Work Text:
March 7th
The cold winds of Belobog whipped around them, but March 7th hardly seemed to notice as she skipped down the cobbled streets, pointing out every store window that caught her eye. Caelus trailed behind her, smiling faintly as he watched her excitement grow with each new items
“Look at that one!” March exclaimed, bouncing on her heels as she stopped in front of a small boutique “They’ve got those snow globe things! Remember the last one I bought? I broke it within two days!” She giggled, her breath forming puffs of condensation in the icy air
Caelus chuckled softly “Yeah, you were heartbroken about it for like… a whole ten minutes"
“Ten minutes is a long time when it comes to precious souvenirs!” March pouted playfully, crossing her arms “But this time, I’m going to be extra careful! Maybe I’ll even get two—one for me, one for the train!”
Caelus smiled, watching as she admired the colorful display in the window. His body felt oddly sluggish today, like he was moving through molasses. He shrugged it off. Maybe it was just the cold getting to him. He stuffed his hands deeper into his pockets and tried to keep pace with March as she moved on to the next shop
March chattered excitedly, her words blurring together as she went on about the things she wanted to buy, her voice a steady stream of warmth that seemed to melt the chill of the city. Caelus didn’t mind letting her do most of the talking—he liked listening to her. She had a way of filling the silence with something light, something that made everything feel brighter
“Caelus, are you even listening?” she teased, turning around to poke him in the arm
“Huh?” Caelus blinked, realizing he’d been zoning out. “Yeah, I’m listening "You were talking about, uh… snow globes?”
March rolled her eyes with a grin “Close enough” She grabbed his hand, tugging him toward a small café down the street “Come on, let’s grab something warm to drink. I’m freezing!”
As they walked, Caelus felt a strange pang in his chest. Not the sharp, sudden kind of pain, but a slow, creeping heat that seemed to spread through his body. He frowned, trying to shake off the feeling, but it didn’t go away
By the time they reached the café, March had noticed his silence. She turned to him with a concerned look, her usual playful expression replaced with something more serious
“Caelus, are you okay?” she asked, her voice softer now
“I’m fine,” he muttered, though even he could hear the strain in his voice. His body felt heavier, and there was a warmth in his cheeks that had nothing to do with the cold outside
March frowned, stepping closer “You don’t look fine.” She reached out and pressed her hand to his forehead, her cool fingers brushing against his skin
Caelus closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the cold touch. It felt good, a stark contrast to the heat building inside him. But when he opened his eyes, March’s worried frown had deepened
“You’re burning up!” she exclaimed “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Caelus tried to wave her off, but his limbs felt too heavy “It’s just a little fever, it'll go away” he mumbled
March wasn’t having it. She grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the street. “We’re going to see Natasha. Now."
The clinic wasn’t far, but the walk felt longer than usual for Caelus. His head was starting to spin, and he leaned on March more than he wanted to admit as they made their way through the streets. March kept glancing at him, her lips pressed into a thin line of worry
When they finally reached Natasha’s clinic, March practically dragged Caelus inside. Natasha looked up from her desk, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of the two of them
“What’s going on?” she asked, already moving toward them
“He’s sick!” March blurted out “He’s got a fever, and he’s acting all weird and quiet, Can you check him?”
Natasha’s expression softened as she nodded, guiding Caelus to sit down “Let’s take a look”
Caelus sat on the exam table, blinking as the room seemed to tilt slightly. Natasha moved efficiently, checking his temperature and giving him a quick examination. After a few minutes, she stepped back with a small smile
“It’s just a fever" she said gently “Nothing too serious. But he should rest for the next day or two. It’s probably just the cold catching up with him"
March let out a relieved sigh “Thank goodness! I thought it was something worse”
Natasha chuckled softly “It’s good you brought him here, though. Fever or not, it’s important to take care of yourself"
Caelus tried to smile, but his head felt too heavy to hold up for long “I’m fine" he mumbled, though the way March was looking at him made him doubt his own words
“You’re not fine" March insisted, crossing her arms. “You’re going straight to bed when we get back. No arguments"
Natasha handed March a small packet of medicine “Make sure he takes this. It should help bring the fever down. And keep him hydrated"
March took the packet with a firm nod “Got it. I’ll make sure he gets some rest. Thanks, Natasha!”
As they left the clinic, Caelus leaned more heavily on March, his body feeling like it was weighed down by stones. March didn’t say anything, but he could feel her concern in the way she kept a steady hand on his arm, guiding him carefully through the streets
By the time they reached the Astral Express, Caelus was barely aware of his surroundings. March led him to his room, helping him sit on the edge of the bed before pulling the blankets up around him
“Get some sleep" she said softly, brushing his hair back from his forehead “You’ll feel better in no time.”
Caelus blinked up at her, his vision blurring slightly “Thanks, March"
She smiled, leaning down to press a cool kiss to his forehead “You’re welcome. I’ll be back to check on you later, okay?”
Caelus nodded, too tired to say much more. As March left the room, he closed his eyes, already feeling the pull of sleep dragging him under
Welt Yang
The room was quiet when Caelus woke up, the familiar hum of the Astral Express a soothing backdrop to the heaviness that weighed down his body. His fever hadn’t broken yet, and though he felt a little better after his nap, his head was still foggy, and his muscles ached with exhaustion
He shifted under the blankets, blinking slowly as the door to his room slid open. He half expected to see March’s bright face peeking through, ready to bombard him with her usual energy. But instead, it was Welt Yang who entered, his footsteps soft and deliberate as he approached the bed
“Caelus” Welt greeted in his calm, steady voice, hands clasped behind his back “How are you feeling?”
Caelus blinked up at him, momentarily surprised. He hadn’t expected Welt to check on him “Welt? Where’s March?”
“She asked me to look in on you” Welt explained, moving a chair over to the side of Caelus’ bed. He sat down, his gaze warm but assessing, the way a parent might look at their child to make sure they were truly okay “She’s busy with some maintenance checks, but she didn’t want you to be left alone for too long"
Caelus couldn’t help but smile at that, even through the haze of his fever. March could never sit still for long, yet she still made sure he was taken care of. “I’m alright" he said, his voice a little rough from sleep “Just a fever, I guess"
Welt raised an eyebrow, the corner of his lips tugging up in a faint smile “From what March told me, it sounds like more than ‘just a fever’”
Caelus chuckled weakly, sinking back into his pillows “She worries too much”
“Perhaps" Welt mused, leaning back slightly in his chair “But it’s not without reason. You’ve been pushing yourself quite hard lately"
Caelus frowned, blinking up at the ceiling. He supposed Welt was right—between their recent trips and his constant sense of needing to do more, he hadn’t given himself much time to rest. Still, the thought of slowing down didn’t sit well with him. There was always something more to do, more to learn, more to understand
“I guess” Caelus muttered, his eyes drifting shut “But I don’t want to hold everyone back”
“You aren’t holding anyone back” Welt said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument “You’ve been doing more than your share. Everyone needs rest now and then, even you"
Caelus opened his eyes, glancing over at Welt’s calm expression. There was a weight to his words, a sense of experience that came with living many lifetimes. It was hard to argue with that. Still, the guilt lingered in the back of Caelus’ mind
“I’m not used to it” Caelus admitted quietly “Being the one who has to take a break"
Welt’s gaze softened, his expression thoughtful “It’s not a weakness to need rest, Caelus. You can’t always carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Trust your team—trust your family—to take care of things when you can’t”
Family
The word echoed in Caelus’ mind, warm and comforting. The Astral Express had become something of a home to him, and its crew had become his family. He wasn’t alone anymore, not like he used to be. But old habits were hard to break, and part of him still struggled with the idea of relying on others
“I’ll try" Caelus said after a moment, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just… hard”
“I understand” Welt replied gently “But you’re not alone in this. We’re all here for you”
There was a quiet sincerity in his words that made Caelus’ chest tighten. Welt wasn’t just saying it to be kind—he meant it. Caelus had always admired the older man for his wisdom and steady presence, but in this moment, he felt something deeper, a sense of security that he hadn’t realized he needed
Welt stood up after a few moments of comfortable silence, smoothing down his jacket “I’ll let you rest now. But if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call for me"
Caelus nodded, watching as Welt made his way toward the door. Just before he left, Welt paused, glancing over his shoulder “Oh, and one more thing.”
Caelus raised an eyebrow “Yeah?”
“Drink plenty of water" Welt said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips “It’s important to stay hydrated"
Caelus couldn’t help but laugh, even though it made his head swim a little “You sound like March"
Welt chuckled softly, his eyes warm with amusement “Perhaps I do. But she’s right about that"
With a final nod, Welt stepped out of the room, leaving Caelus alone with his thoughts
Caelus lay back against his pillows, staring up at the ceiling. His body still felt heavy, and his head throbbed dully, but there was a warmth in his chest now, something more than just the fever. It was a strange feeling—this sense of being cared for, of knowing that someone was looking out for him, even when he wasn’t at his best
Welt’s words echoed in his mind, Trust your family
Maybe he could, Caelus thought, closing his eyes. Maybe it was okay to let someone else take care of him for once
As he drifted off to sleep again, the soft hum of the Astral Express was a lullaby, comforting and familiar. For the first time in a long while, Caelus allowed himself to relax, knowing that when he woke up, his family would still be there
Himeko
Caelus awoke to the gentle clinking of dishes and the unmistakable scent of something warm and savory filling the air. He blinked groggily, his vision slowly clearing as he realized someone had entered his room. Himeko stood by his bedside, setting a tray down on the small table next to him. The soft steam rising from the bowl made his mouth water, and for the first time since he’d fallen ill, he realized just how empty his stomach felt
“Good, you’re awake” Himeko said with a smile, her voice calm and reassuring as she turned to face him “Welt told me you were feeling under the weather, so I thought I’d bring you something to eat”
Caelus blinked up at her, still half-dazed from his nap “Himeko…?”
She smiled warmly and sat down on the edge of the bed, gently pushing the tray a little closer to him “It’s just some soup and water. You need to stay hydrated and keep something in your stomach”
Caelus blinked again, surprised by the simple, maternal gesture. He hadn’t expected Himeko to personally bring him food, let alone cook it herself. But as he sat up slowly, supported by the soft pillows behind him, he realized how grateful he was for it. The warmth of the soup felt like a balm against the fever still simmering beneath his skin
“Thank you” he murmured, his voice raspy as he reached for the bowl “You didn’t have to…”
“Nonsense” Himeko said, gently brushing off his words as she handed him a spoon “Taking care of the crew is part of my job, too. Besides, you’re always so busy running around that I rarely get to do something like this for you.”
Caelus couldn’t help but smile at that. Himeko had always been like a guiding figure on the Astral Express, someone who looked out for everyone without making a big fuss about it. But in this moment, sitting beside him with that ever-present warmth in her eyes, she really did feel like the heart of their little family
He took a small sip of the soup, letting the warmth spread through his chest. It was simple, but perfect—exactly what he needed “This is really good” he said softly, glancing up at her
“I’m glad you like it” Himeko replied, resting her hand lightly on the edge of the bed “It’s nothing fancy, just something to help you recover”
For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them, broken only by the soft sound of Caelus sipping his soup. Himeko didn’t rush him, didn’t bombard him with questions or concerns—she simply sat with him, her presence calm and steady, like a lighthouse guiding him through the storm of his illness
As he ate, Caelus couldn’t help but feel a sense of quiet gratitude. He wasn’t used to being taken care of like this. For so long, he had been the one doing the heavy lifting, the one pushing forward, no matter how tired or worn down he felt. But here, on the Astral Express, things were different. He wasn’t alone. And moments like this—where someone went out of their way to make sure he was okay—reminded him of just how lucky he was to have found this place, these people
Himeko must have noticed the change in his expression, because she gave him a knowing smile “You’re always so focused on helping everyone else,” she said softly, her tone gentle but firm “It’s okay to let others take care of you too, you know"
Caelus paused, spoon halfway to his mouth, and looked up at her “I… I know" he said after a moment, though his voice held a hint of hesitation “It’s just hard sometimes. I’m used to handling things on my own”
Himeko chuckled lightly, her red hair catching the soft light of the room as she shook her head “You don’t have to do everything by yourself, Caelus. We’re all here for you. That’s what families do—they look out for each other”
The word family struck him again, just as it had when Welt had said it earlier. It was still a strange concept to wrap his mind around—this idea that he wasn’t just part of a crew, but part of something more, something deeper. Family. It wasn’t a word he had used often in his life, but with Himeko sitting beside him, offering him soup and gentle encouragement, it felt more real than ever
“I guess I’m still getting used to that” he admitted, his voice soft but sincere “But… thank you. It really means a lot"
Himeko reached out and lightly patted his shoulder, her touch gentle but reassuring “You’re welcome, Caelus. We all care about you, and we want to make sure you’re okay"
Caelus nodded, feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the fever. He continued eating, the soup helping to soothe the lingering discomfort in his body. Himeko sat with him, occasionally making quiet conversation, asking how he was feeling, but never pushing too hard. She knew exactly how to strike that balance between caring and giving him space
Once he finished the bowl, Himeko handed him a glass of water “Here, drink this. You need to stay hydrated"
Caelus took the glass gratefully, sipping slowly as he leaned back against the pillows “You’re really good at this, you know” he said after a moment, his voice carrying a note of admiration “Taking care of people"
Himeko laughed softly, a sound that was both warm and light "I’ve had a lot of practice. Being on the Astral Express means looking out for everyone, and that includes making sure you don’t push yourself too hard"
Caelus smiled, a faint blush coloring his cheeks—not just from the fever, but from the warmth of Himeko’s words “I’ll try to keep that in mind”
“Good” Himeko said with a nod “And remember, if you ever need anything—whether it’s soup, or just someone to talk to—we’re all here for you. You don’t have to wait until you’re sick to ask for help”
Caelus chuckled softly, the sound a little hoarse but genuine “I’ll remember that"
Himeko stood up, gathering the empty bowl and glass “I’ll leave you to rest now, but don’t hesitate to call if you need anything else”
As she turned to leave, Caelus couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace wash over him. He may not have grown up with a traditional family, but here on the Astral Express, with people like Himeko and Welt looking out for him, he had found something just as precious
Pom-Pom
Caelus groaned as he pushed himself out of bed. The warmth of the blankets had been comforting, but lying in the same position for so long was making him restless. His fever had dulled somewhat, leaving him feeling weak but not completely helpless. He figured a short walk through the Astral Express might do him some good
As he stepped into the hallway, he took a slow breath, steadying himself. The hum of the Express was soothing, and the gentle sway of the train had a calming effect on his weary body. He made his way toward the parlor car, thinking he could sit for a bit without worrying anyone too much
But as soon as he entered the car, a familiar voice piped up
“Caelus!” Pom-Pom’s squeaky, authoritative tone immediately drew everyone’s attention. The little conductor, who had been busy attending to some paperwork, waddled over to him with quick, urgent steps “What do you think you’re doing out of bed? You’re supposed to be resting!”
Caelus blinked, momentarily startled by Pom-Pom’s sudden appearance. He hadn’t expected the little conductor to be so quick on the draw “I… I just wanted to stretch my legs for a bit"
Pom-Pom’s eyes narrowed, the little puffball crossing their arms “Stretching your legs is one thing, but you’re still sick! You shouldn’t be wandering around like this”
Before Caelus could argue, Pom-Pom turned around and called out “March, Welt, Himeko, come here! Caelus is trying to leave his room!”
Almost immediately, the rest of the crew—minus Dan Heng—turned to look, laughter already bubbling up at the sight of Pom-Pom fussing over Caelus. March was the first to react, giggling as she nudged Welt in the side
“Caelus, seriously?” March teased, her voice filled with amusement “You’ve barely been up for more than a couple hours and you’re already trying to escape?”
Caelus rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little sheepish under their collective gaze “I wasn’t escaping” he mumbled “I just wanted to get some fresh air”
Pom-Pom, however, wasn’t letting him off the hook that easily. The little conductor huffed and pulled out a fresh blanket from seemingly nowhere “If you’re cold, you need more blankets! Come on, back to your room!”
“More blankets?” Caelus repeated, genuinely confused as Pom-Pom shoved the fluffy covering into his arms “I already have enough…”
But Pom-Pom wasn’t having it “You can never have too many blankets when you’re sick!” They said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, then turned to March and the others “Isn’t that right?”
March laughed, nodding enthusiastically “Yep, Pom-Pom’s got a point. You need to stay warm, Caelus! It’s the fastest way to get better”
Welt, ever the calm observer, chuckled softly but offered no resistance to Pom-Pom’s determined approach “It seems like you’re in good hands,” he said with a nod in Pom-Pom’s direction
Himeko, standing off to the side with a fond smile, crossed her arms and leaned against the nearby wall “Pom-Pom’s right, Caelus. You really should be resting. There’s no need to push yourself right now”
Caelus sighed, realizing that he wasn’t going to win this argument. He glanced down at the blanket Pom-Pom had given him, which was absurdly soft and even a bit oversized for his frame. He couldn’t help but smile a little at the sight
“Alright, alright" he conceded, holding up his hands in defeat “I’ll go back to my room"
Pom-Pom’s expression softened a little, but they still had that air of authority about them “Good. We don’t want you getting any worse. Now, come on, I’ll walk you back"
Caelus didn’t protest this time, letting Pom-Pom guide him back toward his room. As they walked away, he could hear March’s voice trailing after them, calling out teasingly “Don’t forget to drink more water, Caelus! And get some extra rest for me!”
He glanced back over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of the crew’s amused faces, each one of them wearing expressions of fondness and lighthearted concern. Even though they were teasing him, it was clear that they were all genuinely looking out for him in their own way
When they finally reached his room, Pom-Pom gave him a stern look “Stay here and rest, alright? I’ll check on you later to make sure you’re not wandering around again"
Caelus smiled, wrapping the extra blanket around his shoulders like a cloak “Thanks, Pom-Pom. I appreciate it"
The little conductor huffed again, but there was a softness in their voice as they replied “Just take care of yourself, okay? We can’t have you getting sicker"
With that, Pom-Pom gave him one final look before waddling out of the room, leaving Caelus to settle back into bed. He sighed softly, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and gratitude. As much as he had wanted to humor Pom-Pom, he really did need the rest
He lay back against the pillows, pulling the new blanket up to his chin, and closed his eyes. The warmth of the blankets and the comfort of knowing that his crew—his family—was looking out for him made the ache of his fever a little more bearable
Dan Heng
When Dan Heng received the message, he wasted no time. He had been away on a short mission, gathering supplies from a nearby planet, when March’s update came through his device: Caelus is sick. Come back as soon as you can.
Those five words ignited a fire in his chest, propelling him to return to the Astral Express as quickly as possible. He had always been calm and collected—focused on the mission, precise with his actions—but the thought of Caelus lying in bed, feverish and weak, made his usually steady heart race with worry
As soon as he stepped onto the Express, he wasted no time rushing to Caelus’ room. His long strides echoed through the halls, passing through the parlor car where Pom-Pom was still lecturing the crew about keeping Caelus in bed. Dan Heng paid little attention to the chatter around him; his mind was singularly focused on reaching the one person who mattered most right now
He opened the door to Caelus’ room gently, his heart dropping the moment he saw him
Caelus was wrapped up in layers of blankets, his hair slightly damp from sweat, his cheeks flushed with fever. His golden eyes, though a little dimmer than usual, still carried that familiar warmth that Dan Heng cherished so deeply. Caelus blinked up at him, managing a small, tired smile
“Dan Heng…?” Caelus’ voice was raspy, but the surprise in his tone was unmistakable “You’re back already?”
Dan Heng felt his chest tighten at the sight of Caelus trying to sit up, his instinct to push himself through the illness clearly evident. He immediately moved forward, placing a gentle hand on Caelus’ shoulder to keep him from rising “Don’t. You need to rest"
“I’m fine" Caelus insisted, though his voice lacked its usual strength "It’s just a fever"
“A fever is still serious" Dan Heng replied softly, his voice laced with concern. He couldn’t hide the worry that was practically radiating off him “You shouldn’t downplay it"
Caelus sighed, leaning back into the pillows as Dan Heng sat on the edge of the bed “I’m really okay, Heng.. You don’t have to worry this much…”
“I do have to worry” Dan Heng said, his eyes softening as he reached up to brush a few damp strands of hair away from Caelus’ forehead “Because I care about you. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately, and now it’s caught up to you”
Caelus opened his mouth to protest, but the look in Dan Heng’s eyes stopped him. He could see the deep concern etched into every line of his face—the way Dan Heng’s usually calm demeanor was fraying at the edges, replaced by a quiet kind of panic that only Caelus could cause
“I’m sorry” Caelus murmured after a moment, his voice softer now, more sincere “I didn’t mean to make you worry"
Dan Heng let out a slow breath, his hand resting gently against Caelus’ forehead for a moment, checking the warmth there. He didn’t say anything right away, but the small sigh that escaped his lips spoke volumes
“It’s alright" Dan Heng finally said, his tone softer now, though the worry still lingered in his eyes. “Just… let me take care of you for once"
Caelus chuckled weakly, though it quickly turned into a small cough “You’re always taking care of me"
Dan Heng gave him a look, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards just slightly “Maybe. But this time, you’re not getting out of it"
Before Caelus could argue, Dan Heng was already moving around the room, fetching a fresh glass of water and placing it on the bedside table. He adjusted the blankets, making sure Caelus was comfortable, then grabbed a nearby cloth, gently dabbing at Caelus’ forehead to cool him down
“I don’t need all this" Caelus muttered, though there was no bite to his words. He was too tired to fight back properly, and in truth, he didn’t really mind the way Dan Heng was doting on him. It felt… nice
“You do” Dan Heng replied, his voice firm but still gentle “And I’m going to make sure you get better, whether you like it or not"
Caelus huffed a little, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips “Fine. I’ll let you play nurse”
Dan Heng gave him a soft look, his hand brushing lightly over Caelus’ cheek “Thank you"
They sat in silence for a while after that, Dan Heng keeping a watchful eye on Caelus as he rested. Every once in a while, he would adjust the blanket or offer Caelus some water, making sure he was as comfortable as possible. Despite his protests, Caelus eventually gave in, sinking into the warmth of the bed and Dan Heng’s quiet care
After what felt like hours, Caelus finally spoke again, his voice a little clearer now that the fever was beginning to subside “You really didn’t have to come back so quickly, you know"
Dan Heng glanced down at him, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, softly, he said “I couldn’t stay away knowing you were like this"
Caelus blinked up at him, his heart skipping a beat at the raw honesty in Dan Heng’s voice. He wasn’t used to seeing Dan Heng so open, so vulnerable. But there was something about being sick—about being taken care of by someone who mattered so much to him—that made him feel closer to Dan Heng in a way he hadn’t before
“Thanks" Caelus whispered, his eyes drifting closed. “For being here”
Dan Heng smiled faintly, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Caelus’ forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment “Always"
Just as Caelus was drifting off to sleep, the door creaked open, and March peeked her head in, her eyes sparkling with mischief
“Room for one more?” she asked with a grin
Dan Heng rolled his eyes, but Caelus chuckled weakly from his spot under the blankets. “Come on in, March. The more, the merrier"
March wasted no time, bounding into the room and diving onto the bed next to Caelus, her cold hand brushing his cheek playfully “Move over, I’m joining the cuddle party!"
Dan Heng sighed but didn’t object, settling back down beside Caelus. The three of them huddled together under the blankets, March’s bubbly laughter filling the room as she teased Caelus about getting sick. Despite her jokes, her presence was warm and comforting, and Caelus couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky to have them both by his side
Caelus +1
The next day, Caelus finally felt like himself again. His fever had broken in the middle of the night, leaving him feeling refreshed and a lot less groggy. After checking in with Natasha via a quick message to confirm he was fully recovered, he wasted no time getting out of bed
Dressed in his usual clothes, Caelus made his way to the parlor car, the familiar warmth of the Express filling him with a sense of comfort and gratitude. The memories of the past day—being fussed over, cared for, and doted on—made his heart swell. His family, as unconventional as they were, had gone above and beyond for him
As he stepped into the parlor car, he was greeted with smiles from every corner
"Look who's finally up and about!" March called from the couch, waving at him excitedly "Feeling better, Caelus?"
"Much better" Caelus replied, smiling warmly as he approached “Thanks to all of you"
Himeko, sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in hand, gave him a knowing smile “Good to see you’re back on your feet. I was starting to wonder if you’d need more of my soup"
“I think I’ve had enough soup to last a lifetime" Caelus joked, earning a laugh from Himeko
Welt nodded from his spot by the window, his usual calm demeanor tinged with a faint smile “It’s good to see you well again, Caelus. You gave us a bit of a scare”
Caelus rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little embarrassed by all the attention “I didn’t mean to worry everyone. But I really appreciate all the care"
Pom-Pom, standing proudly by the bar, puffed out their chest “That’s what we’re here for! I kept an eye on everything to make sure you were getting enough rest"
Caelus smiled fondly "You did a great job, Pom-Pom. I owe you one”
Dan Heng, who had been standing quietly off to the side, approached with his usual calm expression, though Caelus could see the faintest hint of relief in his eyes “You really are alright?”
“I’m alright" Caelus reassured him, his smile softening as he looked at Dan Heng. “Thanks for being there”
Dan Heng nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips “Anytime"
Feeling the warmth and love from everyone in the room, Caelus took a deep breath and looked around at his family “Thank you, all of you, for taking care of me. I don’t know what I’d do without you”
March grinned, hopping up from the couch to wrap an arm around his shoulders “You’re stuck with us now, Caelus. We’re not letting you go that easily!”
The room filled with light laughter, and Caelus couldn’t help but smile, his heart full as he sat down with them. They were more than just a crew—they were his family. And as he sat there, surrounded by their warmth and care, he realized just how lucky he was to have them by his side