Work Text:
Realistically, Callisto knew she was acting like a complete idiot.
On a bright side, Jupiter was now paying attention to everyone. On the other hand, he did pay more attention to Callisto too.
She wasn't sure when exactly it started, back when she was a kid. When Io and Europa were in a constant unbearable pain, and Jupiter just wasn't able to leave them. Not that they weren't in pain now, but at least they both could function. So, of course, they were priority. And Callisto just was stuck all by herself. At first she cried, as much as she knew it wasn't their fault. It still sucked to stay away trying to deal with a nother crack when a rogue asteroid hit her. There were times when she cursed others: Io, Europa, hell, even Ganymede and he wasn't even chronically sick, wasn't taking attention (well, he was, but it was just him being Ganymede). Just because if she was alone, then maybe she would get that sweet tasty fruit of being seen. Of being important. And no matter how many times Jupiter apologized, how fiercely he swore that he wished to spend some time with her, it didn't change the reality
Of course, it got better with times. Europa's surface became more or less stable (at least compared to what it ised to be, her tectonic activity still was over the roof) Io's... not so much, but he stopped crying about 10 hours of a jovian day. So, he probably was fine too. Jupiter didn't have to spend every waking moment making sure his eldest moons weren't about to explode from pressure withing their bodies.
But by the time it did happen, Callisto was just too used to the way thing used to be. Shutting her mouth and not making a single noise even when her body was ready to sway. She wasn't struggling like inner Galileans, and Ganymede too was pretty much always healthy. (Or maybe he hid it as well, Callisto had no right to judge him on that matter.).
Callisto didn't need help. She could survive a little headache on her own or deal with nausea. Her orbit wad too far off and for the most part she didn't have energy to talk for no reason. And even if she wasn't as ignored as she used to be, for the longest time Jupiter didn't really pay attention, so she just kept quiet. Which was her normal behavior so other moons didn't question it.
At least until now. Until planets were forced to face that, maybe, ignoring them wasn't the best idea. At first, Callisto thought it woulf be nice. Filling her with warmth. Finally she could be something other than failed Ganymede.
But, when Jupiter started paying attention, Callisto found it hand to cover the fact she wasn't feeling well
"Is something wrong?" Gas giant frowned, reaching a giant palm to her.
Callisto groaned, he surface felt wet and clammy and her thought turned into mush. The idea of her planet knowing didn't make her happy or loved. Instead, it made her core sink to the bottom of her toes. Her finger curled because she wasn't used to attention.
"I'm fine." She crossed her arm, leaning away.
She didn't want Jupiter to look at her, can't he just— leave her alone?
She always wanted attention, she wanted to be seen. But whenever she got it, it made her jumped as if she had been burned by the Sun himself.
Her chest tightened, and whenever it was from her sickness or the fact the Jupiter was looking at her, she couldn't tell. Callisto preferred to go quiet, unnoticed. She didn't want to change it.
And, so, Callisto made the most logical decision... She grabbed the thermometer and hid it. Somewhere in a tight space, where Jupiter couldn't find it.
....
She definitely spends too much time with the others if she even concidered this an option.
"Come on... where did I left it?" Jupiter muttered under his breath, keeping a light grip on Callisto. Clouds enveloping her just a bit..
Everything burned.
Callisto gritted her teeth. "I told you, there's nothing wrong with me."
Well, there probably was... After all, she wanted to be loved so badly for the most of her life.
And when she did, she felt sweat forming on her forehead, her fingers twitching.
Jupiter shook his hand, running his pinkey though her hair. "You don't look 'fine'. Let's just check if you are feverish." ... how was this even working? For Sun's sake, she shouldn't even have consciousness. A tip of a finger pressed to her forehead, large nail scratching for the way in. "Hot" Jupiter said, before returning to his previous runbles of where he could've left the forsaken thermometer.
...It wasn't even that much of a deal, really. Sure, Callisto felt like her body was disconnecting and her vision was blurry. And maybe Jupiter's voice was a bit too much, but she really could deal with it.
"Wait, Io, Europa, do you mind giving your thermometer?"
Callisto chocked on vacuum. She knew that those two kept some medical equipment to themselves, given how often they were getting sick. It wasn't that surprising but... hella inconvenient for her. Sure, Callisto could hide thermometer for herself, but she had enough consciousness not to touch things for someone who's state could heavily depend on a quick access.
Io stammered, flying next to them. A loose strang of yellow hair fell on his face. "W-what happened?!"
"I think Callisto is unwell."
The outermost moon gritted her teeth, watching how Io's face switched as if he was a kicked puppy. Lava already pooling at his eyes... Ugh, was he really going to cry?
"J—" Callisto gasped, her chest tightened. It didn't hurt, it didn't hurt. "Jupiter is overreacting, I'm completely fine."
Or, if it did hurt, nobody should give a fuck. It was her own problem.
It didn't seem like others did buy her arguments.
Io passed the little thing to Jupiter, and how was it even possible for their planet to hold it— one wrong move and Jupiter would've shattered the glass. Pressing it under Callisto's forearm and holding her body so she couldn't swith.
Ugh— why can't they just leave her alone.
Callisto couldn't even tell what she was feeling. Why the idea of not being ignored filled her with some existential dread?
"Can't you just— leave me alone?" She muttered, her head dropping to the side as exhaustion was taking over. She juat wanted to sleep. "I can deal with stuff on my own."
"But it is my responsibility to take care of you." Jupiter whispered, making the 'hug' of his hand a bit tighter. Warm climbed up Callisto's back, making her shiver.
...funny. It never was important before.
Screw those two, screw Ganymede and Europa. And Titan too, they all can go to hell for making Jupiter self-aware about his treatment. It would be so good have those three not intervene with the state solar system was in for billions of years.
Io chickled, chimming in. "Being ill is n-not that bad!" Comig closer as if he wanted to hug her, before Jupiter gently pushed him away, because his immune system would probably have it way worse if infection spreads to him. Thank stars, Callisto at least didn't have to deal with Io's overly affectionate part. He was way too overstumulating even when Callisto was completely fine.
Nobody ever care, so why the hell were they now?
Why was she getting so annoyed? Wasn't she meant to be grateful?
Callisto shook her head, deciding to ignore her feelings once more. She didn't have mental energy to deal with that crap before, and she definitely didn't have it when her core was about to split in two. She hated feeling things. Hated acknowledging if she was in pain or upset
"You need to take some rest, Calli, okay?" Jupiter whispered and, finally, it felt as something sensible. She, in fact, wanted to sleep. Well, she wanted to sleep just about always, but if she slept, she wouldn't have to deal with this crap. And maybe then everyone will forget so whatever. She relaxed her arm, allowing the planet to snitch the thermometer and ignoring his worried rumbles about how over the top it was.