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“It’s the middle of the night, why are you up?”
Nick sent him an exasperated look at the question. “What do you mean, ‘why am I up’? Nighttime is when the museum’s awake! I always stay up when I’m with you!”
“And that’s another discussion.” Larry sighed, squatting in front of his son. “Pretty sure your mom’s one mistake away from throttling me, and if she knew how much I messed up your sleep schedule I’d probably lose the little time I get with you.”
Nick’s eyes widened, fear reflecting back at him from those blue depths, and Larry winced. He ruffled the brunette’s hair, smothering his frown when he felt the heat radiating off of the ten year old.
“Are you feeling alright, kiddo? I thought you were gonna take it easy for a couple hours in my office?”
Nick hesitated, gaze falling to the ground. He dragged a toe across the tile, only meeting Larry’s eyes when the older man tipped his son’s head up.
“Nick?”
Nick sniffled, then shrugged. “I don’t know, I just…My throat’s sore and I’m hot. And achy. My head kinda hurts and I just…I couldn’t stay in there.”
The alone remains unsaid, but Larry hears it and his expression softens. “Ah, bud…” He pulls Nick into his chest. He can really feel the heat radiating off his son now. Nick sinks into him, returning the hug weakly. The poor kid really is exhausted and hurting.
“How about this? You go get settled in my office and I’ll go to the kitchen and grab some tea for your throat, alright, Nicky?”
Nick nodded against his chest and Larry squeezed him one last time before letting the boy pull away.
“Okay…Thanks, Dad.”
Larry’s smile was soft at his son’s shy gratitude.
“Love you, Nick.”
Nick ducked his head, a small blush dancing over his fevered skin. “I love you, too.”
Larry smiled, watching Nick’s retreating form for a moment before turning towards the kitchen. When he arrived it was to Sacagawea and Ahkmenrah having a quiet discussion at the small table in the room. They both glanced up, shooting him warm smiles.
His worry must have been apparent, somehow, because Sac’s lips tightened, eyes narrowing at the same time Ahk’s brow furrowed.
“Is everything okay?” The pharaoh murmured, tensing in place.
Larry sighed, waving a hand as he approached the tea kettle on the stove. “Yeah, Ahk, nothing to worry about. Nick’s just feeling a little down. Must’ve caught a bug at school, he’s got a cold and a bit of a fever. I’m gonna bring him some tea for his throat and stay with him for a bit.”
Ahk nodded, standing from his seat with an apologetic smile sent Sacagawea’s way. Without a word the teenager swept out of the room.
Sacagawea’s gaze was soft and understanding as she rose and stepped over to where Larry was steeping the tea, a gentle hand lighting on his arm.
“I will alert Theodore to the situation. I’m sure we can keep everyone content for one night.” She winked and Larry chuckled, his grin relieved and grateful.
“Thank you, Sac.”
“Any time.” She turned and began walking out, then paused in the doorway. “Oh, and I’d bring two mugs, if I were you.”
Larry’s eyebrow rose, but before he could ask for an explanation the guide was gone. He shook his head with a fond smile, reaching for a second mug.
oO0Oo
Larry entered his office a few minutes later, two steaming mugs of chamomile tea in hand. He froze in the doorway, a grin slowly working across his face.
The pull out couch had been opened up, a nest of blankets on the mattress. In the middle of said nest sat Ahkmenrah and Nick, side by side. Nick was pointing at the small TV in front of them, directing the pharaoh, who was holding the remote up at an odd angle, brow furrowed in concentration as he followed Nick’s instructions.
They both glanced over after a few seconds, Nick beaming while Ahk’s expression softened into a sheepish smile.
“Well, well, well. You guys have quite the setup in here, eh?”
“Yup! Isn’t it great! Ahk told me the couch pulled out and he helped me get it locked down! Then we grabbed your spare blankets and pillows, kinda like a blanket fort. And Ahk said he could watch a movie with us! And I don’t have to worry about him getting sick cause he can’t! So it’s okay for him to stay with me!” Then Nick hesitated, looking up at him with big, worried eyes. “Isn’t it, dad?”
“Yeah, bud, course it is! The more the merrier!” Larry smiled, mouthing Ahk a ‘thank you’ when Nick turned back to the TV. Ahk flushed slightly at the praise, ducking his head for a moment. Nick distracted him soon enough, nudging the teen and pointing again at the screen. Larry smiled, setting the mugs on the side table before sitting down on Nick’s other side, wrapping an arm around the boy, hand rubbing Ahk’s back.
Both kids leaned into him, relaxing after Nick’s excited exclamation when their channel surfing reaped a movie the brunette was fond of. Larry handed out the warm mugs and they quieted down, for the most part. Every once in a while Ahk and Nick whispered back and forth about a part that the pharaoh didn’t understand, but slowly even that ceased.
By the time the credits rolled, Larry had reclaimed the, now empty, mugs. His smile was soft as he looked over at his two sons. Nick was still safe under his arm, burrowed into his side, while Ahk’s chin rested on the boy’s head, breathing soft and even.
Larry checked his watch, grateful that both his boys had a few hours to sleep before sunup.