing a line and going a bit too far, the blond found comfort in them. Knowing that someone would neutralize a threat in less that five minutes for him and give him a week of absolute care wasn’t something he wasn’t used too, but reveled in.
The week also gave the blond some insight as to what life could be like when the two moved in together and started their lives as adults. He couldn’t deny it was something he was looking forward too. And it made him think about Caden’s offer. The one concerning his father. While Adrien did feel some familial affection and loyalty to his father, he couldn’t ignore the fact that the man never came to see him. He didn’t even call. Nathalie didn’t either, though the Gorilla did, twice.
There was a small part of Adrien that insisted his father had to care about and love him, at least a little. That part was slowly dying though, and maybe, just maybe… he should let his mate call an Investigation on his father. Problem was, the blond was still scared about what might be found during said investigation. His soulmate’s Association didn’t hold back when it came to that sort of thing, and with him being the mate to the heir of the Sigerīc Family, there definitely wouldn’t be a stone left unturned.
But that was something Future Adrien could worry about later. Present Adrien was more than content to snuggle with his soulmate and trade kisses as the older teen read to the blond. By now, he was over his fever, but Caden insisted on one more rest day to make sure Adrien was fine. Though it’s not like Adrien did or said much in protest to that. By now, he learned there was no way he could out-stubborn his mate, and truthfully, he enjoyed being lazy with the other teen. It was a win-win for both of them.
The next day, the two walked to school together, with Caden’s arm wrapped around Adrien’s waist, and chatted the entire way. Once they were at school, they were greeted by their friends, Nino, Alya, Alix, Nathaniel, Jeluka, Rose, and Marc. Marinette was hanging at the edge of the group, looking at them with longing, but refused to join them. It still hurt too much, and the small black haired girl still hated Caden for taking Adrien. It didn’t help that the gold and silver eyed teen still glared whenever she came too close to Adrien, and would often move so he was between the two.
The group entered the school and the soulmate pair were sent to a different classroom so they could take the science test in peace. They were even given spark notes of the subjects taught over the week they were gone, and told they didn’t have to make up any assignments either. Adrien looked over at his mate, knowing this was because of his influence, and smiled and him, grateful. Caden smiled back and they two continued with their day.
Things went back to normal after. Well, as normal as their lives got, that is. There was one slight difference though. After that week, Adrien’s things slowly began to move into Caden’s room. Looks like they’d be living together sooner than they thought.