Chapter Text
There wasn't any way around it; Wyll was sick.
His throat was so dry it felt like it was sticking to itself. He couldn't even talk to get someone's attention. His eyes actually /were/ stuck together with crust. Head throbbing especially around his horns feeling like the whole thing on fire, entire body /ached/ and refused to listen to him. Worst of all he was stuck, he had tried to force himself to move and had gotten so dizzy he almost passed out.
He didn't know what was worse; waiting to be found or the mortification that would come when he would need help with every little thing. But thinking hurt so he tried not to dwell on it.
Easy enough since he kept dozing off.
When Wyll heard his tent zip open he was hoping that he'd finally get some water but then he was slammed with disappointment when footsteps retreated.
That was fine.
Wyll pushed down all the hurt that bloomed in his chest and pricked at his eyes. What did he expect anyways? He didn't need anyone, he’d survive on his own if he had to and Wyll always seemed to have to. That or he'd die and he didn't want to die so he geared himself up to have to sit up no matter what and do-
“Oh dear.” Halsin's voice cut into his dismayed planning. The back of a large hand pressed against Wyll's forehead and then the side of his neck. He almost didn't believe it but the touch felt so cool against his skin that he couldn't even care if he was imagining it.
“Wyll im going to remove the gunk from your eyes” The sound of a rag being rung was all the warning he got before a damp cloth was rubbing gently against his face, and that felt even better then the hand.
A ripple of something soothing blanketed his body for a few moments and Wyll almost relaxed before he started to feel bad again.
There was silence for a moment. “Well then, we’ll get you another cloth for your fever soon my friend.”
Wyll slowly moved his hand in the direction of his waterskin begging for Halsin to understand. Not a moment later an arm was under his shoulder lifting him to a seated position and the pouch was pressed to his lips. He gulped it down thankful he only felt dizzy and not nauseous and that Halsin was holding the bottle as he'd surely drop it with his current coordination.
“Thank you.” Wyll whispered after drinking what was probably the entire pouch, still hoarse however his throat no longer feeling like any movement would cut it open.
“Of course.” Halsin said. “I'm going to tell the others the two of us will be staying in camp today, I'd heal you but i believe with the itinerary today it be better to conserve energy as of right now, I’ll be back shortly alright?”
Wyll gave a hum to acknowledge and Halsin left.
Slowly dragging his eyes across his tent he was starting to regret being so minimalistic, usually of course it wasn't a problem; less stuff equals less to carry and worry about after all. But currently? It was a lot harder to breath laying down but it was also exhausting and painful to sit up and he had no extra pillows or blankets to shove behind him.
Wyll whined, pressing the bottom of his palms into his pulsing forehead.
And though the pressure relieved his headache somewhat, for whatever reason Wyll found himself crying. He couldn't stop, shamefully, quiet aside from sniffles as his nose clogged up even worse forcing him to breathe solely from his mouth, as always he couldn't make himself stop now that he’d started.
His shame grew as Karlach pushed the tent flap open, announcing her presence loudly with an “Oh” there was a small stunned pause before Karlach pushed herself forward. “Oh, you must be feeling right rough then eh soldier?”
Wyll tried to speak but all that came out was another muffled whine that he cut off halfway through. Apparently Karlach wasn't alone and the sound got whoever else was around on their feet. Lords He was pathetic.
“Let me see.”
North, of course their leader would come check on him. He refused to pull his hands away from his face. Wyll couldn't even bear the thought of them all seeing him like this, looking would make it more real. He hoped he wouldn't remember the comfort that wrapped around him at her low murmur of “Poor thing.”
He wheezed out “I'm sorry.” a hushed nervous sound. Voice a bit higher than Wyll’s usual voice, and shaky-afraid even, a pitch and tone very uncharacteristic of their Wyll.
If he had been brave like he should be, had opened his eyes, he’d have seen North look up and meet the stares of Karlach as well as Halsin who hadn't spoken, busy going through his herb pouch instead until that very moment in which he had sharply turned his head up as well with a concerned frown. Or if he’d not been sick maybe he'd have heard the pause at least but time was too overwhelming for his feverish mind to process at the moment.
Regardless they all seemed to reach the same conclusion; he sounded tiny. That was certainly a new or at least undiscussed development.
North's voice was so soft when she next spoke “You don't have to apologize for being sick or crying; no one's mad or upset with you.” it made him want to hug her a lot.
“I'd cry too if I felt awful” Karlach was quick to join in sounding close to bawling anyways.
He shook his head only serving to make him feel more dizzy and cause a wave of fresh tears. Didn't matter how awful he felt, Wyll was never supposed to falter, not this hard.
“You don't worry about anything but resting,” North murmured, “No one's mad at you.” she repeated, “Ok?”
“....Ok” He whispered meekly.
“We’ll see you soon soldier, Halsin will getcha to feelin better, you'll see.” Karlach saluted though he couldn't see it and then gestured with her head to North for her to follow to which she did reluctantly.
Halsin shuffled forward as soon as the two left, finally having room and supplies to really take a look at the poor kid. “Calm Wyll, I will have you right as morning rain, why don't we start with clearing all that muck from your face, it must feel very icky no?”
Halsin once again made to help sit Wyll up however this time he jerked back, curling up on his side away from Halsin and kicking his feet a little, “No.” it came out as a miserable sob.
“Yes Wyll,” Halsin was gentle but firm. “it'll only take but a moment and it'll help you feel better. Im sure you just want to feel better, don't you cub?”
He did, Wyll really did wanna feel better and nodded so, he didn't even know why he turned away in the first place.
Wyll was gross right now and he certainly didn't want to be, but he didn't want Halsin’s help either. He sobbed again feeling stuck. “ ‘m srry” his apology came out garbled, tongue slipping on mucus in his mouth which tasted and felt horrible.
Halsin tutted once “Its alright, I understand, you're overwhelmed.” A knuckle gently brushed down one of Wylls horns from the base of his skull to the tip which surprisingly felt amazing,
“Oh little love you are so tired aren't you?” Halsin coo’d quietly, more to himself in observation.
Halsin let him lean into it and bringing his hand back up to the start of Wyll’s horn hoping to soothe him some. He did so a couple more times shushing him. Something about it made Wyll near melt almost nuzzling into his hand.
“Now lets try again. Once I'm done we can have a good sleep alright cub?” Halsin slowly brought the new cub to his chest and gently pulled the boy's hands away. something he'd wanted to do the second they'd come to realize Wyll had regresse. And with no sign of further fussing he made quick work of wiping his face off.
As soon as the snot had been cleared Halsin hurriedly took another rag and wiped at his tears as well before leaving the unused side on Wylls forehead. “There we are little love, that's much better isn't it?”
“Mm” Wyll did his best to agree and curled up into Halsin, hand gripping his bear pelt. It'd been so long since he'd been held for any non injury related reason…had he ever been? Does being sick count even?
Halsin looked the cub over and nodded to himself satisfied he hadn't missed anything “Now lets get you some medicine.”
He seemed unsurprised when Wyll took one sip and tried to squirm away, even to him the liquid was far from pleasant. “I know cub, it's not very good but I promise it's only strong so that you don't have to drink as much.” he held Wyll firmly. “Its just a few more sips, do you need a moment or do you wish to get it over with?”
Wyll thought for a second before opening his mouth.
Halsin hummed in approval, putting the cup back to his mouth and true to his word it really was only a few more sips. Once the cup was empty and set aside, Wyll quickly put his face back into Halsin’s chest as if it could take tje taste away.
Halsin patted Wyll's head "That was good cub, now we're all done, you did a good job."
He offered some water to wash out the taste that Wyll gladly drank dry.
After that, Halsin had no trouble situating them, engulfing Wyll in his embrace. Wyll was worn out and Halsin could certainly tell, he nuzzled his nose against the cubs forehead kissing it.
Wyll sighed, the medicine had at least opened his nose up and now that the taste was gone and he had Halsin warming him up all he felt was tired and.... Snuggly, hmm yeah he was really glad Halsin was here, it felt so safe.
Wyll was about to attempt a thank you though his throat still felt heavy but Halsin started rubbing his back and Wyll was just gone. The warm fuzzy feeling of being given affection distracting him.
Vaguely he thought he might've heard something like "goodnight little one sleep well." But he couldnt bring himself to open his eyes again. he'd say thanks and anything else he needed to say when he woke up instead.