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It was a rainy afternoon in Pentagram City, a rather rare occurrence but still quite a pleasant one. Especially for Alastor because it meant Vox can’t leave the V Tower and cause any trouble. Something Alastor certainly was glad for.
He hasn’t really been feeling well the last days, he experienced nausea and heat waves, sometimes even followed with feeling extremely cold and trembling under his blankets.
Even today he barely felt like getting up, despite feeling cold he woke up soaked in sweat, forcing him to take a shower.
He remembered how Rosie always told him not to shower when heavily sick, but what was he supposed to do? Just lay there with greasy hair? Absolutely not! Though he had to ask Nifty to put on fresh bedsheets, he felt way too weak to really do this himself right now.
Generally he would had loved to just lay down and sleep, but he had promised Charlie to join today’s redemption activity. What was that activity again? He actually forgot. No, he would never forget! It was probably the case that Charlie never mentioned it.
With a small headache from a fever and heavy feeling limbs, he walked down the staircase. It didn’t took him long to spot Nifty, who was cleaning the fire place.
»Ah, Nifty my dear! I have a task for you to do!«
»A task? What is it Boss? Do I need to stab someone? Are there bugs I have not taken care off?«, the maid asked in immediate excitement. Alastor’s smile softened a bit.
»Well, no, my dear. But I rather must ask you to please replace my bedsheets.«
»Yes, of course Sir!!«, Nifty eagerly replied and ran upstairs.
One worry less now for him. Though there still was the worry to last through the redemption activity without passing out on the couch. That…certainly could be a problem.
Though before Alastor could really think more about it, a cough escaped his mouth.
Immediately the deer demon tried to cover his mouth with his hand, looking around in a little bit of panic to see if someone saw or heard him. Once he was able to make sure everything was clear, he walked into the living room, taking place on the couch.
»Ah, Alastor! I’m so glad to see you!!«, Charlie squealed in excitement and Vaggie just sarcastically commented: »Oh, yeah. So wonderful to see you, Alastor«
»Well, I promised you to join, didn’t I, Charlotte? I’m a man who holds his promises!«
After those words, Charlie started to ramble about the activity, what they were to do and how it would help them on the path of redemption. Though, after about only 15 minutes, they heard a heavy cough from Alastor.
All eyes were immediately looking at the deer demon, who was trembling and covering his mouth. His head was dropped down a little even and eyes squeezed shut. A pain in his chest made him cough even more.
»Alastor, you need a drink?«. Charlie offered with a worried smile and Angel chimmed in »Yeah, Smiles, you ain’t lookin’ good«
»Why? I’m fine, you must not worry about me! I apologize for being so disruptive right now.«, Alastor apologized, trying to force a smile as he sat back up properly. The others glanced looks at each other before they continued their activity.
Husk on the other hand was standing in his bar, polishing a glass as he looked at Alastor of the corner of his eye. He could sniff a bad flu crawling up on his boss already for a few days. It started all harmless, pale, sneezing and the occasional complaints of feeling to warm.
Though the last 2 days Alastor was looking much more tired and even unable to really focus on different things for a long time. Husk did noticed that already yesterday evening when he talked to him and noticed the shivering and Alastor agreeing to a question where he asked what the hell he was supposed to do when Angel got again on his nerves.
While looking at Alastor, he saw the deer trembling slightly. But his body was stiff and tense as If to hide how much he would be actually shaking. Sweat was forming on his forehead and the breathing made a laboured expression. His chest was rising in a rather uncomfortable way.
Another cough was heard and the deer looked away in slight embarrassment when everyone was again looking at him. He even slightly flinched when Vaggie yelled at him: »God damnit Alastor! If you are feeling unwell you should have stayed in your fucking room! You are interrupting Charlies activity, for fucks sake!«
Husk wanted to already step in, not because he cared, but rather because he knew himself how awful it was to get yelled at when sick. Sure, he may hated the deer with his guts, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t show at least some empathy.
»I must apologize.«, Alastor replied, his static filter gone for a split second. It was nothing new to Husk that Alastor struggled to keep the filter up when sick. Sighing Husk put the glas down he was cleaning and walked over to the group.
»Uh, hey Boss, I need to talk to ya. You got a minute?«
»Why of course, Husker!«, Alastor replied and stood up shakily, trying to suppress a cough. Carefully Husk dragged Alastor out of the room, out of everyone’s sight.
»You are sick!«, Husk said in a stern but quiet voice. Looking at Alastor who was leaning against the wall. He watched the deer wrap slowly his arms around himself, grabbing tightly onto his coat and leaving wrinkles. Something he usually tried to avoid.
»Sick? None sense! I would never get sick!«, the deer tried to defend himself, but started to get a coughing fit. In a desperate attempt to muffle them, he covered his mouth with his hand.
His head was lowered and his ears pinned back. A sight what was rare to anybody.
»Sure you ain’t, and I’m the king of Siberia. Now let’s get you to bed fool.«, Husk said before wrapping his paws around Alastor’s back and under his knee’s, lifting him up like a bride.
A weak noise of complaint was heard, before Alastor just laid his head on his chest.
Husk looked down at the deer in his arms who was hugging himself tightly, claws almost digging into his sides.
The deer demon was trembling uncontrollably and his cheeks were flushed in a rosy color, breathing felt awfully hard and he did not liked to admit it, but he craved his bed. Though…Husk felt also quite comfortable to lean against, he was so nicely warm.
With quick steps Husk started to walk up the stairs, occasionally looking down to Alastor who looked so small and fragile in his arms. He rarely saw the deer sick, though whenever he was, it was a nightmare to deal with.
The first few days were always easy, the deer was rather quiet and withdrawn. After that he would start to get easily irritated and sometimes even lash out. After that he would accept defeat, asking for small favours before it would end up him demanding that he, Husk, and Nifty stayed in the room with him, not daring to leave him alone.
And the worst? Sometimes Husk had to even cuddle him as he slept! Ugh! Those memories made Husk upset, involuntary tightening his grip on the deer who let out a small cry of discomfort.
»Oh…sorry Boss…jus wanna make sure ya safe in my arms«, Husk lied. His only response were just some whiny fawn noises. Once he reached his room, Nifty already walked out with the dirty bedsheets. Though she was hidden behind the bedding to really see.
Husk used that chance to quickly rush Alastor inside and lay down on his bed. He once again let out a noise of discomfort before quickly relaxing and curling up on his side. Given Alastor’s eyes were closed, the cat assumed his boss was already passed out, but was proven wrong as he heard him whisper: »Thank you…«
A bit perblex Husk looked down, unsure what to say. He never heard the deer thank him, but asking him to repeat would also be the wrong move. So the only logical thing for Husk to do was say: »We should get you out of these clothes Boss, get ya into something more comfortable.«
Alastor looked up a little, eyes half closed and body trembling. For a few seconds nothing happened before he gave the cat a weak nod. Husk carefully turned the fragile deer on his back, getting a small whine out of his mouth.
Though considering he was in no shape to undress himself, he let Husk carefully take off his shoes, revealing the thin but quite strong hooves he had as feet. After that, the cat demon sat down behind Alastor, carefully lifting him up in a seating position.
He heard how his breathing felt suddenly harder and it took more strength to do, so Husk got to work quick with removing Alastor’s coat. Despite the dear making quiet noises and squeaks of complaints, he let the bartender undress him.
Once the coat was off, he was laid back carefully into the soft pillows. His breathing slowly evened out and he barely realized Husk very, very carefully opening his pants and pull them down.
Usually the deer would be protesting to get his pants, and now as well shirt, removed by another person. His body was covered with soft fur, but yet to Husk, looked quite fragile and easy to break. It was not the first time Husk saw him naked except of underwear, and it certainly won’t be the last time.
The cat demon made sure to neatly fold the clothings on a pile on the chair before looking for Alastor’s comfort clothing, which was a hoodie.
It was a extremely unusual choice for him, yet it was the only thing which provided him with a lot of comfort.
Carefully Husk helped Alastor get dressed into it before he watched the deer turn back on his side, looking at Husk with pleading eyes. He knew what Alastor was quietly asking for, to be tucked in like Rosie usually did.
Husk obliged in silence, carefully pulling the covers over the deer before making his way to the door, but he stopped in his tracks as he heard the words he hoped not to hear.
»Stay…please…«
The cat turned around and saw into Alastor’s fawn like eyes now. As much as he wanted to leave, he just…couldn’t. Accepting defeat in silence Husk walked back to the bed, sitting down besides Alastor, who struggled to stay awake.
»You should sleep now boss«, his voice was soft and quiet, something what was rarely to hear.
»Will you stay…?«, came a quiet voice from the deer, on the verge of tears.
»Today was quite upsetting for ya, hm..? You already are very sensitive to noise…today was quite bad huh..?«, Husk asked with a soft smile.
Alastor sniffled before nodding, being sick certainly wasn’t very fun for him at all. Especially not if he had to deal with loud noises and voices. He hid his face in his blanket, slowly breaking down and allowing himself to show emotions.
Though his sniffing was soon stopped as he felt Husk pull him into a hug, gentle stroking his back up and down, patting his head with his other paw.
»Shh…is alright boss…you are safe now…«
Slightly sobbing Alastor closed his eyes and nuzzled into Husk’s chest. It didn’t took long for Alastors breathing to even out into one what indicated he was asleep, comforted in the arms of his cat.