Little Lux

24

5th November, 2022 - Los Angeles, California

Lux awakes with a whimper, her small frame shifting beneath the warm nest of her blankets. The faint glow of the nightlight illuminated her room, casting soft shadows on the walls as her breathing grew uneven.

She quickly began to realise just how awful she felt.

Her throat was dry, scratchy, and aching, and her body felt strangely hot and cold at the same time. Her head throbbed, and even in her half-asleep state, she was aware that something was wrong. The sensation of vulnerability clawed at her, making her whimper again, a little louder this time.

It hadn't been this bad during the previous day (the worst she'd endured being a stuffy nose and a small headache) but the night seemed to intensify everything and now she felt like she was drowning in the discomfort. Lux sniffled, her nose feeling completely blocked as tears began to pool in her eyes.

With a final, stuffy sniff, she forced herself out of her bed. Her limbs felt like lead, and her head swam with dizziness, but the desperate need for comfort drove her to take a hesitant step forward.

Slowly, she shuffles out of her room and down the hall.

Her breath hitched with every sniffle, her throat aching worse with each attempt to swallow. Tears rolled silently down her cheeks, blurring her vision as she finally reached the doorway to the mens room. Lux hesitated for a moment, her hand gripping the doorframe for balance. Her heart pounded in her chest, the vulnerability clawing at her once more. She wanted to be brave, but right now, she didn't feel brave at all.

With a small, shaky hand, she reached out and pushed the door open before taking a little step inside.

The room was almost pitch black since the men didn't have a nightlight like she did but the faint glow of moonlight, slivering in through the gap in the curtains illuminated the room just enough for her to see.

Through the darkness and blur of her tears, she could just about make out the two figures of Vincent and Sebastian tangled together under the covers as they slept soundly.

Her lips trembled as she stood there, clutching the fabric of her pyjama top in one tiny fist.

She wanted to call out for them, but her throat was so raw, and her voice came out as a small croak when she tried. Instead, another soft whimper escaped her lips, cutting through the silence of the room.

Vincent stirred first, his head shifting slightly on the pillow as he became vaguely aware of a sound. His protective instincts, from years of caring for littles, kicked in almost immediately. His eyes cracked open, and even in the dim light, he could see the faint outline of Lux standing in the doorway.

"Lux?" His voice was low and groggy but instantly laced with concern. He sat up slowly, careful not to disturb Sebastian beside him. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

That was all it took to break the dam. A small sob slipped from Lux's lips as she took an unsteady step closer, her shoulders shaking. "I... I don't feel good," she whispered, her voice hoarse and broken.

Vincent was out of bed in a heartbeat, the covers falling away as he crossed the room to her. He crouched down, his large hands gently settling on her trembling shoulders. Even in the faint light, he could see her tear-streaked cheeks and the glassy shine in her eyes. His heart twisted painfully at the sight.

"Oh, sweetheart," Vincent murmured softly, pulling Lux into his arms without hesitation. Her small frame practically melted against him, her tiny fists clutching at his shirt as though she was afraid to let go. He could feel the heat radiating off her, confirming his suspicions that she might have a fever. "Shh, I've got you. It's okay. You're okay now."