thekinkyleopard

[thekinkyleopard]

ILL CRY RN THIS WAS SO CUTE AND FUNNY AND PERFECT ALL IN ONE 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 Amazing job, friend 😩😩😩

Oooo could we maybe get a(nother) follow up to the S7en fic with Elex catching S7en's sickness and hiding it so he doesn't get his bf all worked up and worried because his lungs are still a little sensitive?

Hey there Nonny!

Be careful what you wish for…. 😏 the fluff in this one makes me melt I cannot lie 😫

Asphyxia (pt 3)

(Oxygen, or part 1 can be found here, and Breathless, Again or part 2 can be found here)

written and illustrated by: allergeez ✨ @thekinkyleopard owns Elex 🖤

Summary: Elex wakes up knowing something is wrong. His body is sluggish with fever, his head pounding, but none of that matters—because S7en is finally home. Finally safe. After everything he’s been through, the last thing Elex wants is to burden him with something as insignificant as a cold. So he does what he does best: he pushes through it. He hides the exhaustion, swallows every cough, and forces himself to act normal. But sickness isn’t something you can just will away. As his condition worsens, it becomes harder to keep up the act—especially with someone as observant as S7en. The problem is, S7en has only just begun to recover, and if he gets sick again, Elex isn’t sure he could live with himself. What starts as a stubborn attempt to tough it out spirals into something heavier—fear, control, guilt—emotions Elex doesn’t want to acknowledge but can’t seem to escape. But S7en isn’t an idiot, and the more Elex pulls away, the more determined he becomes to figure out what’s wrong. And when he does? Well, Elex might not be the only one who’s pissed. 7.2k words

Content Warnings!:

Illness & fever (coughing, congestion, sneezing, general flu-like symptoms)

Mild medical anxiety & contamination fears (hand-washing, mild germophobia, references to past illness trauma)

Emotional suppression & avoidance (characters struggling to ask for/accept help)

Mild language (casual swearing)

Physical exhaustion & overexertion

Elex knew from the second he woke up that something was wrong.

His head throbbed in a slow, punishing rhythm, a heavy weight pressing behind his eyes like a vice tightening inch by inch. His limbs felt sluggish, his body leaden, overheated—but not in the comfortable, lazy way that came with sleeping too long. No, this was different. This was wrong.

Still, he forced himself upright, biting back a low groan as the dull ache in his throat flared into something sharp and raw. His skin prickled with fever, the air in their apartment thick and stifling, but there was no time for this. No room for it. Not now.

Not after everything S7en had just been through.

Elex scrubbed a hand down his face, exhaling slowly, forcing his expression into something neutral before glancing to the other side of the bed. S7en was still asleep, his teal and orange hair a mess against the pillow, his breathing shallow but steady. No more oxygen masks. No more hospital rooms. Just him, here, home, safe.

And there was no way in hell Elex was about to let him worry about this.

So he swallowed against the rawness in his throat, pushed past the fatigue clawing at his limbs, and carefully—carefully—slipped out of bed without a sound.

His body screamed at him the second his feet hit the floor. A fresh wave of dizziness crashed into him, nausea twisting in his gut, but he gritted his teeth and powered through. Mind over matter. He’d been through worse.

S7en stirred slightly but didn’t wake.

Good.

The last thing he needed was the cat noticing.

Because S7en, stubborn as he was, had barely recovered. His lungs were still weak, his body still too frail, and if he caught even a whiff of Elex being sick, there would be no stopping him. He’d hover, fuss, get in his own damn head about it, and the last thing Elex wanted was for him to stress over him when he should have been focusing on himself.

So Elex shoved it down. The ache in his chest, the burning tickle creeping into his sinuses, the sharp stutter of his breath—he ignored it. He was fine. He’d be fine.

He just had to make sure S7en never found out.

And if that meant hiding every cough behind a clenched jaw, stifling every sneeze into the fabric of his hoodie, and downing enough painkillers to pretend his fever wasn’t steadily climbing?

So be it.

The first real warning sign came when Elex went to make coffee.

He had barely poured water into the machine when a violent shiver ripped through him, sending ice-cold prickles down the length of his spine. The air in the kitchen suddenly felt too thin, the light from the window too sharp, slicing into his headache like a knife. He braced himself against the counter, swallowing hard as his stomach twisted, fever heat coiling tight in his chest.

No. No, no, no. Not now. Not today.

He sucked in a slow, measured breath, rolling his shoulders, willing himself back into control. He’d dealt with worse. This was nothing. Just a little exhaustion, a little lingering chill from sleeping without a blanket. He just needed coffee. Caffeine would fix this.

Except—

His nose twitched.

The tickle was sudden, sharp, rising out of nowhere like a spark catching dry grass, flaring hot and fast. His breath hitched—once, twice—his head snapping forward before he could fight it.

“H’UTSSCHHhiew!! Hh—h’UHDTschhiew! Hh’uhSSCHHIHHeewww!”

The force of them knocked him forward, rattling in his chest, leaving his vision swimming and his throat burning like he’d just swallowed glass. He barely had time to straighten before another overtook him, tearing from deep in his lungs—

“hdt’USSCHHIEWW!!!”

Shit.

The sound echoed through the apartment, too loud, too obvious. His stomach dropped as he held perfectly still, pulse thudding in his ears, waiting for movement from the bedroom.

Nothing.

No footsteps. No sleepy voice calling his name.

S7en was still asleep.

Elex exhaled slowly, pressing the heel of his hand to his forehead, feeling the fever radiating under his skin. He hated this. The congestion, the heat, the way his nose itched relentlessly, teasing him with another sneeze he refused to let out.

And worst of all? The knowledge that he was contaminated.

The very thought made his skin crawl. He could already feel it, the invisible filth clinging to his skin, coating his throat, tainting the air around him. He needed to shower. He needed to scrub his hands, burn his hoodie, fumigate the entire apartment—

But he couldn’t.

Because the second he acted too clean, too frantic about disinfecting everything in sight, S7en would know.

He was already walking a razor’s edge, trying to act normal while his body actively worked against him. If he so much as glanced at a bottle of disinfectant too long, S7en would sniff him out like the suspicious little feline bastard he was.

No. He had to play it cool. Hide this.

S7en had just barely clawed his way out of pneumonia, and his lungs were still weak. If Elex so much as breathed wrong around him, he could get sick again. And that? That wasn’t an option.

So Elex squared his shoulders, forcing the tension from his body, and grabbed a paper towel, swiping aggressively at his nose before moving to make breakfast.

He’d get through this.

He had to.

S7en had gotten used to waking up to Elex next to him. Even when they were both exhausted, even when life was kicking their asses, Elex was always there—half-awake, chewing on something plastic, grumbling about the sun being a “rude little bitch” before slumping into him for five extra minutes of warmth.

But today?

The bed was empty.

The sheets were cold.

S7en frowned, sitting up slowly, still groggy from sleep, his chest tightening with something uneasy.

Elex wasn’t in bed.

Elex was always in bed when S7en woke up.

He ran a hand through his hair, blinking away the haze in his vision before glancing toward the door. The apartment was quiet—too quiet. No sound of Elex shuffling through the fridge, no muttered cursing as he nearly tripped over their shoes by the door, no telltale sound of his knuckles tapping the counter absently like they always did in the mornings.

The silence felt... wrong.

Dragging himself up, S7en swung his legs over the edge of the bed, pushing to his feet with a slow exhale. His body was still weak—he hated it—but he was getting better. He was supposed to be better.

So why did it feel like something else was falling apart?

He found Elex in the kitchen, already dressed, already moving, wiping down the counter like he was trying to erase something only he could see.

S7en leaned against the doorway, watching for a moment before speaking.

"You left me alone," he muttered, voice still rough with sleep.

Elex stiffened.

It was quick, barely there, but S7en caught it.

The hesitation. The delay before answering.

"Yeah," Elex said, too casual, too quick. "Figured I’d let you sleep. You need rest, y’know, what with the dying and all."

S7en rolled his eyes, but the joke didn’t land the way it should have.

Because Elex still wasn’t looking at him.

And for the first time in a long time, S7en felt alone.

But he swallowed it back as much as he could, shuffling into the kitchen with his usual groggy irritation, hoodie sleeves hanging past his fingers, glasses sliding down his nose. His orange eyes were still hazy with sleep, his tail dragging lazily behind him as he blinked toward Elex with a tired squint. He was barefoot, which Elex immediately clocked as a problem.

The floor wasn’t clean enough.

Not for bare skin. Not for someone who had just gotten out of the hospital, lungs still too weak, body still too fragile.

Elex’s hands twitched toward the disinfectant spray, but he forced himself to grip his coffee mug instead, knuckles white.

Just act normal.

"Why the hell are you up first?" S7en muttered, voice rough with leftover congestion.

Elex smirked, masking the way his stomach clenched at the reminder of just how recently S7en had been this sick. "Had to make sure my dumbass boyfriend didn’t wake up and start licking the walls again."

S7en squinted at him.

"That happened once."

Elex huffed a laugh, lifting his coffee to his lips—

And that was his mistake.

The heat hit his throat, scalding against the rawness he’d been trying to ignore, and the tickle in his throat that had been lurking for hours suddenly flared up hard and fast.

His breath hitched.

His lungs clenched.

No, no, no—

Elex barely had time to turn his head, fist clenched against his mouth, before the cough tore out of him, rough and deep and impossible to hide.

The sound of it made his own skin crawl.

And worse?

S7en froze.

For a long, horrible second, the kitchen was silent.

Then—

"What the fuck was that?"

Elex gritted his teeth, forcing his face neutral, the heat of his fever making the air feel thick, suffocating.

"Swallowed wrong."

S7en’s ears flicked.

He was watching him now.

Fully aware, pupils narrowing in that calculating way Elex hated.

"You sure?"

Elex shrugged, already turning toward the sink to pretend to rinse his mug.

"Yep."

S7en didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

Elex could feel the weight of his stare, feel the way his lungs wanted to wheeze, feel the next cough curling in his chest like a live wire.

Don’t let him see. Don’t let him hear.

He held his breath.

Held still.

And after an excruciating moment—

S7en grunted, finally moving toward the coffee pot.

Elex exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the way his hands had started shaking.

But the second S7en stepped closer, the air shifted.

It was subtle, just the smallest tilt of his nose, the faintest flick of his ears—barely noticeable to anyone else. But Elex knew. He knew.

S7en smelled it.

He always did.

Elex felt a fresh pulse of panic claw up his spine. If that damn cat caught so much as a whiff of this—

"Something smells weird."

Elex tensed.

"Like—" S7en sniffed the air again, his nose scrunching. "Not bad, just…off."

Fuck.

"Yeah?" Elex muttered, keeping his voice lazy, unconcerned. "Probably just your own breath. You were mouth-breathing like an asshat all night."

S7en scowled, flicking his tail at him in irritation, and Elex almost relaxed.

Then—

S7en tilted his head, squinting harder. His pupils dilated slightly. His ears twitched forward.

The exact fucking look he got whenever he was about to figure something out.

Elex’s entire body went on high alert.

Because if S7en knew? If he caught on?

Elex would be done.

So he did the only thing he could do—he faked a yawn, stretched dramatically, and turned away.

"Ugh, I need to piss," he announced, already heading toward the bathroom.

S7en made a vague noise of acknowledgment, clearly not fully awake yet, but Elex didn’t give him time to press further.

He was gone before S7en could dig his claws into the situation.

Elex shut the bathroom door behind him, locked it, and immediately braced his hands against the sink, breathing hard.

He had seconds before another sneeze hit.

His nose burned, his sinuses prickling unbearably, every breath quivering with the inevitable. He scrambled for a handful of tissues just as his chest hiked—

"Hh'UMFShhhiew!—h'Ushh'iew!—hh’ieXSHHHh!!"

The force of them wrecked him, leaving him gasping against the counter, fever heat pulsing under his skin. He grabbed the faucet, cranking the water to the highest heat, and scrubbed his hands raw, fingers digging into his palms like he could scrape away the sickness itself.

Not clean. Not clean. Not clean.

He squeezed his eyes shut, inhaling slow, steady.

No more. No more sneezing. No more anything.

He was fine. He had to be fine.

He couldn’t let S7en know.

Not now.

Not ever.

Elex leaned heavily against the counter, his breath coming in uneven gasps as he forced himself upright. The heat of the water scalded his hands, the sting grounding him, but it wasn’t enough. The sickness was still there, clawing at his throat, pressing against his skull, burning beneath his skin. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing the dizziness to pass, willing his body to just cooperate.

Minutes passed. Maybe more. He wasn’t sure.

Eventually, the tremors in his hands eased enough for him to shut off the faucet, but the unease lingered—coiled tight in his chest like a cable ready to snap. He needed to move, to shake the feeling of filth clinging to him, but when he pushed off the sink, his vision tilted. The world blurred at the edges, his knees threatening to give.

He caught himself just in time, fingers gripping the doorframe, heart hammering.

Breathe. Breathe.

By the time he stepped out of the bathroom, his body felt detached—like he was wearing it rather than existing inside it. He forced himself forward, each step calculated, careful, controlled. If he could just keep this up—if he could just last the day—he could make it through this without S7en catching on.

But as the hours crawled by, the fever pressed in harder, suffocating.

And S7en?

S7en was starting to notice.

S7en was used to Elex being a little twitchy. It was just how he was.

Always moving, always chewing on something, always restless in a way that made it hard to tell if he was anxious or just alive.

But this?

This was different.

They were sitting on the couch—or, at least, S7en was. Elex was perched on the other end, practically curling into the armrest, the furthest he could physically get without sitting on the floor.

It was weird.

Elex was always touching him. Always pressing up against him in some way—a foot shoved against his thigh, a hand absently tugging at his hoodie strings, a knee bumping into his as they sat too close for no reason.

But right now?

S7en may as well have been on a different planet.

He frowned, stretching his arms over his head before slumping further into the cushions.

"Y’know, it’s real fuckin’ weird when you’re not all over me," he muttered.

Elex huffed, a short, forced noise. "Wow. Clingy much?"

S7en kicked at his foot.

"You like it."

Elex snorted, but he didn’t move closer.

Didn’t shove at S7en like he usually would. Didn’t sink into him lazily, the way he always did after a long day.

Something about it made S7en’s stomach twist.

He let it go.

But the feeling stayed.

Elex had made it through the morning.

Barely.

Now, the afternoon loomed ahead, and his body was falling apart faster than he could keep up.

His limbs felt weak, heavy like they didn’t belong to him anymore. His fever had climbed, turning his skin too hot, then too cold, then hot again, like his body couldn’t decide what the hell it was supposed to be feeling.

But worse than the heat, worse than the exhaustion, worse than the pounding ache in his skull—

Was the fact that S7en wasn’t an idiot.

Elex had been dodging him all day.

Avoiding sitting too close. Keeping his back turned while cooking lunch. Drowning himself in cups of coffee and forcing a smirk any time S7en’s gaze lingered too long.

But the cat was watching him.

He could feel it.

The slow tilt of his head. The way his orange eyes narrowed, pupils slitting ever so slightly, tail flicking in that way it did when he was figuring something out.

It made Elex’s skin crawl.

And then—

The itch flared again.

A sudden, unbearable tickle climbing sharp and fast through his sinuses, making his breath hitch, eyes fluttering against his will.

Fuck. Not again.

He twisted away, forcing the urge down, down, down, clenching his teeth and balling up his hoodie’s fabric in his hands.

Don’t.

Don’t.

His shoulders tensed hard, muscles locking up so tight it made his head pound worse—

And somehow, somehow, the sneeze receded.

Barely.

His chest was still tight, his breath still uneven, but at least he hadn’t—

"You good?"

Elex’s entire body locked up.

S7en’s voice was casual, almost bored, but there was something off about it. Something too sharp, like he was waiting for the answer to confirm a suspicion.

Elex forced himself to exhale slowly through his nose.

"I'm fine," he said, voice rough, but steady enough.

S7en hummed.

"Sure."

He didn’t believe him.

Elex knew it.

Knew it the way S7en’s ears twitched forward. The way his tail lashed lazily against the arm of the couch. The way he tapped his mechanical pencil rhythmically against his sketchbook, eyes never leaving Elex’s face.

But he didn’t press.

Not yet.

Which meant Elex still had time.

He just had to hold it together a little longer.

Just—

A shiver rattled down his spine, making his breath stutter, and he barely bit back a curse.

S7en’s eyes narrowed.

Fuck.

Keep moving.

Elex turned toward the sink, gripping the edge with white-knuckled force, blinking hard against the dizziness creeping into his vision.

His palms were sweating.

His skin felt disgusting.

He needed to wash his hands again.

But if he did, if he reached for the soap one more time, S7en would—

“You’re acting weird.”

Elex stiffened.

Breathed in slow.

Out.

And forced a lazy smirk as he turned around.

"Am I?"

S7en’s gaze flicked over him, studying.

Too long. Too observant. Too much.

His pupils dilated, nose twitching—like he was smelling something.

Elex’s stomach dropped.

"I dunno," S7en mused, stretching his arms above his head, tail curling lazily. "You’re being... extra twitchy today."

"Maybe you’re just being extra nosy today," Elex shot back, gripping the counter behind him to ground himself.

S7en grinned, but his eyes stayed sharp.

“Maybe.”

Elex’s heartbeat pounded in his skull.

He had to get away.

Elex needed space.

S7en’s eyes were on him—too sharp, too focused, too knowing. He could feel it, the weight of that gaze pressing into his skin, reading into every twitch, every forced breath. It made his stomach turn, made his hands clench uselessly at his sides, made the sick heat crawling under his skin even worse.

He needed to get away.

Elex pushed off the counter, muscles stiff, nausea curling at the edges of his senses, but he forced himself to keep moving. His pulse hammered against his skull, drowning out the soft sounds of the apartment, making it hard to think past the heat pressing against his temples.

The fever was getting worse.

His own body was turning against him, pulling at the edges of his control, but he had to keep going. Had to stay ahead of it.

If he slowed down, even for a second—if he let himself feel the exhaustion sinking into his limbs—S7en would see it.

And if S7en saw it, it was over.

Elex swallowed hard, his throat raw and aching, and forced himself forward.

By the time he made it back to the kitchen, his hands were already reaching for the disinfectant wipes, fingers trembling as they closed around the familiar plastic container. The motion was automatic now—habitual, necessary.

Clean. Fix it. Clean.

But it wasn’t enough.

It was never enough.

His skin still crawled, his breath still felt wrong, his chest still ached with something he couldn’t scrub away.

And behind it all, the fever burned.

Rising. Tightening.

His head pulsed, sinuses clogging up, making every inhale a slow, labored pull through congestion that was only getting worse. He wiped his phone screen again, third time now, but the anxiety didn’t ease.

Nothing eased.

Because no matter how much he tried to erase the contamination, no matter how many surfaces he disinfected—

The sickness was still inside him.

And S7en?

S7en wasn’t letting this go.

Elex could feel it—the weight of his gaze, the way his energy had shifted from lazy amusement to something sharper, quieter, watchful. He didn’t need to turn around to know S7en was still tracking his every move, pupils just slightly too wide, ears just slightly too alert.

It was only a matter of time before he put it together.

Elex had to stay ahead of him.

So he moved. Kept moving. Forced himself into motion, into habit, into the kind of constant distraction that would keep him from thinking too hard about the fever pressing hot and heavy under his skin.

He had work to do.

He wiped down the counters. Again.

Ran a disinfectant wipe over the fridge handle. Again.

Checked his phone screen—again—and swiped a microfiber cloth over it until the glass shined.

Still, it wasn’t enough.

Because no matter how many times he scrubbed his hands, no matter how many surfaces he wiped down, no matter how much he cleaned and cleaned and cleaned—

The sickness was still there.

Thick congestion was already pressing hot and tight behind his eyes, his sinuses burning like someone had shoved a matchstick up his nose and let it smolder, each breath dragging through his throat like smoke, raw and unrelenting.

His hands were clammy, his breath coming in shallow pulls, but he kept moving.

He had disinfected the kitchen. Three times.

Cleaned his phone screen four times just in case.

Scrubbed his hands so many times the skin was turning red, peeling around his knuckles.

And yet, he still felt dirty.

Still felt contaminated.

He had made it this far, hidden it this long, but his body wasn’t listening to him anymore.

The warning signs had been too easy to ignore at first.

The slight chill at the back of his neck.
The dull ache in his limbs.
The tight, nagging itch in his nose that wouldn’t go away—

But now?

Now the weight pressing on his chest felt unbearable, his head ached so badly he could barely see straight, and his nose—

Fuck.

It twitched suddenly, sharply, the burning sensation flaring up out of nowhere, and his breath hitched hard.

No.

Not now. Not here. Not—

The first sneeze tore through him before he could stop it.

“H’USSHHhiew!—Hh’ehHTSCHHHh’iew!—h’UhtTSCHhhiew!!”

It wasn’t controlled.
It wasn’t covered.

It was violent, raw, messy—

And out in the fucking open.

Elex barely had time to process the horror before the next hit, dragging him forward, shoulders snapping down as his entire body shook with the force of it.

“Hehh’EhDTSHhiew!—hh'ieXSHHH!—hdt’USSCHHIEWW!!!”

The sound ripped through the apartment, wet and unrestrained, and the second the fit was over, the panic set in.

Elex froze.

His pulse pounded in his ears, cold dread settling deep in his stomach as his fingers twitched—

His body locked up, hands hovering in front of him like they weren’t his own. He could see the germs—feel them clinging to his skin, crawling up his arms, coating every surface.

His heart pounded against his ribs, his breathing coming fast and wrong as his hands shook violently, fingers twitching as he lunged for the sanitizer.

The bottle nearly slipped from his grasp, but he caught it, shaking it so hard the liquid inside sloshed. His brain was fuzzy, fever-haze clouding his thoughts, but he had to get rid of it. Had to clean. Had to—

He pumped the sanitizer into his palm and scrubbed.

Once. Twice. Again. Again. Again.

It wasn’t enough.

It wasn’t enough.

It wasn’t enough.

His breath came faster, too fast, his lungs tightening as he fought against the feeling, against the sickening reality that he couldn’t take back what had just happened.

And Elex gritted his teeth, his pulse hammering in his ears as he braced himself against the sink. His whole body trembled, every inch of him screaming for relief he refused to give it. The fever was pressing in hard now, wrapping around his skull like a vice, but he kept moving.

Scrubbing.

Disinfecting.

Fixing what he had done.

Not clean. Not clean. Not clean.

The whisper crawled up his spine, slithered under his skin. He could feel it—feel the contamination clinging to him like oil, seeping into the air, coating everything he had touched. He wiped down the sink. The door handle. The light switch. The air—

A violent shudder ripped through him, and he choked back a whimper, squeezing his eyes shut.

Breathe. Breathe.

He couldn’t.

His breath stuttered, caught on the thick, unrelenting burn in his lungs, but he forced himself to keep moving. He was fine. He’d be fine. He had to be fine.

Then—

A voice.

"Elex?"

His blood ran cold.

He froze, heart seizing up in his chest.

Footsteps. Slow. Careful.

Too close.

His fingers clenched into the counter, nails biting into the surface as he struggled to keep himself together.

"S’fine," he rasped, voice barely above a whisper. He cleared his throat, forcing something steadier. Stronger. "What? Need me to open a jar or somethin’?"

Silence.

Then, a quiet sigh.

"Cut the shit."

Elex’s jaw locked.

Shit. Shit.

His reflection in the mirror looked like hell. Damp hair clinging to his forehead, his face flushed with fever, red-rimmed eyes filled with exhaustion and something sharp—something desperate.

He turned the sink back on, pretended to be focused on washing his hands.

"I'm literally just—"

"You're sick."

Elex’s stomach dropped. A different kind of heat flushed through him this time—shame, dread, panic.

He forced a short, sharp laugh. "Wow, thanks for the update, doc."

A pause. A shift in the air.

Then—soft.

"You’re sick," S7en repeated, quieter this time. "And you’re hiding it from me."

His voice wasn’t amused anymore.

It wasn’t sharp with teasing or smug with victory.

It was hurt.

The sound of it made something deep in Elex’s chest twist painfully.

"You were gonna keep hiding it, weren’t you?" S7en asked. It wasn’t really a question. "Even after—" A breath. "After everything."

Fuck.

Elex squeezed his eyes shut. His throat burned. His hands curled into fists, nails biting into his palm.

"You think I don’t know what you’re doing?" S7en’s voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of frustration beneath it. "I know you, Elex. I know how you get when you’re freaking out."

"I'm not—"

"You are."

S7en stepped forward. Close enough that Elex could feel the warmth of him at his back. "You're scrubbing the air, El."

Elex flinched.

He hadn’t even realized.

His fingers were still clenched around a disinfectant wipe, moving in circles over the countertop.

Over. And over. And over.

He felt sick. Sicker. Not just from the fever. Not just from the way his whole body ached—

But because S7en was right.

Because he was contaminated. Because he had ruined everything. Because if S7en got sick again—if his lungs gave out again—if he was the reason—

His breath hitched sharply.

Not again. Not again. Not again.

He had to fix this.

He reached for another wipe, but before he could grab it, S7en caught his wrist.

Firm. Unyielding.

Elex jerked, but S7en didn’t let go.

"Stop."

His voice was gentle. Not commanding, not forceful—just there.

Elex swallowed, his hands still twitching, fingers clenching uselessly against the air.

"It's okay," S7en said softly.

Elex shook his head. His breath stuttered, uneven, wrong. "It’s not okay," he rasped. "I—I sneezed—I fucking—contaminated everything."

His voice broke.

S7en’s grip tightened.

"You didn’t contaminate anything," S7en said. "You got sick. That’s all."

Elex shook his head again, panic tightening like a noose in his chest. He tried to pull away, but S7en wouldn’t let him.

"Elex." His voice was steady. "You're okay. You're just sick."

Elex felt his legs tremble beneath him. He hated this. Hated the way his body felt—weak, out of control, vulnerable. Hated the way S7en was looking at him.

He wanted to run. To hide. To scrub his skin raw until he felt clean again.

But S7en didn’t let him.

"You're okay," he repeated, softer this time.

Elex clenched his jaw, his whole body trembling.

His breath came too fast, too uneven, each inhale catching in his throat, clogged and raw. His fingers still twitched where S7en held them, like his body couldn’t decide whether to pull away or clench tighter, hold on.

He felt filthy. Exposed. Wrong.

His skin burned under his hoodie, his fever too high, but none of it compared to the way his stomach twisted, the guilt gnawing at his ribs.

He wasn’t supposed to let this happen.

S7en had just gotten better. He had just started breathing normally again. Elex had watched him nearly cough his fucking lungs out, had sat there through every long, awful night where every breath had been a goddamn fight. He had been so sick. So weak.

And now?

Now, Elex had ruined everything.

Now, he was the threat.

He shook his head again, harder this time, but S7en still wouldn’t let go.

"You don’t get it," Elex croaked, voice wrecked. "I—I can’t—" He squeezed his eyes shut, shoulders shaking, panic twisting tighter in his chest. "I can’t—I can’t be the reason you get sick again."

S7en’s grip tightened.

His voice came soft, steady. Unshakable.

"Elex—"

"You almost fucking died, S7en," Elex snapped, voice cracking straight down the middle. His throat burned, his whole body shaking like it was coming apart, but he didn’t care. "You were in the hospital, you—you couldn’t fucking breathe, and now—now I’m just supposed to sit here and act like it’s fine if I make that happen again?!"

S7en stilled.

Elex could feel it. The way his breath caught, the way his hands tensed for just a fraction of a second, the way his pulse jumped beneath Elex’s trembling fingers.

Guilt crashed into S7en’s expression like a storm.

But before Elex could sink too deep into it, before he could pull away, S7en moved.

He shifted closer, stepping into his space like he was trying to anchor him, like he was afraid Elex was about to tear himself apart right in front of him.

"You didn’t do anything to me," he said, voice rough, thick with something Elex couldn’t name. "You didn’t contaminate anything. You didn’t ruin anything. You just got sick. That’s all."

Elex let out a harsh, shaking breath, his hands still twitching like they needed to be doing something, like he still had to fix this.

"I should have been more careful," he muttered, eyes dropping to the floor. "I—I should’ve—I should’ve stayed away from you, I should’ve—"

"Stayed away?"

S7en’s voice went sharp.

Elex flinched.

And fuck, he was too exhausted to hide it.

S7en exhaled hard, raking a hand through his hair, tail flicking behind him in agitated, frantic movements.

"Elex," he said, gritted out like it physically hurt to say, "you can’t—you can’t just keep me in a fucking bubble every time you get sick."

Elex’s jaw clenched, but before he could argue, S7en kept going.

"Do you even hear yourself?" S7en demanded, his voice raw, frustrated, but not at him. Never at him. "You—you’re not some fucking diseased animal, Elex! You’re a person! You get sick, I get sick, it happens! I can’t just—I can’t just live my whole life in fear of that, and you can’t either!"

Elex’s breath hitched.

Because he wasn’t just scared.

He was terrified.

Because what if?

What if this was the one time it went wrong again? What if S7en got sick and couldn’t bounce back this time? What if it was Elex’s fault?

"I—I can’t—" Elex’s voice cracked. His hands balled into fists, but S7en caught them.

S7en held him.

Didn’t let him pull away.

Didn’t let him run.

Instead, he squeezed, firm but gentle, grounding him.

"You were there for me," S7en said, softer this time, steadier. "I needed you, and you were there. You didn’t leave me when I was falling apart. So don’t ask me to leave you now."

Elex felt his chest tighten.

His eyes burned.

He wanted to fight it. Needed to fight it. But he was too tired. Too drained.

And S7en was too close, too warm, too real.

So instead of fighting—he let go.

A slow, shaky exhale.

His shoulders slumped, tension bleeding from his muscles like air from a punctured tire.

S7en didn’t move.

Didn’t push.

Just held on.

S7en could feel the second Elex gave in.

The fight bled out of his body all at once, his shoulders slumping, hands no longer twitching with the urge to clean, to fix, to escape.

But he was still shaking.

Still burning up.

Still fucking wrecked.

And S7en—who never knew what to do with his hands, who never hovered, who never worried the way Elex did—suddenly didn’t care if it made him clingy or annoying or anything else.

He wasn’t letting go.

Not now.

Not after Elex had spent days breaking himself apart trying to keep this from him.

So S7en did what Elex had done for him not so long ago.

He held on.

Gently, carefully, he guided Elex toward the bed. Not rushed. Not forcing. Just moving, just keeping him close, keeping him steady when his knees nearly buckled.

And Elex—Elex let him.

He didn’t protest.

Didn’t crack some awful joke just to deflect.

He just followed, leaning against S7en’s side, his whole body too hot, the fever finally winning.

S7en eased him down, pulling the blankets up, keeping his touch gentle, steady, careful—the way Elex had done for him a few days ago, when he had been the one fighting for breath, fighting against his own fragile fucking body.

And when Elex exhaled, slow, wrecked, exhausted, something in S7en’s chest ached.

Because he recognized that sound.

It was the same sound he had made when Elex had been taking care of him, when he had finally stopped trying to act like he wasn’t drowning in it.

"You okay?" S7en asked, voice softer than usual.

Elex huffed—a weak attempt at amusement.

"Would be bore okay if by dose wasd’t fugki’g closigg up od be," he muttered, sniffling thickly, his voice a wrecked mess of congestion and fever.

S7en snorted. "Yeah. No shit."

Elex groaned, dragging his hands over his face. "Fugk, by head..."

S7en didn’t even hesitate.

He shifted, fingers moving to Elex’s temple, rubbing slow, soothing circles, the way Elex had done for him when his fever had been the one stealing the air from his lungs.

Elex froze.

And S7en knew—knew he wasn’t used to this, wasn’t used to letting someone else do the caring, the fixing, the hovering.

But he didn’t pull away.

Didn’t flinch.

Didn’t try to brush it off.

Instead, he let out a slow, shaky exhale and sank further into the pillow.

S7en didn’t stop.

Didn’t tease him about it.

Didn’t say anything at all.

He just kept going.

Because he knew—knew what it felt like to finally let someone else take over, to let the weight of it lift, even just a little.

And if Elex could have that, even for just one goddamn night?

S7en would make sure he did.

No matter what.

Elex had gone quiet.

Not in the way he usually did—when his mind got too loud, when he was pulling back into himself, into the places S7en wasn’t allowed to reach.

No, this was different.

This was exhaustion, fever-heavy and all-consuming.

S7en could feel the heat rolling off him in waves, his body shaking despite the thick blankets S7en had pulled over him. His breath hitched with congestion, thick and shallow, and every few seconds, his nose twitched like he was fighting off a sneeze.

Elex never let himself lose control.

But now?

Now he was losing.

S7en frowned, shifting to grab more tissues before pressing them gently into Elex’s hand.

Elex made a weak noise of protest, half-asleep, barely there, but S7en wasn’t having it.

"Blow your goddamn nose," he muttered, voice softer than the words. "You sound like you’re drowning in it."

Elex groaned, cracking one tired, red-rimmed eye open.

"Bossy," he rasped, but took the tissues anyway.

S7en watched as he struggled to sit up, his movements sluggish, hands barely steady.

Before he could make it worse, S7en reached out, bracing him with one arm, guiding him up easily, gently, carefully.

Elex let him.

Didn’t even fight it.

That scared S7en more than anything else.

Elex wasn’t a fighter in the traditional sense, but when it came to himself—his health, his own well-being—he was a goddamn battleground.

And now?

Now he wasn’t even arguing.

S7en swallowed the tightness in his chest and let Elex slump into his side as he blew his nose, harsh and miserable, before immediately dropping back against the pillows like the effort had wiped him out.

"That bad?" S7en asked, trying to keep his voice light.

Elex just groaned.

"Everythigg hurts," he muttered, hoarse and wrecked. "I thidk by skid is bad at be."

S7en snorted. "What, like, personally?"

Elex huffed, half a laugh, half a cough.

"Yeah," he grumbled. "Betrayal. Treacherous little bitch."

S7en rolled his eyes but kept his hand on Elex’s back, rubbing slow, grounding circles like Elex had done for him when he was the one breaking apart.

Elex exhaled, deep and slow.

Then, quieter—

"You should stay away from me."

S7en stiffened.

For a second, he thought maybe he’d imagined it.

But no.

Elex’s voice was softer now, raw and strained, but dead serious.

"I’m serious," he murmured, not looking at him. "You just got better. I can’t—I can’t be the reason you relapse."

S7en exhaled hard, dragging a hand down his face.

"We’re really doing this again?" he muttered.

Elex didn’t answer.

Didn’t have to.

S7en could feel it, the way his body had tensed, the way his fingers had curled into the blanket, like if he just held on tight enough, he could stop this from happening.

S7en shifted, leaning in closer, pressing their foreheads together, letting Elex feel the solid weight of him, the warmth that was still there, still strong, still okay.

"Listen to me," he said, steady and sure. "You didn’t get me sick. And if I do get sick? It’s not your fucking fault."

Elex swallowed, eyes fluttering shut.

"It would be."

"No," S7en said, firm. "It wouldn’t."

Elex huffed, a tired, miserable noise.

S7en rolled his eyes.

"Seriously, what are you gonna do, Lex? Lock yourself away for the rest of your life? Walk around in a hazmat suit just in case?"

Elex made a weak, stubborn noise, burrowing further into the blankets.

S7en shook his head. "You don’t get to keep doing this. You don’t get to tear yourself apart over shit you can’t control."

Finally, finally, Elex cracked his eyes open.

"Yeah?" he muttered. "Like you didn’t do the same thing?"

S7en froze.

Because fuck.

He was right.

Elex had held him up when he was at his worst, had been right there through all of it. Had never let him fall alone.

And now?

Now S7en was supposed to just walk away?

Like hell.

S7en scoffed, shoving Elex’s hoodie-covered shoulder.

"That’s different," he muttered.

"How?"

S7en sighed, running a hand through his hair, thinking for a second before saying, "Because I don’t give a shit about me. But I do give a shit about you."

Elex went still.

Completely.

Like his brain had just blue-screened.

And before he could overthink it, before he could ruin it—

S7en reached for the thermometer, shoving it into Elex’s hands.

"Now shut up and put this under your tongue," he muttered, ears flicking back. "Before I shove it somewhere else."

Elex snorted.

Another weak laugh.

Another win.

And as he finally, finally relaxed against S7en, letting the weight of the fever take him under, S7en just sat there.

Holding him up.

The way he always would.

Elex had given in.

Not all the way, not completely—but enough.

Enough that he let himself sink into S7en’s warmth, let the weight of exhaustion pull him under, let his body finally stop fighting.

And S7en?

S7en wasn’t going anywhere.

Not after all the bullshit avoidance, not after watching Elex tear himself apart, not after hearing him whisper that he couldn’t be the reason S7en got sick again.

Like he hadn’t just spent the last week watching over him.

Like he wasn’t allowed the same thing.

Like S7en getting sick again was some earth-shattering, world-ending event instead of just...life.

S7en swallowed hard, shaking off the lingering weight of that thought, and pressed the back of his hand against Elex’s forehead again.

Still too hot.

Still burning up.

S7en’s ears flicked with frustration.

He didn’t know how to do this.

Didn’t know how to be gentle, how to be soft in a way that actually mattered. He only knew how to watch and wait and be there when shit hit the fan.

But Elex deserved more than that.

So S7en did what he could.

He tucked the blankets tighter around Elex’s shoulders, making sure he was warm enough but not too hot.

He grabbed the cool rag from the nightstand, folding it before pressing it lightly against his forehead.

Elex made a soft noise, somewhere between a sigh and a whimper, his eyelashes fluttering but not opening.

S7en’s chest tightened.

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, trying to keep his voice steady, casual. "I know. I’m a fucking saint."

Elex didn’t answer.

Just let out a slow, exhausted exhale, his body melting further into the blankets.

S7en watched him for a moment, fingers absently brushing the cooling strands of his hair back, his mind drifting.

He still remembered the way Elex had sat at his bedside just days ago, quietly rubbing circles into his back when he was struggling to breathe, wiping him down when his fever had spiked too high, watching him with the kind of focus that felt too much, too intense, too raw.

Now S7en was the one watching him.

Noticing every shallow breath.

Every twitch of discomfort.

Every exhausted tremor in his fingers.

It wasn’t fair.

Not that Elex was sick—that happened.

But that he had felt like he had to go through it alone.

Like he had to hide it.

Like he had to carry it on his own shoulders just to protect S7en from something he had no control over.

And S7en hated that.

Hated that Elex had been suffering in silence, scrubbing his hands raw, avoiding him, trapping himself in his own head just to keep from being a burden.

Like S7en wouldn’t drop everything for him in a heartbeat.

Like S7en didn’t already know what it felt like to be in this exact position.

His fingers curled tighter around the edge of the blanket, jaw clenching, tail flicking in agitated movements before he forced himself to breathe.

Not the time.

Elex had stopped shivering.

That was progress.

S7en exhaled slow, shifting so he could tuck the blanket higher over Elex’s shoulders.

That’s when he felt it—

The smallest, barest hint of movement.

Elex’s fingers, still curled into the fabric of S7en’s hoodie, tugged.

It wasn’t intentional—not really.

More of a half-conscious reaction, a barely-there plea for something S7en wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t been paying attention.

But he was.

So he didn’t hesitate.

Didn’t question it.

Just shifted closer, letting his weight settle against the mattress, letting Elex press against his side, forehead brushing S7en’s shoulder, his whole body giving in.

S7en just held him.

Didn’t make a big deal of it.

Didn’t say anything at all.

Just breathed.

Because Elex was finally letting himself be taken care of.

And S7en wasn’t about to ruin it.

The end ✨

[thekinkyleopard]

Me during the whole ending piece of Sven falling apart and Elex just doing his best to help him through it 😩😩😩😩😩 I love their banter so much 🤪 so many moments of me just giggling and kicking my feet

Got a request by @1dwaekki to write a follow up fic to Oxygen~

Yes I know, I suck a lot and didn’t feel like drawing a new cover so I used the most recent pic I did of S7en, oops 😅

Breathless, Again (oxygen pt 2)

Written & Illustrated by: allergeez

6.7k words // Summary: S7en is still recovering—but if you ask him, he’s fine. He refuses to be treated like he’s fragile, refuses to be a burden, and most importantly, refuses to let his own body ruin things any more than it already has.

So the second he’s back home, he pushes himself too hard. Too fast. Ignoring the exhaustion, the weight in his chest, the way his lungs still fight him for every breath. Elex sees right through it—but S7en is nothing if not stubborn.

It’s only a matter of time before everything catches up to him.

As S7en fights against his own limits, Elex is forced to step in, not with anger—but with patience. With quiet insistence, steady hands, and the kind of care S7en doesn’t know how to accept.

Because S7en doesn’t need to prove he’s okay.
He just needs to be okay.

Content Warnings:

Illness themes (fever, sneezing, coughing, breathing difficulty, pneumonia)

Medical care (medication, inhalers)

Emotional distress (self-worth struggles, reluctant vulnerability)

Anxiety (frustration, overstimulation, physical exhaustion)

Lighthearted teasing and affectionate insults

Strong language

S7en had barely been conscious for the car ride home, floating in the fevered, exhausted haze that had consumed him for the past two days. Two whole days trapped in a sterile, suffocating hospital room, his body reduced to nothing but a collection of strained breaths and clipped medical jargon. His lungs had refused to cooperate this time—tight, stubborn, unrelenting—and despite his best efforts, he had spent most of his hospital stay tethered to a nasal cannula, sucking in pure oxygen like it was the only thing keeping him tethered to the earth.

Now, finally free, the crisp evening air wrapped around him like a long-forgotten luxury. He could breathe—sort of. Enough that they had let him go, at least. That was all that mattered.

S7en exhaled slowly, eyes heavy-lidded as he turned toward their apartment door, ears sagging slightly against his will. His entire body was still unimaginably weak, the kind of exhaustion that settled into his bones, weighing down every movement. Even his tail, usually flicking with lazy amusement or irritation, hung limp behind him.

Still, he could open a fucking door.

Moving slow, careful, he reached into his pocket for his keys, fingers trembling just slightly as they closed around the cool metal—

“Oi! Stop.”

S7en barely had time to react before the sound of heavy boots on pavement announced Elex—barreling toward him from the car, arms overloaded with bags, jackets, and whatever-the-hell else he had grabbed from the hospital room. His voice was sharp, authoritative, the kind of no-questions-asked command he only used when he was pissed—or worried.

S7en froze, rolling his vivid orange eyes as his tail gave a singular, weak flick of irritation.

"You know opening the door won’t kill me, right?"

Or, at least, that’s what he tried to say.

What actually came out was an embarrassingly hoarse, pitiful squeak.

His throat was wrecked, voice completely shot, every syllable barely audible through the raw, swollen wreckage that the infection had left behind.

Elex, already shoving his own keys into the door, stopped cold.

Slowly, he turned his head, brows furrowing, mismatched eyes locking onto S7en like a sniper sighting a target.

“…Excuse me?”

S7en, annoyed but too drained to argue, simply coughed weakly into his sleeve, not bothering to answer.

Elex, silent, finished unlocking the door in one sharp motion before pushing it open.

"Inside. Now."

S7en, beyond done, dragged himself forward, stepping over the threshold into the dim familiarity of their apartment. The smell of home hit him immediately—paint, lingering traces of incense, the faint, ever-present scent of Elex’s cologne. Warmth. Comfort. The opposite of the cold, sterile walls he had been trapped in for the past two days.

For a moment, he simply stood there, letting the exhaustion pull at his body, letting himself sink into the sensation of being home.

Then—

A sudden, heavy thud as Elex dropped their bags unceremoniously onto the floor behind him.

S7en turned just in time to see the badger shrugging off his jacket, expression tense, posture stiff—all telltale signs that he was about five seconds away from losing his shit.

Here we go.

S7en’s orange eyes scanned the apartment, taking in the aftermath of the party, and something tight and miserable twisted deep in his chest, his ears pinning back against his skull.

Oh.

It looked like a massacre.

The walls were still adorned with limp streamers, hanging in sad, sagging loops, their once vibrant colors now dulled and lifeless. Half-deflated balloons clung desperately to the floor, some rolling listlessly with the draft from the open door. The hand-painted decorations he had spent hours—days—perfecting were scattered across every available surface, abandoned and forgotten.

And then there was everything else.

Plastic cups, crumpled napkins, empty beer cans—a graveyard of discarded celebration. The coffee table was littered with half-eaten food, and somewhere near the couch, a party hat sat crushed under someone’s boot print, like a cruel, careless afterthought.

S7en felt his throat tighten.

His chest ached—not just from the pneumonia, not just from the exhaustion pressing down on him like dead weight, but from something deeper. Something raw.

He had worked himself into the ground for this party.

Had spent weeks planning it.

Had given everything he had left—his time, his energy, his health—to make it perfect.

And now—
Now it was over.
Now it was ruined.

He swallowed hard, but the moisture was already beginning to build in his fever-glazed, glassy eyes, threatening to spill over before he could stop it.

God. He was so fucking tired.
And his body—his emotions—had nothing left to give.

Behind him, Elex noticed immediately.

“Hey,” the badger murmured, his usual rough-edged voice softened at the corners. “Don’t—don’t worry about this, alright?”

S7en didn’t respond, still staring at the mess, his ears slowly sinking with quiet devastation.

Elex ran a hand through his messy green hair, exhaling before rolling up his sleeves.

“I’ll clean it up. By tomorrow, it’ll be like nothing ever happened.”

He said it with the same casual confidence he used when getting out of trouble—like he could will the situation into something manageable just by deciding it would be.

But when he turned back toward S7en—
His breath hitched.

Something was off.

S7en’s distant, unfocused stare wasn’t just exhaustion.
His slight squint wasn’t just from the moisture in his eyes.

Elex knew that look.

Knew it very well.

A slow smirk tugged at the badger’s lips.

“Bless you in advance,” he said.

Immediately, a light pink dusted over S7en’s already fever-flushed face, his shoulders tensing slightly.

His nose twitched again, the slow, creeping itch beginning to build—tantalizingly, maddeningly—deep within his sinuses.

God, not now.

He tried to glare at Elex, something half-hearted and unimpressed, but the mounting sneeze cut him off completely.

“Hh—! Hh'AHHTschh! Hh—! HHAHH—! HAHDT’tchhiew!! Hh—! AHHDT’tchhiiuhh! ”

The force of them jerked his frame forward, and before he could so much as breathe, the sneezes morphed into a brutal, chest-deep coughing fit.

The raw, scraping sound tore through him, his entire body curling inward as his lungs fought viciously against him.

Elex’s smirk vanished immediately.

He was there in a second, one hand bracing S7en’s back, the other gripping his arm to keep him steady.

"Jesus, fuck, S7en—breathe, kid—"

S7en barely heard him, too caught in the wreckage of his own body, his ears pressing flat against his skull.

Elex tightened his grip, grounding him.

When the fit finally, finally eased, S7en slumped forward, his breath still rattling in his chest, eyes squeezed shut as he tried to recover.

Elex exhaled through his nose, shaking his head, but his hand remained firm and steady against S7en’s back.

"...You good?"

S7en cracked open one watery, miserable orange eye, shooting him a weak, glare-adjacent look.

Elex huffed a laugh—quiet, fond, just a little exasperated.

Then, softer—genuinely meaning it this time:

“Bless you.”

S7en wanted to crawl out of his own skin.

The moment Elex muttered, "Bless you," the badger’s warm, steady hand still braced between his shoulder blades, something deep in S7en’s chest twisted in frustration.

He hated this.

Hated the way his body betrayed him every few minutes, tearing through his last scraps of dignity with these brutal, relentless fits. Hated the way Elex looked at him—worried, watching him like he might break apart at any second. Hated that every time he so much as shifted his weight, Elex was there, ready to catch him like he was seconds from collapse.

Maybe he was, but that wasn’t the fucking point.

This wasn’t him.

S7en was used to being sick, but he wasn’t this kind of sick. He wasn’t fragile, wasn’t someone who needed to be taken care of—wasn’t supposed to be this goddamn weak.

Another harsh, rattling cough clawed its way up from his lungs, cutting through the feverish static in his head. He barely had time to turn away, pressing the sleeve of his hoodie against his mouth as his body shook with the force of it.

Elex’s hand tensed, fingers gripping into the fabric of his hoodie, steadying him again.

S7en’s ears flattened in irritation.

Enough.

He jerked out of Elex’s hold, staggering forward a step, breathing hard, barely steady on his feet—but still standing.

"I'm fine," he rasped, voice a raw, scraped-up wreck of sound.

Elex snorted. Loud. Unimpressed.

"Yeah? You sound fine."

S7en ignored him.

Or tried to.

Except—his sinuses had other plans.

The burning tickle had barely given him a break, lingering just under the surface, simmering relentlessly behind his nose and eyes. And now—with his breath still short, his body still weak and trembling—it surged forward again, sharp and overwhelming.

S7en barely managed a gasp of warning before he snapped forward, the fit tearing into him with brutal force.

“Hh—hhAHH’Tschh! HhAHHKTschhh! Hhh—! HHhh! HHAHH—! HAHDT’tchiew! Hhh! AHHDT’tschue!”

Each one ripped through his already shredded lungs, leaving fire in his chest, his ribs aching like something had been bruised or cracked from the sheer force of it.

And then—the coughing hit again.

Hard.

It stole the air from his lungs, wracking through him until his knees nearly buckled under him.

His hands gripped the counter, holding on for dear fucking life as his body fought viciously against itself.

Elex was there again in a flash.

Hands on him, steady, grounding, pulling him back before he could fall.

"You’re fine, huh?" Elex muttered, half annoyed, half furious, but his grip was gentle, voice low and serious. "You think this is fucking fine?"

S7en wanted to answer.

Wanted to tell him to fuck off, to stop looking at him like that, to just back off—

But he couldn’t fucking breathe.

The coughing fit was too deep, too brutal, too much, and his vision spotted at the edges, his lungs screaming, his head swimming with fever and exhaustion.

His fingers trembled against the counter, and his legs wouldn’t stop shaking.

Elex felt it.

And that was the worst part.

The badger cursed under his breath, wrapping an arm around S7en’s waist, pulling him back before he faceplanted right there in the middle of the fucking kitchen.

"Okay, that’s it—I’m done with this bullshit," Elex snapped, hauling S7en toward the couch despite the feline’s weak, half-hearted struggling.

S7en let out a low, frustrated growl, batting at his hands even as he stumbled against him, utterly defeated by his own fucking body.

"Dude, seriously, let me—"

"No."

Elex cut him off sharply, voice hard, final, leaving no room for argument.

Then—his tone softened—just a little.

"You need to sit down, dumbass. And for once in your miserable life, you’re gonna listen to me."

S7en hated how exhausted he was.

Hated how his body wouldn’t move the way he wanted it to.

Hated that—no matter how badly he wanted to fight back—his traitorous limbs had already given up on him.

Elex barely had to guide him down onto the couch before he collapsed against the cushions, completely drained, head swimming, breath still uneven and wrong.

His ear twitched in irritation, but he didn’t move.

Didn’t argue.

Didn’t fight anymore.

Because—fuck it.

He was too goddamn tired.

Elex didn’t let himself relax until S7en’s breathing evened out—well, as even as it was going to get. The kid still looked like hell, slumped against the cushions with half-lidded eyes and a slack grip around the blanket Elex had thrown over him. His tail flicked weakly, more from habit than any real energy, and his ears twitched in irritation every time his breath hitched into a congested wheeze.

It was bad. Still too bad. But at least he was sitting, not swaying like he was about to drop. That was a start.

Elex exhaled sharply through his nose, dragging a hand down his face before pushing himself up from the couch. He needed to get his shit together. They had a whole bag of meds sitting on the counter, and for once, S7en wasn’t going to be the stubborn idiot refusing to take them. No, that was Elex’s job now—figuring out how the hell all this medical bullshit worked.

His boots were heavy against the floor as he moved toward the kitchen, flipping on the dim overhead light. The white pharmacy bag sat there, mocking him, filled to the brim with bottles, blister packs, inhalers—hell, one of these things might’ve just been straight-up magic. He grabbed the first bottle, squinting at the label like it had personally wronged him.

"Take one tablet by mouth twice daily with food—unless otherwise instructed by a physician."

What the fuck did that mean? Was he supposed to wait for otherwise-instruction? Or was that just there to fuck with him?

Elex muttered something under his breath, shooting a glare at the offensive medication. Fucking hell, how did people do this every day?

He scowled, shaking the bottle like it might start making sense if he rattled it around enough.

The next one was just as bad.

"Take two puffs every four to six hours as needed. Do not exceed prescribed dose."

Okay. Cool. That was fine.

Except—the hospital never actually told him what the prescribed dose was.

And then—there was the liquid medication, which had no dosing instructions at all—just a cryptic warning about side effects and some useless-ass guidelines about food intake.

Elex ran a hand through his hair, exasperated, glancing back and forth between the bottles, the inhalers, and S7en, who had been silent this whole time, sitting on the couch, still trying to get his breathing under control.

The kid looked like hell.

Still pale, still feverish, still sitting with his head tilted back slightly, eyes half-lidded, like even the act of keeping them open was just too much effort.

His chest rose and fell unevenly, each inhale too shallow, too weak—not enough to fully fill his lungs, but too much effort to take in anything deeper.

Elex sighed heavily, rubbing at his temple with his free hand.

"Okay, what the fuck is all this shit supposed to do?" he muttered, glaring at the pile of medication like it personally offended him.

S7en huffed softly, the sound half-exhausted, half-amused, and didn’t even look up before he started listing them off.

"Antibiotic, once in the morning, once at night."

His voice was wrecked, but steady, like he had done this a thousand times before.

"Steroid—twice a day, no food restrictions. Just tastes like absolute shit, so, fair warning."

Elex blinked, glancing down at the bottle in his hand.

"Rescue inhaler—only if I’m actually dying. Preventative inhaler—morning and night. That’s the one that makes my heart feel like it’s about to explode, so don’t freak out when that happens."

He cleared his throat, wincing slightly like the action made it worse, before continuing.

"Cough suppressant—doesn’t work, but I have to take it anyway. Decongestant—also doesn’t work. Painkiller—every six hours. Liquid bullshit—tastes worse than the steroid."

Elex just stared at him.

For a solid five seconds, he didn’t say anything.

Then, finally—he glanced back at the pill bottles, thumbing through them until he found the right ones.

"Geezus Christ," he muttered, shaking his head. "You almost have your own pharmacy here with all the meds they gave you."

S7en let out a tired, unamused huff, before scrubbing at his nose with the back of his knuckles, his ears twitching with irritation.

Elex handed him the first set of pills, watching carefully as S7en picked them out of his palm with slightly trembling fingers.

For a moment, Elex debated saying something else, something serious, but instead—

"You know, I feel like if you took all of these at once, you’d either level up as a person or just ascend to the next plane of existence."

S7en snorted, which immediately backfired.

His breath hitched sharply, his body seizing up involuntarily as the tickle surged back with a vengeance.

"Hh—HAHDT’tchhiew!! Hh—! AHHDT’tchhiiuhh!!"

The cat barely had a second to recover before another sharp, breathless hitch overtook him, his sinuses pulsing with maddening intensity. He gasped sharply, trying to brace himself, but the force of the next fit crashed into him with zero mercy.

“Hhh—! HHhh! HHAHH—! HAHDT’tchiew! Hhh! AHHDT’tschue!! Hh! HhAHHKTschh’uhh—!”

The pills slipped from his fingers, scattering across the hardwood floor with a light, traitorous clatter.

His cheeks burned instantly.

For a second, he just sat there, frozen, ears pinning back against his messy teal hair, his tail curling tighter around himself. He wasn’t even sure what was worse—the fact that he had just sneezed the meds out of his own damn hands or the fact that it made him feel so fucking infantile.

He groaned, tipping his head back against the couch in pure miserable humiliation, before leaning forward slightly, already reaching to grab the fallen pills.

Elex swatted his hands away before he could even touch them.

S7en scowled instantly, his fever-glazed orange eyes narrowing as he snapped his gaze up to glare at the badger. “I got it—”

“Yeah, you sure do,” Elex deadpanned, already crouching down to pick up the scattered pills himself.

S7en huffed, irritated, before quickly scrubbing at the underside of his still twitching nose with his knuckles. His tail flicked sharply behind him, his ears twitching again as Elex scooped up the last pill and stood, smirking lightly as he dusted them off in his palm.

Something about the expression made S7en’s already thin patience snap.

He glared up at him. "What’s so funny?"

The moment the words left his mouth, his already destroyed voice cracked halfway through—a pathetic, raspy break that made him sound more like a dying animal than an actual person.

Elex exhaled a sharp, amused breath through his nose. Not quite a laugh, but damn close.

S7en scowled harder, sniffling sharply against his wrist to regain what little dignity he had left.

Elex pressed the pills firmly back into his palm before straightening up, shaking his head slightly. “Nothing’s funny,” he said, voice casual—before immediately following up with, “I was just trying to figure out how the hell you hid being sick from me for so long.”

S7en rolled his eyes, leaning back into the couch with a tired huff. “Elex, I hide shit from you all the time—”

“Yeah, no, see—that’s bullshit.” Elex raised a brow, crossing his arms. “Your sneezes when you get sick are not very… stealthy.”

S7en scoffed, sniffling again, before a slow, smug smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. “That’s because I stifled them so well,” he admitted with a nonchalant shrug.

Elex blinked.

Then—he frowned. "You what?"

S7en lazily rolled the pills around in his palm, smirking despite himself. “Yeah, man. I stifled the hell out of them.”

Elex squinted at him, skeptical. “When?”

S7en sniffled absently, rubbing at his nose with the edge of his sleeve. “You remember when we were watching that dumbass action movie, and you wouldn’t shut the fuck up about how the stunt choreography was unrealistic?”

Elex tilted his head, thinking, before snapping his fingers. “Oh, yeah. That one scene with the glass—”

“I was literally dying next to you.”

Elex paused.

Stared.

“…Excuse me?”

S7en smirked slightly, tail flicking lazily behind him. “Had to fake getting a drink so I could leave the room. Barely made it to the kitchen before I fucking lost it.”

Elex’s eyes narrowed, his jaw working slightly as he absorbed that information.

S7en, seeing his moment, went for the kill. “Oh, and also—remember when we were at that corner store and you spent ten whole minutes debating between two energy drinks, like they weren’t both just sugar and violence in a can?”

Elex frowned. “That was an important decision, dumbass.”

“Sure.” S7en’s smirk deepened, lazy and teasing. “Meanwhile, I was behind you, holding onto the counter for dear life because my lungs weren’t cooperating, and I was pretty sure I was about to pass out right there in the snack aisle.”

Elex’s frown deepened.

S7en leaned back slightly, gaze flickering upward in mock thoughtfulness. “Oh, and—you remember when we were in the car and you were yelling at Rex on speaker about how he treats his transmission like a war crime?”

“…Yeah?”

S7en snickered, pressing the back of his wrist against his nose. “Dude. I was dying next to you. Had to time my sneezes with your road rage just to keep you from noticing.”

Elex blinked. “…What?”

“You literally screamed, ‘USE YOUR FUCKING BLINKER YOU GODDAMN TWAT,’ right as I sneezed,” S7en wheezed a short, small laugh, rubbing his nose. “It was a perfect cover. Like, cinematic-level shit.”

Elex’s jaw dropped slightly, blinking at him in pure, stunned disbelief.

S7en grinned wildly. “You really don’t pay attention, man.”

Elex crossed his arms, planting his feet, his entire posture shifting into something stubborn.

“Alright. New house rules.”

S7en blinked. “…The fuck?”

Elex pointed at him. “One—you’re gonna let me take care of you.”

S7en opened his mouth, already scowling. “Oh, absolutely not—”

“Two—” Elex steamrolled right over him, ignoring the protest entirely. “There will be no more of that stifling bullshit.”

S7en’s ears pinned back slightly, his tail flicking sharply. “Dude—”

“Don’t ‘dude’ me,” Elex said firmly, brow furrowing. “I don’t give a shit what the reason is—you’re not doing that anymore.”

S7en let out a sharp, exasperated sigh, tossing his head back against the couch. “Christ, you’re so dramatic—”

“Says the guy who passed out holding a birthday cake.”

S7en froze.

Elex’s smirk was victorious.

“…Low fucking blow.”

“You’re the one who literally hit the floor—”

“I hate you.”

“Anyway,” Elex continued, finally dropping it, as he flopped into the chair across from him, stretching his legs out with a loud sigh. “I’m starving, and you gotta take some of that hospital-grade poison they sent you home with after eating, right?”

S7en hesitated, glancing at the various pills Elex had slipped into his palm. He couldn’t really argue.

“…Yeah,” he muttered begrudgingly.

Elex nodded, clapping his hands together. “Cool. What are we ordering?”

S7en sighed again, dramatically this time. “I don’t care.”

Elex raised an eyebrow. “No, see, that’s how we end up ordering some dumb shit that you pretend to like so you don’t hurt my feelings.”

S7en rolled his orange eyes, sniffling lightly. “Not my fault you eat like an unsupervised toddler.”

Elex grinned, not remotely offended. “Damn right.”

And with that, he grabbed his phone, already pulling up a food delivery app, leaving no room for further argument.

S7en tried to get up.

Tried, being the key word, because the second he started shifting toward the bedroom, Elex shot him a look.

“Oh, no, no, no. You’re staying right here,” Elex said, pointing at the couch like it was some kind of containment zone. “Where I can see you.”

S7en groaned loudly, tail flicking sharply. “Dude. I’m not gonna fucking evaporate if you look away for five seconds.”

Elex raised a brow. “You literally collapsed in front of me two days ago. Forgive me if I’m a little concerned about your ability to stay upright.”

S7en scowled, arms crossing over his chest. “I’m fine.”

“You sound fine,” Elex deadpanned, watching as S7en immediately broke into a chest-deep coughing fit.

S7en glared at him through watery eyes, rasping, “Fugk you.”

Elex just snorted, unfazed. “C’mon, sit your ass back down.”

S7en huffed, annoyed, but conceded—partly because he was too tired to keep arguing, but mostly because the food was almost here, and he was not letting Elex order something objectively terrible out of spite.

The smell of food hit first. The second Elex opened the door, the warm, greasy aroma filled the apartment, making S7en’s stomach tighten in anticipation.

They settled in, their usual chaotic banter tapering off into something comfortable, familiar, easy.

Elex picked a movie—some ridiculous action flick with an actual stunt budget this time, S7en noted—and for the first time in days, S7en actually relaxed.

Until his nose itched.

Badly.

He froze mid-bite, the unbearable, creeping tickle flaring to life behind his sinuses, building way too fast.

Shit.

S7en barely managed to shove his plate onto the coffee table before his breath hitched sharply, his ears flattening as his body jerked forward.

“Hh—! Hhh! HAHPT’tschiew!! HAH! AHHDT’shiiiiew!”

Elex chuckled, not even glancing away from the screen. “Bless you.”

S7en groaned, scrubbing furiously at his nose, already feeling the tickle threatening another round.

Another sharp inhale—

“HAHDT’tchiew!! HAH’tsschhiew!”

Elex snickered, shaking his head. “Dude. Are you even eating anymore?”

S7en just glared at him, sniffling before finally grabbing his food again.

But the damage was done.

Between the sneezing and the growing warmth in his stomach, S7en’s exhaustion finally caught up with him. His limbs felt heavier, his blinks slower, and before he knew it, he had somehow ended up half-laying down, his head resting on Elex’s lap.

Elex didn’t comment on it.

He just kept watching the movie, one hand idly moving to S7en’s hair, running his fingers through the tangled strands.

S7en sighed, melting into the touch, his ears twitching slightly as Elex’s fingers absentmindedly scratched at the base of them.

He didn’t remember closing his eyes.

Didn’t remember the movie ending.

Just the steady warmth of Elex’s lap and the slow, rhythmic drag of his fingers through his hair.

Then—

The tickle.

It built slowly, creeping back to life somewhere deep in his sinuses, sharp and relentless.

S7en’s breath hitched.

Oh, no.

Not now.

Not here.

Not while he was literally using Elex as a pillow.

His ears flattened, his tail curling tighter around himself as his breath trembled, fighting desperately against the overwhelming urge to sneeze.

But it was winning.

Shit.

S7en clenched his jaw, pressing his wrist hard against his nose.

“Hh’NGXT! Ktchhh!—h’NNgch!”

The pressure spiked, throbbing through his sinuses, but he forced his body to stay still, stifling the rest down into silence.

…Or at least, he thought he did.

Until—

A low, familiar sigh from above.

“…Dude.”

S7en’s heart sank.

Shit.

Slowly, hesitantly, he cracked one eye open.

Elex was staring down at him, unamused, brow slightly furrowed.

“Seriously?”

S7en winced, clearing his throat weakly. “…Didn’t wanna wake you.”

Elex tilted his head, voice flat. “You think that’s what woke me up?”

S7en blinked. “…Yes?”

Elex exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face. “Geezus Christ, dude.”

S7en sniffled, grumbling, “What.”

Elex gestured vaguely. “Your head was literally on my lap. I could feel you physically trying not to explode.”

S7en’s cheeks burned, his tail flicking sharply.

“…Not my fault your legs are too bony to absorb the impact.”

Elex scoffed, nudging his shoulder. “Not my fault you’re an idiot.”

S7en huffed, rubbing at his temple.

His head pounded, the self-inflicted pressure ringing in his ears.

Elex noticed.

S7en saw it in the way his expression softened slightly, his lips parting like he was about to say something.

But instead—

Elex just sighed again, shaking his head before gently shoving S7en back down onto the couch.

“Go back to sleep, dumbass.”

And S7en, with absolutely no energy left to fight, did exactly that.

S7en woke up with his body already fighting against him.

The headache was still there, dull but persistent, lingering behind his eyes like an uninvited guest. His throat burned, his chest ached, and every inhale still felt just a little too tight—but it was better than before. Better than the hospital.

And that meant he was fine.

That meant he could get up, do things, prove to Elex—and to himself—that he wasn’t some helpless burden.

So, the second Elex left to run errands, S7en forced himself upright, shaking off the exhaustion that clung to his limbs like lead. He ignored the way the room tilted slightly, ignored the way his chest protested, and made his way to the kitchen.

Dishes. There were dishes in the sink. He could do dishes.

Never mind that he had to lean against the counter for balance, or that his fingers trembled slightly when he reached for a plate. It was fine. He was fine.

Until he wasn’t.

S7en barely made it through rinsing two plates before his breath hitched violently, his lungs locking up like rusted gears. His hands clamped down on the counter, knuckles white, as the coughing started—deep, raw, and completely unstoppable. His body lurched with the force of it, his chest burning as oxygen became an afterthought.

The plate in his hand slipped.

It shattered against the floor.

And, of course—that was exactly when Elex walked in.

Just in time to see S7en wobbling like a newborn deer, gripping the counter like it was the only thing keeping him upright.

His eyes narrowed. Immediately.

S7en, caught red-handed, tried to play it off.

"Chill, I was just—"

"Sit your ass down."

It wasn’t even angry. Just flat, exasperated, and completely done.

S7en barely managed to straighten up before Elex was right there, steering him firmly back to the couch like a misbehaving toddler.

He grumbled the entire way down, but Elex didn’t care.

Instead, he pulled his phone from his pocket, tapped the screen a few times, and—

BZZT BZZT.

S7en squinted at him. "…What was that?"

Elex, expression blank, held up the screen.

The alarm read: “S7EN MEDS. 3PM. NO EXCUSES.”

S7en blinked. Then blinked again.

"…You set a fucking alarm?"

"Yep."

"To—what, force-feed me medicine like I’m a goddamn child?"

"If that’s what it takes."

S7en stared.

Elex stared back, completely unfazed.

Then, without waiting for an argument, Elex grabbed the nearest prescription bottle, shook out the correct dose, and handed it to S7en along with the half-empty water bottle from earlier.

S7en groaned, dramatically flopping back against the cushions.

"You are such a pain in my ass."

"And you are a fucking menace," Elex shot back. "Now take your damn meds."

S7en grumbled something under his breath, but he took the pills anyway. Partly because he had no energy to argue. Partly because he knew Elex wouldn’t let him off the hook.

As he swallowed them down, he sighed, rubbing the back of his burning-hot neck.

"…I dunno how you’re even standing this," he muttered, not looking at Elex. "You probably wanna burn your whole outfit after sitting this close to me."

Elex snorted. "You’d think."

S7en hesitated. Then, quieter—almost sheepish:

"…Sorry."

For once, Elex didn’t have a snarky response.

He just shook his head, sighing, before reaching over to mess up S7en’s already disaster-tier hair.

"You’re a dumbass," he muttered.

S7en huffed, ears flicking.

But he didn’t argue.

He kept his gaze fixed on his lap, fingers picking at a loose thread on the blanket draped over his legs.

He meant it. The apology.

He knew how Elex was about germs. Knew he was probably the last person in the world the badger wanted to be around right now. Hell, if the roles were reversed, S7en was pretty sure Elex would’ve exiled him to the couch and disinfected the entire apartment on sight.

But instead, here he was.

Sitting barely a foot away, watching him like he actually gave a shit.

S7en’s throat felt tight, but not from the illness.

"...Sorry," he muttered again, softer this time.

For once, Elex didn’t bite back.

No sarcasm, no snark, no immediate smartass remark.

Just a sigh. Then a hand in his hair, ruffling it up in a way that was almost—affectionate.

"Again, you’re a dumbass," Elex murmured, voice gruff but not unkind.

S7en blinked, startled by the sudden shift, his ears flicking instinctively at the touch. He turned just enough to glance at Elex—noticing, maybe for the first time, just how exhausted he looked, too. The shadows under his eyes, the way his shoulders sat with a tension that had nothing to do with annoyance and everything to do with concern.

The realization sat uncomfortably in S7en’s chest.

He’d been so focused on proving he wasn’t a burden that he hadn’t stopped to think about how much of a pain in the ass he’d been anyway.

S7en huffed, leaning just slightly into Elex’s touch before he could stop himself.

"...You didn’t have to stay, y’know," he muttered, almost embarrassed. "Could’ve just thrown cough drops at me from across the room or something."

Elex scoffed. "Yeah. That’s what I should’ve done."

S7en smirked, just a little, but it was softer now—less of a smirk, more of a quiet acknowledgment.

He still felt like shit. But at least now, he didn’t feel like he had to deal with it alone.

For the rest of the night, S7en was weirdly compliant.

Took his meds without arguing. Didn’t complain when Elex adjusted his pillows. Even let himself be half-buried under the weighted blanket without making some snide comment about suffocation.

And Elex didn’t trust it for a second.

He narrowed his eyes as he sat down on the couch across from him, cracking open a can of some disgusting energy drink he probably shouldn’t be drinking at one in the morning.

“You’re being suspiciously cooperative,” he muttered, watching S7en like he was waiting for him to snap back into his usual brand of stubborn bullshit.

S7en just shrugged weakly, tugging the blanket higher like he was trying to disappear inside it.

"Yeah, well," he mumbled, voice thick with congestion and something else. "Turns out fighting you on this whole thing was kind of a massive dick move."

Elex raised an eyebrow. “You don’t say.”

S7en exhaled shakily, his ears flattening slightly. He stared down at the blanket in his lap, his fingers fidgeting with a loose thread.

“I just…” he started, then hesitated, chewing the inside of his cheek.

Elex waited. Didn’t rush him.

And then, S7en crumbled.

His shoulders sagged, and when he spoke again, his voice was softer, rawer.

“…I just wanted you to have a good birthday.”

Elex blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift.

S7en swallowed hard, shaking his head.

"I tried so hard to make it perfect," he whispered, his fever-flushed face twisting in frustration. "And all I did was—ruin it. I passed out in the middle of the fucking party. You spent your whole damn birthday sitting in a hospital with me for two days while my lungs tried to fucking kill me, and I was a complete asshole the entire time because—because I didn’t want—"

His voice cracked. His breathing hitched.

“I didn’t want another thing making me this—weak, fragile thing that everyone has to tiptoe around."

The words came fast, unraveling all at once, like he had been holding them back for far too long.

His ears flattened further, his tail curling tight against his side. His vision blurred, burning hot and heavy, and before he could stop it—a tear slipped down his cheek.

S7en gritted his teeth hard, like he could will himself to keep it together.

But it was too late.

S7en groaned, dragging the blanket higher over his face like it could physically shield him from the absolute disaster this night had become. His chest still ached, every breath too tight, too shallow, his limbs shaking from exhaustion and fever.

And now? Now he was crying.

Like some pathetic, fragile thing that couldn’t even hold himself together.

He sniffled hard, but it didn’t do much—his nose was already a mess, congestion weighing heavy behind his eyes, his entire face burning.

"I’m sorry, El…" he rasped, voice cracking painfully.

Elex, predictably, just snorted.

"Nah. This is new. I’m not used to emotional S7en. Kinda nice, actually. You should be pathetic more often.”

S7en let out a weak, miserable wheeze of a laugh, half-buried beneath the blanket. But the moment the breath left him, his face twisted again, another surge of heat rushing behind his eyes.

He sucked in a shaky inhale, gripping the fabric of the blanket so tightly his fingers ached.

“Fuck,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Elex blinked, the teasing smirk dropping instantly.

And then, before S7en could stop it—before he could shove it down like he always did—the words came tumbling out.

"I’m so sorry," he whispered, voice hoarse and broken.

Elex froze.

S7en sniffled again, his breath shuddering, his ears flattening against his skull as the weight of everything crashed down on him all at once.

"I—fuck, I ruined everything,” he choked, his throat closing up mid-sentence. "Your birthday, the party, all of it—I just—I wanted it to be perfect for you. And instead—"

His hands curled tighter into the blanket, his shoulders trembling.

"Instead you spent two days in a fucking hospital waiting for me to breathe properly. Instead of having fun, you were—sitting there, watching me, waiting for me to fucking—"

His voice broke completely, his vision swimming, his face already damp with fever and tears.

“You didn’t deserve that,” he rasped, hiccupping on the inhale. "I should’ve just—I should’ve told you—"

His breath hitched hard.

And then it all went to hell.

The crying set off a coughing fit—a violent, wrecking thing that tore through his lungs like fire. His chest seized, his ribs protesting the force, his body curling in on itself as he fought for air.

The second cough didn’t even fully land before the next one slammed into him, then another, then another—too fast, too deep, too much.

His vision blurred completely, a horrible static rising in his ears as the burning in his chest tightened—tightened—

Fuck.

Fuck.

He couldn’t breathe.

The panic set in immediately, his claws digging into the fabric of the blanket, his body locked in a frantic, gasping spiral. He couldn’t stop coughing, couldn’t inhale properly, couldn’t—

Elex was there in a second.

"Hey—hey, hey, breathe—S7en—slow down, you gotta slow down—"

S7en shook his head wildly, his hands gripping Elex’s hoodie on instinct, but it wasn’t working. His body wasn’t listening. Every breath came out short and frantic, his chest spasming like a malfunctioning engine.

He heard his own name, Elex’s voice breaking through the haze, but the static was getting louder, the world tilting dangerously, his lungs refusing to—

Then—something pressed against his lips.

"Inhale. Now."

S7en barely had time to process before the quick burst of medicated air hit his lungs.

He gasped. Choked. His hands shook violently, his tail flicking frantically as his body fought to cooperate.

Elex gave him another hit, then another, rubbing circles into his back, muttering something grounding and firm.

“That’s it, kid—just breathe—”

Slowly—painfully—S7en’s lungs unclenched.

The hitching eased.

His muscles unlocked.

And when he finally, finally took a full inhale—it actually fucking worked.

S7en collapsed back against the couch, his entire body trembling, his breath still uneven—but at least it was breath.

Elex let out a heavy sigh, dragging a hand down his face.

Then, in true Elex fashion, he let out a sharp scoff.

"Geezus, your fever’s really cranking up the dramatics," he muttered, shaking his head. "It’s never been this easy to tell how you’re feeling."

S7en, still wrecked, let out a weak, exhausted wheeze of a laugh.

"Go fuck yourself."

Elex grinned.

"Yeah, yeah. Love you too."

S7en was spent.

Completely and utterly drained. His body felt like a bag of lead, every muscle too heavy, too sore, too exhausted to do anything except exist.

But for the first time in days, he wasn’t fighting it.

His breath still wasn’t perfect, but it was steady. His fever still lingered, but it was manageable. His body still ached, but for once, he didn’t feel like he had to push through it alone.

So when Elex moved to get up, S7en half-heartedly grabbed at his hoodie sleeve, murmuring something unintelligible.

Elex paused, glancing down at him.

“D’you need something?”

S7en, barely awake, flicked his tail weakly.

“Don’t—” he mumbled into the fabric of the couch, already half-asleep before he could even finish the sentence.

Elex huffed, but instead of teasing him like he normally would, he just sighed, shaking his head.

“Alright, alright,” he muttered, shifting just enough to get comfortable.

He grabbed a stack of pillows, carefully arranging them on his lap, then nudged S7en toward them.

The cat didn’t even argue.

Didn’t crack a joke, didn’t make a snide remark—just weakly adjusted himself, resting his head on the pillows, his breath slow and deep.

Elex pulled the blanket up over him, making sure it covered his shoulders, his arms, even his tail. Then, without thinking, he carded his fingers through S7en’s hair, slow and lazy.

The soft purring that followed was instant.

Elex snorted, a small, amused smirk pulling at his lips.

“Unbelievable,” he muttered under his breath.

But his voice wasn’t mocking.

It was fond.

And when he finally let his own eyes slip shut, his fingers still idly combing through S7en’s hair, he barely had time to register the exhaustion catching up to him before he, too, drifted off.

The room was quiet.

The air was warm.

And for the first time in days, neither of them had to fight anything.

Just sleep.

Just breathe.

Together.

The end 🖤

[thekinkyleopard]

AHHHHH Elex being oblivious because he was full of birthday excitement was actually so on brand 😂 I also love the part where he almost decked someone when the surprise hit LOL and the fluuuuffff at the enddddd 😭😭😭😭 I love these two 🥺💚

Oxygen

Written & illustrated by: allergeez 🖤

Hey! Remember back in August how I teased a Svelex fic set for Elex’s birthday? NWELL, I FINALLY FINISHED IT 6 MONTHS LATER ✨

Just under 8k words, CW: Illness & Injury (fever, pneumonia, difficulty breathing, passing out) Medical Settings (hospital/ER scenes, oxygen use, discussions of health conditions), Mild Alcohol Use (social drinking, light references), Themes of Self-Neglect (pushing past physical limits, refusing to ask for help)

Though Oxygen explores themes of stubbornness, friendship, and vulnerability, at its heart, it’s a story about learning when to let go—and knowing when someone cares enough to catch you.

Summary: S7en has never been great at self-preservation, but for Elex’s birthday, he’s determined to pull off the perfect surprise. Weeks of planning, secret coordination, and late-night prep have all led to this—one flawless night where everything goes exactly as planned.— There’s just one problem. S7en is sick. Really sick. And he’s been hiding it.

With the weight of the day pressing down on him, the only thing keeping him going is sheer stubbornness and the desperate hope that he can hold out just a little longer. But as the night unfolds, his body has other plans, and no amount of willpower can fight the inevitable.

As reality comes crashing down, S7en is forced to confront a truth he’s spent his entire life ignoring—he’s not invincible. And sometimes, pretending to be okay only makes things worse.

Prologue:

S7en had never worked so hard on something in his life.

For weeks, he had been obsessively planning Elex’s birthday party—late nights spent hunched over sketches, paint drying on his fingers as he designed the perfect decorations, hours scouring online shops for the exact shade of green streamers that wouldn’t make Elex groan about “clashing aesthetics.” He’d snuck around behind his back to pull together the guest list, bribe people into secrecy, and track down the most obnoxiously over-the-top cake he could find. It had to be perfect.

Elex deserved perfect.

And, as always, Elex had no clue.

Which, honestly, wasn’t surprising. The man could smell a lie from a mile away, sniff out bullshit like a bloodhound, but when it came to anything about himself, he was painfully oblivious. S7en could have probably told him, straight-up, “Hey, I’m planning a surprise party for you,” and Elex still would have just grunted, shrugged, and gone back to chewing on whatever plastic thing he’d picked up that day.

The same way he had completely failed to notice that S7en was getting sicker by the hour.

It had started as a scratch in his throat, nothing major—just the kind of raw, dry feeling he chalked up to too many sleepless nights and the absolute joke that was his hydration levels. He ignored it, popped a cough drop, kept going. He had too much to do to slow down now.

But then it got worse.

The scratch deepened into a constant ache, turning into that burning, sandpaper sensation that made every swallow a chore. His voice had started rasping sometime around day three, but he played it off, clearing his throat and mumbling that it was just from talking too much.

Then came the congestion.

Thick. Unshakable. A slow-building pressure behind his nose and eyes that made his head feel too heavy, too tight. He kept sniffling between sentences, breath hitching every time he tried to take a full inhale, but he was damn good at keeping it subtle.

Elex never noticed.

When he felt a sneeze creeping up, he’d duck into another room, press the back of his wrist hard against his nose, and wait it out. If he got caught off guard, he’d twist away, stifling into his sleeve so violently it left him dizzy. It left his chest tight, his head pounding, but it was better than Elex hearing and asking questions.

There was too much to do.

If he let himself sneeze once, it would turn into five. Maybe ten. And if that happened, he’d never get through his never-ending to-do list.

So he fought it. Again and again.

S7en had become a professional at dodging suspicion. He had to be—Elex might have been oblivious about some things, but he wasn’t stupid. If S7en so much as sniffled too obviously, the badger would latch onto it like a feral dog with a bone.

So S7en adapted. He learned how to mask it, how to time it, how to slip away just before his body betrayed him.

But sometimes… it got close.

The first time was late—way too late.

S7en had been running on a handful of energy drinks and sheer force of will, hunched over his desk, hand-painting decorations that no one but him would care about. The apartment was silent, save for the soft glow of his desk lamp and the occasional sound of Elex shifting in his sleep.

Which was a problem.

Because that meant every single noise S7en made was way too obvious.

He had been trying—really trying—to keep himself together, but his nose was done playing nice. The burning deep in his sinuses was unbearable, and no matter how much he bit his lip or rubbed furiously at the underside of his nose, it wasn’t stopping.

The tickle teased mercilessly, rising, falling, rising again.

Don’t. Don’t. Not now.

His breath hitched.

He jerked forward, smothering the sound into his hoodie sleeve as hard as he could.

“Hhh’NGXT!—h'KXT’chh!"

He held still, heart hammering in his chest.

The silence stretched.

Then—

A sleepy mumble from the bed.

“...Why you sneezing like a bitch over there…?”

S7en froze.

Shit.

He hadn’t even realized Elex had woken up. The badger’s voice was thick with sleep, slurred and lazy, but there was just enough suspicion in it to make S7en’s stomach drop.

Think. Think.

“Fucking… dust?..,” he muttered quickly, sniffling once for effect. “The paper’s covered in it.”

A long pause.

Then—

A heavy sigh, followed by the sound of Elex flopping onto his other side.

“Go to bed, dumbass,” he mumbled.

S7en stayed still until he was sure Elex had drifted off again.

Then, finally, he slumped forward, burying his face in his arms.

Too close.

The second time was worse.

They were sitting on the couch, half-watching some dumb action movie, Elex’s feet propped up on the coffee table as he mindlessly chewed on the plastic cap of a water bottle. He was in a good mood, talking non-stop about how he "just had a feeling something cool was gonna happen" on his birthday.

Which would have been hilarious if S7en wasn’t actively trying not to sneeze on him.

His nose had been itching relentlessly for the last five minutes. That awful, creeping burn was rising up again, and no matter how much he rubbed at his nose discreetly, it wasn’t enough.

Bad timing. Really bad timing.

His breath hitched—barely enough to make a sound.

Too close.

He needed to get out of there.

Stretching his arms in an exaggerated yawn, he forced his muscles to stay loose and casual as he pushed himself off the couch.

“Gonna grab a drink,” he muttered, already heading toward the kitchen.

“Get me one,” Elex called after him, not even looking away from the screen.

S7en didn’t answer.

Because the second he was out of sight, he barely made it to the sink in time before a violent—

"Hh—! HHAHH—! HAHDT’tchhiew!! Hh—! AHHDT’tchhiiuhh!"

—ripped through him, bending him forward with the force of it.

His hands gripped the edge of the counter, breath shuddering as another chest-deep cough tore out of him immediately after. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to get it together before—

“You good in there?”

S7en nearly jumped out of his own damn skin.

Elex’s voice was casual, distracted, but S7en knew him too well.

The badger had noticed something.

Shit.

He barely had time to smother another cough into his sleeve before he forced his voice to sound normal.

“Yeah. Just—fucking—dropped something.”

A pause.

Then, mercifully, Elex just grunted, attention snapping back to the movie.

S7en exhaled slowly, pressing the heels of his hands against his temples.

Too close. Again.

By the end of the week, he knew.

This wasn’t just a cold.

The signs had been there for days, creeping up on him like a slow, inevitable landslide. At first, it had been subtle—a scratch in his throat, a little extra weight in his chest. But now? Now, every breath ached, every inhale felt like dragging air through soaked fabric.

His lungs weren’t just tight anymore. They were drowning.

And when he coughed—because, at this point, there was no fighting it anymore—it wasn’t some weak, dry little thing he could brush off. No, it was deep, raw, rattling, the kind of cough that came from somewhere low and dangerous, scraping the bottom of his lungs like a dull blade.

It hurt.

And Elex still didn’t notice.

Because S7en made sure of it.

He had perfected the art of hiding it.

Whenever Elex was around, S7en played it off like nothing was wrong. He timed his coughing fits so they happened when Elex was in the shower, when he was digging through the fridge, when he was too distracted ranting about something to notice the way S7en had to brace himself against the counter just to stay upright.

If a sneeze hit, he bit back against it with everything he had, muffling it into his hoodie sleeve until his head pounded. If he couldn’t stop it, he’d make sure to stifle it into near silence, no matter how much the pressure made his already aching sinuses throb.

His voice was going hoarse, his breathing was labored, but he pushed through, kept talking like nothing had changed.

When his hands started shaking, he simply curled his fingers tighter around whatever he was holding—a drink, his paintbrush, the edge of the counter—until they stopped trembling long enough to keep up the act.

His eyes were red-rimmed, glassy, but if Elex glanced at him for too long, he’d just mutter something about being exhausted and wave him off.

Everything needed to be done.

And he wasn’t about to let a little cold ruin it.

Even as it got harder to stand without swaying.
Even as his lungs tightened like a vice with every breath.
Even as his body screamed at him to just stop.

He pushed forward.

Forward. Forward. Forward.

August 10th:

The morning of Elex’s birthday should have been easy.

After all, S7en had spent weeks planning every last detail. The decorations were set up, the cake was waiting in the fridge, and their friends were in on the plan, all waiting for the big reveal later that night.

All he had to do was get through the day.

And yet, when Elex jolted awake that morning—cocky, buzzing with birthday energy, already texting half his contact list like he was about to throw himself the most legendary party of all time—S7en could barely sit up without his vision blurring at the edges.

The second he lifted his head, a fresh pulse of pain slammed through his skull, a migraine so sharp it felt like his brain was trying to escape through his eye sockets. He swallowed against the nausea, trying to ignore the way his throat burned, raw and swollen, while his chest tightened with every inhale.

Bad. Really bad.

But he didn’t have time for bad.

So, S7en forced a grin, let Elex’s nonsense birthday rambling wash over him, and powered through.

“S7en, I swear to God, my birthday instincts are going crazy today,” Elex announced, cracking open an energy drink before he was even fully sitting up.

S7en barely managed to hold back a pained wince at the sound of the can popping. Too loud.

“Oh yeah?” he croaked, then immediately regretted speaking. His voice was wrecked, rougher than usual, like he’d spent the entire night screaming into a pillow.

Not ideal.

But if Elex noticed, he didn’t say anything—too busy stretching with an exaggerated groan before flopping onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow. His mismatched eyes gleamed, that lazy smirk pulling at his lips.

“Yeah. It’s like—I dunno, a sixth sense,” Elex went on, taking a sip of his drink. “Like, I just know when something big’s about to happen.”

S7en hummed, noncommittal. “Birthday instincts,” he repeated flatly.

“Exactly.”

“Hate to break it to you, but you might need a refund, dude.”

Elex snorted, waving him off. “Nah, nah, it’s real. Watch—by the end of the day, something sick is gonna go down, and I’m gonna be totally right.”

S7en bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing, because if Elex had even the slightest clue about the party, he would not be this calm. But the badger, for all his cocky bravado, was utterly, hilariously clueless.

Good. That meant S7en’s work wasn’t for nothing.

But as he pushed himself up, the room lurched sideways, and his stomach twisted violently.

Shit.

He froze, pressing his hands into the mattress to steady himself, willing the dizziness to pass. But his lungs ached when he took a breath, and his ribs felt like they were wrapped in tight, unrelenting bands.

Breathe. Breathe through it.

Elex, of course, was too busy hyping himself up to notice.

“Bet something sick happens before noon,” he said, checking his phone. “Maybe I’ll win some crazy giveaway. Or, like, get free food somewhere.”

S7en forced out a breathy laugh, ignoring the sharp, rattling sensation in his chest.

“Yeah,” he muttered. “Something like that.”

Because at the rate he was going?

Something was gonna happen before noon.

Just not the kind of surprise Elex was expecting.

S7en just had to get through the morning.

Then the afternoon.

Then the party.

Simple.

Except nothing about this was simple when his entire body was actively trying to betray him.

He had barely been upright for two minutes before the pressure in his sinuses flared up again, an unbearable, burning tickle crawling its way deeper. His breath caught just once—a sharp, involuntary inhale—before he forced it down, biting the inside of his cheek hard enough to sting.

Not now. Not in front of Elex.

Elex, still riding his birthday ego trip, had zero idea what was going on, stretching like he had all the time in the world. Completely unaware of the absolute war S7en was fighting just two feet away.

"Alright," Elex announced, cracking his neck. "I’m thinking pancakes."

S7en barely heard him. His focus was on not sneezing.

The burning sensation spiked, his nose twitching, his breath threatening to hitch again. He clenched his jaw, exhaling slowly through his mouth, willing the tickle to settle.

No luck.

It was coming, fast.

Shit. Move.

Before Elex could glance his way, S7en swung his legs over the bed and pushed himself up, heading straight for the bathroom. Too fast. His vision swam, dizziness crashing into him all at once, but he barely managed to keep himself upright, gripping the doorframe for balance.

He shoved the door shut behind him, barely able to hold back the gasping inhale before—

"Hh—! Hhh! HAHPT’tschiew!! HAH! AHHDT’shiiiiew!!"

Fuck.

He doubled over against the counter, pressing the heel of his hand against his nose, his breath still stuttering from the sheer force of it. The moment he tried to straighten, another thick, chest-deep cough forced its way up, scraping like sandpaper in his throat.

His lungs felt wrecked. His head was pounding.

And he had approximately five seconds before Elex came looking for him.

Swallowing hard, S7en quickly turned on the sink, splashing cold water onto his face, trying to erase the obvious flush creeping into his cheeks. A second later, he heard Elex’s footsteps outside the door.

“You dying in there?”

S7en cleared his throat, ignoring the sharp pain it sent through his ribs. Make it sound normal.

“Chill,” he called back, voice rough but controlled. “Didn’t know I had to schedule my pisses around your breakfast plans.”

Elex snorted. “I mean, you do. But I’ll allow it, since it’s my birthday.”

S7en exhaled slowly, gripping the edge of the sink.

Too close. Again.

By the time S7en forced himself back into the kitchen, Elex had already trashed his pancake idea in favor of raiding the fridge for anything edible. He stood with the door wide open, shoving a piece of cold pizza into his mouth like he wasn’t the absolute most unhinged person alive.

S7en could barely look at food without feeling his stomach twist unpleasantly.

"You good?" Elex asked around a mouthful, finally giving him a passing glance.

S7en shrugged, keeping his movements casual, despite the way his body screamed at him to sit the hell down.

"Tired," he muttered, heading for the cabinet where they kept their mugs. If he had something in his hands, it’d be easier to look normal.

Elex didn’t press, which was both a relief and kind of funny, considering if their situations were reversed, S7en would have had him in a chokehold demanding answers. But Elex just yawned, stretching again.

"Yeah, yeah," he said. "Big day. You should nap or something."

The irony almost made S7en laugh.

Yeah. Sure. Great idea. He’d get right on that.

As soon as he survived the next fourteen hours.

But as he reached for a mug, the telltale prickling started up again. His breath hitched before he could stop it.

Shit. No. Not here. Not now.

Keeping his back firmly to Elex, he pressed his wrist hard against his nose, willing it to stop. His shoulders tensed as the itch flared up, teasing mercilessly.

Hold it. Hold it. Hold it.

Elex, blissfully unaware, just kept rambling, his voice distant, drowned out by the relentless burning in S7en’s sinuses.

It was winning.

S7en had no choice.

With as much control as he could manage, he ducked his head into the crook of his arm, forcing the sneezes silent.

"Hh'NGXt! Ktchhh!—h’NNgch!"

The pressure was brutal, his skull throbbing with the effort of holding them back. His lungs seized painfully, a cough clawing its way up, but he swallowed it down, knuckles tightening around the counter.

He waited.

Nothing.

Elex hadn't noticed.

Slowly, carefully, S7en straightened, schooling his expression before turning back around.

Elex was still halfway through his pizza, scrolling through his phone with zero clue about the absolute disaster happening right in front of him.

S7en let out a shaky breath, grabbing his mug with slightly unsteady fingers.

He just had to get through the day.

That was the mantra he kept repeating in his head, over and over, like a scratched CD skipping on the same damn track. Just a few more hours. Then the party. Then the moment when Elex would finally see the absolute masterpiece S7en had spent weeks putting together. Then—maybe—he could breathe.

If his lungs still worked by then.

It was getting harder to ignore. Everything.

The aches had settled deep into his bones, like he was dragging concrete around his limbs. His head pounded relentlessly, his chest felt like it was wrapped in steel wire, and his breath was turning shallow, forced, unnatural.

And Elex?

Still didn’t notice.

Somehow.

It was actually impressive, in a way that was borderline offensive.

Because anyone with a working pair of eyes could tell that S7en was not okay.

His skin was pale, fever-glazed, dark shadows lingering beneath his eyes. His voice had gone from a little hoarse in the morning to full-blown wreckage, scraping and raw like he’d been swallowing glass shards for fun.

And yet.

Nothing.

Elex was still living in his own little birthday world, sending obnoxious texts to his friends, hyping up his own damn existence, and loudly debating whether he should get a new tattoo or a pet snake to mark the occasion.

S7en was dying in real time, and Elex was googling exotic pet names.

Ridiculous.

By the time they left the apartment, the sun was too bright, the air too sharp, and S7en was too damn tired.

He had planned to stay inside, get through some last-minute details, maybe even steal a moment to sit down and pretend his body wasn’t actively staging a rebellion.

But Elex, in all his unmatched, chaotic glory, had insisted on going out.

“It’s my birthday,” he had said, flashing a grin that should be illegal. “You’re legally required to follow me around and do dumb shit all day.”

S7en had just barely held back a groan.

The first stop was some hole-in-the-wall shop Elex swore had the best snacks on the planet. S7en, running on sheer force of will and the lingering effects of a third energy drink, followed him in, head pounding, lungs on fire.

He was so focused on staying upright that he didn’t notice the way his sinuses had been slowly tightening, congestion pressing like a vice behind his eyes.

Then, as he shifted his weight, something shifted with it.

A sudden, sharp readjustment deep in his sinuses sent a blinding tickle straight through his nose, pressure tipping over into something unstoppable.

Oh, fuck.

His breath hitched dangerously, his nostrils twitching, the overwhelming sensation building too fast for him to fight.

Not here. Not now.

He turned sharply on his heel, heading toward the corner of the store, hand clamped over his nose.

The moment he was out of sight, he braced against the shelf, burying his face into his sleeve as his body gave up.

“Hh—HhAH’DTschhh! Hh! HHhih—! HAHDT’tchhhiiew! Hhh! AHHDT’tsschueh!!!”

His ribs screamed in protest, his vision swimming from the sheer force of it. His breath hitched again, another wracking cough tearing out of him immediately after, leaving him shaking, dizzy, breathless.

Too much. Way too much.

He forced himself upright, swallowing against the rawness in his throat, fingers digging into the shelf for balance. He needed to move before—

“Sven?”

Shit.

He barely had time to school his face into something remotely normal before Elex appeared around the corner, holding a pack of sour candy and a soda, looking infuriatingly relaxed.

“You find something?” Elex asked, popping open the drink like nothing was wrong.

S7en cleared his throat, biting back the unbearable urge to cough again. “Nah. Just looking.”

Elex blinked at him, then tilted his head slightly.

For half a second, S7en thought—hoped, really—that maybe Elex was finally putting two and two together. That he’d look at him and actually see what was happening.

But then the badger just shrugged.

“Cool. Let’s hit the gas station. I wanna see if they have those weird energy drinks from Japan.”

And just like that, the moment was gone.

S7en swallowed back another cough, another wave of exhaustion, and nodded.

“Yeah,” he muttered, voice scraping at the sides. “Sure.”

And without much more, he followed Elex back out into the sun, lungs screaming, heart pounding, the warmth of the afternoon too sharp, too heavy against his feverish skin.

The heat pressed down on him like a weight, making the air feel thicker, harder to breathe, and for a moment, as they stepped onto the sidewalk, the world tilted dangerously beneath his feet. He forced himself forward, keeping his stride even, controlled, ignoring the way his vision blurred at the edges.

The party was just a few hours away.

He just had to last a little longer.

But his body? His body was done.

The fever that had been simmering beneath his skin all morning had finally boiled over, turning into a suffocating, all-encompassing heat that made the world feel distant and unreal. He felt like he was walking through a fog, slow and sluggish, barely tethered to his own movements.

His hoodie, usually something soft, comforting, familiar, now felt like a weight pressing down on his overheated body. The fabric clung to his skin like insulation, trapping the fever in, suffocating him from the inside out.

It was getting harder to think.

Harder to breathe.

Every inhale was tight, shallow, unsatisfying, as if the air itself had thickened, turning into something too dense to pull into his lungs. He knew he should have eaten something, but the mere thought of food made his stomach twist violently, nausea crawling up his throat.

But none of it mattered.

None of it could matter.

Because Elex was still completely oblivious.

So when the badger shoved his phone into his pocket and announced they were going to the arcade, S7en nodded.

When Elex cracked another joke about his “birthday instincts,” S7en forced out a laugh, even though his ribs ached from the effort.

And when a sneeze built out of nowhere, sharp and relentless, he bit down on the inside of his cheek hard enough to sting, forcing it back, forcing his breath to even out before it could betray him.

It was fine.

He could do this.

And then—

Elex threw an arm around his shoulders, dragging him closer, leaning some of his weight into him in that effortless, careless way he always did.

S7en felt his legs nearly give out beneath him.

It was only for a second. A brief, involuntary dip in his balance that he corrected just in time, locking his muscles in place before he could actually collapse.

Elex didn’t notice.

Because of course he didn’t.

He just kept talking, laughing, existing, completely unaware that the world around S7en had started to tilt dangerously again.

That the sounds of the arcade were beginning to blur into a low, distant hum.

That every inhale was tighter, shallower, harder to take in.

That S7en, for the first time all day, wasn’t sure if he could keep this up.

A single thought forced its way through the haze.

You’re not gonna make it to the party.

The arcade was a neon-lit blur, the pounding music and overlapping voices slamming into his skull like a hammer to glass. His fever had reached new, unbearable heights, making the room feel hot and cold all at once, the flashing lights too bright, the noise too much.

And still—he kept moving.

Elex was having the time of his life, completely in his element, button-mashing through some fighting game like it was a life-or-death battle. S7en barely processed what was happening, just stood there, hands shoved into his hoodie pocket, rocking slightly on his heels to keep himself upright.

The floor tilted beneath him again, nausea coiling tight in his stomach.

Just a little longer.

Just a little—

“Dude, you’re terrible at this,” Elex announced, nudging him toward the machine. “Come on, you gotta play at least once. Birthday rules.”

S7en knew if he sat down, he wasn’t getting back up.

But Elex was staring at him now, actually looking at him, and S7en had to move, had to do something, had to make sure Elex didn’t catch on.

So he shrugged, smirked through the absolute exhaustion dragging at his limbs, and picked up the controller.

The match was a disaster.

His hands were too shaky, his reflexes too slow, but somehow—somehow—he made it through without drawing too much attention.

By the time they left the arcade, the sun had begun to set, and the cool air should have felt refreshing. Instead, it only made his fever chills worse.

S7en barely made it through the door before he was shrugging off his hoodie, the fabric sticking to his overheated skin. His t-shirt underneath was just as bad, suffocating, but Elex was already grabbing beers from the fridge, completely unaware of the absolute train wreck standing behind him.

Elex tossed one over without looking.

“Happy birthday to me,” he announced, cracking his open. “Now drink, coward.”

S7en caught the can out of reflex, but the thought of alcohol sent an immediate wave of nausea rolling through him. He hesitated, fingers tightening around the cold metal, trying to psych himself up.

If he refused, Elex would notice.

So he lifted it, took a sip—

And nearly gagged.

The second the liquid hit his throat, his stomach flipped violently, his body rejecting it on instinct. He swallowed it down, forcing his expression to stay neutral, relaxed, normal, but the warmth rising in his throat told a different story.

Fuck.

The carbonation burned going down, only agitating his raw, sore throat further. He barely contained a cough, throat clenching as he forced himself to lower the can casually, like nothing was wrong.

Mercifully, Elex had already turned away, completely distracted by his phone buzzing on the counter.

“Rex?” he muttered, before picking up.

S7en exhaled silently, relief cutting through the fever haze.

“Yo, what’s up?” Elex answered, tucking the phone between his ear and shoulder as he grabbed his keys.

S7en barely processed the conversation, his focus slipping in and out as Elex and Rexar started talking about car problems, something about the transmission, something about a weird noise.

Then, finally—finally—Elex headed for the door.

“I’m gonna check my car while I talk him through this,” he said, already halfway outside. “Don’t drink all my beer while I’m gone.”

S7en barely managed a smirk, lifting the can in mock cheers as the door swung shut.

The second the lock clicked, his whole body gave up.

The first cough was immediate, tearing through his chest with enough force to make him double over against the counter. The sound crashed through the empty kitchen, harsh and unrestrained, his body finally allowed to react after an entire day of suppression.

Then another. And another.

It was unstoppable now, his body making up for all the times he’d held it back, a brutal mix of hacking, gasping coughs and desperate, shuddering sneezes.

"Hh—hhAHH’Tschh! Hhh—! HhhAHH—! HAHDT’tchhhiew!! Hhh! AHHDT’tschhhiu!!"

His body jerked forward with each one, raw, painful, messy—his breath barely catching before another slammed into him. His hand scrambled blindly for his phone, barely able to see through fever-glazed eyes as he pulled up his contact list.

The party. The guests. He needed to check the plans.

He hit the first name.

Freya.

Her face appeared on screen, and the second the call connected, she took one look at him and frowned.

"Geezus, S7en. You look like death.”

S7en sniffled hard, rubbing at his nose with his wrist, attempting to smirk, but it came out more like a grimace.

“Damn, angel, don’t hold back,” he rasped.

Freya narrowed her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Are you seriously still running this party?"

"Obviously."

"You can barely hold your damn phone up."

S7en rolled his eyes, regretted it immediately when the movement made his head swim. "I’m good."

Freya looked like she wanted to reach through the screen and shake him, but before she could argue, another rapid-fire sneezing fit tore through him, leaving him breathless and hunched forward over the counter.

"Hhh! HAH—hhAHDT'shhiiew!! hHh—! HhHPTT’tchhiEW!! hh—! HAHHDT’tchhIEEW!!”

Freya just stared.

Then—flatly: “Uh-huh. Sure. You sound great.”

S7en groaned, sniffling thickly as he waved her off.

"Look, just—are we still good for eight? I don’t have time for a lecture.”

She sighed, clearly not thrilled, but nodded. "Yeah. Everything’s set."

"Good. See you then."

And with that, he ended the call before she could press him further.

Next.

Kriia picked up on the second ring.

And just like Freya, she took one look at him and immediately frowned.

"Yo. What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Evening to you, too," he muttered, sniffling into his sleeve.

"You look like you lost a fight. With, like. A bus."

S7en snorted, regretted it instantly as another cough tore through his chest, sending a sharp, tearing pain through his ribs.

Kriia’s expression shifted, concern settling in. "Dude. Are you sure you should be doing this?"

S7en waved her off before she could start, ignoring the way his vision blurred at the edges.

"It’s Elex’s birthday. I’m not ruining it.”

Kriia exhaled slowly, like she was debating whether to fight him on this. But in the end, she just muttered, "Your funeral, man," before confirming the plans.

S7en ended the call and dropped his phone onto the counter, fingers digging into the surface as another wave of dizziness hit.

The door clicked open again.

Shit.

His body snapped upright on instinct, throat still burning, lungs still raw, but Elex was already stepping inside, phone tucked away, beer still in hand.

"Apparently Rex’s transmission’s fucked," he muttered, completely unaware of what had just happened.

S7en forced a half-smirk, voice barely above a whisper.

"Tough break."

Elex flopped onto the couch.

"Whatever. Commute’s gonna be shit, though."

S7en swallowed hard, ignoring the fire in his chest.

"Yeah," he murmured.

Everything was too hot, too loud, too sharp at the edges. His body was dragging, fever weighing him down like cement blocks strapped to his limbs, but the worst part was his head. It was pounding relentlessly, a deep, throbbing ache that had settled right behind his eyes, making his vision swim every time he moved too fast.

And yet—he still almost forgot the damn restaurant reservations.

It wasn’t until Elex, now two beers deep, kicked his feet up onto the coffee table and stretched like he had no plans to move for the rest of the night that it finally hit him.

Shit.

"Alright, get up," S7en said, standing way too fast. The floor tilted. He gritted his teeth, planted his feet, forced himself to stay upright. "We got dinner reservations."

Elex blinked at him, caught mid-yawn. "Wait—what?"

S7en sighed, rolling his eyes like his head wasn’t spinning in slow, miserable circles. "You really thought I wasn’t taking you out for dinner? What kind of boyfriend would I be?"

That earned him a grin, lazy and smug. "Damn. I really am the best."

S7en snorted. "Uh-huh. Now get your shoes on."

And just like that, the plan was back on track.

As long as S7en didn’t pass out before they got there.

The drive was a blur.

S7en shouldn’t have been driving. He knew that.

His vision swam every time he shifted lanes, his hands felt unsteady on the wheel, and every time he blinked, his fever-hazed brain took just a little too long to process what was in front of him.

But if he let Elex drive, that meant questions. That meant attention. That meant a risk he couldn’t afford to take.

So he forced his fingers to grip the wheel tighter, focused on the road like his life depended on it.

Which, honestly, it probably did.

By the time they pulled into the restaurant parking lot, his knuckles were white from how hard he’d been holding on.

Just a little longer.

Except—when they got inside, it all went to hell.

S7en barely processed what the hostess was saying at first, his fever-glazed brain lagging behind reality.

“…I’m really sorry about the mix-up, but unfortunately, we don’t have a reservation under that name.”

S7en blinked. "…What?"

The hostess winced. "It looks like there was an error in our system, and we’re completely booked for the night."

Elex frowned, looking at S7en. "Didn’t you book this, like, a week ago?"

"Yeah," S7en rasped, throat raw, jaw tightening. He turned back to the hostess, forcing himself to stay calm. "So… what’s the wait time?"

She gave an awkward smile.

"About two hours."

S7en nearly laughed out of sheer exhaustion.

Elex sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Welp. Guess we’re going home, then."

And for the first time all day, luck was on S7en’s side.

Because that was exactly what he needed to happen.

He gave the hostess a half-hearted nod before turning back toward the door, shoulders tense, every muscle aching.

Fine. Home it was.

S7en still should not have been driving.

His head was swimming, the world tilting at the edges, but he was too stubborn, too deep into the lie to stop now.

Elex, meanwhile, was perfectly content, reclining in the passenger seat like he hadn’t a single care in the world. "Honestly, I wasn’t that hungry anyway," he mused. "Good call, though. The universe clearly wants me to have homemade pizza instead."

S7en made a noise that might have been agreement, though it came out more like a weak exhale.

His grip on the wheel was tight, too tight, but he didn’t trust himself to loosen his fingers without them shaking.

Then—a problem.

The congestion that had been building behind his eyes all day shifted suddenly, sending a sharp, burning tickle straight through his sinuses.

His breath hitched violently, the urge to sneeze crashing into him like a tidal wave.

No. Not now. Not while driving.

He swallowed hard, pressing his tongue to the roof of his mouth, clenching his jaw so tightly it hurt. His fingers flexed against the wheel, breath quivering, trying desperately to force it back down.

It wasn’t working.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

His vision blurred, breath stuttering, but just as his body jerked forward involuntarily, he lunged for the volume knob on the radio, cranking it up just in time.

"Hh’NGXT! K’tshhh!—h’NNgch!"

The pressure made his ears ring, his head throb twice as hard, but Elex didn’t even flinch.

"Okay, why the hell is the music so loud now?"

S7en sniffled subtly, shifting in his seat. "Needed to wake myself up."

Elex huffed a laugh. "Damn. Didn’t know dinner cancellation trauma hit you that hard."

S7en forced a smirk, even as his sinuses screamed in protest. "Devastating."

And then, thankfully, mercifully, they pulled into the apartment lot.

The second the car was in park, S7en let go of the wheel like it had burned him. His fingers were stiff, locked from how tightly he’d been gripping it the whole drive.

Elex stretched, groaning dramatically. "Man, what a weird-ass birthday. Hopefully, the universe has one more surprise left for me."

Yeah.

You have no idea.

S7en forced himself to stand, lungs protesting, vision blurring dangerously for just a moment.

Almost there.

He just had to get inside.

Just a few more steps.

Just a little—

His breath hitched again, and he clenched his jaw, swallowing it down.

Not yet.

Not until he was alone.

S7en barely made it through the door before chaos erupted.

“SURPRISE!”

The apartment exploded with noise—cheering, shouting, laughter—all blending into one deafening wall of sound.

Elex’s reaction was instantaneous.

His fists shot up, body twisting instinctively, already halfway through swinging on whoever had dared to startle him.

For a split second, S7en had a horrifying vision of Freya or Kriia getting decked in the face, but just as Elex’s arm tensed, realization hit.

His narrowed eyes scanned the room, taking in the decorations, the crowd of friends, the drinks already in waiting hands.

Then—he turned to S7en.

That stupid, crooked grin stretched across his face, all sharp teeth and amusement, his previous fight mode already forgotten.

“You little shit,” he muttered, clapping a heavy hand on S7en’s shoulder, shaking him a little. “You actually got me.”

S7en barely held back a grimace at the sudden contact, his body thrumming with exhaustion, but he forced himself to grin through it.

��Told you your birthday instincts were trash,” he rasped, barely audible over the noise.

Elex laughed, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah—okay, you win.”

The moment should have felt like victory.

And in a way, it did.

S7en had done it. The party had come together exactly how he planned, every detail falling into place just as he had imagined.

He had made it.

But as the music turned up, as drinks started passing between hands, as people settled into the celebration, S7en realized—

He still had to survive the rest of the night...

By the time everyone had arrived, the apartment was a perfect mix of chaos and celebration.

Music blasted.
Drinks flowed.
Elex was in his element, soaking up the attention, grinning like an idiot as his friends hyped him up.

S7en stayed near the edges, tucked into the background, letting the night move around him.

Everything felt far away, like he was watching the party from the other side of a glass wall. The fever had dragged him into a dreamlike haze, every noise muffled, every movement just slightly out of sync.

Still, he could see Elex—laughing, teasing, play-fighting with Rexar over some inside joke about "Toad Biscuit" merch.

The night blurred around him—colors bleeding together, laughter twisting into an indistinct hum, the weight of the room pressing down too heavy, too hot, too much.

S7en had spent the entire day pushing forward, ignoring the way his body was crumbling beneath him.

This was the last thing.

Just one more step.

One more task.

Someone called for cake.

The words barely registered, muffled beneath the fever’s grip, but his body moved on instinct.

S7en stepped toward the table, striking a match with trembling fingers.

The tiny flicker of fire blurred before his eyes, swaying unnaturally, and it took him a second too long to realize—it wasn’t the flame that was moving.

It was him.

The floor lurched beneath him like the ground had been ripped out from under his feet.

His chest tightened—seized—refused to expand.

A sharp, deafening ringing filled his ears.

His vision tilted violently, everything twisting into a warped, spinning mess of distorted colors and movement.

Far away—too far away—he could hear Elex’s voice, lighthearted, distracted, still caught up in the conversation, still completely unaware.

S7en tried to step forward—to finish what he started, to keep going, to keep standing—

But his knees buckled.

His breath stuttered dangerously, shallow and weak, his body losing the battle he had forced it to fight all day.

And then—

Elex’s voice sharpened, cut through the fog.

Something in his tone shifted—not joking anymore, not distracted anymore.

Alarm.

Realization.

“Wait—Sven!?”

Elex saw it happening.

But he was too far.

He was on the other side of the room, still surrounded by people, still grinning one second ago, still completely oblivious to just how wrong things were.

Then he turned.

And his stomach dropped.

He saw it—the way S7en swayed violently, the way his fingers slipped, the way his breath hitched in a way that had nothing to do with laughter.

His body was giving out.

Too fast.

Too soon.

Elex moved instantly, shoving through the crowd, but he was too late.

S7en’s body tilted forward, his orange eyes rolling back slightly.

The match slipped from his fingers, flame snuffing out before it even hit the ground.

His legs crumpled.

And before Elex could reach him—before anyone could react—

S7en hit the floor.

S7en drifted somewhere between consciousness and nothingness, floating in the thick, fevered haze of half-awareness. His body felt heavy, his limbs like lead, his chest wrapped in tight, suffocating bands that wouldn’t let him breathe fully.

He could hear voices.

Familiar, but distant—like sound carried through waterlogged fabric, muffled and uneven.

Then, one voice cut through the haze, clear and sharp.

“His blood oxygen was at eighty-one percent when they brought him in.”

That was bad. Even he knew that was bad.

A sigh—low, exasperated, but not surprised.

Elex.

“Geezus fuck,” he muttered, voice strained with something tired, frustrated, guilty.

The other voice—a woman’s—continued speaking, firm but calm, the kind of voice used to dealing with stubborn, repeat offenders.

“He has pretty severe pneumonia," she said, matter-of-fact. "You’re lucky he passed out when he did. If he’d stayed upright much longer, he probably would’ve just stopped breathing entirely.”

S7en didn’t have to see Elex’s face to know exactly what expression he was making.

Jaw clenched.

Hand rubbing over his face.

That rare moment when Elex wasn’t just annoyed, but genuinely upset.

And not at anyone else.

At himself.

S7en could practically hear the weight settle in his voice when he muttered, “…I should’ve noticed.”

The woman—whose voice was familiar in a way that took too much effort to place—sighed through her nose, not unkind, but firm.

"Yeah," she agreed bluntly. "You should have."

A pause.

Then—paper rustling, the sound of something being shifted from one hand to another.

“These are his prescriptions,” she continued. “Antibiotics, steroids, inhalers—we’re trying these this time. Make sure he actually takes them.”

That voice.

The realization hit sluggishly.

ER nurse.

He knew her.

She had been there every time he’d landed himself in this exact same situation.

Enough times to know him by name.

God, that was embarrassing.

Elex sighed again, and S7en could hear the distinct crinkle of the paper bag as he took it from her.

His voice was quieter this time. Tired. Guilty.

“I got it,” he murmured.

Another pause.

Then—her voice softened just slightly.

“Just… be more observant next time, yeah?”

No sharpness now, just gentle warning.

“Could be worse, next time.”

No argument. No defensive retort.

Just the quiet sound of Elex nodding.

S7en wanted to laugh.

If only he had the breath for it.

After a moment, a long, heavy sigh broke through the silence.

Then—the soft creak of a chair being dragged across the tile.

S7en felt more than heard Elex drop into the seat next to his hospital bed, elbows resting on his knees, the weight of exhaustion settling into his frame.

Then came the sound of both hands dragging down his face, a quiet but telling frustration behind it.

S7en almost would’ve gotten away with pretending to still be asleep.

Almost.

Except—his damn ear twitched.

Elex caught it immediately.

"I know you’re awake, dumbass," he muttered, voice low and uncharacteristically gentle.

S7en hesitated.

Then, slowly, he cracked his eyes open, squinting against the harsh fluorescent light overhead. The world swam for a moment before settling, and when his vision finally focused, the first thing he saw was Elex watching him.

Worried. Tired. Like he’d just come back from a war he hadn’t even realized he was fighting.

S7en’s ears flattened instinctively in embarrassment, a quiet flicker of shame settling in his chest.

The room was small, sterile, impersonal—the same goddamn hospital he had spent far too much time in over the years.

And the weight of his failure hit him all at once.

This wasn’t how tonight was supposed to go.

A shift in his nose made him suddenly aware of the cannula, delivering pure oxygen to his wasted lungs.

His fingers twitched, reaching up to pull it off, but Elex’s hand was there first—firm but gentle, gripping his forearm.

"Don’t," Elex said softly.

S7en stilled, swallowing hard, ears pinning further against his head.

A beat of silence.

Then, in the same quiet, unusually careful voice, Elex asked,

"Why didn’t you tell me?"

S7en hated how much that question hurt.

He couldn’t bring himself to look at Elex. Instead, he dropped his gaze to his lap, claws absently picking at the thin hospital blanket.

"I—" He stopped, voice raw, barely above a whisper. He swallowed, trying again.

"I didn’t want to be the reason your birthday sucked…"

Elex stiffened slightly.

S7en continued, ears still pressed flat, tail curling closer to himself.

"I worked so hard to make it perfect," he muttered, barely breathing the words. "And after everything, we’re still here. Another—" his voice wavered, thick with frustration, "another claustrophobic, shitty little hospital room."

Silence.

S7en braced himself for Elex to be pissed. For the usual snark, sarcasm, maybe even an exasperated rant.

But instead—

Elex sighed, slow and deep, and when he spoke again, his voice was softer than S7en had ever heard it.

"Dude. I don’t give a shit about some stupid party."

S7en blinked, glancing up at him hesitantly.

Elex ran a hand through his messy, dark green hair, shaking his head. "You really think I care about that more than you literally—collapsing in front of me?" His voice wavered slightly, jaw clenching before he forced it back down.

S7en didn't know what to say.

Elex exhaled sharply, leaning forward, forearms resting on his knees.

"I should’ve noticed." The words came out quiet, guilty. "I mean, fuck, you looked awful all day. I just—I was too caught up in my own bullshit to pay attention."

S7en shook his head weakly, ears twitching. "Not your fault."

"Not entirely," Elex agreed, mouth quirking slightly. Then, more serious, "But you’ve gotta stop doing this, man."

S7en swallowed, feeling suddenly very small.

"You don’t have to—I don’t know—carry everything yourself," Elex continued, voice softer now, tired but firm. "It’s okay to tap out sometimes. Party or not."

S7en hesitated.

Then—finally—he met Elex’s gaze.

And what he saw there wasn’t annoyance, or frustration, or the usual bullshit banter.

It was genuine concern.

That made something tighten in his chest in a way that had nothing to do with pneumonia.

The corner of Elex’s mouth twitched into something softer, and after a pause, he added,

"By the way, next time you try to fake being fine, maybe don’t fucking pass out in the middle of a party. Kinda ruins the illusion."

Despite himself, despite everything, S7en huffed a weak, breathless laugh.

"Noted."

Elex rolled his eyes, but there was no heat behind it.

And for the first time all day, S7en finally let himself relax.

The end 🖤

[thekinkyleopard]

This was so hot 😩🔥 the end had me hella giggling and kicking my fit with Rex doing the drunk “I love you guyysssss 😩” thing. *chefs kiss* 10/10. I missed the OG boys 🥵💚

ok so i have an idea !!

a scenario where A and B go to a party but since A doesn't feel well (they have a nasty cold, their nose tickles uncontrollably and feel completely miserable), they both hide in an empty room so B can help A to induce some sneezes and get all that congestion out 💞

Finally finished this req for you, Nonny! Thanks so much for your req, it was fun to write ngl 😭😂

After talking it over with Kezzi, we both agreed this sounds like a RemixLevi snzario, with Levi as A and Remi as B, so I hope this satisfies your vision, cause it did for me 🫠🫠

Wrecked, Restless, & Really Congested

Written & Illustrated by: allergeez

Summary: Wrecked, Reckless, and Really Congested follows Remi and Levi as they navigate a chaotic house party hosted by Rexar Fang, the rowdy frontman of the trap metal band Toad Biscuit. Remi, initially reluctant to go, agrees to support Rex—especially since his usual handler, Kriia, is out sick. Unfortunately, Levi catches the same miserable cold Kriia had, but refuses to let Remi go alone, knowing how reckless he and Rex get together.

Amidst loud music, drinking challenges, and an increasingly miserable Levi trying to fight off relentless sneezes and congestion, the night takes a turn when Remi decides to help him find some relief—leading to playful teasing, quiet moments away from the crowd, and unexpected intimacy.

5k words, CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT!! @thekinkyleopard owns Levi as always 🖤

CW:

Alcohol Consumption & Intoxication – Heavy drinking and partying are central to the story.

Cold/Illness Themes – Detailed descriptions of illness symptoms, including sneezing, congestion, and fever.

Mild Sensory Content – Descriptions of discomfort and physical sensations related to illness.

Explicit Content – Explicit description of sex or content relating to sex between characters.

Strong Language – Frequent swearing and crude humor, especially from Rexar.

The night air was thick with the electric buzz of bass-heavy music and the scent of sweat, cheap beer, and faint traces of cigarette smoke. The house party was already in full swing by the time Remi and Levi pushed their way through the crowded living room, bodies packed shoulder-to-shoulder, pulsating with the chaotic energy that followed Rexar Fang everywhere he went.

Remi hadn’t wanted to come. He had made that abundantly clear when Rex first asked, grumbling that he had better things to do than babysit a bunch of overhyped metalheads getting blackout drunk while his best friend set something on fire for fun. But Rex had insisted, pouting like an overgrown child and reminding him that Kriia—his girlfriend and the band’s unofficial but terrifyingly efficient merch manager—was out sick and wouldn’t be there to keep him in check.

"I need moral support," Rex had said, leaning against Remi’s shoulder dramatically. "And someone to get drunk with."

Remi had rolled his eyes but eventually caved, much to Levi’s amusement.

But then Levi got sick.

The morning of the party, he had woken up sniffling, his freckled nose pink and runny, and his normally sharp ice-blue eyes bleary with fever. He had groaned softly, rubbing at his face as Remi perched on the edge of the bed, frowning.

“You don’t have to come,” Remi had said, his voice unusually gentle. “Seriously, you look miserable. I’ll go, have a drink with Rex, and be back before midnight. No big deal.”

Levi had cracked one watery eye open, giving him a skeptical look. “Remi, I know how you and Rex are when you’re alone together. You’re a terrible influence on each other.”

Remi smirked at that, stretching his arms over his head before flashing Levi a sheepish grin. “That’s… fair.”

And so, despite the fever and the congestion, Levi had downed some cold medicine, thrown on one of Remi’s oversized jackets, and forced himself off the couch.

Which was how they ended up here—Levi looking like death warmed over, wrapped up in Remi’s leather jacket for warmth, and Remi already half-dreading whatever chaos Rex was about to drag him into.

The music from the garage-turned-stage was loud, vibrating through the floorboards as Toad Biscuit played their final set. Rex’s guttural screams echoed through the house, his voice a harsh growl over the relentless chug of guitars and the pounding drums. Someone had definitely set off fireworks in the backyard. The air was heavy with adrenaline, booze, and whatever else people were smoking, and Remi was already wondering why he let himself get talked into these things.

He glanced down at Levi, who was huddled beside him, sniffling softly into his sleeve. His pale skin was flushed from the fever, his usually sharp features softened by exhaustion. His freckled nose twitched, his breath hitching slightly, and before Remi could say anything, Levi turned away with a harsh, stifled sneeze.

“Hhh—Hihh’GXXTsh! Snfhh.”

Remi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You sure you don’t wanna go home?”

Levi sniffled thickly, straightening up as he gave Remi a tired glare. “Not until I make sure you don’t let Rex burn the place down.”

Remi chuckled, draping an arm around Levi’s shoulders. “That’s fair.”

Across the room, Rex caught sight of them and grinned wildly, his grey and red eyes flashing with mischief as he grabbed two bottles from the counter and started weaving through the crowd toward them.

“Well,” Remi muttered, watching him approach. “Here we go..”

Rex pushed through the sea of bodies with an exaggerated swagger, his sharp grin wide and wild as he swung an arm around Remi’s shoulders and shoved one of the bottles into his chest. “There’s my favorite fucking wolf!” he crowed, his voice already rough with alcohol and whatever reckless energy fueled him on a daily basis. “Was starting to think you were dodging me.”

Remi rolled his eyes but smirked as he took the bottle, twisting off the cap with one flick of his thumb. “Yeah, yeah,” he drawled. “I’d never hear the end of it if I didn’t show up, right?”

“Damn right you wouldn’t,” Rex barked a laugh, tipping his own bottle back and downing a mouthful like it was water. “Kriia’s out, and that means I need you to be my chaos partner tonight.” He waggled his brows, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Gotta make up for all the stupid shit I could’ve been doing if she were here to yell at me.”

Levi, wrapped up in Remi’s leather jacket, snuffled wetly into his sleeve before cutting Rex a glare. “Or, and hear me out, you don’t set anything on fire, and we all make it through the night without having to evacuate,” he said, voice hoarse and dripping with congestion.

Rex squinted at him for a moment, as if processing the words through the thick fog of his own drunken thoughts. Then he burst into laughter, clapping Levi on the back. “Dude. That’s adorable. You think you have control over this situation.”

Levi groaned, rubbing a hand down his face. “This is exactly why I didn’t let Remi come here alone.”

Remi chuckled, taking a casual sip from his bottle before slinging an arm around Levi’s shoulders again. “Understandable,” he admitted, though there was already a familiar spark in his green, glowing eyes—the kind that only ignited when Rexar was around.

Rex nudged Remi with his elbow, winking. “Alright, man. I need to see if you’ve still got it. Six shots. Back to back. Right now.”

Remi snorted, shaking his head, but there was no real protest behind it. He could already feel the party pulling him in, Rex’s reckless energy as contagious as ever. As he let himself be dragged toward the counter where the shots were being poured, he caught Levi’s exhausted but knowing look.

“Don’t die,” Levi muttered.

“No promises,” Remi shot back with a grin.

The party was in full swing, chaotic and loud, just the way Rexar Fang liked it.

Remi hadn’t even been here for an hour, and he’d already been dragged into taking six shots back to back with Rex, who had clapped him on the back and laughed like it was some kind of endurance test. The room felt warmer now, his head pleasantly fuzzy, and his usual stoic demeanor had cracked—Rex had that effect on him. His voice was louder, his energy higher, and he was laughing more than he had all week.

“C’mon, Connors!” Rex slurred, throwing an arm around Remi’s shoulders, his wolfish grin wild and unrestrained. “Where’s the fire in you, huh? Thought you could drink!”

“I can drink,” Remi shot back with a tipsy smirk, shaking his head as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “You’re just an idiot with a death wish.”

Rex threw his head back and howled with laughter. “That’s why you love me.”

Remi just snorted, shaking his head. He did not love Rex—at least, not in the way he was suggesting. But he couldn’t deny that something about Rex’s reckless, chaotic energy always drew something out of him, made him lean in just a little more.

It was fun.

But not for Levi.

Levi, poor Levi, was miserable.

He sat curled in Remi’s leather jacket, hunched over on a dilapidated couch, sniffling endlessly. His freckled nose was an irritated pink, and his normally sharp ice-blue eyes were watery and unfocused, dark circles settling under them from exhaustion. His nose was running relentlessly, yet he was somehow still impossibly congested, the pressure building behind his sinuses so badly that his head throbbed.

And the tickle. God, the tickle.

It tormented him, dancing just out of reach, keeping him on the edge of release over and over again only to disappear at the last second. It was infuriating.

“Hhh… hhihh… hh’ihhh… snffhh!”

Levi’s breath stuttered, his pink nostrils quivering, his face frozen in that helpless, pre-sneeze expression. His head tipped back slightly, lips parting, eyes fluttering—only for the sensation to vanish at the last second.

His entire body sagged with frustration, and he let out a hoarse, congested grumble, rubbing furiously at his nose with his sleeve. "Fugkig hell," he muttered breathlessly under his breath, scrubbing at the ticklish underside of his nostrils, trying to coax the sneeze back out.

Remi, still buzzed, still grinning at whatever nonsense Rex had been spouting before he wandered off to play beer pong, glanced down at Levi and blinked.

For a second, his expression softened.

Then, an idea sparked in his tipsy brain.

His gaze flickered around the party, assessing the situation. No one was paying attention to them—Rex was somewhere in the mass of bodies, too busy screaming over the music or flipping a table or whatever dumb thing he was doing now. No one would notice if they disappeared for a bit.

Remi turned back to Levi, his smirk returning. “Hey,” he said, his voice low, playful. “Come this way for a second with me.”

Levi, still sniffling and rubbing at his nose, blinked blearily at him. “W-why?” he croaked, his voice completely wrecked.

“Just come on,” Remi murmured, already taking his wrist and tugging him gently up from the couch.

Levi stumbled slightly, still disoriented from the congestion pressing down on his sinuses, but he followed, sniffling softly as he tried (and failed) to look stern. “R-Rem, what—?”

Remi didn’t answer. He guided him through the packed bodies, down a narrow hallway where the noise began to thin. They passed a few doorways, some cracked open to reveal coats piled on beds or couples making out, but Remi didn’t stop until they reached the end of the hall.

He pushed open a random door, revealing a dimly lit guest bedroom, unused and eerily quiet compared to the chaos of the party outside.

Levi, still sniffling, pulled back slightly. “Remi, w-we cad’t jusd go idto—”

Remi ignored him, smirking as he pulled Levi inside and shut the door silently behind them.

The sudden quiet was almost jarring. The only sounds were the muffled bass of the music outside and Levi’s damp, congested snuffles.

Remi turned on the lamp, the dim glow illuminating Levi’s utterly miserable expression. His freckled face was flushed, his red nose twitching helplessly, his breath still hitching ever so slightly. He was trying to glare at Remi, trying to look annoyed at being dragged away from the party, but it was impossible to take seriously when his breath kept stuttering and his watery eyes were half-lidded with irritation.

Remi chuckled, shaking his head fondly. “You look so pathetic right now.”

Levi scowled—or, well, tried to. “Fugk you,” he rasped weakly, sniffling hard.

But then his breath caught again, his lips parting, his nostrils flaring. He hovered there on the edge, right on the cusp of relief—only for it to fade away again.

“Ughhh,” Levi groaned miserably, scrubbing at his nose again. “Id’s right—hhehh—righd t-there…! Snffhh!”

Remi just smirked. “Yeah?” he murmured, tilting his head slightly. “You need some help with that?”

Levi blinked up at him, dazed, confused, a little too feverish and miserable to even process the implication of that statement.

Remi, however, already had a plan forming in his booze-fueled brain.

And he was about to have some fun with it.

Levi was still hanging there, his breath hitching sharply, his tired, fevered face stuck in that frustrating pre-sneeze limbo. His nostrils flared helplessly, pink and irritated, his ice-blue eyes fluttering, watery and unfocused. But just like before, the sneeze taunted him, tickling relentlessly but refusing to fully release.

He let out a congested, exhausted whimper, scrubbing at his nose in frustration. “R-Remi, I c-cad’t— hhuhhh… snffhh! —I cad’t g-get id out!”

Remi, still a little buzzed, smirked as the I dea turned into a plan.

"Here," he murmured, voice low and teasing. “Let me help.”

Before Levi could protest, Remi reached out and gently—slowly—took hold of Levi’s chin between his fingers. His grip was firm but careful, his rough, calloused fingers somehow warm against Levi’s feverish skin.

Levi froze instinctively at the touch, his breath still stuttering, his body already leaning slightly into Remi’s hold.

Remi tilted the cat’s face up slightly, his green eyes glowing with arousal as he let his other hand lift. He raised his index finger and, with deliberate slowness, dragged his fingernail from the bridge of Levi’s pink, irritated nose all the way down to the very tip.

The effect was immediate.

Levi’s breath hitched violently, his whole body trembling with the sudden, overwhelming tickle that bloomed deep in his sinuses. His lips parted, his nostrils twitching desperately as his shoulders shuddered.

"Hhh—hihhh—hH’EXTSH’ue!! Hah’ESHHh‘uh!! HET’Shhh’eu! Eh’schh’iue!!”

He barely had time to turn his head to the side, sneezing freely into the air. The sneezes were wet and breathless, leaving him gasping between each desperate release.

“H'ptschu! Hhih’eeshiew! H’etshhiEW! Hihhh— Hihh’EXTSH’ue! hH’EiSCH’iiew!!”

By the time the fit passed, Levi was left panting softly, his cheeks burning both from exertion and embarrassment.

Remi chuckled, looking far too pleased with himself. “Feel better?” he teased, still holding Levi’s chin gently between his fingers. “At least that’s gotta be better than all those false starts you’ve been fighting all night.”

Levi, still breathless, sniffled thickly, his freckled nose twitching slightly as he swatted Remi’s hand away. “Y-you’re ad asshole,” he rasped, but the congested grumble in his voice robbed it of any real bite. He sniffled again, rubbing his sleeve under his nose before reluctantly muttering, “…but yeah, that did help a little. Took some of the pressure off my sinuses.”

Remi grinned, smug but affectionate. “Told ya,” he said, ruffling Levi’s damp fauxhawk.

Levi grumbled again, swatting at his hand before giving his nose a few thick, liquid sniffs. His sinuses were still unbearably full, but at least he wasn’t stuck in an endless cycle of false starts anymore.

Remi, still smirking, turned toward the nightstand, eyeing the brand-new tissue box sitting neatly in a fancy holder. He plucked one from the top, rolling the tip of it carefully between his fingers until it became a pointed, delicate twist.

He turned back to Levi, his glowing green eyes mischievous.

“Alright,” he murmured, holding up the tissue like a makeshift tool. “Wanna see if we can clear all of that congestion up?”

Levi eyed the rolled-up tissue in Remi’s hand, his ice-blue eyes bleary and wary, but ultimately resigned. He knew that look in Remi’s glowing green gaze—mischievous, teasing, but also brimming with a kind of gentle affection that he could never quite resist.

At least Remi hadn’t brought flowers. Or, worse, that damn chhinkni.

Levi still remembered the last time Remi had gotten his hands on some chhinkni, all too amused by how violently it had sent Levi into a spiraling sneezing fit. He’d had to lock himself in the bathroom just to get away from the smug bastard before he completely lost his mind.

So, all things considered, a tissue was fine.

Levi sighed, utterly defeated, before sniffling thickly. “F-fide,” he croaked, voice shredded and raw. “Bud... led be blow by dose first. Snffhh! By sdeezes have beed a liddle... messy lately…”

Remi chuckled at that, the sound low and affectionate, his lips curving into a fond smirk. “Of course,” he murmured, grabbing a handful of tissues from the box and passing them over.

Levi took them gratefully, pressing the soft layers firmly to his red, twitchy nose. He inhaled deeply through his mouth, gearing up, and then—

“Hhhnnnghhfff! Snrrfffhh!”

The sound was thick, liquid, and intensely productive, the tissues quickly filling as he cleared out some of the congestion clogging his sinuses. He winced, swallowing as he glanced up at Remi with a sheepish, embarrassed look.

But Remi wasn’t judging him.

If anything, he looked pleased, leaning back slightly, one arm draped over his knee, watching Levi with an almost amused kind of fondness. “Better?”

Levi nodded, sniffling softly before balling up the used tissues and tossing them onto the nightstand. “A liddle,” he admitted, voice still congested but at least slightly less thick.

Remi grinned, patting the empty space on the bed in front of him. “Alright. C’mere, kitten.”

Levi huffed at the nickname but obeyed, shuffling onto the bed, facing Remi, his freckled cheeks still flushed—not just from fever now, but from the absurdity of the situation.

Remi, looking just a little too entertained by all of this, tilted his head slightly and let his voice drop into something lower, smoother. “You ready?”

Levi sniffled once, thick and wet, before nodding hesitantly. “I’b ready…”

Remi smirked but softened as he reached out, gently cupping Levi’s chin in his hand once more, tilting his face up just slightly. Levi, already feeling the tickle lurking deep in his sinuses, let his breath hitch faintly at even that small movement.

Then, slowly—deliberately—Remi lifted the twisted tip of the tissue and traced it along the pinkened, sensitive edges of Levi’s nostrils.

The effect was instant.

Levi’s nose twitched hard, his breath immediately catching in his throat. “Hhh—hhehh…!” His watery eyes fluttered shut, his whole body tensing, his pink nostrils flaring wide as the feathery touch of the tissue teased at the deepest, most ticklish part of his sinuses.

Even just touching the sensitive skin inside was almost enough to make him gasp.

Remi, watching closely, let his lips curl in quiet satisfaction. “That’s it,” he murmured, voice smooth, guiding. “Let it happen.”

Levi barely had a choice. The tickle exploded into something unbearable, a sharp, shuddering sensation that spread from the bridge of his nose all the way to the back of his skull. His lips parted, his head tilting back slightly, the gasping breaths coming in quick, desperate waves—

“Hhhihh—hH’EiSCH’iiew!! Hihh’EXTSH’ue! Hhihhh—hah’ESHHh‘uh!! HET’Shhh’eu!! Eh’schh’iue!!”

Each sneeze bent him forward violently, his freckled nose buried in the tissues Remi had tucked into his free hand just in time. The sneezes were wet, breathless, completely uncontrollable, leaving him gasping for air in between.

Remi, still holding his chin steady, let out a low chuckle, utterly pleased. “Damn, bless you,” he murmured, rubbing a slow, soothing thumb over Levi’s jawline.

Levi barely had time to recover from the first fit before Remi was tilting his chin back up again, his glowing green eyes sharp and focused, his smirk lazy and amused.

“You’re not done yet, Kitten…” he murmured, his voice deep and almost—almost—sounding satisfied.

Levi’s exhausted, watery blue eyes blinked at him sluggishly, his chest still rising and falling unevenly from the last bout of sneezes. “R-Rebi,” he croaked, voice barely above a whisper. He sniffled thickly, gripping the tissues in his hand with trembling fingers. “I—I thidk I’b good, I’b—”

“Mm, nah, I don’t think so,” Remi cut him off, twirling the tip of the tissue deftly between his fingers. “You’re still all stuffed up, and I know you hate that.” His green eyes glowed with something a little darker, something mischievous. His smirk widened as he slowly traced the now damp tissue along the flushed edges of Levi’s twitching, sensitive nose. “Besides,” he added smoothly, “you let me start, so now you gotta let me finish.”

Levi let out a weak, choked sound, already feeling the feathery touch send an immediate, unbearable itch coursing through his sinuses. His nostrils flared wide, his lips parting, his flushed cheeks growing even pinker as the tickle spread mercilessly, faster than before.

“Hhh—h-hahhh…!”

Remi guided the tissue inside, his movements slow, deliberate, teasing. The instant it brushed against the sensitive walls of Levi’s sinuses, his whole body shuddered. His hands clenched in his lap, his breath completely stolen as the tickle bloomed into something utterly overwhelming.

“Thaaat’s it,” Remi murmured approvingly, watching as Levi’s face crumpled, his nostrils quivering desperately around the delicate pressure of the tissue. “Just let it happen, kitten.”

Levi barely had the presence of mind to glare at him before the sneezes finally tore through him.

“Hhh'KSHIEW! H'ihh’tTSCHhiew!! Hhh—! Hihh’EXTSH’ue! HAHHh—! Hhh’ESCHHh’eu!! H’ptschh-! i’hKSHIEW!!”

Each sneeze grew wetter, messier, more forceful, shaking his slender frame with every desperate release. Remi’s firm grip remained on the leopard’s chin, forcing him to sneeze freely into the air, the mess glittering against Remi’s tanned skin. The wolf couldn’t help but bite his lip firmly between his teeth.

As Levi opened his eyes slowly, his breath still shuttering from the intensity of the fit, he caught a glimpse of the animalistic glaze over his mate’s features. He knew that look. There was no reigning the wolf back in now…

As Remi reached out and cupped Levi's face in his hand, he tilted it upwards again, this time with their lips mere centimeters apart. Levi's heart raced, anticipation making him dizzy with desire. Their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss, tongues mingling together in an age-old dance. Levi moaned into the kiss, feeling warmth spread throughout his body.

Remi's hands began to explore the leopard’s body as their mouths moved together in unison. Fingers trailed down Levi's chest and abdomen, teasingly circling around his nipples and making him shiver with delight. When Remi's hand finally reached his mate’s waistband, he gave the bulge there a gentle squeeze that caused Levi to gasp and break away from their kiss.

"Please… touch me," Levi whispered breathlessly as Remi guided him onto his back and slowly peeled both his pants and underwear off in one fluid motion. He watched with hooded eyes, his chest rising and falling rapidly as the wolf knelt between his legs, a smirk playing on his lips. Remi’s strong hands grasped Levi's thighs, spreading them apart and revealing his flushed, aching entrance.

He leaned down to press tender kisses on Levi's inner thighs, his warm breath causing the feline to shudder with anticipation.

"You’re so sensitive tonight," Remi murmured deeply against the soft skin of his mate’s thigh, his voice rich with satisfaction.

Levi's exhausted, watery blue eyes blinked at him sluggishly, his chest still rising and falling unevenly from the onslaught of sensation.

As his tongue finally made contact with Levi's entrance, he felt the quivers that coursed through the smaller male's body. Levi whimpered in pleasure, bucking his hips slightly into Remi's face. “Nnngh.. hhh!”

The wolf continued to tease and pleasure Levi with his skilled tongue, licking and prodding at his entrance while occasionally moving upward to stroke along the underside of Levi's erection. He glanced up at Levi, noting the way his fingers clutched at the sheets and how his blue eyes were glazed over with unbridled lust, his pink freckled nose slight scrunched with pleasure.

Remi’s green eyes were so bright they were almost blinding, letting his lips curl in satisfaction. "That's it," he murmured, his voice smooth and guiding. "Doesn’t that feel so much better?"

Levi barely had a choice. The pleasure built up until it became unbearable; every sensation seemed intensified tenfold. His lips parted, gasping breaths coming in quick, desperate waves.

"Ah—oh god! Yes, Remi…please…"

“And what do you want, hm?” Remi urged, his bright green eyes almost blinding from the intensity in the dimly lit bedroom.

Desperate for more contact, Levi arched his back and moaned, "Remi… please… I need you inside me."

This made the wolf smirk, biting his lip between his teeth again. Without further delay, Remi positioned himself at Levi's entrance, guiding the head of his throbbing cock to the tight ring of muscle. He locked eyes with Levi before slowly pushing forward, inch by inch claiming the leopard beneath him as their bodies joined.

Levi gasped at the sensation of being filled so completely, biting down on his lower lip to stifle a moan. His fingers clawed at the sheets as he whimpered, "H-hhh—nngh...!"

Remi began to move with slow and deliberate thrusts, each time sinking deeper inside until their bodies were pressed flush together.

"God! Remi!" Levi moaned as the pleasure built inside him, threatening to burst from his very pores.

As their rhythm increased in both speed and intensity, Remi bent down to capture Levi's lips in a searing kiss. Their tongues danced together once more as they shared moans and pants of pleasure.

Unable to take any more teasing or restraint, Levi broke from the kiss and pleaded passionately into the wolf’s ear: "Remi… oh god… let me cum..."

His other hand stroked Levi's hard cock in time with the thrusts, applying just enough pressure to keep him on the edge of climax without sending him over. "That's it, kitten," he purred, his hot breath against Levi's ear sending shivers down his spine. "Let me hear you beg for it."

Levi's hips began to jerk erratically as the waves of pleasure crashed over him. "P-please, Rem-mi… I need t-to— Ahh!”

With that final plea, Remi's control snapped and he began thrusting faster and harder, causing Levi's moans to grow louder and more desperate. “That’s it, cum for me, kitten…” Remi commanded in deep, lustful purr.

On the brink of his climax, Levi's body tensed, back arching as he cried out in ecstasy.

Suddenly, Levi couldn't take it anymore. His entire body tensed as he arched off the bed, a sultry moan pouring from his lips as white-hot semen erupted onto both of their stomachs in thick ropes. The force of his climax left him trembling beneath Remi’s firm grip.

With a satisfied smirk, the wolf continued to thrust into him until he too reached his peak, releasing with a guttural growl.

For a moment, the rest of the world fell away and it was only the two of them, Levi’s body still trembling from the force of his orgasm as Remi slowly pulled out, his lips quirked into that trademark smirk of his, but his bright green eyes filled with something dangerous close to affection. He swiped a few more tissues from the box on the nightstand and wiped off the remnants that decorated his mate’s stomach.

“See? Now don’t you feel better?” The wolf mused between ragged pants as he handed Levi his discarded clothes.

Levi responded with an eye roll and an amused huff, a smile playing on his lips as he got dressed again. The air in the guest room was thick with warmth and the lingering scent of sex, but Levi finally felt like he could breathe again. His flushed cheeks were cooling, his sinuses were relieved, and the miserable pressure behind his eyes had faded into a dull hum instead of a relentless throb. He sniffled softly, rubbing the sleeve of Remi’s leather jacket across his nose before giving a content sigh.

“Alright,” he murmured, voice still hoarse but much less congested. “We should probably—snffhh—head back out before people start wond'ring where we wend.”

Remi, sprawled lazily on the bed, still looking way too pleased with himself, smirked at him. “You sure? You look like you’re actually comfortable for the first time tonight.”

Levi rolled his eyes, his cheeks dusted with a soft pink blush, but let out a small, amused huff. “Yeah, yeah. C’mon, before Rex starts burning shots in the air or something.”

Remi chuckled, pushing himself up from the bed before reaching down to take Levi’s hand. With a quick glance toward the door to make sure the coast was clear, he pulled them both out of the dim room and back into the party.

The music was still blaring from the garage, the air was still thick with alcohol and smoke, and the party was still a chaotic mess of bodies and laughter. But for once, Levi didn’t feel like absolute hell while standing in the middle of it. He felt light, more at ease, his usual energy returning bit by bit.

Unfortunately, before they could make it two steps, a familiar, very drunk presence crashed into them from the side.

“THERE you assholes are!” Rex slurred, throwing both arms over Levi and Remi’s shoulders, effectively pulling them both into a sloppy, warm half-hug. “Was wondering where my best fucking friends went!”

Levi let out a startled laugh as he stumbled slightly under the sudden weight of Rex’s embrace, while Remi just grinned, holding steady.

“You guys,” Rex continued, swaying slightly as he spoke, “are the best for coming tonight. Like—fuck, I love you guys. Seriously. I’d set the whole house on fire for you.”

“I know you would,” Levi said, shaking his head, still giggling as he looked away, his face pink—this time not from his cold.

Remi, smug as ever, shot Levi a knowing look before turning back to Rex with a lopsided grin. “Nah, Rex, thanks for inviting us. We had a fun night.”

He tossed Levi a wink, and Levi groaned, reaching up to smack Remi’s arm playfully—but he didn’t disagree.

Rex, squinting between the two of them, clearly drunk enough to sense something but not quite drunk enough to piece it together, just furrowed his brows in slow confusion.

“…What the fuck did I miss?”

Remi just laughed, shaking his head as he slid out from under Rex’s arm. “Nothing, man. Absolutely nothing.”

Levi, still pink-cheeked, ducked away, sniffling one last time before nudging Remi toward the door. “Alright, c’mon, before we really do have to put this place out of a fire.”

With Rex still muttering in tipsy confusion behind them, Remi and Levi made their way toward the exit, their steps light, their shoulders bumping together.

And for once, despite the sneezing, the congestion, and the sheer disaster of the night, Levi couldn’t help but think:

Yeah. That actually was kinda fun.

The end 🖤

[thekinkyleopard]

Madness

A Vaelyn and Kalypso Lore Piece

⚠️Content Warning⚠️

No Snz, Mental Illness, Cursing

Description: Takes place after the Toad Biscuit fire, Vaelyn has lost control over his Oblivion Madness. Kalypso hasn’t been able to find him for weeks….until she does.

Author’s Notes: So me and Geez have been absolutely feral, coo-coo banana bonkers over these two and the ANGSSSTTTT. So I wrote out this piece of lore for them, and I know, most of you won’t read this. However, I’m satisfied with it just being something for me and Geez to enjoy. 🙂‍↕️ @aller-geez Owns Vaelyn and did the cover art.

The flickering neon lights of the city buzzed faintly in Kalypso’s ears as she sat cross-legged on her bed, staring blankly at the myriad of tabs open on her laptop. Vaelyn’s social media accounts were dead, his phone disconnected, and not a single whisper of him had surfaced since the fire at Toad Biscuit’s last concert. The isolation clawed at her, each day without him like sandpaper grinding against her sanity.

Her emerald eye twitched as she flipped her septum piercing back and forth—a nervous tic, though she’d never admit it. Kalypso’s powers had their limits, and no matter how deeply she delved into the dreamscape, she couldn’t find him. Because he wasn’t sleeping. For two agonizing weeks, the void where Vaelyn should have been was deafening. She bit down on the stiletto nail of her thumb as she continued searching for any crumb of clue, frustration rippling through her wiry frame.

“He’s doing this on purpose…stupid lanky bitch,” she muttered, her voice icy with irritation. “Hiding. Avoiding me. Like I’m the problem,” hissing to herself as she flipped her laptop shut and sat back against the wall her bed was pushed up against. Fidgeting with her piercings, rummaging through the infinite scenarios that played in her head.

Deep down, she knew better. Vaelyn was spiraling, as he often did, in that uniquely self-destructive way that made him impossible to ignore. And yet, the absence of his chaos was far worse than his presence. She needed to know where he was. She couldn’t keep living like this, like everything was fine without him. At the very least by now he would have given her some sort of agitating sign he was alive and well. The cards he’d given her to pay bills and whatever else she’d need financially were all cut off. What was this? An even sicker game than they usually played? Or was it worse than she thought? Was he still alive?

————————

The room smelled of mildew and stale cigarettes, a scent that seemed to cling to Vaelyn’s skin no matter how many cold showers he took in the flickering, dimly lit bathroom. He sat on the edge of the creaky motel bed, his gaunt face buried in his hands, his fingers digging into his temples as though trying to claw the memories out of his skull. The screams—God, the screams—echoed in his ears like a broken record stuck on the most excruciating note. The texts from Rexar, their friendship, the fall of something beautiful they had worked so hard to achieve…all of it, destroyed because of him. He hadn’t eaten in days. The takeout box on the dresser had gone cold and gray, the edges curling with mold. His stomach growled, but he ignored it. The hunger was just another reminder of his failure, another punishment he deserved. The cracked mirror on the far wall reflected his haggard form: sunken eyes with dark circles so pronounced they looked like bruises, his once-vibrant red markings dull and lifeless.

The whispers started again, faint at first, like the distant murmur of a crowd. Vaelyn’s head snapped up, his bloodshot eyes darting around the room. “Shut up,” he hissed under his breath, his voice rough from disuse. His gaze landed on the shadows pooling in the corners of the room, their edges writhing like living things. He knew they weren’t real—or at least, he thought he did. The line between reality and hallucination was razor-thin now, and Oblivion Madness wasn’t known for mercy.

They whispered louder. Murderer. Fool. Coward.

“Shut up!” Vaelyn roared, throwing a glass from the nightstand at the wall. It shattered, the shards raining down like tiny stars, but the voices didn’t stop. They grew louder, more insistent, overlapping into a roar of venomous taunts. He pressed his hands over his ears, curling in on himself as he rocked back and forth on the bed. “They don’t know me… they don’t know me,” he muttered to himself, his voice trembling. “It wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t my fault,” But it was, wasn’t it? The fire, the screams, the faces of those fans—young, hopeful, trusting—seared into his mind like brands of guilt. Vaelyn’s chest heaved with each ragged breath, the weight of his mistakes pressing down on him like a leaden shroud. He couldn’t escape the memories, couldn’t outrun the consequences of his actions. The world had turned its back on him, and he couldn’t blame them.

A shadow moved.

Vaelyn’s head snapped toward it, his eyes narrowing as his breath hitched. The corner of the room seemed darker than it should’ve been, the blackness stretching unnaturally across the peeling wallpaper. A figure emerged, tall and distorted, its eyes two pits of endless void. “Not real,” he whispered, his voice shaking. “You’re not real..” his body trembling as he tried to will the hallucination away, anything to reassure himself this was nothing more than a product of Oblivion. But the figure stepped closer, its form twisting and contorting as if mocking his denial. It didn’t speak—didn’t have to. The weight of its presence pressed down on him, suffocating and relentless.

“Get out!” Vaelyn screamed, stumbling to his feet. His legs were weak, his movements jerky as he backed into the far wall. His fingers clawed at the peeling paint, his body trembling violently. “You’re not real!” The figure loomed closer, and Vaelyn’s breath came in ragged gasps. His vision blurred as tears streamed down his face, his mind fracturing under the pressure. The whispers rose to a deafening symphony, each one slicing through his sanity like a blade.

“You’re the problem. You’re the killer. You’re the weak link,” the voices like poison as they wrapped around the neurons of his already suffering brain folds. Vaelyn dropped to his knees, his hands clawing at his hair. The shadows swirled around him now, suffocating and cold. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t mean to,” he sobbed, his voice barely audible over the chaos in his mind. He thought of Rexar, of the band, of Kalypso. He thought of the fans who would never go home, their lives snuffed out because of his hubris. “I can’t do this anymore,” he whispered, his voice breaking. He curled into himself, trembling as the darkness closed in. The Oblivion Madness wasn’t just a curse; it was a predator, and tonight, it had its claws in him.

Vaelyn’s breaths came in short, ragged bursts as he shivered in fetal position on the motel room floor, his trembling fingers clutching his bony knees. The shadows in the room swirled and danced like ghosts in the graveyard of his hollowed mind. His vision blurred, and his body screamed for rest, but his mind was too chaotic to allow it. Sleep meant surrender. Sleep meant Oblivion. The whispers hadn’t stopped, though they had dulled to a low, menacing hum. His lips moved silently as he tried to repeat the mantra Rexar used to tell him during their early gigs: You’re stronger than your worst days. You can overcome any obstacle. You got this. You got this.

Yet, the words felt hollow now, distant and unreal, as though they belonged to someone else. His body was breaking under the strain of prolonged exhaustion: his muscles ached, his heart raced erratically, and his hands twitched involuntarily. Every so often, his head would bob forward, his eyelids drooping, but he’d jerk himself awake with a guttural cry, his heart hammering in his chest as he tried to sit up against the wall. “Stay awake,” he muttered to himself, his voice hoarse. “Stay awake, or you’ll never wake up,” But his body didn’t care about his determination. It was shutting down, its demands overriding his fragile willpower. His hands grew heavy, his head lolling to the side as the edges of his vision darkened. He clawed at his arm, the sharp pain momentarily grounding him, but it wasn’t enough.

The last thing he saw before his mind gave in was the dim, flickering motel light above him. The bulb buzzed softly, the shadows stretching longer as he fell into unconsciousness. Vaelyn’s dreams were not a sanctuary—they were a battleground. He found himself in a vast, empty void, the air heavy with the scent of ash and charred wood. Flames flickered in the distance, illuminating a barren landscape of jagged rocks and shifting shadows. The screams returned, echoing from all directions, relentless and deafening. He stumbled forward, his bare feet scraping against the rough ground, as the whispers grew louder, coiling around him like a suffocating fog.

“You can’t run from this,” the guttural voice hissed, low and venomous.

Vaelyn spun around, his pale blue-green eyes wild as he searched for the source. The shadows had taken shape again, their forms towering and monstrous, their eyeless faces twisted with malice. They advanced on him, their movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring his terror. “No!” Vaelyn shouted, his voice cracking. He raised his hands instinctively, summoning the faintest glimmer of his illusions. A haze of light flickered around him, but it was weak, his power sapped by his fractured mind. The shadows laughed, their voices blending into a grotesque choir of mockery.

He fell to his knees, the weight of their presence crushing him. The flames grew closer, their heat searing his skin. The ground beneath him split open, revealing an endless abyss of swirling darkness. Oblivion reached for him with clawed hands, pulling him closer to the edge. “Stop!” he cried, tears streaming down his face. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t mean for any of it!”

But the shadows were unrelenting, their whispers now a chant: Murderer. Fool. Coward.

————————

In the Dreamscape, Kalypso sat cross-legged on a crystalline platform surrounded by an endless expanse of stars and shifting colors. She had been searching for Vaelyn for weeks, her mind spiraling deeper into obsession with every failed attempt to find him. Tonight, something had changed. A faint pulse of energy reached her, chaotic and raw, like a distant heartbeat. She froze, her emerald eye widening as she felt the unmistakable tug of his presence.

“Finally,” she whispered, a twisted smile spreading across her face. One of more relief than anything. He WAS alive. Her fingers brushed the lock around her neck—a tether to the man who had disappeared without a word. She rose to her feet, her messy black hair with lime-green streaks flowing about her as she leaped from the platform into the swirling ether of the Dreamscape. Her form shimmered and morphed, becoming a streak of light that shot through the endless void, following the pull of Vaelyn’s presence.

The closer she got, the more the Dreamscape shifted, warping into something dark and unstable. The stars faded, replaced by twisting shadows and flickering flames. Kalypso’s smile faltered as the oppressive energy hit her like a tidal wave, pressing down on her chest and making it hard to breathe. “Vee…” she muttered, her voice unsteady. She pushed forward, her determination outweighing her unease. Finally, she saw him. Vaelyn knelt in the middle of a broken, fiery landscape, his form flickering like a fragile illusion. The shadows around him writhed and clawed at his skin, their whispers piercing through the air. Kalypso landed gracefully a few feet away, her emerald eye narrowing as she took in the scene. “What the fuck is this, Vaelyn?” she hissed, her tone sharp with anger and confusion.

Vaelyn’s head snapped up, his eyes wide with panic as he saw her. “Kaly?” he rasped, his voice barely audible over the noise around him. Kalypso strode toward him, her black stiletto nails gleaming in the firelight.

“You’ve got some nerve, you bastard,” she snarled, her anger bubbling to the surface. “Disappearing for weeks without a single fucking word? Do you have any idea—” Her words cut off as she saw the tears streaming down his face, his body trembling under the weight of his torment. For a moment, Kalypso hesitated, her anger warring with an unfamiliar pang of guilt.

Vaelyn’s voice broke as he choked out, “I can’t… I can’t do this, Kaly. I ruined everything. The band, those people… I killed them. And now… Oblivion… it’s going to take me,” the man she saw before him was a mere shell, a hollowed-out replacement of who she’d known. This wasn’t right, she almost stumbled backwards, second guessing if the dreamscape had gotten it wrong. Was this really her Vaelyn?

Kalypso’s eye softened, the rare flicker of empathy catching her off guard, only to be swallowed up by another wave of unsurpassable rage. “Vee, I’m not fucking kidding,” she spat, stepping closer. “Come on, don’t play these fucking games with me, I’m serious,” Looking him over, as his glazy blue orbs looked at her, his frame still trembling. The two sides of her brain fighting against one another, the urge to scream at him, dimming by every second but despite it she still wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shake him.

“I-…I-…” he tried to get the words out but he snapped his hands over his ears and shrunk to a ball, pulling his long limbs inward as if he were under attack, and though the darkness leaked around them, Kalypso was unable to hear or make out the shadows that were tormenting him from the inside out. She cocked her head to the side, unable to figure out if this was a manifestation of his rotting mental well-being, or if this was just a means to manipulate her into not being upset anymore.

“Spit it the fuck out! I’m serious, Vaelyn, you’re seriously freaking me out, what the fuck is wrong with you?” her voice trembled as she spoke. Emotions that she thought she’d long abandoned years ago, re-surfacing and she could feel her hands starting to shake. She stood there over him and all he could do was crunch closer in on himself.

“I can’t, Kalypso! I-…I CANT!” a rumbling shriek left his lips, he couldn’t even open his eyes to look at her anymore because whenever he did, her face would shift and morph into something he couldn’t even place. Nothing was safe. Not his mind. Not his sight. Not his sleep. No where. He couldn’t run from it, the madness was spilling out of every part of his entire being and only when she heard the tear in his voice did she stand there in shock. She knew what she had to do, the one thing she promised she never would, but this instance was different. Vaelyn was more than clearly suffering, and if she didn’t do something, she was worried she could possibly lose him forever and the thought of that caused her to step forward again.

“It’s going to be okay…” she offered a semblance of support, her voice quivering as she did so, her heart racing in the depths of her chest. She knelt beside him, her hand reaching out to touch his trembling shoulder. Summoning every ounce of strength within her manifestations, she focused on the shadows, willing them to retreat, to give him a moment of peace. The inside of her mind worked to mold and craft something new, different, anything but what he was currently experiencing. But the Oblivion Madness pushed back, the shadows recoiling violently and lashing out at her. Kalypso gritted her teeth, her body trembling as she tried to hold her ground.

“Damn it…” she growled through clenched teeth. “Leave him the fuck alone!” her tone like jagged ice shards as she willed her strength to push at it, refusing to back down as her body worked to manducate the madness that flooded her lover. “Come on…COME ON!!!” she shouted at herself impatiently. Fighting between the many thoughts and emotions swirling around her while trying her best to focus in on the nightmares themselves, was proving difficult for even someone of her caliber. The shadows surged, their energy consuming Vaelyn. He screamed, his hands clutching his head as his mind fractured further. In an instant, he lashed out, his insanity manifesting into a solid energy that came exploding in a burst of chaotic electricity that knocked Kalypso back.

“No! Get out!” he shouted, his eyes glowing with desperation as he severed the connection.

Kalypso gasped as she was ripped from the Dreamscape, her body jolting awake in the dingy apartment she shared with a woman she’d met at the club. Disoriented and furious, she stumbled to her feet, the weight of what had just happened crashing down on her. Unable to process it, she screamed, grabbing the nearest object and hurling it across the room. Her rage consumed her, the sound of shattering glass and her roommate’s terrified voice lost in the chaos. “No! NO, NO, NO!” she shrieked, ripping posters off the walls, tossing her shoes across the room. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. What was the point of having mastered her stupid familial gift if the one time she needed it to help someone, it failed. Yet, maybe that was just it. Due to the fact she’d never used it in a means to heal, but only to torment, that is what made it so much more difficult to perform.

She collapsed to the floor, her hands shaking as tears welled in her eye. Guilt and helplessness gnawed at her, the image of Vaelyn’s tormented face burned into her mind. She had failed him when he needed her most. But as she sat there, the anger and despair slowly gave way to determination. Kalypso wiped away her tears, her jaw set in a steely resolve. She couldn’t abandon Vaelyn, not like her parents did her. She refused to give up, she refused to let his curse win, she would get back to him. She would fight for him.

With a deep breath, she stood up, her mind already racing with plans. She needed to find a way back to him, to break through the darkness that threatened to take him. Instantly, she knew just where to start. Kalypso reached for the lock around her neck, it’s significance to their bond powerful enough to aid her. Feeling the faint pull of energy that connected her to Vaelyn. Closing her eyes, she focused on that connection, letting it guide her back into the Dreamscape.

This time, as she stepped into that ethereal space of which she was so familiar, it was darker, more unstable than before, almost as if the Oblivion was manifesting throughout its entirety. “This is MY turf, mother fucker,” she growled, following the energy back to him. The shadows writhed and twisted around her as she moved through the Dreamscape, but Kalypso pushed forward with a fierce determination. She could feel the weight of the Oblivion pressing down on her, trying to suffocate her flame of obstinacy. However hard it tried, she refused to let it extinguish. As she neared Vaelyn once again, she saw him huddled on the ground, his form flickering in and out of existence. The shadows seemed to be feeding on him from the inside out, his very essence being torn apart by the darkness that surrounded him.

“Vaelyn!” Kalypso called out, her voice cutting through the oppressive silence. She knelt beside him, her hand reaching out to touch his trembling shoulder. “Where are you? Tell me where you are, I’m coming to you, just tell me where you are,”

Vaelyn’s head snapped up, his eyes filled with fear and despair. “Kaly… I can’t...” he choked out, his voice barely a whisper as he struggled to form the words. His hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white with the effort of holding on against the relentless onslaught of the Oblivion Madness. Kalypso could see the torment etched into every line of his face, the remnants of a once vibrant soul now on the brink of being consumed.

She refused to let him slip away. With a deep breath, Kalypso summoned all her power, calling upon the ancient magik that flowed through her veins. The air around them crackled with energy as she focused on shielding Vaelyn from the encroaching darkness. If even just for a momentary minute of time to get the information she desperately needed. "Listen to me, Vaelyn," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the chaos. "I know your brain is basically soup right now, but I need to know your god damn location in order to push Oblivion back at the source, I need to be there physically…so get it together for two fucking seconds to get me the information I need,” she was trying her hardest to be patient, but the fear was also starting to get the best of her own mental stability.

Vaelyn's gaze met hers, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes amidst the despair. Slowly, he began to uncurl himself, the shadows receding slightly in response to Kalypso's power. "Motel…40 miles outside town…blue building…broken sign…" he managed to gasp out, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can’t remember..anything else..." he struggled with the memories of reality as they were slowly slipping away.

“I’m coming, just keep fighting…okay? You big stupid son of a bitch, don’t you DARE give up…” her voice cracked, breaking even. It had been what felt like centuries since she last felt genuinely terrified to lose something, let alone someone. Kalypso stood up, breaking the ties between the dreamscape and reality as she found herself back in the chaotic mess she’d once left her room.

“Hey, you psycho! You’re gonna pay for all these damages and you need to get the fuck out of my-…” cut off by Kalypso shoving straight past the agitated woman she’d been sharing a living space with.

“Can it, cunt, I have more important shit to do, I don’t give two fucks about this god damn apartment,” Kalypso snapped, her tone razor-sharp as she grabbed her jacket off the coat rack. She didn’t bother glancing back. She was already halfway out the door when the roommate screamed something unintelligible about rent and damages, but Kalypso had no space in her head for anything else. Not now. She slammed the apartment door behind her, the sound echoing down the dimly lit hallway. Her boots pounded against the cracked linoleum as she stormed down the stairs and out into the night. The air was sharp and cold, biting at her exposed parts of skin, but she didn’t care. She fumbled with her phone, pulling up a map. “Forty miles… blue building, broken sign,” she muttered, her voice low as she zoomed in and out, scanning the outskirts of the city.

There it was. An old motel in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by desolation. The Blue Star Motel—or what was left of it. The reviews she skimmed said everything she needed to know: condemned, decrepit, “not fit for stray animals,” one person wrote. Perfect. Just the kind of place Vaelyn would run to when the weight of the world crushed him.

She sprinted to the car parked haphazardly outside the building. The door creaked as she wrenched it open and slid into the driver’s seat, the engine coughing to life. Her hands trembled on the steering wheel, her knuckles white as she gripped it tight. Every second felt like a war against time as she tore out of the city and onto the desolate road. The darkness outside was oppressive, the headlights of her car cutting through the inky black as the miles blurred together. Her mind raced just as fast as the car, running through every possible scenario. Was he even alive? Was this the last time she’d see him, his form shrouded in Oblivion, his mind broken beyond repair?

“No,” she growled to herself, slamming her foot down on the accelerator. “He’s not going anywhere. Not without me,” her blood boiling with the sheer idea of having to walk the rest of her journey without his obnoxious antics, his cutting insults, his soft hands on her own. Lifting her hand up to brush away the tears that started to build within her one good eye, she swallowed it. There was no time to cry. There was no time to be sad. There was no time to overthink every angle, she just needed to keep driving.

The Motel loomed out of the shadows like a ghost, the flickering remnants of its neon sign buzzing faintly. Kalypso’s car screeched to a halt in the cracked parking lot, dust swirling in the cold air. She climbed out, slamming the door shut and scanning the building. Most of the windows were boarded up, and the faint light of a single bulb glowed dimly above the office door. Her boots crunched against the gravel as she approached, the wind biting at her cheeks. She shoved the office door open, the smell of mildew and stale cigarettes hitting her like a wall. A disheveled clerk barely looked up from behind the counter, his eyes glassy with disinterest.

“Room. Tall guy. Dark green and gold in his hair, shit ton of tattoos, looks like he hasn’t slept in years. Where is he?” Kalypso barked, slapping a wad of cash onto the counter.

The clerk blinked at her lazily, then gestured down the hallway. “End of the hall. Room twelve. Don’t make a mess that I’ll have to clean up,” he scoffed before looking back down at the magazine he’d been previously invested in before she’d interrupted. Kalypso didn’t wait for him to finish. She was already stalking toward the room, her heart pounding as she reached the door. The faint sound of muffled whispers seeped through the cracks, and she froze, her hand hovering over the doorknob.

“Vaelyn,” she called, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear. “It’s me. Open the door.”

No response.

“Vaelyn, I swear to fucking god, if you don’t open this door, I’m breaking it down!” she shouted, slamming her fist against the wood. Inside, Vaelyn stirred, his mind still caught between reality and hallucination. Her voice sounded like a cruel trick, another illusion meant to torment him. He pressed his hands against his ears, rocking back and forth on the bed as the whispers in his head grew louder.

“She’s not real. She’s not real,” he muttered, his voice cracking.

Kalypso’s patience snapped. “VAELYN!” she screamed, slamming her shoulder into the door. The wood creaked under her weight, but it didn’t budge. “I’m not leaving until you let me in, you hear me? I’ll chew my way through this fucking door if I have to!” her voice was urgent, angry but deeply terrified. One hand she knew he was in there, she could feel his energy, but another was wondering if it was just a trick of her own sick mind. Did it take him? She needed to know he was still alive in there.

Inside, Vaelyn’s breath hitched. Her voice—real or not—cut through the fog, pulling him out of the suffocating spiral. He staggered to his feet, his legs unsteady as he stumbled toward the door. His hand trembled as he reached for the lock, hesitating. ‘Please….Please be real…’ he thought, no, prayed even.

“God fuckin-….VAELYN!” she screamed again, pounding her fist upon the cracked wood of the cheap motel door. “Open this fucking door RIGHT NOW!” and though her voice was as furious as it normally was in moments of stress like such, there was an undertone of desperation, a deep worry that shrouded her sealed off heart. She needed him to open the door just as much as he needed her to walk into it.

The lock clicked.

The door creaked open just a fraction, revealing Vaelyn’s haggard face. His eyes, bloodshot and haunted, met hers, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Kalypso’s rage almost melted away as she saw the broken man before her. Without a word, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, her arms wrapping around him in a fierce, desperate embrace. Vaelyn stiffened, his body trembling as if he might shatter under her touch, but he didn’t pull away.

“You fucking idiot…!!” they grabbed each other, both now certain the other was really there, confident in the fact there was no metaphysical or invisible barrier between them. Vaelyn’s arms finally wrapped around her, slowly, at first, shaking. Yet, it was when the fresh scent of her usually floral perfume that hit his nose was he really convinced it was her and they both slid to the ground as the door shut behind them. “You-…you fucking idiot!” she broke, sobbing into the crook of his shoulder as her hands clutched his back, holding him closer.

“Y-You’re….here?” Vaelyn’s hoarse voice confused, he’d thought certainly the madness had made up their encounter in the dreamscape. He was almost convinced he’d be eaten away by his insanity and there would be only one escape from it.

“Of course I’m fucking here! I told you I was coming, you dim-witted bitch!” she pulled back snuffling softly, realizing he was alive was more than enough to calm the tears that had sprung up on her the moment she had him in her arms. “Why? Why Vaelyn? Why would you put yourself in this STUPID fucking position? Why would you do this alone?” she pulled him back by his shoulders to look at him. His face was pale, his eyes sunken and haunted. His once vibrant green and gold hair now dulled and matted, his tattoos looking like mere shadows of their former selves. The man before her was a shell of the one she knew, broken and lost.

Vaelyn’s gaze flickered away from hers, shame clouding his features. “I…I had to,” he whispered, his voice barely audible above the pounding of her heart. “I can’t cause anymore damage…I can’t face them…I can’t face anyone…let alone you…I couldnt-…”

“Couldnt what? Give me a fuckin’ heads up that you were just gonna go get swallowed up by your own fuckin’ madness?!” her eyebrows turned in, the anger setting in. She was mad he didn’t take two seconds to consider her in his quest of solitude. Vaelyn flinched at her words, his jaw tightening as he tried to find the courage to respond.

“I didn’t want to drag you into this, Kalypso,” he muttered, his voice strained. “You don’t understand—” but before he could finish the rest of his thought or sentence, Kalypso came undone at the seams.

“Don’t I?!” she snapped, cutting him off. She released his shoulders and shoved herself to her feet, pacing the small room like a caged animal. “You think you’re the only one who gets to suffer, huh? You think your pain is so special that no one else could possibly understand? Fuck you, Vaelyn. Fuck. You,” She jabbed a finger in his direction, her single eye blazing with fury. “You don’t get to decide what I can handle!”

Vaelyn staggered to his feet, his own frustration bubbling to the surface. “It’s not about what you can handle, Kalypso! It’s about what I can’t!” His voice cracked as he gestured to himself, his trembling hands, his sallow face. “Look at me! I’m a goddamn wreck! You think I wanted you to see me like this?!”

“I don’t give a shit how you look!” Kalypso shot back, her voice rising. “I give a shit about the fact that you didn’t even try to talk to me! You just ran off, left me to pick up the pieces like you always fucking do!” walking towards him she shoved him with two open palms, he stumbled back a few inches. It was then that Vaelyn’s hands curled into fists at his sides.

“Maybe I left because I knew you’d make it about you! Like you always do!” The words were venomous, and the moment they left his mouth, he regretted them, but it was too late.

Kalypso froze, her chest heaving as his words sank in. Her face twisted in a mix of hurt and anger, and she stepped closer, her finger stabbing into his chest. “You really wanna do this right now? You wanna make me the problem?!” Her voice was low, dangerous. “You’re the one who decided to play the fucking martyr, Vaelyn. You’re the one who disappeared without a word, leaving me to wonder if you were even fucking alive,” she spat back at him.

“I didn’t ask you to come after me!” Vaelyn roared, his voice shaking the walls of the tiny room. His fists unclenched, his arms spreading wide in exasperation. “I didn’t ask you to care! I didn’t—”

“Bullshit!” Kalypso screamed, her voice cutting through his like a blade. “You don’t get to pull this lone wolf crap and then act like you’re the victim when someone actually gives a damn about you! Let ALONE someone like ME,” She shoved him again, hard, her hands slamming into his chest. “You’re not the only one who’s broken, Vaelyn! You think you’re the only one carrying scars?! Newsflash, asshole: I’m just as fucked up as you are!”

Vaelyn stumbled back, his breathing ragged as he glared at her. “I know that!” he shouted, his voice raw. “I know you’re broken! That’s why I didn’t want you here! Because I can’t… I can’t be responsible for you, too. I can’t carry both of us!”

Kalypso’s hands trembled at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. She took a step back, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You’re not responsible for me. You’ve never been responsible for me. But don’t you dare act like I’m some fucking burden. I didn’t come here for you. I came here because I wasn’t going to let this thing win. You fucking hear me? Not you, not it, not any of this,”

Vaelyn’s shoulders sagged, the fight draining out of him as her words pierced through the haze of his anger. His gaze dropped to the floor, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t want you to see me like this… because I didn’t want to be another person who let you down,” his gaze avoiding hers as it stared down at the floor that moved amongst the slowed hallucinations. It was almost as if his mind could take a break because the woman standing in the room was enough to make things even worse for him.

Kalypso almost scoffed at the comment, rolling her eye and shaking her head. “Yeah? You didn’t want to be like everyone else in my fucking life? SO YOU ABANDONED ME?! Don’t GIVE me that sad sack of SHIT!” her emerald orb welling up with unresolved pain, with pushed off emotions that now bubbled to the surface. Her outburst echoed in the small room, the tension between them crackling like wildfire. Vaelyn raised his head slowly to meet her gaze, the weight of his actions heavy in his eyes.

The silence that followed was suffocating, each breath they took heavy with the anger and raw emotion they had unleashed. Vaelyn’s jaw clenched, and Kalypso’s fists trembled at her sides, her nails biting into her palms. Neither of them moved, the air between them crackling with a volatile mix of fury and despair.

Vaelyn’s voice broke the silence first, low and shaking. “You think I wanted to hurt you? You think I planned this?!” He stepped closer, his towering figure casting a shadow over her. “Every second I’m alive, I’m fighting against this… thing in my head that’s eating me alive. And every time I look at you, Kalypso, I see someone I can’t fucking save because I can’t even save myself!” he shouted at her, his expression twisted with self doubt, with self hatred, with the tension of all the years of messing things up.

Kalypso didn’t back down. She met his blazing eyes with her own, taking a step toward him, the space between them shrinking. “You think I need you to save me?!” she shot back, her voice trembling with rage. “You self-righteous, self-pitying asshole. I don’t need a savior. I need someone who doesn’t fucking run every time it gets hard!” her own words cutting, volatile and selfish.

Vaelyn flinched at her locution, but his anger surged again, masking his guilt. “You don’t get it! I can’t stay! I can’t stay and watch myself drag you down with me! You deserve better—everyone deserved better—”

“I deserve better?” Kalypso interrupted, her laugh bitter and sharp. She shoved him again, harder this time, her voice rising. “Don’t you dare tell me what I deserve! You don’t get to decide that! You don’t get to leave and make it about me! You left because you’re a coward, Vaelyn! Admit it!” she could tell that one hurt, it caused him to pause for a mere moment, looking at her in disbelief. His face then twisted with rage, and his voice dropped to a dangerous growl.

“Coward?” He grabbed her wrist, hard, enough to stop her from shoving him again. His eyes burned into hers. “You think I’m a coward because I’m trying to protect you? And anyone else I could damage? I’d rather be a coward than watch you end up like me! I KILLED people, Kalypso, don’t you fuckin’ get that? I ruined EVERYTHING, and all I'd do is ruin you too,” his eyebrows curved inward to match the disbelief and exasperation he was faced even having this conversation. She was supposed to be here to help and of course, she wanted to spin and twist their reunion based off something she couldn’t possibly grasp outside herself.

Kalypso wrenched her wrist free, her breathing ragged as she stepped even closer, her chest almost brushing his. “I don’t give a FUCK, about any of that, I could handle that shit, what I can’t handle…” she spat, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. “Is-…fuckin’..You….” struggling to find her thoughts leading into coherent sentences, but it finally exploded again. “LEFT, YOU LEFT! fuckin’….DISAPPEARED, don’t you get that? Why don’t you fucking GET that?” she was putting in over drive to not burst into tears, triggered by the abandonment only to find him still alive, still within his capabilities of letting her in but choosing to keep her shut out.

Vaelyn’s hands trembled at his sides, his anger and shame warring within him. He looked down at her, his voice breaking. “I’m already gone, Kalypso. There’s nothing left of me to save. And if you stay, it’ll take you too,” he turned his head away, gaze focused on the ground again, too ashamed to look at her.

Her voice softened, but it was no less fierce. She turned his head by his chin to return his attention back to her “Then let it. If that’s what it takes, then let it. Because I’m not going anywhere, Vaelyn. Not without you, I don’t know why you haven’t fucking gathered that in your thick ass skull, but you can’t just fucking leave me behind,”The words hung in the air, raw and unyielding, piercing through the storm of emotions that surrounded them. Vaelyn staggered back as if she had struck him, his hands running through his hair as he tried to process what she had just said.

“You don’t… you don’t mean that,” he muttered, shaking his head.

Kalypso stepped forward, her voice steady and firm. “I do. You don’t get to push me away and tell yourself it’s for my own good. You don’t get to decide that I’m better off without you when you don’t even have the decency to ask me what I want. You and I,” she paused, looking down then back up at him again. “We get each other more than you want to believe, you’re the only fuckin’ person on this entire earth who can handle me, and in turn, I can do that for you…fuck it if you’re batshit….fuck it if there’s a curse upon your soul, you…” she swallowed the lump that threatened to over take her voice and cause her to cry. She wouldnt do it. She’d already cracked once. “Are all I fucking have…I’d…” she stopped. Trying so desperatly to find the right words, unable to unearth the meaning to which she truly meant to convey. “Haven’t you a fucking clue?”

He sank onto the edge of the bed, his head in his hands, his shoulders trembling. “I don’t know how to deal with this,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Kalypso crouched in front of him, her hands resting on his knees as she looked up at him. Her voice was softer now, but no less intense. “Then we figure it out together, that’s why I’m fuckin’ here,” Vaelyn looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of despair and something else—something that looked like hope, fragile and flickering. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Kalypso pulled him into a fierce embrace, holding onto him like he was the only thing keeping her grounded.

“Don’t leave me again,” she whispered, her voice breaking. For a moment, Vaelyn didn’t move. Then, slowly, his arms wrapped around her, his grip tightening as he buried his face in her shoulder. The fight drained out of him, leaving only raw, unfiltered emotion.

“I’m sorry,” he choked out, his voice muffled against her. “I’m so fucking sorry…I’m trying to fight it….I’m trying to—”

“Shut up, you fuckin’ idiot…just…let me in,” she whispered, the angry fire in her finally dulling out to a tiny ember, relieved again he was even in her arms and not a cold, purple body laying lifeless on the floor.

“It’s….so loud in here..Kaly…it’s so fucking loud…” he broke into harder sobs, his body trembling around her, his fingers gripping the fabric of her jacket tightly as the voices began to return to his mind. Seeping in slowly like a broken faucet leak.

Kalypso tightened her grip around him, her fingers pressing into his back as if she could physically anchor him to reality. “I know,” she murmured, her voice a surprisingly soothing contrast to the chaos in his head. “I know it’s loud. But I can help. You just have to trust me, Vaelyn. Just… let me in. Let me do this for you,” He shook his head against her shoulder, his voice muffled by her jacket.

“It’s not that simple. You don’t understand what it feels like—what it’s doing to me. It’s like… it’s like drowning, but you can’t die. You just keep sinking,” Kalypso pulled back just enough to grab his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. His eyes were bloodshot and wild, his pupils unnaturally dilated. She didn’t flinch at the sight.

“You’re not sinking, I won’t let you drown, I won’t let this shit win,” she said firmly, her emerald eye blazing with determination. “You said it yourself—we’re both broken. So let me deal with the pieces. Let me fix it, it’s what I was born to do,” she continued, her words struggling to convince him, which was almost understandable since in most cases, in most ways, all she ever did was make things worse. It was different this time. She knew she was capable of channeling all her unmanaged chaos into something useful for once, her gift could finally be that, for him, a gift.

Vaelyn tried to pull away, but her grip on his face was unrelenting. “You don’t know what you’re asking,” he rasped, his voice trembling. “It’ll take you down with me. It’ll—”

“Stop!” she snapped, her voice cutting through his protest like a knife. “You don’t get to tell me what I can or can’t handle. Remember? I have survived things that would make most people lose their minds. And you know what? I’m still here. I’m standing right in front of you, Vaelyn, and I’m telling you that I can do this. Now, are you going to let me fucking help you, or are we just going to sit here until that thing convinces you to blow your fuckin’ brains out?” her expression read desperation, her words, more comforting and supportive than they once had ever been.

He hesitated, his jaw tightening as he searched her face for any sign of doubt. But there was none. Kalypso’s eye burned with an unyielding intensity, her resolve like iron. Finally, his shoulders slumped, and he let out a shaky breath. “If… if you think you can stop it… then do it. But if it starts to take you—”

“Don’t be stupid,” she interrupted, her voice steady. “God himself couldn’t take me from you,” Without waiting for further objection, Kalypso moved to kneel in front of him again, her hands sliding from his face to his trembling hands. “Close your eyes,” she instructed softly, her tone suddenly calm, almost hypnotic.

Vaelyn hesitated, but her unflinching gaze urged him on. Slowly, he closed his eyes, his breathing ragged as he braced himself for whatever was coming. Kalypso took a deep breath, centering herself as she focused on the swirling madness she could already feel radiating from him. The Oblivion Madness—it was a storm, chaotic and relentless, clawing at the edges of his mind. She closed her own eye, letting the shimmering thread of her dream manipulation uncoil within her. It was a gift, yes, but one she had always used for heinous reasons, never once had she tried to aid anyone’s struggles but only sought to worsen them. It required precision, control—and she had never tested it on something this… monstrous.

Dipping into the fringes of his mind was like diving into an ocean of tar. It resisted her at first, writhing and snarling, but she pushed harder, her will a sharp blade cutting through the darkness. The voices that plagued Vaelyn became audible now, screaming and wailing in an otherworldly outpour.

“You don’t belong here,” one hissed, its tone dripping with venom.

“He’s ours,” another snarled, its voice like nails on glass.

Kalypso ignored them, her focus unwavering. She followed the threads of chaos to their core, where the madness coiled and festered like a living entity. It lashed out at her, tendrils of dark energy clawing at her consciousness, but she didn’t flinch. “You’re loud,” she growled, her voice reverberating through the space like a thunderclap. “But I’m fucking LOUDER,” Summoning her strength, Kalypso began to weave her own threads of control into the storm, her power surging as she manipulated the very fabric of his nightmares. The voices screeched in protest, their force battering against her defenses, but she held firm.

Vaelyn groaned, his body convulsing as the madness fought back, trying to reclaim its grip on him. “Kalypso—” he gasped, his voice strained.

“Sh!” she hissed through gritted teeth, sweat beading on her brow. “I’ve got this,” her voice filled with unwavering confidence, though her body shook with the sheer force of energy she was putting out to work her way through the curse. With a final surge of will, she pushed the storm outward, forcing the darkness to retreat. It clawed and shrieked, but her resolve was unyielding. The chaos began to dissipate, the voices fading into an eerie silence. When Kalypso finally opened her eye, she was full trembling, sweating even, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Vaelyn was slumped against the bed, his breathing heavy but steady. His face, though still pale, seemed… calmer. The shadows that had haunted his features were lighter now, the madness no longer choking him.

“You…” His voice was hoarse, barely a whisper. “You did it…”

Kalypso collapsed onto the floor, her body drained but her lips curling into a faint smirk. “Of fucking course I did, numb-nuts,” she muttered. “I’m the most powerful Vahlia Baku who ever fuckin’ lived,” she sat up, catching her center and brushing back a few stray strands of hair before she continued. “..and if I couldn’t do this, I might as well not consider myself a Baku at all,” she scoffed a bit snarky, a little too cocky, but it made the tired lion man smirk.

“You really are too fuckin’ arrogant for your own good, you know?” shaking his head, but feeling the intensity of fifteen tons of emotional weight lifting off of him was the relief he needed. He was grateful. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the storm was quiet.

“Yeah yeah, you’re welcome…” she stuck her tongue out before taking a deep breath and exhaling with an uncertainty that made the man raise a brow. “Now I need you to trust me for just a little longer okay?”

“Why? What do you mean?” he hesitated, unsure if he was ready to face the rest of what she had to say.

“You need to sleep,” almost as if she were bracing for the impact of his resistance. Kalypso knew it was going to be a tough battle to convince him to close his eyes again.

“No…No because, what if it comes back? It’s most powerful when I’m asleep…” the man almost started to shake again, the uncertainty of it, the panic of being vulnerable in his sleep, it was the reason he’d been avoiding it for weeks at this point.

“Will you knock it the fuck off? You’ve already seen what I’m capable of, it’s fine, just let me do what I do best,” she rolled her eye, almost exhausted that he would keep doubting her abilities by this point.

“You just used all your energy to push it away, you expect me to believe you can handle another, what? Several fucking hours?” he raised a brow incredulously, pull his head back a bit to look her up and down.

“The dreamscape is my territory, I’ll have tenfold more energy and strength in there, you just need to have some god damn faith that I can do it,” her will unwavering, her stance unshaken. Vaelyn stared at her, torn between disbelief and desperation. He wanted to trust her, but the fear was still there, gripping his chest like a vice. His hands trembled as they clutched the edges of the bed, his breathing ragged.

“I don’t know if I can,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kalypso’s eye softened, but her tone stayed firm. “You don’t have a fucking choice. If you keep running from this, it’s going to kill you—or worse. And I didn’t just fucking drag you back from the brink, for you to give up now. I won’t let you,” She reached out, her fingers brushing against his, grounding him.

Vaelyn swallowed hard, his throat dry as he glanced at her. The fire in her gaze hadn’t dimmed, even after all she had done. She believed in herself—more than he ever could. “Alright,” he finally said, his voice barely audible. “But if you’re wrong—”

“I’m never wrong,” she interrupted with a smirk, though her voice wavered just enough to betray her own exhaustion. “Now shut the fuck up, lay the fuck down, and close your fuckin eyes, before I knock you the fuck out myself,” With a hesitant nod, Vaelyn eased himself back onto the bed. His heart raced as his head hit the pillow, his entire body tense. Kalypso shifted to sit beside him, her fingers lightly tracing shapes on the back of his hand, trying to calm him.

“I’m here,” she whispered. “I’m not going anywhere,” He closed his eyes, his breathing uneven. The silence stretched between them, thick with anticipation. Kalypso leaned back against the wall, her gaze fixed on him as his breathing began to slow, his body sinking deeper into the mattress. She felt the shift as his mind began to drift, the edges of his consciousness slipping into the dreamscape. Her eye closed, and she allowed herself to fall with him.

————————

The dreamscape was alive with chaos. Shadows twisted and churned, an oppressive darkness pressing in from all sides. The voices were back, louder and more vicious, their whispers clawing at the edges of Vaelyn’s mind. He stood at the center of it all, trembling as the storm began to close in on him. Kalypso appeared beside him, her form shimmering like a beacon of light in the darkness. “You weren’t kidding,” she muttered, taking in the writhing mass of terror around them. “This is a real shitshow,”

Vaelyn turned to her, his expression both hopeful and terrified. “I told you… it’s worse here,”

“Yeah, yeah,” she replied, waving him off. “I’ve also conjured worse shit,” She stepped forward, her presence radiating confidence as she faced the darkness head-on. “Alright, assholes,” she called out, her voice cutting through the racket. “I’m here now, it’s time for you to piss off,”

The shadows surged toward her, a tidal wave of malice and fury. Vaelyn reached out to stop her, but Kalypso held up a hand. “Fuck off,” she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. “This is my fight,” her hands moving in slow circles around each other, forming a manifested ball of shadow mixed with light. With a deep breath, she summoned her power, the dreamscape bending and shifting around her. The darkness crashed into her like a wave, but she stood firm, her energy blazing like wildfire. The storm screamed and writhed, fighting against her control, but she pushed back with everything she had. “Jesus…this shit is fuckin’…stubborn,” she spoke through gritted teeth as she stayed firmly planted, working her way through it.

Vaelyn watched, frozen, as Kalypso battled the madness that had consumed him for so long. The shadows twisted and writhed, trying to overwhelm her with their malevolent force, but Kalypso stood her ground. She channeled every ounce of strength within her, pushing back against the darkness that sought to suffocate them. Her eye blazed with determination as she unleashed a torrent of energy, dispersing the shadows and bringing a momentary calm to the dreamscape.

As the last remnants of the storm dissipated, a profound stillness settled over the realm. Kalypso stood amidst the fading echoes of chaos, her chest heaving as she surveyed the now tranquil landscape. Vaelyn looked at her in awe, a newfound respect dawning in his eyes.

"You did it," he breathed, his voice tinged with disbelief and gratitude.

Kalypso allowed herself a small, weary smile before turning to him. "Duh," she quipped, though the exhaustion in her voice was palpable. “Now, relax…gaining the upper hand was the hard part, keeping it away will be easy so long as I’m here with you,” she walked toward him, leading them to the ground by taking his hand. She sat, criss crossed, patting her lap to allow him to rest his head. Vaelyn let out a shaky breath, feeling a weight he hadn't realized he'd been carrying lift from his shoulders. The sense of relief was overwhelming, almost foreign after so long spent in the grip of fear. He looked at Kalypso with a newfound sense of trust, grateful beyond words for her intervention.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. He joined her on the ground, comforted, laying his head within her lap and allowing her to gently rolled her fingers through his messy strands of hair. Kalypso offered him a tired but warm smile, her emerald orb reflecting the weariness of the battle they had just faced together.

"You're welcome," she replied softly, her gaze never leaving his. “You know…” she chuckled almost mindlessly as her fingers worked to soothe his weary soul. “You’re the first person I’ve ever used my gifts to actually help…most the time, I am the storm…I am the darkness…” her words almost resigned, as if she had only just realized this fact about herself.

Vaelyn listened to the soft sounds of her voice, her gentle touch soothing him in a way he had never experienced before. He knew that she was different, something in her made her stand out from others, but never did he think it could be anything like what they just experienced.

"How does that make you feel?" he asked curiously. Kalypso had always been a complete and royal pain in his ass, but for once, she saved him. She saw him. The most insane apart about it, was when she saw him, she didn’t run or shy. She wasn’t even mildly shaken by it. He knew she had the capabilities of ruining people’s lives, he’d seen it first hand in their relationship. Yet, this side, was a completely different version of the person he’d come to know and meet. He knew that all of the roughest parts of her were just a means of protection from the pain that her family had caused her so long ago.

Kalypso paused, her fingers still moving gently through Vaelyn's hair. She had never really thought about how her own darkness might affect others. She had always been focused on surviving, on protecting herself from those who would or could cause her more pain. Using her gift as a means to seek vengeance and the upper hand in life, but now, seeing the effect she had on Vaelyn, she realized that maybe, she didn’t always have to.

"It's… complicated," she admitted finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "But knowing that I can preserve someone else, not just myself? That feels… good. Really good," Her fingers paused in their soothing rhythm, and she looked down at him with a mixture of vulnerability and gratitude. "I love you…stupid,” Vaelyn cocked a brow, an amused look written over his face but before he could respond, she continued. “and…thank you, for showing me there’s more to myself than…even I thought was capable," shrugging her shoulders, handing him a piece of the softness neither of them knew she was capable of doing.

Vaelyn smiled up at her, warmly, "I love you," he whispered back, his voice shaky but filled with sincerity. Truly, the first, and probably only time they’d ever been this intimate together. He held onto the moment tightly, not wanting to let go of it. They sat there, in continued silence, as Vaelyn allowed himself rest, real rest for the first time in what felt like his whole life. Not a whisper, not a voice. Silence. Something he was so grateful to even be in the presence of. While he relished in this freedom, Kalypso kept her guard up, made sure that her radiating energy kept the scape calm. They stayed this way, for the rest of the time Vaelyn needed to sleep. Allowing him his first real rest for what he believed to be, the only time in his existence.

To Be Continued…

Author’s Notes:

That is all I really can say. Elmo praising the flames. I’m physically sweating from all that intensity but damn….DAMN did I put my pussy into this piece 😩 I need to crank out more angst and lore and intense content like this. Vee and Kalypso seriously feed something really fucked up in me but i absolutely am addicted to writing their interactions with one another. 🤌🏻 Hope whoever reads this enjoys! TIL next time 🫡

[thekinkyleopard]

Me giggling, cackling and kicking my feet at Kalypso’s first meeting of him because, me, her birth giver, knows full well it’s just the narc mask enchanting him and that he’s in for the whirlwind of his entire life 😩😩😩😩🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 I loved this 😏 👏🏻👏🏻

I also fucking love Rex and Vee’s banter so much 🤣

Fever Pitch (Sneeze The Day part 2)

Wow, when I started writing this, I didn’t anticipate to write 8.4k words… oops 😅 this fic is a follow up to Sneeze The Day, which you can read here if you missed it. Vaelyn gets a killer head cold while on tour with his death metal band, Toad Biscuit, featuring Rexar and Kriia since it takes place before Vee sets fire to a venue and goes into hiding. I also had to give Vee tattoos since how do you have a metalhead character without tattoos? lol ALSO THERES EXPLICIT SMUT AT THE END ✨ pls enjoy~

The soft rumble of the bus engine was the first thing Vaelyn noticed as he slowly surfaced from the fog of sleep. The couch beneath him felt oddly comfortable, though the lump of an errant cushion pressed awkwardly into his lower back. Perhaps he was simply too drained to care. A groan escaped his lips as he shifted, his entire body heavy with exhaustion, the kind that seeped into his bones and refused to let go.

His sinuses were a disaster zone. Every breath he managed was an ordeal, dragging air through congestion so thick it felt like trying to breathe through soaked fabric. His throat, raw from hours of coughing, burned with every swallow, a sharp, irritating sting that no amount of effort could soothe. His head throbbed in time with his heartbeat, a relentless drumbeat against his temples that made even opening his eyes seem like an insurmountable challenge.

When he finally cracked one bleary blue eye open, the dim, muted daylight filtering through the bus curtains hit him like a spotlight. He winced, squeezing his eyes shut again as if the mere act of seeing was too much. A mess of tissues littered the floor beside the couch, the crumpled paper remnants scattered like fallen leaves in a storm. His tissue box had fallen as well, lying on its side like a casualty of the night before.

"Good morning, Sunshine." Rexar’s deep, teasing voice cut through the thick haze of Vaelyn’s misery.

Vaelyn groaned again, his voice a low, guttural rasp as he slowly turned his head to squint up at his friend. Rexar was perched on the edge of the couch, one elbow resting casually on his knee, a steaming mug in his other hand. His sharp grey-and-red eyes studied Vaelyn critically, his expression hovering somewhere between amusement and concern.

“You look like someone ran you over with the bus, backed up, and did it again,” Rex said with a smirk, his teeth glinting faintly in the daylight.

“Feel like it too,” Vaelyn rasped, his voice so gravelly it sounded like it had been dragged through sandpaper. He winced at the effort, swallowing thickly as his throat protested the strain.

Rex held out the mug in his hands, tilting it slightly toward Vaelyn. “It’s tea,” he explained. “Kriia made it before she left to pick up some stuff for you. Drink it. Might make you less insufferable.”

Vaelyn huffed weakly, a sound that might have been a laugh if he had the energy for it. With trembling hands, he reached for the mug, his fingers brushing against Rexar’s briefly as he took it. He sniffled wetly, his red and swollen nose twitching faintly, but the motion only seemed to irritate his sinuses further. His breath hitched once—twice—before he clamped a tissue to his face just in time.

"Hhh... HHhh! hh—Hh'IESHHhh! HH’EISHHhh! ISCHHHhh! Hh-ISHHhh! —ish! …ish! ...sh! hh-!………………..—hhIISSHHhhuhh!"

The sneezes erupted from him in rapid succession, bending him forward until his head nearly rested on his knees. The force left him gasping, the sound of his ragged breath filling the quiet space as he slumped back against the couch, tissues pressed firmly to his nose.

“Bless you,” Rexar said dryly, though the faint edge of concern in his tone didn’t go unnoticed.

“Thadks,” Vaelyn muttered, his voice barely audible as he gave his nose a weak blow. He eyed the mug in his lap as if it held the cure to all his ailments, then raised it to his lips. The first cautious sip was scalding, but the warmth spread through him like a balm, soothing the raw ache in his throat.

A quiet, involuntary hum of approval escaped him, and he sagged deeper into the couch. “Tell Kriia… she’s a saint,” he mumbled.

Rexar snorted, leaning back and folding his arms across his chest. “Sure, I’ll let her know. Just don’t keel over before she gets back, yeah? I’d rather not have to explain that to the fans— and I wouldn’t even know how to make a new best friend this late in the game...”

Vaelyn offered a half-hearted glare, but the corner of his mouth twitched, betraying a flicker of gratitude beneath his misery.

The lion slouched further into the couch, dragging a tissue to his nose with a groggy motion as his sinuses waged another war against him. His flushed cheeks only made the irritated red of his nose more pronounced, and the glare he shot Rexar was half-hearted at best.

Rexar, perched casually on the armrest, smirked down at him with a glint of mischief in his sharp grey-and-red eyes. "You know, for someone so dramatic, you’re surprisingly consistent. I think you’ve sneezed more in the last hour than most people do in a week.”

Vaelyn shot him a watery glare, his hoarse voice dripping with sarcasm. “Thagks for the statisdics, Dr. Rexar. Always woddered who kept track of by hist…hh…” He trailed off, his breath hitching violently. He clamped the tissue tightly over his nose, the corner of his mouth curling downward as his blue eyes brimmed with tears.

“...hh’ESHHHhh! Hhh’ISSHHhh! Hh-ISHHhh! ...ish! ...SHh!—sh! ………——hh’EISSHHHhew!” Each sneeze tore through him, leaving him gasping and dazed as he slumped back into the couch.

Rexar chuckled, leaning back with a lazy grin. “Man, you sound like someone’s trying to exorcise a demon out of you.”

“At least I dod’t becobe a fugkigg flabethrower whed I sdeeze,” Vaelyn shot back, his words muffled and thick with congestion. His free hand gestured weakly toward Rexar, punctuating his point. “You burdt by favorite jacket, rebebber that shit?”

Rexar barked a laugh, his teeth flashing in the dim bus lighting. “Oh, come on, that was, what? Two years ago? You’re still holding onto that?”

“Id was buhh— blasted leather,” Vaelyn croaked, pinching the bridge of his nose with a groan. His breath caught mid-sentence, his long fingers trembling as he fought to stave off the inevitable. His expression twisted, his watery blue eyes squeezing shut until the sneezes finally erupted.

“hh—ISHHHhew! ISCHHHhh! Hh-ISHHhh! —ish! …ish! ...sh! ……..…hh’ISSHHHuhhh!” The final sneeze was so forceful it left him clutching at his tissues like they were the only thing keeping him tethered to reality.

Rexar shook his head, his grin widening. “You done, or you got more for the highlight reel?”

Vaelyn groaned, wiping his nose miserably. “You’re the wor…hh…worst.”

“Yeah, but I’m your worst,” Rexar quipped, patting Vaelyn’s shoulder lightly. “And don’t worry—I won’t set this jacket on fire. Yet.”

As the day dragged on, despite the show getting closer and closer, Vaelyn’s symptoms were only getting worse. His congestion had reached critical levels, rendering his nose completely useless. Each attempted breath was a noisy, wet struggle, forcing him to breathe through his mouth, which dried out his already sore throat. His fever clung to him like a heavy blanket, leaving his skin clammy and his cheeks flushed a blotchy red.

Every few minutes, his nose would rebel, sending him into relentless fits of sneezes that left his body trembling and his head spinning.

“...Hh’iISSHHhh!! ISCHHHhh! Hh-ISHHhh! —ish!-shh! —shh! Hhh... hihhh—huh’IISHHHHHhew!”

“Bless you,” Rexar called out from across the bus, not even looking up from his guitar. “You sound like a dying foghorn, by the way.”

Vaelyn groaned, his head dropping back against the couch. “Thadks for the idsight,” he muttered, his voice thick with congestion.

Rexar strummed a few idle chords, smirking. “Hey, I’m just saying, if this whole music thing doesn’t pan out, you could have a promising career as a lighthouse.”

Vaelyn gave him a withering glare, though it lost some of its edge thanks to the tissue pressed firmly against his nose.

Despite his miserable state, Vaelyn couldn’t let himself wallow all day. The tour wasn’t over yet, and the thought of missing another show—especially after last night’s fiasco—made his chest tighten with guilt. He swung his legs off the couch and sat up, his head pounding in protest.

As Rexar rummaged through the small kitchenette, the sound of clinking dishes mixing with the hum of the bus engine, Vaelyn forced himself upright. His legs felt like they were made of lead, and a wave of dizziness made him grip the armrest for support.

“Don’t even think about it,” Rexar said, not bothering to turn around as he poured milk into a bowl of cereal. “You’re staying here today. Doctor’s orders.”

Vaelyn scowled, his already flushed face deepening in color. “You’re not a doctor.”

“No, but I’m your best friend,” Rexar retorted, setting the bowl down with a clatter, “which means I outrank your stubborn ass. Besides, do you really think you’re in any shape to get on stage tonight?”

Vaelyn opened his mouth to argue, but the hitching in his breath betrayed him. His nostrils flared, his breath stuttering as his head tilted back involuntarily.

“Ugh... I’b—hh—gonnuhhh... sdeeze—hh!” he stammered, his voice hitching higher with each breath. “HH’EISHHhh! ISCHHHhh! Hh-ISHHhh! ...ish! ...sh!—sh!” The sneezes came rapid-fire, bending him forward and leaving him clutching the edge of the couch to keep from toppling over. His tea sloshed dangerously in the mug he still held, but he managed to set it down just before it spilled entirely. Vaelyn barely had time to suck in a shallow gasp before the fit resumed.

“...hehhHH!—EEIISSHHuhh!”

Rexar arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Point proven,” he said flatly, crossing his arms and leaning against the counter.

Vaelyn sniffled miserably, scrubbing at his nose with his hoodie sleeve. “I’ll be fide by todight,” he insisted, though his voice was little more than a congested rasp.

“Sure, and I’m the queen of Hiraeth,” Rexar shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Before Vaelyn could retort, Kriia stepped onto the bus, her arms full of bags from her trip to the store. She paused in the doorway, surveying the scene with a raised brow. “Alright” she started, setting the bags on the counter. “we’ve got a situation tonight.”

Vee groaned softly, scrubbing at his nose with the sleeve of his hoodie. “Please tell be it’s dot bad,” he rasped, his congestion thickening his voice even more.

Kriia smirked faintly, crossing her arms. “Depends on your definition of bad… We’ve got a meet and greet before the show tonight.”

Rexar leaned back in his seat, his sharp grey-red eyes narrowing. “Seriously? That’s tonight?”

Kriia nodded. “Yup. And before you even start, Rex, remember: people paid a lot of money for this. Skipping it isn’t an option unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Vee perked up slightly, despite the exhaustion weighing him down. “I could do it,” he said quickly, his voice cracking. “The fads deserve it. I could haddle the beet and greet… as a test, baybe?” He sniffled, wiping at his nose as his determination burned through his obvious misery. “See how I hold up before the show?”

Rexar raised an eyebrow, exchanging a skeptical look with Kriia. “You?” he asked, gesturing vaguely toward Vee’s disheveled appearance. “You want to do the meet and greet?”

“I’ll be fide!” Vee protested, sitting up straighter as if that might make him look healthier. But the motion was ill-timed. His breath hitched sharply, his nostrils flaring as he quickly ducked his head into the neckline of his hoodie.

"Hhh… hh-Hhh! HH’EISHHhh! ISCHhh! ISHHh! hh—ISHHh! ISCHHHhh! Hh-ISHHhh! ...ish! ...sh! ……………. Hhh—EEISSHHhuhh!!”

The rapid-fire sneezes shook him, his chest heaving with each forceful expulsion as he tried to stifle the fit against his chest. By the time he surfaced, his face was red, his hoodie dampened from the force of his sneezes.

Rexar leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Yeah, you’re real convincing right now, Vee,” he said with a smirk. “You’re gonna sneeze on the fans, aren’t you? That’s one way to make them remember tonight.”

Kriia shot Rex a warning look, though her lips twitched with amusement. “Alright, enough,” she said, holding up a hand. “How about this: we let Vee attend the meet and greet. If he can last the whole two hours without having to come back to the bus, then he can play the show.”

Vee’s fevered eyes brightened with determination, and he nodded quickly. “Deal,” he said, his voice rough but resolute. He reached out to Rexar for their signature secret handshake, a series of intricate hand slaps and finger snaps they’d perfected over years of friendship.

Rexar hesitated for a moment, then sighed, giving in and completing the handshake. “Fine,” he said, pointing a finger at Vee. “But if you so much as sneeze on a fan, I’m pulling you offstage myself.”

Vee grinned, though the effect was undercut when he had to abruptly pull away, his face twisting with another sneeze. "Hhh—hh’IISSHHhh!” He sniffled, muttering a congested, “Bless be,” under his breath.

Kriia shook her head, chuckling softly as she leaned in for her turn at the handshake. “Just don’t push yourself too hard, okay?” she said, her voice softer now.

“Dot a probleb,” Vee replied confidently, though he had to quickly pinch his nose as another sneeze threatened to escape. Kriia exchanged a knowing glance with Rexar as the guitarist readjusted his hoodie, his expression determined despite the obvious battle raging within his sinuses.

“Alright,” Rexar said, standing up and grabbing his guitar case. “Let’s get you cleaned up. We’ve got a meet and greet to survive, and I’m not doing all the talking tonight.”

Vaelyn’s day was a fevered blur of cold medicine and unrelenting misery. Somewhere between his second and third dose of the morning—far exceeding the recommended daily limit—his head started to feel light, almost floaty. The congestion in his sinuses remained stubbornly in place, however, and his body continued to rebel against his every move.

Sitting on the edge of his bunk, Vee fumbled with the red tape he wore across his nose, the adhesive sticking awkwardly to his clammy fingers. His breath hitched for the thousandth time that day as his nose twitched relentlessly.

“Hhh—hh’ISSHHHHuhh! HHh’IIESHHhh! Ishh! —shh!………………… Hhh—EEISSHHhuhh!!” The sneezes rocked him forward, his long hair spilling into his face. He groaned, swiping at his nose with a crumpled tissue. The sound of it was wet and useless, doing little to combat the itch that burned deep in his sinuses.

By the time he managed to get dressed—his hoodie pulled haphazardly over his head, his ripped jeans barely zipped—he was visibly worse for wear. His nose was a bright, irritated red, the same shade as the tape now crookedly plastered across its bridge. His face was puffy, his eyes rimmed with pink, and his expression made it look as though he was stuck on the verge of sneezing at all times— which, chances were, he was.

The tour bus rumbled to a stop, and the cheers from the waiting crowd hit Vaelyn like a tidal wave, vibrating through the metal frame of the vehicle. He leaned against the window, his fevered breath fogging up the glass as he stared out at the sea of fans. Their excitement was palpable, their shouts of “We love you, Vee!” and “Toad Biscuit forever!” ringing in his ears. Despite the pressure weighing him down, a faint smile tugged at his cracked lips, softening the perpetual exhaustion etched into his pale face.

Rexar, naturally, was already in full showman mode. The second his boots hit the pavement, he raised his hand, igniting a dazzling burst of flames that roared to life in his palm. The crowd’s cheers redoubled, their energy feeding off his theatrics.

“That’s right! Toad Biscuit’s here, baby!” Rexar bellowed, his voice carrying over the noise like a war cry. He flexed his free arm for added dramatic effect, his sharp grey-and-red eyes gleaming with mischief. He was practically glowing with his usual confidence, the firelight catching on his white hair and making him look every bit the rockstar he was.

Vaelyn shuffled behind him, the stark contrast between their demeanors almost comical. His long hair clung to his flushed, sweat-slicked skin, and his movements were lethargic, each step dragging as though his limbs were weighted down. His hoodie looked oversized and rumpled, almost swallowing his wiry frame, but the fans screamed his name all the same, their devotion undeterred by his disheveled appearance.

He raised a hand in a half-hearted wave, his tired blue eyes scanning the crowd. For a brief moment, he felt a flicker of warmth despite the misery brewing in his chest. But then the persistent itch in his nose surged forward, sharp and relentless, demanding his full attention. His breath hitched violently, his shoulders tensing as he struggled to keep himself together.

“Godda—hh! hh’ESHHHhh! Hhh’EISSHHHH! hh—ISCHh! ish! shh! —sh! ———————Hhh’ISSHHHhhuhh! ” The sneezes tore through him with brutal force, bending him at the waist as he clutched his guitar case for balance. The first two were loud and forceful, but by the third, his body couldn’t keep up, leaving him gasping for air in between.

The fans murmured with concern, their cheers briefly faltering as they noticed his struggle. Still, Vaelyn waved them off weakly, attempting to straighten as he sniffled harshly, his nose red and twitching uncontrollably.

Distracted by the roaring crowd, Rexar spun around, ready to hype them up further—only to walk straight into Vaelyn’s hunched frame. The collision jolted both of them, Rexar stumbling back slightly while Vaelyn barely managed to catch himself on the doorway.

“Dude!” Rexar exclaimed, his voice tinged with irritation before softening into concern. “You okay?”

Vaelyn couldn’t immediately answer, his breath hitching again as another rapid-fire fit overtook him. “Hhh... hh—godda... sdeeze! hh’ESHHhh! hh’EISSHhh! Ish! —ish! —shh!…………….. Hhh’ISSHHHhhuhh!!” He finally straightened with a groan, his flushed face and glassy eyes making him look utterly wrecked.

“Bless you,” Kriia said, materializing at Vaelyn’s side like a shadow. Her sharp purple eyes were full of worry as she placed a steady hand on his shoulder. “Think you can make it through the meet and greet?”

Vaelyn sniffled again, wet and miserable, as he blinked at her through his watery, irritated eyes. Despite every nerve in his body screaming for rest, his resolve remained unshaken. “Y-Yeah,” he rasped, his voice barely audible over the din of the crowd. “I’b dot... hh! …hh’ISSHHH!—godda disappoint the fads.”

Rexar rolled his eyes, though a small smirk tugged at his lips. “Alright,” he said with mock seriousness. “But if you sneeze on someone, it’s your apology they’re getting, not mine.”

Vaelyn managed a weak laugh, wiping his nose on his sleeve as Kriia shot Rexar a withering look. The three of them pushed through the venue doors, the roaring crowd’s energy still ringing in their ears.

The cheers of the crowd outside still roared faintly as the venue door closed behind them, muting the sound to a dull hum. Vaelyn and Rexar were ushered quickly backstage, Kriia trailing behind with a purposeful stride. Rex threw an arm casually around Vee’s shoulders, his natural charisma masking the tension in his sharp grey-red eyes as he glanced at his bandmate.

“Looking good, champ,” Rex said lightly, though there was a hint of forced cheer in his voice.

Vee didn’t reply, too focused on staying upright as the group wove through the narrow backstage corridors. His breaths were shallow, his congested nose barely allowing any air through, and his skin was clammy under the venue's harsh fluorescent lighting.

They were met by a member of the hair and makeup team, a petite woman with sharp features and an arsenal of brushes and palettes in her hands. “Vaelyn,” she said briskly, motioning for him to sit on a nearby stool, “let’s touch you up before you head out there. We don’t want anyone worrying, right?”

Vee blinked at her, his glassy blue eyes narrowing slightly, but he reluctantly sat down. “Right,” he muttered, his voice hoarse and uneven.

The makeup artist moved quickly, dabbing at his fever-flushed cheeks with a thin layer of foundation. The powder tickled his already inflamed nose, and his nostrils flared wildly as the itch took hold.

“Hhh... fugk, hh—godda... sdeeze! hh’ESHHhh! hh’EISSHhh! Ish! —ish! —shh! hh—huhhh—HHHIESHHHHhhuhh!”

The force of the sneezes bent him forward, nearly knocking the compact out of the makeup artist’s hands. She froze mid-movement, her expression hovering between surprise and exasperation.

“Sorry,” Vee rasped, though his tone was clipped, his frustration barely contained.

She hesitated, then resumed her work, this time with a larger, softer brush. Unfortunately, the thick bristles only made things worse.

“Hhh—hhhehh! Hh—I cad’t—hH’EISSHHhhuh! ISCHh! —Ish! —ish! — shh! —sh! ……. hh’IESHHHhh!”

Vee snapped upright, his watery eyes blazing with irritation as he swiped the makeup off his face with his sleeve. “That’s edough!” he barked, his voice cracking as he stood abruptly, wobbling slightly on his feet.

The makeup artist opened her mouth to protest, but Vaelyn was already moving, storming back toward Rex and Kriia with a huff.

Kriia tilted her head, her sharp purple eyes narrowing as she took in his disheveled appearance. Rex, leaning casually against a rack of stage props, arched an eyebrow and straightened up. “You good?” he asked, his voice lacking its usual teasing edge.

The genuine concern in Rexar’s tone made Vaelyn falter for a moment. He hesitated, his shoulders sagging slightly as he glanced down at his scuffed boots. His throat burned, his nose throbbed, and his legs felt like they could give out at any second, but he couldn’t let himself spiral.

“Fide,” he mumbled, his voice hoarse. He sniffled harshly and tried to stand a little straighter, though the effort made him sway slightly.

Rex didn’t press further, but the sharp look he exchanged with Kriia said enough.

Desperate to redirect their attention, Vaelyn shuffled closer to the edge of the curtain and peeked out toward the crowd. The venue was already filling up, with fans pouring through the doors and forming a snaking line for the meet and greet. The low hum of anticipation buzzed in the air, sending a jolt of adrenaline through Vaelyn’s tired body.

“Packed house,” he muttered, his raspy voice laced with faint pride. He turned to glance at Rexar, the corners of his mouth twitching into a weak smile. “Guess we better give ’em a show, huh?”

Rex shook his head, his lips curving into a smirk. “You’re unbelievable,” he muttered, but there was a note of admiration in his voice.

Kriia stepped closer, placing a hand lightly on Vaelyn’s arm. “If you start feeling worse out there, just say something, okay?”

Vaelyn nodded, though he avoided her gaze. Deep down, he knew he was barely holding it together, but the sight of their fans—his fans—gave him enough resolve to push forward. He took a shaky breath and squared his shoulders, ready to face whatever came next.

The backstage handler motioned for Rexar and Vaelyn to proceed toward the meet and greet area, and the two musicians fell into step, Rexar striding confidently while Vaelyn followed a few paces behind, his movements slower and more deliberate. The muffled cheers from the crowd outside the curtain grew louder as they approached, the air electric with anticipation.

As soon as the fans caught sight of them, the line erupted into frenzied screams. Vaelyn’s tired blue eyes scanned the sea of excited faces, and for a fleeting moment, the weight of his symptoms lifted. He couldn’t help but smile faintly, though the effort felt heavier than it should.

Rexar, ever the showman, smirked and conjured a small flame in his palm, lifting it high as he called out, “What’s up, guys? Toad Biscuit’s in the house!”

The crowd roared in response, their energy feeding Rexar’s charisma. He glanced over at Vaelyn, who was clearly struggling to muster the same enthusiasm. Vee’s movements were mechanical, his pale face flushed with fever and his nose an angry red, twitching constantly.

Still, Vee forced a smile, pushing through the haze of congestion and exhaustion. “What’s going on, guys?!” he called out, his voice cracking slightly but still managing to sound cheerful.

The crowd erupted again, and over the chaos, a girl’s voice rang out, clear and high-pitched. “I love you, Vaelyn!”

Caught off guard, Vee blinked, but a slow smirk spread across his face, his usual swagger flickering to life for just a moment. “I love you too!” he replied, his voice rasping but playful. “Why don’t you tell me all about our love when you come up here?” He flashed a sultry smile that sent the crowd into another frenzy.

Rexar shook his head with a laugh, muttering, “like I said. Unbelievable,” as they reached the head of the line.

The roar of the crowd outside the venue was deafening, and the energy was palpable as Toad Biscuit made their way to the gated off section of the dim room. Security guided them to a small area just behind the meet-and-greet setup where the fans would soon be ushered in. Rexar led the way with his usual swagger, his sharp grey-red eyes scanning the growing line of eager fans just beyond the curtain. The pyromancer couldn’t resist tossing a small burst of flame into the air, eliciting another wave of cheers and screams from the crowd.

“Show-off,” Vaelyn muttered, leaning heavily against the wall as he trailed behind, one hand gripping the strap of his guitar case for balance. His tall frame seemed to sag under the weight of his fever, his broad shoulders hunched as if he were trying to conserve every ounce of energy.

Kriia, walking just behind him, gave his arm a reassuring squeeze before nudging him toward their setup. “Just breathe, Vee,” she said softly. “You’ve got this.”

Vaelyn nodded faintly, pulling his hoodie tighter around his face to shield his flushed cheeks. He could feel the tickle building in his nose again, an unrelenting itch that refused to let him have a moment’s peace.

Rexar turned to glance over his shoulder, catching the look of pure misery etched on Vaelyn’s face. “Man, you’re really putting the ‘death’ in deathcore today,” he teased, though there was a note of concern hidden in his tone.

“Thags for the encourahh—hahh…hh’EISSHHhh!” Vaelyn’s breath hitched violently as the sneezes tore through him, bending him double. “H-Hehh! hh’ISHHhh! ISHh! —ish! —Shh! —shh! …..…hh—hhEISHHHhhuhh!” He barely managed to straighten up, his watery blue eyes darting toward Rexar. “...edcouragembt,” he finished hoarsely, dabbing at his raw, red nose with a crumpled tissue.

Rexar shook his head, his smirk widening. “You’re a fucking mess, Vaelyn,” he muttered.

As they reached the staging area, security gestured for them to wait while the final checks were made before letting the fans in. Rexar stood casually, hands on his hips, his gaze flicking toward Vaelyn as he leaned against the wall, clearly struggling just to stay upright.

“You good?” Rexar asked, his voice softer now, though his smirk remained.

Vaelyn sniffled, the sound thick and miserable, before rasping, “Yeah. Just gotta… catch by breath.” His words were clipped as if it physically hurt to force them out.

The muffled roar of the crowd grew louder as the curtain rustled slightly, and Vaelyn turned his attention to the fans pouring into the venue. For just a moment, their enthusiasm seemed to cut through the haze of his fever.

Rexar patted Vaelyn on the back, his hand lingering briefly in a gesture of unspoken support, before turning his attention to the fans beginning to line up at the front of the meet-and-greet area.

Vaelyn barely noticed, his focus narrowing to the task ahead as he fought to keep his head clear. But with every second that ticked by, the weight of his exhaustion pressed heavier on his frame, his pulse thrumming loudly in his ears. The first fan stepped forward, her excitement shining brightly enough to momentarily cut through the fog of his misery.

“Hi!” she squeaked, clutching a notebook with trembling hands.

Vaelyn glanced up from beneath the hood of his sweatshirt, his glassy blue eyes rimmed with red and underscored by dark shadows. He forced a small, tired smile, the warmth in his features muted but genuine though it barely reached his fevered expression. “Hi,” he croaked, his voice rough and barely audible over the din of the crowd.

Reaching for the notebook, his fingers shook as he signed his name in messy, looping script. The simple act of holding the pen made his hand feel leaden, his muscles aching from the effort. The fan shifted nervously, moving to stand beside him for a photo, but before the handler could snap the shot, Vaelyn’s body seized.

“Hhh—hh’IESHHhh! hh’EISSHH! hh—ISHHHh! hh—ISHHHHhh! —shh! hh—hh… HHHIESHHHHuhhh!”

The sneezes tore through him with unrelenting force, folding him at the waist as he turned sharply into the crook of his arm. His guitar strap slipped off his shoulder, and his knees buckled slightly from the effort. The fan startled, her notebook slipping from her grip onto the floor as Vaelyn scrambled for tissues.

The handler paused patiently, camera poised, while Vaelyn pulled a crumpled tissue from his pocket. He dabbed at his red, swollen nose, sniffling miserably as he looked up at the fan. “Sorry about that,” he muttered, his voice thick and congested.

“It’s okay!” the fan chirped, her brow furrowing with concern. “Are you feeling alright?”

Vaelyn forced a weak laugh, the sound dissolving into a painful cough that wracked his chest. He cleared his throat, though it did little to help his hoarse tone. “Just a cold,” he rasped, though the deep flush of his cheeks and the wet, sniffling sound of his breathing suggested otherwise.

The handler snapped the photo, but before Vaelyn could relax, his nose twitched violently. The persistent itch that had been tormenting him all day surged to the forefront, and his breath hitched uncontrollably.

“Hhh—hh! Hhh—hh’IESHHhh! hh’EISSHH! ISHHHh! hh—ISHHHhh! —shh! —sh! …hahhh… HHHIIESHHHHuhhh!”

The photo had to be retaken twice more, each attempt interrupted by another desperate fit of sneezes. By the time they moved on to the next fan, Vaelyn’s shoulders sagged under the weight of his exhaustion.

The line stretched on, and with each passing interaction, Vaelyn felt his energy drain further. His nose was an unrelenting mess, the redness spreading across his cheeks like a rash, his nostrils flaring with every strained sniffle.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Vee?” someone asked, their voice gentle with concern.

Vaelyn nodded weakly, though the constant pre-sneeze squint on his face made it clear he was barely holding himself together.

One fan, a soft-spoken girl with kind eyes, reached out to touch his forehead, her palm cool against his fevered skin. Vaelyn froze, his breath hitching as he leaned subtly into the comforting gesture.

“Poor thing,” she murmured, pulling back with a sympathetic frown. “You should be in bed.”

Vaelyn chuckled weakly, his congested laugh dissolving into a coughing fit. “Cad’t disappoint the fads,” he said hoarsely, though the toll on his body was undeniable.

Finally, the girl who had shouted her love for him earlier stepped forward, her eyes shining with adoration. “You know, your sneezes are kinda cute,” she teased, offering him a fresh tissue from her purse.

Vaelyn’s tired blue eyes crinkled with amusement as he accepted the tissue. “Thadks,” he said, his voice a broken whisper. He blew his nose with a loud, gurgling sound, sighing heavily as he crumpled the tissue in his fist.

The girl turned her attention to Rexar, her tone shifting to one of mock scolding. “Why are you making him play in this condition?”

Rexar opened his mouth to reply, but Vaelyn cut him off with another rapid-fire fit of sneezes.

“Hhh… hhh’IESHHHhh! hh’EISHHHH! ISCHHH! ISH!…ISH! —SH! hh—IESSHHHHhuhh!”

Vaelyn doubled over, clutching his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. His flushed face and glassy eyes betrayed his overwhelming fatigue, but he straightened up with a faint, defiant smile.

“Dot his fault,” he rasped, his voice barely audible. “I… I wadted to be here.”

The girl’s expression softened, and she reached out to pat his arm gently. “Well, take care of yourself, okay? We love you.”

Vaelyn’s lips twitched into a weak but genuine smile. “Love you too,” he murmured, the words carrying a sincerity that shone through his exhaustion.

As the meet and greet continued, Vee’s body began to betray him further. The wave of fans that filed through the line, all excited and eager to meet their idols, felt like an unrelenting flood. Vee smiled through it all, but each photo op was becoming more of a challenge. His chest was tight, his breathing shallow, and he had long since lost count of how many retakes had been necessary because of his persistent sneezing. His head throbbed, every sneeze sending a jarring burst of pain through his skull, and his vision was starting to blur at the edges.

His nose twitched again, the all-too-familiar pressure building behind his sinuses, threatening to overtake him at any moment. “Hh...hH’ISHHhh! Hhh—hh’ISSHH! —ischhh! Ish!—Shh!— sh! hh—! ………..hh—IISHHHHhhuhhh!!” His body bent forward involuntarily with the force of the sneeze, a muffled gasp escaping his lips before he quickly grabbed another tissue, blowing his nose as discreetly as he could manage.

“Okay... th-thadk you,” he muttered to the fan, handing them their signed poster before giving them a weak smile. But as they moved to the next person, he found his hands shaking slightly, his body swaying a little more with each passing moment. His chest felt like it was made of lead. The tightness in his ribcage hadn’t gone away, and the constant tickle in his throat made it feel like he was swallowing shards of glass.

This wasn’t sustainable. He could barely even keep his eyes open as the next fan approached. His head was pounding, his body aching from the exertion. He hadn’t realized how much time had passed, but it felt like hours. He had no idea how long he could keep this up, but he couldn't afford to let his bandmates down again. His pride and stubbornness wouldn’t allow it.

But then his vision blurred more dramatically, and the world around him tilted. The sensation of the room spinning was so overwhelming that he had to grip the wall to steady himself. His breath was coming in ragged, shallow bursts as his hands slid down the wall. He had to take a second to close his eyes, just to regain some semblance of balance.

From her spot nearby, Kriia noticed immediately. Her bright purple eyes narrowed in concern as she tugged on Rexar’s sleeve, nodding toward Vaelyn. “He’s struggling,” she said softly.

Rexar’s gaze snapped to Vee, and he frowned. “Yeah, I see it.” With a quick glance at the crowd, Rexar stepped over to Vee and gently grabbed his shoulder. “Hey, man. Let’s take a minute,” Rex said, his voice low and steady.

Vaelyn shook his head stubbornly, his tired blue eyes meeting Rexar’s sharp grey-red ones. “I’b fide,” he rasped, though his cracked voice and the tremble in his legs said otherwise.

Rexar sighed, crossing his arms. “Vee, you don’t have to do this. Seriously, we’d rather you go back to the bus and rest than kill yourself over one show. You look like you’re about to collapse on me, Vaelyn. Just... go back to the bus. It’s one night. We’ve got this. We’d rather you get healthy.”

Vaelyn opened his mouth to argue, but a deep, rattling cough overtook him, cutting him off mid-thought. He doubled over, clutching his chest as the coughs shook his already worn-out frame.

Without realizing it, the next fan in line had already been let through by security. A short, thin goth girl approached them with a confident stride, her single emerald green eye locking onto Vaelyn with obvious admiration. The left side of her face bore a sewn-shut eyelid, giving her a striking appearance, but her energy was all charm.

Vee forced a smile, trying to push past the mounting dizziness. “Sorry for the hold-up,” he said, straightening his posture despite his body’s protests.

“Oh my god, Vaelyn,” she gushed, her voice dramatic and dripping with affection. “Don’t apologize! You look like you’re not feeling well, poor thing.”

Vee straightened up as much as he could, his 6’2 frame towering over her petite stature. Despite his pounding headache and burning throat, he forced a weak, hoarse chuckle. “Is it that obvious?” he asked, sniffling as he rubbed at his raw, twitching nose.

“Absolutely,” she replied, blinking her good eye at him in an exaggeratedly seductive manner. “But that’s okay—I can always just take care of you back at the bus while they play the show...”

Rexar smirked silently, raising an eyebrow as he looked between the girl and Vee, his amusement barely concealed.

Vaelyn managed a dry laugh, shaking his head slightly before his breath hitched violently. “Hhhfugk—hhhold o—hh! Hh’EISHHhh! IESHHhh! ISHHHhh!—ISH! —SHHh! —shh! —sh! ………………….hh—IISHHHHuhh!” He barely had time to breathe before the rapid-fire sneezes took over, bending him at the waist as he desperately buried his face in the crook of his arm.

The girl pouted, her gaze filled with something close to desire. “Bless you, babe,” she cooed, placing a hand on his arm as he straightened, sniffling harshly.

Rexar snorted softly, unable to hold back his amusement any longer. “So… you gonna take her up on that, Vee?” he asked, his tone teasing.

Vaelyn shot him a tired, unimpressed glare before turning back to the girl with a weak smile. “As dice as that souds,” he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper, “I thidk I’d just edd ub sdeezing all over you.”

She laughed, her confidence undeterred. “I wouldn’t mind,” she teased, winking as Rexar barked out a laugh beside her.

Vaelyn raised an eyebrow at the girl’s bold response, his glassy blue eyes narrowing slightly as he scrubbed at his raw, irritated nose with the heel of his hand. He sniffled wetly, mulling her words over in his fever-addled mind. On any other day, he might have jumped at the opportunity—groupies were practically an unofficial part of the tour, and he regularly blew off steam in their company. But something about her offer felt strangely intimate, even vulnerable. The idea of being cared for, especially in his current state, made him hesitate.

The pounding ache behind his temples wasn’t helping either, each throb deafening and relentless. Yet, as if sensing his reservations, the girl doubled down.

She tilted her head, her choppy black and lime-green streaked hair falling across her good eye as she leaned closer. “Come on, Vaelyn,” she purred, her tone dripping with charm. “You deserve a little TLC after everything, don’t you?” Her fingers brushed lightly against his arm, her touch lingering.

Vaelyn’s tired eyes flicked to her hand, and he let out a weak, raspy chuckle. Before he could respond, she leaned in further, practically throwing herself at him with a flirtatious smile. “I can make you feel so much better,” she added, her voice low and sultry.

Despite himself, Vaelyn felt his lips twitch into a faint smirk. It wasn’t the worst idea he’d ever heard, even if the sharp ache in his skull made it hard to think straight. “You’re damn persistent,” he rasped, his voice hoarse and laden with congestion.

“I just know what I want,” she shot back confidently, batting her lashes at him.

For a long moment, Vaelyn considered her, his tall frame leaning heavily against the wall. His resolve to tough it out for the show was already wavering, and the promise of rest—no matter how unconventional—was too tempting to pass up. With a low sigh, he nodded. “Alright,” he murmured, his tone resigned but tinged with amusement.

Kriia and Rexar, both observing the exchange from a few feet away, froze in shock. Kriia’s mouth opened slightly in disbelief, while Rexar’s sharp grey-red eyes widened before narrowing in realization.

“Wow,” Rexar said, stepping closer and crossing his arms. “You must feel like absolute dog shit if you’re sitting out for a hot groupie.” His tone was teasing, but concern softened his words.

Vaelyn shot him a tired glare, though the corners of his mouth twitched. “Yeah, well... dot your busidess,” he croaked, scrubbing at his nose again.

Rexar nodded, his playful demeanor briefly slipping as he looked Vaelyn over. His sharp gaze scanned his best friend’s flushed face, bloodshot eyes, and slumped posture. “Be safe, alright? And feel better,” he said sincerely.

Then, with a grin, Rexar’s trademark mischief returned. He clapped Vaelyn on the shoulder, his voice loud and teasing as he glanced between Vee and the girl. “Have fun, you crazy kids!”

Vaelyn huffed a weak laugh but said nothing, watching as Rexar headed back toward the crowd to break the news of his absence.

For a moment, doubt crept into Vaelyn’s mind. Was he really making the right decision?

But before he could dwell on it, the tickle in his nose surged to life with startling intensity.

“Hhh—hhhold o—hh! fugk! Hhh—hh’ISSHHHhuhh! hh’EISHHHH! ISHHHhh!—ISHh! —ish! —shh! —sh! Hehh—!…………… hH’EISSHHhhuh!” The fit folded him in half, his long frame trembling as he scrambled to bury his face into his elbow. Each sneeze wracked his body, leaving him gasping and red-faced. When he finally straightened, his breath was labored, and a marshy, waterlogged sniffle escaped him.

The girl watched him crumple, her expression shifting into one of unabashed desire. “God, you’re so fucking hot...” she muttered, her voice barely audible over the pounding in Vaelyn’s head.

He raised an eyebrow at her, one corner of his mouth quirking up in incredulous amusement. “Seriously?” he croaked, his tone both baffled and dry.

She simply smiled, unashamed, as Vaelyn sighed heavily, resigning himself to whatever came next.

Vaelyn sniffed and rubbed at his nose, his tired blue eyes narrowing as he looked at the girl standing before him. “Okay, so what’s your name then, mystery healer?” he croaked, his dry humor barely masking his curiosity.

The girl grinned, clearly pleased to have his attention. “Kalypso,” she said, her voice lilting. “I’ve been following Toad Biscuit for a while now, and when I saw you were doing a meet and greet, I just had to come. You’re my idol, Vaelyn. I had to have you...”

“Your idol, huh?” he rasped, raising an eyebrow as a faint, incredulous smirk played at his lips. His fingers pressed lightly against the bridge of his nose, pinching away the incessant itch as he mulled over her words. “Well, Kalypso, it’s not every day I hear that, especially after a sneezing fit, but thanks for sticking around.”

Kalypso laughed softly, the sound warm and inviting. “Honestly, I think it makes you even more endearing. It shows you’re just like everyone else, y’know? Besides…” She leaned in slightly, her single green eye locking onto his with a playful glint. “You’re still here, sick and all, for your fans. That’s just one reason why you’re my idol.”

Vaelyn opened his mouth to reply, but the relentless tickle in his sinuses surged forward, cutting him off. His breath hitched sharply, and he turned quickly into his arm. “Goddasdeeeze—! Hhh-hh! Hh’IESHHHhh! ISCHHh! ISHHh! —ISHh! —shh! —Sh! ——-…….. hh’EISSHHHHhuhh!” His tall frame shuddered with each release.

“Bless you,” Kalypso said softly, her hand resting lightly on his forearm.

“Thags,” he sniffled, swiping at his nose with a tissue he’d retrieved from his pocket. His shoulders slumped in exhaustion, and for a moment, he considered calling it a night. But as he glanced back at Kalypso, her earnest smile and unwavering gaze sparked something in him—a faint reminder of why he pushed himself through the misery in the first place.

“All right, Kalypso,” he rasped, standing a little straighter despite his wavering balance. “Let’s get this over with.”

As they stepped into the bus, the world outside seemed to fade away, replaced by the intimate confines of the vehicle. Kalypso closed the door behind them, sealing them in a private realm where her desires would soon unfold. Vee slumped onto his previous position on the couch, his body aching and weak, as Kalypso hovered over him, her presence dominating the small space.

"Let me help you get comfortable," she whispered, her breath warm against his ear, sending shivers down his spine. Vee's eyes fluttered closed as she gently removed his jacket, her fingers brushing against his skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. She took off his torn shirt, exposing his pale chest, and leaned in, her lips brushing against his feverish skin. Vee let out a soft moan, his body responding to her touch despite his weakened state.

Kalypso's hands roamed over his body, her touch both soothing and arousing. She traced the lines of his muscles, her fingers lingering on his sensitive nipples, causing Vee to arch his back and let out a soft, feverish groan. As she explored his body, Vee's breathing became labored, his chest rising and falling rapidly as his nose surged to life. “Hhh... hh—gonna... sdeeze! hh’ESHHhh! hh’EISSHhh! Ish! —ish! —shh! hh—huhhh—HHHIESHHHHhhuhh!”

"My GOD, your sneezes, Vee…" Kalypso purred, her voice filled with delight. "I've always had a particular — err… fondness? for them." Her words sent a rush of heat through Vee's body, and he sneezed again, a violent explosion that seemed to thrill her.

“Hhhhhh—! Hh—hh’EISSHhh!”

“That's it, babe. Let it all out." Her voice was husky, filled with promise. Vee felt a rush of warmth as she gently took his face in her hands, her thumb brushing against his feverish cheek.

"You're burning up," she murmured, her breath hot against his skin. "Let me cool you down." With that, she leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a gentle, tentative kiss. Vee responded, his lips parting, inviting her in. Her mouth was sweet, tasting of cherry liquor, a flavor that danced on his tongue.

As the kiss deepened, Vee's hands found their way to Kalypso's waist, pulling her closer. He could feel her body heat, a contrast to his own feverish state. Her skin was soft, her curves enticing beneath the layers of her clothing. She broke the kiss, her breath coming in short gasps, and smiled wickedly.

Kalypso's hands roamed freely, exploring his chest, her touch both gentle and possessive.

Vee's hands mirrored her actions, sliding down her back, unzipping her dress. The fabric fell away, revealing a lacy black bra and her pale, flawless skin. Her body was a work of art, curves and shadows, a canvas of desire. Vee's breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight of her.

Kalypso stepped back, her green eye blazing with passion. She reached behind her, unhooking her bra, letting it fall to reveal her breasts, full and inviting. Vee's eyes widened, his mouth dry as he drank in the sight. She took a step towards him, her nipples hardening in the cool air, and placed his hand on her breast.

"Feel me," she whispered, her voice heavy with desire. Vee's fingers closed around her soft flesh, his thumb brushing over her nipple, causing her to gasp. Her eye closed, and she leaned into his touch, her head tilting back, exposing the delicate line of her throat.

Vee's hand moved to the small of her back, pulling her closer, his lips finding her neck, kissing, licking, and sucking gently. She moaned softly, her body arching into his touch. He could feel her heartbeat quicken beneath his lips, her scent, a heady mix of perfume and desire, filling his senses.

Kalypso's hands moved to the waistband of his pants, unbuttoning and unzipping them with practiced ease. Vee stepped out of his clothes, his body now bare, revealing his lean, muscular form. She ran her hands over his chest, down his stomach, and lower, her touch electric.

"I want you," she breathed, her voice a raw, primal desire. Vee's erection strained against her touch, and she smiled, a wicked, triumphant smile. She pushed him gently onto the bed, her body following, her skin sliding against his.

As Vee lay beneath her, Kalypso straddled him, her hands exploring his body, her fingers tracing the contours of his muscles. She leaned down, her lips brushing his ear, her breath hot and intoxicating. "I'm going to make you feel so good," she whispered, her voice a sensual promise.

Vee groaned as she took him in her hand, stroking him slowly, her touch firm and knowing. Her mouth found his, kissing him deeply, her tongue dancing with his.

Kalypso positioned herself above him, guiding him inside her warm, wet core. Vee gasped as she lowered herself, taking him in, her heat enveloping him. She began to move, a slow, sensual rhythm, her hips rolling, her body undulating above him.

The bus rocked gently with their movements, the fairy lights casting a magical glow over their entwined bodies. Vee's hands gripped her hips, guiding her as she rode him, her moans filling the air, a melody of pleasure. He could feel her muscles clenching around him, her body responding to his, their rhythm building to a frenzied pace.

As they moved together, Vee's feverish state seemed to melt away, replaced by a different kind of heat, a burning desire that consumed them both. Kalypso's green eye was wild, her body glistening with sweat, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.

"Vee," she panted, her voice pleading. "I'm so close." Vee responded, his hands gripping her thighs, his body thrusting up to meet her, their movements becoming more urgent, more primal.

With a final, desperate cry, Kalypso climaxed, her body shuddering, her muscles clenching around him. Vee followed, his release intense, his body arching off the bed, his eyes closing as he surrendered to the pleasure.

They lay entangled, their hearts racing, their breath coming in ragged gasps. Kalypso's body was a warm, welcome weight on top of him, her green eye gazing down at him, filled with a mixture of satisfaction and something more—a hint of infatuation, perhaps.

Vee smiled, his hand stroking her hair, his body still buzzing with the aftermath of their passionate encounter. He had found solace in Kalypso's arms, a brief respite from his illness, but something more had awakened within him—a desire that went beyond the physical.

[thekinkyleopard]

Sick ‘n Tired

A Vaelyn and Kalypso Sick Fic

⚠️Content Warning⚠️

Sick Fic, Bickering, Toxic Relationship, Smut

Description: Vaelyn and Kalypso are both sick, stuck in bed together, what could go wrong?

Author’s Notes: Admittedly, I’m obsessed with these two 😩 *rattles the bars on my cage* they argue all day in my head and I just can’t get enough of it. What’s this say about me? I don’t know…enjoy my new favorite toxic dynamic making each other miserable 🤤 @aller-geez owns Vee and did the illustration as always 🥰

The room was a disaster. Tissues, crumpled and scattered, littered the bed and floor like confetti. Empty water bottles stood in haphazard clusters, their labels faded and peeling. Two forlorn figures lay on the rumpled sheets, looking as if they had been through hell and back. “Move the fuck over,” Vaelyn croaked, his voice strained from both illness and frustration. He nudged Kalypso with his foot, trying to make room on the too-small bed. His slender frame seemed too large for the space, like a puzzle piece forced into the wrong spot. “I can't breathe with you taking up all the air,” he looked over in her direction with darkened eyes and an exasperated expression.

Kalypso, who was currently buried under a fortress of blankets, coughed so hard it sounded like a walrus being strangled. Her one visible eye glared up at him with enough venom to drop a full-grown man. Unfortunately, Vaelyn was immune to her death stares—or perhaps just too exhausted to care. “Shut up, Vee. You’re hogging the good side of the bed,” She sniffled, her hand fumbling around for another tissue. Her fingers brushed over a pack, but before she could grab it, the lion snatched it out from under her nose.

“Ha!” he rasped triumphantly, shaking the precious pack of tissues in her face. “Mine,” he smirked with a faulty half grin, almost as if even the muscles in his face had a lack of energy to keep up.

“Are you serious right now?!” Kalypso lunged for it, but her blanket cocoon slowed her down. Vaelyn held the tissues just out of reach, his long arms proving infuriatingly effective.

“You’ll waste them,” he snapped, blowing his nose obnoxiously into one before tossing it onto the ever-growing mountain of used ones on the floor. “You always waste them. One sneeze and you grab three tissues like some kind of—”

Kalypso let out an indignant screech, cutting him off. “I’m not the one who sneezes like a damn freight train, you inconsiderate prick!” She sat up too fast, her head spinning from the movement. “Gods, you’re insufferable,” she brought her hands up to her temples, rubbing and massaging at them as a means of relief from the immediate throbs that followed her actions.

“Look who’s talking,” Vaelyn shot back, tossing his dark green hair dramatically, the yellow stripe catching the dim light. He coughed violently into his arm, his glowing red eye markings flickering faintly from sheer exhaustion. “You’ve been whining nonstop since we got sick. It’s like listening to a dying cat,” rolling his eyes as he fought to pull some of the blankets over his body, finding it almost impossible as the dense weight of Kalypso’s body held them tucked under her.

“Oh, I’m so sorry that my mortal suffering inconveniences His Highness,” Kalypso sneered, snatching the tissue pack from his lap when his guard was down. “Here’s a tissue for your delicate feelings, asshole,” sticking her tongue out at him defiantly.

Vaelyn rolled his pale blue-green eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t roll out of his head. “You’re so dramatic. You should’ve gone into theater instead of stripping,” he snickers at his own distasteful words, Lypsy giving him yet another cold, pointed stare

“Says the guy with medical tape on his nose,” she shot back, pulling at the blankets against him to try and bury herself back underneath them, but finding herself at a draw with Vaelyn gripping them for dear life to preserve what little he had in the first place. “Big talk for someone who makes a living off emo ass lyrics,”

“Oh, real fuckin’ nice,” Vaelyn groaned, flopping back against the pillows. He stared at the ceiling, his irritation mingling with the throbbing pain in his sinuses. “Not like that wasn’t the whole reason you started targeting me in the first place you lunatic,” his tired blues shooting in her direction from a judging side glance.

“You’re just mad because you can’t get rid of me,” Kalypso interrupted, her tone a saccharine hiss, as she leaned over him. “Admit it, Vee, You’d be lost without me,” the words falling off her lips in a smug triumph knowing full well he was just as equally to blame for their current relationship in the first place.

Vaelyn let out a sharp bark of laughter, though it was quickly choked by a hacking cough. He propped himself up on his elbows, the flush of fever evident on his pale features. His hazy blues blazed with frustration and exhaustion. "The only thing I'd lose is this migraine you call a relationship," he muttered, his voice hoarse.

"Relationship?" Kalypso echoed, her tone mocking and high-pitched. "Let's not sugarcoat this, Vaelyn. This is a hostage situation," She glared at him, her dark hair wild and disheveled from their struggle. The dim light in the small room cast shadowy patterns across her sharp features, highlighting the defiance in her expression.

“Yeah, me, I’m the hostage, every time I try to get away, you just haunt my dreams…literally,” Vaelyn muttered, reaching for the tissue pack again. Kalypso smacked his hand away, clutching it to her chest like it was a lifeline.

Her emerald gaze glinted with a feral intensity as she issued a warning, pulling back away from him as her sharp fangs glistened in the dim light. "Touch it," she growled, "and I'll bite,"

With equal parts amusement and annoyance, he retorted, "Bite me…” his mocking tone laced with venom. "And I'll be sure to tie you up for good measure," The tension between them crackled like electricity, a never-ending game of cat and mouse that neither was willing to back down from.

“Oh, promises, promises,” Kalypso drawled, her eye sparkled mischievously despite the dark circles under it. She slumped back against the headboard, coughing again and finally relinquishing a single tissue to him. “Here, Take your stupid tissue and choke on it,”

Vaelyn snatched it from her with a muffled grunt, pressing it to his nose with force. The sound of his nasal passage clearing echoed through the room in a loud wet honk. "Thanks," he said through stuffed nostrils, sarcasm dripping from his words. "You're a real saint," His tone laced with bitterness and perhaps a touch of resentment.

The room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by their occasional sniffles and coughs. For a brief moment, they existed in something resembling peace, both too sick and tired to keep up the verbal sparring. “You know,” Kalypso muttered after a while, her voice softer, almost vulnerable. “You’re the only person I’d let see me like this,”

Vaelyn glanced at her, his sharp features softening ever so slightly. “Yeah, well… same,”

The tender moment between them was abruptly shattered as Kalypso's hands balled into fists and she forcefully shoved him, knocking him off the bed. He tumbled to the ground, his breath knocked out of him. She towered over him with a smug look from the edge of the bed. "And stay on the floor, you tissue hogging bastard," she spat before retreating back to her comfortable nest.

“Unbelievable,” Vaelyn grumbled from the floor, glaring up at her. “I hate you,”

Kalypso smirked, curling back up in her blanket cocoon. “Like wise, dick for brains,”

Vaelyn groaned as he pulled himself up off the floor, rubbing his temples, fighting the sheer urge to get back at her for having to even put up with her in these conditions in the first place, let alone the violence that came with it. “You know,” he started, his tone a dangerous mix of sarcasm and disdain, “I’ve met demons less spiteful than you,”

Kalypso, lounging like a smug cat in her blanket nest, sniffled audibly before shooting back, “Yeah? Maybe you should call one of them. I hear they’re great at babysitting pathetic, tissue-stealing man-babies,”

“Man-baby?!” Vaelyn’s pale blue-green eyes flashed with incredulity. His mouth opened to retort, but the telltale twitch of his nose stopped him. He froze for a moment, one hand hovering in the air as his breath hitched. “Heh… hh—hhh—EISHHH!-isshh!-’shhh!—hhHHEEHH-EESSHHHhhuh!” The sneeze was so forceful it left him doubled over, his lanky frame leaning against the bed for support.

“Jesus, Vee,” Kalypso groaned, glaring at him. “Could you be any louder? One would think you just summoned a Drekavac,” She rolled her eye in exaggerated annoyance, grabbing a tissue and chucking it at his head. Despite the fact she would normally turn into a dog in heat at this particular sight and situation, she was far too overwhelmed with the all consuming heat and throbbing that took residence within her head. The only thing she could think about was how desperate she was to feel better and get back on with her life.

Vaelyn caught it mid-air, his movements sluggish as he wiped his nose with an annoyed grunt. “Like I can control it,” he muttered. “Unlike someone who sneezes like a broken wind-up toy,” his lips pulling into a half smirk at the accuracy of his comment.

Kalypso’s eye narrowed. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” She sat up straighter, the tension making her blanket fortress slide off her shoulders.

“Just saying,” Vaelyn replied, flopping back onto the bed beside her, “you sound like you’re strangling a hamster every time you sneeze. It’s unnatural,” his shoulders fell into a nonchalant shrug, doing his best to fight back the urge to laugh at his own come backs.

Kalypso’s nostrils flared, her hands instinctively moving to adjust her piercings as she prepared to verbally eviscerate him. But before she could get the words out, her nose crinkled, and her breaths turned shallow. “Hhh…hiiiIHH’nxgt! Huhhh… H’NgXt! Hiih’n’G-kT—!” Each sneeze came out blocked, the dissatisfaction of her strangled explosions causing her to feel woozy. Her head snapping forward slightly with every stifled expulsion as her chest tightened and ribs struggled to expand. “H’GNXT! KA’GXT! H’NT!”

Vaelyn chuckled hoarsely, followed by a very slight cough they he expelled into the crook of his elbow, raising a brow. “Case in point,” he responded, clearing his throat.

“Shut… hh—shut up,” Kalypso gasped, rubbing her nose with her sleeve. Her emerald eye was watery, blood shot and she sniffled hard, trying to regain control of her rebellious sinuses. “It’s my nasal passage, asshole. It’s not like I want to sneeze like this,” pouting with a tinge of embarrassment behind her sharp gaze whilst her cheeks flushed.

“Have you tried, I don’t know, blowing your nose for once?” Vaelyn suggested, his voice dripping with faux helpfulness.

Kalypso gave him a withering glare, but her response was interrupted by another sneezing fit. This time, she tried stretching her nostril with two fingers, hoping to release the pressure. “Hehh—hh’NGXT! KT‘NXT! G’NKXT! Hp’TXT! …Goddammit,” she wiggled her aching nose, scrunching it with the effort of hoping it would stop.

Vaelyn actually snorted, half amused, half grossed out. “Or not,”

Kalypso groaned, grabbing a tissue from the dwindling pack and blowing her nose in the most obnoxious way possible. When she finished, she threw the used tissue directly at Vaelyn’s face. It landed squarely on his forehead, sticking there for an infuriating moment before sliding off.

“What the fuck, Kals?!” Vaelyn snapped, sitting upright as his features contorted in disgust, his hands flailing and fumbling to get the used tissue away from him completely and wipe the remnants off his face. He grabbed a pillow and whacked her with it.

Kalypso shrieked, her voice cracking slightly. “You started it, you ableist twat!”

The pillow fight that followed was anything but dignified. Vaelyn’s long limbs gave him the upper hand, but Kalypso fought dirty, yanking the blanket off him mid-swing and using it as a shield. The bed became a battlefield, tissues flying like shrapnel as their coughing and sneezing punctuated the chaos.

Finally, both of them collapsed back onto the bed, too exhausted to continue their war. Vaelyn groaned, his head lolling to the side as he stared up at the ceiling. “We’re going to die here,” he declared dramatically. “And it’s all your fault,”

Kalypso snorted, rolling her eye at him. “My fault? You’re the one who got me sick in the first place, dipshit,”

“I told you no, and you still shoved your tongue down my throat anyway,” Vaelyn shot back weakly, his voice muffled as he buried his face in a pillow.

“Didn’t hear you complaining when you shoved me up against the wall immediately after to stick it in, idiot,” Kalypso quipped, coughing into her elbow. “Guess we’re both screwed,”

A long pause hung between them, broken only by their sniffles and the occasional groan of discomfort.

“I hate you,” Vaelyn mumbled.

“Ditto,” Kalypso retorted, her voice softening despite herself. She reached out and tugged the blanket over both of them, her fingers brushing his arm briefly before retreating. For a moment, neither of them said anything, content to lie there in their shared misery. Until Vaelyn's head jerked forward, and a frenzy of sneezes came out in rapid succession.

“E-iSSHH! isHH-ish-’Shh!! —HeehH’EESSSHHHhuh!” Each one was accompanied by a violent convulsion that left him gasping for air and clutching his chest. As he tried to catch his breath, the mistrals of saliva the came out in grouped clouds from his lips settled amongst the bed covers.

“Goddammit, Vee,” Kalypso muttered, covering her head with a pillow. “As much as it turns me on to see you like this, and how your body reacts to your damn cursed virus….every time you sneeze, my head starts to feel like it’s being slammed against the fuckin’ wall, could you at LEAST try to keep it down,” she grumbled, scooting her body a few inches more toward the edge of the bed.

Vaelyn groaned, rolling onto his side with a dramatic flair, his tangled hair falling into his face. “Keep it down? Are you kidding me? Do you think I want to sneeze like I’m trying to exorcise a demon?” he scoffed, almost wishing she’d stop giving him such a hard time. He preferred it more when she was trying to jump his bones in this state rather than complaining about it every time he fell victim to his symptoms.

Kalypso peeked out from under the pillow, her hair sticking out at odd angles and her emerald eye blazing. “Yes, Vaelyn. Clearly, you’re sneezing like that just to piss me off,”

“Exactly,” Vaelyn deadpanned, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “My life’s mission is to ruin yours, one sneeze at a time,” rolling his eyes at her dramatic accusation.

She returned his look with an eye roll of her own, shoving the pillow off her head, but before she could deliver a snarky comeback, Vaelyn’s breath caught again, his jaw hanging open in idle as it worked through his system. Eyes squinting, small tears forming against his ducts. His chest rose as his nose twitched, and he sat upright like he was bracing for impact.

“Hhihhh… hh’EIISSHHhhuh!—ishh!-issh!-‘shhh!!—HHHEEHH-EESSHHHhhuh!!” The final sneeze erupted with such force that the entire bed shook, and Vaelyn flopped back against the mattress with a defeated groan. His glowing eye markings flickered faintly as if his life force itself had been sneezed out. “I swear,” he croaked, voice cracking, “this is the end for me,”

Kalypso winced, rubbing her temples. “If it isn’t, it’s how I’m going to die, You’re like a walking hurrica-… Hhh… hHh’nGXT! HP’KGNXT!!” Her own half-sneezes burst out mid-sentence, just as strangled as usual. She barely managed to muffle it into her sleeve, her eye pinched shut as the force of it left her slumped forward, her nose twisting and wiggling like it wasn’t quite finished. “K’GXNT! H-hh..T’GXGT! H’KXT!” She groaned as she straightened up, glaring at Vaelyn through her watery eye. “Don’d..day…a fugg’ing thing…” she warned.

Vaelyn chuckled weakly, his laugh dissolving into a fit of coughing. “I wouldn’t dare interfere with Karma’s good work,”

“Karma? Oh fugg you…” Kalypso leaned over, snatching the tissue pack from where it had fallen between them. “Again, thid whole siduadion id your fauld,” blowing into the softened material loudly, filling it with a shrill and wet spurt as she worked to clear her sinuses to the best of her ability.

“I’d argue, but I don’t have the energy,” Vaelyn admitted, propping himself up on one elbow. He stared at her for a moment, noting the way her nose scrunched all while she tried to fight her urges off, a small bead of sweat trickling down the side of her face. “You’re holding it in too much. Just let it out,” he sighed with a slight shake of his head.

Kalypso scowled, sniffing hard. “SndDff…Eady for you do day, Mr. Explodive. Dome of ud have complicated nadal paddages.” She punctuated her sentence though garbled by the congestion. Finally, she gave in, unable to take the lack of release, pulling her hand up in an attempt to stretch her nostril once more, bracing for the next fit. “Hhhh—hh’NGTSSschuh! Huhh’nXgt! …huhhh—uhhh’G-txSCHhhuh!” it finally flew out of her, and when it did, her chest felt like a weight had been lifted. A much more successful release than her previous attempt.

Vaelyn winced at her obvious discomfort. “You’re gonna break something doing that. Seriously,” if she didn’t know any better, he almost sounded like he was a touch concerned.

“Oh, so now you’re a doctor?” Kalypso snuffled loudly, clearing her throat, though she reluctantly reached for a tissue and honked loudly into it. When she was done, she tossed it toward the floor, where it joined the growing pile of trash.

“I’m not saying I’m a doctor,” Vaelyn replied, smirking as he tossed and turned to find a more comfortable position in the crowded bed. “But clearly, I’m the only one here with any common sense,”

“Common sense?” Kalypso barked a laugh, but it quickly turned into another coughing fit. She waved a hand at him as if to say, Give me a second, before she continued. “You think the guy who tried to deep-fry a shoe last week has common sense?”

“That was an experiment,” Vaelyn said defensively, though his pale cheeks flushed slightly. “And you said it smelled good,” flashing her a mocking smirk.

“Because I thought it was food, dumbass!” Kalypso shot back, her voice muffled as she buried her face in the blanket while turning away from him. Convinced that if she were to see that smug look on his face any longer she may just hit him.

The argument came to a halt as Vaelyn's nose twisted up once again, wiggling in small circles. He sat up, his chest rising and falling rapidly with quick, shallow breaths. Suddenly, they exploded out of him “Hhihhh… hh—IISSHHH!-issh!-isshh!-‘SHhhuh!—hhHEEHH-EESSHHHhhuh!!” each one followed by a stifled gasp. His body shook with the force. It was as if a powerful gust of wind was blowing through him, leaving him weak and shaky afterwards, they knocked him sideways, and he flopped back down, groaning into the pillow. “I judd wisgh death could find me..”

Kalypso shook her head, her sweat crumpled locks cascading in waves around her face as she flipped onto her other side to face him. With an expressionless face, she reached over and plucked another tissue from the box, flinging it towards him with a flick of her wrist. "You'd still find a way to make even death dramatic," she teased.

Vaelyn caught the tissue and brought it to his face, trying to maintain his serious expression through the act of releasing a plume of snot within the confines of the gifted material. It sloshed out of his nose with an obnoxiously flooded sound. His eyes met hers, sparkling with disdain. “And you’d still find a way to ruin my last moments,” he retorted back.

She smirked, her eye glinting mischievously. “Oh, why of course, If I can’t be happy, neither can you,” she snickered before continuing “It’s called the complexities of our love,” she blows him a kiss almost to rub it in.

Vaelyn snorted, his body too tired to argue. “If this is love, remind me to hate you properly when I’m better,” his body shuddering abruptly, causing the lion to snuggle and wiggle deeper into the covers, even inching slightly towards his girlfriend in an effort to seek warmth.

Kalypso chuckled, her laugh raspy but still carrying an edge of delight. “Oh, you already hate me. That’s why this works,” shifting her legs over to allow the other to close the slight space between them, their skin brushing up against each other.

“Works? This?” Vaelyn gestured between them weakly, his arm flopping back to his side. “This is a nightmare. A sick, mucus-filled nightmare,”

“And yet, here you are,” Kalypso nestled deeper into the plush bed, her body radiating warmth against Vaelyn's as she teased him. “You’d miss me if I weren’t here, just admit that even in the slightest, you’re glad you’re not totally isolated with this virus,” she poked at his side with a thin and pale index finger, causing the man to flinch just slightly at the touch.

“Miss you?” he repeated incredulously. Vaelyn groaned, throwing an arm over his face in a dramatic gesture. “I’d throw a party, A quiet, drama-free party,” letting out a long, drawn out and almost relieved sigh just at the thought of him being able to endure his illness alone without Kalypso’s grating and constant attitude.

The woman rolled her eye. “You’d last two days without me, tops. Then you’d go all broody and dramatic and start writing poetry about your tragic solitude,” she snickered at the idea of him sitting in the dark of the room, scrawling pathetically in his journal.

Vaelyn peeked out from under his arm, narrowing his eyes at her. “I don’t write poetry,”

“Not yet,” Kalypso said with a smirk, coughing into her sleeve. “But give it time. You’re practically a walking angst novel already,” shrugging her shoulders loosely.

Vaelyn opened his mouth to snap back but paused as his nose tingled and itched again, throat tightening as the inevitable sting returned. He let out a resigned groan before succumbing to another series of violent sneezes. “Hhh—hh’EIIISSHHHuhh! Hh—hhIIEEESSSHHhh! …ugh,” He slumped against the head board, thoroughly defeated. “Kill me now,”

Kalypso handed him another tissue, her voice softening. “I probably would if you weren’t so good in bed,”

Vaelyn took the tissue, his gaze lingering on her longer than he intended. Despite the bags under her eye and the general state of disarray, she was still one of the most attractive people he could ever lay his eyes upon—even if she was the most infuriating person he’d ever met.

“Whatever,” he muttered, blowing his nose and tossing the tissue toward the trash can. He missed, of course. “But if I do die, you’re giving the eulogy,”

Kalypso smirked, leaning back with a mock-serious expression. “We are gathered here today to reminisce the saddest existence of man-and magik kind…Vaelyn Hawthorne, though extraordinarily talented in bed and on stage, he was more or less the biggest bitch in all of life…anyways…let’s drink!” she giggled at herself, before falling into another rough and strangled coughing fit.

Vaelyn snorted, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth despite himself. “You’re such a bitch,”

“And you love it,” Kalypso shot back, her voice soft but still teasing. She adjusted the blankets over both of them again, her fingers brushing his as she did so. Vaelyn didn’t respond, but the faint flush on his cheeks wasn’t from the fever. Instead, he shifted closer, mumbling something incoherent under his breath as he avoided her gaze.

“What was that?” Kalypso asked, leaning in with a grin.

“Nothing,” Vaelyn muttered, turning his back to her. But the corners of his mouth twitched, betraying the smile he was trying to suppress.

Kalypso grinned triumphantly, leaning back and propping her head up with a bent up pillow. “That’s what I thought,” she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “You’re lucky you’re cute when you’re sick,”

Vaelyn groaned into his own pillow. “Don’t start. I’m barely holding on as it is,”

“Barely holding on is right,” Kalypso continued, poking his side. “You’re practically the poster child for a NyQuil ad. Look at you, falling to pieces and still managing to be the world’s biggest pain in my ass at the same time, multi-faceted,” her mocking tone cut through his nerves and he had to resist the temptation of smothering her where she laid.

Vaelyn batted her hand away weakly, but there was no real force behind it. “If I had the energy, I’d retaliate,”

“But you don’t,” she pointed out with a smug grin, settling back into her blanket cocoon. “Now….put something on the TV…Why fuckin’ don’t you?” 

Vaelyn groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Because, oh mighty goddess of laziness, the remote is literally on your side.”

Kalypso peeked out of her cocoon, squinting at the edge of the nightstand where the remote sat precariously. “Too far, can’t reach…” sighing dramatically as she turned her head to look back at him.

“You’re pathetic,” Vaelyn muttered, coughing into his arm all while he rolled over and stretched his limb out toward the remote. His fingers just barely brushed it before he knocked it to the floor with a loud clatter. “Shit,”

Kalypso burst into a raspy laugh, clutching her side as she coughed mid-guffaw. “Great job, genius. Truly, you’re the epitome of grace,”

“Laugh it up,” Vaelyn grumbled, rolling off the bed with all the enthusiasm of a cat forced into water. He fumbled for the remote, his lanky frame awkwardly sprawled across her on the bed as he reached for the item. “Got it,” he announced triumphantly, holding it up like he’d won a trophy.

“Congratulations,” Kalypso deadpanned, trying to adjust herself under his weight. “You’ve retrieved the mystical remote. Now, hurry up and get the fuck off me, I already can’t breathe,” falling back onto her pillow with a dramatic display as he slowly retreated off her.

Vaelyn crawled back onto his side, tossing the remote onto her lap with a sour expression. “Here. Happy?”

Kalypso rolled her eye, picking up the remote and flipping through channels lazily. “Not really, since I asked you to pick,” She paused on some random soap opera featuring overly expressive yelling and a faintly absurd plot twist. “Seems your illness has poisoned whatever brain cells you had left to follow instruction…so I guess you’ll just have to settle with my choice,” 

“Oh, fuck off,” he rolled his eyes before settling back against his side of the bed. Vaelyn arched a brow, leaning over to squint at the screen. “Really? This is what you’re subjecting me to?” his lips twisted into a disdained frown.

“Shut up, it’s a classic,” she retorted, sniffling loudly. “SNDdff…..Besides, you put me in charge, actions have consequences, dill-hole,”

Vaelyn stared at the screen, then back at her. “You’re actually insane,”

“And you’re still here,” Kalypso quipped, settling in with a contented sigh. “So, what does that make you?” Her gaze lazily looked back at him.

Vaelyn groaned, dragging a pillow over his face like it could block out both her smugness and the terrible soap opera now blaring from the TV. “Apparently, a masochist,”

“Exactly,” Kalypso said, grinning as she adjusted her blankets once more. “Now, shut up and let me enjoy this. They’re about to reveal who switched the baby at the wedding,” her attention fully on the softly illuminating television screen in front of them.

“Why do I even bother?” Vaelyn muttered, but his body betrayed him as he shifted closer to her warmth, his long legs tangling slightly with hers under the blankets, loosely spooning the small frame of the sickly woman. He tried to focus on the ridiculous melodrama unfolding on the screen, but his nose twitched again, sending a jolt through his body.

Kalypso side-eyed him, her own lips falling into a slightly annoyed frown. “Here we go again, right at the apex of the plot, you have the shittiest timing,” shaking her head as the man gasped and hitched.

“Hhhihhh…” Vee's body convulsed with each sharp inhale, his chest heaving and mouth open in a silent scream. His eyes squinted against the light of the tv, his face contorting as his breaths caught in the pit of his throat. “Hh’eiSHHhuh!—Hheh’EISSCHhhuh! …hhEH’ESSSHHhhuh!” a misted gust of saliva delicately sprinkled over the soft flesh of Kalypso’s exposed and blacked out neck. Her body shivered in response, she inhaled sharply and sucked on her lower lip.

The sneezes shook him so hard he tightly grasped the woman he’d been cuddling haphazardly, which only added to the battle Kaly was facing within herself. As much as she was annoyed by the man she had to share her affliction with, she couldn’t help how dangerously erotic she found the scene that just unfolded. The feeling of him shaking around her body and the coolness of his saliva settling upon her skin. “Shit…” she whimpered, her legs shifting together as she tried to hide and stifle her arousal.

“You’re not seriously horny from that are you?” Vaelyn immediately clocking the sudden change in her heart rate and the uncomfortable shuffling of her legs from beneath his own. Kalypso flushed a deep crimson, her eye widened as she tried to come up with a witty response to cover her embarrassment.

“Shut up, asshole, I can’t help it,” she sputtered, averting her gaze and fidgeting with the remote in her hands. “I’m just…ugh, never mind,” pouting angrily as she did everything in her power to push away the heat rising within her loins.

Vaelyn raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Hey now, no need to be coy about it, I still find it incredibly endearing you get so easily flustered for me…even in this awful state,” he teased, his voice husky, lips brushing up against her exposed and thoroughly pierced ear. The woman’s cheeks burned even hotter, and she elbowed Vaelyn in the side, trying to suppress the shiver that ran down her spine at the feel of his lips against her ear.

“Don’t get too cocky now, illness has clearly driven you insane,” she shot back, though her voice wavered slightly. The lion chuckled softly a deep rumble that reverberated through her.

“Yeah? So if I don’t…feel around this way…” he paused his words as his hand shuffled through the layers and her night gown, rising between her legs to meet her already soaked panty gusset. “I won’t find my pussy dripping into her panties?” teasing her with a deepened and taunting tone. Kalypso sucked in a sharp breath, her body betraying her as she pressed against his wandering hand, a soft moan escaping her lips before she could stop it.

“I-I hate you,” she managed to mutter, her cheeks aflame as desire pooled low in her belly. Vaelyn’s grin was positively sinful as he continued to tease her, his fingers lightly tracing patterns against the damp fabric, feeling the heat radiating from her core.

“Sure you do,” he murmured, his voice low and seductive as his tongue then traced a light trail behind the shell of her ear. “But your body seems to disagree,” his voice becoming even lower as he enjoyed the way her frame shuddered beneath his touch. Kalypso’s breath hitched as she arched into his motions, her eye fluttering shut as she surrendered to the intoxicating pull between them.

“Vaelyn…it’s just g-gonna make us f-feel worse…fuckin’ q-quit it…” she whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.

“I’m inclined to entirely disagree,” he countered, his touch growing bolder as he slid a finger beneath the fabric, slipping the tip of his digit across her soaking slit, eliciting a gasp from the woman. “I’d argue that you want me to keep going, don’t you?” his reply breathless as he began to press the growing bulge in his own boxers against the small of her back.

Kalypso couldn't help but whimper at his touch, her body protesting against her mind that was screaming at her to stop. She was sick, she shouldn't want this, but the pull the lion man had on her was undeniable.

"Vaelyn," she moaned again, her voice barely audible over the soap opera still playing in the background. She really wasn't sure if she wanted him to stop or to continue, the line of control blurring with every touch, every whisper. It was leaning towards the latter.

He chuckled darkly, his lips brushing across her neck again before he whispered, "Oh no…I think I feel another coming on too…Hh-Hh.." He teased as his breath and mouth stuttered, his body urging and leaning into the tickle that plagued his nasal cavity. The ghosting wisp of his breath causing Kalypso’s eye to roll back as she awaited it. Vee focused his movements on her body while also coaxing himself into a sneeze, gently brushing the tip of his nose against the stray strands of Kaly’s hair. “E-e-eiSHH! issh-IsH! H-Hehh…” his forehead pressing against the side of her temple, allowing his open mouth explosions to spray micro droplets of warm saliva across her exposed neck and even a bit across her chest.

His middle and ring fingers delved deep into her wet folds at the same moment of his release, eliciting a louder gasp from her lips. She felt her hips rock against him unconsciously, each thrust driving him further into her core and pushing her closer. “F-fuckin’ A…Vee…don’t ss-stop…” she stuttered through whimpering lips.

“Told you…—h-hH…eehHh’HH ESSSHHuhh!” another escaped him in the midst of his victorious gloating. It was relieving, freeing even, her neck practically drenched by this point as he latched his mouth upon her flesh and began to suck the spot there, biting a few times for good measure. Despite his best efforts, no hickeys would be left to show against the pitch black coloring of her tattoo but the feeling no less was enough to send her reeling. His own body shuddering with each expulsion, his touch unrelenting. Kalypso was aflame, unable to resist the pull of the lion's motions and the eroticism of his sneezes. She wanted him so badly she could taste it on her tongue.

His fingers danced across her most sensitive spots, eliciting a series of pleasured whimpers from her mouth as he continued to dive within her cavern, his thumb working at her swelling clit. Vaelyn's body responding itself to her cries, his cock standing at attention, his hips searching for friction against her plump ass that rocked against his body.

"Vaelyn...I...I can't take much more…i-it’s too much you’re g-gonna ma-make me c-cum…" she pleaded, her voice shaking with the need that coursed through her veins. She arched her back and pushed back into him, seeking more of the pleasure he was so skillfully doling out.

"I didn’t give you permission," he growled in reply, snuffling lightly against her ear. “sndDf…” For most people, that might kill the mood a bit but Kalypso, it only drove her further into insanity.

“Then fuck me…Vaelyn, stop w-wasting my f-fucking time…” she hissed in response before clasping her bottom lip between her two rows of teeth. Vaelyn's eyes glimmered with desire, his lips parting to reveal a low rumbling growl in his chest. His hand slowed momentarily, the pace of his fingers rubbing against her sensitive nerves gentling as he considered her plea.

"Is that what you want?" he asked, his voice a mere whisper against her ear. "For me to fuck my desperate pussy right here, right now?" His fingers halted, poised above her damp panties, their taunting presence causing the woman to whine and buck for more. Her breath hitched, the air thick with anticipation. Her body arched towards him, her eye fluttering shut in desperation as she clutched at the remote in her hand, squeezing it tightly as if it were Vaelyn's cock.

“Yes, god damn it," she whispered back, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please…” Vaelyn smirked, a lecherous expression painting his face as he finally relented.

“That’s my girl…” he spoke huskily confident in his response, triumphant he could turn her into the mess she currently was. His fingers worked to push the fabric of her soaked underwear aside, slipping his other arm from under her to free his aching length from the confines of his boxers. He took no time, inching his hips closer and forcing his cock inside her warm, wet entrance.

“Fuck, Vee…” she moaned as he filled her, her body trembling at the sensation of him inside. Her hands clutched at the mattress, nails digging into the fabric of the sheets as she rocked her hips back to meet his. Vaelyn's eyes blazed with lust as he looked down at her, looming from their side ways position.

“That’s it, who’s pussy is this?” he snarled euphorically his tone dangerous and domineering, all while his hips moved in a slow rhythm that built rapidly into a frenzied pace.

“It’s yours, Vaelyn, It’s your pussy…” she gasped, her voice strained from the pleasure and the sore throat given to her by the illness they shared. Her eyes remained closed, focusing solely on the sensations that surrounded her. The soap opera in the background continued to play loudly, its washed out sounds barely registering in their minds as they were consumed by the primal need for one another.

Vaelyn's teeth flashed in a predatory grin as her response fueled his antics even further. He brought his hand up and gripped her throat tightly, squeezing until her ragged gasps turned into strangled gaffs. Driving himself deeper into her with each thrust, their skin slapping together with a wet, slick sound that punctuated the air around them. His breath came in tattered gasps, each exhale carrying a hint of struggle as he reveled in their desperate display.

“That’s right,” he hissed lowly, his voice rumbling through his chest and vibrating against her body. “That’s my pussy…” he spoke possessively. Kalypso felt herself becoming undone, her heated cries lost underneath his squeezing palm as Vaelyn's rough treatment drove her closer to the edge. Her body yearned for release, each thrust from the ravenous man pushing her further into a state of blissful oblivion. He was right, this was his pussy - his to command and use as he saw fit. And she wouldn't want it any other way.

Her body bucked wildly against his, each thrust causing wave after wave of undying pleasure to wash over her. Her heart pounded in her chest, the intensity of her emotions threatening to consume her entirely. "Fuck…me…" she managed to gasp behind his hold, her voice hoarse with need. "H-hard-..er,”

Vaelyn's eyes flashed dangerously at her words, his grip on her throat tightening even further. "Yeah? My crazy little psycho slut wants it harder?” he asked, his voice low and filled with promise. Kalypso's eye widened in response, her lips parting slightly as she nodded vigorously, her body screaming for more. Without hesitation, Vaelyn yanked his hand away from her throat, causing her to whimper in protest at the sudden loss of his touch. But before she could fully register the change, he leaned forward and bit down on her shoulder - hard enough to break skin, a small trail of blood trickling down her chest, hard enough to leave a mark that would last long after their time together had ended.

His free hand now snaking across her frame to slip between her thighs, his skilled fingers now circling her clit with a matched rhythm of his thrusts. She cried out, her entire body trembling as the heat rose further to the surface, her groin tightening as she could feel her impending orgasm threatening to spill over. Then, with a single swift motion, Vaelyn withdrew from her wet heat, leaving her feeling empty and needy. Yet, it was only a momentary respite; in the next instant, he thrust back inside her with renewed fervor, his movements rough and unrestrained. “You better fuckin’ cum for me, Lypsy, cum for your man,” he growled, his voice hoarse with desire.

Kalypso's world spun around her as she felt the irresistible pull of the inevitable climax that threatened to rock her. The woman’s slickened body trembled uncontrollably, her breaths coming in short gasps that were barely audible. "Vaelyn… I’m…" she whined, her voice barely above a whisper as she clawed at the sheets beneath her. The lust-crazed man continued to ravage her with his relentless thrusts, his eyes locked onto her desire twisted expression, his own filled with a primitive hunger.

"That's it, baby... cum for me," he urged, his tone low and seductive as he leaned down to capture her mouth in a passionate kiss. His tongue invaded hers, fighting across each other in a wet and chaotic battle, mimicking the rhythm of his thrusts and sending a wave of heat coursing through her veins. At long last, unable to hold it back, her lips parted between the kiss and a high pitched whine escaped her as their hot breath mingled. Her walls clenched around Vaelyn’s continuously thrusting cock as she finally came around him. His mouth pulling into a sadistic grin as he witnessed her fall off the edge of carnal lust.

Vaelyn's thrusts became erratic, desperate, as he felt the waves of her climax pulsing around him. He matched her cries with his own desperate moans, his body tensing and straining towards its own release. The sound of their passionate fucking still echoed against the walls around them, but to them it was almost nonexistent background noise, lost along side the tv show that still played. Buried deep inside her, Vaelyn felt every twitch and shudder of Kalypso's ecstasy.

"Fuuuuck, your pussy feels so good pulsing around my cock…" he groaned, his voice ringing in her head as her body shuddered and twitched. His hand moving to her hip gripping it tightly, bruising her skin without a care. "You ready, hm? Ready for me to fill my pussy with every last drop?" he spoke behind a clenched jaw within the cavity of her ear, feeling her body quivering around him in unabated pleasure. She nodded furiously as her body continued to rock and match his movements. Finally, Vaelyn surrendered to the rush of her throbbing sensations.

"Cum for me, Vaelyn," she whimpered, her voice raw and lust driven. "Fill me…please…" The intensity of her words sent a surge of adrenaline through his veins, and her begging for his release inside her was the exact push he needed to go over the edge. With one final thrust, Vaelyn buried himself deep within her hot core, his body tensing as he felt the familiar tightening of his balls.

"F-fuck!" it barely escaped his lips, his voice breaking through the clamour of their frenzied session. His whole body shook with the force of his climax as he released his full load inside her. They each gasped, working to collect their breaths as the sweat dripped from their bodies, desperate to bask in the afterglow of their orgasms. Vaelyn slowly withdrew from her, his body still shuddering with the remnants of his climax. Kalypso whimpered at the loss, her body feeling empty and sore. They each rolled over and onto their backs, staring upward at the ceiling as the euphoric haze of sex slowly drifted away.

"You're mine, remember?" he murmured, his voice softer now. She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.

"I remember," she whispered back, both of them feeling more than just spent but entirely exhausted. “After that…I think I’ll finally be able to get back to sleeping this dumbass cold off,” she added, the light-heartedness returning to her voice. Vaelyn chuckled, reaching over to place a gentle kiss on her cheek before rolling off the bed and heading towards the bathroom to clean up.

As he washed away the remnants of their encounter as well as the sickly ick that had collected beforehand, Vaelyn couldn't help but smile - though he would never allow her to see it, or even verbally admit to it, he was genuinely glad to have her there. Both of them dealing with this situation together. She drove him insane, often to the brink of his final straw, but that was his bag of crazy. He understood her, and she understood him. Despite how hard it was to see it sometimes.

He stepped back into the room to find Kalypso curled up under the covers, already drifting off into a restful sleep. Despite her earlier claims about her cold, she looked peaceful now, her eye fluttering with dreams as she drifted into slumber. Vee shook his head, letting out a breathless chuckle. “Nasty bitch, just going to fall asleep full of cum and covered in sick sweat, god she’s disgusting…” but despite his comment, he slid in beside her, wrapping himself around her overtly hot body and burying his face into her sweat dampened hair. Sleep now overtaking the both of them, the gentle glow of the tv illuminating their faces as there was nothing left but the sound of the long abandoned show to echo around them.

The End

Author’s Notes: *beats my chest like a wild gorilla* I LOVE WRITING THEIR DIALLLOOOGGUUEE 😩 they’re so sassy and pissy, I fuckin’ love it. 🤌🏻🤤 hope you guys enjoyed! Til next fic 😘

[thekinkyleopard]

I honestly love Vee and Rex’s dynamic so much it’s so sad knowing what happens to their friendship 😩💚 Great fic Geez!

Sneeze The Day!

Vaelyn’s pilot fic 🖤

A platonic snz/sickfic ❤️

For the anon who is already excited for Vee content 🖤 here’s nearly 5k words, set before the venue fire that Vaelyn accidentally caused while he’s part of Rexar’s band, Toad Biscuit, which caused him to go into hiding, and this is before rexar and Remi got close. For more context, please view Vee’s backstory here, or just enjoy the fic without context 🖤

The tour bus jolted lightly over a pothole, causing the stack of crumpled tissues on the edge of Vaelyn's bunk to slide off onto the floor. He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, feeling the steady throb of congestion hammering behind his eyes. The small, enclosed space was suffocating, not from the size but from the pounding ache in his skull and the relentless itch that refused to leave his nose alone.

"Vee, you okay over there?" Rexar's voice cut through the low hum of the bus engine, his usual teasing tone laced with genuine concern.

"I'm fine," Vee replied hoarsely, his voice cracking in betrayal. A fiery scratch clawed at his throat with every syllable. He sniffled wetly, swiping at his nose with the sleeve of his sweatshirt. "Just—" His words hitched mid-sentence, and his breath caught. "Hihh-hhh!—"

Rexar barely had time to look up from tuning his guitar before Vee snapped forward, sneezes erupting from him in rapid succession.

"Eh'ishh!-ishh!-ISHH!-…….. hhHIEESHHuh!"

The force of the fit bent him nearly in half, the final sneeze roaring out of him with a volume that made even Kriia, who was organizing the merch table in the back, poke her head around the corner with a raised eyebrow.

"Bless you," Rex said automatically, pausing to glance at Vee. His freckled face was creased with worry. "Damn, Vee. You sound like hell."

"Thanks for the observation," Vee muttered, grabbing a tissue from the crumpled pile next to him and blowing his nose. The sound was gurgling and wet, doing little to relieve the overwhelming congestion. He slumped back against the wall of his bunk, his blue eyes bloodshot and watering, framed by a puffiness that only made his misery more evident.

"Seriously, dude," Kriia chimed in, moving closer with her arms crossed. "You should sit tonight out. You’re barely upright, let alone stage-ready."

Vee bristled at her suggestion, his pride flaring despite his sorry state. "I'm not sitting out," he snapped, though his voice cracked again, undermining his attempt at defiance. "This is the last stretch of the tour. I'm not letting another damn cold bench me."

Rexar raised his eyebrows, leaning back in his chair. "No one’s gonna think less of you, man. Well, maybe you will, but the rest of us have seen you push through enough. You’ve got nothing to prove."

Vee didn’t reply immediately, instead grabbing another tissue and burying his nose in it for a moment, massaging furiously at his inflamed nostrils. Despite his efforts, his breath hitched again, his body tensing.

"Hh’EISHh!-ISCHh! !—ISCHh-isch! …….. Hh’iSSSHHHuhh!" His sneezes tore through the bus with such force that Rex instinctively held up a hand to shield his guitar.

Kriia sighed, shaking her head. "Okay, that’s it," she said firmly. "If you’re gonna be stubborn and play, at least let us help you. We’ll figure something out to make it easier."

"I'm fine," Vee grumbled again, but the pitiful rasp of his voice and the deep flush on his fevered cheeks said otherwise. Still, his determination was unshakable, and Kriia exchanged a resigned glance with Rexar.

Vee’s protests were half-hearted at best, and even he seemed to realize it. Every time he tried to straighten up and shake off the misery, another sneeze or a fit of coughing would drag him back down. His fingers trembled slightly as he fumbled to open his guitar case, the weight of the instrument feeling heavier than usual.

Kriia moved closer, watching him with quiet concern. “Vee,” she said gently, crouching next to him as he perched on the edge of the bus seat, “we’re serious. Let us help you. You don’t have to keep proving how tough you are. We already know.”

Rex, now sitting cross-legged on the floor tuning his guitar, chimed in with a teasing grin. “Yeah, dude, we get it. You’re the ultimate badass. Now how about letting your body catch up with that ego of yours before it spontaneously combusts?”

Vee gave them both a side-eye glare, his lips twitching into the faintest ghost of a smirk. But before he could reply, his breath hitched sharply, and he instinctively turned to the side, pressing his wrist against his face.

“ISSHhuh! — Hdt’ISHh! —ISCHhh! — Isch! ish! ………. Hhh—hhHIESSHHhuhh!”

The sneezes were so forceful they nearly knocked him forward, his long hair swinging into his face with each convulsive motion. His guitar case wobbled precariously on the bench next to him as he leaned forward, gasping for air.

“Bless you,” Kriia murmured, her brow furrowing.

Rex winced as if the sneezes had been his own, strumming a chord absently before adding, “Man, if you sneeze any harder, your nose’s gonna file for worker’s comp.”

Vee sniffled miserably, swiping at his nose with the sleeve of his hoodie. “Hilarious,” he rasped, though his usual venom was dulled by exhaustion. His voice cracked, and he winced, clutching at his throat.

Kriia reached out, resting a hand lightly on his knee. “You’re really not okay, are you?”

“I’ll live,” Vee muttered, though the congestion thickened his words into a near-whimper. “Just… let me get through tonight. I can’t—I won’t sit this one out.”

Kriia sighed deeply, her expression a mix of exasperation and affection. She stood, patting his shoulder lightly before glancing at Rexar, who was now silently watching his friend with a worried crease in his brow.

“Alright,” she said finally. “But we’re keeping an eye on you, Vee. The second you look like you’re about to pass out, I’m dragging your stubborn ass off that stage myself.”

“Good luck with that,” Vee muttered, though the corners of his lips curved upward in a faint, wry smile.

Rex chuckled, grabbing his own guitar case as he stood. “If she doesn’t, I will,” he said. “But hey, if you faceplant mid-song, I’m totally posting it on the band’s account.”

Vee scoffed weakly, though the sound melted into a wet sniffle. “Do it,” he challenged hoarsely. “Maybe it’ll go viral and sell some albums.”

“Always the optimist,” Rex said dryly, offering him a hand up.

Vee stared at it for a moment before reluctantly taking it, his movements sluggish as Rex hauled him to his feet. He swayed slightly, his tall frame trembling with the effort of staying upright, but he steadied himself against the wall of the bus. His chest heaved as he tried to take a deep breath, but the effort sent him into a harsh, barking cough that left him hunched over and gasping.

Kriia bit her lip, exchanging a look with Rexar. “Let’s just get through soundcheck,” she said softly.

Rex nodded, clapping Vee on the back as they made their way off the bus. “One step at a time, man. One step at a time.”

By the time they arrived at the venue, Vee was visibly worse. His usually confident stride was reduced to a sluggish shuffle, his shoulders hunched under the weight of his exhaustion. His guitar case dangled limply in his hand, and every few steps he would stop, gripping the edge of a nearby table or wall to steady himself.

"Maybe just... don’t die before we even get to the stage," Rex joked half-heartedly as they set up for soundcheck.

"Noted," Vee replied, his voice muffled as he turned away, his breath hitching once again.

"Hh—hhuhh! Hhh- I’mgonnasneezeagain—Hh'IESHHh! Hehh- IESHHh!! ISSHH! ISHhh! ……………… HhIESHHhuh! "

Each sneeze wracked his tall frame, bending him forward at the waist. He swayed slightly, blinking dazedly as he clutched his guitar for support.

"Bless you," Rex said again offhandedly, tuning his guitar without looking up. "You sure you’re not secretly auditioning for ‘World’s Loudest Sneezes?’ I think you’d win."

Vee managed a weak chuckle, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "Ha... ha," he muttered, though there was no venom in his voice. If anything, he seemed too drained to muster up his usual sharp sarcasm.

The roar of the crowd vibrated through the walls of the venue, a pulsing wave of energy that usually gave Vaelyn a thrill. Tonight, though, it only added to the pounding in his head. He leaned against the side of the stage, his guitar slung over his back, the strap digging into his shoulder. His chest rose and fell with shallow, wheezy breaths as he tried to psych himself up.

"You got this," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the chaos. He sniffled wetly, his nose red and raw, the medical tape across its bridge looking almost neon against his flushed complexion. "Just a few songs. Then you can crash."

Rexar stepped up next to him, resting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You sure about this, man? You can still bow out. No shame in it."

Vee shook his head, his long, disheveled hair falling into his face. "I’m fine," he rasped, though his hoarse voice betrayed him. "Let’s just... let’s do this."

Rexar hesitated for a moment, studying his best friend’s pale, fevered face before giving him a small nod. "Alright. Just don’t push yourself too hard, okay? I’ll cover if you need me to."

With that, Rex stepped out onto the stage, greeted by deafening cheers from the audience. Vee followed a few steps behind, plastering on a faint, forced smile as he waved weakly to the crowd. The bright stage lights felt like daggers in his already pounding head, and he had to squint against their intensity.

The first song started, a fast-paced, heavy metal anthem that usually got the crowd hyped. Vee’s fingers moved over the strings of his guitar with practiced precision, but his movements were sluggish, his timing slightly off. His congested breathing echoed in his ears, drowning out the music.

He made it through the first song, but barely. His vision blurred at the edges, and he could feel the heat radiating off his own skin. He sniffled constantly, trying to keep the relentless drip from his nose under control, but it was a losing battle. By the second song, his sneezes returned with a vengeance.

"Eh-hh! eishh!-ishh!-ish!-’shh!... —ISSHHhew! HH—……HHEISSCHHuhhh!"

The fit bent him double, his guitar hanging limply at his side as he sneezed violently into his elbow. He barely managed to recover in time to join in on the next chorus.

The blaring lights and deafening roar of the crowd felt like a distant echo to Vaelyn, his fever-addled mind barely able to register the chaos around him. His knees buckled slightly as he fought to stay upright, his long fingers fumbling with the strings of his guitar. His grip faltered, and a discordant twang cut through the heavy bassline of the song. The crowd didn’t seem to notice, but the slip was enough to send a fresh wave of frustration washing over him.

By the fourth song, his vision blurred, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead and stinging his bloodshot eyes. His chest burned with every shallow breath, and his nose—raw, red, and swollen—itched relentlessly, taunting him with an impending sneeze he couldn’t hold back.

From across the stage, Rexar’s sharp grey-red eyes flicked toward him, narrowing in concern. Kriia, stationed at the merch table, bit her lip, her own purple eyes darting between Vee and Rexar as if silently urging him to do something. But before either of them could act, the fifth song began, and it was clear Vee had reached his limit.

The opening chords of the song had barely begun to resonate when Vee’s body betrayed him. His breath hitched violently, his nostrils flaring as his head tilted back in desperation. He gripped the strap of his guitar like a lifeline, his chest heaving with uncontrollable gasps.

“Hhh—HHhh—HHHIIISSSHHHHHHHhuhh!”

The first sneeze erupted with a ferocity that bent him forward at the waist, his messy, sweat-dampened hair obscuring his flushed face.

“Hhh-HHHHIIESSSCHHHHheww! HhhhIISSSCHHHhew!”

The second and third sneezes tore through him just as violently, leaving him staggering. His knees gave out briefly, and he barely caught himself on the edge of the drum riser. The strap of his guitar slipped from his shoulder, hanging limply at his side.

As the sneezes subsided, Vee’s body wasn’t done punishing him. A harsh, rattling cough clawed its way up his throat, his chest convulsing with the force of it. His breath came in short, wheezing gasps, and his eyes widened in panic as he clutched at his throat. The edges of his vision darkened, and the world tilted precariously around him.

Without a word, Vee turned and stumbled toward the back of the stage, his long legs nearly tangling in the amplifier cords. His guitar thudded against the stage floor, forgotten in his hasty retreat.

Kriia reacted instantly, abandoning her post at the table to follow him. Her boots clacked sharply against the stage as she darted after him, her red hair streaming behind her. Rexar glanced over his shoulder at the commotion, his freckled face creasing with worry, but he didn’t miss a beat. Grabbing his microphone, he launched into an impromptu solo, his raspy voice commanding the crowd’s attention while his fingers danced over the strings of his guitar.

Kriia found Vaelyn slumped against a wall backstage, his trembling hands clutching a wad of tissues to his raw, twitching nose. His face was a mess of feverish redness, and his drenched shirt clung to his heaving chest.

“Vee,” she called softly, kneeling beside him. “That was incredible! Are you okay?”

He didn’t answer at first, his head tilted back against the wall as he gasped for breath. Finally, his tired, watery blue eyes flicked toward her, and he managed a hoarse, congested laugh. “Y-you... dod’t h-have to... lie...” His voice cracked painfully, his words interrupted by another hitching gasp.

Kriia frowned, reaching out to brush his damp green hair away from his flushed face. “No one’s lying, Vee. You’re sick as hell, and no one expects you to kill yourself over a show. You should’ve stayed on the bus.”

He shook his head weakly, his fingers tightening around the tissues. “C-could’t... d-do it. T-two tours... I’b dot...”

“Not weak,” Kriia finished firmly. “You’re a shifter…. And I’m not LION…..,” she added with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Another coughing fit seized him, and she rubbed his back gently until it passed. “Come on,” she said finally, standing and offering him her hand. “Let’s get you back to the bus. Rex can handle the rest of the show.”

Vaelyn hesitated, his pride warring with his exhaustion. But as another coughing fit wracked his body, leaving him slumped against the wall and gasping, he finally nodded. “F-fide...” he croaked, accepting her hand.

Kriia slung his arm over her shoulders, supporting his taller frame as they made their way out of the venue.

As Kriia guided Vaelyn toward the venue doors, her arm bracing his trembling frame, a sudden spotlight snapped on, bathing them both in its harsh glow. The roar of the crowd dulled Vaelyn’s sluggish senses, his feverish mind unable to comprehend why they had been caught in the spotlight.

"Alright, folks," Rexar’s familiar voice boomed over the microphone, steady and commanding. Though his tone remained light, there was an unmistakable sincerity in his words. "Vee’s gotta check out early tonight. He’s not feeling great, but he powered through as much as he could for you guys. Let’s give it up for him, huh?"

The crowd erupted in cheers so loud it felt like the building itself shook. Claps, whistles, and shouts of encouragement filled the air, merging into an overwhelming cacophony of support.

"Feel better, Vee!" someone yelled from deep within the crowd.

Vaelyn froze mid-step, his fever-ridden body stiffening as his head turned toward the stage in disbelief. His bloodshot, watery eyes blinked rapidly, his flushed face lit with a mixture of shock and confusion. The weight of the noise pressed against his muddled thoughts, and for a moment, he could only stand there, trembling as he tried to process what he was hearing.

The crowd wasn’t angry. They weren’t disappointed. They were cheering for him.

Kriia paused beside him, her hand resting gently on his back, sensing the emotional storm brewing beneath his exhausted exterior.

Vaelyn’s gaze swept the mass of faces, each one lit with excitement and genuine care. He was used to applause. He was used to being seen on stage, larger than life. But this—this was different. The cheers weren’t for the music. They were for him.

Something caught in his throat, and it wasn’t congestion this time. His chest tightened, and for a fleeting second, he thought he might break down entirely. But instead, he straightened as much as his trembling legs would allow, his lips parting in a hoarse, breathy rasp.

"Love you guys," he managed to croak, the words scratchy and barely audible but filled with raw gratitude. He brought both hands up in a shaky peace sign, pausing to his fingertips before throwing the gesture toward the crowd.

The cheers grew louder, the sound swelling like a tidal wave, and for a brief moment, Vaelyn felt the oppressive weight of his illness lift.

As he turned back toward the exit, his steps were still heavy, but his spirit was lighter. The warmth of the crowd’s support lingered in his chest, a reminder that even in his weakest moments, he wasn’t truly alone.

Kriia glanced at him with a small, knowing smile, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "Told you they love you," she teased softly, her voice cutting through the lingering roar of applause.

Vaelyn chuckled weakly, his voice little more than a raspy whisper. "Yeah... guess so."

And with that, he pushed open the venue doors, stepping out into the cool night air. Behind him, the sound of the crowd’s adoration continued to echo in his ears, a balm to the rawness of the night.

The night air hit Vaelyn like a wall, cool and crisp against his feverish skin. His breath fogged in the chill, and for a moment, he paused at the bottom of the tour bus steps, steadying himself. His head still spun from the combination of the fever, the sneezing fits, and the overwhelming moment on stage. Kriia stood beside him, her shadowy presence calm and supportive, as always.

“Need help getting in?” she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.

Vee shook his head, swaying slightly as he gripped the railing. “I’b good,” he rasped, though his congested voice betrayed his bravado. Slowly, he climbed the steps, each one feeling like a mountain under his unsteady legs.

Once inside, the familiar warmth and dim lighting of the bus greeted him, though the space felt like it was spinning. Vee stumbled toward the small kitchenette, gripping the edge of the counter to steady himself.

Kriia followed closely, watching him carefully. “Sit down before you fall,” she said, her tone firm but kind.

Vee sighed heavily, dragging himself to the couch and collapsing onto it with a groan. His long legs stretched out awkwardly, his hair sticking to his damp forehead. He sniffled miserably, scrubbing at his red, irritated nose with the back of his hand.

Kriia disappeared for a moment and returned with a cold bottle of water and a small towel. She handed him the bottle and draped the towel over his shoulders. “You’re a mess, Vee.”

“Thadks for the vote of codfidence,” he muttered, cracking the bottle open and taking a small sip. His throat burned with the effort, and he winced, swallowing slowly.

For a while, Kriia sat next to Vee in silence, her presence steady and grounding. The gentle hum of the bus engine and the faint vibrations of the road beneath them created a sense of calm that seemed to ease some of the tension in the air. Vee sniffled quietly, tugging at the edge of his hoodie sleeve and staring blankly at the fabric bunched in his hands.

“You know,” Kriia began softly, breaking the silence, “it’s okay to let yourself be taken care of sometimes. Doesn’t make you any less of a badass.”

Vee huffed a weak laugh, though it quickly devolved into a wet, rattling cough. He doubled over slightly, his shoulders trembling as he struggled to catch his breath. Kriia instinctively rubbed small circles on his back, waiting patiently until the fit subsided.

When he finally straightened up, his face was flushed and glistening with fever sweat. He scrubbed at his nose with a crumpled tissue, his breath still uneven. “You beed readigg self-help books or sobethigg?” he muttered, his voice thick with congestion but laced with his usual dry humor.

Kriia smirked, leaning back against the seat. “Nah, just good at reading people,” she teased. “And right now, you’re screaming, ‘I need soup and a blanket.’”

Vee snorted weakly, though the sound caught in his throat, triggering another round of coughing. He waved her off with a shaky hand, gesturing toward the small kitchenette at the front of the bus. “I’ll… get it myself,” he rasped.

“You’ll sit your ass right here,” Kriia countered firmly, standing and heading toward the kitchenette. “Let me guess: chicken noodle or… chicken noodle?”

“Dealer’s choice,” Vee replied, his voice barely audible. He leaned back against the couch, his head tipping to the side as his eyes drifted shut.

By the time Kriia returned with a steaming mug of soup, Vee’s breathing had evened out slightly, though his chest still rose and fell with a faint wheeze. She nudged his shoulder gently, coaxing him to sit up.

“Drink,” she instructed, holding the mug out to him.

Vee blinked at her groggily before taking the mug with both hands. The warmth seeped into his chilled fingers, and he sighed softly as he took a tentative sip.

“Thadks,” he murmured after a few moments, his voice low and genuine.

“Don’t mention it,” Kriia said lightly, settling back into her seat. She watched him quietly for a moment before adding, “You’re lucky to have people who care about you, you know. Fans included.”

Vee’s gaze flicked toward her, his blue eyes glassy with fever. He looked like he wanted to argue, but the memory of the cheering fans replayed in his mind. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

“Yeah… guess they’re alright,” he murmured, his voice hoarse.

The hum of the bus engine became a soothing backdrop as the night wore on. Rexar returned after finishing the show, his presence filling the bus with warmth and easy energy. He dropped his guitar case by the door and headed straight for Vee, his sharp grey-and-red eyes scanning him critically.

“You look like hell,” Rexar said, sitting on the edge of the couch.

“Feel like it too,” Vee admitted, leaning his head back with a sigh.

Rexar reached over, ruffling Vee’s disheveled hair. “You did good, though. Pushed through, even if you shouldn’t have. You’re stubborn as hell, but I respect it.”

Vee let out a weak laugh, coughing slightly as he did. “Guess I cad’t let you have all the glory, huh?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Rexar replied with a grin. “Now, get some rest. We’ve got two more shows, and if you’re still like this tomorrow, I’m chaining you to your bunk.”

Kriia chuckled from her spot nearby. “You should listen to him, Vee. You should know Rex doesn’t joke about stuff like that.”

Vee rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. He was too exhausted to put up much of a fight. “Yeah, yeah. Go play babysitter sobewhere else,” he muttered, though there was no real venom in his tone.

Hours later, the tour bus was steeped in silence, the only sounds the low hum of the engine and the occasional creak of its frame as it rolled along the highway. Most of the band had long since retreated to their bunks, leaving Vaelyn stretched out alone on the couch. The faint glow of the TV flickered across his flushed face, his hair falling messily over his damp forehead.

A battered box of tissues rested precariously on his chest, threatening to tumble with every shallow breath. Beside him, a half-empty bottle of water leaned against the floor, condensation pooling around its base.

Though his sneezes had slowed, the relentless tickle in his nose refused to grant him peace. He sniffled softly, his raw, swollen nostrils flaring as he tried to stave off the inevitable. For a fleeting moment, it seemed like he might finally drift off to sleep.

But then the telltale hitching breaths began again.

“Hhh… fugk.. hhh-HHhh—! ..godda.. sneeze!…. Eh-hh! EISHHh! —ISSHHh! ISHH!-ish!-’shh!... HH—……HH’EISSCHH’uhhh!”

The sneezes ripped through him, snapping his body forward like a coiled spring. The tissue box toppled to the floor with a dull thud as he pitched forward into the crook of his arm.

He groaned miserably, his head thumping back against the couch. His hand fumbled blindly for the fallen tissues, his movements sluggish from fever. When he finally grabbed a handful, he blew his nose with a loud, congested honk that echoed through the quiet bus.

“Bless you,” came Rexar’s low, groggy voice from the direction of the bunks.

Vaelyn jumped slightly, wincing as his sinuses protested the motion. He turned his head to see Rexar standing there, hair mussed from sleep, wearing a loose hoodie and flannel pajama pants.

“Thought you were asleep,” Vaelyn mumbled, his voice thick and gravelly.

Rexar chuckled softly, ambling over to the couch and sitting down on the opposite end. “Kinda hard to sleep when it sounds like you’re trying to sneeze the bus into a ditch.”

Vaelyn huffed a weak laugh, the corners of his mouth twitching upward despite himself. “Sorry. My dose is such a draba queed and deeds to be … loud.” He punctuated the sentence with a sharp sniffle, dabbing at his nose with another tissue.

“Nah, don’t sweat it,” Rexar said, his voice light. He leaned back, crossing one ankle over his knee. “You sound like hell, though.”

��Gee, Thadks,” Vaelyn muttered, rolling his eyes but unable to suppress a smirk. “Y’dow, I feel like I’ve heard that a few tibes today.”

Rexar leaned forward, grabbing the water bottle and holding it out. “Drink. You’re gonna shrivel up if you don’t.”

Vaelyn eyed him for a moment before taking the bottle, his fingers brushing against Rexar’s. He took a sip, the cool water soothing his burning throat, before setting it back down.

“You dod’t have to babysit be, y’dow,” Vaelyn said, his voice quieter now, almost sheepish.

“Who said I’m babysitting?” Rexar shot back, his grin lopsided but warm. “I’m just making sure you don’t drown in your own snot. Plus, the couch looked comfier than my bunk tonight.”

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the only sound the soft murmur of the TV. Vaelyn’s breath hitched suddenly, and he scrambled to bury his face into his elbow just as another fit overtook him.

“Hhh—!! Fugk, i’b g-godda… Eh'ishh!-ishh!-ISHH!-shh!!……..Hh-HHEIISCHHhhew!”

Rexar handed him another tissue without a word, his expression amused but tinged with concern.

“Bless you,” Rexar finally said again, patting Vaelyn’s shoulder once the fit subsided.

“Thadks,” Vaelyn croaked, wiping at his nose. His head lolled back against the couch, exhaustion pulling at his features. “I’b such a bess.”

“Dude,” Rexar said, leaning back and lacing his fingers behind his head. “You were practically dead on stage and still managed to give the crowd a hell of a show. That’s badass, not a mess.”

Vaelyn glanced at him, his fever-bright eyes softening slightly. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Rexar said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

For the first time all day, Vaelyn felt the tension in his chest ease. The memory of the crowd’s cheers and Rexar’s unwavering support lingered in his mind, soothing the ache in his body and spirit alike.

As his eyes fluttered closed, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Thadks, Rex.”

“Anytime, man,” Rexar replied, his voice soft as he pulled a blanket over Vaelyn’s shoulders.

In the quiet glow of the TV, Vaelyn finally drifted off, his breathing evening out despite the sea of congestion threatening to flood his lungs.

[thekinkyleopard]

RAAAAAAHHHHH 😍😍😍😍 MY TOXIC GIRL

Getting to know: Kalypso Vahlia

belongs to @thekinkyleopard ~

21 // Female // She/Her/Hers // Bisexual // Kaiju - Baku

Full name: Kalypso Vahlia

Nickname: Kal or Lypsy

Date Of Birth:

Big Three: Leo, Scorpio, Gemini

Physical Appearance —

Age: looks 21

Eye Color: Emerald green but left eye is sewn shut

Hair Color: Black with Lime streaks

Weight: 90

Height: 5’2

Race: Kaiju - Baku

Distinguishing Marks or Characteristics:

Stretched septum black pincher, black angel fangs, regular double nostril piercings studs also black, with also high double nostril piercings above those (so 4 nostril piercings) that have a chain connecting the two for the high up ones. All her piercings are black. Stretched ears with pentagram plug jewelry. Black out neck tattoo, Vees name blasted in death metal writing across her collarbones/chest, left arm black out sleeve and right arm black cybersigilism , She has fangs as well, stiletto black nails, and always wears a choker with a lock that Vee has the key to.

Personality —

Greatest Strength: Cold Blooded, gets whatever she wants and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty

Greatest Weakness: Her inability to control her emotions or mania having NPD And Bipolar

Soft Spot: Babies and sometimes Vee

Mannerisms/Traits: Incredibly two faced, always has a motive or agenda with anyone she meets. Most the time that Agenda being how can she use someone for her benefit to piss off Vee and get his attention. You know she’s scheming something when she starts messing with her piercings.

Miscellaneous Trivia —

Kalypso mastered her art of dream manipulation the fastest in all her family

When Kalypso was 5 years old, she was kidnapped by a disgruntled patient suffering with schizophrenia that was beyond the realm of help from the Vahlia clan.

After Kalypso’s childhood trauma of being abandoned, abused and kidnapped, she made it her life’s mission to be the biggest thorn in her family bloodline’s side as well as society. Having a childhood of being neglected, she vowed once she got old enough she would make the world pay, often using her dream manipulation as means to slowly drive people insane and to achieve whatever she wanted. Ironically becoming the very thing her kidnapper was accusing her family of doing.

When Kalypso discovered the band “Toad Biscuit” she made sure to follow the band to every show, resonating with and inspired by their music. She quickly became insanely infatuated with the band’s member, Vee, eventually manipulating her way into his life when having purchased a VIP Meet n Greet session and securing, what Vee thought, would be just a simple One Night stand.

Kalypso is diagnosed NPD, Bipolar and an Alcoholic.

Kalypso lost her eye due to her kidnapper losing himself in a psychosis episode he couldn’t break

Sneeze Content —

ALLERGIES/TRIGGERS

Strobe lighting, Stress, Most Animals with Fur

How severe are they?

Severe but also strained, she has a hard time getting a full sneeze out due to one of her nostrils always being plugged from a deformity in her nasal passage. Often coming out in multiples that get worse if she can’t find the strength to release them in full.

Do they get sick often?

Yes, she mostly survives off energy drinks, alcohol and skittles so her immune system is more or less garbage because she doesn’t taken care of herself

How bad is it usually?

She more or less tries to power through and ignore her illness, not wanting to come off as weak. When someone tries to take care of her she becomes slightly aggressive and agitated.

Do they stifle?

Not purposefully, with her nasal passage deformity it’s involuntary most times so she will try to stretch out her nostril in order to receive some sort of relief

How loud are their sneezes?

A normal decibel, strained, but with a slight pitch.

What do they sneeze into?

Normally down the center of her shirt or into her hands

How often do they sneeze?

Whenever she is sick or met with a trigger it takes a good 30-45 minutes for her fit to come down, longer if she can’t manage to stretch her nose out in an attempt to free them.

How many times do they sneeze in a fit?

Varies on the severity of the trigger. If she’s sick, it’s on and off through the whole day in multiples of 5-6. With an allergen it could be 3-4

Do they have build-ups or are they sudden?

Both and she can never pin point or predict which

Do they sneeze in public?

Yes, she’s unashamed about her sneezing but hates when anyone points out if she’s coming down with something

Some examples of their sneezes?

Hh’nxgt!

hiIh’nG-kT—-!

H’NgXt!

Heh’n’gtx!

Huhhh.. n’gtx!

Backstory —

Kalypso was born into a very prestigious family of Baku healers. The only family of this specific species within the Kaiju and Hiraeth history. It was their point of pride to be the Hiraeth communities best known healers in complex mental illness amongst community members. Those who suffered with things like PTSD, Schizophrenia, On going nightmares, Night terrors and other varying disorders would come to them in means of aid. They would create routines and relics that aided in manipulating the person’s unregulated mental stability as well, as consume the nightmares of those afflicted. Her family, though close and relatively bonded, were always busy helping out their community, leaving young Kaly to feel very isolated and alone. Around the time she was 5 years old, a patient that her mother had been working closely with who suffered with severe Schizophrenia, was convinced their magik and practices were the source of what was slowly driving him into a deeper and darker hole of insanity. This led the man into kidnapping young Kalypso in a means to try and convince the family to turn themselves in for malpractice and give him his sense of sanity and peace back. The family refused to take the fall for his insanity and more or less abandoned any resolve in getting young Kalypso back, their mother, the highest ranking member, making the final decision that Kalypso’s life was not more important than the work and influence they held amongst the masses. The young girl was then left to fend for herself amongst a raging psychopath who regularly abused her in many different ways, especially when he’d fall into psychosis fits. After suffering for many months, and realizing as well as accepting her family had completely abandoned her, Kalypso began to self train and manifest her powers all on her own in the desperate effort to escape. It took her two full years to reach her peak in performance. One night as her kidnapper fell into a terribly violent psychosis rage, he attacked her with a knife, convinced she was a demon slowly sucking away his life force. He gouged out her left eye instead of in the middle of her head like he planned, due to Kalypso’s quick movements and fighting her attacker back. Convinced she was dead upon the injury he left her alone to bleed out. However, the young girl managed to stay alive, tend her wound and sew the eye completely shut. This was her breaking point, the final straw that led her into manifesting her greatest potential. When her abuser fell asleep that night, Kalypso used the last bit of strength and power within her small body to trap the man in a forever nightmare sequence he would never be able to break, or wake from. She was able to escape his home and return back to her clan. However, though her family was relieved and even impressed by the young girl’s return, the bitterness she felt for being abandoned manifested and grew within her. Kalypso vowed for vengeance, she promised that she would single-handedly end their successful lineage and destroy their reputation by any means. As she became older, well into her late teens, her mother trusted her in taking a swing into the family business. It was then Kalypso began to make things increasingly worse, officially having her hands in the business meant she could successfully sabotage and tarnish the family reputation. Once her mother figured out the source of their failing reputation, Kalypso was exiled from the family plot, and sent to live on the streets. This caused the young woman to quickly learn how to use her well articulated skill in manipulation to use people to her advantage.

Eventually forced into a mental rehabilitation where she was diagnosed with Bipolar and NPD. Somehow, able to convince staff she was on track of management and self care, she was released. She picked up work in online SW as well as stripping in the local club scenes. Where she also developed an unhealthy dependence on Alcohol. It was during her time working as a dancer she discovered the band "Toad Biscuit" resonating and connecting to their unique sound and lyric she slowly became obsessed and spent most of her free time and money following the band as a groupie, where she would eventually start to grow an unhealthy, obsessive attachment to one of the members, Vee. Once she knew what she wanted, she secured a Meet n Greet pass and used her innate skills of charm, seduction and manipulation to convince the band member to sleep with her, but also, to ultimately enter an extremely toxic, damaging and abusive on and off again relationship with him.

[thekinkyleopard]

Hell of a Night

A Vaelyn and Kalypso SickFic

⚠️Content Warning⚠️

Toxic Relationship, Contagion M, Smut, SickFic

Description: In typical fashion, Kalyspo goes to see Vaelyn preform, however, she arrives a little under the weather, which makes things much more tense.

Author’s Notes: Oh hey it’s your favorite procrastinator! 🤭 Me and @aller-geez birthed a new trope and boy am I feral for it 😭 Prepare for a couple more of these two toxic fuckers in the next coming month. My life has been so batshit insane but I’m coming back out of my writer’s shell to hopefully release a lot more fics this year. I hope you all enjoy this one! Geez owns Vee and did the cover art. 💚

With each step, Kalypso stumbled through the crowded venue, her nose throbbing and raw from the virus slowly taking her hostage. She fought the urge to rub it against her wrist, knowing that the jewelry adorning it would only aggravate her already sensitive state and accrue a noticeable wetness she’d have to attend to clearing. The booming music reverberated through the small space, causing her head to pound in time with the beat. She swayed slightly, feeling lightheaded and dizzy. In a moment of desperation, she slapped herself across the face as if trying to snap out of a trance.

"I need a drink…" she muttered to herself, determined to numb the illness she was desperately trying to conceal from her own consciousness. Pushing through the crowd, she made her way to the bar and slammed her hand against the counter. "Three shots of your strongest, bartender," she demanded brusquely, flashing him a wry grin. Yet, from the looks of her disheveled appearance and flushed cheeks, the bartender hesitated a moment before reluctantly filling her order. As she downed each shot in quick succession, she could feel the warmth spreading through her body, momentarily numbing her senses and easing her more outward symptoms. For now, at least. “That’s better…” she sighed with a sense of relief before ordering a few more. At this point in her affliction, it would take several shots to get her into a comfortable state of inebriation, but that was beside her. Often, the woman would spend hundreds at a bar just to get where she needed to be.

Kalypso allowed herself to get lost in the indulgence long enough until the reason she was even there in the first place, finally took center stage. Toad Biscuit, and more importantly, the object of her obsessions, Vee. “There he is….” she slurred to herself, a half grin pulling upon her face. Slapping her payment in cash against the bar, overpaying by a few tens, she peeled herself away from the station in order to push past the many bodies it took to get to the very front.

Vee stood at the edge of the stage ripping into the first song of the set on his guitar, his eyes scanning the room with a casual confidence that drew admiring glances from those around him. His movements were fluid and purposeful, his presence commanding attention without him needing to utter a word.

As Kalypso weaved her way through the crowd, her eyes fixed on Vee, she felt a rush of adrenaline course through her veins. She was close now, so close she could almost reach out and touch him. Her heart raced in anticipation, her mind clouded by the haze of alcohol and sickness that was slowly overwhelming her body.

Abruptly, Vee's languid gaze flickered in Kalypso's direction, and for a fleeting moment, their eyes met. In that brief exchange, a spark of recognition passed between them, igniting a tingling sensation in Kalypso's chest. A sly grin curled across Vee's lips as he unabashedly gave her a knowing look and sent a playful wink her way. Kaly couldn't help but feel a mix of annoyance and amusement at the sight of him. The fire in his piercing blue eyes hinted at secrets and mischief, making her pulse quicken with curiosity. “Smug bastard...” she thought to herself. Vee, on the other hand, unsurprised to see her standing in the crowd, but still a tad bit grateful. Despite their inherently rocky, and odd relationship, it brought a sense of comfort knowing how dedicated she was to appear at their shows.

Kalypso could feel her heart pounding in her chest as Vee’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned his attention back to the performance, losing himself in the music once more. The stage lights bathed him in a golden glow, casting shadows that danced along his chiseled features. The crowd swayed to the rhythm of the music, their voices blending into a cacophony of cheers and applause.

As the next song began to play, Kalypso found herself entranced by Vee's presence on stage. His fingers moved deftly across the strings of his guitar, producing melodies that resonated deep within her soul. Each note reverberated through the room, filling the air with an electrifying energy that seemed to pulse in time with her erratic heartbeat. She could almost feel a modicum of normalcy as she allowed herself full indulgence, swaying her hips and nodding her head along as she lip synced to their lyrics.

It was just as Kalypso was on the precipice of starting to lose herself in the music, the stage lights started to flicker and dim before flashing erratically into blinding strobes. The abrupt change in setting caused a surge of panic to shoot through Kaly's veins, her hands instinctively flying up to shield her eye from the blinding lights. But it was too late, and her nose began to twitch, her one good emerald orb squinting and watering as the inevitable, yet familiar, tickle in her nostrils intensified. Kalypso's body tensed, her face contorting in a desperate display as she fought to stave off the impending outbursts. Her chest heaved, her throat hicked with suppression as she fought it, but as quickly as the feeling overtook her, it spilled out of her in a half, blocked and unsatisfying manner.

“H’GGKT! Ng’KXT! H-H’gNXT! K’NgxT! h-H-H!!” she tried to get them out, but her nose refused to cooperate and tears began to streak down the one side of her face, leaving a trail of black makeup in their wake. Her deformed nasal passage made it difficult for her to fully expel the sneezes, leaving her gasping for breath in between stifled attempts. “G’XnKT! H’EpKXT! KH’PXT!” The sensation was agonizing, a sharp pain stabbing at her sinuses, her chest left feeling like a large rock had been sitting a top it with each unsuccessful sneeze, the squeaky sounds that erupted lost amongst the melodies that filled the room.

Vee, who had noticed Kalypso's discomfort from his vantage point on stage, felt a pang of concern tug at his heart. However, not really in the manner of caring about her, but more so the wellbeing of the people around her. The last thing the band needed was a story of an outbreak that occurred during one of their shows. He could see the strain etched on her face, the way she clenched her jaw in an effort to stop herself, but watching as she fell apart anyway. Unable to do anything from his position he just shook his head and continued getting through the rest of his set, trying his best to avoid looking in her direction to save himself the anxiety. Kalypso, almost grateful to not be perceived any more than she currently was, continued her best to fight through, but the lights that continued to flash down at her only made her efforts more or less useless.

As Kaly's futile attempts of going to bat against the virus that had her in a chokehold, her sneezes persisted, the audience around her began to cast curious glances her way. Their chatter hushing as they witnessed her struggle. Some onlookers exchanged puzzled looks, while others whispered among themselves, their gazes flickering between Kalypso and Vee on stage. Lypsy just doing her best to ignore the ongoing stares and whispers to avoid a full crash out and getting into a fight while she gasped and strained. “H’PTCH! K’GNX! ah-H’T…” she spewed into the crook of her elbow, eyes clenched shut while she tried her best to push them out.

The erratic flashing lights added a surreal quality to the scene, intensifying the tension that hung in the air. Her head throbbed and pounded like a heavy slamming door against the alcohol that she had hoped would keep these symptoms at bay, but with the intense pressure from her blocked releases, it almost rendered the alcohol useless. It also made her balance that much worse as she stumbled and swayed into the different bodies in close proximity. “H’GXNT! K’XPT! Hu’PXT! HeH—TCH!” this was not how this night was supposed to go. She brought her sleeved arm up to her nose trying to contain the germs and spittle flying from her mouth to avoid drawing any further attention, not like the whole front row wasn’t slowly side stepping away from the sickly woman anyway despite it.

Kalypso's eye squeezed shut, tears now fully streaming freely down her cheek as she fights against the relentless burning static traveling up the bridge of her nose. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her body shuddering with the effort to suppress it all. In a final act of defiance, she tilted her head back and sucked in a deep breath, pinching her nose, determined to hold off the sneezes for just a little longer. Much to her luck at the same moment, the lights switched to a solid dark red, making it much easier on her sensitivities. Vaelyn, finally mustering the nerve to take another glance over at the woman who’s reddened, and puffy face seemed almost back to normal under the changed lighting, giving him a false sense of relief that he could finish the set off without worrying she would scare off the crowd. Lypsy, however was just relieved at the now much darker room giving her a means to escape the onslaught.

The black and green haired woman takes the moment to finally release the large gulp of air she had inhaled, but slowly out her glistening lips. Her one emerald eye was half lidded, bloodshot, her breaths still shaky and her nose still scrunching to adjust, but the sneezing fit had subsided for now. With a heavy sigh of relief, she wiped at her tear-streaked cheek, trying to compose herself as best she could in the midst of the bouncing crowd and blaring music. Everyone’s attention had returned to the stage, where Vee and the band were reaching the climax of their performance.

Kalypso took a moment to steady herself, her heart still racing from the ordeal, sinuses still aching from the previous attack. She couldn't help but feel a prickling sense of annoyance at the spectacle she had unwittingly made of herself. Gathering what dignity she had left, she pushed through the crowd, making her way to the back hallway as the band began to close out. The security immediately stopped her. “Band members only,” she rolled her eye then glared him down.

“I’m actively fucking one of them, move aside,” she hissed through a tensely clenched jaw. The large man folded his arms over and stared the 5’2 woman down, an unwavering force in front of her. Kaly clenched her fist, the highly unstable mentality of her alcohol and virus rotted brain starting to get the best of her before Vaelyn popped out of the corner and set his hand on the man’s shoulder.

“It’s fine bro, she can come back,” unclenching her fist the woman smirked. Victoriously, she pushed passed him, but not before checking him with her shoulder yet not managing to make the large man even stumble. Didn’t matter. She got what she wanted. Vee turned around and began walking back to the dressing room where Kalypso followed closely behind, stumbling her way into the space. It was just the two of them back there and the woman decided to take advantage of the opportunity. Swiftly, she grabbed him by the hand and turned him to face her, stepping in a few inches from his body. She looked up with a mischievous glint in her bloodshot, green eye. “You looked so hot on stage tonight…SnddFf..” Interrupted by the pressing need to clear her nostrils as she sniffled inward, a gargled and wet sound. “Care for a rendezvous in the bathroom?” she bit her lower lip.

Vaelyn looked down at the woman, her state of being unwell, and drunk off her gourd clear as day under the harsh backroom lights. “You look like dog shit,” he chuckled shaking his head. “You should lay the fuck down,” his tone almost cold as he pulled away from her. Kalypso glared at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

“You’re such a fuckin’ dick, no, I don’t need to lay down, unless you’re on top of me,” she hissed stomping her heavy clad boot wearing foot in protest.

Vee let out a deep sigh, clearly exasperated by Kalypso's behavior. He knew all too well what she was like when she had too much to drink. Ignoring her advances, he walked over to the small couch in the dressing room and motioned for her to sit down.

"Come on, Kals, come lay down, I’ll play with your hair, and you can catch some much-needed rest,” trying his best to be gentle though his tone clearly had an under carriage of sheer annoyance. Kalypso didn’t move, she stood ten toes down and shook her head.

“What’d I just fuckin’ say? I’m not….SndDF…” she snuffled loudly, a congested and concentrated noise before finishing her thought. “Laying down, I’m fine,” rolling her eye, which in turn caused Vaelyn to give out an even more exaggerated and irritated sigh.

“I’m not fuckin’ doing this with you,” standing up now he crossed back over and closed the space between them before picking the woman up by her waist and tossing her clear over his shoulder. “I’ll let you rest in my bunk on the bus but there’s no way in shit I’m giving in to your stupidity,” the woman started kicking and she wiggled under his strength, but it was of no use as he already started his way out the back door.

“Put me down youincomprehensibletwat! I’m not…SnDdfF! sICK! I’m fine!” her words came out in a sloshed manner, almost mumbled together as she tried to get them out. Vaelyn ignored Kalypso's protests as he carried her out of the dressing room and toward the tour bus. He couldn't help but shake his head at her antics, a mix of frustration and exhaustion clouding his features. As they reached the bus, he pushed open the door and stepped inside, maneuvering through the narrow aisle to one of the bunks.

With a practiced ease, he deposited Kalypso onto the narrow mattress, situating her in with firm hands before standing back and regarding her for a moment. She lay there, pouting, nose reddened and slightly damp as she mumbled incoherently under her breath about being fine, despite all evidence pointing to the contrary. “You never fuckin’ listen to me and you’re just making shit worse, I’m not going to sleep,” she looked over at him with that familiar rage he knew so well behind her gaze. Her nostrils twitched, the familiar itch was coming back, the stress of not simply getting what she wanted in the first place almost consuming her and starting up that familiar and unwanted burn at the back of her throat.

Vaelyn let out a weary sigh and shook his head once more. "You need meds, you lunatic," but, despite the warning signs that were already plaguing her, the black and green haired woman erupted at his words, her face contorting in anger.

"Don't you dare call me a lunatic, you arrogant prick! I don't need your damn-…H’GNXT!… medication," she spat out with a stifled escape, her voice rising to a crescendo that made Vee raise a curious brow. She wiped her mouth, cheeks flushed with slight embarrassment. Vee, ignoring her outburst, rummaged through the cabinets of the bus until he found what he was looking for—some fever reducers and a bottle of water. He turned back to the sniffling woman, holding out the pills and water towards her. "Take these, It'll help with your headache and fever," he said, his voice soft but firm. She snuffled with a wet, sloshing sound, her sinuses tingling with every breath in, her pierced nostrils scrunched and shifted.

With a narrow of her watering eye she glared at the medication in Vee's hand. "I said I don't want it..K’GXNT! H’PTXK! H’KX!" she snapped, interrupted by an accursed release of blocked and painful outbursts, swatting his hand away. Yet still, Vee was persistent. He gently took her hand and placed the pills in her palm before closing her fingers around them.

“What’d I fuckin’ say? Take the fucking meds or I’ll force them down your god damn throat,” finally snapping the last thread of his own patience with her bratty demeanor.

“Yeah? I’d like to see you try, asshole,” she narrowed her gaze at him, challenging his threat before he reached down, grabbed her by the neck and pulled her face up to his.

“You think I’m playing games here, don’t you? You really forget who fuckin’ owns you?” he almost smirked, knowing full well she could act out and be as defiant as she wanted, but he was the one in charge. She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his grip on her neck, the unspoken power dynamic between them crackling in the air, her legs shifted, crossed even as a flood of arousal shot down her body.

For a moment, she considered pushing back, rebelling against his authority as she had done countless times before. But something in Vee's icy blue gaze stopped her in her tracks. There was a raw intensity there, a primal urge that seemed to awaken something deep within her. As their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills, Kalypso felt a surge of conflicting emotions wash over her. Anger, desire, defiance—it all swirled together in a heady mix that left her speechless.

Using his other hand, he snatched the medications back out from her palm and then with a solid motion, his fingers crept up her jaw and forcibly opened her mouth. “Have it your way then, brat,” shoveling the pills down her throat, almost so aggressively she would have gagged had she not been practiced. Her cheeks flushed a deeper color of red as he did this, their gazes never breaking. Once the pills had been stuffed to the back end of her mouth, just on the brink of where her tongue met her throat he closed her jaw. “Swallow,” he commanded her with a dark and dangerous tone.

Kalypso's eyes blazed with a mixture of fury and something else she couldn't quite place. Her swirling, pounding and foggy head unable to make sense of the rest of her emotions. The intensity of the moment hung heavy in the air between them, each breathing the same heated breaths, Kalypso’s a bit shallower and more strangled as she hicked. With a defiant glare, she finally forced herself to swallow the pills, her throat working against the intrusion.

Vaelyn released her, stepping back slightly as if to give her space. But his eyes never left hers, a silent challenge still lingering in the depths of his gaze. Kalypso's chest heaved with a mixture of anger, illness and something that felt dangerously close to desire. She couldn't understand this pull he had over her, this need to rebel and submit all at once. “Good girl, now go the fuck to sleep, you crazy bitch,” rolling his own tired blues in her direction.

As the tension crackled in the small space of the tour bus, Kalypso finally broke eye contact and looked away. Her jaw clenched tightly as she tried to regain some semblance of control over herself. It was frustrating how easily Vee could unravel her, how effortlessly he could push her buttons. “No…SndDF..” she muttered with a soft and gentle sniffle, her sinuses tingling and burning, still stubbornly trying to win this battle against him.

“No?” Vaelyn raised a thin brow, looking her over with an almost surprised expression written across his face. Would she ever just make things easy? He sighed, shaking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose. “Fine, you know what…how about this…” he started, catching her attention she slowly turned her head to look at him from a side eye. “If I eat your pussy, will you go the fuck to sleep?” The woman then fully looked at him, blinking her eye curiously almost like she hadn’t even really registered what he had just said, but once it finally clicked, she shrugged.

“Might help,” she smirked. Vaelyn couldn't help himself but to chuckle at her nonchalant response. He knew she was trying to rattle him, but he wouldn't let it get to him.

"Alright then, lay the fuck back down," he said, already moving in to squish himself into the bunk between her legs. Kalypso moved against him, making room and quickly reaching under her dress to remove her black thong from her body, tossing it aside to the floor. He stared her down with a low growl. "You think I don't know you, Kalypso? You're as predictable as they come," He pushed apart her legs, the fabric of her dress falling behind to her stomach, exposing her already glistening parts.

“Shut the fuck up and do your job then,” she growled, her eyes not leaving his as he lowered between her legs. His eyes followed the trail of her arousal, his mouth watering for a taste. He lowered his head, inhaling her scent.

"Hmmm, how do you always smell so good even when you’ve been out in a sweaty crowd all night?" he murmured against her skin, before licking a stripe from her entrance to her clit. Kalypso's back arched off the bed, her fingers clutching the fabric of the bunk sheets as she tried to keep herself grounded.

"F-fuck…don’t tease me, bastard" she begged and gasped, unable to control herself any longer. As she started to slowly relax her body and give in, no longer holding in what she had been trying so desperately to keep locked down, she felt a tickle travel down the center of her nose. Vaelyn chuckled, the sound vibrating through her core as he continued to lick and suck at her most sensitive little bud. His fingers teased her entrance, probing gently before thrusting deep inside her. Kalypso cried out, her body convulsing under his touch. “V-Va-H’TXK…H’PGXT! H’GXNT!” her chest pushing forward and her body convulsing after the flood gates were ripped open between the pleasure and struggling force of her cold making itself known. A small bead of sweat began to trickle down the side of her temple, bangs falling apart to expose her warm and glistening forehead.

Vaelyn snickered behind his motions, darkly at her pleas and fit, his fingers working faster now, plunging in and out of her shivering sex. He could feel her heels digging into his back, her sharp nails ripping at the fabric of the sheets below her. Lypsy’s body arched and twisted beneath him, her moans growing louder and more desperate with every passing moment but followed closely were here blocked up, forceful stifles that her body could just not fully get out. They caused a deep pressure in the pit of her chest, almost like her ribs could barely contain her struggling lungs. “K’GXNT! H’PTK! G’KXNT! H-H…Haah~” Body lurching and jolting at the war between pleasure and discomfort that raged from within her.

Despite the erratic and stuck sneezes escaping past her moaning lips, he wanted to make her scream his name, wanted to hear her admit that he owned her, possessed her in a way no one else ever could. He wanted to see the look of pure ecstasy on her face as she came undone for him, for him alone. And he knew that he could make it happen. His motions got more aggressive, one of his hands reaching over to grip her thigh in a vice tight hold, his fingers digging into her flesh, sure to bruise later.

The intensity of the moment became almost unbearable as Kalypso's body shook and trembled in Vaelyn's grip. Her moans and stifled sneezes filled the small space of the tour bus, her cries for Vee's name mixing with her desperate attempts to release the trapped sneezes. “V-ee!!…H’PKXT! H’ITK!” Her breaths became shallower, shorter, and more urgent as she neared the edge of ecstasy.

Vaelyn smirked, relishing in the control he had over her body and mind. He could feel her muscles tighten around his fingers, her walls pulsing in time with her uncalculated movements. It was a sight to behold - the way she flung her hands from the sheets and clawed at his back, the way her lips parted to rip out his name, begging for release as her watering eye rolled back and glazed over with a mix of pleasure and pain.

"Va-VAELYN…H’IT…” she couldn’t take it anymore, she brought a hand up to her nose, gently, being cautious of her sharp stiletto nail and pulled her nostril outward. The heat within her core rising as she could feel the familiar tingle of her oncoming orgasm. “I’m..m g-gonn-a…Uh…” she stuttered, whimpered and moaned as her hips began to rock into Vee’s working face.

The man moaned as he lost himself between her wet folds, the taste and scent of her intoxicating him. He pressed his nose against her pubic bone, inhaling deeply as her sneeze was well timed with her release. “Vae!!—HI’TSHH’IEW!” It exploded from her in a loud burst, a mistral of spittle falling in between them within the confines of the small bunk space, filling the bus with force and causing her eye to trickle a wet trail of tears down her cheek and head to jerk back. But it was a welcomed sensation, the release she needed but couldn't achieve before. Vaelyn lapped at her sex hungrily, feeling her body shake and tremble beneath him as she pressed her hand against him forcefully, urging him to stop.

"Kalypso…hmmm…" Vaelyn murmured against her skin, his lips brushing against the now sensitive flesh of her core. "That better? Hm? Finally get it all out?"

Her body jerked underneath him as the electric waves of her left-over climax riddled her, sharp nails digging into his back as she whimpered out a response, "Y-yes…god I needed that..” her words came out in a breathless whisper.

Vaelyn chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Good girl," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. He licked her sex one last time, savoring the taste of her arousal before slowly pulling away and wiping his mouth, licking his fingers clean of her wetness. Kalypso whimpered softly, followed by a sinus clearing sniffle, her body still trembling slightly from the intensity of her release. "Now, lay back and go to sleep," Vaelyn continued, his eyes locked on hers as he moved out of the bunk, only to be stopped by her hand swiftly coming to grip his wrist.

“Could-…” she paused…avoiding his gaze, her cheeks flushed.

“Yes?” he raised a thin brow in confusion.

“Stay…’til I crash? Maybe..” she bit her lower lip, her words struggling to come out fully as she fought between the desire to be strong and also give in to the feeling of being comforted. “I dunno…rub my back…er-…something,” shrugging her shoulders loosely which caused Vaelyn to almost be taken aback. Kalypso was the last person on earth he ever thought he’d need to comfort while sick, so when she asked, he felt like he’d been dropped into a parallel universe.

“Uh…sure…yeah, I can uh, do that,” he cleared his own throat as they both awkwardly squished together into the small space, though he knew he probably shouldn’t. Being this close to her, he knew he was probably at a high risk of catching whatever gross disease she had. However, the soft spot he carried for her, outweighed the hesitation. Wrapping his arms around her, as she curled into his side he slowly rubbed her back with the flattened surface of his palm. Kalypso exhaled a shaky breath, her body finally starting to relax now that the meds were kicking in and his warmth enveloped her.

“Thanks…” she muttered, a tired emerald eye fluttering closed. Vaelyn nodded, running his fingers through her hair as they both drifted off to sleep. He hoped that the warmth of his body and the gentle rhythm of his breathing would help to calm her as she fought off the illness that plagued her. He couldn't remember the last time he had been this close to her, this vulnerable. He wondered what it was about her that drew him in, that made him want to protect her even when she made it so entirely difficult to do so. It was evident though, they were both insanely broken, and for whatever reason the universe had, it connected them together. In a sick, twisted way, neither of them would ever be able to truly deny the feelings they carried for each other or fight against the pull those feelings held.

The End

Author’s Notes: Sorry if I’m a bit rusty guys, it’s never easy getting back into the swing of things but I really enjoyed this piece 🤤 these two together are so much fun to work with. Such angst and sass! 🤌🏻 Til next time 😘

[thekinkyleopard]

Prey

A Remi x Levi SnzFic

⚠️Content Warning⚠️

Snz, Force Induce, Primal Play, Smut, Slight CNC

Description: This fic is inspired by this post but with a SnzFet twist 🤭

A/N: Hey guys 😅 Been some time, I’ve been lurking but have been in such a crazy position in my life between housing trying to get a place to live across the country that I’ve had no motivation to write. However, yesterday, I was inspired to get some RemixLevi in and then today, Geez presented me with this amazing prompt that I had to get cracking! 😍 enjoy! As always @aller-geez owns Remi and did the cover art!

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Bright emerald eyes peaked open as the morning sun hit his face through the blinds, immediately his hands started to search for the cat that usually resided in his bed. Nothing. This caused his half closed orbs to open wide, he sat up searching his bed for the lover he enjoyed holding close, but still came up empty when he realized that Levi, must have gotten up early. Remi huffed through his nostrils, what gives? He lived for their morning snuggles that usually led to a passionate session of sex to start their day. “The fuck is my leopard…?” he uttered through a deep sleepy tone, rubbing his eyes and pushing back his messy black strands.

Unbeknownst to the cat, who was happily organizing his shed in the backyard of their property, his boyfriend had woken up without him. This morning, the leopard had been struck with a sudden urge to get his life together, as his ADHD often did on random days throughout the week. As he hummed a soft tune to himself, he continued to pull things out of their places on his hand crafted wooden shelves and started to create labels, replacing items where they would essentially belong. All was going well, he was deep in his hyperfocus he didn’t notice the looming, darkened aura that was suddenly presenting itself within his space. Remi, opening the door to his shed slowly, as he sought out the source of his boyfriend’s absence. “You weren’t in bed,” was all the cat heard from a deepened tone that almost sounded threatening had he not known the source. Levi slightly jumped at the sudden sound of his frustrated partner, turning to greet him with a brightened, toothy grin.

“Oh! Sorry about that love! I was struck with inspiration and wanted to get some things done so I-…” yet in the middle of his explanation he was cut off by a single raised index finger from the other.

“Aht…We had an agreement…When one of us wakes up, the other is to alert the other, and then our morning routine proceeds, I feel a punishment is in order for this lapse in our promise,” the wolf’s eyes almost glared his mate down, leaving Levi to feel particularly small in the presence of the man.

“Oooohkay… I get it, I hear you, I’m terribly sorry honey, You just…you know me,” he scratched the back of his neck nervously, avoiding eye contact with a gently dusted blush across his face. “Once I get the will to do something….It’s gotta be done ASA-…” cut off again by the wolf raising his hand in a full open palm, a motion to silence his sheepish boyfriend currently trying to explain away his crimes.

“Nope, your punishment comes at dusk, I will save my pent up aggression, and disappointment in your decisions to deal with you later,” he licked his lips in a primal way, staring Levi down as if he were nothing more than a piece of meat. “Do what you must during the hours of day, but tonight, you will learn,” and like that, the wolf turned his back and made his exit. Levi stood there, goosebumps rising across his porcelain flesh. What was to come at dusk? Why was Remi SO intense about this situation? It was but a simple mistake, right? What was actually in store for him later once the day had come to a close? He wasn’t sure, but something about the wolf’s aura today, was definitely causing the cat a surge of nervousness and slight anxiety. He took a deep breath, centering himself by feeling the cool wood under his shoeless feet.

“It’s fine, Levi, what could possibly happen? It’s not like Remi is known to be an unreasonable man when it comes to you, it’ll be fine, just get what you need done, and we’ll sort this whole thing out later! I’m sure once Rem has his morning coffee, breakfast and daily tasks handled, he will probably feel differently and we’ll talk this whole thing out!” he rested his chin between the space of his index and thumb, nodding confidently, more or less talking himself out of the anxiety of ‘what ifs’ “Yeah! It’ll be fine!”

Little did Levi know, the punishment that awaited him at dusk was not what he would be anticipating. The assumption of a simple conversation, would be off the table for the little cat. As the day went on, his anxiety grew like a storm cloud on the horizon. Deep within him, his body knew the truth that there was going to be more than words exchanged and this ruminated within his constant thoughts, all day. Remi's words lingering in his mind, casting a shadow over even the most mundane tasks.

When evening fell and the sky turned a dusky shade of purple, Levi found himself standing in front of their bedroom door, heart pounding in his chest. He hesitated for a moment before finally mustering the courage to enter.

Remi was sitting on the edge of the bed, a small smile playing on his lips as he held out a hand to his nervous partner.

"Come here, Kitten," Remi's voice was softer now, devoid of the earlier intensity. Levi cautiously approached, unsure of what to expect. As he stood before Remi, the wolf's expression softened even more as his partner approached. ‘Okay, maybe, I was right, all is forgiven and we will just have a light conversation and maybe some cuddles to forgive my transgressions of this morning….right?’ the cat thought innocently to himself. Yet, the moment he was within arms reach of the wolf, the man grabbed his wrist and pulled him down to eye level.

The second he had entered the room, the leopard had noted the wolf was hiding a hand behind his back, out of direct view to the other, which he had clocked as suspicious but maybe just his position alone was, natural? No…Remi was hiding something now that he was gripped under the other’s strong hand. In a low, whispered voice the larger spoke.

“Now, as the sun sets low in the sky, as promised, your punishment,” Levi swallowed hard, an audible ‘gulp’ echoed around the two. Shit. Remi pulled out from behind him a container, one the cat knew all too well. Chhinkni.

“Wait…baby…Please…I swear it wasn’t on purpose, we can talk about this…” the leopard started to sweat nervously and the wolf could only let out a low, almost devious, chuckle that immediately had the other worried even further.

“Oh, Kitten, words will not get you out of this situation, now, you can be a good boy, and take your punishment….or I will force it on you,” his emerald eyes darkened, narrowing on the other’s reddened face. A choice was being presented to him, and he wasn’t exactly confident which one he would make. Was there still a chance he could talk the wolf off the ledge? Maybe?

“Bu-But baby…I didn’t mean to-…” cut off, the wolf popped open the container and with a movement quicker than lightening, brought it up to the leopard’s sensitive nose. Immediately, the powder wafted upward into the canal of his sniffer causing the cat to hitch, and struggle, his baby blues watering at the sudden existence of the powerful substance.

“Regardless, a rule was broken,” Remi responded, pushing the container up closer, making sure the damage was setting in. “And once you start your fit, you’re going to run out of this house, and I’m going to chase you through the woods of our property, you hear me? And once I catch you, which we both know, I will, I’m going to make you regret leaving me here this morning without my release,” the wolf hissed, his tone thick with warning. Levi's body trembled as he took in the gravity of the situation, his nose already starting to scrunch and fight against the inevitable doom. He had never experienced anything quite like this before, and he couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't begin to fathom.

The cat tried to formulate a coherent response, but all that came out was a pathetic whimper as tears began to trickle down his cheeks with the intensity of the chhinkni working it’s way through his sinuses. Remi smirked, pleased with his chosen method of punishment. "That's right, Kitten. You're going to regret your actions today," he growled, his eyes glinting dangerously.

And with that, Remi released the cat’s wrist, awaiting the game to start. Levi inhaled through his slightly opened mouth, trying to fight against it, but finding his efforts futile as eventually the moment he was trying to avoid, poured out of him like an broken faucet. “H-H-…HUH’TSCCHHIEW!” a mist of spittle flying forward and decorating the wolf’s face in front of him, he blushed further, his freckled cheeks a bright vermillion as he realized he had been so entirely wrong about being about to talk himself out of his solidified punishment.

“Run,” the wolf spoke seriously, his voice deeper, more primal than it had been even previously with his warning speech. The cat trembled as he fought to find a coherent thought and action to follow.

“B-Bu-Hah—’ESSHHh’uH!” yet with the wolf boring daggers into his soul, he knew if he didn’t follow instruction, things would only get worse, so just like that, the cat began to flee. Heart pounding wildly in his chest, Levi darted out of the bedroom and into the woods beyond their house. The chhinkni had taken effect quickly, flooding his body with a surge of adrenaline, an itching, throbbing and leaking nose, making it even more difficult for him to think clearly.

As he raced through the dense forest, Levi's senses were on high alert - every twig snap, every rustle in the foliage could signal the wolf's approach. The surroundings blurred into a haze as he tried to keep his bearings while dealing with the effects of the drug. “Eh’ScchH'‘iue!” cursing himself with every sneeze, knowing it would only make him easier to locate. He couldn’t stop though, any lapse in distance would only mean being caught up sooner rather than later. The leopard sliding the back of his hand against his dripping, irritated nostrils as they reddened and twitched against the horrendous attack of Chhinkni. “H’ptschu!” They continued pouring out of him relentlessly whilst his feet moved against the floor of the forest.

Remi, finally getting up to follow after, stood on their porch outside, focusing all his concentration on locating his fit afflicted mate, grinning brightly, sharpened white pearls reflecting in the light of the moon that was up in a full phase to shine down upon them. “Oooh, little Kitten, I’m going to find you,” The wolf's voice cut through the night like a blade, as he began his chase, following closely to the other’s scent and sounds.

Levi could feel his heart pounding in his chest, the fear and excitement mixing together in a dizzying whirlwind of emotions. His mind raced with thoughts of escape, but deep down, he knew that his punishment was inevitable. The effects of the chhinkni only added to his desperation, making it even harder to focus on finding a way out.

Branches scratched at his bare arms as he was only in a tank and some shorts, leaving his flesh vulnerable to the elements. Yet, as he pushed himself to go faster, his breaths came out in ragged gasps while he tried to put as much distance between himself and the wolf as possible. Every sound seemed amplified in the silence of the night, each snip and crunch of the sticks that littered the ground or the rustle of leaves echoing like thunder in his ears. The subtle hicks and hitches as his body fought against the assault of allergen taking him hostage through every rushed breath. “Hh-Hih’eeshiew!" ‘tshIEW!” he sprayed around himself, his head head congested with the powder that was controlling his ability to process.

Tears streamed down his reddened blue eyes, his cheeks flushed, his mouth slick from the sneezes that racked him through the night chase. He tried to see best he could through the glaze in his vision as his legs carried him through the trees. “Where do I go? Where do I go??” he panicked searching through for a path that could lead him to a hide away, just long enough to get his sense together, but his brain was scrambled, and with it being now much darker out than when he started his run, it was impossible to remember the location of where he was even at, despite knowing his property so well.

Every fiber of his being screamed at him to keep moving, to push past the burning in his muscles and the relentless attack upon his sinuses, his nose dripping with anticipation for another oncoming explosion. Levi could feel the wolf's presence looming closer, a dark shadow in the night that seemed to be gaining ground with every passing second. Panic clawed at his chest, threatening to overwhelm him entirely. “H’ETShhIEW!” another sneeze tore through his throat, with no time to tend to himself or stop, the fine cloud of saliva that expelled from his lips had no where to go but right back into his blushing cheeks, painting the leopard’s face in a cool, wet mist.

Just as he thought he couldn't run any farther, his foot caught on a root hidden beneath the undergrowth, sending him sprawling onto the forest floor with a sharp yelp. Pain shot through his body from the impact, dirt smearing over his freckled exposed skin, but adrenaline pushed him back up to his feet before he could fully register it. He stumbled forward, cursing his clumsiness as he tried to regain his bearings in the darkness.

A distant howl pierced the night air, freezing Levi in his tracks. The sound sent shivers down his spine, a chilling reminder of just how close Remi was behind him. Intimidatingly close, it mattered not how much he ran, the wolf was much faster than he. With a renewed surge of fear and determination, the leopard pushed himself even harder, his heart thudding in his chest like a war drum. He could feel the wolf's presence closing in on him, the anticipation of capture heavy in the air. Each inhale burned his nostrils with the cruel reminder of his vulnerability, the chhinkni paralyzing him with its effects.

Levi pushed through the pain and anxiety of it all, his mind racing for a plan, a way to outsmart his pursuer. His feet carried him over fallen logs and weaving through thick foliage, his breath ragged and desperate. The moon hung low in the sky, casting eerie shadows that seemed to reach out for him with clawed fingers.

Just as he thought he couldn't go on any longer, an idea sparked in Levi's mind. With a sudden burst of energy fueled by desperation, he made a sharp turn and veered off the path, ducking behind a cluster of bushes. He crouched low, trying to control his labored breathing as he listened for his mate’s loud foot steps, but he couldn’t. Not with the sound of his struggling breath, yet as he could smell the canine getting closer, he clapped his hands over his open maw. He could feel it, another, it was getting imminent, there was no escape. His nose tickled, his throat itched, his eyes pooled with liquid and he tried, oh he tried, but there was just no fighting against it. He sneezed. “H—GNXKT!” He tried to stifle them, but with the exertion of running for so long and so far, the effort was more or less at low capacity and it fought him back. “—HAh’ESSHHH’uh!” It echoed loudly around him, leaving him vulnerable for the wolf to know his exact location. Should he run? Should he risk it??

The time for decisions was too late because the brush pulled open and there he was, Remington. The man chasing him was barely even broken out in a sweat as he leered over the cowering, afflicted leopard. Levi’s body trembled, his tearful orbs slowly met the other’s animalistic gaze.

“Caught’cha,” the wolf’s mouth pulled up into a deviously malicious half toothy grin. The cat’s body shuddered.

“W-wait…I-!!” but before he could make any further demands, or rather, pleas, the man reached down to grab him around the throat and pulled him up to his feet. In a quick swish he pushed the leopard up against a tree by the flush of his chest, cheek pressed up against the trunk. “R-Rem!” he tried to protest but the man only chuckled darkly.

“You can’t tell me you didn’t see this part coming my little Kitten…Especially since I’ve been so pent up all day…” he hissed behind the other’s ear, his fingers gripping the sides of the other’s throat while his free hand moved to push the fabric of Levi’s shorts down past his ass. “You’re mine now,” he nipped at the flesh of the leopard’s ear, pulling his rock hard length out from behind it’s restraints.

“R-Re…Hnn..H-…He’ETShhIEW!” unable to fight between the wolf’s hunger and the powder still rummaging through his nasal passage. His sneeze ghosted through the forest air, and the man behind him watched as the mist fell to the leaves below, he licked his lips.

Levi couldn't help but tremble at the lust induced ferocity in Rem's demeanor, his heart beating faster, and he knew that his pleas were as good as whispered. The raven haired man could hear them clearly, and Levi could feel the power of his dominance pressing down on him like a heavy weight.

As Rem spit on his own free palm and quickly adjusted himself, Levi could only whimper in response to the man's actions. His attempts at resistance seemed futile, his sneezes only made him more vulnerable and the other more hungry. He could feel the larger's hot breath on his ear, and every time he blinked, he could see Remi's eyes darkening with desire in the moonlight from the side view of his current position. Levi's heart pounded against his chest, pumping adrenaline throughout his body. ”You’re mine now, Kitten,” he growled between a clenched jaw.

"I-…Please…" Levi whispered softly in return a gentle sniffle to follow “SndDf.." Remington smirked, liking the sound of his vulnerable chatter. He gripped his neck tighter, pulling him closer to his body, feeling his hardness pressed against the leopard's awaiting hole. "That's what I like to hear," he murmured, his voice low and thick with lust as he pushed himself forward, entering the tip with a fake resolve of going slowly before shoveling himself the rest of the way in with impatience.

He brought his free hand around and up the front of Levi's chest, feeling the rapid throb of his heart through the other’s warm skin. He could feel the heat radiating from the leopard's body, a testament to his arousal and fear. Feeling the cat struggling to withhold another sneeze as if it would break the current tension "Don’t stop on my behalf," he snickered deeply while his hips began to snap at a furious pace, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down Levi's spine.

The smaller of the two struggled to speak through his ragged breaths, his body infiltrated by his mate’s roughened thrusts and throbbing cock, he gasped sharply which only invited the explosion he was holding back, out. “H’PtsCHU! h’TSCHHiiew!” they sprayed past his wet lips, watering blue eyes rolling back as he released Remi’s favorite symphony of sounds, strangled whimpers underneath expressive sneezes.

Remi's grip tightened, his breath hitching as he felt Levi's body react to his invasion. The leopard was his, every twitch, every gasp was brilliant music to his ears. He pressed closer, his hips continued their frenzied rhythm, the sound of flesh slapping against flesh echoed in the quiet forest night. "That's it, my sweet little prey," he grunted, his own breath rugged, "Let it all out,”

As Levi sneezed again, with a struggling force “HET’Shhh’eu!” Remi felt himself start to lose control. He was so close already, but refused to give in now, he could feel the electricity coursing through him as he thrust into the leopard. "I'm gonna fuck you senseless," he snarled lowly in Levi's ear. "You're mine…every part of you belongs to me,”

At this, Levi seemed to break, his body convulsing around Remi as he sneezed and moaned behind his lover’s roughened actions. “H-Hah! H-Hngg…h-H’ETShhHiEW!” His sneezing echoed through the forest like cries of surrender, each one a testament to Remi's dominance and control over him. Levi could feel his mate's animalistic lust coursing through him, tangling with his own sickened desire of enjoyment. The leopard's body shook with each deep thrust, each ragged breath drawing him closer to the edge.

"Remington...please," Levi panted between gasps, his voice shaking as he resigned himself to his mate's control. "You...you own me," The thought sent a wave of pleasure rippling through his loins, filling him with a newfound vulnerability and heightening his arousal.

Remi's grip on Levi's neck tightened in response, their bodies now moving as one, their hearts throbbing in unison. "Who owns you?" he growled into the other's ear, his hips never ceasing their rhythm. “Who?!” his voice snapping through the sounds of their mingling bodies.

"You, Remington," Levi cried out, his voice shaking with the intensity of his emotions. The cat’s teary eyes met Remington's in the moonlight, a mix of lust and desperation shining in their depths as he panted, "You do...you own me. Take me...please," He whimpered softly, nearly sobbing as he felt the passion and intensity that raged between them.

The wolf’s body shuddered at the sight, his mind hazy with carnal lust but his heart clear as he could feel Levi's surrender. "You're mine," he murmured hoarsely before sealing it with a heated, sloppy kiss, their tongues tangling in the passionate exchange. His thrusts getting harder, now desperate to claim the cat fully. "I own you," he hissed, pulling away from the other’s mouth, before biting down on the smaller's neck, drawing a mingling of blood and arousal from the wound.

Levi cried out, his hips pushing back to meet each thrust, the forest was silent except for their heavy breathing and the sounds of their bodies connecting. The smaller struggled to keep up, feeling as if he was being dragged into the abyss of Remington's desire. His sneezes continued to come out in shaky bursts, sounding more like a broken whisper than a powerful snort. “hUh’Tsschhiiew! hhhiH’esshiew!” Only further egging the wolf on as he craved to hear the sounds of his leopard’s suffering, watching mistrals of spit cast off beside them.

Remington continued his relentless pace, each thrust deeper and more brutal than the last. The feeling of being consumed by Levi's surrender drove him wild with passion, getting lost in the way the cat’s passage squeezed and pulsated around his plunging length. “Master is going to cum inside that tight little hole of yours…” the leopard whimpered, his body trembling as his mate's words echoed through the night around them. He could feel Remington's strengthening grip tighten and the powerful snap of his hips quicken, which were driving him to the brink. He could only surrender to his mate's control, feeling the building tension which could only mean - he was about to be claimed fully.

"H-Hh-ih’Eeshiew!!" Levi sneezed again, his body jerking violently while his nose dripped and his mouth hung open, his frame twitching against the other’s hold. The leopard's sneezes had always been a part of their little game, a vulnerable yet powerful tool that seemed to drive Remington wild with desire. And now, with each sneeze and whimper, he felt himself slipping away into the haze of pleasure and passion that enveloped them both. “h-H’ETShhiEuw...” watching the last cloud of spray hit the air underneath the shine of moonlight, was enough for the large man.

Their bodies crashed together as Remi’s release finally came, his thrusts becoming erratic and ragged, each one sending a burst of his seed deep into Levi's waiting warmth. A deep, primal growl escaped him as he felt the cat's body tremble around him, his own pleasure heightened by the sounds of the cat’s sneezing and whimpering.

"That's it...let me in," Rem pleaded through gritted teeth, his grip never loosening on Levi's neck. His thrusts became rougher, more unforgiving as he continued to claim ownership over the smaller being. "You're mine," he growled in between each word, feeling an overwhelming sense of possession take over him. "M-I-N-E!” Levi couldn't deny the powerful presence that was now a part of him, enveloping him fully. “Say it!” the man practically spat behind his lust-fueled manner.

Levi's trembling voice filled the night air as he echoed Remington's command, "I... am...yours..." The sounds of their bodies continued to meld together as the wolf made sure to completely empty himself within his mate, their breathing shallow and labored, each movement a testament to the intensity of their shared pleasure.

Remi's eyes scanned Levi's face, looking for any sign of resistance, but what he saw only served to further fuel his passion. He pulled back slightly, his gaze never leaving the smaller being's face as he slowly began to withdraw from Levi's body. His heart pounded in his chest while he watched his seed leak from the leopard, a tangible reminder of what had just transpired.

Levi's eyes followed Remington's every movement, swallowing thickly as his throat still bore the marks of the wolf's hand print. He felt a strange sense of euphoria wash over him before the larger turned him back around, gripping his chin and pulling him in for a rather loving kiss. “Good boy,” he spoke breathlessly against the other’s lips. “Did we learn our lesson?”

The cat's glossy eyes met Remington's, his blue eyed gaze revealing a mix of vulnerability and submissiveness. The weight of the powder finally lifting off him as it had passed through his body. A small nod was all he could manage, feeling the power of his surrender consume him. "Y-Yes, Master," he whispered, a quiver evident in his voice.

Remington smiled softly at the smaller being, tracing a finger down Levi's cheek. The cat just slightly flinched at the touch but didn't pull away, their shared breaths mingling as they stood still amidst the forest night. "Good," he replied in a low growl, pulling Levi closer. "Now we can go home, and hopefully, tomorrow when we wake, you remember your role,"

The leopard let out a shaky sigh, feeling the end of their exchange settle upon him. It was true; he would not forget to keep his promise from here on out, but maybe, every now and then, he could play with fire, and be reduced back, to prey.

The End

A/N: okay I popped off with this one 😅🤤🤤🤤 I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I did writing it cause BOY OH BOY….do I need a cold shower 😅

[thekinkyleopard]

A Rough Night

A Sven & Elex Snz Drabble

⚠️Content Warning⚠️

Allergens, Snz, Violence, Cursing

Description: The boys try to escape the stress by heading out to the bar. Yet, it doesn’t go well when a nearby patron triggers the badger’s sensitive allergies!

Author’s Notes: Oh….Hey guys 😅 I’ve had this one sitting for about a month and haven’t had the will to write because well….my life has been insane while going through this divorce, moving, meeting someone new and trying to figure my shit out. 😭 Found myself with the slight will to live tonight, so I finished this idea up! Theres no smut, I KNOW IM SORRY….but I had a lot of fun writing this out. Hope you all enjoy and I’m sorry I’m constantly coming and going. Been a rough year. I love yall who still interact and wait patiently for my next release. You real ones 🥺💚 @aller-geez Owns Sven and did the cover art!

Elex and Sven pushed open the heavy wooden doors, the sounds of raucous laughter and clinking glasses assaulted their ears. The dimly lit bar was filled with a thick haze of smoke, making it difficult to see through the throngs of people milling about. Elex, with his dull green hair, felt like an alien in this dingy establishment. He wrinkled his nose at the overwhelming stench of stale beer and sweat that hung heavily in the air. "Ugh, this place fuckin’ stinks," he grumbled, his mismatched eyes scanning the crowd, disgusted at the faces that lingered upon them. His annoyance at having to be there was palpable while they stood just inside the entrance.

“Don’t be such a sour puss, Els, I need this night out, and I need a couple drinks to unwind, we’ve been cooped up in the house for WEEKS,” the Cheshire pouted, sticking his tongue out playfully at his somewhat grumpy boyfriend. In response, Elex rolled his eyes in a mixture of annoyance and resignation.

“We’re here aren’t we? Stop your bitchin’ lets go get drunk,” reaching out to grip his boyfriend by the wrist, knowing the hand would be too intimate in such a public setting. Sven was used to this behavior by now and didn’t care, so long as he got to do what they came there to do. Get ripped, yap, maybe snack on some peanuts, and go back home. An adult version of touching some grass. They each walked up to the bar and slid into the empty barstools provided, next to an older gentleman on one side, and a younger on the other. Elex scowled unpleasantly from a side view glance as he slipped into his seat. “Whiskey on the rocks,” the badger ordered off his drink of choice for the night. “Same thing,” Sven chirped with a quick raise of his index before swinging his body slightly over to face more in the other’s direction. “So, tomorrow, I’m thinking about upgrading our internet services, shit is too fuckin’ slow to achieve the game play and stream from what we have currently…it’s fuckin’ up my views,” he pushed back a few strands of stray teal hair that dangled just above his orange gaze. As the bartender slid them their drinks, Elex nodded toward the man before returning his attention to 7. “Yeah okay, well how much extra is that gonna run us do you know? We have some wiggle room but not if the bill goes from $50 to $200….I don’t know….” feeling rather skeptical of all the ways Sven’s streaming has sort of cost them between his personal build, games, internet, and other equipment. He was glad his boyfriend had something he enjoyed doing, and was even able to make a good profit off it, but it felt like everyday he was buying some high tech keyboard, or upping their bills which made it feel like they weren’t really progressing financially. It was starting to stress the badger out, he hadn’t been getting any marks lately since the police were on high alert. Some seasons were just better than others so he had been relying on selling copper, but he was running low on spots to harvest from. It was a miracle they were even making ends meet.

Sven lifted the glass to his lips, taking a slow, deliberate sip of his alcoholic beverage. His body language exuded nonchalance, as if their conversation was about something insignificant and unimportant, he shrugged. Elex could see the indifference in Sven's eyes and it only fueled his own anger. He could feel the heat rising in his chest as he tried to keep his emotions in check. The clinking of ice cubes echoed in the background, a stark contrast to the tension between the two men. “Just a shrug? Seriously? Sven you know we’ve been relying on MY shit to keep us afloat, your fuckin’ video games aren’t paying bills,” his voice cut through like a sharp knife through the chest. “They’re not? Then how did we get $200 worth of groceries yesterday?” With an intense narrowing of his vibrant orange eyes, he directed a heated glare towards his boyfriend. The thoughtless disregard for his feelings left him stunned and incredulous. He internally scoffed, his ‘fucking video games’….as if streaming wasn’t a real line of work. “You’re about to really piss me off….Yes that is useful but our MORTGAGE, and the PG&E, and you know, CAR payments….shit is adding up and every fuckin’ week there’s something new added to the list of your god damn bullshit…I support you wanting to chase a passion but not when it’s effecting the life we have worked so hard to build,” Elex quickly downed the remainder of his drink, wishing for a slight buzz to ease the hopelessness he felt in this conversation.

“Look, I get it, but it fuckin’ takes money to make it so, MAYBE, get off my ass a little bit…can we talk about this later? When we ARENT trying to just enjoy the evening?” With an exasperated shake of his head and a dismissive roll of his eyes, Sven reached out for his glass, the ice cubes clinking against the sides as he lifted it to his lips. Letting out a frustrated sigh, Els knocked on the wooden bar with his knuckles, signaling to the busy bartender for another drink. The sound of glasses clinking and people talking filled the air of the crowded bar, but Elex was lost in his own thoughts as he waited for his order to be fulfilled. Finally, the bartender caught his signal and obliged, sliding a fresh glass towards him with practiced ease.

“Fine but you’re not go-…n..H’…Hih…” he struggled suddenly, noticeably, his mouth started to jar open and it hit him unexpectedly. The older man next to him, had taken off his jacket, wafting a gust of fragrant air directly within Elex’s personal space. “Son of a -…H’UhtTSCHhiew! h’Ushh’iew! etUSCHOOOO!” a sudden series of sneezes escaped his body, his eyes watering, nose and throat suddenly itchier than they’d been in a long time. Was that Gain? Tide pods? He didn’t know, all he knew was the asshole beside him was sending him into a full tizzy. He sniffled gently trying to hide the fact he was slowly turning into a leaking mess, grabbing a bar napkin to wipe his nose carefully. “Shit, you good Els?” Sven reached out to comfort his boyfriend, a flattened palm against his back. The heated urgency of their conversation suddenly melting away when he realized the storm had hit his lover. “Y-Yeah I’m F-…hh’IEXsHHH! H’UMFShhhhiew! h’USSHH!!” it came out full force, he did what he could to capture them within the confines of the napkin he clutched within his palm. Just great, just what he needed on a night out to relax, typical. “Bless you, El…” Sven getting slightly worried they may actually have to just head back home, maybe pick up some drinks from the gas station instead, despite how badly Sven needed a change of pace. “We can head home if you wa-….” “No, we’re nod leabing….SndFff,” he snuffled loudly, trying to snort up any of the excessive leakage that threatened to pour down his face. This was the absolute worst. Curse him and his rat ass allergies. He hucked and hacked, his mouth jarring open and closed as he fought against the allergens making a nest within his sinuses. The bartender slid them their second drinks, taking longer as the bar filled up with more and more patrons. A few people turning to glance with an aura of judgement, but the badger glared daggers and they quickly turned away. “Nosey fuckin-….Hh’uhSSCCHHHHwww! ehh’TSHIEW! hh’IEXSH!!” this time the green haired man blew within the crook of his arm, wetting the spot of skin there with a plume of saliva. “Gross….” he groaned weakly, irritated he didn’t have a whole lot of room to release. “Babe seriously we can just….” suddenly cut off by a lifted brown speckled palm. “Stop, jusd dring your fuggin shid, SNDfF,” He let out a loud, wet snort and reached for the small package of tissues inside the pocket of his jeans. His nose was red and moist from the constant blows as he battled with the scent that still lingered around him. He took a deep breath and tried to clear his congested sinuses but only felt the sharp sting of pain in his nostrils.

“Hey, guy, can you fuckin’ not? You’re grossing us all out,” A random person from across the way chimed in with a snarky remark. The badger slowly turned his head, almost like something out of a horror movie, and locked eyes with the person before responding without hesitation.

“Cope, fugg fade,” retorting so quickly it took the man almost by surprise, blinking a few times to make sure he had heard the badger correctly. “What was that, bro?” he challenged, finishing his beer and slamming the empty glass bottle down on the wooden bar. Elex scoffed, sniffling a bit to try and prepare himself for another response. “Cope. Fugg. Fade.” he said it slowly, emphasizing each word though sounding less intimidating with a stuffed up nose. It didn’t stop him as he stared the patron down with watery daggers. The whites of his eyes had already started to redden.

The tension in the bar thickened as the confrontation escalated. Elex could feel a wave of exhaustion wash over him, fatigue setting into his bones from both the argument with Sven and the relentless assault on his senses brought on by his sudden allergies. He longed for nothing more than to escape this suffocating atmosphere, to retreat to the familiarity of his own space where he could gather his thoughts in peace.

Sven, sensing the volatile energy crackling around them, placed a steadying hand on Elex's shoulder. Despite their disagreement, he knew that Elex needed support now more than ever. “Let’s get out of here,” Sven spoke softly, his voice cutting through the ambient noise of the bar.

With a swift motion, the badger slid his shoulder out from under the cat’s palm, Sven’s arm falling back down to his side. ‘Shit…’ The Cheshire cursed from within. The bomb had been set off and it was only a matter of time before his boyfriend started swinging.

“Oh, so we’re going to have a problem then?” the man stood up straighter, walking over and standing within a few inches of the green haired ticking time bomb. Elex snickered with a cocky resolve, standing up himself and meeting the other man eye to eye.

“Loogs, do me, you’re the only one with the problem here, fugg nugged,” his lips pulled up to reveal a strikingly white pair of sharpened teeth that complemented the long fangs that always stuck out past his lips. “Wanna dance?” it actually felt relieving to take a stand at this point, giving him a bit of, slightly fresher air to escape the scent of the old man’s detergent that lingered on his clothing.

In that charged moment, the bar seemed to hold its breath, everyone's attention drawn to the brewing confrontation between Elex and the stranger. The man's eyes flashed with anger as he clenched his fists, ready to take things to the next level. However, just before anyone could throw a hit, the badger’s sinuses betrayed him into another set of expressive blows. “Ehh’tshhhhiew!!" h’USHh’iEW!” without time to cover himself, the badger openly, and almost proudly, sneezed a cloud of spittle and spray across the other man’s face.

“What the FUCK!?” the guy exclaimed with rage, getting ready to charge up his fist and bring it across the space to Elex’s jaw, but missed as the badger took a quick side step to avoid him. All the while blotting, and dabbing at his insanely runny nose that threatened to drip down his lips and chin. Elex chuckled, wiping his face clean with the last tissue in his package.

“Oh goody, my turn,” he smirked as he tossed the crumpled tissue aside and lunged forward with surprising agility, socking the man square in the nose a loud crack echoing the space between them all. The bar erupted into chaos as the two men grappled, fists flying and bodies colliding in a whirlwind of aggression. Sven watched in shock, torn between wanting to intervene and knowing that Elex needed to work through his frustrations on his own terms.

Amidst the chaos, a burly bouncer seemed to materialize, his massive form cutting through the crowd like a battleship in a stormy sea. With a swift motion, he hoisted both Elex and the stranger apart, their struggles becoming feeble against the bouncer's iron grip.

"Alright, that's enough out of both of you!" the bouncer boomed, his voice commanding attention from every corner of the bar. Elex panted, his chest heaving as he shot a defiant glare at the man who had provoked him.

Sven rushed forward, placing himself between Elex and the stranger. "Sven...get the fuck out of the way," the man growled, his voice thick with anger as he tried to maneuver around Sven to get to the bleeding patron. But the bouncer held him back with a firm grip, his massive arms like steel beams that refused to budge.

"Elex, enough!" Sven's voice was urgent, pleading as he turned to the badger. "Let's go. Now." having to be the only voice of reason to which the heated badger would obey. Sliding two twenties onto the bar before working to rush his heated lover out of the bar.

Elex stood there, breathing heavily as he eyed the stranger who was still struggling against the bouncer's hold. For a moment, it seemed like he was going to make another move, but then he relented with a frustrated huff.

"Fine," Elex finally replied, brushing past Sven and making his way towards the exit of the bar. Sven followed closely behind, shooting a quick apologetic glance at the stranger before hurrying after his boyfriend.

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Elex took a deep breath and leaned against the brick wall of the establishment, the icy night air hitting his weakened lungs he started to realize just how bad of shape he was in from the allergy attack, now that the adrenaline was wavering. He gasped as he worked to regulate himself.

Sven stood beside him, his gaze filled with concern as he watched Elex's labored breathing. Without a word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small inhaler, offering it to the badger.

"Here, use this," Sven spoke softly, his voice laced with worry. Elex hesitated for a moment before taking the inhaler and pressing it to his lips, inhaling deeply as the soothing medication traveled through his lungs. The tightness in his chest began to ease, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him.

"Thanks," Elex murmured, handing the inhaler back to Sven. The cat nodded, tucking it back into his pocket before turning his attention back to the badger.

"Are you okay?" Sven asked, his eyes searching Elex's for any sign of distress. The green haired man gave him a small nod, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Yeah, I'm okay…feel actually a whole lot better now that I’m not suffocating under the scent of that guy’s clothes…snDfff…” he sniffled roughly, trying to break through the stuffed bridge of his nose. Despite the scuffle, the badger barely walked out with a scratch, but the same couldn’t be said for the other man.

“What am I going to do with you? Seriously, you’re lucky if he doesn’t charge you with assault! Dumbass!” scolding his boyfriend for the way he had unleashed his pent up rage upon the stranger.

“Hey, he swung first,” shrugging his shoulders before pulling a pack of cigarettes out from his pocket. Sven sighed in exasperation, watching as Elex flicked a cigarette out of the pack and lit it up with a practiced hand. He knew it was pointless to argue with the stubborn badger when he was in this mood, so he simply stood there in silence, the cool night air weaving around them like a comforting blanket.

As Elex took a drag from his cigarette, he exhaled a cloud of smoke that mingled with the night, disappearing into the darkness above. The tension that had gripped him earlier seemed to dissipate with each puff, the adrenaline from the fight slowly ebbing away.

After a moment of quiet contemplation, Sven finally spoke. "We should probably get out of here before the bouncer comes out and starts asking for names," he suggested, his voice calm but firm. Elex glanced over at him, taking in the concern etched on his features.

"Yeah, you're right," Elex replied, crushing the stub of his cigarette under his boot. With a final release of smoke from between his lips he lazily slung an arm around the cat’s waist. Unusual for the badger to display such affections, the cat narrowed his eyebrows and looked his lover up and down.

“You good?” The Cheshire asked cautiously, but leaning into the intimacy.

“Yeah, I’m good,” Elex responded with a soft smile, his usual tough exterior cracking to reveal a vulnerable side that only Sven seemed to elicit. The cat returned the smile, his worries easing as he felt the warmth of Elex’s touch against his side.

Together, they walked into the night, the street lamps casting a soft glow over their figures as they navigated the emptying streets. The events of the evening lingered in the air between them, but there was also an unspoken understanding that they would face whatever came their way together. Even if it meant being broke for a while to make sure Sven could set up his dream. Suddenly, those problems seemed less worrying after Elex was able to let off some steam.

As they turned a corner and disappeared into the shadows of the night, a sense of calm settled over them. In that moment, all that mattered was each other, their bond unbreakable in the face of any asshole that tried to ruin their good night. There was still time to turn things around.

And so, with the badger’s arm secured around his taller counterpart, Elex and Sven ventured into the unknown night, ready to face the rest of their evening in the comfort of their own home, albeit, with a quick stop at the liquor store for snacks and whiskey.

The End

Author’s Notes: I know I know, it’s short and sexless, but wasn’t that fun? 😍 I love angry Elex, being mean and beating people up while suffering from allergies. 🤧 I enjoyed it, I hope you did too!

[thekinkyleopard]

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH

Hiya!

Just out of pure ~curiosity~ how would our poor Sven look if he was completely bedridden with a dreadful cold that hits him out of nowhere on top of an allergic fit?

-Anon who's really loved Sven right now ;)

Hey there Nonny! I’m living for your Sven love right now, cannot lie! 😈😈

Thanks for your request! This time I included @thekinkyleopard ‘s badger boy keeping an eye on poor Sven, and I hope this is what you were looking for~ 😈😈

[thekinkyleopard]

Little babies 👹👹👹

Made this cute Svelex gif after watching a neon sign animation tutorial on YouTube 💚🧡

[thekinkyleopard]

I fucking love this 😂

I don’t know why but I’m in love with Sven lately..so if you can and if you like the idea of course could you draw a Sven been struggling to sneeze because he’s been having trouble to sneezing so Elex needs to help him to finally release that sneezes please? ✨🫢

Hey there Nonny!

I seriously am LIVING for everyone being so feral for my Sven lately 😩😩

I may have gotten overly ambitious and made a comic for ya~

Hope this is what you were looking for! 😈

[thekinkyleopard]

apparently people prefer sick sven but I want you to know that sick elex will always be superior to me forever because sven is not cute to me but elex is so imperfectly perfect

RIP Sven 😩😂 but this makes my heart so happy 🥹🥹🥹🥹 Thank you for loving my little badger hot head 😭😭😭🩶🩶🩶 A new Allergy Elex fic is coming soon! (I know you said you love sick Elex but I had the itch for a specific vision 😈)

[thekinkyleopard]

😩😩😩

STOP THIS MADNESS

*spoilers*

Elex standing up for Sven, the coming out against his will to make a point is so on brand I was HOPING HE WOULD AND GEEZIE FUCKING DELIVEREDDDDDDD YESSS ELEX YOU GO GLEN COCO !!!!!! I loved every part of this especially the “he’s going to treat you like you have a helmet or something” 😂😂😂😂😂 plz. Ugh I love them so much. 🤭🤭🤭

Blood Isn’t Always Thicker

written & illustrated by: allergeez 🖤

Hello yes this is my first Svelex fic, so hopefully I wrote them to @thekinkyleopard ‘s vision! A little bit over 8k words, lore heavy allergy snz Sven. Just a warning, there’s no snz until around 3K words, but I swear he makes up for it! Strong Language, snz obviously, allergies, family drama, etc.

Sven's gentle, purr-like laughter rumbled through the spare bedroom, the walls now adorned with posters of his favorite games and technology. The badger and himself had spent countless hours renovating the room, transforming it into a cozy "game room" where the Cheshire could stream to his heart's content.

“Alright guys, it is getting late here… I think I’m gonna end this stream for tonight and go bother Elex to go pick up some Taco Truck.. I’m starving!” The cat laughed again, a warm, charismatic sound that was accompanied by a slightly toothy grin as he placed the PlayStation controller onto the desk sitting in front of him, which was lit up with bright orange LED lights underneath it.

The choir of friendly insults that were thrown in the cats direction from others in the stream made him grin even wider, a wholehearted laugh rumbling from his lips.

“Hey! Shut the fuck up!” Sven adjusted himself in his— admittedly a little too expensive —gaming chair with a wave of his hand towards the camera, planting his feet firmly on the hardwood floor so the chair didn’t start to roll away.

“I told you, I’ll start streaming Red Dead Redemption 2 tomorrow! You’ll just have to wait…” The feline snickered, lifting his hands to adjust the custom headset sitting on his head, cleverly tucked away behind his thick teal fringe. Elex had surprised Sven with a custom headset that allowed him to wear it while his cat ears were still out, and it had been such a confidence boost for the Cheshire, although he wouldn’t admit it if you asked him.

“You could try sleeping, yknow…. Isn’t it like 4 am there? Don’t you have work in the morning?” Sven asked toward the camera, obviously getting another snarky reply that caused the cat to shake his head with another wide grin. “Well that’s on you, man. Personally, I’m gonna con the badger out of a super burrito so—“

A sharp, distinct cough from the doorway behind him ripped Sven from his playful banter to see the annoyed scowl on his boyfriend’s otherwise beautiful face.

The feline flashed the green haired man a sheepish smile before hurriedly facing the camera again, moving the cursor to hover over the ‘end stream’ button. “Okay, gotta go! Join tomorrow for some Red Dead, I promise~” Sven winked at the camera with a small wave, before ending the stream and quickly snatching off his headset.

“……how much of that did you hear?” The feline’s orange ears flattened to his head as he looked over at Elex again.

The badger had his muscular arms crossed over his chest with an increasingly disapproving scowl tugging down on the corners of his mouth around the sharp canines that jutted out from his lips just slightly.

“Enough……” The man stood silent in the doorway a second, and a tinge of anxiety flooded the cat’s chest. After an uncomfortably long few moments, finally the badger snorted a laugh, unfolding his arms from his chest and burying his hands into the pockets of his torn jeans. “okay but let’s get one thing straight, you aren’t CONNING a badger out of a super burrito, okay? I’ll go pick ‘em up, but that’s because you’re gonna be paying for both of us, AND calling in the order, alright, you little shit?”

The corners of Sven’s mouth instantly pulled up into a coy grin, and he raised his palms in front of him in defense. “Alright, alright, I suppose that’s fair~” The cat purred another laugh with a quick flick of his large orange tail, dropping his gaze to locate his cell phone among the massive amount of electronics around him.

“Call it in, I’ll go pick it up right now. I still have your card from earlier and I’ll use it to pay. You know what I like… and I swear to fucking god if they fuck it up again I’m going to swing on someone…” Elex tossed over his shoulder as Sven fumbled to unlock his phone.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll call it in. Be safe!” He replied rather quickly as his boyfriend closed the front door behind him. When the feline finally got his phone unlocked, the notification of a new text message from an unsaved number instantly caught his attention. As quickly as he could, the cat opened it, his slitted eyes widening as he read the full message.

??? — Hello Sven, I hope this message finds you well… This is your Father. I know you’ve tried to keep this number from me, and I’ve been told that trying to contact you was a bad idea but I couldn’t help but try.

??? — I was wrong about you, Sven. I’m so sorry if I ever made you feel alienated from the family. That was never my intention. But honestly, everything I want to say to you couldn’t be fully conveyed to you through a text message…

??? — That’s why I want to invite you to dinner at the house on Saturday, if you’d be willing to come. You may read these texts and laugh and not even reply and I’d understand if that was your choice. But if you would be willing to hear me out and hopefully at least be on speaking terms, I would love to hear back from you.

Sven's heart raced as he struggled to swallow the lump in his throat. How had his father gotten his new number? He had made it very clear that he didn't want any contact with him...but then why did the message say "I was wrong"? Sven squinted at the words, his eyesight possibly failing him once again. But there it was, unmistakable. His mind swirled with conflicting emotions as he tried to make sense of the unexpected message. Was this a trap? Or was his father truly admitting fault? Sven didn't know what to believe anymore, and it terrified him.

The text took him so off guard that he had to lock his phone again and place it facedown on his lap, his orange slitted eyes drifting off as his thoughts raced through his head.

What was he going to do? Would he really be able to go back to /that/ place and eat a whole meal while being face to face with his dad and be patronized for god knows how long, just to MAYBE get a half assed apology from the man?

However desperately the cat wanted to gain a shred of acknowledgement from his father after he became invisible behind Draeko’s shadow, he had no idea if his psyche could handle the man that made him run as far away from the circus as possible and get a place in secret with Elex in the first place.

Suddenly, his phone that still lay face down on his lap began to vibrate wildly, jerking Sven from his thoughts and back to reality.

Lifting the phone to his face, Elex’s contact photo plastered itself across his screen, which made the feline curse under his breath, preparing himself for an angry badger on the other end when he answered.

A dull clawed finger answered the call, lifting the phone a good foot out from his ear, and before Sven could even say “Hello.”, Elex’s angry voice poured through the phone, causing the cat’s ears to fold flat on his head sheepishly.

“SVEN WHAT THE FUCK? DID YOU NOT CALL IN THE ORDER? CAUSE ITS GONNA BE A PROBLEM IF THIS FUCKING DICK IS LYING TO ME RIGHT NOW…”

“Lex! Sorry, sorry! I got distracted and forgot to call, my bad!” The feline cried out frantically, and the frustrated grit of the badgers teeth was audible through the phone, making Sven want to be as small as possible.

“There better be a good fucking reason, Sven..” Elex mumbled, and the sound of a car door slamming shut could be heard on the other end as the badger got back out of his car.

“There is, I promise I’ll tell you when you get here— you won’t fucking believe this shit…” Sven snorted, trying his best to sound nonchalant and mask the fact that he was honestly scared shitless over the entire situation.

— but Elex could sense something was off by the tone of his boyfriends voice, and decided to let up on the cat. Whatever the distraction was, it was clearly heavy and weighing on him.

“Just — fuckin’ A, you’re annoying..” Elex sighed dramatically, seemingly put out that he had to place the order himself.

“You love me~” Sven replied with that same faux nonchalance, making Elex silently cringe.

“Yeah, yeah.” Click — the line went dead.

Sven hung his head low, swiping up his phone and hiding it under the couch cushion as if that would make the situation any better. The silence of the house was almost deafening as he thought about how to tell the badger about the texts...

He needed to clean something. Anything.

A loud sigh escaped him as he got up from the couch, making his way to the kitchen. In all honesty, the kitchen was already almost spotless, but there was plenty of stuff that could use a wipe down. His heart raced anxiously as he grabbed a dishtowel and started on the counters.

Tap, splash, scrub, tap, splash. The sounds echoed through the otherwise quiet house as he went about cleaning up any and all messes he could find. The sink faucet squeaked with every turn of the handle, the dish soap smelled strongly of lemon, and the warmth of it against his palms felt comforting.

The humming of Elex's car in the driveway snapped him out of his thoughts once again, reminding him that the badger would be home soon. A cold shiver ran down his spine at the thought of seeing his face when he walked in, and having to open up to his boyfriend on that level... Being vulnerable was kind of a hit or miss with the green haired man.

He quickly rinsed off the sponge and threw it into the sink before taking a moment to straighten up around him; even standing on his tiptoes to wipe down the very top of the fridge.

Suddenly, the front door flung open, and Elex came charging through with both of his hands full of large styrofoam cups full of soda, and a white plastic bag full of various foods hanging from his arm, an annoyed scowl across his face. Although, instantly upon making eye contact with Sven, seeing the stress weighing heavy on his features and the wad of paper towels he used to wipe down the fridge clutched tightly in his hand, the badger gave a knowing sigh as he slammed the door behind him with his foot.

“I’m so sorry, Lex, I didn’t mean to—“ Sven started to explain himself but was quickly cut off as Elex set down the drinks and the bag of food on the counter in front of him with a loud thump.

“Nah, I don’t care about that shit. What I do care about is what the fuck distracted you so much. You’re obviously stress cleaning, so it has to be something.” Elex quickly snatched the paper towels from Sven’s hand, throwing them in the trash. “Now spill it before the food gets cold.” He demanded, eliciting a cautious breath from the feline, his bright orange eyes locked on the floor.

Well, here goes nothing…

“Well… you know how I got my number changed so my dad didn’t have it anymore, when I moved, right?” Sven asked quietly, pulling on a loose string on his jeans as he spoke.

“Err… yeah? Of course. It was a pretty fuckin big ordeal if you remember….” The badger replied, one eyebrow cocked with a puzzled look on his face.

“Well…” the Cheshire swallowed before continuing. “I got a text from him…. A few actually..”

“Oh, this aught to be good… what the fuck did that prick have to say?” Elex scoffed bluntly, leaning his back against the wall with a snort.

The cat’s heart was pounding in his chest as he spoke, "He invited me to dinner. Saturday evening, at his house," Sven mumbled, looking down at his feet. He took a deep breath before continuing, "I know I shouldn't go... but it's been so long since we've spoken... and I just want to see him... and maybe make things right..." He trailed off, biting his lower lip as his ears flattened against his head.

Elex rolled his dual colored eyes, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "Fuckin A, Sven. You're an adult now, you don't have to go crawling back to that asshole just because you feel bad. It's not like he'll actually apologize or anything," he scoffed again. The badger shook his head, disgusted with the idea of Sven even considering going through with this. "You know what he put you through."

"But it's not just that," Sven mumbled, looking up at Elex with pleading eyes. "I miss him... I miss— the circus, a bit…"

Elex huffed, leaning against the counter. "Well then," he started, "honestly, it sounds like you already made up your mind… But I don’t think it’s a good idea at all.”

Sven’s shoulders slumped in disappointment, although he knew from the beginning that Elex wouldn’t support him going either way.

“I mean, I haven’t replied to him yet, but… after really thinking about it… I can handle just one dinner on the very slim chance it’s not bullshit this time... And if he starts being his same ol self, I’ll just leave.” The feline shrugged, trying to put up the same faux nonchalant facade that he had tried earlier on the phone.

“I mean whatever, Sven. But don’t fucking hold your breath for that fucker to suddenly stop being an asshat to you out of no where. It’s been 26 years and he hasn’t gotten it together.” Elex shook his head with a sigh as he pulled a travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer from his pockets and squirted a small amount onto his palm before holding it out to Sven, who offered his hand. “You’re just going to get fucked over like always and he’s going to treat you like you wear a fucking helmet or some shit, and it’s going to be a disaster like it always fucking is.”

The cat’s tail twitched in annoyance at his boyfriend’s negativity, but he didn’t push the issue any further to avoid any arguments; instead he simply rubbed his palms together to sanitize his hands before silently removing his burrito from the bag on the counter.

“Thanks for this by the way.” He gestured to Elex with his unwrapped burrito before taking a large bite, to which the badger simply nodded as he removed his own food from the bag. “You’re fucking lucky I’m feeling generous today. Don’t let it happen again though.” The green haired man snorted, shaking his head back and forth as he sipped on the straw to his beverage.

As the two sat and munched silently on their food, Sven quickly typed out a reply to his father.

Sven - Hey, Dad. I just got your texts… uh, yeah… I’ll be there for dinner on Saturday night so maybe we can get shit off our chest and catch up.

Instantly the little blip in the corner began to show that his father was typing a reply. Typical.

??? — I’m so happy to hear that, Sven. Thank you for giving me a chance. I’m excited to hear how you’ve been. Dinner will be at 6 on Saturday. See you then.

Sven let out a deep breath as he finished his text to his father and looked up at Elex, who was already digging into his burrito as if nothing had happened. They sat in silence for a few more minutes, occasionally glancing at each other as they enjoyed the warmth of their food. Once they were done, they cleaned up the kitchen and headed to their room to unwind for the night. They both changed into their pjs, Sven donning a small tank top and shorts while Elex wore boxers and an oversized t-shirt. The room was cool despite the air conditioner running, but it made for comfortable sleeping conditions. They turned off the lights and crawled into bed together, cuddling close as they always did when it was time for sleep. Their bodies molded together like two puzzle pieces, two halves of one whole. For now, there was peace.

The room was dimly lit by the glow from the city outside their window, casting a soft blue hue over everything. The sound of cars honking floated in through the open window, mingling with the low hum of conversation from people walking by on the sidewalks below. It made Sven feel connected to something larger than himself—something grounding. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep but found himself unable to stop thinking about this decision he'd made that could potentially shake up his life in ways he couldn't predict; he tossed and turned throughout most of the night, trying not to wake Elex up, but he couldn’t stop his mind from racing.

The days leading up to the dinner were filled with countless arguments between the two. It was as if the tension in the air had a physical presence, making it difficult to breathe and impossible to ignore. They would start off fine in the morning, exchanging gentle nuzzles and soft whispers while they got ready for the day. But by the time they would end their days, tired and drained, their tempers would often flare up over minor things like leaving shoes in the wrong spot or forgetting to buy milk.

The cat, usually so patient and understanding, found himself snapping at Elex for no reason at all, and of course the badger would fire back. Sven was usually so level-headed and considerate, but instead he would lash out in anger over trivial matters that would normally be brushed aside. Their nighttime routine remained unchanged; they would cook dinner together, watch TV, and cuddle in bed before sleeping. But now it felt forced, like two strangers going through the motions instead of lovers sharing their space. The food they cooked together lacked flavor and sparked more arguments about whose turn it was to cook or who forgot an ingredient. The TV shows they watched would always be interrupted by sarcastic commentary or change of channel without notice. Their warm embrace before sleep turned into cold shoulders as they tried to find solace in their own thoughts instead of each other's touch.

Sven couldn't help but feel a knot forming in his stomach every time he thought about facing his father again after all these years. The last time they had seen each other had been tumultuous, to say the least. He just hoped that this dinner could be a fresh start for them both. However, part of him feared that it would only lead to more arguments and hurt feelings. As Saturday drew closer, so did their anxiety levels, making them both irritable and snappish towards one another.

That is— until Saturday morning (or, more accurately, 2 pm… but to Sven, it was morning..) finally rolled around…

It was his phone buzzing on the nightstand that finally woke the cat from his deep slumber. Opening one of his golden eyes groggily, Sven snatched it from the nightstand in annoyance and sat up, his teal hair splayed wildly in every direction. Still half awake, he squinted at the text message on his screen before clearing his throat to try and rid himself of the sudden itchy feeling that snaked down his esophagus. It was from his dad.

Dad — Hello Sven, just checking to be sure you’re still going to be here for dinner tonight? Looking forward to seeing you.

Clearing his throat again, Sven sniffled absentmindedly, rubbing the sleep from his eye with one balled up fist, using the other hand to tap out a reply. God, was he thankful for autocorrect.

Sven — Yeah, Dad, I’ll be there.

The cat left it at that, locking his phone with a loud yawn, his large orange ears flattening to his head as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and plopped his feet onto the floor with a heavy thud. Guess it was as good of a time as any to get up…

The night before had ended in another heated argument with Elex, and the badger had slept on the couch in the living room, allowing the feline to not have to be as worried of how loud he was being to avoid waking him.

Instinctively, Sven sniffled again before reaching up to scrub small circles into his nose with his palm. So itchyyyyy…

With a disapproving grunt, the cat pulled open the drawer to the nightstand shoved up against one side of the bed and fished out a blister pack of Claritin, half of the pack already punched out and foil hanging loosely from the back. He’d be damned if his allergies were going to choose today of all days to be a problem…

With a soft sniffle, Sven positioned the pack over his other hand, but before he managed to remove one of the small round pills from the pack, his breath snagged suddenly in his throat, a desperate gasp parting his lips before his head snapped downward with a soft, “Hehh.. n’gtx!”

The sudden, unexpected sneeze caused one of the cat’s nails to puncture the foil on the blister pack, one of the small round pills clattering against the hardwood floor beneath his feet before quickly rolling out of sight under the bed. But with the intensity of the buzzing within his nose, the Cheshire knew better than to assume the single sneeze was the end of it.

“K’tchh! Nnch! Nkch! — Hhh—! Ktch! Nkcht! Hh‘gsch!! Nngch!”

Wave after wave of sneezes overtook Sven as he tried to catch his breath, each one more intense than the last. "Ngt’chh! hptt’CH! h’gTShhHh! hiIh’nGkt!!" He couldn't seem to stop; his nostrils quivered maddeningly and his eyes pooled with allergic tears before they streamed down his face. Desperate to calm his overly sensitive nasal passages of the all encompassing sensation licking down the bridge of his nose, the cat frantically knuckled at his septum, but it didn't stop there; his nose still tickled mercilessly, demanding release.

“Hh—… H-Hhh—! H’NgXt! Hh‘gsch! God damnd it!” The cat hissed angrily once finally able to, quickly getting up off of the bed and darting into the bathroom with one hand cupped over his nose and mouth. He slammed the door behind him as hot tears of frustration began to stream down his cheeks, his head feeling like it was about to split apart from all of the sudden, intense sneezing.

Sven hated this feeling. The uncontrollable urge to sneeze; the intense tickling sensation in his nose that demanded his full attention and refused to go away no matter how many times he was caught up in an endless, desperate fit. It was enough to drive anyone mad.

“N’gxt—! Heh’n’gtx—!” The feline couldn’t even catch a break in the safety of the bathroom as another round of sneezes overtook him. He snatched a handful of tissues from the box on the sink counter and furiously blew his nose, trying to clear out the allergen that was causing this hellish reaction.

But no matter how much he blew his nose, it just seemed to make things worse. And with every forceful exhale, more tears leaked out of his eyes until he could barely see clearly anymore.

Fuming with frustration, Sven reached for a glass on the counter and filled it with water before yanking open the medicine cabinet and swiping yet another pack of Claritin from the shelf. He popped two of the pills from the foil package and threw them into his open mouth, chasing it all down in one gulp.

Even after multiple rounds of blowing his nose and sniffling desperately into tissues, the Cheshire could still feel that annoying tickle in his nose. It felt like there was something lodged deep within his sinuses that just wouldn’t budge.

Feeling utterly defeated, Sven slumped down onto the edge of the bathtub and rested his head in hands.

Why did he have to be such a fucking mess? Why couldn’t he have normal allergies like normal people, like dust or pollen? The cat honestly felt like the butt end of some sick joke from the universe to have such debilitating allergies to his own body.

With a suddenly very waterlogged sniffle, more hot tears began to sting at his eyes before spilling over his cheeks and splashing against the tile floor below him. How was he supposed to show up at his dads like this? It would be like asking for it at this point…

Suddenly, a sharp knock at the bathroom door ripped the cat from his thoughts.

“Sven?” Elex’s voice poured out from behind the thin, wooden door, followed by a few seconds of silence. When he was met with no response, the badger tried again. “—Sven?”

“Ghhh— go away..” Sven muttered softly, still sitting on the edge of the tub with his chin resting on his palms, followed by an almost inaudible gasp as his breathing shuttered. “Nnch! Nkch! Ktch! Nkcht!”

“You okay in there?” Elex’s concern was evident in his voice as he pressed for a response. The worry in his tone was enough to make the cat’s heart ache with guilt from the way he had acted towards the other the night before.

“—I’mb fide,” Sven managed to say, his voice muffled by the tissues he pressed against his face. “J-just dealigg with... allergies.” He let out another stifled sneeze, followed by a defeated sigh.

Elex’s gentle exhale was barely audible over the sound of Sven blowing his nose. “I’m coming in.” He stated simply despite the cat’s previous objections.

When he pushed open the door to the bathroom, he was met with the sad sight of his boyfriend huddled up on the edge of the bathtub, a wad of tissues tented over his nose and mouth and tears staining his pink cheeks. Any argument between the two the night before was easily forgotten.

“Geez, kid… One of those days?” Elex asked with a tilt of his head, a sympathetic expression on his face as he came to sit on the tub next to Sven. He couldn’t say he was jealous of the Cheshire’s plight, that’s for damn sure.

“Obviously…” The cat sniffled miserably, clearly getting lost in the sensation as he scrubbed at his sensitive nose, his large orange ears pinned back against his head in embarrassment. “Of course it w-would be— thhh— today—! Hh‘gsch! ngsh!” Growling in frustration, he blew his nose again, to which the badger offered a soft smile.

“At least that gives you a reason to cancel on your dad, yeah?”

Sven rolled his orange eyes. “Ndo, El. Cadcelligg dow would just prove himb right..”

Elex scoffed, crossing his arms across his chest. “Well, what the fuck are you going to do then? Going like this is definitely going to make you a target.”

The look that the cat shot his mate was like daggers, despite the red rimmed appearance. “See, I was hhh— hopigg it would b-be differedt thhh— H’NgXt! Hh‘gsch! k’gnsh! SNNRRFF!! —guh…”

Without even finishing his sentence, Sven yanked more toilet paper from the roll and blew his nose yet again, still to no avail, his expression getting more and more frustrated and hopeless as his fit continued.

This time, it was Elex’s turn to roll his eyes. As utterly adorable as his boyfriend was currently, he was also utterly stupid to think his dad was ever going to change.

Sven sniffled and wiped his nose again. His eyes were watering prefusely, his face red and splotchy from all the rubbing. He looked at Elex in frustration before slowly shaking his head. "I dod't dow, El. I guess I'll have to sugg it up add go."

Elex sighed heavily, beginning to get slightly annoyed at his stubborn boyfriend. He reached out to gently pat Sven's back comfortingly as he watched him struggle with his allergies. "If you say so," he muttered under his breath, knowing full well that it wasn't going to be an easy task for Sven. "You sure you don't want me to come with you? You know, for moral support?"

Sven shook his head again, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth despite his discomfort. “I'b sure it’ll be fide…," he replied between sniffles. “I thought you diddt wadt himb to dnow that were together, adyway.”

The badger’s expression turned up in amusement as he shook his head. “People live together without being in a relationship, Sven… Just tell him your room mate is coming with you, and the old man’ll be none the wiser.”

Sven’s shoulders slumped a little as he let an exasperated, defeated sigh escape his lips. “Fide… but if these Claritid kick id before I have to leave, imb goigg alode, alright?”

The badger raised his palms in front of him defensively, grinning as he rose to his feet. “Okay, okay. Just hurry up and get ready.”

Despite the embarrassment and discomfort, Sven managed to step into the shower and rinse off, letting the steaming hot water run over his body. The warmth felt nice against his skin, but it did nothing to alleviate the itching in his nose or the burning behind his eyes. He threw his head back and closed them tight, trying not to make too much noise as he gently washed himself. His allergies were relentless and already taking their toll on him, leaving him feeling weaker by the minute. Every few minutes he was forced to stop and endure yet another itchy “Nkch! Ktch! Nkcht!” before he could continue.

After rinsing off and patting himself dry with a towel, the cat emerged from the bathroom and into their shared bedroom. His large, fluffy orange ears hung low as he shuffled through his closet, trying to decide on an outfit that wouldn't make him stick out too much. The last thing he needed was for his father to make some snide comment about his choices or the way he dressed.

Sven finally settled on a simple pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt that would hopefully hide the fact that he was having an allergic attack. As he pulled them on, his movements were slow and clumsy; with every breath, he winced slightly from the sting in his nose.

His nose was still running slightly as he sat down on a stool at his vanity, reaching for a bottle of nasal spray. He squirted some into each nostril before inhaling deeply; the cool mist offered some relief from the fire burning within him. He took a deep breath and reached for a hairbrush, running it through his thick teal hair until it shone softly under the dim light of the bathroom.

Walking out of the bedroom, he grabbed his wallet and phone from the coffee table where Elex was sitting on the couch flipping through the TV channels with an absentminded air. Sven looked slightly better than when he'd gone in but the badger could still tell that something wasn't right.

"Well?" Elex asked without looking up at him. "Got everything you need?"

Sven nodded, rubbing at his nose as he walked over to stand by Elex on the couch.

The cat suffered through another itchy, sniffly “H’KngxsstSH! nXGtCHhh!” before responding, "Think I'm good to go. My nose is still pretty hhh— messed up though. Hopefully Dad will just keep his fucking mouth shut.." He sniffled sharply before standing up straighter, adjusting the neck of his shirt to make sure there weren't any wrinkles as he looked down at Elex.

“Sounds like that Claritin didn’t do shit, huh?” The badger asked knowingly.

“No, I just love sneezing my ass off...” The feline shook his head with a scowl, and the badger chuckled under his breath, shoveling his own belongings into his pockets and rising to his feet.

As they walked out of the apartment, Sven could feel every muscle protest as they navigated through the hallway and down the stairs. The scent of fresh paint filled his nose, making him want to sneeze even more but he managed to contain it with a few quick sniffs. The outside air was cool and crisp against his flushed cheeks while Elex held open the door for him - a small gust blowing by carrying with it the scent of autumn leaves burning somewhere off in the distance. The sun was low in the sky painting hues of orange and pink across the horizon; it felt like they were driving into a painting.

The ride was quiet save for the sound of tires against wet pavement and occasional gusts of wind that caused their car to rock ever so slightly. Sven sat rigidly next to Elex, his heart racing with anticipation as he wondered how his father would react to him bringing home the badger as his "roommate". He'd never mentioned anything about having one before—would he be angry? Disapproving? Or would he simply shrug it off like everything else and pretend like he didn't care?

They pulled into the driveway and killed the engine, stepping out into the cool evening air. A sudden rush of moisture hit Sven's skin as he shut his door behind him; he shivered slightly despite the warmth lingering beneath his clothes. His ears perched on the top of his head took turns swiveling to each side, taking in his surroundings. Suddenly, the Cheshire pitched forward into his shoulder. “N’gxt! Heh’n’gtx! Hehh—! n’gtx!”

Elex tossed him a glance. “Bless you.” But Sven simply waved him off.

After a few minutes, the front door flew open and a tall, slender man with a thick pair of feline like ears between his black curls and a large fluffy tail behind him began to jog down the driveway towards the men, and Sven’s ears and tail both sagged in embarrassment. His father’s expression held a broad smile, but there was an emptiness in those eyes that didn't match the joy on his face. He rushed towards them with open arms, engulfing Sven in a tight hug before looking past him to Elex with raised eyebrows.

"Oh! Hello there! I wasn't expecting a guest," he said cheerfully, even though it was obvious from the way he said it that he was anything but pleased about having visitors.

"This is my... room mate, Elex," Sven said awkwardly, avoiding eye contact as they walked inside together. His father led them through a maze of familiar hallways until they reached the living room where they sat down on a plush couch covered in worn fabric from years of use.

His father's tail swished back and forth behind him in a playful manner, his ears twitching with curiosity.

"Oh? A room mate, you say?" He smirked, setting two mugs of beer on the table in front of them.

"Well," he chuckled lightly, leaning against the door frame with his hands in his pockets, "I hope you two aren't planning on getting any funny ideas." His eyes darted towards Elex suggestively as he winked. He loved playing games like this; it was just one more way he could belittle Sven and make him feel small. He knew how much his son hated it when people thought he was 'different' or 'weird'.

The tension in the air hung palpably as Sven's father's words made their way through the room, causing the cat’s tail to stiffen and his ears to lay back flat against his skull. The badger crossed his arms over his chest defensively, glaring at the man who seemed so nonchalant about everything.

"Excuse me?" he snapped, a low growl in his tone as he shifted from foot to foot under the table. "I assure you, we're not planning anything “funny”. We're simply roommates—and very happy ones at that." He gave Sven a quick sideways glance before looking back at the elder man. "Your son has shown me nothing but kindness and respect, which is more than I can say for your treatment of him." His voice was icy but controlled, his fangs thinly hidden behind pursed lips.

Sven squirmed in his seat, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment and shame. He hated it when Elex stood up for him like this; it only made things worse.

His father's eyes narrowed at the comment, flashing with anger for a moment before he forced a laugh. "Oh ho," he chuckled darkly, "you think you know me so well, don't you?" He stepped forward, leaning down close to Elex's face so their noses nearly touched. The scent of his breath was sour from the alcohol he'd been drinking earlier.

"You think I don't care about my son? Well," he growled lowly, "you're wrong. I just want what's best for him — and what's best for him is to be strong."

He straightened up again and took a swig of his beer.

Sven winced, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand while glancing away from both men. He couldn't believe this was happening again. Why did everything have to be so hard with his dad?

Elex sat up straighter, eyeing the man warily but not backing down.

"I didn't say you didn't care about Sven," he replied coldly, "but your method of toughening him up leaves something to be desired." He gestured at Sven's flinching form. "Constant belittlement and humiliation isn't going to fucking make him strong; it'll just make him bitter and mistrustful."

The room fell silent as they all sat there staring at each other across the table.

“Ooooohkay, that’s enough of that…” Sven finally chimed in, punctuating his statement with a clearly forced, awkward laugh.

His father continued as nothing happened, leaving the room to serve dinner.

"Who's hungry?" he asked cheerfully, carrying over a large pot of steaming soup to the table. He ladled out bowls for each of them, the savory aroma filling the room. Sven glanced nervously at Elex, but his father hummed a tune, seemingly oblivious to the tension still hanging in the air.

The three ate in relative silence, slurping spoonfuls of the hearty vegetable stew. Sven's father made idle small talk between bites, asking about their work and interests. He seemed genuinely interested in getting to know his son's new roommate, though the lingering awkwardness made the conversation stilted.

As Sven sipped his hot soup, he could feel that familiar tickle begin to dislodge itself from deep within his sinuses and his eyes began water. “God fucking damn it..” he thought, “not now...”

The car tried to subtly wipe his running nose and blink back the tears, but it was no use. Despite his objections, his eyebrows knit together before he ducked to the side, away from the table. “Hh‘gsch!! Nngch! H’tshhkt!! ngsh! H’NgXt! Hh—! HeHh—! Hh‘gsch! k’gnsh! Ngt’chh! hptt’CH!!”

He started sneezing violently, nearly upending his bowl of soup. His father glared at him from across the table.

"Ugh, here we go again with the sneezing and sniveling," his father grumbled. "It happens all the time, Sven. When are you going to grow out of it?"

Sven flushed with embarrassment, hastily grabbing a napkin to blow his nose. "S-sorry," he stammered. "I can't really hhh—help it—! K’tchh! Nnch! Nkch!"

His father rolled his eyes. "It's those weak genes from your mother's side of the family. I keep telling you to toughen up, but you just keep sniffling and wheezing at every little thing."

Sven sank deeper into his chair, mortified by his father's harsh words. He wanted to disappear completely. Elex shot Sven's father an icy glare.

"Allergies are not a fucking sign of weakness," The badger barked sharply. "They're the result of an overactive immune system, not some kind of character flaw."

Sven's father snorted derisively. "Spare me the science lesson. The boy just needs to learn some self-control, that's all."

Sven stared down at his bowl, pushing his carrots around listlessly. He had lost his appetite, the soup now just a swirling reminder of his failure to meet his father's impossible standards. How could he have really thought this dinner would be any different? He still hadn’t even heard an apology from the man.

Elex opened his mouth to retort, but Sven interrupted before an argument could erupt. "It's okay, really," he mumbled. "I'm sorry for the interruption. Let's just enjoy the meal."

An uncomfortable silence settled over the table once more. The only sounds were the clinking of spoons against bowls. Sven's nose still tickled maddeningly, but he resisted the urge to rub or sniffle, not wanting to invite more criticism.

After several tense minutes, Elex could hardly contain his anger as Sven's father continued to belittle his son, just like the badger had predicted when the Cheshire first told him about this shitty dinner. As the cat stared miserably into his bowl, Elex knew he had to take a stand.

"Sven's allergies don't make him weak," Elex snapped firmly. "In fact, I happen to find his sensitivity and kind heart to be his greatest strengths."

Sven's eyes widened in surprise. His father let out an incredulous laugh.

"Oh, is that so?" he jeered. "And just how would you, a room mate, know anything about my son's character?"

The badger met the older cat's gaze steadily. "Because Sven and I have been dating for the past few months. And in that time, I've seen how caring, thoughtful and brave he is every single day."

Sven gasped softly. They had kept their relationship secret until now because Elex wasn’t out of the closet yet…

His father's eyes blazed with anger. "Dating? Don't be ridiculous. I won't have my son gallivanting around with the likes of you!”

"The likes of me?" The green haired man retorted. "What's that supposed to mean? Is it because I'm a badger? Or is it because I actually care about your son's feelings!?”

Feeling the tension in the room grow to a fever pitch, the Cheshire flew to his feet, grabbing Elex by the arm. He could feel the badger’s muscles flexing under his tight grasp, rearing up quickly for a fight.

“L-let’s jhhh— ngsh! Hh‘gsch! Let’s just go, El.” Sven choked out between each itchy sneeze that he tried to muffle into his closed fist.

Elex shot one last glare at Sven's father before following Sven's lead and rising from his seat. He kept a protective hand on the Cheshire's back as they headed for the front door.

"Don't you dare walk out that door!" Sven's father shouted after them. "If you leave now, don't even think about coming back!"

Sven paused with his hand on the doorknob. For a moment, his shoulders slumped dejectedly. Elex gave him an encouraging squeeze.

"It's okay," the badger said gently. "Fuck him, kid. We've got each other. That's all we’ve ever needed."

Sven turned and gave Elex a small, grateful smile. Then he threw open the door, and the two of them stepped out into the cool evening air.

As soon as they were outside, Sven doubled over with a characteristic fit of rapid-fire sneezes. "H’NgXt! Hh‘gsch! k’gnsh! Heh—! Ngt’chh! hptt’CH! h’gTShhHh! hihh’nGkT—!”

The badger sighed with a smile as he shook his head, already sliding into the driver side of his car, anxious to get out of this particular level of hell. “Bless you, kid. Who would have thought those allergies of yours would be so problematic, huh?” The green haired man chuckled softly as Sven slid into the passenger side with a small frown.

“Stop callin’ me kid, I’m older than you.” The cat sniffled, buckling his seatbelt before glancing over at Elex sitting next to him, a glint of admiration in his orange eyes.

After a second of silence, the badger finally cracked.

“What the fuck are you staring at me like that for?” He asked with one eyebrow cocked.

“You didn’t have to come out to my dad like that…. I know that was a touchy subject for you…” Sven replied with a soft smile, reaching out one thin hand to rest on the badger’s thigh and give him a grateful squeeze.

“Yeah, well…. I love you, kid. And I won’t let anyone think they’re going to talk to you like that. Not even your shit eating dad.”

“Thank you, Elex. I— hhh—N’gxt! love you too…“