When Kravitz came back at one in the morning, he found Taako pacing the floor with a very upset Angus in his arms. The baby was just wearing a diaper and Taako was looking very, very frazzled indeed.
“Great, you’re back,” said Taako. “Put that frosty hand of yours on our boy’s brow, real quick. Or hold him.” He didn’t even wait for permission, just thrust a whiny baby into his arms.
Angus just whimpered, but he was scalding hot to Kravitz’s senses. Hotter than Taako usually felt when he felt compelled to pounce on his undead hubby. “He… shouldn’t be this warm,” he allowed.
“No, our boy’s feverish,” said Taako. He had his Stone of Farspeech out and was apparently dialling a frequency from memory. “And it’d help if a certain alleged Cleric would PICK UP HIS DAMN STONE!”
Angus mewled piteously, poor baby had hardly any voice left to cry.
Kravitz hummed some soothing tunes, not exactly focussed on a spell, just trying to soothe their baby. Poor little Ango. Apa Taako had tried several home remedies, if the mess on the counter was any indication. Herbal teas and medicines, ice, herbal teas turned into ice… cooling washcloths, the lot.
“…the frequency you called did not pick up, if you would like to leave a message…” Taako slapped the stone down with an, “Abraca-fuck-you!”
Angus cried weakly, a limp and miserable weight in Kravitz’s arms.
“I could try a healing spell,” Kravitz offered.
Taako took a few steadying breaths. “You got Cure Disease?”
“No, but I do have Revifying Slumber… it might help break the fever if it counts as a Condition.”
“Worth a shot,” Taako shrugged. “I’m calling Mags. He’s closer to Bottlenose Cove, so he can go kick Merle’s ass for me.”
Kravitz started humming Lean on Me as he juggled Angus from one shoulder to the other. The magic flowed with the notes and Angus drowsed as he sucked his thumb. It was difficult for him to tell as he warmed up through the power of true love, but it seemed like Angus’ fever might be easing.
“Yeah, that’s Krav in the background. Ango’s sleeping for now, but… babies, right? Just… go sic your direhounds on Merle and get up his ass for having his Stone turned off. We need a cure or a rest or something… Already? Sweet. Soon.” Taako hung up. “Magnus is rushing in.”
“That’s good news,” sighed Kravitz. “Did my spell work?”
Taako felt their baby. “Still hot, so… nope. At least he gets a little sleep, poor mite.”
…and the parents, not so much. Kravitz could tell. “Have you had any kind of rest?”
“For the two days since you left?” Taako asked. “He started on this thing yesterday and I’ve been calling the Dwarf every other hour since that afternoon.”
So… possibly not. “I’m guessing I can’t spell you on this watch?”
“Fuck no.” Taako’s stone chimed, indicating Merle’s frequency. Taako pounced, “ThisiscasadelTaako, pleasetellmeyou’recominghere,”
Magnus’ voice said, “He had it on Silent the entire time, and yes, I am bringing him. Super-speed.”
“…fuck me, he has the Boots of Haste again,” muttered Taako. “Great news, lug. Just make sure he doesn’t impact the door on his way in. And re-set his fucking Stone while you’re there.”
“I already did that.”
Taako wavered a little during a really long blink. Kravitz caught him in a spare arm and guided him to the couch, draping a sleeping baby across his chest. “You just keep him close, Dove. I’ll do all the fielding.”
Taako mumbled, “You know I’m going to catch whatever crud Ango’s got, right? I’m going to be hideously ill.”
Kravitz said, “In sickness and health, babe,” and then smooched both his loves.
Magnus rushed in, Dwarven Cleric over his shoulder. Dogs at his heels. Every cat in Casa del Taako fled for safe enclosures and Angus himself woke at the ruckus and started his weak cries again.
Taako got up, glaring boiling liquid death at Merle and Magnus, and began again on the Grumpy Baby Two-step. “Get on over here and do that voodoo you do, damnit,” he grouched.
“I did make a promise,” Merle grumped, waddling over to the centre of attention. Taako sat so he could reach, and tried to fend off the sniffing and curious dogs that seemed to be everywhere.
“Heel,” Magnus barked, and the dogs seemingly evaporated from the area, clustering around the big, burly oaf. “Sit,” and they sat, panting in the way that all dogs did when they knew they were being good good boys.
Merle laid on hands and mumbled a few words to Pan and finally, Angus’ fever broke. “He’ll be able to ride out the rest, no trouble,” he announced. “Just a cold.”
“Just a cold,” mocked Taako. “Dude, a cold doesn’t drag out that long. Susan and her fucking anti-vax and wine crowd let that killer ‘flu get loose, didn’t they?”
“It wasn’t the killer ‘flu, geez…” Merle rolled his eyes. “It’s just some cruddy rhinovirus that’s doing the rounds. Hit him a little hard, that’s all.”
“I’m gonna tear her and her little disease vectors a new one, just you wait,” Taako vowed.
“After a decent nap, Dove?” suggested Kravitz. “And a good meal. When was the last time you ate?” He was definitely two-missed-dinners crabby. Kravitz could tell.
“Uuuuuhhhh…”
“Yeah, you need to eat something,” decided Magnus. “One Magnus Special coming right up.”
“Oh gods, not Depression Dinner,” moaned Taako. “Out of the way, lugnuts, you always get the spice profile wrong…”
Magnus shot Kravitz an ‘OK’ sign and then scooped up Merle for the trip back. “It’s been a slice. See you soon.”
Magnus, Merle, dogs and all zipped away in a small cloud of dust, leaving Kravitz the alleged trouble of getting his two closest treasures to bed.
[TAZ Prompts Remaining: 1]
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Tumbl'd 3: Forever TAZ - Chapter 45 - InterNutter - The Adventure Zone (Podcast) [Archive of Our Own]
In this chapter - Young Angus takes care of a sick Taako… for a change
Challenge #01542-D081: A Painful Setback
Like most toilets in Educational facilities this one was littered in graffiti, some of it actually, (a) anatomically correct and, (b) spelled right. Someone had scrawled ‘Plumbing does not define Genius or Worth!’ – Anon Guest
Those were inspirational words, but when one was battling digestive upset, plumbing certainly interfered with one’s ability to learn. Taerl read arguments from other scholars, including one who repeatedly asked for proof of assorted statements. Someone else, irritated with the non-rebuttal, had scrawled, DO YOUR OWN FARKIN RESEARCH on top of the non-argument.
Maester Jaal insisted that Taerl was not used to the food in this immense school, or that she wasn’t used to the water. Maester Jaal had also insisted that Taerl take time off to acclimate to the food, the water, and the way of life that was so very different to her former home. Taerl couldn’t do it. This was a place that had everything she could possibly need, where people talked to her as if she were a full-grown man with lands and holdings and everything. Where people greeted her ignorance with reactions like, “Oh, you are in for a treat,” instead of calling her stupid. Where people looked at her in admiration and not revulsion and fear.
And where, unfortunately, the local food or the local water had her going to the privy every five minutes.