~Chapter 13-Ill Part 2~

Day 1

Cuphead coughed violently as Mugs sat on his bedside with a frown. He placed the thermometer in the older boy's mouth, quickly pulling it out after a few minutes as Cups turned green in the face and threw up in the trash can placed closely to his bed, coughing and shaking. Mug's frown deepened, resting his free hand on his shoulder as he vomitted, whilst looking down at the thermometer in his other. Concern and panic flooded his veins as he realized it was a fever of 106. 'Aww geez,' The blue clad thought with worry as his brother doubled over a second time to throw up; he began rubbing his back. 'This isn't good. A fever like this means hospital. But if Cup's too stubborn to go, how am I supposed to get it down myself without a doctor?'

The younger glanced at Cups as he buried his head in his pillow after throwing up, exhausted. He rubbed Cup's shoulder soothingly as Cups coughed a little before yawning sleepily, sweat beading his forehead and eyes beginning to close. 'I knew something was up with him yesterday. He must've had a fever then too. But I doubt it was this high. It's probably only this high because he was ignoring the fact that he's sick. And because of that it only got worse and to this point. Cups, you idiot..don't you know how dangerous this is? I-I'm not a doctor...I don't know what to do...the most I can do is help ya get through this and hope for the best, especially hope that fever goes down to at least 102.'

"Mugs.." Cup choked wearily, bringing said boy out of his thoughts.

"Hey.." Mugs said softly. "How ya feeling, huh bro?"

"Terrible.." Cups coughed some more. "This sucks. Here I am, keeping ya at home ta take care of me when ya could be outside sledding and having fun instead." he sighed scornfully.

Mug laughed softly, his shoulders shaking. He smirked gently at his brother's stupidity. "Aww Cups, like that really matters to me right now." He riposted, wiping some of his brother's sweat away with his gloved hand. "Don't worry about that. Just worry about getting better. Besides, no harm was done anyways. We rescheduled for another day, plus Hilda, Bon Bon, Cagney and the Root Pack are swinging by later today to help me and Gramps get medicine and stuff like that."

Cups scowled in pain, turning away from his brother. He sighed softly, shaking his head in frustration.

Mugs picked up on this and frowned. "What? What's wrong?" he asked, perplexed. "I-I'm sorry bro, I thought you'd be happy to see-"

"It's not that, ya idiot."

Mug blinked. "Then what?"

Cup looked at him with puffy, tired and bloodshot eyes. "I don't wanna feel like...a burden ta anyone, ya know..?" he admitted softly. He gazed away for a heartbeat before meeting Mug's beautiful azure eyes again. He gave him an apologetic look. "Mugs, I'm sorry I didn't tell ya. I know I should have, I just-" he started as he tried to sit up, but abruptly groaned in pain as he wrapped his arms around his stomach.

"Shhhh," Mugs cooed as he gently pushed Cups back into his pillow. "You worry way too much Cup. I've known you for ten years, you're my brother. I know what your intentions were. It's okay." he assured with a smile.

Cuphead smiled back drowsily. His eyes felt heavy. "I don't deserve a brother like ya," he yawned. "I'm always draggin' ya into my reckless schemes and such. But in the end ya always come through for me...yer the best brother ever..." he yawned again as he put his head down on his pillow, closing his eyes. "...Love ya so much Mugs..." he trailed off as his breathing became heavy, and Mugs knew he had fallen asleep.

"I love ya too Cups," Mugs sniggered softly as he pulled the blanket up more on his brother. "Even though you're an idiot sometimes." he whispered, and laughed softly again as a grin graced Cup's lips in his sleep at the younger's comment.

Mugs switched the TV on for his brother, as Cups always liked to sleep with it on, before turning and leaving the room, making sure to shut the door quietly.

"How is he?" Kettle asked his youngest grandson as he entered the living room.

Mug's smile finally fell and he sighed. "He's not exactly where I'd like him to be," he confessed. "He got sick pretty bad, and he's got a fever of 106. He was so exhausted he fell asleep. I just hope his fever goes down while he sleeps."

"It most likely will," Kettle nodded as Mugs sat down on the couch across from his chair. "He's going to really need you these next few days, so I need you to pull through for him."

"Naturally." Mugs smiled softly before frowning.

"Is something wrong, son?"

"I'm just not used to seeing him so vulnerable or dependent. I feel so bad."

Kettle smiled gently with a laugh. "Nonsense. He's always been vulnerable and dependent, especially around you. He's always been dependent on you and needed you. He strongly needed you then, he strongly does now, and he always will need you strongly. He just doesn't show this side of him often, that's what you're not used to. But trust me, it's there. Your brother really loves you and cares for you. After all, you're really all he has-you're his best friend."

Mugs grinned sheepishly with a blush whilst looking away, rubbing his shoulder. "I know."

"Anyway, Baroness and the others are coming over later to help out?" Kettle asked, getting Mug's attention.

"Yeah." Mugs nodded. "I told Bon Bon we were running out of medicine, so she promised that she would pick some up before she came over, and Hilda and the others are coming to also help with other stuff." he explained.

"Splendid." Kettle laughed some more. "I can't begin to describe how glad I am that your relationships with the debtors are renewed."

Mugs looked toward his and Cup's room with a snicker. "You and us both, Gramps."

"Thanks for the medicine, Baroness." Mugs said gratefully as Bon Bon handed him a small brown bag.

"No problem." Bon Bon riposted sweetly as she handed him another bag. "I heard you guys are low on other stuff in the house, so I figured to pick some up as well."

"Aw man, you're the best!" Mug chuckled. "Thanks so much! I can't tell you how happy we all are that you guys are over here. Thank again for coming over and helping out."

All together, there was Baroness Von Bon Bon, Beppi, Brineybeard, Blind Specter, Cala Maria(who Mugman still hadn't been able to figure out how she was able to move on land with a tail. Maybe it was a mermaid thing), Djimmi, Goopy, Hilda, Sally and the Root Pack outside doing their own things to help out.

"Don't mention it tea cup," Hilda chuckled, squeezing his shoulder. "Where's the kid anyways?"

"I'll lead you guys to him. He just woke up a while ago and watching TV." Mugs smiled. "C'mon."

Mugs lead the ex-debtors to his and Cuphead's room, opening the door and poking his head in with a smile. "Hey Cups," he greeted. "How you doing?"

"A little better." Cuphead riposted with a weary smile. Despite sleeping for a while, he still felt really tired. "What's up bro?"

"Surprise!" Mugs chuckled as he opened the door fully to reveal Hilda and the others wearing big grins and smirks.

Cuphead's face lit up for the first time since he's been sick. "Hehe. Hey!" he laughed as they entered the room and approached his bed. "You guys didn't have ta do this..." he stated sheepishly with a small blush while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah, but we wanted to." Hilda snickered in response as she playfully punched his shoulder. "Tea cup."

Cups rolled his eyes with a smirk, but was happy all the same as he laughed.

For a while the ex-debtors, Mugman and Cuphead talked until the red clad fell asleep after Mugs gave him his medicine. Afterwards Mugs was lying on the couch, peacefully sleeping himself with a smile plastered across his face as Bon Bon and the others were the only ones left awake, chatting with Kettle.

The perfect moment ended when a scream rang throughout the house causing Hilda and the others to jump and startle Mugs out of his sleep with a loud gasp. "Cuphead!" he exclaimed and in a minute was speeding towards his and Cup's room, leaving the others behind to watch.

Mugs switched the lights on and instantly saw Cuphead tossing and turning violently, drenched in sweat, and by the time he rushed over to his bed the older was curled into a ball, sobbing.

Mugs wasted no time and instantly climbed up beside him, pulling him into his arms. "Cuphead," he murmured. "Cups, it was only a dream. It was only a nightmare. You're okay.." he consoled him and literally felt his heart break as Cuphead buried his face in his shirt, sobbing harder as he shook in his arms whilst clenching at his collar.

"'M sorry Mugs..." he sobbed softly. "'M sorry, 'M sorry, 'M sorry...'M sorry for betting our souls and our fight and everything after that...I'm sorry...I-"

"Shhh..shhh..." Mugs shushed him gently as he put his head against his older brother's. "You need to let that go Cups. I don't hold it against you. Neither does Gramps or the ex-debtors or anyone else of Inkwell...you're a hero in their eyes, Cup. You're our hero, Cuphead, you're my hero. Stop beating yourself up so much. Nobody's gonna leave you. Especially not me. I'm not gonna give up on you either, because you've never given up on me. You're my brother, and brothers don't ever give up, so neither will I." he laid his head on Cup's warm chest. "I promise."

Beppi and the others were watching from the doorway with sympathetic frowns at Cuphead.

"Poor lad.." Brineybeard sighed. "I hope he gets better soon. It must be so painful for his brother to see him go through this." The others nodded in agreement.

Cuphead eventually stopped crying, but before he drifted off Mugs quickly placed the thermometer in his mouth before taking it out and allowing Cups to go back to sleep. Mugs looked down at it, and relief instantly flooded through him as he smiled. 103. His fever was finally starting to go down and break. He looked at Cuphead one last time with a soft smile before grinning at his Grandpa andth ex-debtors at the doorway whilst showing them the thermometer. They grinned in heavy relief as well, and Mugs sighed with a smile as he exited the room.

Day 2

"How you feeling?" Mugs asked his brother the next morning.

Cups shrugged weakly, burying his face in some of his blanket. "Still pretty bad." he admitted. The older looked at the latter. "What 'bout my fever?"

"Last time I checked was the other night before we went to sleep," Mug explained quietly. "It was 103, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was back up to 104 this morning. Whenever you get sick, it's so weird. Your fevers always go up and down, up and down, and when it reaches it's brink for the worse, it finally breaks and you're fine."

Cup snorted. "Been like that since we were kids. Probably always will be that way."

"But what if it gets so bad you almost die?" Mugs questioned desparately.

Cuphead rolled his eyes. "Please, Mug. It's never gotten to that point, and it never will, trust me." His tone was gruff but assuring.

Mug smiled sadly. "Yeah, I guess you're right." he said and got up to leave, but stopped when he felt a warm hand on his arm and turned to see his brother gazing at him.

"Ya look upset Mugs, it's makin' me miserable. What's wrong?" he asked, concern overlapping the gruffness in his tone.

Mugs sighed in defeat, sitting back on his bed. "Do you ever wonder what it would've been like?"

As expected, Cup narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Uhh..what it would've been like...?"

"If we had lost the battle against the devil. If we had become his pawns. If we had become demons."

Cup visibly flinched. He sighed, releasing Mug's arm as he averted his crimson gaze away from him. "All the time," he admitted. "I always think 'bout the consequences of my mistakes back then had we not prevailed. Even have dreams 'bout it now and then. But I know exactly how it would've turned out. Gramps would've been heartbroken, disgusted and disappointed in us, the souls would've never returned to their owners, and Devil and that damn Dice would basically rule the now ghostown Inkwell isle and try ta take over the other isles, which using us I don't think would be that hard for 'em. It would basically be hell had we not won." he finished.

"And...us...?" Mug asked hesitantly; Cup looked at him. "Do you think...we would still act like brothers or..act hostile toward each other? I-I know it's a stupid question b-but..." he trailed off.

"It ain't stupid," Cup shrugged. "It's logical." he paused before continuing. "I barely know crud 'bout demons and hell and what not but...I do know this; it's pretty much basically impossible for demons to love. Anyone. As far as I know at least. I've never heard of a demon falling in love. Or caring for somebody, even their own flesh and blood. So as far as we go, I dunno Mugsy..." he smiled at his brother. "But I know had things ended up that way, I would've found a way to get us outta it. Somehow. We'd be brothers no matter what, even as ugly evil demons." he laughed hoarsely.

Mugs smiled and scoffed softly before leaning down and hugging his older brother tightly.

Cups blinked in surprise with wide eyes before laughing some more and returning the embrace with all the strength he could muster. "Aww," he smirked softly. "Love ya too, buddy."

Day 3

"Did ya even forgive me?"

Mug turned to glare at his brother. Elder Kettle was out with the debtors getting some soup for Cuphead whilst Mugs had chosen to stay behind. From what Mug had percieved, Kettle was also going to do a couple of other things so he wouldn't be back for at least a few hours. It wasn't too long ago Mug was sprawled out on his back on Cup's bed, head resting on the older's lap while Cup had his arms folded, smirking at his brother and telling him jokes and teasing him about different things earning laughs out of the blue clad.

Mug couldn't recall whether it was a joke or brought up as a serious topic, or who said what but somehow one or the other had taken offense and before they both knew it, it had become a full on heated argument about what had happened at the casino. Mugman didn't wanna deal with this. He had moved on from that damn place, he had expected Cup to as well. Besides Cup was sick, he hated the fact that even when his brother was bed-ridden with basically the flu he still picked a fight.

"What?" Mug questioned, furrowing his brows.

"Did ya even forgive me?" Cup repeated impatiently with a fiery scowl. "When I apologized ta ya about the casino thing over and over did ya really forgive me or did ya say ya did just for show?"

"That's one of the dumbest questions I've ever heard you ask me," Mugs spat. "Of course I forgave you! Why don't you believe me no matter how many times I tell you!?" his frown deepened. "Here's a better question; did you even forgive yourself!?" he demanded angrily.

Cuphead froze. His scowl dropped and his face flushed as he looked away mutely, swallowing thickly.

Mugman's glare dropped as well at his brother's reaction. Suddenly, it clicked. "You..." he started slowly. "You still blame yourself about what happened, don't you?"

Cups avoided his gaze. "I don't know what yer talkin' 'bout." he lied.

"It's okay if you still do."

"I don't."

"It's useless lying to me Cuphead. I won't stop bugging you until you admit it."

Cup sighed in heavy frustration, glowering at his brother. "Fine! You win!" he exclaimed as he folded his arms. "Maybe I do still feel guilty, but even if I do, there's nothing you can do ta change it! I'm always gonna feel responsible 'bout what happened! And ya wanna know somethin'?! I should! 'Cause it was all my fault! No matter how hard I try, I'll never get over it! I'll never get past it! It'll always be there in my head! That anger and pain I saw on yer face will always haunt me! It's always gonna be there!" he sighed again, leaning back into his pillow and burying his face in his hands. "..And that's the truth." he mumbled exhaustedly.

"Okay," Mugs murmured. "I get it. I get you feel you won't be able to move on, but that doesn't mean you need to be so damn hard on yourself. I don't care what you say Cups," he took Cup's hands in his and forced the older to look at him. "I'm gonna do whatever I can do to help you." he grinned.

Cuphead swallowed gingerly, pausing hesitantly before laughing weakly. "Alright. Whatever ya want. ..Thanks, bro."

Day 4

Cuphead sighed as he fluhed the toilet after getting sick that night. It was weird, but he was actually happy. He had only thrown up once today and coughed or sneezed a little here and there, and the last time Mug checked his temperature today it was 99. He was profusely relieved that his fever was finally going down and his flu was coming to an end. Kettle told him that his flu should be over by tomorrow, and the red clad resisted the urge to jump in joy.

The boy sighed tiredly as he walked to his and Mug's room. He smiled softly once he saw his younger brother sleeping, unable to push away the warmth that settled in his heart. He walked over and squeezed one of his brother's shoulders, running a hand over his brother's porcelain head before going over to his own bed.

"Cuphead? Wait..."

Cuphead stopped and looked over his shoulder at Mug who didn't meet his eyes. He looked like he had a lot on his mind. Cups raised a brow. "Yeah? What is it, bro?"

"C-Can I t-talk to you?"

Cuphead frowned.

Mugs paused then shook his head. "U-Uhh..n-never mind...you're g-gonna go to-"

Cups cut him off. "No, it's fine. I ain't tired." he walked over and sat on Mug's bedside closest to him, absentmindedly rubbing his back. "You should be the one tired, little bro. You've been takin' care of me all week. You need sleep."

"I know, I know," Mug laughed softly. "I'm just thinking about a lot of things, ya know?"

"Like what?" Cup pressed.

Mug's smile dropped and he lowered his gaze. "I didn't know you still felt guilty..."

Cups swallowed thickly. "I always will," he admitted gingerly. "Nothing's gonna change that. In a way, I'll never really get what happened outta my head." he then smiled, rubbing his thumb over Mug's handle. "But hey, that doesn't matter! Right? What matters is that we got out safe, alive and together, and all of Inkwell Isle is safe."

Mug smirked, rolling his eyes. "Same ol' optimistic, idiotic, yet selfless and loving Cuphead. Just the way I like it." he snickered. "This is exactly why I love ya bro." he stated with a small blush as he turned on his side to go to sleep.

Cup blushed with a smirk of his own. "Love ya too, moron." he replied in a murmur, causing Mugs to smile in his already deep sleep.

Cups rubbed his back one more time before going over to his own bed and falling into a peaceful slumber himself.

Day 5

"Good morning, boys!" Kettle greeted his two grandsons the next morning as he walked into the kitchen. Cuphead was sitting at the table eating some cereal, looking very well rested and healthy. Mugs was sitting right beside him, eating cereal as well whilst reading one of his books, gazing down at the pages.

"Mornin', Gramps!" Cup greeted jovially with his goofy grin.

"Uh huh...morning.." Mug mumbled absentmindedly, jumping and laughing when he felt Cups tickle him in the side, successfully gaining his attention.

"You sure sound friendly." Cup teased with a smirk.

"Oh shut up, smartass." Mug spat back with a grin and a roll of his eyes.

"How are you feeling, Cuphead?" Kettle asked his oldest.

"Better than ever!" Cups beamed. "It's all thanks to Mug!" he stated, throwing an arm around his younger brother and holding him close. Mug blushed with a bashful grin. Cup winked at him and mouthed 'Thank you'. Mug's grin grew, mouthing back 'Welcome' and he leaned into his brother's one-armed embrace.

Kettle grinned cheerfully. "I'm so glad." he said as the two brothers pulled away from each other and continued eating their breakfast.

The old man went over to make himself some coffee. "By the way," he said. "Cuphead, since you've just gotten over the flu, we're going to play it safe but...how would you two love to go sledding next weekend?"

The duo's eyes widened and they looked at each other with big grins, before looking at their grandfather. "YEAH!" They cheered so loud Kettle laughed.

Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Also, please feel free to review what chapters you want next involving brotherly fluff between Cuphead and Mugman, and also comment what your favorite shippings are(Sorry, I don't do Cuphead or Mugman with any of the debtors because I feel they are just boys and they are adults) in Cuphead because I will be writing some chapters about them soon. So review or PM those two things, and I'll be sure to pick you up on that!

Again, hope you enjoyed! R&R! Night! :P