Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Winter Child!" =D I don't have much to say right now other than the fact that I had a lot of fun writing this chapter and...yeah. That's it. XD
I hope you guys enjoy this new chap. =3
~ LV ~
The Best Medicine
A pill can push away the pain
An elixir can wash out what remains
But care and love are the two medicines
That can cure any sickness
...
"North, please, just drink it."
"No."
"Come on! It'll make you feel better!"
"I had one sip of medicine, and I think we can both agree that it tastes strange."
Jack rolled his eyes. "How am I supposed to remember how it tastes? The last time I took it, I was two. Besides, it helped me feel better. And it'll do the same for you." He shoved the small cup in North's direction. "Drink."
North refused. Jack sighed, exasperated. The ex-Cossack had recently fallen ill, and Jack had been taking care of him along with the other Guardians. He had a concerning fever and coughed from time to time, but apart from that, nothing too serious had come from this illness.
Aster, Tooth, Jack, and Sandy were aware that when North was too immersed in his work, he often forget to take care of himself. This was why Jack made sure to check on him every hour or so, just so that he wouldn't forget to eat or sleep. But still, North would fall into his "workaholic nature" every now and then. And since he was working on another one of his larger projects, he spent a lot more time in the study than he did anywhere else.
The Guardians—Jack included—tried to pull him away from his work. But it was too late, and North had come down with a stubborn illness that confined him to bed, much to his displeasure. Jack had watched over him since, knowing that if he left for even just a few minutes, North would sneak back into his study, and lock himself inside to work for another unhealthy number of hours.
Though kind-hearted, North was just as stubborn as his sickness. He refused to take any medication, even if it were from Aster, who assured him that it wasn't dangerous. He was used to being up and about, so staying in bed felt as if he were in a prison with no escape. Jack had caught North trying to get out of bed, and thankfully he was there before the ex-Cossack could attempt the stairs. Jack understood why North was so antsy—for he was just as mobile as he was, but the snow sprite wished that he'd at least take note of the prescriptions he received (and take the medicine he was offered without such a fuss).
Jack sat down and locked eyes with North, his blue eyes begging. "Pleeeeeeease, North? Take the medicine…for me?"
North stared at Jack with a deadpan look. He knew what he was trying to do, but knew that Jack wouldn't leave until he had taken the elixir. The ex-Cossack sighed. "Fine."
Jack smiled, and he handed North the yellow-colored liquid. The ex-Cossack downed it quickly so his tastebuds wouldn't have the chance to process the flavor. Once he was done, Jack took North's temperature. He was still running a fever, but the medicine would help bring it down once it began to take effect.
Jack set the thermometer aside and asked, "How are you feeling?"
North shrugged. "Better than the past two days…but I still want to get out of bed."
Jack smiled softly. "Aw, I know. But you have to get some rest. You've been working like crazy that past few weeks, and it's finally caught up with you."
"I'd rather be working in the study right now than being confined to this prison," North said, gesturing to his bed. Jack laughed, and he looked at the time. He still had school to attend, and he'd have to leave now so he wouldn't be late.
"You'll be okay here by yourself, right?" asked Jack. "Bunny's going to stop by later with some more medicine, but if you need anything, you can always send for—"
North chuckled. "I know, moy mal'chik, I know. I'll be fine. But if I need anything, I will ask Aster to come get you."
Jack nodded, though he still appeared hesitant. "Okay." He stood up from the bed and grabbed his staff and backpack. Before exiting the room, he turned around. "Don't move."
North smiled. "I won't. Now shoo before you are late."
"I'll be back soon," said Jack. And then he was out the door. North heard the front door close and shut, and then he sighed. This all felt strange to him. He was supposed to be looking after Jack, not the other way around. But here he was, bedridden while Jack did all the tasks that he was supposed to be doing for him.
The snow sprite had been a wonderful caretaker, but North had always been stubborn, and he knew that he made things hard for him. Jack had been making the meals and tending to North when he was uncomfortable. North never knew how gentle Jack could be when it came to treating him. The snow sprite even went as far as to entertain North when he was bored. North was grateful to have Jack keeping him well and entertained, but the weekend quickly drew to a close, and Jack had to go to school and learn. Now, North was bored once again, and he already missed Jack's company.
North's blue eyes flicked his bedroom door, yearning to head downstairs to his study. But he promised Jack that he wouldn't get out of bed while he was gone, and he didn't want to worry the lad.
North leaned against his pillows and sighed.
This was going to be a long day.
…
North didn't remember falling asleep. One minute he was leaning against his pillows, wondering what he could do to quell his boredom, and the next, he found himself waking up from quite a restful slumber. North sat up and rubbed his eyes, wondering when he had closed his eyes. When he looked at the clock in the corner of the room, he found that a few hours had passed since Jack left.
On his bedside table, North spotted new glass medicine vials as well as a get-well note in the scrawly handwriting of E. Aster Bunnymnd. He must have stopped by earlier and found him asleep, so he quietly left the medicines and left without disturbing him.
North was touched, but he was quickly overcome by the dullness of the day. After sleeping for so long, he felt like he was well enough to at least get something done. The other side of himself told him that he promised Jack that he would get out of bed, but North was itching to do something. Being stuck in bed for three days did that to anyone.
Besides, Jack won't be home until later. What he doesn't know won't hurt him, the ex-Cossack thought as he got out of bed. North slipped on his slippers and exited his bedroom, feeling free for the first time in a few days. The ex-Cossack shuffled down the stairs and entered the study. He let out a heavy sigh, just walking down the stairs made him feel exhausted. Perhaps he wasn't as well as he thought.
But when his blue eyes fell on the automatic sheath he had been working on for the past few days, North's contradicting thoughts disappeared faster than vapor.
…
Jack's bare feet crunched in the snow as he raced back to his house. He knew that there was no need to rush, but he had been worried for North all day. Despite the renaissance of the Guardians, his friends, Ombric, and even North himself, Jack was deeply concerned for North's well-being, and he didn't want him to fall any more ill than he was.
The Wind noticed Jack's rush, and she propelled him toward the direction of his house, surprising the snow sprite for a moment. When he landed, Jack breathed a quick thank you to his friend, then stepped inside, rushing up the stairs.
"North? I'm back!" Jack hollered, then he sucked in a breath. What if North was sleeping? He could've disturbed him! The snow sprite slowly approached the ex-Cossack's bedroom door and pushed it open.
"North…?" he whispered. But there wasn't a reply. Jack assumed that North was asleep until he caught sight of the empty bed. The snow sprite's eyes widened. "What the—Oh dear Moon above—"
Jack rushed down the stairs, backpack slamming against him as he threw the door open to the study. Just as he suspected, North was there, looking heavily fatigued as he tried to move a box of tools. But in his current state, the ex-Cossack's strength had diminished. The weight of the box pulled him down, and he would've fallen over if Jack hadn't caught him.
"North, what are you doing?! You're supposed to be in bed!" Jack chastised.
North winced. "I'm sorry, moy mal'chik. I was just tired of being tired. I wanted to get up and do something."
"You could've hurt yourself," Jack said. North looked down at the tools he had almost dropped, ashamed. Jack sighed. "Let's just get you back to bed."
Jack supported North as they both made their way upstairs. The chill that Jack radiated felt oddly relieving to North. He soon discovered why when Jack took his temperature; his fever had gone up. The snow sprite frowned, making North feel even guiltier.
Jack firmly told North to stay put as he went downstairs and made him a bowl of soup. The snow sprite gave it to North, who ate it quickly. Jack gave him some medicine soon afterward. This time, North didn't complain.
Jack hadn't spoken for some time now, and North was beginning to grow concerned. He also felt angry with himself for putting Jack through such trouble. The ex-Cossack let out a small sigh.
"I remember time you fell extremely ill when you were two years old," North said softly. Jack looked at him. "You were sick for a week and you cried almost constantly…I was so worried for you."
"I remember," Jack murmured. It's difficult to forget a time you were in so much pain. The memories were blurry, but Jack remembered the days that he spent mostly sleeping, for the times that he was awake were too painful.
North nodded. "It was your first time every falling so ill, and I took care of you." He paused and looked at Jack thoughtfully. "But now…you are taking care of me."
"It's the least I can do for everything you've done for me," said Jack.
North smiled. Then he looked down. "Jack, I'm sorry for not listening to you. I know you are just trying to help me, and I have been very…difficult. I hope you can forgive me."
"Of course I do," said Jack. "I was really worried for you. I just don't want you getting hurt or…" Jack's eyes flicked to the red covers. "Or to lose you," he added in a whisper.
North softened, and he placed his hand on Jack's. "You won't lose me, moy mal'chik. This is just little fever. I will be fine."
Jack looked up and smiled. "Yeah…Thanks, North."
The ex-Cossack nodded, and that was when the drowsiness hit him full force. Jack gently pulled the covers over North as he began to fall asleep. The last thing North felt was Jack's cool hand brushing against his forehead as he closed his eyes.
…
A few hours later, North awoke to the soft sounds of the Wind blowing past the window. It was late at night, and the ex-Cossack blinked to clear the sleep out of his eyes. Across the bed, he saw Jack sitting in the rocking chair, his head lolled on his shoulder and a blanket draped over him. A math book had slipped out of his hands and rested on his lap. The snow sprite snored softly, and North couldn't help but smile. He had stayed with him all afternoon…
North looked at Jack one last time before settling against his pillow again. And to the Wind's gentle whispers outside, North closed his eyes and fell back asleep.
Author's Note: Some good ol' father/son fluff never ceases to disappoint. ='D
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you all in the next one!
Until the next chapter!
~BeyondTheMoon1203
