Chapter Text
The room is dark, barely illuminated by the sun that’s casting it’s rays through the blinds. Even though the window is slightly opened it feels stuffy, the air heavy and hard to breathe. As he opens his eyes he can’t help but groan, his body feeling way too heavy and weak to even attempt getting up. IV moves his head trying to get into a more comfortable position and instantly regrets it as a stinging pain shoots through it. His eyes roll back as black spots dance across his line of vision and the room seems to spin in circles.
IV let’s his head fall back onto the pillow muffling another groan that escapes him. Suddenly he feels hyperaware of his shirt clinging to his back and how hot his body is feeling. He tries to remove his blanket to hopefully regulate his body temperature a bit more but only manages to get half of his lower body to escape the heat. His muscles don’t seem to comply as his arms instantly start to shake and cold shivers run down his back.
The movement already drained all of his energy, his mind foggy with exhaustion as he tries to calm his laboured breathing. His eyes fall shut again as a weak whimper leaves his quivering lips. IV doesn’t manage to fall asleep again though, drifting between being wide awake and dozing off.
The hinges of the door suddenly creaking and the sound of steps coming closer wakes him up again. Weakly IV tries to open his eyes just to produce another groan as his vision seems to blur instantly and dizziness hits him.
IV can’t tell how much time has passed it feels like minutes, but by the way the patches of sun had moved across the room it must’ve been hours. The light looks almost golden which means it must be late afternoon, did he really stay in bed that long?
He doesn’t dare move or open his eyes again as the dizziness turns into nausea and his head pounds heavier than before. Suddenly a cold hand is pushed against his mask covered forehead and a distant voice is asking him something he can’t understand. His ears feel like they’re stuffed with cotton. IV pushes his head towards the soothing coolness, whining when it gets removed.
The blanket finally gets pushed off of him a deep sigh leaving IV as he seems to cool down a bit. He instantly feels better when a fresh breath of air hits his face and back, the window must’ve been opened fully. He still doesn’t dare open his eyes but he manages to open his dry mouth to croak out a weak „morning“.
He can hear a chuckle, comfort chasing the pain away as he realises that the voice belongs to II. The drummer always snorts gently in between his laughs, sounds IV had never heard somebody else produce. The bed beside him dips and the cold hands are back gently cradling his feverish cheeks, a weak smile spreading on his face.
„You’re burning up, love.“
IIs voice is barely above a whisper and heavily laced with distress. IV wants to move closer to him, be comforted but his body is simply too weak to follow his commands.
„Why?“ is all IV is able to get out, exhaustion washing over him. The guitarist doesn’t understand what’s happening or why he’s feeling this way.
II removes his hands again, which is followed by a weak cry from the guitarist. His hands come to rest on the others back, carefully lifting the sweat soaked shirt.
„You’re changing IV.“ the drummer whispers as he lightly traces the black swirls on the others back.
The black is slowly expanding to cover every inch of his skin, replacing the once human cells. Soon it will look almost like a reptile shedding it’s old skin, the dry dead epidermis flaking on top of the rich black. That wouldn’t happen until the process had been completed though.
II averts his gaze from the others back as he started to feel dizzy, the lines looking like they moved, the skin almost bubbling. He knows what IV is going through, he had experienced it too but he never saw how it looked on himself. He sighs, feeling sympathy for his beloved bandmate. Soon the other would be covered in black just like all of them, his body changed to accommodate the powers of their god. III had gone through the changes the week prior. IV getting more antsy as the days went on, scared of when it would be his turn.
IV knows what to expect, what will happen to him soon. He remembers the wails and screams that rang through the house just a few days ago and he feels his heart sink. His mind racing as his body starts shaking again, this time with sobs. II shushes him, gently wrapping his arms around his bandmate and pulling his head in his lap, careful not to touch the scorching black patches of skin. Letting his fingers linger at the end of the mask covering IVs face, he waits. IV nods weakly permitting the other to remove it.
„I’m here IV. You won’t be alone I’ll be here the whole time.“ II whispers gently running his hand through the others hair brushing a few strands away from his face. IV wants to tell him, wants to voice his fears but he can’t, his body once again not complying to his will. He feels impossibly small and weak in the others arms, tears rolling down his cheeks and soaking into IIs pants as IV slips into unconsciousness.
II let’s his gaze wander over the others face, red puffy eyes a stark contrast against his pale white skin. For now the black was limited to the others back but it would spread until it covered him whole. The colour only marking the beginning though, after the body changed externally its insides would cleanse as well. Removing all that’s left of its humanity. Their deity also provided a different „gift“ for each one of them, for II it was his strength. Sleep might call them gifts but to the Vessels they feel more like curses, especially during the process of obtaining them. II shudders as he remembers his transformation. When his muscles felt like they were ripped out of him. His whole body burning as if every fibre, every fibrille snapped just to grow back together. II could feel them connect back together, the muscle being renewed from the smallest proteins up. Pity wells up in his chest as he worries about what IV would’ve to go through.
As II places his hand on IVs forehead he notices his temperature rising again, the spots and swirls on his back almost moving as if they were trying to break free. After contemplating his options he decides to remove IVs shirt, even though it was a soft material it must’ve felt like sandpaper against the worried skin. Next he enters the small bathroom connected to IVs room to wet a towel. He proceeds to place it on the others back, making sure to bring an additional smaller one for his forehead. II gently smooths out the fabric with his palms and he swears he can almost see vapour rising from where the water meets the skin.
Just as he’s about to contemplate if he can leave the other alone for a longer period of time to get him some water, Vessel gingerly peeks his head through the half closed door. After a short nod from II the taller man proceeds to enter the room.
„How is he?“ Vessel whispers, mindful of his steps as to not wake the sick guitarist.
„Scared and in pain, you know how it is… How is III?“ II states, turning his head towards the other, reluctantly taking his eyes off of IV.
„Sleeping, he’s exhausted but…I think tomorrow he should be fine again.“ Vessel grins, clearly glad that their bassist had gotten past the worst moments of the transition.
II smiles, happy to hear that III was recovering well, he twists his hands nervously before speaking.
„I’ll visit him…later. I just…can’t leave IV.“ II whispers as guilt twists his stomach in knots.
„He’s sleeping anyway don’t stress yourself… They’ll both be okay.“ he adds sensing the torment of the other. Vessel steps closer, slowly opening his arms to give II the chance to refuse the hug. The smaller man instantly wraps himself around him though, both relaxing into the embrace. The tension in their shoulders releasing and the worry about their bandmates forgotten for a few seconds. II let’s out a low sigh breathing in Vessels calming scent.
„I’m going to bring you two something to eat, hm?“ Vessel states, leaning down to press a short kiss to the others temple. „I’ll get some water as well, so you can stay with IV.“ he adds with a soft smile.
II mumbles a thank you and lightly pulls Vessel closer before making his way to the bathroom to wet IVs towel again. When he returns Vessel is already gone and the door to the room is closed. He can hear soft cluttering from the other side. II gently places the towel back which causes IV to sigh. The guitarist slowly opens one of his eyes before wincing and closing it again. He rasps out a „please“ into IIs general direction.
„Hm, what is it?“ II asks, sitting down next to the other on the bed, genuine concern in his voice. IV instantly tries to inch closer to II, clearly searching for comfort. The drummer seems to understand as he moves to lay down next to IV and proceeds to gently pull the other on top of him so his back won’t get irritated further.
„You sure you’re not gonna overheat like this?“ II asks a gentle smile on his face.
„Perfect.“ is all IV mumbles, nuzzling his head against IIs neck.
II chuckles and moves his hands to carefully press the cold towel on the others shoulders with his palms. IV instantly goes limp in his arms lost in the sensation and bathing in the attention of the drummer. He knows it’ll be short lived but for now he feels a bit better. In IIs arms everything seems a bit less scary, the thought of not being alone during the changing comforting him. IIs gentle touches and slow heartbeat soon lulls him back to sleep.
II also feels his exhaustion catching up to him, IV on top of him acting like a weighted blanket. As he realises that the other had fallen asleep again he too closes his eyes, IVs relaxed breathing accompanying him as he drifts off.
Vessel gently opens the door, a plate of food in hand. As he peeks in he sees both of his bandmates asleep wrapped around each other. He smiles and places the plate on the bedside table before leaving to get them some water as well. After throwing them one last glance he gently closes the door behind him, not wanting to wake them. Especially not when both of them are looking this peacefully.