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Derlord awoke to a quiet whine, followed by his blanket being tugged down some.
He looked down. Avery was clinging to him. He looked... Uncomfortable. "Aves? You okay...?"
Avery groaned out "Siccckkkk...."
Derlord hummed in understanding. Running his hands through Avery's slimy hair. Before reaching down to feel his forehead.
"...You feel warm... You need anything Hun? Like something to eat?"
Derlord awaited an answer. But none came. He thought about waking Avery up to ask again. But if he was sick it was best to let him rest.
He carefully set Avery out of his arms and left the bed. Making sure to leave his wolf on the bed in case Avery woke up.
~~~
Avery woke up groaning. Everything felt too warm... He pulled the blanket off and tried to cuddle closer to Derlord. Only to touch something fluffy.
He shot up with a yelp. Derlords Wolf, Geyser. Was staring at him. Her head slightly tilted.
Avery looked around their shared bedroom. Derlord wasn't here.
"...Derlord...?"
Now, Avery and Derlord had an agreement. When one was little, they shouldn't go outside by themselves. Because of Hostile mobs.
Sure, they respawn. But it's traumatic to die while regressed.
But Avery felt scared alone.
He stood up and walked towards the door.
Geyser suddenly stood up. Catching Avery's attention. He turned to look at her. She shook her fur before walking to the door and laying in front of it. She blocked it.
Avery stared for a second. Before whining. Taking it as her telling him not to leave.
He walked back onto the bed letting out a sad groan.
~~~
Derlords pace picked up quick when he heard Avery's cries from across the base.
When he reached the door he had to shove it open cause of Geyser. And there he saw Avery, lying on their bed curled up in the blankets. Sobbing.
He put the things he has been carrying down haphazardly in a chest before rushing over. Taking Avery into his arms and looking him over.
"Avery? Sweetheart? What's wrong dear, are you hurt?" Avery was crying too hard to respond. And being sick made it even worse.
He was having a hard time breathing through his nose. So while sobbing he'd occasionally have to breathe in for air.
"I wo- ugh... I woke up an... *Sniff* you were gone!" Derlord sighed a bit of relief, knowing Avery wasn't physically hurt.
"I'm sorry, dear. I figured since you were sick you'd probably like something to eat when you woke up."
Avery pulled away from the hug to look at him. Pouting. Derlord chuckled at that, finally getting the picture.
"Ah... I'm sorry my little slimling... Next time I'll let you know I'm leaving first, okay?"
Avery leaned back into Derek with a huff. "Ok... You won't do it again? Promise?"
Derlord kissed Avery's forehead. Smiling in adoration. "I promise. Now, how would you like some soup? I made Mushroom and Rabbit, since I forgot which you liked m-"
Avery suddenly bolted up, bouncing a little in the bed. "Soup! Soup!"
Derlord chuckled, "Mhm, Soup. Here you go, bud." He stood up and reached into a chest. Giggling internally at how Avery peeked over his shoulder.
He pulled out the bowl of Rabbit Soup, and handed it to Avery. Who immediately began slurping it down like he had never eaten in his life.
Derlord wasn't expecting Avery to take it from his hands so suddenly, so he didn't process him chugging the whole bowl from the side. Making a bit of a mess on himself and the bed.
Derlord waited patiently for his little to finish the soup. Smiling a bit when the little eventually did, let out a little sigh and leaned against him.
"Gonna guess it was good?" "Mhm... 'was yummy..." Derlord put a hand on Avery's head. "I'm glad, how about we get you cleaned off some so we can take a little nap?"
Avery whined a bit. Not moving. So derlord picked him up. "I know, I know... You're too tired to take a bath right now... But you're a little covered in soup right now. And it'll feel cold and icky soon."
Avery huffed a bit. He didn't wanna take a bath. But he liked being held by Derlord! His arms were comfy. So Avery, with a little pout, allowed himself to be carried to the hot springs built on their base.
~~~
The warm water actually felt really nice. To the point Avery started falling asleep.
Derlord would have to make sure he was keeping his head above the water every now and again. But eventually, the Slime was clean.
Avery was almost asleep now, he felt himself be wrapped in a carpet to dry before being picked up by Derlord.
After Derlord quickly dried him, he took him back to their room. Where he laid down with Avery on top of him, resting his head on Derlords chest.
"So you need anything else before you fall asleep, dear? Like a bottle?"
Avery perked up at that. Still tired, but nodding at the idea of a warm bottle.
Derlord hummed. Petting Avery's head before standing. "Alright. I'll go get you a bottle of milk. I'll only be a few minutes, mkay?"
Avery let out a quiet coo. Sinking back into the sheets. Derlord chuckled. "Well don't fall back asleep either!" Before kissing Avery on the forehead and standing up.
Avery was falling asleep when he felt himself be lifted back onto Derlord's lap. He opened his eyes a little with an upset grunt.
"Hey, I told you not to fall back asleep." Derlords tone was clearly playful, as he pressed the nip of the bottle against Avery's mouth.
The moment the sweet milk hit Avery's mouth, it was like he got a second surge of energy. He brought his hands up to the bottle and drank it with the biggest smile on his face.
Derlord was smiling hard at that. "Hey now... Don't drink too quickly. You'll make yourself sick."
Avery didn't seem to hear him. Finishing the bottle in less than 5 minutes.
Derlord moved Avery so his head was resting on his shoulder. Avery, in his little, tired state didn't know exactly why, or what was going on.
But he didn't feel scared. Derlord was here. He wouldn't let anything bad happen to him.
He felt something pat his back for a bit. Until Avery burped.
Once he did, Derlord laid back down. Putting Avery in the position they were in before he left to get the milk.
"You comfortable, Hun?" Avery cooed. Cuddling closer to Derlord.
Derlord smiled. Cuddling his little one closer. Watching as he fell asleep after feeling so icky for so long.
He was glad he was able to help him when he needed it.