((Fic based on the anti-sides from @ask-us-sanderssides. Read their story from the beginning here and read more about how they were formed in the story here.))
A/N: Nic is down and out for the count after taking Logan’s sickness. Mephisto continues to research a healing spell, but what if what Nic needs is something more simple than that?
Words: 1,272
Pairing: Nictus (Nicolaus/Luctus - Platonic)
Fandom: Sanders Sides
Triggers: Fainting, sickness - ask me to tag anything if necessary
Logan supported his own anti-side, Nic's arm over his shoulder, as he walked Nic to the main room of the home shared by the anti-sides. Nic was shivering slightly, but his body radiated heat quite profusely. Logan realized in that moment Nic had all the symptoms he himself had been showing approximately four days prior and they had nearly disappeared instantaneously. Had Nic taken his sickness somehow?
Logan knew he would have to research further as it bothered him to know his ignorance of his own well-being had been forced onto another but he was jolted out of his thoughts by a shout.
"Ahhh!! Nic!!!"
Gabriel rushed over to Nic's side as Logan remembered the winged one being Virgil's anti-side. He immediately took Nic from Logan with what appeared like no effort and carried him into a nearby room.
Mephisto walked up next to Logan. "Everything alright between you two now?" He asked as Logan adjusted his glasses. Logan couldn't get over how similar Mephisto looked to Roman, even down to the way he held himself.
"Yes. I understand my inability to control my anger and frustration causes him to snap as explained to me by Luctus." Logan responded. "He inadvertently took over my sickness as well when he entered my body. I'll have to research as to why that could occur..." Mephisto snickered suddenly and Logan turned his gaze to look at him. "Can I ask what you find funny, Mephisto?"
Mephisto cleared his throat but the slight smirk on his face did not disappear. "You sound just like Nicolaus. I mean obviously you would, but it's just really amusing to hear how similar it actually is."
Logan scoffed but couldn't stop the smile that appeared on his face. "Yes well," he released a breath, "Take care of him for me. I have to head back." He patted Mephisto on the shoulder before taking his leave out of the house.
In the bedroom, Gabriel had sat Nic back in his bed after removing his jacket. He gathered more blankets, beginning to fold them carefully to where Nic could be surrounded by warmth on all sides. Mephisto walked in, slipping off his robe and walking over to the unconscious anti-side. He wrapped it gently around Nic's shoulders, pulling his arms gently through the sleeves.
"You need this more than me." Mephisto whispered.
Gabriel adjusted Nic to a more comfortable position and pulled more blankets over him as he began to shiver in his sleep.
"Gabriel, I'm going to research more healing spells to see if I can help him. Will you stay?" Mephisto asked as he conjured his staff.
The winged side nodded, smiling. "Of course. I'll take care of him." Gabriel assured, pulling a chair over to the side of Nic's bed.
Mephisto exited the room as Gabriel decided to grab a couple of rags from the nearby connected washroom. As he ran cold water over them, he suddenly heard panting breaths which brought his attention back to Nic.
Nic's hands gripped the bed sheets tightly, his eyes scrunched in pain and his mouth slightly agape. Gabriel sat the wet rags onto the chair before sitting on the side of the bed, grabbing one of Nic's hands gently.
"Shhhhh... it's okay." Gabriel cooed, rubbing the back of Nic's hand with his thumbs.
"Luc...tus..." Nic said weakly. His breaths began to get more shallow as he repeated the anti-side's name like a mantra. "Luctus... don't go... I'll... I'll protect... you." On the last word, Nic's arms fell limp again and his face softened.
Gabriel stood from the bed, walking out of the room quickly to the room just a few steps down the hall. He knocked twice in succession. Within a few seconds the door open, revealing Luctus, still in his adult form.
"Oh, Gabriel," Luctus said. He opened the door fully and his eyes widened. "What's wrong? You look upset."
"Logan brought back Nic to us and I'm afraid his fever is getting worse," Gabriel explained, rubbing his hands together. "He... he called out for you in his sleep."
Luctus met Gabriel's gaze and then nodded. "I'll go see him."
"Thank you Luctus. Mephisto is working on a spell to help heal Nic so I'm going to go check on him okay?" Gabriel said as he walked away.
"Alright." Luctus called back. He took a deep breath and released it.
Luctus walked down the hallway towards Nic's room. Peeking in just around the door frame, he could see Nic breathing deeply. Luctus could tell his sleep was anything but restful. He walked in, closing the door quietly and made his way over to the bed, sitting down. He reached to the chair, grabbing one of the rags, and used it to wipe Nic's forehead. The man was shivering but he was sweating too. The moral anti-side tossed the rag back onto the chair before turning his gaze away from Nic's face. Luctus didn't like to watch him suffer.
"Luctus..." Luctus blinked, pulled out of his own thoughts and met Nic's half closed eyes with his own. He realized in that moment Nic was trying to lean up towards him.
"Whoa... Nic," Luctus pushed him back towards the pillows but Nic refused to lay down. "You're really out of it. Don't try to move."
Nic sighed, frustrated. He wanted to stay awake, that much was obvious from Luctus's point of view. "Luc... don't... leave..." Nic reached out towards Luctus's face, his fingertips grazing his cheek. "I'll-I'll always.. help you..."
Luctus reached up and grabbed Nic's hand with his own. "I know. Don't worry about me. I promise I'm not going anywhere. Focus on yourself for right now, Nicky," Luctus said calmly with a smile. "Rest for me."
Nic nodded, as his eyes drooped closed and he fell back. He was asleep again before his head hit the pillows. Luctus released a relieved breath, placing Nic's hand back on the bed softly.
Abruptly, Luctus yawned. All of the day's events were catching up to him. He rubbed his eyes and pulled his hood up. Just a nap would be okay, right?
Sometime later, Gabriel and Mephisto walked out of Mephisto's room.
"I think this spell will help Nicolaus to feel better. My previous attempts weren't as strong as this one." Mephisto said confidently as he read over the paper in his hand. “We can try this tomorrow since it’s so late now.”
Gabriel leaned over and gave Mephisto a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm proud of you, love." As they walked past Nic's room door, Gabriel paused. "I'm going to check on Nic. Meet you in the living room in a minute?"
"Okay." Mephisto nodded as the two separated.
Gabriel walked up to Nic's bedroom door. He remembered he had told Luctus to visit Nic so he knocked. After several knocks with no answer, Gabriel entered the room.
The sight Gabriel saw upon opening the door made his heart swell. Nic and Luctus lay together on the bed, both sound asleep. Nic's head was resting on Luctus's and his arm had been wrapped around Luctus's waist. Luctus's left arm was across Nic's body in a protective manner.
Gabriel stifled his happy giggles as he quietly walked over to the bed. He felt Nic's forehead and was relieved to feel Nic's body temperature had fallen considerably.
The angel left as quiet as he came, returning to the main room. Mephisto saw him return and looked up from his notes. "How's Nicolaus?"
Gabriel turned back to the room before he looked back at Mephisto, smiling brightly. "He's doing just fine. He's in good hands."
