Tending To Prey
SUMMARY: Naku cares for you after you fall ill
CONTENT: Naku X GN!Reader
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The wind howled outside as the blizzard raged even more furiously than usual. Even so you let the fur hang loose around your shoulders as sweat dripped from your forehead, your mind clouded and dazed as you lowered yourself pressing your head to the cool metal of the cage floor slipping into unconsciousness.
You woke to the sound of snapping bones, looking over you see Naku hunched over the cauldron. “Go back to sleep…”, he spoke softly, to the point you could barely hear him over the wind outside. Only then did you realize you were no longer in the cage but in his bed instead, a cool rag resting on your forehead.
“Naku…?”, you began, voice hoarse. “Rest.”, he cut you off sharply. You stare up at the ceiling for a moment before closing your eyes trying and failing to fall back asleep. After a long moment of silence you feel something set beside you, opening your eyes once more you find a steaming cup of tea. “It’ll help you sleep…”, his voice taking a more gentle tone as he glanced at you over his shoulder before returning his attention to the cauldron. Taking a sip you find it to be sweet and flowery reminding you of the fleeting springs that graced your village. After you finished the cup your eyes grew heavy as you finally lulled to sleep.
The next time you woke the sun had set and the rich aroma coming from the cauldron made your stomach growl. “It’s good to see you still have an appetite…”, he said, almost sounding genuine though he had a mocking smile on his face as he ladled a good amount of soup into a wooden bowl before sitting beside you holding out a spoonful of the soup. “I-i can do it myself…”, you blushed, thankful for the fever to blame it on. “Now what kind of owner would I be if I didn't care for my pet?~”, he teased, lifting the spoon further from your reach. “Come on now little prey say ah~”, you finally relent allowing him to spoonfeed you. The soup was a rich bone marrow soup that warmed you from within and while embarrassing being like this reminded you of a kinder time back when you were much younger before you were the bringer of calamity, before the arctic demon, before-
“Little prey?”, he looked down at you head tilted curiously as he set aside the empty bowl. “I got lost in thought…sorry.”, you looked away, quickly blinking the blurriness from your eyes. He stared for a long moment before finally stepping away and coming back with a small ceramic jar. “Stay still for a moment…”, he said as he unbuttoned the first few buttons of your tunic exposing your chest. Dipping his fingers in the jar he gently rubs an ointment that smelled of peppermint and eucalyptus on your chest.
“You should rest now, I don’t quite care for sickly prey…Makes the meat taste spoiled.”, he smiled wickedly as he laid down beside the bed. “Won’t you be cold?”, you questioned without thinking straight, brushing off his overstated comments of devouring you. “Little prey you forget I don't get cold but if you're offering to warm me up, I will happily oblige.”, without giving you time to respond he shuffles under the covers with you.” W-what if I get you sick?...”, you questioned softly. “I'm a demon little prey. It takes a lot for me to get sick.” he says with pride as he shuffles closer gathering you in his arms. “...Thank you for taking care of me.”, you mumbled into his chest before looking up at him seeing his shocked expression.
“You're welcome Little prey…Get some sleep.”
