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Félix didn't feel well.
Which was a bit of a disaster, really.
He hated not feeling well. He always had to get sick at the worst possible times. (Which to him, was really every time.)
Either way, he was still annoyed.
He had been constantly woken up during the night by various fits of nausea, as well as a few most-likely fever induced nightmares.
He really could not wait for this illness to be over with.
Hiding it from his mother would be hard. Félix knew that she was a wonderful woman, and he loved her more than anything else in the world, but if she found out he was sick, she would want to take care of him.
And he didn't want to stress her out like that. She already did far too much for him.
He waited until it was the time he usually woke up before deciding to go downstairs, he didn't want to draw any suspicion by waking up early.
"Good morning, Dear!" Amelie called out as Félix joined her in the living room.
"Morning…" He replied, sitting down next to her.
He was taken aback when she suddenly reached out her hand to pet his head.
Shoot.
She would be able to feel his fever.
Félix quickly ducked his head down as subtly as he could, so she would only be able to feel his hair and nothing else.
"Hm…Is everything alright, Félix?"
His fingers drummed on the couch cushion. "Yes, of course. Why do you ask?"
Amelie gave him a smile. "You just felt a little bit warm, that's all."
Félix smiled back, though it wasn't as reassuring as her's. "Well, I feel fine."
He felt like keeling over right that second.
"Are you hungry, My Love? I can make you some breakfast."
Just the mere thought of eating was turning Félix's stomach inside out.
"No thank you, Mom. I'm not hungry."
Félix knew how much she hated it when he skipped meals, but he'd rather skip a meal than throw it up in a matter of minutes.
Amelie nodded. "Okay, but promise me you'll try to eat something later?"
Félix nodded. "Of course."
He knew he would most likely not be eating anything later, but if the reassurance was enough to save her from worrying, then it was good enough in his eyes.
"Can I at least make you some tea though? I know you're warm right now, but it's cold out, and I don't want you getting sick."
Félix tensed at the word "sick" before almost laughing at the irony of what she had just said.
"Okay."
Amelie smiled once more, before heading into the kitchen to make them both some tea.
Félix sighed, realizing how tight his chest felt.
He tried to keep a sudden coughing fit quiet by leaning into his arm and muffling it with his sleeve.
Thankfully, it seemed to work.
It was a few more minutes before Amelie came back with the tea, carrying a tray with a teapot as well as two cups, a milk jug, and a sugar jar.
"How did you sleep last night, Love?"
He had barely even slept at all.
"I slept well." He took a sip of his freshly made tea.
"Wonderful!"
Amelie was grinning at him again, and Félix couldn't help but feel guilty for lying.
At least it was better than making her take care of him all day.
They sat in silence together for a few minutes, Félix trying to sit upright without swaying in his dizziness.
"How's Dusuu? Have you fed them yet?"
He was planning to when his tea was finished (the Kwami liked to sleep in for hours, Félix had learned.) but now his mom had given him the perfect opportunity to slip away before she noticed his fever.
"No, not yet. I should take care of that now."
He finished the remainder of his tea, and placed the empty cup back down on the tray. "Thanks Mom." He turned to her and smiled again before heading into the kitchen to find some of Dusuu's food.
Ever since he had obtained the Peacock Miraculous, he had always made sure he was stocked up on whatever foods Dusuu particularly liked.
One of the things the Kwami particularly enjoyed was hazelnuts. So Félix got out a bag from a nearby closet and made sure to skin them before bringing a small bowl to his room.
"Dusuu, are you up yet? I brought you your food."
Dusuu sat up from the makeshift bed Félix had made out of pillows and blankets and flew over to him, his typically massive smile on his face.
"I got you hazelnuts, your favorite." Félix continued, placing the bowl on his bedside table.
Dusuu gave a cheer and went to eat their food, whilst Félix collapsed back onto his bed and sighed.
"Master! Is—!"
"M'not my uncle, Dusuu. Félix. Félix is fine."
"Félix! Are you okay!?"
Dusuu was suddenly right beside Félix again, peering down at him as if he would fall apart if he took his eyes away.
"I'm fine…Just…just a little bit sick is all…"
Félix jumped at the absolute shock on Dusuu's face.
"Oh no…Oh no no no no no! I—I thought the Miraculous was repaired! I—!'
"H—hey! Calm down…The Miraculous is fine…"
Dusuu still seemed to be on edge, but Félix's comforts did seem to reassure him.
"...Are you sure? Miss Nathalie used the Miraculous before you…and now she's really really sick too!"
"That's different. They fixed the Miraculous. See?"
Félix reached into his pocket and pulled out the Peacock Brooch. "Look. Not broken."
Dusuu seemed relieved. And quite frankly, Félix was too.
He couldn't imagine the horrible irony of suffering the same fate as his father, after all.
Fortunately, this was just one of his usual tedious illness spasms that would probably (hopefully) be over by tomorrow.
He didn't know how much longer he'd be able to hide it from his mom.
***
"Félix! I'm going to the store!" Amelie's voice called out.
"Okay, Mom!" He called out back.
Well, at least that meant he wouldn't have to hide in his room for a while.
Félix hadn't realized just how dry his throat was, and decided he should probably go get some water.
"Félix?" Dusuu piqued up. "What are you doing? Aren't you sick? Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I'm fine, I'm just going to get some water while Mom's gone."
Dusuu was frowning at him. "Why don't you tell her you're sick? Your mom's really nice!"
"I know she is…that's…that's the thing…" Félix tapped his foot. "I just don't wanna make her worry about me…she deals with enough already."
Dusuu's frown grew bigger. "But Félix…"
"I'll be fine, okay? I won't be long."
Félix shut his bedroom door, and tensed as the world around him started spinning.
He was really dizzy.
The lights were also a lot brighter than they had been the last time he had seen them.
…How…?
Next thing he knew, he was really exhausted.
What was…?
He felt like he couldn't even hear himself think.
By the time he was in the kitchen, he was trembling, and he couldn't even keep himself upright.
Before he knew it, he was on the floor.
When…?
Then he couldn't see anything but black.
***
There was something cold on his forehead.
Something wet.
It felt terrible, and Félix immediately tried to get it off.
"No, Sweetheart. You need that."
Félix groaned.
Then he realized who was speaking to him.
He opened his eyes. "...Mom?"
"Félix." Amelie combed her fingers through his hair, tucking it behind his ears. "How are you feeling?"
"I…"
He didn't know what to say. He barely even felt awake.
Amelie kept on playing with his hair. "Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"
Her voice was gentle as always, but something about it poured guilt into Félix's heart.
"...I'm sorry, I…I didn't want to worry you…"
Amelie smiled. "Well, that certainly went well." She let out an almost carefree laugh. "Love, you're allowed to tell me when you're sick. I'm your mother."
Félix turned his head away. "I'm sorry, Mom…"
She kissed the top of his head. "It's alright. Just promise to tell me next time."
"I promise."
Her smile grew wider. "Thank you, my dear. Now, I've made you some food, and brought you some medicine. I know you might not be in the mood to eat right now, but can you at least have a tiny bit of it? You shouldn't take the medicine without eating a little first."
She looked so pleading, and Félix knew she was doing her best to help him.
And he didn't want to deny her care like that when she was trying so hard to take care of him.
"Okay…"
"Wonderful! Thank you, Sweetheart."
Félix had only just noticed the bowl on his bedside table, and also Dusuu, who was sitting beside it.
Amelie used his pillows to prop him up into a sitting position.
"I was so worried, you know! I came back from the store, and you were passed out on the kitchen floor!" She picked up the bowl, which seemed to contain a sort of porridge.
"This will help you feel better."
She explained, holding the spoon up to his mouth, and Félix would have complained at the idea of being spoon-fed had he not been so tired.
Instead, he just opened his mouth and ate the spoonful she was offering.
"Thank you, Darling."
It was clear Amelie had made the porridge herself rather than simply getting any store brand stuff, and even though it felt like his stomach was rolling, the porridge did taste rather nice.
"Porridge is supposed to be a good food for you when you're sick. It's not solid, so it's much easier to eat for one."
Amelie fed him more of the porridge, making sure to keep the spoonfuls small so they'd be easier for him to eat.
"How long have you been sick for?"
"...Just today…"
"I see…" Amelie tutted. "Don't worry, My Dear. I'll take care of you."
Amelie's voice was so soft and gentle it could rival an angel's.
She helped Félix eat the rest of the porridge. She had given him a small portion, most likely to keep it easy on his stomach.
"Now it's time for your medicine, Sweetheart."
Félix had to admit, the medicine looked really gross.
But at the same time, it would upset his mom if he refused to take it, and Félix hated when she was upset.
So begrudgingly, he took the medicine.
"I know, it doesn't taste very nice, does it? You just have to take one more spoonful, then it's done."
He finished the last spoonful and cringed at the bad taste in his mouth.
Amelie patted his head and frowned. "Stay here, Mama will go get you a drink."
Amelie went to get him the drink, leaving him alone with Dusuu.
"Félix!" Dusuu threw themselves against his cheek, snuggling against him as if they were trying to hug him. "Are you okay!? One minute you were going to get a drink, then Amelie had to carry you into your bed because you fainted!"
Dusuu spoke way too much.
But in a way, it was kind of endearing to Félix.
"I'm gonna be fine, Dusuu…Mom's helping me…"
Dusuu stayed pressed against him until Amelie came back with his water, reminding him to sip it gently.
Part of Félix felt really guilty still. He had tried so hard to keep his illness a secret from her so she wouldn't worry like this, only to stress her out so badly in the end with his fainting.
"I'm sorry I made you worry so much, Mom…"
"Sweetheart…" sat down beside him. "Like I said before, you're my child. It's my job to care for you, and especially when you're sick."
Félix couldn't even think of an argument.
"I just fell…I don't know…" He sighed under his breath. "Guilty."
Amelie kissed his forehead again. "Don't be." She took his hand. "I love getting to take care of you, My Félix. After all, you're my pride and joy."
She was smiling at him like always, but something about it just felt so amazing to Félix. The words she spoke sounded so genuine. So loving.
And after so many years of constant torment from his father, the soft-spoken kind words from his mother almost felt like they were enough to make up for it all.
Almost.
"...Thanks, Mom…"
He found himself smiling back at her.
"You're welcome, My Darling. And don't worry, I'll make sure you're better soon."
She was twirling her fingers around in his hair again.
"Now, why don't you try to take a nap now? Sleeping always helps when you're tired, I've found."
He was feeling pretty tired.
"...Yeah, maybe I should."
She took her hand away from his hair, removing the cloth from his forehead while she was at it, and he was already missing the feeling of her touch.
"Okay, Dear. I'll leave you to sleep then."
She kissed his cheek one last time.
"Sleep well, My Love. I'll see you soon."
Amelie gently got up from the bed, shutting the curtains and closing the door behind her.
Félix noticed Dusuu was smirking at him.
"Don't start—!"
"Mama's boy!" They jeered.
"Hush. I'm going to head to sleep, so you should probably find something to do meanwhile."
"Aww! I wanted to annoy you more!"
"Well you can't." Now it was Félix's turn to smirk, as he leaned onto his side and closed his eyes.
He then felt something snuggling up against his face again.
Dusuu didn't say anything else, they just stayed cuddled up against Félix's face for a while.
Félix didn't know if it was some sort of Miraculous holder ability or what, but he always felt like he was able to feel Dusuu's emotions in a way.
And he could feel how worried they had been when they'd learned he was sick. How scared they had been at the thought of the Miraculous being broken all over again.
Félix placed a hand over their body, trying to lean into them as much as he could.
Even with how small they were, they were surprisingly nice to cuddle with.
It always felt weird when he was sick, and being coddled and cared for by people other than his mother was still a new and foreign feeling to Félix, but even with his emotional invulnerability, he couldn't help but find Dusuu's affection oddly nice.
Surprisingly, they were asleep before him.
Félix held them close until he was able to fall asleep himself as well.