The Sickness

Aunora rushed inside the guild, cradling Victor against her chest. She held him tight, feeling his body heat through her parka.

She stood in the midst of the room, trembling, unsure of what even to do next. Victor was still unconscious, surely not a good sign. Umbra had always been the one to tend the sick. If anything, he was the maternal one.

Face drained of color, Aunora grabbed Sedna by the arm, eyes wide. She hated feeling this helpless. “Please, what do I do? I think he's sick. I don't know what's wrong.”

Sedna was entirely unfazed. “It is simply a fever. There is nothing to lose your composure over. All he needs is something to lower his core temperature and to stay hydrated.” Her cold eyes seemed to cut straight through Aunora, “You are his mother, correct? You should know how to deal with this.”

Those words were like knives in Aunora’s stomach. Wounded, she clutched Victor with sweaty hands, forcing herself to breathe.

Lower his body temperature… Aunora bit her lip, suddenly perking up. That's it! She remembered Umbra helping Matthew take a cold shower when his fever spiked to cool him down.

Avoiding Sedna’s gaze, Aunora scrambled into the shower room, kneeling by a rectangular, tile-covered tub. She propped Victor against her torso, tugging at the collar of his coat and shirt and tossing it aside.

Cool water lapped on the walls of the tub, high enough to cover Victor’s hips. Aunora saw Victor twitch when she lowered him inside, groaning as he laid against the side.

“Hey, kiddo, look at me,” Aunora mumbled, cupping water in her hands and pouring it over Victor’s head, “Can you hear me?”

Aunora’s heart pounded, the silence allowing the blood roaring in her ears to be fully heard. Umbra was going to kill her for letting Victor get this sick.

She didn't even know Victor didn't feel good this morning! She had been so busy focusing on the mission that she had let her attention slip off her kids.

How did Umbra juggle it all?

“Mom?” a weak voice asked.

“Victor!” Aunora cried, “Buddy, are you okay?”

Victor’s eyes were half open, blinking slowly as water dripped down his face. “Where are we?” he said slowly, face turning red as he peered below him, “Why am I naked?”

Aunora let her hand settled on Victor’s back, running her fingers through his hair. “I was worried I accidentally killed you,” she said, grinning.

“I passed out, didn't I?” Victor’s bottom lip trembled, “I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-"

“It's okay,” she said, squeezing his hand, “You don't have to apolgize.”

She reached for a towel, lifting Victor out of the tub. He didn't feel as warm as before. Gently, she rubbed his shoulders and torso, keeping him wrapped in her arms as she dried him off. His head was tucked under her chin, his breath falling against her neck in soft puffs. Aunora smiled when she realized Victor had fallen asleep again.

Pulling Victor’s shirt over his head, she gathered him in her arms, trudging down the hallway and entering their sleeping quarters. Seraph was hovering by the door, watching Aunora with nervous eyes.

“He's gonna be fine,” she said, offering Seraph an encouraging nod.

“Matt, wake up,” she whispered, shaking Matthew by the shoulder.

“Huh?” Matthew said, slowly pulling himself out of bed, “What's going on?”

“Victor’s sick,” she said, extending her arms, offering Victor to him, “I think he needs some sleep.”

Matthew flinched, flattening himself against the headboard. It was like Aunora had held out a wild animal. “I, uh-"

Aunora sighed, shaking her head. “Whatever.”

She crawled into her own bed, pulling Victor into the curve of her stomach. Victor’s breathing had become even, arms tucked under his head and forehead resting against Aunora’s chest.

At the other end of the room, Seraph stood, meekly holding his hands together.

“You wanna lay down too?” Aunora asked, twisting around to flash Seraph a smile.

Seraph blushed, but scrambled to Aunora’s side, wrapping around her arm.

Author's Note- catch me sipping some Soft Aunora juice