One direction Sickfics/Kidfics

Not Your Typical Halloween (Zouis Family)

Halloween was going to be a bit different for the Tomlinson-Malik family this year. Louis and Zayn had planned to host a small gathering for friends and then take the boys trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. The costumes were chosen, the decorations were up, and the candy bowl was fully stocked. But everything went out the window when all three kids came down with a cold and were now a mess of sniffles, coughs, and sore throats. Louis was still trying to keep their spirits up and bring some holiday cheer by helping them carve pumpkins in the kitchen. But when Zayn came down the stairs, he quickly noticed his husband wasn't having much luck.

Louis was crouching next to Niall and he seemed to be trying to help their eight-year-old with his pumpkin, but the boy clearly wasn't having it. Harry looked as bored as ever, but at least, he seemed to be doing well with his design, and Liam had his head down on the table, his pumpkin untouched in front of him.

Zayn walked into the kitchen, trying not to laugh at the pure desperation in his husband's face. A smirk crept onto Zayn's face as he said, "Looking good, guys!"

Louis shot him a mock glare. "Feel free to join in, Mr. Observer."

Zayn chuckled, stepping closer to the boys. "What are you making, Ni?"

"A bat," Niall sniffled, barely lifting his head as he focused on his carving.

"Solid choice, buddy." Zayn gave him an approving nod before turning to Harry. "And you, Haz? A cat, huh?"

Harry gave a small, tired smile. "Just trying to make it look like one," he muttered, glancing at the pumpkin with a bored shrug.

Zayn nodded before looking over to Liam, who was barely paying attention, his head resting on his arms and his pumpkin untouched. Zayn frowned, noticing how glassy and droopy Liam's eyes looked as he watched his brothers.

"Li, you got any ideas? Need a hand?" Zayn asked gently, sitting beside him and rubbing his back in slow circles.

Liam lifted his head slightly, rubbing his eyes with a sleepy mumble. "I don't know what to make..." He dropped his head back down onto his folded arms, a muffled cough escaping him.

Zayn moved his hand so it was underneath the boy's hoodie and sighed when he felt that the boy was warmer than he should be. "Think you're running a fever, bud," Zayn commented, rubbing the boy's back with his thumb.

Of course, things couldn't be simple with Liam.

Louis, catching Zayn's expression, leaned in and gave Liam a quick once-over. "He looks proper sick," he said softly, his hand moving to smooth Liam's hair back as he gave Zayn a nod. "Probably why he's been so out of it."

"Alright, let's take care of this," Zayn murmured, standing up and heading to the cabinet for the thermometer. He returned, offering Liam a small smile. "Here, buddy, let's just check, okay?"

Liam nodded sleepily, allowing Zayn to place the thermometer in his ear. After a moment, it beeped, and Zayn's frown deepened as he read the display. "100.7 he's definitely running a fever," he said, brushing his hand over Liam's shoulder.

Zayn stood up, intending to grab the fever reducers, but Liam's voice stopped him.

"Papa... can I have something for my head? It's hurting," Liam murmured, rubbing his nose.

"Of course, sweetie," Zayn replied, giving him a sympathetic smile as he ran his fingers through Liam's hair. He made his way to the medicine cabinet, picking out both the fever reducer and some children's pain reliever for his headache, then filled a glass of water. Returning to the table, he set them gently in front of Liam.