Chapter Text
New Orleans, 1917
“I told you it was a bad idea to be out late last night.”
Vox’s voice floated through the mist in Alastor’s head as he tried to sit up, but the pain in his head made it almost unbearable, so he sank back down into bed. Last night………… Oh, yes. He had been out with his friends. It was misty and cold, typical for New Orleans in february. He had given Rosie his jacket and had come home by himself without it, and fallen into bed still dressed.
And now? He was regretting it.
“Hey, shhh, stay in bed. You’ll feel better faster if you rest.” Vox said, gently touching Alastor’s forehead. “You have a slight fever, that's all.” “That’s- all?” Alastor asked weakly, trying to sit up despite Vox’s urging. “But- I never get sick.”
“You weren't so lucky this time, Al.” Vox replied, threading his fingers through Alastor’s hair. “Now you’re going to stay here in bed for a few days or so, and let me take care of things, okay? I can take care of you, as well, but I'm not sure if you’d want it.”
Vox stood from where he had been sitting next to Alastor’s bed and went to leave the room. Alastor was momentarily happy he had managed to get rid of him, but was then hit by a wave of pain in his head and found himself reaching out for a hand that wasn't there.
Maybe………. It wouldn't be so bad if Vox stayed with him for at least a bit.
But it was too late, or so it appeared. Vox was gone.
“It is better this way,” Alastor reminded himself as he sank into the blankets. He should have never let himself get so attached to this man, but in the weeks since the death of his mother, Vox had stood by him and cared for him. And Alastor couldn't deny the fact that he was a touch smitten with the black-haired, blue-eyed man who had told him he loved him within the first 5 minutes of knowing each other. It had taken him time, but now?
He never wanted Vox to leave his side. Ever.
And like the idiot he was, he had just pushed him away.
Eventually Alastor let himself slip into an uneasy sleep, but it was filled with pain and nightmares. However, he was lifted out of this state by a gentle touch on his arm. “Hey, hey, you alright?” someone whispered, running his fingers through Alastor’s hair. It was Vox, of all people, coming back to care for him.
“Mmmmm………….what…………………….” Alastor moaned in pain, trying to sit up. He hated letting himself be this needy, or appear this weak in front of Vox. “Stay lying down. You’ll be more comfortable that way.” Vox whispered into his ear, pushing him back down into bed. He left Alastor's side and went to turn off the light, darkening the room. The absence of light was comforting to Alastor’s aching head.. “I'm going to bring you some food, okay?” Vox said, squeezing Alastor’s hand as he walked away again.
Alastor didn't want Vox to leave, but he reluctantly pulled his hand away from where he had been holding Vox’s, subconsciously keeping him in place. He shifted so he was facing the door and buried his head into a cool place on his pillow, counting the seconds and waiting until Vox came back.
Alastor must have fallen asleep because his eyes seemed fused shut when Vox came back. He felt Vox’s mercifully cool touch on the side of his neck, Vox’s hand half in his hair and half against his skin. It was such a comfort that Alastor melted deeper into bed, intending to stay like this forever. But Vox had other plans.
“I know you’re in pain and you want to sleep it off, but please, you need some food to keep your strength up.” Vox whispered into Alastor’s ear. Alastor rolled over and tried to sit up, intending to argue, but was hit with a wave of dizziness. He felt Vox gently take a hold of his shoulders to keep him balanced.
Alastor forced his eyes to open and saw a small plate in front of him, with pasta and some tea waiting. “You-you made me-” “Yeah, you need to eat something, and pasta is good if you aren't feeling very well.” Vox said. “Of course I cooked for you. It's what any partner would do, you know? Care for you?”
Sensing that this was a rant that had been brewing for a bit, Alastor decided to be silent and let him talk.
“I know that you don't like- affection or anything. I know that you don't want to, you know, do it. I know that you don't like being touched at all really. But seeing you like this, weak and needy, and desperate for my care- because I know you are, don't try to deny it- it makes me realize how much I love you, truly. And that I would do anything for you, Alastor. I would die for you. And I know that you're not the best at feelings and soft stuff, and I'm not either, but I want you to know, because I want you to feel like you can come to me if you need anything, comfort or just to chat. I’m here for you. I want you to know that.”
Here Vox stopped and lowered his head. Alastor, suddenly weak, leaned forward and rested his head against Vox’s shoulder for support. This made Vox look over and smile. “Okay, now you've gotta eat something.” he said quietly, into Alastor’s ear.
Vox handed him a fork and sat with him, arm around Alastor’s back, Alastor’s head still resting on his shoulder. Alastor ate the whole dish, managing to keep it down. He drank a few sips of tea before lifting his head off of Vox’s shoulder- with difficulty- and falling back into bed. Vox reached out and wrapped the blanket around him, noticing he was shivering a little, but when he tried to give Alastor a hug, he reached out and pushed Vox away, saying, “No…………………..I’m melting all of the sudden but I'm so, so, so cold,……………………….I dont know what's happening……..” He tried to sit up again, but Vox gently held him down once more and whispered, “Shh, you’re alright. Let me make you more comfortable.” Vox touched Alastor’s forehead and noticed that his fever had gotten much worse. Vox pulled a washcloth from somewhere and gently wiped his forehead with it, making sure the water was cool. He also slid his hand under Alastor's body and gave his shoulders a tentative rub, trying not to make him pull away, but Alastor instead leaned into the touch, closing his eyes.
This brought temporary relief for Alastor, enough to get him relaxed enough so that he was almost at the point of dozing off, but he kept himself awake. “Alastor.” Vox whispered again, taking his hands and squeezing, tight. “You have to rest or your body will never heal.” “I don't want you to go, because if I fall asleep you will, and I don't- want- that…….” Alastor’s voice trailed off. “I won't leave. How about that?” Vox said, making it a deal by wrapping his pinky finger around Alastor’s. “You sleep, now,” he said, getting up from beside his bed.
Not breaking their connected hands, Vox got up from the chair and laid down in bed next to Alastor, on top of the blanket. He pulled Alastor in and guided his head into his favorite spot, between Vox’s shoulder and the side of his neck. Alastor sighed in contentment and closed his eyes. “To get better, you need rest and cuddles, okay?” Vox said, kissing Alastor’s hair. “Yes mother,” Alastor mumbled, half-asleep already. Vox smiled and wrapped Alastor in the blanket again, taking his hand and settling in with a book to keep Alastor company as he slept off his illness.