A/n: This was an easy one to think about what to write, but it took a little deliberation on who to write it on because it could apply to literally anyone, but I haven't really written any Nikolai whump for Whumptober yet so I might as well :)
Btw, the timeline for this I honestly have no idea when it would be. Maybe after Rule of Wolves, but it really only matters that Nikolai is King, Zoya's a part of his court and their relationship is in the early romantic stages and there's not really any connection to any events of the books specifically unless I say otherwise.
"I don't feel so good," were the first words out of the King's mouth once they'd returned to the castle.
"Well, that's not really a surprise considering the way you were making faces the whole way," Zoya quipped, watching as Tolya had to reach out a hand to help Nikolai down, stopping the king from falling flat on his face as he'd almost done. She didn't miss the concerned look Tamar send him, or the subtle hand-movements that told her the twin was using her powers, likely to assess the potential damage.
Zoya just sighed.
This had meant to have been a simple mission, just the four of them going to investigate - or mainly alleviate the concern over - some complaints they'd been getting from a small village about "mysterious creatures wreaking havoc on crops and cattle" as the villagers had so eloquently put it. Zoya had just glanced over the man who'd told them, a scrawny young boy who hadn't been able to stand still the entire time, telling him that they'd send someone over to investigate soon and he the guard at the door could send in the next complainant. Of course, Nikolai had just had to intervene and had instead held up his hand to stop the boy from leaving.
He'd asked the boy some more questions, even ordering tea for the lad, flashing his charming smile the whole time. When he'd finally finished and sent the boy off with a promise to look into it, Zoya had whipped around to glare at him.
"What are you doing?" She'd hissed.
"Taking an interest in our people's troubles, perhaps, Zoya dear?" Nikolai's brow was perfectly arched as he asked his question, the ghost of a smile of his face.
"No, I mean why take a personal interest? Just send any guard to go and take a look around, easy, simple, done. It's probably just some kind of rogue wolf or something."
"General Nazlyalensky, do have more faith in our people. The poor lad came all this way himself to bring his problems before us."
"Yeah, like hundreds of other of your 'subjects'," she said, but Nikolai hadn't seemed to hear her, instead a thoughtful expression coming onto his face.
"In fact, I think we should repay the favour by personally seeing to it. What do you say, Zoya? Think we can leave tomorrow morning and be back by tea time?"
Zoya had just stared in disbelief. "What?"
"Yes," Nikolai grinned. "We can even bring Tolya and Tamar with us if you're worried about my safety. It'll be nice to get out of the castle for once - "
"We can't just leave," Zoya protested, her tone incredulous. "We'd be leaving the castle and all of your other duties to go and gallivant around the countryside for what? One pathetic looking boy who came blubbering about some 'creature'."
"Zoya," Nikolai's tone grew hard. "You don't have to come if you don't want to, but that doesn't mean you insult our subjects."
She'd just rolled her eyes. "Fine. But we're not finished this discussion."
Nikolai's smile returned, a bit of mischief in his eyes now. "Of course not, but like you said earlier, that boy was only one of hundreds, so there's still plenty of complaints to deal with." He looked past her to address the guard at the door now while she just seethed. "Send in the next one!"
Suffice it to say, they did not get around to finishing the discussion, not really. Instead, he'd just told her as she'd come in for breakfast that they were leaving within the hour for the small village and the horses were already being prepared.
How they'd gotten from that, to the three of them crowding around Nikolai's bed as Tamar inspected the wound on his side was still taking time for her to process.
They'd made good time in getting to the village and meeting up with the boy and some of the other concerned villagers, Nikolai making quick work of charming them, and calming them enough to get more useful information on what they were dealing with. Even so, they had not been prepared when they'd come face to face with unnatural creatures, aggressive and dangerous.
The fight hadn't lasted too long, what with Zoya, Tamar, and Tolya dealing with the creatures quick enough while Nikolai helped any way he could, mainly protecting the bystanders. They'd figured out a way to kill the creatures in record time, and while it was a little more complicated to execute, they'd done so. Later, they'd come to the conclusion that they must have been Shu-Han experiments from one of their labs near the border, having escaped and wreaking havoc on the first village they'd come across. Something definitely worth looking more into at another time, but then, the only thing that had mattered about them was the injuries they'd caused.
One of them had dislocated Zoya's shoulder by jumping on her from behind, one had given Tamar a mild concussion, one had broken Tolya's weapon, and one had slashed Nikolai in the side with its claws. None of their injuries had been too bad, the twins quickly resetting her shoulder and partially healing Nikolai's cut, but they were exhausted by the time they'd left to ride back to the castle. Then they'd gotten back, and Nikolai had started looking a little pale and they'd only just managed to get him back to his bedchambers, Tolya half-carrying him, before his legs had given out completely and Tamar had wasted no time in getting his shirt off to take a look at the hastily bandaged, half-healed wound on his side.
"Saints, that looks terrible. Is it hurting?" Tamar had asked a half-conscious Nikolai, already getting to work doing something with her hands and abilities.
"Oh, it comes and goes like the strength in your bones," Nikolai moaned, wincing when Tamar prodded his tender side.
"What in the hells does that mean?" Zoya asked, arms crossed as she leaned against the end of his bed.
"Yeah, it's infected. Only you can manage to get an infection within hours."
The edge of Nikolai's mouth quirked up in a weak smirk. "It's a talent."
Tamar grimaced. "It certainly is."
The silence that followed as they watched her work was only interrupted by the occasional hiss of pain, or groan from Nikolai. After a while, Tamar yawned, only for it to be followed by a wince.
Tolya noticed, and regarded his sister for a few seconds, before moving to the other side of the bed and gently pushing her hands aside. "I'll do it. You too, are recovering. Go rest and I shall finish up." Tamar hesitated hands hovering in mid-air still, before she looked at him gratefully, getting up from where she'd been perched on the edge of the bed. She bid them all goodnight, Nikolai raising his hand floppily to return the sentiment before it fell back onto the bed.
"You may go too, Zoya, I can manage," Tolya said, only glancing sideways at her once before returning to his work.
"No, it's okay. I can keep you company so he doesn't somehow drive you insane."
Tolya's chuckle was low and soft. "I've lasted this long."
"Yes, and it's a true miracle how."
"Rude," Nikolai frowned, voice quiet but still just as petulant.
"There," Tolya announced, stretching his arms. "I've done what I can, but the rest is up to you, my king. You've already got a fever, which is a good sign but someone should watch to make sure it doesn't get too bad. I would be hap - "
Zoya interrupted him. "I'll do it."
Two pairs of eyes turned to her, one with an eyebrow raised, and one with a small, charming smirk that was still just as annoying even if it was weak.
"You're sure? You need rest too, your shoulder - "
"Is perfectly fine, thanks to you and your sister. Which paired with healing this idiot over here must have tired you out, so you can go and rest and I'll stay and make sure he doesn't injure himself more somehow, or die in his sleep."
"Ye of little faith," came an almost indistinguishable mumble from the bed as Tolya stood up slowly.
Zoya smirked. "Faith has nothing to do with it."
"Thank you, Zoya. I trust that you'll get either me or my sister if he gets worse?"
"Of course. Now, I can take it from here. The only thing I ask is that you pray for my sanity, which I hope is still intact by morning. A whole night with him," - she shuddered, a small smile appearing on Tolya's face.
"You don't have to, you know. It would not be the first time I've had to watch over Nikolai through the night."
"I'm sure, but I suppose I should get some more experience. I have a feeling this time won't be the last. Go, Tolya. He'll be fine. I'm not so terrible with taking care of people."
A questioning sound came from the bed, but squeaked out the second Zoya turned her glare on him, before turning back to Tolya.
"I'm going to just change into something comfier then I'll be back. Don't die in the two seconds I'm gone, please," she added, looking at Nikolai who grinned.
"I'll try my best."
She sighed. This was going to be a long night. She bid Tolya good night as she left.
She'd returned to the room ten minutes later - now in a comfier kefta over her nightdress - to see that Nikolai too had changed into cleaner, more comfy-looking clothes, likely with the help of Tolya before the heartrender had left.
It was just the two of them in the room now.
She pulled over a wooden chair from Nikolai's desk, placing it closer to the bed. The King watched her groggily from the pillows. It was only now that she could see just how exhausted he looked, so different from the usual immaculate and charming visage he had every day. His golden hair was messy, some strands in his eyes that were usually so bright and full of life, but now only heavy with exhaustion, dark circles under them a stark contrast to the rest of his pale face.
"I know, I look even more dashing than usual."
Zoya scoffed and looked away from Nikolai's drowsy, lopsided grin.
"Oh, shut up and go to sleep."
"But then you'll be bored."
"It's not like this is an especially intelligent or interesting conversation anyway."
Nikolai frowned, and after two minutes of silence, Zoya thought he'd fallen asleep but apparently not.
"How's your shoulder?"
"It's fine. What about you?"
"'M side hurts. An' it's cold."
"Cold?" Zoya leaned over and put a hand to his forehead, ignoring the way he leaned into her touch. "Well you're burning up."
Nikolai didn't seem to hear her, instead humming contently. "Your hand's cold. It feels nice."
She froze, but Nikolai didn't seem to have noticed, eyes closed. She pulled her hand away.
"Why don't I go get you a cold compress? My hands won't stay cold forever," she said, purposely keeping her voice level and quiet, ignoring the way her heart was beating irrationally fast.
Nikolai didn't answer, but she left anyway, coming back quickly with a small towel and a bowl of cold water. He'd huddled under the blankets in the time she'd been gone, and seemed to be in a state of half-sleep, shivering though sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Nikolai?" She asked softly, but only got an unintelligible murmur as a response.
She didn't hesitate when she dipped the towel in the water and gently dabbed his forehead. The effect was visible, Nikolai relaxing immediately.
"Th'nks Z'ya," he mumbled, eyes closed so he couldn't see her genuine small smile.
"You're an idiot, you know that?" She said softly, and the corner of Nikolai's mouth lifted up.
"Hmm, that's why I have you." He opened his eyes the slightest bit, hazel eyes peering at her.
"Ah, yes, I'm the sole reason the Ravka hasn't collapsed into chaos under your rule already," Zoya smirked. Nikolai opened his mouth to respond, but she beat him to it. "Yes, yes, 'ye of little faith', I know, but we both know it's true."
Nikolai closed his mouth, back to its sleepy little smile as his eyes closed again.
"Now go to sleep Nikolai. I might be able to help you rule, but I can't do it myself when you're out cold from a fever, so get some rest now."
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You need sleep too."
"I'll sleep tomorrow then, wake up late or take a nap or something. I'll manage. I was a soldier once, remember?"
"Hmm."
"Sleep," she repeated, and this time Nikolai listened. She dipped the towel into the water again, and not soon after, Nikolai was out.
She was tired, and her shoulder was starting to twinge a little, but it didn't matter. She kept putting the cold compress on his head, then at some point on his side when he started to wince and curl in on it, and she kept doing it throughout the night.
When the sunlight shone through the curtains, Nikolai woke to see Zoya asleep in the chair by his bed, towel still in her hand. The shaft of golden light from outside fell across her face, making her look peaceful and almost heavenly.
He just lay there and watched her, taking in every detail. She looked so beautiful, as she always did, but especially now with her features softened in the morning light - a hard contrast to how she usually was during the day. He found himself wishing he saw her like this more often, calm and peaceful, even if sometimes he would give anything to have her harsh, ruthless self by his side at galas or other events. But as it was, it was moments like these that he'd treasure most, the quiet moments when he got to see her completely without walls, her true self left unguarded.
Somehow, he fell asleep again, a soft smile on his face that now had its usual colour returned, his body managing to fight off the infection overnight. He didn't doubt it had something to do with the one sitting in the chair beside him.
The one who, when he awoke next, was gone, leaving him feeling oddly cold and empty even though the sickness was gone and the warm sunlight now filled the room.
A/n: I told myself i'd try to keep these fics short from now on, but I seem to have failed already. Oh well. A lot more Zoyalai slipped in there too somehow, but no regrets about that at least. Anyway, I don't think there's much else to say. Hope you liked it, I suppose. Nikolai is sometimes notoriously difficult to write, especially with Zoya in the same room. That made minimal sense, but it's 10 pm rn and I plan to either just start on or finish writing another fic tonight so I can make some progress on catching up with these Whumptober prompts so do I care? Not really. ;)
Stay safe and see ya soon.
- CrowofArcadiaOaks