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Being sick was exhausting.
So, so exhausting.
So Darius couldn't help but feel a stab of sympathy as he watched Hunter curl up into a ball on the bathroom floor, shaking and whining under his breaths, panting so heavily it almost looked like he would pass out.
Darius sighed softly, combing his hand through Hunter's hair and coaxing him to lay his head on his lap.
"I could have sworn you were just sick last week, too."
"It was two weeks…!" Hunter defended weakly.
"Mm, still though, you've been getting sick far too often, it's worrying, Little Prince."
His eyebrows sank. "Maybe we should try and get an appointment with a healer—!"
"No! Darius! You know how much I hate healers! The magic—It's—it's weird! And—and it's scary—!"
He shushed Hunter with a light grab of his hand. "Hey now, I'm sorry for scaring you. I know you don't like them, but all I'm saying is that we might have to go to one if this strange constant sick pattern persists. Alright?"
"...I…okay…" Hunter's tone was defeated.
"Thank you. How are you feeling now?"
"I…I still feel sick, but…but I don't think I'll throw up again…"
"Okay, why don't we get you back in bed then? It's getting very late, after all." Darius suggested, last when he had checked the time, it had been 3:58 AM.
"...Fine…"
Darius kissed Hunter on his forehead, taken aback by the warmth that emanated from it.
"Titan, you're so warm…" He tutted, kissing him again on top of his head.
"Ngh…"
Carefully, Darius lifted Hunter into his arms, and Hunter pressed his head against his shoulder, closing his eyes in seemingly bliss.
"I know, I know." Darius comforted when Hunter groaned. "Let's get you back into bed."
"Okay…Dad…" Hunter murmured through a yawn.
No matter how long Hunter stayed with him, Darius swore he could never get used to being called that. Every time the word slipped out of Hunter's mouth it was like it was enlightening his heart.
Darius placed Hunter down on his bed, running his hand through his hair before pulling the covers up to his chin and watching as Hunter cuddled into them.
"There you go. Let's hope you feel better in the morning."
"Mhm…"
"I love you, Hunter."
"Love you too, Dad."
***
It was only about an hour later, when once again Darius was woken up by the sound of retching coming from the bathroom.
It was clear Hunter hadn't been able to sleep long before he had once again been woken up by whatever illness was plaguing him this time.
Darius exhaled. He couldn't stand to see his son in such a state. He knew that Hunter was falling ill way too often, and it was honestly starting to scare him.
What if something was seriously wrong with him? For all they knew, this could all be one serious illness that was being left improperly treated. That could have disastrous consequences.
Darius tensed. He knew about Hunter's Healing Magic aversion, but he also knew that ultimately, getting an appointment with a healer was the better decision for him.
He would think more on that later. Right now, Hunter was his priority.
Darius made sure he was gentle with knocking on the door, he didn't want to startle his probably already upset son.
Hunter looked at him with glassy, wet eyes. "...Darius—I—I really don't feel well…"
Darius walked into the bathroom, then kneeled down behind Hunter and started rubbing circles into his back. "I know, I know."
Hunter gagged again, before ducking his head down to throw up, and Darius found himself wincing. He had always had slight (okay, horrible) emetophobia, but for Hunter's sake, he was willing to fight and push past it.
A sob escaped his lips, and Darius murmured a "ssh" into his ear. "You're gonna be okay, Kid."
"I—I feel so awful…"
"I know you do, but it'll be over soon, don't worry."
It wasn't long before Hunter had to vomit again, and Darius was highly uncomfortable, but still, he could ignore it for his child.
He just kept rubbing circles into his back, and muttering reassurances and sweet nothings in his ear, until eventually Hunter fell back against him, drained of any energy and gasping for air.
"I…I'm so sorry—Dad!"
Darius held him close, reaching for a nearby towel and using it to wipe at Hunter's mouth.
"Hey—hey, don't be, don't be. This isn't your fault, Hunter."
"B—but…you…you hate germs! You hate dirt—! And—and now you have to put up with a sick kid constantly—!"
"Hunter! Please…It's okay…I chose to take you in. I chose to look after you. So don't apologize for this. Its out of your control. It isn't your fault."
Hunter cried desperately into Darius's chest, and he patted him on the back as he waited for the crying to die down.
"Are you okay now, Little Prince?" He asked after a few minutes.
"...I…I dunno…"
Darius made a low humming noise before he once again lifted Hunter into his arms.
"We'll just put a bucket or a trash can beside your bed. You need rest."
It was clear Hunter didn't have enough strength to argue.
Darius took him back to his room, and got him back into bed for what felt like the millionth time that night.
Like he said he would, he dragged over the trash can from the corner, and placed it next to his bed.
He froze when he heard a muffled whimper.
"Hunter…"
He sat down at the foot of his bed, and reached out to hug him.
"I—I…I'm scared…"
"Ssh…I know—but you don't have to be scared, Hunter. We can get it fixed."
But no matter how many assurances Darius gave, Hunter was inconsolable.
"Oh Hunter…"
Hunter was pressed against Darius's chest, tears streaming down his face.
It took him a few seconds before Darius realised that he had began swaying them both back and forth.
By some miracle, it seemed to calm Hunter.
"...D—Dad…?"
"Yes, Love?"
"...Um…could…could you maybe…sing for me…?" Hunter asked through tears.
Darius was surprised by the question. He had sang for him before, but it was rare for him to ask Darius to do so.
"Oh—yes of course. Is there a song in particular you'd like me to sing?"
"Um…what's that song with the moon again…?"
He smiled, positioning Hunter where Darius's chin rested on his head.
'Days seem sometimes as if they'll never end…" He began, feeling how Hunter relaxed.
"Sun digs its heels to taunt you…"
A shaky, but slow breath left Hunter's body.
"But after sunlit days, one thing stays the same, rises the moon…"
Hunter was still trembling in his arms, and Darius moved a hand onto Hunter's hair.
"Days fade into a watercolour blur…
Memories swim and haunt you, but look into the lake, shimmering like smoke rises the moon…"
Hunter's eyes closed, which was more then a good sign.
"Oh-oh, close your weary eyes I promise you that soon the autumn comes to darken fading summer skies…
Breathe, breathe, breathe…"
His breathing was perfectly still now.
"Days pull you down just like a sinking ship…floating is getting harder. But tread the water, child, and know that meanwhile
rises the moon…"
It was clear by now that Hunter had calmed down. He was still awfully warmed by his fever, and Darius could feel it even through his pajamas.
"Days pull you up just like a daffodil uprooted from its garden…
They'll tell you what you owe, but know even so, rises the moon…"
He could tell that Hunter was half asleep by now, softly clinging to Darius's waist with his chest slowly rising and falling.
"You'll be visited by sleep, I promise you that soon the autumn comes to steal away each dream you keep…Breathe, breathe, breathe…"
Hunter was definitely asleep.
Darius carefully removed him from his embrace, keeping the same caution with lifting the blankets over him and kissing him on his forehead just like he had done earlier.
"I love you, Little Prince. Sweet dreams."