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Upon waking, Time felt better, but he was still miserable . A fever was hot across his brow, burning his eyes and drawing up small tears. Sweat clung to his neck and back, causing his hair and clothes to stick to his blotted skin. His throat was dry, his nose full, his head felt ready to burst. There was a dryness to his fingertips, even as the backs of his knees were soaked with sweat, and every joint in his body had an opinion on his current health or lack thereof. With a groan, he opened his eyes, wincing as the crust in his lashes tried to keep them shut.
He drew his hands to his face, picking away the yellowish gunk clinging to his eyelids. A particularly sharp grain poked the side of his nose, causing him to flinch with a curl of his lip. Time drew in a rasp breath, exhaling it through a dry cough. He pushed himself up on his palms, slouching forward with a low groan. He kneaded at his chest as if trying to break up the congestion in his lungs.
“Good morning, sprite,” Warriors croaked from the other bed.
Time lifted his head with a sniffle, spying the captain. Warriors looked to be in the same sort of condition, his eyes sunken and complexion pallid. The captain read a book, licking at his chapped lips as he tried to soften the peeling skin.
“You look like death warmed over,” Time remarked.
“Then that means you’re death spoiled on the pavers,” Warriors retorted with a slight smile.
Time snorted softly, drawing his blanket over his shoulders to stave off a feverish chill. He glanced towards the narrow window separating their rented room from the wintery night outside. The shutters were closed, but Time knew it was just past one in the morning. For a moment, he basked in the strange hour, feeling the pressure of subtle magic and the silence of a sleeping world.
“Did you turn the light on?” Time asked, glancing at the lamp flickering on the table.
Warriors shook his head. “It was on when I woke,” he answered.
Time sighed tiredly. “Twilight, then.”
Warriors frowned softly. “None of the others are well enough to look after each other,” he said. “I don’t think I’d last more than 20 minutes on my feet.”
Time nodded, agreeing with a grim look.
Outside of the men’s room, downstairs at the hearth, Twilight coughed into his shoulder. His cough was harsh and dry, straining an aching throat as clots of thick, opaque mucus tried to come up. He swallowed it back down with an uncomfortable groan. He could be sick after the others were better. In the meantime, as it’d been for two days now, he would take care of them.
The rancher withdrew a kettle from the fire, flinching as its whistle buzzed in his sore ears. He poured the hot water in a ceramic pot, steeping a blend of medicinal herbs for his brothers. Warriors and Time were last of his rounds before he’d allow himself just an hour of rest. His sense of smell usually acute, Twilight couldn’t even pick up on the strong odor of the tea. He was simply too congested.
His head swam, his thoughts submerged in some tepid haze. He carried the tea upstairs, shuffling over stiff knees and a sore back. His shoulders throbbed, his head pounded. His thoughts sloshed back and forth as if trapped in a basin, and his ears rang. It was easier for him to simply not think at all, to give his body over to his illness if it meant staying focused on his work.
The rancher let out a shudder as darkness ebbed his vision. He was up the final step, staggering forwards. His shoulder met the wall and for a moment, he bowed his head and drew in a breath. Sweat gathered across his brow and palms, his stomach sinking. Twilight shook away the dizzy spell, pushing himself ahead towards Time and Warriors’ room.
“What a mess,” Time grumbled, wiping his damp face on his shirt. “I’ve never felt so horrid in my life.”
Warriors nodded. “It’s an issue of exposure,” the captain assumed. “We’re all very unused to each other’s illnesses to begin with, but we’re in an era none of us recognize. It was only a matter of time before—”
A dull thud startled the men, a sharp crash following. Something shattered, something splashed. Warriors and Time traded a look before hurrying out of bed. Warriors drew a robe over his shoulders, Time hugged himself for warmth.
The two men peered into the hall, gasping at the heap of rancher laying on the old floorboards. A broken teapot and two cups lay ahead of Twilight, a splash of hot tea reeking of herbs stained the floor. Twilight groaned softly, struggling to come to his senses.
“Rancher,” Warriors gasped, kneeling at Twilight’s side.
He lay a hand on Twilight’s shoulder, shaking him.
Twilight opened a bleary eye, folding into a coughing fit. His skin was red, hot with fever, his eyes watery and bloodshot. His upper lip was raw where thin snot ran over the skin, licked and wiped away time and again. His hair was stringy, wet with sweat and oil. He smelled sick, even through the captain’s dulled nose.
“Oh pup,” Time sighed. “Are you alright?”
Twilight managed a weak nod. He planted one palm down, dragging himself upright. He swayed slightly, catching himself on his other hand. Twilight winced as his palm glanced a ceramic shard, splitting his palm in a shallow cut. Time quickly stole the hand, pressing his shirt to the wound to stop the bleeding.
“So…ry,” Twilight wheezed, his voice in and out. “S…ry…”
“No, no,” Warriors hushed, rubbing Twilight’s back. “Don’t apologise.”
His palm to Twilight’s back, Warriors could feel the rattle in the man’s chest with every breath. Twilight crumbled into another coughing fit, only stopping once a thick glob of yellow mucus landed on the floor.
He tried to whisper out another apology, but his voice was lost to illness.
“It’s alright,” Time eased. “You need to rest now.”
Twilight shook his head, gathering his face stubbornly.
“Twilight,” Warriors argued, “you’re in no shape—”
“You—” Twilight got out, his voice faint before it failed him.
“We’re in better health than you,” Time reasoned. “When did you sleep last?”
Twilight shook his head slightly. He hadn’t slept, not since he was the only one left to take care of his brothers. Misery meant nothing in the face of keeping them safe.
Time frowned sternly.
“Come along,” Warriors said, pulling Twilight to his feet. “Bedtime—”
Twilight pushed Warriors away more harshly than he meant to. He was often grouchy when he felt unwell, unable to curb his usual temper through discomfort.
Time licked his lips in thought. “Twilight,” he said, “if you won’t sleep, that’s alright.”
Warriors shot Time a look.
“But I’m having trouble sleeping,” Time continued.
Twilight looked up, bleary eyed.
“Would you lay down with me?” Time asked. “Just for a little while. I think it would help.”
Twilight considered for a moment. The rancher couldn’t even begin to fathom he was being tricked into resting. His fever had such a hold on him that he couldn’t piece together a thought beyond the immediate request.
Twilight nodded.
“Thank you,” Time said, taking Twilight’s hand. “Come with me.”
Time glanced back at Warriors, trading a nod with the captain. Warriors left to find a broom and towel to clean up the rancher’s mess. Time ushered Twilight to bed.
“Could you get in first?” Time asked. “I like having the side open.”
Twilight rubbed at an eye, nodding. He bowed his head in another cough before he clambered into the twin bed. Time helped him, one hand on the rancher’s back. The eldest hero tucked Twilight in, sitting on the side of the bed.
Twilight’s eyes dipped, his weight sinking into the thin mattress. He was asleep before he could help it, drawing in a rattling snore. Time brushed his fingers through Twilight’s hair, ensuring his pup slept soundly.
“Pull the blanket off,” Warriors said as he returned. “He’s already too warm.”
Time nodded, peeling back the scratchy comforter. Twilight grasped at the old sheet, pulling it over his shoulder. He rolled over to his stomach, settling into a feverish sleep once more.
“He’ll be upset if he wakes up alone,” Time sighed.
Warriors nodded. “I know, but it’s dangerous for him to have any outside heat right now.”
The captain held his chin in thought. He paused, lighting up after a moment. Warriors picked up one of the spare pillows, dressing it with one of Time’s extra tops. The captain leaned over, tucking the pillow to Twilight’s stomach. The rancher, restless through his temperature, immediately took to the makeshift Time.
“That should help,” Warriors said.
Time smiled slightly. “Smart thinking.”
The captain sat on the other bed again, rubbing his brow. “What did I tell you?” he groaned. “20 minutes and I’m spent.”
Time rubbed the captain’s head. “Get some rest,” he said. “I’ll stay up a while longer.”
“Time—”
“Warriors,” Time said sternly. “I’ll be fine . I’ll take it easy, I promise.”
The captain frowned, but nodded. He lay down, surprised when Time tucked him in. Time sat beside the captain, rubbing his thumb along Warriors’ hairline. Warriors opened his mouth to speak, but only a drowsy mumble escaped as his eyes fell closed with a deep sigh.