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English
Series:
Part 20 of Learning To Love (Myself and You)
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Published:
2026-01-29
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1,382
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1/1
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11
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80
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How to Care for Your Sick Elf: Staff Interlude

Summary:

Jimmy and Tarin take a moment together to decompress.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:

“I just don’t understand it!” Jimmy kicked at a branch, then grinned, apologetic and sheepish, as Tarin had to dance out of the way of the split wood. “Sorry.”

Tarin shrugged. He didn’t want to gossip out here in the open, and certainly not to one of his best friends about public opinions of the man’s husband. “They didn’t want to get in trouble. Prince Scott does not welcome our help when we offer, so why would they risk overstepping their station and force aid upon him?” It was a diplomatic phrasing of what Tarin truly wanted to say; that the prince seemed to hate the guards enough that those on duty might have even felt small satisfaction at the elf’s delirium and pain. It was unacceptable, but he couldn’t say he didn’t understand their petty instincts.

Jimmy, though, didn’t see Scott the same way the palace staff did. He liked the cold elf, seemed to adore him, really. He’d talked Tarin’s fins off time and again about how smart, attentive, kind, and talented Scott was. He spoke of a person Tarin had never seen, but insisted that his beloved husband was one and the same as the prim, arrogant, unfeeling elf that stalked the palace halls.

“Sorry, Jimmy. I think the staff’s uneasiness around your husband is more pronounced than you’ve assumed.”

Brown eyes fixed on Tarin’s face, glaring. “He was sick, Tarin. When he was in bed, with potions in his system, he was still completely out of it. I don’t know how he managed to get so far on his own two legs when an hour later he couldn’t even sit up without help.” Reaching the shore, Jimmy stopped. He turned that glare to the horizon. “Uneasy or not, I don’t think some basic empathy is too much to ask from the people who are meant to protect the royal family.”

That wasn’t incorrect. No matter how much he disliked the elven prince, Tarin hoped he would have made different choices than his fellow guards. The shame he felt for their apathy warred with loyalty. But looking at Jimmy’s stormy expression, affection for his friend won out. “How is he doing?”

Jimmy’s shoulders lifted, muscles tensing and tail whipping for a few seconds. Then he sighed and dropped to the ground, sitting cross-legged in the surf. “Better.” He patted the sand at his side, inviting. “Well enough to insist I get some fresh air.”

Tarin chuckled. “I appreciate that. You’ve been both caretaker and nurse for the past week. You must be all dried up.” He didn’t sit. Technically, he was still on duty. But he did smack Jimmy’s shoulder with his tail. “I know your mother was on your case, but please tell me you were taking care of yourself?” Jimmy was his prince, but also his friend. And his friend looked completely exhausted. “It wouldn’t do us any good for both the princes of the realm to fall ill.”

“Not that I’ve been doing much as prince this last week anyway.” Jimmy snorted. “I’m choosing to be unbothered by how few responsibilities I’ve been asked to see to. Surely my advisors know I have a desk in my quarters? My husband is ill. That doesn’t change my ability to review trade permit requests.” The waves tossed sea foam up around the Codfather’s lap. The sight of a pouting demigod, surf playing against his scales on the shore, brought a soft smile to Tarin’s lips.

“But you’ve been eating? Sleeping?” This was the first chance they’d had to really speak in several days. Tarin was used to much more closeness and conversation with his friend. Even with the strain of past months.

“Yes, mum. When he’s been even a little bit coherent Scott won’t eat unless I do. Makes it hard to miss a meal.”

With a chuckle, Tarin turned to survey the area, casually watching for any danger or trouble. “He seems almost as infatuated with you as you are with him. And you’re sure he’s not one of those over-enthusiastic acolytes from your temples?”

A long rehearsed horror crossed Jimmy’s features. “Please, not this again. Do not bring them into this. Getting married was supposed to discourage some of their more egregious advances, but I swear they’ve just gotten worse.” Years of dealing with the overly affectionate devotees of the Codfather had both their skin crawling at the thought. He frowned. “Don’t mention it to him, please. He’s already worried about the priestess’s rejections. And even without that, he’s got this complex about not being ‘good enough’ for me or something. I don’t want to stress him out any further.”

Well he’s right that he’s not good enough, but sure. Tarin sighed. “I don’t talk to him. He doesn’t talk to me. You’re safe there, Jimmy.” He nodded to a passing citizen, letting his body language be just tense enough to discourage them approaching the exposed prince. “You really fell for him? I won’t lie. I expected this enthusiasm to fade a bit with distance from your heat.” Tarin was muttering by the end of his words. “Sorry, that’s overstepping.”

Jimmy looked up to his friend, frown deepening. “You don’t get to doubt me too. Not after this long. Not after all the genuinely bad ideas you’ve helped me with. Why is it not believable that I can be happy with him?”

Tarin bit his tongue. 

“The man was thrown across the continent into a marriage he didn’t have a say in. Sorry he isn’t used to eating sea urchin or being able to step outside without getting frostbite.” His tail thrashed and his voice was laced with bitterness. “I know I didn’t give him a chance at first either, but come on.”

The undertone of self-hatred set Tarin on edge. “Jimmy, no one is going to blame you for being unhappy with him.” He should have specified, ‘at first,’ since clearly Jimmy’s mind had changed. But truthfully, Tarin wanted it to be known that no one would be upset should the Ocean Empire’s prince decide to reject this stranger of a husband. 

Though, in four months, Tarin may have to admit he isn’t so much a stranger anymore. Still strange. But not for Jimmy.

“No one else has to. I do.” Fins flared as Jimmy seethed. “I know better than most what it’s like to be out of place, uprooted and given a whole new role. So even if proving his worth to the rest of the empire takes forever, I’m the cod for the job.”

“Always the hero, huh?” Tarin put a hand on Jimmy’s shoulder; a peace offering. “I don’t doubt for a moment that you’ll do it. You know I’m on your side, always.” And if things went badly? Tarin would support him then as well.

Some of the tension eased from Jimmy’s posture. “Just trust me. If nothing else, believe that I want this– want him.” It was incredible how pathetic the demigod could make himself appear. Large brown eyes begged Tarin to listen. “I care about him. I want him to be happy here, with me. But he needs more than me and my sister willing to offer a kind word for this to be home.”

Tarin’s heart ached, just a little. “I trust you, Jimmy. Besides, it wouldn’t do very well for me to be uncivil with one of the two people I’m very specifically charged with keeping safe.” 

“Thank you.” Jimmy turned back to look out over the sea. “Got an hour before supper. Want to go for a swim?”

“Stay away from the east coral gardens. Divian was getting ready to build out a new terrace and she won’t let you leave if you offer to help.” He held out a hand to assist Jimmy in standing. “But a swim sounds quite refreshing.”

An hour later, with Jimmy anxious to return to his husband and shaking off seawater, Tarin would follow his prince back to the palace. And he would remind himself as he watched the Codfather’s warm smile, gazing at his sleeping husband, that Tarin had made a promise to trust. For Jimmy’s sake, for the sake of that soft look in his friend’s eyes, he would make sure Scott had a home in the ocean.

Notes:

I like to think of my additions being what a real publisher would cut from the book for space. Luckily, no kings no masters no stopping me.

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