to: @graceisprettygreat
from: @aciesvirtus
hi ! happy new years!! your prompts were amazing and i hope did justice with this fic (ps it takes place on post another end vlr, and it is also on ao3)
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
strength
“You’re sick, Quark!” The old man crossed his arms, his brows furrowed as he turned to his grandchild.
“I said I’m fine.” Quark mumbled, not looking up as they continued their search for junk.
This time they were in an abandoned office by the next city, which took them long enough to drive. Quark slept the entire drive off, there was a hint of tiredness still however they would never admit it. They couldn’t just complain about something so small, they were almost 15 now. They had to be strong and be able to take care of themselves and most importantly, they couldn’t make Grandpa worry.
Tenmyouji grumbled something under his breath, he went back to sorting through gear of the intact or almost intact PCs. There was an uncomfortable silence now, Quark felt especially guilty. They knew lying wasn’t the right thing to do, but really, in their head they were just a tiny bit tired for some reason.
“This is the last floor, we’re going back home afterwards.” Grandpa finally broke the silence.
“We just came here!” Quark dropped everything they were inspecting and turned to Tenmyouji.
“Kiddo, I can see it in your face.” The sour expression of the old man slowly disappeared, his gaze was soft when the words poured out.
“What about my face?” Quark frowned.
Quark wouldn’t get sick a lot, they were one tough kid, that’s for sure. But when they did, their old man would be able to tell it in a heartbeat.
“C’mon, we’re going home before you get a fever.” he spoke as he grabbed the full two bags in front of him.
“I don’t have a fever, Grandpa!” Quark went back to searching, ignoring their grandpa as he walked towards the stairs.
“Quark!” Tenmyouji yelled from the stairs.
“Go without me!” Quark shouted back, not moving an inch.
Quark stayed for a while, still trying to find junk. Although, their joints were hurting and their nose was runny, it was fine! Everything was fine. Regardless of the hours that have probably passed, Quark was there. They toured the entire building, pretty confident that Tenmyouji probably had left already.
Suddenly, the guilt hit them back again. They made it to the exit down the stairs though they could feel their head spinning as they tried to walk down the stairs and suddenly, everything went black. Thankfully, Tenmyouji heard the sounds of things falling and flew right back inside. He had never left, of course he couldn’t have. It was definitely not safe out here and despite almost reaching adulthood, Quark needed him, they certainly had much to learn.
With uncanny strength for his age, he carried both Quark and the two bags safely to his truck and rushed home. His mind was racing with thoughts, jumping from the worst case scenario to sheer panic. He constantly checked their pulse or their fever which all seemed normal until around 15 minutes later, Quark started burning up however they were thankfully awake and somewhat in their senses.
Tenmyouji and Quark finally made it back home. The old man carried the teen to their bed and rushed to the medicine cabinet, later coming back with cold medicine and paracetamol. Quark sat upright on the bed, trying to keep themselves awake. This could not have been happening to them, were they this weak? Have they failed Grandpa? They’ve undergone so many things that couldn’t even possibly be mouthed, and now they couldn’t find the strength to stand up? To Quark, this was no longer a simple illness or flu but their own frailty, their own inability to take care of themselves. They were upset, confused and mad however too tired to argue with their own mind.
It didn’t help that Grandpa didn’t have a very pleasant… expression on his face. They haven’t seen his face this sour for so long. Tenmyouji knitted his brows, he looked so angry when he handed over the medication and a glass of water to his grandchild.
Quark took the medicine, swallowing them swiftly. Tenmyouji was pacing around mumbling something to himself, then after a few seconds he suddenly bolted out.
The teenager shut their eyes, trying to find a way to prove to their grandfather that they’d be fine and that they are capable of the workload and the struggles of the post apocalyptic world. Meanwhile, Tenmyouji was mad at himself. He had expected Quark to follow suit, alas they did not. He should have gone back upstairs instead. If only he knew that Quark would faint, if he knew that they weren’t as in good shape as they appeared in the eye. To him, Quark had only looked slightly sick but would probably have gotten worse. He should have dragged them out by force, not letting them rebel against him. But at the same time they were getting big, making their own decisions and growing even tougher by the day, there wasn’t much he could do but he wished there was.
He walked on the blocks, trying to find a medical shelter or a clinic, anyone who was qualified and available to look after Quark. The old man knew a couple of doctors, some neighbors and some he met along the way. As his steps got faster, his memories flooded. He thought of the fatal fever Quark had at the age of 3. That was one of the scariest days he had to go through as a guardian. That little baby, who could barely form proper sentences, who wholly depended on Tenmyouji to look after them. Sometimes, he missed that. He missed being needed by that little child, their giggles and their wild imaginative stories of the games they played with kids on the block. He knew that with time those would go away, and that the moments were precious; however, he couldn't help but feel greedy and selfish. He wished for more of those moments. Unfortunately, Quark’s independence was near and the things he could teach them were getting limited compared to before. He wanted Quark to look after themselves, be their own person and stand on their own two feet and not be bound to their decaying Grandpa. Unbeknownst to him, he was unaware of Quark’s unchanged wishes of wanting to look after their old man and stand along him until he drew his last breath on this earth.
Not to mention the fact that he put them through the Ambidex Game when they could have stayed on Earth and gone on with the new life they managed.They could have carried on like a normal child, without all the trauma he felt liable to that the game brought. He felt like a fool to make Quark chase after Akane for so long too, the guilt ate him alive for a while nevertheless he took his own advice, he couldn’t change reality, this reality. So he made the best of it and played his cards.
It took him a bit longer than he wished to find someone and head back home. Thankfully, the doctor said it’s just a regular flu, combined with probable exhaustion or stress that weakened Quark’s system. Those words left a stinging feeling on the old man, he never intended to work the child to the bone, were they stressed or busy about something that he didn’t know? Teens usually kept secrets, he did too back in the day however he didn’t expect it from Quark. Did they not trust him?
When the doctor left, Quark was still seated on their bed. Tenmyouji tried to find the words to start a conversation, yet nothing came out. He just stood for a while, observing Quark then excused himself to make some soup for Quark. He wasn’t exactly the best cook, hell it was nearly impossible for a long while to cook anyway in the apocalyptic world so he kind of forgot how to. He still wasn’t quite used to the post apocalyptic world, cooking always brought on that feeling of normalcy that made him uneasy. He remembered his youth as he stirred the pot.
Quark followed Tenmyouji, watching him cook.
‘’Rest, Quark.’’ Tenmyouji snapped out of his thoughts as he stated firmly.
‘’I don’t feel like sleeping.’’ Quark sat down on the chair of the small dinner table for 2 right by the counter Tenmyouji was now standing in front of.
The old man turned his head to face his grandchild. ‘’At least lay down, it’ll help.’’
Quark frowned. ‘’I want to talk.’’
‘’Sure.’’ Tenmyouji checked on the soup.
‘’I’m sorry, I disappointed you.’’ Quark lowered their head, gazing into the wooden table.
Tenmyouji raised a brow. ‘’What are you talking about, kiddo? Is that what you were stressing over? I should be the one that’s sorry.’’
‘’I couldn’t look after myself, I let myself get sick. I’m weak.’’ Quark explained themselves, fidgeting with their fingers. Their head perked right back up when they noticed their grandpa’s last sentence. ‘’Why would you be sorry?’’
‘’I should’ve dragged ya right out of there. I knew you weren’t fine.’’ Tenmyouji poured Quark a bowl of the finally heated soup and handed it to them. ‘’And letting yourself get sick doesn’t mean you’re weak. You’re the most strong person I know, kiddo.’’ His gaze softened as the words left his mouth. ‘’I’m very proud of you and the person you’re becoming. Just be more careful next time.’’ A smile formed on his face.
Quark smiled back, getting up to grab a spoon. There was a comfortable silence as Quark sat back down and started drinking the soup. Their worries eased as the warmth of the soup left a healing feeling in their body. Immediately after, Quark went to bed and tried to sleep however they still could not.
Tenmyouji sat by the end of the bed after refilling the glass of water from before and setting it down on the desk next to their bed. He took in the sight of his sick grandchild, a hint of worry present on his face. ‘’Sleep.’’ He spoke in a soft tone, pulling the blanket up to cover Quark.
With those words the teenager shut their eyes once again, soon they’d start snoring. The old man didn’t leave until he was sure his grandchild was asleep, and once they were, he got up and looked back at Quark. A small smile was visible on his face however he didn’t quite know why, perhaps it was the feeling of knowing being needed and that his grandchild would be alright.
Tenmyouji pulled out the medicine Quark had to take when he woke up, put it on the counter to give it to them when they woke up and poured himself a tiny bit of scotch. He sat on the couch, back to his never ending thoughts that haunted his day as the sun set.