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Tree woke up with a dull yet throbbing pain in his throat. It was harsh, making even the thought of trying to swallow painful, yet a constant dull presence that felt as if it would never go away. Thinking back to the day prior, it made sense: he spent the day with his teammates, Fanny, Black Hole, and Marker, preventing deaths, with Tree mainly backing up and yelling instructions. By the end of his day, his throat hurt. Pen had spent the day out with his best friend, Eraser, and Tennis Ball had spent his day with Golf Ball, helping her with whatever she was creating. The three of them, though, had planned to spend the night watching movies, although Tree couldn't remember what movie, just exhaustion plagued with dull pain.
As he came more to, Tree realized he wasn't alone. He could feel Pen's strong yet gentle arms around him, enjoying staying in bed much later than usual. Tree usually loved these moments, taking all the time in the world to just suck in all the love Pen gave. Yet, this time, Tree's throat hurt too much to enjoy it like usual. It made him a little sad, but that was okay, he was still going to let Pen enjoy the time the two shared.
The other thing Tree noticed was that it didn't seem Tennis Ball was with them. Considering Tennis Ball was (somehow) the earliest riser of the three of them, though, it wasn't shocking to Tree. He did wonder what Tennis Ball was up to, considering he usually at least stayed with the other two until they were awake. Maybe something that happened last night is the reason? Tree couldn't seem to remember anything from the night prior, so, at least to him, it made sense.
Time felt as if it were stretched for eternity for Tree, the pain in his throat ebbing and flowing but never going away. It was miserable, but he didn't want to be miserable. He had Pen right there and Tennis Ball could be coming back any moment now, the only thing pushing his misery being his throat. But just being there, with no one to actually talk to, just there with his thoughts and throat, made it so he couldn't help but be miserable. He just wanted some relief for his throat, but didn't want to wake his boyfriend.
Eventually, he heard a stir behind him, as Pen awoke, sleepily muttering under his breath, "Morn'ng Tree..."
"Go-" Tree's voice rasped as he attempted to speak, only to be thrown into a coughing fit.
"Woah, dude, you okay?" Pen instantly sat up, concerned for his boyfriend, "That doesn't sound good."
Tree, his throat suddenly burning in pain from just attempting to talk, whimpered and shook his head. Pen sighed, pulling himself out of bed, "I'll go find Tennis Ball."
And so, once again, Tree was alone. But this time, it wasn't alone in a sense of wanting to let Pen sleep, being quiet and still for him. No, it was him actually alone, no one to even be with him. But, he knew once Pen found Tennis Ball, he'd have company again. Part of him wanted to go back to sleep, get rest and try to sleep off his throat's pain. However, the very thing he wanted to sleep off is what kept him awake. It throbbed and burned, no longer dull like what seemed to be the eternity he was awake before Pen.
In the end, Tree tossed and turned until Pen returned, with Tennis Ball in tow. He simply waved, watching the two walk into the room. Tennis Ball spoke first, "So, Tree, how's your throat doing?"
Tree simply shook his head, coughing a few times as an answer. Pen spoke up, "He tried to talk earlier. His voice was really raspy, and he instantly broke into a coughing fit."
"I figured this was going to happen," Tennis Ball sighed, "He's definitely going to need some rest. Best we get something for his throat as well."
"Should I stay with him?" Pen asked, looking down to see Tree's eyes, pitiful and almost begging to let at least someone stay with him.
Tennis Ball smiled, slightly chuckling, "I think he wants you to stay."
"Alright, I'll stay," Pen smirked, sitting down next to Tree and running his hand through the ladder's leaves, "Need to make sure you don't get worse while TB gets stuff to make you better."
"I'll be right back," Tennis Ball reassured.
As Tennis Ball left, Tree curled into Pen's lap. It was safe, Tree would be getting relief from the pain soon, and Pen could distract him in the meantime. Pen's hands carefully and gently brushed through Tree's leaves, comforting without risking accidentally pulling any out. Pen was always like that with Tree - he loved going through the leaves but never wanted to hurt Tree. Pen was forced onto Death P.A.C.T. back in BFB, and didn't exactly seem to want to stay, but he was also clearly impacted by the P.A.C.T., never having enjoyed killing.
Time seemed to fly by much faster than it had previously, Tennis Ball quickly returning with supplies. Some medicine, of course, to help with Tree's throat, but also plenty of water and some tea. Tennis Ball set the stuff down with Pen's help on the bedside dresser, the former instructing, "Alright Tree, we're going to need you to sit up, okay?"
Tree obliged, pulling himself up and clinging onto Pen, who chuckled, "You can lay back down shortly, no worries."
Pen poured some medicine into the small cup, Tennis Ball making sure he didn't put in too much, before the two got Tree to drink it. He made a funny disgusted face, clearly not enjoying the taste of the medicine, before drinking some water as well.
"Alright, Tree, you can lay back down now," Tennis Ball smiled, climbing into the bed as Tree laid back into Pen's lap.
"Oh, I know!" Pen smiled, "Why don't we find something to watch on YouTube?"
Tree nodded, cozy between his two boyfriends. His eyes looked down at Pen's phone, as he scrolled through for something to watch, but he couldn't stay focused. He felt tired, and he just wanted to sleep. Just sleep away this stupid sore throat. It didn't take long after that thought for Tree to actually fall asleep, Tennis Ball and Pen keeping quiet so Tree could get plenty of rest.