Apollo's sick. And he's a year old. And it's cold.
Modern AU
Aether's been holding on to Apollo for about two hours now. He's not speaking, his heart is weak, and his little face looks pale. The snowstorm outside is getting worse, and neither Aria nor Xiao are back yet. The lights are all off since the power went out a hour ago. Candles are all around the house. Aether has been taking care of Apollo all day, and he's getting worse. He took all the measures needed to make sure the cold didn't come and stay warm.
The blond gave up. He FaceTimed Xiao, already starting to cry.
"Xiao? Please tell me you have Aria with you and are already walking home. It's about Apollo."-Aether
"We stopped to get some hot food and ingredients for soup and baby formula. Yes I do have Aria, she's picking out some food. The power is on here."-Xiao
"Apollo's pulse. He's not even talking or opening his eyes. Please hurry, I'm getting really worried."-Aether
"Okay, I'll tell Aria. Have you both eaten yet? We'll get some food for you and
leave."-Xiao
"Not ever since you left, no. The power went out so I couldn't cook anything."-Aether
"Okay. Aria, pick something that we can all eat and we go home. Yeah, we'll be home soon. Say bye to Mommy."-Xiao
"Bye Mommy! Bye Apollo!"-Aria
"Bye bye."-Aether
Aether saw Xiao and Aria disappeared. He start to cry and lighting the candle next to Apollo, trying not to burn his hair off. He caressed his hair before pulling a cover over his body.
The door opened. Aether gave the little blond a kiss on his forehead before running downstairs. It was Aria with her backpack on her back and setting it down by the table. Xiao followed behind her with some bags.
"Aether, here. We couldn't find stuff that you would've liked, so we got some Curry Shrimp. And Apollo has some medicine mixed with Bamboo Shoot Soup. Just don't let him eat the big parts."-Xiao
"Okay. I'll make sure I'll feed him it. But, he hasn't opened his eyes since you left. All day his heart wasn't beating normally and his pulse was getting weaker."-Aether
"Hey, don't cry. Go upstairs and try to wake him up so he can eat. I'll help as soon as I finish putting all the stuff away."-Xiao
Aether nodded and ran back upstairs. Aria perked her head up at her father. He gave her a head pat.
"You can go help Mama. The power won't be coming on for a while. I might as well start a fire with the leftover wood from the fire place and cook."-Xiao
Aria smiled. She ran upstairs so she could help her mom. Xiao gave her a small smile. She reminded him of himself to Aether.
—
-
" Pollo. Wake up. Wake up baby bird, it's time to eat."-Aether
No response. He shuffled a bit before shaking from the cold. He started crying.
"It's okay, little bird. It's time to eat. It's just Mama."-Aether
Apollo opened his eyes. He stopped cry and smiled. Then he sneezed.
"Okay. Open your mouth. It's going to make you feel better, I promise."-Aether
Apollo was used to the little tube of food feeding him, but he didn't want it this time. He was scared of the darkness around it.
"Hey, it's okay. It's just some soup. Or do you want a bottle?"-Aether
Apollo then sneezed again. Aether then realized that Apollo wasn't eating because he didn't want to, but because he felt too sick to eat. He felt his pulse getting weaker.
Aria hugged her mother while he cried. He thought he failed as a mother. Letting a one year old child die.
"Why are you crying Aether?"-Xiao
"Apollo. *sobs* He's too sick to eat. I don't want to force him to eat."-Aether
"Listen. We just have to get him to somewhere warm. I started a fire in the fireplace downstairs. We can warm up the food while we are at it."-Xiao
Aether nodded. He took the soups downstairs. He didn't even open his yet.
Xiao carried the little baby downstairs. He really was pale and cold.
Hoyo got to him a bit too quick 💀/j
Aether sat by the fire. His expression was rather sad. Aria came down and smelled the soup she helped pick. She hugged her mother again.
Then Xiao came down with Apollo wrapped up in a blanket. The raven set him down and grabbed a small tube. He sucked up a pint of medicine and fed him some. He didn't take all of it. At least the blanket was helping him.
"I had to put some in his mouth. I'm sorry I went again your wishes."-Xiao
"It's fine. At least he won't die."-Aether
They say by the fireplace in silence. Aether just laid his head on his lover's shoulder. He felt really bad that he couldn't do something as simple as medicine.
"Xiao, grab some bowls. The soup is ready. And a little tube for Apollo. And some blankets. Its cold."-Aether
The raven nodded. He grabbed some bowls and three tubes. He sat down with his family and ruffled his lover's head.
"Baby, my lips are cold."-Aether
"How funny." Xiao kissed him anyways. They chuckled.
"Shh. Aria had a long day and so have Apollo. Let them rest."-Aether
"You had one as well."-Xiao
Apollo is getting better. His face was starting to get its color back. Xiao caressed his cheeks. He kissed Aether on the cheek. He then left to get blankets. It was cold without him.
He got one for Aria and one for them to share. It was nice. And warm. And something else. He felt really sleepy.
The warm fire and Xiao was the last sight he saw before he fell asleep. The cheeky Apollo woke him up, smiling and snuggling with his sister. He was like himself again.
Maybe it was the fire. Or the medicine. Huh. They never ate the soup. It's probably burnt. At least the power is on-oh Aria had homework. Shit.
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