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For the first time in his life, the voidling found himself burning up. Most days, he was freezing and Kostas’s warmth typically made up for it, but today, he was too warm. Too warm and too tired. Cossy wasn’t planning on letting that stop his day, Aspen would no doubt be waiting for him downstairs, insistent on pancakes. Along with all the animals roaming the yard, they’d need to be fed by now too.
Careful not to wake the sleeping blazian, Cossy dragged himself from the last bit of comfort he’d find today. The weakness he felt came soon after as he made his way downstairs, the voidling’s whole body seemed to ache and a part of him begged to return to bed. However, he had people who rely on him and a little bout of weakness wouldn’t keep him from that. The kitchen was silent when he made it, Aspen was already distracted by Lucifer and Chicken. A quiet sigh escaped him as he walked past, catching the young gaia’s attention.
“Cossy! Goodmorning!” She hesitated, watching the voidling closely. “Are you okay?”
“Hm..? I’m fine Aspen, just waking up still. Don’t worry.”
The crash and screeching from the cats that followed proved otherwise. He’d gotten so shaky, the pan he'd gotten out for the small girl’s pancakes fell from his hands. Aspen seemed to be staring holes through Cossy as he stared down at the pan. Neither spoke a word nor moved, and the pair of cats had already found somewhere to hide. Rushed footsteps echoed from above, a worried shout following.
“What happened? Are you two okay?” Kostas seemed to be half asleep still, making his way over and picking up the pan.
“Cossy doesn’t seem okay!”
The blazian stayed quiet for a moment, watching the voidling he loved so dearly. Cossy didn’t get it, he’d be fine later, they didn’t need to worry. The pan just slipped from his hand, that was all. The silence was broken by Cossy’s confusion as the other’s hand met his forehead.
“Kostas, I’m fine. Aspen needs breakfast and all the pets need to be fed.” He sighed, stepping away.
“Cossy, you’re burning up and you look awful.” Kostas followed, taking anything the voidling grabbed and putting it away again. “Aspen, why don’t you go into town and find Ez? I’m sure she’d love a visit, I’ll come get you later.”
“Is Cossy gonna be okay?”
“I’m fine!” The voidling insisted, reaching for the plates again.
A sigh escaped the blazian as he picked Cossy up, patting Aspen on the head. “He’ll be alright, he just needs some rest.”
The small gaia nodded, calling for her dog and heading out the door, happier than anyone around. Cossy, on the other hand, was not happy in the slightest. He didn’t need rest and no amount of insisting or arguing would prove otherwise.
“Kostas. Put me down.”
“Not happening, you need to rest and if I put you down, you aren’t going to.”
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Eventually, Cossy gave up on getting out of resting. Kostas had gotten him all cozy in bed and at some point he’d fallen asleep. Right now, however, he was wide awake and his head was pounding. Looking around the room, his eyes landed on Kostas. The blazian sat against the bookshelf, strumming a guitar. Whatever the song was, he seemed so focused. The voidling stayed silent, listening as the song finished and the guitar was returned to its home on the shelf.
“Are you hungry or anything? I can go make you lunch..?” The blazian was quiet, taking a seat next to the other and placing a kiss on his forehead.
“If I say I can get it myself, you won’t let me, will you?”
“Absolutely not.”
Quiet laughter erupted from the pair, quieting down as Kostas’s fingers brushed through the other’s hair. For just a moment, the headache wasn’t so bad. Cossy watched the other, forgetting for just a moment that he was sick. Their silence was broken by a growl from Cossy’s stomach.
“I’m gonna make you some soup and get you some water, I’ll be right back.” Kostas sighed, kissing the other’s forehead again.
Cossy watched as he walked away. He hated being sick, it kept him from taking care of everyone. Before, he’d shake it off, letting it run its course as he went about his day. This time, he didn’t even get the chance to try that. Kostas had practically forced him to get some rest. If it were anyone else, Cossy might have snuck off and continued his day, but it was Kostas. Besides, if he had run off, he wouldn’t have gotten that perfect silence or the gentle kisses.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
At some point, he’d fallen back asleep. This time, he awoke to Kostas’s arms around him and flowers braided through his hair, no doubt something Aspen insisted would make him feel better. His fever seemed to have broken, finally, and he didn’t feel so weak. Cossy didn’t plan on getting up though. He’d be just fine staying right here, in Kostas’s arms. The blazian had taken care of him all day, making sure Aspen didn’t need anything either. Careful not to wake the other, Cossy burrowed himself closer. This was the most comfortable he’d been all day.
The door squeaking and then closing quietly kept him from falling back asleep. Cossy watched the small gaia climb onto the bed and freeze when she made eye contact with the voidling.
“Quiet, he’s asleep.” Cossy whispered, scooting back to leave an open space for the small girl.
“I couldn’t sleep…”
The voidling nodded, patting her on the head as he closed his eyes again. “It’s alright, we’re both right here so you’re safe. Get some rest.”
Quiet snores came from the small girl, as always, fast asleep the second her head hit the pillow. This was where he belonged, here with the gaia who, in every life, would be his best friend, and the blazian who loved him so much. They’d both spent the day making sure he’d get better, and at the end of the day, that’s what family is, caring for each other no matter the circumstances?