The sensation of the blankets being tugged off of his body was what ultimately pulled Dave from his rather comfortable slumber. He was left chilled by the absence of the cover, and mildly confused as to where they'd disappeared off to in his sleep-addled mind. It wasn't until he felt the vibrations on the mattress beside himself that his awareness finally snapped back into focus, allowing Dave to better assess his surroundings. It was then that he realized that the juddering against the mattress was coming from Klaus. He still had Riley propped atop his trembling chest; although, Dave was shocked that she was able to sleep through the violent tremors her father was emitting. Klaus was clutching the blankets; tangling his hands and feet within the thick fabric trying desperately to seek any ounce of warmth that he could, but his teeth and body were chattering and shivering tremendously.
"Klaus?" Dave propped himself onto his elbow as he reached to shake Klaus's quivering body to wake him, "Klaus, wake up. Are you—"
As soon as Dave's palm rested against his boyfriend's trembling shoulder an overwhelming sensation of shock filled his body at what he found.
Heat...
Klaus's body was radiating an inconceivable amount of heat, burning him up from the inside out with a ravaging fever, the rate of the temperature was alarming.
"Klaus, wake up. Can you open your eyes for me? Come on, Klaus, please?" Dave shook his shoulders until Klaus's tired eyes finally peeled into narrow slivers.
"Hm?" Klaus hummed in confusion, "w-what?"
Dave's eyebrows furrowed at the glossy unfocused look in his boyfriends eyes. He laid his palm against Klaus's drenched forehead and immediately grimaced.
"You're burning up, Klaus. Holy shit," Dave bolted upright in the bed, collecting Klaus's slumbering princess into his arms before standing and laying her down within her crib. He sprinted to the bathroom; grabbing the thermometer from the medicine cabinet before returning to the room. Klaus had shrugged the blankets tighter around himself; his form trembling, and his teeth loudly chattering as his body continued to quake. Dave frowned at the pitiful sight of him, his saddened expression only intensified at the distressing groans he was producing. Dave sat beside Klaus, feeling his forehead again, earning a rather pathetic sound from the clearly sickly man.
"It's okay, Klaus. You're okay. Open your mouth for me, yeah? I need to check your temperature. Can you do that for me?"
Klaus squeezed his tired eyes shut, another groan leaving his chest as his body shook and shuddered even more. It took a long moment, but eventually he parted his lips, allowing Dave to stick the thermometer between his teeth and tuck it under his tongue. Dave ran his fingers through Klaus's curls to soothe him until the small device finally beeped.
"104.6, Klaus, that's extremely high. What's wrong? I knew you were getting sick, are you okay?"
"B-but I'm not sick, Dave. M'just s-so c-c-cold," he groaned through chattering teeth, curling himself up tighter within the blanket, "why is it s-so cold in here?"
"Klaus, you're burning up with a fever. It's not cold, you're sick. This is your body's way of trying to fight off an infection," Dave cupped Klaus's sweat laden cheek within his palm, tilting his head from side to side to further examine his features, he frowned at the intensity from the heat against his skin. "You're so hot, Klaus."
"Wow, Dave. You know how to m-make a man's heart f-f-flutter." Klaus smiled weakly at Dave before curling in on himself with a pathetic whimper. "P-please, lay back down with me. I'm s-so c-cold and you're so w-w-warm."
"I'll be right back, Klaus. I'm going to get you some water and some Tylenol cold—"
"No! No drugs, I can't - I c-can't do any d-drugs."
"Klaus," Dave's eyebrows furrowed with concern at his request. "It's just Tylenol. You need it, we need to get your fever down." Klaus rolled his head side to side in protest.
"N-no, Dave. Tylenol is not good for recovering a-a-addicts. I can't have any. I c-can't, I won't. Please." Dave had nearly forgotten about Klaus's past addiction history, he didn't even think of the effects having Tylenol could have on his body, let alone on his cravings. He sent an apologetic glance to Klaus, laying a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"I'm so sorry, Klaus. You're right. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to try to force that on you. Your fever is bad though. You're burning up, we need to get this down," Dave watched as Klaus seemed to curl up further into himself, shrinking his body to appear almost as small as a sickly child. He looked so pitiful, it broke Dave's heart. Couldn't he just catch a break? "I'll be right back, okay?"
Klaus whimpered in response as Dave once again left the room. Klaus didn't know how to explain how he currently felt. Dave kept saying he was sick, but all he knew was cold. He was just so cold, and tired. He did feel rather stiff...could he be sick? He moaned as another harsh shiver rattled his stiff body leaving him feeling rather sore. Maybe Dave was right, maybe he was sick?
Dave returned not long after his departure bearing a glass of water for Klaus to drink, a bowl and a rag. Klaus's eyelids barely peeled into slits at the sound of his return. He hadn't even realized his eyes had been closed. How long had Dave been gone?
"Here, let's sit you up," Dave aided Klaus in straightening his posture off of the mattress. Klaus groaned in discomfort as the new position caused his aching muscles to spasm even more. He hated that he felt this way, and didn't understand what would cause this to happen. Was this another side effect from his abilities? Honestly, Klaus would almost swear that his current condition reminded him of withdrawal symptoms. Was this his body's own way or weaning itself off of the ghosts? Dave slid onto the mattress behind Klaus, his legs flanking either side of Klaus's trembling frame as he eased his boyfriend's body against his own broad chest. Klaus's lips tugged into a subtle smile - he could get used to this. "easy, there you go. I need you to drink some water, okay?"
Klaus could only hum in response before Dave brought the glass of water to his parched lips and aided him in taking a few slow and steady sips.
"Good Klaus, easy. You're doing great," Dave kept his fingers gently laced between Klaus's curling locks of hair as he drank, steadying his head. He cooed to him as he took each sip, joy flooding his heart when he nearly finished the entire glass before finally pulling away to catch his breath. "That was great, Klaus. Your body needed that. I think that may be part of the reason you are so sick right now. You're probably famished, you haven't had any real nutrients in days. You need to eat and drink."
"M'not h-hungry. Just c-cold." Klaus's eyes snapped shut as his body continued to shiver from his chills. Dave set the glass down on the nightstand before reaching to feel Klaus's forehead again, sucking his teeth in pity when he found it to be almost warmer.
"You're not going to like what I'm about to do, but it's necessary okay, Klaus?" Klaus didn't even bother to open his eyes at Dave's statement, he simply nodded accepting whatever Dave set out to do. "We need to get your shirt off, okay?"
"Trying to undress me Davey? M-my, you dirty d-dog." Dave snickered, pressing his lips to Klaus's trembling shoulder in response. Klaus's lips tugged into an unsteady smile at the sensation of Dave's kiss against his skin, he relished in the tender touch. Both men were just so unbelievably happy that they were finally able to show each other such affection.
"Klaus, you're soaking wet," Dave frowned as he noted the sopping material clinging to Klaus's body. "Hold up your arms, I've gotta get you out of this shirt." Klaus groaned as he lifted his absurdly heavy arms above his head allowing Dave to remove his shirt, tossing the drenched fabric onto the floor with a heavy plop. Klaus's body only seemed to shiver more now that his perspiration riddled skin was exposed to the air around him. Dave eased his body back against his chest before grabbing the rag off of the nightstand and dipping it into the bowl he'd brought in - it was full of cool water. He wrung out the extra water and gently ran the damp fabric over Klaus's sweltering skin, earning a shocked gasp from Klaus.
"D-Dave that's f-f-freezing. P-please, s-stop."
"I'm sorry, I know you're cold, but your fever is way too high, Klaus. We need to bring it down." Dave continued to run the cloth over Klaus's fever flushed skin in an attempt to whisk the sweat away. He whined in protest, sad, pitiful sounding groans as his shudders seemed to only intensity.
"Please - p-please s-s-stop." Klaus begged, twisting his fingers into the blanket at his waist. Dave ran his fingers through his hair to soothe the sickly man, trying desperately to put him at ease. "M'so c-c-cold. Please-"
"I know, I'm so sorry. I promise it's just until I can get your fever down a little, okay? I promise. Here," Dave dunked the rag into the bowl to rinse the sweat before wringing the fabric in his grip to drain the excess fluid. He quickly folded it and laid it atop Klaus's forehead, keeping his hand over the cloth to hold it in place. Dave kissed the top of Klaus's curls, reaching his free hand for Klaus's and intertwined his fingers within his own. "Just, hold my hand, you're going to be okay. I'm only trying to help," Klaus's body relaxed against Dave's chest at his words, his grip tightening against his boyfriend's while his eyes began to droop from exhaustion. Dave pressed his lips against the crown of Klaus's head, smiling against his unruly locks happy to see him beginning to finally relax. "Good, Klaus. Not much longer, okay?"
"I'm so tired..." Klaus whispered as his eyelashes fluttered and he struggled to fight off the fatigue that plagued him, however it simply wasn't a battle he was prepared to win.
"I know. Let's get you back to bed, okay? You need rest to fight this thing off." Klaus's energy was already nearly depleted as Dave slowly eased his exhausted frame back down flat against the mattress. His grip tightened against Dave's fingers, his eyes opening into weary slits as he looked his boyfriend in the eyes.
"Please, lay with me? I-I don't w-want to be alone." Dave's lips tugged into a crooked smile at Klaus's request; how could he deny him that?
"Of course, darlin. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere, I promise." Dave laid down on the mattress beside Klaus, adjusting the cool rag against his feverish forehead as Klaus entangled his limbs around Dave's furnace-like body. He smiled, nuzzling impossibly closer against his warmth.
"You called me darlin," Klaus giggled, tilting his chin to better address Dave, effectively dislodging the rag from his forehead, "I like that. Darlin—it's cute. You're cute, we're cute. Don't you th-think we're cute, Davey?"
"I think we are adorable," Dave smiled down at his sleepy boyfriend who was clearly suffering from the fever funnies, "especially you, my little sickling." Dave kissed Klaus's forehead, raking his fingers through his hair. Klaus rested his head on Dave's broad shoulder, his eyes fluttering before resting into weary slits.
"Mm, this is nice," Klaus's body relaxed, his trembling slowly fading. He exhaled a sigh, closing his eyes while he pressed his cheek to Dave's shoulder and stroked his palm in a circular pattern against Dave's chest with a smile. "You're so warm." Dave hugged him closer against himself.
"So are you, darlin." Klaus hummed in response.
"You need a nickname now, too. Something cute, with pizzazz." Dave smiled, his eyebrows raising in curiosity.
"Oh? Do I now? Well, what nickname do you suggest?" Klaus pursed his lips and stared into Dave's ocean blue eyes as he thought, pushing air out of his lips in a sputtering raspberry. Dave shook his head and smirked at his loopy concentration face. Klaus gasped, his eyes opening in realization before he furrowed his brows shaking his head.
"No, no, that won't do." Dave kissed his forehead as Klaus burrowed his cold toes between Dave's warm legs, "Oh! I know, I got it!" He smirked.
"Well? What is it, then? Gonna keep this news all to yourself?"
"Sasquatch." Klaus finally suggested with a snort and a giggle, rather amused with his brilliant idea.
"Sasquatch?" Dave asked incredulously, "where on earth did you get that?" Klaus sighed, his lips pursing into a pout.
"Aw, you don't like it?"
"I mean," Dave's voice raised an Octave, his lips stretching into a wide grin, "I think we could come up with something a little more affectionate, no?"
"Wait, wait, hear me out, okay?" Klaus stroked his fingers up and down Dave's chest as he spoke, "because you're tall - taller than me. You're strong, and you have big feet!"
"Klaus—"
"And you know what they say about big feet—"
"Shh," Dave breathed a laugh at Klaus's tired loopy ramblings, pulling his anxiously fidgeting fingers between his own, "you really need to get some rest. Go to sleep, okay?" Dave whispered, tucking the blankets around Klaus's form. Klaus smiled, rooting his nose against Dave's chest before finally settling comfortably within his boyfriend's loving arms.
"Okay, we will come up with a different name." Klaus agreed tiredly through a yawn before his eyes fluttered and closed.
"Sounds like a plan. Night darlin."
"Night not Sasquatch." Dave smiled, laying the cool cloth back on his forehead, watching as Klaus eventually peacefully drifted to sleep.
Dave's smile morphed into a frown as he watched his boyfriend sleep. Klaus just looked so terrible. He was pale aside from the bright splotches of red that muddled his porcelain cheeks. He ran his fingers through Klaus's hair for a long while, just watching the rise and fall of his chest and reeling at the comforting sensation of his soft flutters of breath against his bare skin. He wished their snuggle fest was under different circumstances; Dave only wished Klaus wasn't so sick. He rested his cheek atop Klaus's curls, hugging his slumbering form tighter against himself while he just breathed in his scent. Brushing his fingertips down his cheek, Dave smiled when he found that the heat of his flesh seemed to be heading in the right direction and fading away. Thank god. Klaus cuddled closer, his fingers curling into the fabric of the blanket perched atop Dave's stomach and hummed happily in his sleep. Dave smiled, allowing his own eyes to drift closed as he too welcomed the warm blanket of a cozy night's rest.
Unfortunately, that cozy night's rest didn't last nearly as long as either man had hoped. Soft raspy cries penetrated the calming still of the air within the bedroom, slowly pulling both tired men from their slumber.
"M'comin, Riley..daddy's coming," Klaus weakly mumbled against Dave's neck. He swallowed, tiredly retracting his arms from Dave as he made a feeble attempt to right himself and sit up. "Coming baby, daddy's right here. I'm coming, I—"
"No, you're not," Dave sat up in the bed and gently laid his palm over Klaus's forehead. "You're still running a fever, Klaus. You're sick, lay back down and rest. I've got her."
"But, Dave..I can do it, I'm fine—"
"Sorry, no but's darlin. You're burning up with a fever. We don't even know what you have, but it's better if you just rest and let your body combat whatever it is. Besides," He eased Klaus's unsteady figure back down against the mattress, running his fingers through his curls after he tucked his trembling frame in. "You don't want to risk potentially spreading whatever this is to Riley, do you?"
"N-no, never!"
"Then sleep, Klaus. You need the rest," Dave bent down and kissed Klaus's forehead, earning the sickly man to close his eyes and hum against the pleasant sensation. "Sleep. We will be fine."
Klaus was already softly snoring by the time Dave reached Riley's crib.
"Hey there sweet pea, you hungry?" He scooped her into his arms, hugging her tiny squirming figure against his chest. "Aww, yeah you're hungry. Come on, shh shh you're okay, let's get you something to eat and let your daddy rest, okay?"
Dave left Klaus to continue sleeping while he tended to Riley's fussing. He cooed to her as they entered the living room before making their way into the kitchen. Dave wasted no time in preparing a bottle for her, checking to ensure the temperature was just right before pressing the nipple to her eager lips.
"There you go, sweetie. Were you hungry? Yeah, you were," he carried her over to the couch where he sat down, cradling her within his arm against his chest as he watched her eat with a smile on his face. He'd giggle when she would make little sucking sounds, clearly enjoying her meal. "You're a cute little piggie, aren't you? Certainly the cutest one I ever did see."
Riley finished eating and Dave swaddled her up, laying her over his shoulder while he patted and rubbed her back to burp her. He stood, pacing the floors until he succeeded.
"Nice one, squirt," he wiped the dribble from her chin, smiling as he admired her flattening her unruly curls atop her head. She yawned, her nose crinkling as her lashes fluttered while she slowly started to drift back to sleep. "Aw, your daddy's nose crinkles like that. Like daddy like daughter, two precious peas in a pod." Dave bundled her into his arms, softly singing her lullaby to her; the same one her daddy always sang to her allowing her to peacefully lull to sleep. Dave quietly carried Riley back into the bedroom, careful not to wake her or her daddy from their slumber. The door softly creaked as it opened, but it turned out he didn't have to be silent anyways. Klaus was already sitting up in the bed, blankets wrapped tightly around his shivering form, his face looking tired and pale.
"Why are you up?" Dave whispered, gently laying Riley down in her crib. "You should be sleeping, you need to—"
"I can't sleep," Klaus hugged his midsection with one arm, clumsily rubbing his temples with the other. "I have a headache."
Dave frowned, sitting beside Klaus on the bed. He laid his palm against his forehead to find that his temperature was still warm, but didn't seem quite as alarming as earlier.
"You still have a fever," he ran his fingers through Klaus's curls before raking his fingernails down his back, earning goosebumps to prickle from Klaus's skin. "I think you should eat something, Klaus. That may be why you have a headache. It's been a couple of days since you've had anything."
"M'not hungry," Klaus doubled over himself, resting his elbows on his lap and burying his face within his palms, exhaling a groan. "Just...tired. Fuck, I'm so tired of being tired."
"You need to eat, Klaus." Dave frowned, lacing his fingers into the hair at the nape of Klaus's sweat dampened neck. "You're tired because you're weak. Your body and mind have been through an immense amount of trauma recently and you've had absolutely no nourishment. Your body needs fuel to recover."
Klaus sat up straight, his fingers splayed against his thighs as he peered tiredly to Dave.
"You're right," he nodded in agreement before letting out an exasperated sigh. "You're right, okay. I'll eat. I'm just...I'm not hungry, can it be light? Like, I don't know—"
"Soup?" Dave suggested, smiling as he caught Klaus's gaze. "I was going to recommend some chicken broth. It'll warm you up a bit more," he stated, watching as Klaus's body started to lightly tremble again now that he wasn't interwoven within Dave's embrace. "And it'll get you some much needed nutrients."
"I could go for some soup." Dave smiled at Klaus, leaning towards the sickly man and kissing his temple.
"Lay down, I'll be right back with that broth. Just, try to relax, okay?" Klaus nodded in agreement. He shimmied his weary frame back onto the mattress and situated himself so he was curled up on his side. Dave pushed a stray strand of hair behind Klaus's ear and tucked the blanket over his shoulders earning a thankful smile from his sickly boyfriend before heading to the kitchen.
It didn't take too long to prepare Klaus's meal. There was a can of soup in the cupboard that Dave had picked up during his last shopping excursion. He quickly dumped the contents into a bowl and heated it in the microwave before returning to Klaus. Klaus's eyes were closed, but Dave could tell he wasn't quite asleep judging by his breathing. He set the bowl down on the nightstand as he took a seat beside Klaus on the bed before he ran his fingers through Klaus's curls. He slowly opened his eyes to peer to Dave.
"I'm back, you ready to sit up?" Dave asked as Klaus simply looked at him with groggy eyes. "I'll help you. Come on, it's time to eat."
Dave peeled the blanket away from Klaus's figure, looping his arms around his shoulder to help ease him upright in the bed. Klaus groaned at the motion, his tense muscles spasming in protest to his new position. Dave frowned at his boyfriends uncomfortable sound, stopping in his tracks.
"You okay?" He cupped Klaus's sweaty cheek within his palm, stroking the pad of his thumb across the hollow of his cheekbone. "What's wrong?"
"M'sore," Klaus groaned through gritted teeth. His eyebrows furrowed before relaxing. He smiled tiredly at Dave, gripping his knee to reassure him. "I'm okay. I think you're right, though. I think I am sick."
"You're definitely sick, Klaus," Dave kept his grip on Klaus's cheek, bringing his other hand to his forehead to gauge his temperature with a frown. "I don't like how your temperature keeps fluctuating. You feel warmer again to me."
"I think I just need to eat, I think it's just exhaustion, maybe? I don't know. I'm no doctor, but that's all I can come up with," Klaus exhaled a shaky breath relaxing against Dave's touch. "I do feel rather famished. I think it's just everything's finally catching up to me all at once. Oh goody."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Dave smiled sadly, retracting his hands from Klaus's face as he inched himself towards the soup. "Let's get you fed and taken care of then, okay? I'm hopeful that once you eat and rest a bit more you'll start feeling like yourself again."
"I sure hope so, cause I don't like feeling how I do right now. Never wanted to know what a steaming pile of horse shit felt like, but I can genuinely say I've experienced it first hand." Klaus exhaled a soft giggle before wincing at the jolting motion it caused in his sore muscles. Dave's lips twitched into a lopsided smirk. He felt so bad that Klaus felt this way, he'd certainly had a rough last few days, adding illness on top of everything else was the last thing he needed. He was just grateful he was there for Klaus, now. That he had someone who could help him, protect him and nurse him back to health. Dave swiveled the spoon in the bowl, mixing the noodles and vegetables thoroughly in the soup before lifting a spoonful of broth towards Klaus's lips.
"Open up." Klaus snorted, lifting his shaky hand to take the spoon from Dave, but Dave just shook his head with a stern smile. "Nope, you just relax and let me handle this. Now, open wide."
"Are you going to blow on it for me too, Dave?" Klaus giggled, trying again to reach for the spoon only for Dave to pull back. "I can do it, Dave. I don't think a spoon is going to exhaust me to carry—"
"You're too stubborn, Klaus," Dave began with a soft chuckle, "I know you can manage doing this, but you need to take it easy. I know you're not used to having anyone help you, but I'm here now, let me take care of you, okay?"
"My, Davey, I'm starting to think you have a caretaker kink," Klaus's lips tugged into a crooked grin, a soft chuckle leaving his lips. "I'm not complaining, it's cute, but I can do this."
"Nope. Now open up, here comes the choo-choo train to flavor town." Dave's smile spread wide at the snort and eye roll that earned from Klaus. While unorthodox, his methods worked, though. Klaus relaxed, honestly too tired to protest or fight it any longer. He didn't have the energy to, he still felt so weak. Truthfully, he felt embarrassed over the situation. He could certainly manage to feed himself some soup, he didn't need to be fed by his boyfriend, but he knew that Dave meant well. It was actually extremely sweet that he felt the need to do so much for Klaus, he just wasn't accustomed to such pleasantries. Shit, he never even cared to take this good of care of himself, let alone have someone else fuss over his well being so much. It was strange and hard to accept to a large degree, but also so incredibly welcomed and appreciated.
Dave fed Klaus, lifting a spoon full of soup up to his lips and allowing him to blow on its contents before easing the spoon into his mouth. It was a slow process, each small slurp felt like a gallon to Klaus, his stomach still not used to eating much food. Now, with a two day gap between his last meal and this one, he felt his stomach expanding with the meal and becoming uncomfortably full rather quickly. Dave lifted the spoon to his lips again, but Klaus groaned pinching his lips closed and tilting his head away to avoid taking another bite.
"You've barely had anything, Klaus. Can you eat at least a few more bites?" Klaus groaned, his hands darting to his belly when an unpleasant cramp settled within his stomach. He moaned, rubbing his aching abdomen with his flattened palms, his breathing growing shaky and labored.
"No, I can't, I—" he paused, one hand moving from his upset stomach to his mouth, "Dave, I don't mean to alarm you, but I think I'm going to be sick."
"What?" Dave asked, eyebrows furrowing with concern as he set the bowl down on the nightstand. Klaus closed his eyes, his breathing picking up as his hand trembled against his pursed lips.
"Dave, I'm sorry," he moaned, a heave shaking his frame. "I'm gonna be sick."
Dave quickly wrapped his arms around Klaus, aiding him in standing before quickly guiding him into the bathroom. Klaus collapsed onto his knees, his hands instantly gripping onto the cool porcelain as he heaved painfully into the toilet and expelled the contents of his stomach into the bowl. He continued to wretch, his body shaking with exhaustion with each painful heave. Klaus was left panting heavily trying to catch his breath as he rested his heated forehead against his arm atop the toilet.
"Fuck, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Klaus panted through his labored breaths. He groaned, his hand rubbing soothing circles in his ailing belly.
"Sorry?" Dave asked, tucking a sweat soaked curl behind Klaus's ear, "what on earth are you sorry for?"
"I'm such a mess, I'm so sorry you have to see me this way." Klaus sucked in a sharp breath, clutching at his stomach when it cramped painfully again. Dave smiled sadly at Klaus, cooing softly to reassure him.
"Klaus, hey, it's okay. Don't feel bad, you're just sick, people get sick. You're gonna be okay."
"I just feel bad, that's all you do is take care of me and Riley. You shouldn't have to. I'm sorry." Dave gently ran his palm over Klaus's back, a soft smile tugging the corner of his lips.
"Honestly," Dave began with a light chuckle, "I like doing it. I love to take care of people." Klaus peeled his face from his arm to peer to Dave, his eyebrow raising in a teasing manner.
"Oh, so it is a kink thing," he smiled at Dave before his stomach lurched painfully in protest, earning an agonized groan from Klaus. He leaned over the toilet, vomiting yet again. He didn't understand how he had so much puke inside of him, surely his stomach must be empty by now? He desperately tried to catch his breath, his lungs fighting for air as he once again draped himself tiredly over the toilet, resting his head against his arms. Dave rubbed his back, assuring him that he was okay and coaching him to take deep breaths. When his stomach felt settled enough, Klaus leveraged himself off of the toilet, gesturing to his sickly physique with shaky unsteady hands. "Does this arouse you?"
Dave couldn't contain the chuckle that rattled his chest as he leaned closer to Klaus, pushing his sweat drenched hair out of his face to tuck a strand of it behind his poor sick boyfriend's ear. He smiled as their gazes met.
"Maybe not so much that," he kissed Klaus's sweat glistening forehead which earned Klaus to lean happily into the touch. His eyes fluttered as they steadily grew ever heavier with fatigue. Dave pressed his forehead to Klaus's, their noses nuzzling against each other's. "Just, let me take care of you, okay?"
Klaus's lips formed a subtle smile, his nose rubbing against Dave's as he bobbed his head in a nod. "Okay."
Dave's smile intensified as he wrapped his arms around Klaus's figure, pulling his boyfriend into his arms in an embrace. Klaus buried his nose against Dave's neck seeking out his warmth as he clung onto him, exhaling an albeit exhausted yet content sigh.
"Okay," Dave began, running his palms up and down Klaus's back to comfort him and soothe him. He could feel his body relaxing against his own and knew he needed to get him back to bed; the poor love needed to rest. "You feeling a bit better? Think you're strong enough to make it back to bed?"
"Hmm," Klaus's lashes fluttered as he nodded, "yeah, I think so." Dave looped his arm beneath Klaus's shoulder and slowly helped ease him back onto his feet.
"You good?" Dave asked as he released his grip on Klaus's shoulders, his hand gently traced down his back until it rested on his waist.
"Yeah, m'good, I'm—" Klaus's stance wavered as he started to sink back to the floor, but Dave was quick to steady him.
"Easy does it, darlin," Klaus groaned, his hand cupping Dave's forearm when a strong spell of vertigo took him by surprise.
"M'dizzy..." Dave's instincts kicked in instantly when Klaus's body toggled again. He as delicately as he could scooped Klaus's body into his arms in a bridal carry, earning a surprised yip from Klaus in response. "Jesus Dave, a little warning next time."
"Sorry, darlin," Dave pecked the tip of Klaus's nose which sent butterflies soaring through the sickly man's stomach. "Can't have you passing out though. I gotta—"
"Keep me safe?" Klaus whispered as he tucked himself beneath his boyfriend's chin, "I know." Klaus closed his eyes as his exhaustion caught up to him, simply unable to stay awake any longer. Dave pressed his lips to Klaus's curls, hugging him tighter against his chest as he walked him back to the bedroom and laid him down. Klaus stirred minutely, a soft moan leaving his lips as he opened his eyes into slits.
"Cuddle me?" he began, his lips pushing out into a pout begging for his boyfriend's presence. Dave hadn't the pleasure of knowing him as he grew up, so he was unaware of how Klaus always had been extra clingy whilst sick, "pwease?"
Dave giggled taking in Klaus's precious appearance. He wouldn't ever get over how absolutely adorable the man was. Even so sick he still managed to make Dave's world so much brighter and happier. Klaus was the sunshine to his life and always managed to make even his most dreary days so much more beautiful. "Of course, darlin. Scoot over, let me in."
Klaus lazily inched himself over allowing Dave to curl his body against his own atop the mattress. Klaus's arms encircled around Dave's waist, his warmth instantly seeping deep into Klaus's touch and chasing any ounce of a chill that plagued him away. He smiled when he pressed his cheek against Dave's broad chest. His strong heartbeat rang against his ear, acting as a lullaby to effectively lull Klaus right back to sleep. Dave smiled as he watched Klaus rest; his soft inhale and exhale of air the only sound he made aside from the occasional moan or babbling of incoherent words. He was so cute when he'd sleep. Dave pulled the blankets closer against them, wrapping his own arms around Klaus's frame as he rested his cheek atop his slumbering boyfriend's curls.
"I will always keep you safe, Klaus. Sleep well, darlin. Feel better." He kissed his temple earning a sleepy smile from Klaus before Dave, too, peacefully drifted to sleep.
—-
Klaus's entire physical, mental and emotional state was left ravaged after his experience with his powers. Dave was hopeful that after getting him to rest and finally coaxing him to eat and stay hydrated he would start feeling better within a short couple of days. Unfortunately, he was wrong. Klaus's entire physical being was left utterly weakened; run down and still left battling a rather high fever for quite some time after that first day he came down sick. His fever would finally drop down to an acceptable temperature, only to skyrocket back up within just a few short hours. He battled dizzy spells and intense bouts of nausea; so-much-so that Klaus was left entirely confined to bed rest for the better half of an eight day span—when his fever finally broke.
Dave woke up and rolled over in bed where his blue gaze was met by a weary set of green irises.
"Morning, darlin," Dave whispered as his palm swept Klaus's hair out of his eyes before flattening against his forehead to gauge his temperature, a ritual he'd done every morning since Klaus had come down ill. He smiled, joy filling his chest when he didn't feel any heat, "how ya feeling? Seems your fever may have finally broken."
"I feel better," Klaus hummed, his eyes closing for a brief moment before opening back into slits, "still tired, but much better."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," he grinned before kissing Dave's bare chest, "I really do."
"I'm so relieved to hear that, darlin," Dave kissed Klaus's temple, raking his fingers through his curls before drawing comforting circles against his back.
They laid there just savoring one another's presence for quite a while; Klaus cuddling against Dave's warmth as he listened to his heart beating against the shell of his ear. His eyelids felt so unbearably heavy as he was still left buried beneath a mountain of fatigue, but he truly did feel so much better as a whole. His stomach no longer ached, and he no longer felt that he was trapped inside a real life snow globe fighting the cold. He was warm, and content laying with his beautifully perfect boyfriend Dave by his side. Klaus sucked in a deep breath, nuzzling his cheek closer against Dave's broad chest as he peered up to look at his boyfriend in his beautiful ocean blue eyes. Dave smiled at Klaus, running his fingers through his hair before he cupped his cheek and craned himself down to plant a kiss against his no longer feverish temple.
"Davey," Klaus began with a soft smile, his brilliant green eyes looking to Dave with wonder, "could we go sit in the living room for a while? I'd love to get out of this bed finally. I swear I'm gonna form bed sores soon if I don't get up and stretch my legs and move for a bit."
"Okay," Dave kissed his temple again, a fond smile gracing his lips but his eyebrows knitted together with concern, "you're sure you're feeling up to it? I can see in your eyes that you're still tired. Don't push yourself too hard, you still should be taking it easy."
"I just want to get out of this bed, baby," Klaus closed his eyes and rested his head against Dave's chest again, "I promise to take it easy, I just need to get up. I need to try to get better - back to normal."
Dave couldn't say no to that. He knew how badly Klaus wanted his life to return to normalcy; he was well aware of how desperately Klaus wanted to be able to walk around and just spend time with Dave like a normal couple without him fussing over him and making sure he wasn't going to collapse from exhaustion. More than anything, Dave knew how much Klaus missed his daughter. His fever made it impossible for Klaus to spend any time with Riley. They didn't want to risk him passing whatever he had onto her, even though both men were thoroughly convinced that what was ailing Klaus wasn't a typical illness, but rather the aftershock of the effects of the toll his abilities and quarrels with the ghosts who plagued him left on his body. Even now, eight days later he was still left in a severely weakened state. Dave could see how tired Klaus was even still. He only hoped that he would start feeling more like himself physically soon.
"Alright, darlin, you ready to try to get up now?" Dave asked while trailing his fingers up and down Klaus's back in a soothing manner. Truthfully, Klaus was ready to fall back to sleep. He was so tired, but he knew he needed to fight through his seemingly endless fatigue and climb his way back to a healthy state of being. He inhaled a breath before releasing a long sigh just trying to psych himself up.
"I'm ready." Klaus smiled when the fingers of Dave's hand laced within his own. Dave sat upright on the bed and slowly helped leverage Klaus into an erect position atop the mattress. They took it slow; knowing that Klaus still would get lightheaded if he jostled around too quickly. Klaus's legs dangled over the edge of the mattress, and Dave helped position him until he knew his feet were firmly planted on the ground before sitting beside him on the bed, looping his arm around the small of his back to ground him. Klaus closed his eyes and took another deep breath before he opened them and fixed his gaze upon Dave's stunning features.
"You alright, or are you feeling dizzy?" Dave asked as he watched Klaus's long perfect lashes flutter minutely.
"I'm fine," Klaus started with a firm nod, "I think I can stand." Dave kissed his temple and squeezed his hand before hooking his arm closer around his waist, slowly easing Klaus onto his feet. He wavered briefly, his knees wobbling as he started to sway but Dave was quick to steady him and hold him tighter against himself. Klaus took a step and nearly fell, his limbs simply not used to bearing weight anymore. In the past eight days the only motion he had was Dave carrying him to and from the bathroom when he would get sick; otherwise he'd been entirely bound to his bed, simply too ill and weak to do much of anything other than sleep.
"Take it slow, darlin. Don't rush it, you need to take it easy." Dave encouraged, "want me to carry you, give you one more day to rest?" Klaus shook his head in protest.
"No, baby, I can do it, I want to. I need to do this." Dave nodded his head in understanding.
"Okay, darlin. You can do it, I know you can. I have faith in you," both men exchanged a smile before their lips met in a delicate kiss, "ready to take a step? We will do it together, you just say when."
"Okay," Klaus began taking another deep breath, "I'm ready." Dave held Klaus up as their feet moved tandemly one step forward. After each step they took a small break allowing Klaus to compose himself. It broke Dave's heart to see how tiring this was on Klaus; something so simple and so easy to take for granted being so difficult for him. Each step seemed to steal his breath away, leaving him gasping for air and his limbs shaking and thoroughly spent. Klaus was a fighter, though. It was hard for him, each small step felt like climbing twenty flights of stairs, but he never gave up. Their pace was slow and Dave swore it took a solid fifteen minutes just to get from the bedroom to the living room, but they did make it, and they did it together.
"Here, darlin, sit down. You need to relax for a while." Klaus could only nod as he wiped at the beads of sweat that had formed against his brow. He thanked Dave as he lowered his ravaged body onto the oversized blue sofa. Klaus's body all but melted against the fabric, slumping as he heaved for oxygen. "Deep, slow breaths, darlin. Easy, you're alright. You made it. I'm going to get you some water, okay? Just relax, you did so good, I'm so proud of you." Dave leaned down and kissed Klaus's curls before going to grab him a glass of water.
Klaus closed his eyes and tilted his head back, resting it against the back of the cushions allowing himself to just focus on steadying his breathing. He couldn't help but feel frustrated in himself. He hated that he still felt this way; so tired, so weak. He just wanted to be able to maneuver around the house like a normal person, was that so much to ask? He had a boyfriend now - a fucking amazing one, no less, and while he would forever be eternally grateful to Dave for his patience and unwavering support, Klaus only wished he wasn't forced to care for him. They should be able to enjoy themselves doing regular couple activities. Shit, Klaus was excited for the day he, Dave and Riley could even just go for a stroll around the block together. Something so incredibly mundane sounded like the best luxury vacation Klaus could ever dream up at this point. He was ready to enjoy such simple things again - to live his life with his beautiful daughter and his incredible boyfriend and finally be happy.
"You alright? Look like you're falling asleep," said Dave as he sat beside Klaus on the sofa, "here, drink some water."
Klaus's eyes fluttered as he peered to Dave, he hadn't even realized it but he was starting to doze off again. He was ready for his energy to return to normal. Riley slept less than him, and she slept for anywhere from fifteen to seventeen hours a day. He was like a baby - being tended to and fussed over, carried around and fed. Klaus was just thankful Dave didn't need to change him too (talk about embarrassing!). Klaus yawned as he sat up, Dave's strong hand bracing against his back as he helped ease him upright before handing Klaus the glass of water.
"Thanks," Klaus smiled in thanks before he held the glass to his lips. His hands shook from the weight of it and he couldn't help but roll his eyes at his own weakness. Dave assisted Klaus in holding the glass, much to his chagrin, and took it away once Klaus was finished to set it down on the coffee table. Klaus's tired eyes met Dave's strong blues and he quickly found himself maneuvering around so that he was sitting in Dave's lap, his arms lazily looped around his neck and his head propped against his boyfriend's chest. "Mm, you're so much more comfortable than any old sofa."
"Oh, am I now?" Dave's smile spread wide as he wrapped his arms around Klaus's waist, hugging him closer to himself while he kissed the top of his head. Klaus hummed, curling himself ever closer against Dave's warmth. Dave delicately ran his palm up and down Klaus's back and his expression softened as he watched Klaus's eyes droop, begging to close. "You tired?"
"A little," Klaus admitted, "I don't want to go to bed, though. I want to stay like this, at least for a little while longer. As long as you don't mind."
"Mind?" Dave nuzzled his cheek atop Klaus's curls, his lips parting his hair with a soft kiss, "I've dreamt of holding you like this since the moment I first met you."
Klaus's cheeks flushed at Dave's words. Just the notion that Dave; perfectly charming and unbelievably handsome Dave - the literal epitome of perfection felt that way about him? Klaus Hargreeves; the addict, the disgrace, the complete and utter failure of a human being? He'd only ever dreamt of meeting a man like Dave - but finding love with him and learning that Dave wanted this just as badly as him, as well? Klaus's heart fluttered with the thought. The warmth of his boyfriends kind touch, his strong physique just holding him, cradling him and caring for and about him so deeply. He couldn't believe how he'd ever managed to get so lucky.
"Me too." Klaus whispered as his eyes locked with Dave's and they just stared at each other; gazing deep into one another's eyes. Dave cupped Klaus's cheek in his palm, running his thumb over the hollow of his cheekbone before he leaned himself closer to Klaus and pressed their lips together, their lips melding as one in an intimate kiss. Their lips parted and Klaus laid his head against Dave's broad chest once more as he closed his eyes, his energy quickly fading.
"Ready to go lay back down?" Dave asked as he hugged Klaus closer, peppering his forehead with tiny delicate kisses. Klaus smiled leaning into Dave's sweet affection before he opened his mouth to speak. He gasped, screwing his eyes shut, his hand darting to his stomach when an unpleasant pain settled there. Dave's heart plunged from his chest with concern as he took in Klaus's pained expression. "What is it, are you okay?"
"M'stomach," Klaus groaned and gently rubbed at his abdomen, "it's cramping."
"Are you going to be sick?" Dave laid his hand over Klaus's brow, worried that his fever must have returned if his stomach hurt him so badly.
"No," Klaus began, "I think I'm hungry."
"Hungry?" Dave asked. Klaus's appetite had been mediocre at best, getting him to drink soup had been its own struggle, hearing him ask for a meal was a relief and he hoped a surefire sign he was on his way to recovery. Klaus's stomach growled and he rubbed it while both men looked at each other stifling laughter.
"I'm starving." Dave exhaled a laugh as he kissed Klaus's temple. He gently eased Klaus back onto the couch, earning a groan of protest from his boyfriend.
"Sorry, darlin, but you heard your tummy, you've gotta eat. What are you hungry for? I'll make you whatever you want." Klaus sunk down deep into the cushions as he continued to rub his stomach with one hand and strum his fingers over his pursed lips with the other as he pondered his decisions.
"Hmm, tomato soup?"
"Coming right up—"
"Oh! And maybe a grilled cheese," Klaus puckered his lips, "please?"
"Wow, soup and a sandwich?" Dave's smile broadened against his features, "you must be feeling better." Klaus smiled and nodded before Dave turned to enter the kitchen.
"Davey?" Klaus called softly.
"Yeah, darlin?"
"Can you make it with Muenster cheese?" Klaus shot him his infamous puppy dog pout.
"I'll see what I can do." He turned towards the kitchen again.
"And Dave," Klaus called as Dave once again faced him, eyebrows raising in question. "Will you cut it into triangles? Four of them?"
"Goodness, now you're just being needy," Dave joked with a laugh. "I'll do anything for you, doll, whatever you want. Any more requests, m'lord?" Klaus chuckled while he shook his head. Dave bowed with a sly smirk before he entered the kitchen and got to work.
It didn't take long to make the soup nor the grilled cheese sandwich. Dave was sure to make it with Muenster cheese just as Klaus had requested. He cooked it to perfection and cut it into four perfectly golden brown triangles before bringing the meal to his famished boyfriend. Klaus's eyes widened at the delicacy. He straightened his posture on the couch, stifling a wince when his belly cramped uncomfortably again. His stomach growled loudly at the sight of the food. Klaus took the first triangle and dunked it into the soup before taking a bite, strings of cheese stretched from his lips to the sandwich as he pulled it from his mouth. He hummed in pleasure at the taste.
"Holy fuck Dave, this is amazing." Klaus dragged out the final word, his eyes nearly rolling into the back of his head. Dave smiled and rubbed his back as he happily watched Klaus eat. Klaus finished the first triangle and grabbed the second one, gently nudging the plate towards Dave. "I'm getting full, share it with me?" Dave nodded and took one of the triangles, dunking it into the soup before he took a bite.
"Holy shit." Dave glanced towards Klaus with raised eyebrows, maybe Klaus was into something with this concoction.
"It's the Muenster - sheer perfection!" Klaus held up the sandwich and kissed it for emphasis causing both Dave and Klaus to share a good laugh. Klaus finished his two triangles, and ate half of the soup as well as finishing his glass of water before leaning against Dave's shoulder. "M'so full." He stated as he rubbed his stomach.
"That's the most you've eaten since I've met you I think." Dave smiled, wrapping his arm around Klaus's waist effectively pulling his boyfriend closer before kissing his temple. Klaus hummed as his eyes fluttered and slowly drifted closed. His belly was full and it was quickly lulling him to sleep. "Wanna lie down now?" Klaus didn't respond so Dave figured he must have fallen asleep and attempted to pick him up, but the action caused Klaus to shake his head.
"I can do it," Klaus's eyes opened into weary slits as he sluggishly sat up on the couch, "let me do it, I can walk. I've got to." He tried to stand, but he was just so tired—
"I know you can darlin, and you will," Dave assured as he scooped Klaus into his arms in a bridal carry. He could clearly see his exhaustion. He was proud of the progress Klaus was making, but he didn't want him to overdo it and risk him backpedaling or getting worse again. Klaus went to protest but he just didn't have the strength. "one more day of rest won't kill ya." Klaus smiled tiredly at Dave, who leaned in to kiss his forehead. Klaus closed his eyes at his tender touch and they stayed closed as he lost his battle against his exhaustion and he quickly succumbed to sleep. Dave carried him back to bed and allowed him the rest he so deserved.
Another week passed by and slowly but surely Klaus's strength began to return to him. It was an agonizingly slow process, truthfully both men were shocked at just how long it took him to return to mostly normal. Each day Dave helped Klaus out of bed and held onto him, never leaving his side as they both took slow but sure footed steps into the living room. Each day they increased Klaus's step load; first just entering the living room, then there and back to the bedroom. Then they started walking around the interior of the house simply walking circles to help regain his strength.
It was almost like physical therapy; retraining his muscles how they were supposed to function and initiating muscle memory to take place. By the end of the week Klaus was ecstatic when Dave suggested they try to go for a walk around the block. It was a little chilly outside, so Dave bundled Klaus up in warm attire before ensuring Riley was swaddled in her own warm clothing before laying her in her stroller. This was Klaus's first outing with Riley in her stroller, as well as his first time getting to spend any real time with his baby girl in a two week span. To say he was excited was an understatement. Dave had Klaus hold onto the stroller to help steady him, keeping one hand firmly wrapped around his waist for added support. It wasn't a far walk, not even quite a quarter mile, but everything about it was perfect to Klaus. He smiled the entire duration, his eyes glancing between Riley's slumbering form in her stroller, and his boyfriends kind eyes as they watched him making sure he was safe and comfortable and not over exerting himself.
By the end of the walk Klaus was tired, but not overly exhausted as he had been at the start of the week. Still, Dave made sure he sat down and propped his feet up to relax, tending to him hand and foot. Klaus laid on the couch, throw pillows propped beneath his knees, a fluffy blanket draped over his lap as Dave put on their favorite movie for him to watch while he prepared their dinner. Klaus's eyelids felt heavy so he allowed them to drift closed. He wasn't asleep quite yet when the couch dipped beside him and a tiny, warm familiar weight was laid atop his chest. Klaus's lips instantly pulled into the widest smile as his eyes fluttered open to see Dave laying Riley against his chest. After two weeks of not being able to hold her Klaus was instantly overwhelmed with such a strong surge of happiness and wrapped his arms around his daughter, pulling her closer and burying his lips against her curls.
"Hey baby girl," Klaus cooed softly as his lips began to tremble, warm tears of joy trailing his cheeks, "daddy missed you so much princess. I love you so much. I promise to never do that to you again." He kissed her again as more tears tumbled over his cheekbones. Dave smiled warmly at Klaus taking in the beautiful moment and recording it to his memory. He wiped Klaus's tears and snuggled himself onto the couch beside his boyfriend, smoothing Riley's onesie before resting his hand atop her tiny back and kissing Klaus's forehead. The perfect little family stayed there, cuddled together on the couch, just so thankful that they were all together again, and that they were all happy, healthy, and safe.
—
Authors Note: Poor Klaus was so sleepy and sick after those mean old ghosties! Thank goodness for Dave! and for him FINALLY starting to feel better!
Thank you to my lovely commenter from last chapter, you are a doll, I am so happy you like this story! And welcome to all of the new followers!
If you are reading along I would love to hear from you in the comments! have a great day! ALSO "What's the date—the EXACT date?" "March 24th." Happy Apocolypse week! Today is the day Five returned from the future on the show! Woo hoo, time to celebrate! ;)