Kitten: Hiya, guys! Please enjoy this cute chapter!
~Chapter 5-Sick~
Mugman doubled over as he vomited into the trash can. He groaned quickly after, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, and wrapped his arms around his stomach in pain. Cup, who was sitting next to him, frowned and rubbed his back. He rubbed his poor brother's back even more as Mug's eyes widened as he threw up once again, coughing and gagging. Despite Kettle's warnings for the boys not to stay outside in the cold for too long, as one of them would eventually get sick, they had played outside at least a few hours the other day, most likely longer than they should have, and Mug had caught the stomach flu.
The poor boy had been throwing up all morning on and off, and breaking into coughing and sneezing fits as well. Cuphead felt bad for his brother. He should be able to rest for at least 15 minutes or longer without vomiting constantly, or coughing and sneezing violently.
"Cup..." Mug gasped breathlessly. "It... It hurts...Cuppy, it hurts so bad..."
"I know, bro," Cuphead sighed sympathetically, soothingly stroking his brother's back. "Don't worry, Mugs. Gramps is coming home soon with medicine. It'll make ya feel better. Just sit tight, alright?"
"O-Okay..." Mug gulped with a nod, and Cuphead held an arm out. The younger immediately accepted the invitation, moving close to his brother and leaning fully into him, exhausted. He buried his face in Cup's warm chest, and Cup stroked his head, humming a soothing tune to him, one that Kettle sang to them every night when they were little kids.
"Boys! I'm back!" The cups heard their grandfather call out, and Mugman looked up a little bit. Cup smiled. "See? What did I tell ya?" Mugs mustered up the energy to smile back.
"Hello, boys." Elder Kettle greeted with a smile as he walked into the room.
"Hey, gramps." The cups said in union.
Kettle sighed as he set the medicine on Mug's nightstand. "How's he doing, Cuphead?" He asked.
"He's doing okay. I think his fever's gone down a little bit. You got the medicine, right, Gramps?"
"Of course."
As Cuphead helped Mugs take the medicine, Kettle sighed. "Oh, boys... now I feel just terrible about leaving you two for a couple of weeks. Perhaps I should cancel, and-"
"Gramps," Cup chuckled as Mug gulped down some much needed water. "C'mon! We're big kids now. ol' man. We'll be just fine!"
"Well, I know, but... will you be okay?"
"We'll be fine! Go and relax a little with your friends. You need this."
Elder Kettle looked over at his youngest grandson. "Mugman, are you sure you're alright with this?"
Mugs shrugged nonchalantly as he finished drinking his cup and nodded. "Yeah, of course I am! Go and have some fun, grandpa. Besides, I've got Cuphead!"
Kettle grinned. "Yes. Sometimes I forget that you two have each other." He huffed, standing up from his kneeling position. "Alright! I'll see you boys in a few weeks!" He stated, hugging them both close.
"Later, gramps!" They both said as their grandfather walked out the door.
Cuphead was happy that his grandpa was going off to enjoy himself for once, and so was Mugman. They were going to enjoy having some quality bonding time for the next few weeks, and Cup was more than glad to take care of his brother and help him get better in the process.
The next morning, Cuphead was in a deep sleep in the bottom bunk, and Mugman in the top. Abruptly, he groaned, slowly opening his eyes due to hearing some what sounded like a little bit of crying and someone repeating his name over and over.
"*Hic* C-Cuphead... I need you... Cuppy...!"
Cup's eyes widened as he realized that it was his brother. "Mugs?" He said right away, concerned as he sat up in bed. "Mug, you okay up there?"
"N-No... *Hic* Cuphead...!"
The red clad brother took that as a sign to climb up to his brother's bunk, and he did so, quickly. Once he did, he saw Mug's pillow and blanket completely pushed to the side, and Mugs trembling, curled up on the bed, his arms wrapped tightly around his stomach, and his eyes sparkled with unshed tears of agony.
Cups gaped at his brother's shape. He reached over and touched his brother's head, only to hiss and yank it back. He was burning up so rapidly!
"It-It hurts, Cup..." Mug whimpered as a few tears fell down his face, and he shut his eyes tightly as he began to cry a little bit. "O-Ow... it hurts so much... Cups...!"
"Hey, it's okay, bro..." Cup whispered softly, rubbing his back. "Shh. It's alright. You're okay, I'm here. Now, your stomach, is it okay?"
Mug shook his head.
"Do you think you might be sick again?"
The blue clad brother nodded, and began feeling nauseated. The older boy rushed him to the bathroom, where the poor cup got sick at least twice, Cup on his knees beside him, rubbing his back and whispering that it was okay all the while. By the time Mugs was done, he was exhausted. He leaned his weight into Cups as they walked back to the room, Cup helping him into his bed, and placing a cold rag on his head.
"There ya go." Cuphead said, grinning softly. "That should bring your fever down a couple of notches. You feel a little better now, bro?"
"Y-Yeah." Mugs admitted, smiling. "Thanks, Cup."
"No problem. Anything for my brother. Anyways, you hungry?"
"Yes." Mug groaned, and he could have sworn he heard his stomach growl.
Cuphead giggled. "Okay. What do ya want?"
"Do you think you can make me our favorite pancake breakfast with chocolate syrup and a chocolate shake? But with some water and orange juice, too?"
Cups chuckled. "Sure, bro. I'll be right back, alright? Just relax." He said before hopping off Mug's bed and onto the ground.
A few minutes later, he came back in with a huge platter. The boy handed it up to Mugman before climbing up himself, and holding him close as the younger ate. Cups told him funny stories that made him smile, and some that made him laugh so hard he nearly choked on his pancakes. The whole time, Mugs leaned against Cups with a huge, happy grin.
A few nights later, Mugman was luckily much better. He no longer had the flu, but now more of a mere cold. Cups was wide awake one night, staring up at the ceiling, lost in deep thoughts about other things.
He abruptly jumped when he heard a shrill scream coming from the bunk above him. /Mugs?/ The boy thought, alarmed.
He climbed up to see Mugs breathing heavily and coughing, tears running down his face. When he saw his brother, he tried to calm down, as he was embarrassed.
"C-Cup..." He choked. "I-I'm so sorry for waking ya..." He apologized, ashamed, staring at him with genuine guilt.
Cups only frowned. "Aww, Mug. It's alright, bro. I know ya had a bad dream. It's okay." He said softly, and held his arms out for a hug.
Mugs paused for a minute, but then dove into his brother's arms, sobbing and shaking.
"Shh..." He soothed. "It's alright..."
After a few minutes of consolation, Cup was holding his brother close and telling him about fun things they could do before Elder Kettle got back if he was up to it. He went on and on with a big grin plastered across his face, and Mugs couldn't resist the urge to cry, burying his face in his brother's chest.
"M-Mug?" Cups asked, concerned. "Are you okay? Whatcha crying for? What's wrong? Did I say something?"
"N-No," Mug choked and smiled through his tears. "I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have a brother like you. I'm just happy I have ya. I love you, Cups...so much..." He trailed off as he hugged Cups tighter.
Cuphead took a few minutes to register this, confused at first, but then smiled and chuckled as he caught on. "Same here, Mugsy. Same here." He said as he gave him a small, affectionate kiss on the head and the two eventually fell asleep, Mugs snuggled up against his brother's chest and Cup's arms protectively around Mugs, both wearing big grins as they slept peacefully through the rest of the night.