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[the-insufferable-caretaker]

The Insufferable Caretaker: Dreams

From her sentry position, Hazel smiled to see Nox receiving good things. The unquenchable hope that it had brought her charge to have his fill of juice, a comforting blanket, and a nibble of chocolate filled Hazel with a rush of warmth. 

They sent good dreams out that night. First to the human they had influenced to send the gift boxes, then to Gabrial (for not behaving like a heathen), and finally to darling Noxie. 

To the human she sent a vision of luck and money. It had seemed to be what they valued most.

To Gabrial she sent a dream of a warm fireplace and a soft rug, another’s arms wrapped tenderly around them.

To Nox a meadow of fresh grass and wild poppies interspersed with catnip for him to roll around in. The poor baby didn’t naturally dream of sweet things/

She hoped most of all that these dreams found their correct recipients.

@sola-whumping @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @misspelledwitch

[the-insufferable-caretaker]

Aaaaaa I’m dying over here

Wanna know why????

THIS:

THANK YOU SOSOSOSOSO MUCH @whump-validation-corner you really made my day!!!

@sola-whumping come appreciate this lovely individual with me

[the-insufferable-caretaker]

The Insufferable Caretaker: Loneliness

Hazel had been debating whether or not to go to Nox for several days now. The poor creature had had a relatively quiet month, but that also meant he had not received much by way of positive or even neutral attention. He was suffering from a different ache than that created by a lash or a blow. 

Nox was dying of loneliness.

It was the curse of his species that without physical touch their bodies begin to fail until they can’t even warm themselves as horrible icy burning cold creeps through their veins.

That thought sealed the decision. 

Hazel froze time in the area of Gabrial’s training center and wished themself down to their charge.

Nox’s lip quivered slightly when he sensed a new presence in his cell. He’d spent the better part of three days attempting to will his mind empty, but instead it had been assaulting him with visions of the comfy, brightly colored nesting room he’d glimpsed one through a cracked door. The nest room was for good birds. Not for Nox.

Hazel tutted at these thoughts, adjusting the Between Space slightly before crouching beside the shivering bird. “Hello darling, are you ready to rest?” Hazel kept their voice low so as not to startle him as she reached non-threateningly to touch Nox’s sleeve. After a skittish flinch, he did nod. The sweet bird was too well trained to deny anyone.

“Wonderful.” His guardian beamed, scooping Nox up into their arms and holding him close. He was so cold... In an instant they were back in the Between Room, which now contained large throw pillows and a bowl-shaped indentation in the center of the floor.

“I thought you might like to help me build a nest after you warm up, sweetheart.”

Nox could not believe his ears. Nests were as familiar as the back of his hand when he was much younger, but it had been many years since he had been allowed to rest his head in one. “Y-yes please, Hazel.” He nestled further into her arms as they walked him to a giant heat lamp. Once there, Hazel settled cross-legged and began humming an umbran lullaby she had learned from the galactic archive, only to be met with sudden chirps of distress.

“Oh, baby, whats wrong?” She crooned immediately wiping away a single blue tear that had formed on his cheek.

At a loss for words Nox chirped brokenheartedly at her before raising his shaky hands to fingerspell “S-A-D”.

“You’re sad? That’s fine, darling. Good job telling me! You’re such a brave and good boy.” Hazel praised. They could hear his thoughts though and even as he calmed once more, Nox’s mind was occupied with a memory: An adult umbran- not Nox’s parent- with lovely blue wings holding him close in their nest and humming. The same lullaby Hazel had attempted.

When Nox finally stopped shivering he had relaxed significantly enough to click and chirp back at Hazel, and she could see the concept of nesting circled his brain.

“Shall we set to work then, precious one?” Noxie nodded and gave a pleased little peep as he awaited instruction. “Well go on then, pick the pillows and blankets you like best, then build your most comfy place to lay”. 

He set off at an industrious pace; throwing soft objects into the pit until something caught his eyes. A plush falcon the size of his torso. 

Immediately Nox scooped it up and began cooing to it as if it were a chick as he rolled into the nest. Warm, safe, happy, and adored were evidently the conditions Nox needed in order to sleep properly because in an instant he sweet bird was asleep with the plush tucked under his wing. Such a sweet creature deserved nothing less than this.

@sola-whumping @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @misspelledwitch

[the-insufferable-caretaker]

This isn’t caretaker but it is Nox fanart so I’m putting it here! If you want, I recommend listening to “Hold Me Down” by Halsey while you read.

*not my characters, not my song*

@sola-whumping

@ me if you want to see a panel redrawn bigger and with more detail

[the-insufferable-caretaker]

This post takes place after the events of @sola-whumping’s chapter for febuwhump (here)

Finally the last lash fell on Nox’s abused back. He didn’t even have the energy to scream, barely had the strength to keep his eyes open. He was too far gone even to let out the sobs that ached in his throat.

The poor creature didn’t flinch when Gabrials feather-light finger tips settled at the base of his neck. He didn’t press into them either, just stayed very still and waited quietly. Like a good bird.

“Good.” Gabrial murmured impassively, beginning their work, and Noxs heart broke. These little bits of praise were his only rewards after hours of agony and he couldn’t even beg for more- for a gentle touch or a soft word- for something to smooth away the shattered glass that was the storm of emotions in his head. It was all too much. Every day this hailstorm of despair and agony and loneliness. One day he would drown in it.

Gabrial could see everything. Every craving every heartache every sorrow in Nox’s head and maybe they were getting soft, but they felt it too. Farix had left long ago and Nox was in such a weak state.... and maybe fulfilling one of his sad little wishes would quench the burning in Gabrial’s chest....

Gabrial freed Nox’s hands once his gashes were healed, stretching him out on his back so that he could see Gabrial’s face. What Gabrial saw was interesting to say the least: a pitiful mixture of hope and fear, muddled by detachment.

Then they did something unusual.

Gabrial reached down and smoothed their hand softly down the side of Noxs face, watching him freeze and then melt as prettily as any of the other birds Gabrial had trained

Gabrial did it again.

And again.

Smoothing away the pain and gentling the tension from their little brothers face. And Gabrial realized something.

Nox was asleep.

Not unconscious, calmed to sleep with a soft expression. He looked so innocent, so peaceful. It was hard not to remember the tiny innocent chick he had once been. So curious and full of hope....

@sola-whumping

[the-insufferable-caretaker]

The Insufferable Caretaker’s Purpose:

Okay explanation: I have the writer’s permission to write non-canon fanfiction where Nox gets what he deserves (aka, soft soft soft). I’m starting out with caretaking after the febuwhump prompts. Want on the tag list? Let me know!

I get very sad about Nox, and this makes things better. I hope this comfort brings you comfort too.

[the-insufferable-caretaker]

Insufferable Caretaker: Branded

Nox almost didn’t realize that he was awake. It was too...soft. This couldn’t be real. Suddenly, everything came flooding back to him at once: Gabrial had branded him and left him here all alone. He had been betrayed and- ow ow ow ow ow.

A sob threatened to crash out of him like a tidal wave.

Nobody cared about him. Nobody was coming to help him. Gabrial and Farix could hurt him all they wanted and He was helpless.

“Not quite helpless.” Out of the corner of Nox’s eye he saw a flicker of movement and sat up quickly to assess this new threat.

Wait.

This was not Nox’s cell?

The room that Nox was now in was painted a soft turquoise and had a big window covered by curtains. The floor he was laying on was so very squishy and he was nestled into it comfortably so that it cradled his battered body. Clean warm blankets were layered over top of him.

Had he died and gone to heaven? 

“Not that either, darling.” A gentle voice corrected. With that sound Nox was able to whip around and find its source. “Hello sweetheart, you’re safe here. Do not be afraid.”

The person who had stolen him- and Nox was sure he’d been stolen (though why they would choose the worst pet, he didn’t know)- was about his height. His damaged eyes wouldn’t let him make heads or tails of the creature, but he was sure that she glowed faintly.

“Wh-” He started to ask before clicking his jaw shut. Only bad birds speak without permission.

“I will tell you everything, darling. But first: may I touch you? Your injuries need attention. And so do you. No one has been kind to you in a very long time, have they, baby?”

Nox nodded automatically, but her words had upset him quickly. Another wave of loneliness attempted to overwhelm him.

“Hey, hey, none of that, darling.” The soft-voice-lady murmured soothingly. Suddenly there were gentle hands in his hair guiding his head into her lap. “That’s it, sweetie. Just let me take care of you, okay?” Now the soft hands were carding through Nox’s hair oh-so-gently. It was the best feeling he’d felt in months.

“I have no name, but you may call me Hazel. I’ve always liked that name.” She began. “This is a between-room. I made it just for you. No one can get here unless I take them, and while we are in here, no time passes in the real world.” Delicate fingertips trailed lightly down Nox’s face, to his jaw and the brutal slashing scar there. 

“The universe has decided that you have seen too much wrong without reward, darling. You were never abandoned, never alone. It sometimes takes us immortals a silly amount of time to get anything done.” Hazel explored the flashy blue scales that decorated Nox’s throat, watching intently for any signs of discomfort. But Nox had completely relaxed under her touch.

“I’m going to heal this burn now, but not fully. I know that if it it removed you will only know more pain. I can spare you from infection though.” She paused. “Would you like to hold my hand? The pressure might be a comfort to you.” Nox’s eyes cracked open a fraction and his dazed look of bliss slipped.

“Will it hurt?” he asked in the tiniest voice Hazel had ever heard.

“No sweetheart. There will be no pain here, it is impossible.” One hand went back to playing with Nox’s hair and tracing soothing circles over the skin of his throat and face. Just like that he settled again. So trusting.

Hazel laid her free hand over the ugly fresh brand that had been placed under his left collarbone and focused. She sped up time in that one patch of skin until the wound was a clean scar.

“There, see? All done.” She received a series of chirps and clicks and whistles. “Oh! You’re so welcome dearie. This is my job after all.”

Nox nuzzled into the hand that was cupping his face, basking in the attention and softness and warmth and safety and lack of pain.

“I will tell you this now so that I don’t forget, sweetheart.” Hazel kept her tone soft. “You will know when it is time for you to return to your place. The future holds much darkness for you. But I have seen several large blessings to come. You will know one that appreciates you and seeks no pain. This one will make you a champion, and you will be happy. Then another will insist upon saving you. That one will dote upon you as if there are no others in the world more wonderful. I hope this much can give you comfort.”

Nox was only half listening, but the future people(?) intrigued him. He would be a champion? And loved? He wondered how long he would have to wait for that.

Hazel adjusted the blankets so that the sweet bird was fully covered once more, earning a happy chirp. “I will always come for you. When you are afraid, hurt, or abandoned, I will come and claim you like this.”

His chest began to rumble hesitantly- like he had almost forgotten how, but then the purring began.

“You are never alone, darling.”

@sola-whumping @thewholeuniverseisrighthere

[the-insufferable-caretaker]

Hello @sola-whumping! I’m coming to steal your whumpee. Don’t tell Gabrial and Farix. :D