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Molly found Essek curled up on the couch, a purring cat nestled in the curve of his body, face buried in a plush pillow. It was a bit hard to breathe like that, but he felt too lazy-comfortable-heavy to move. He was dozing in and out of a trance, lulled by the sound of rain hitting the large stained glass window, when Molly made his way home.
“You look comfy.” The tiefling said from the doorway. Essek pried open one eye to watch Mollymauk kick his wet muddy boots off, leaving them strewn across the entryway with carelessness that always drove Essek crazy.
“Mmmph,” He closed his eyes again, pretending he didn’t see it.
The sounds of Molly shuffling out of his wet coat now buzzed around in his head. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but he suddenly startled awake with a hard flinch at the unexpected sensation of hands on his face.
“Sorry! Sorry! It’s just me. It’s Molly, sorry about that.” Essek opened his eyes again. Molly was much closer than before, crouched in front of him, hands up as if approaching a frightened animal. The tiefling had changed clothes and put his hair up into a messy bun. How long had he closed his eyes? Surely it had just been a moment?
“I didn’t mean to startle. I was just checking. You feelin’ alright, love?”
“M'fine,” Essek mumbled, trying to shake the cobwebs from his brain. Actually, he felt as if he was a ball of achy static, and that gravity had localized over him, making his body heavy, compressing him into the couch cushions, but he wasn't sure how to explain that. He pushed himself up on shaky arms, trying to blink away some sudden dizziness. “Just tired, I think. Perhaps it’s the weather.”
“Hmmm…” Molly was still watching him closely. “I think you have a fever, though.” He held up his hands again, “May I?”
Essek hummed his permission, although he didn't really understand what was being asked.
Slowly, Mollymauk brought one hand to Essek’s forehead, the other resting in the juncture between neck and shoulder, a steadying pressure.
He initially wanted to deny being sick, convinced it was just a side effect of changing weather and the groggy disorientation of sleeping instead of trancing. But he realized now that he must be feverish. His face burned at the closeness and the feeling of Molly’s calloused palm against his skin. He felt a bit dizzy again.
Molly frowned. “Yeah, you're pretty warm, and this is coming from me.” Mollymauk always ran warm, even more so than Caleb.
Inexplicably tired and sore, Essek let Mollymauk fuss over him. He answered questions like ‘How long have you been feeling sick?’ and ‘When was the last time you ate?’ As accurately as possible, which was not very accurate at all. He had been feeling a bit off for a few days, but it wasn't until today that the uncomfortable feeling had solidified into a feverish ache. He hadn't been hungry this morning, and skipped breakfast. He had intended to make lunch, but procrastinated because he still wasn't hungry, and then dozed off. He had no idea how long he had been out by the time Molly came home.
Mollymauk became a doting whirlwind, settling Essek back against the couch cushions, this time in a less suffocating position, and tucking a throw blanket over him before bustling off to the kitchen, declaring that it was time for soup.
Essek sat, a bit dazed. He was startled back to reality when he heard a loud metallic crash from the kitchen.
He stood, hurrying off to investigate the sound. Despite his hurry, however, he was loath to part from the warmth of the blanket, so he wrapped it tightly around himself, floating just high enough to keep it from dragging on the floor.
“Are you alright?” he asked, hovering near the kitchen doorway. Mollymauk was in the process of picking up a few pans that had fallen and scattered across the floor.
“Shit, shit. Nope. I mean yes, I’m fine. Sorry about that. Go back and rest.” he shooed Essek away from where he had begun to lean down to retrieve a pot that had rolled under the table. “What do you think you're doing? go sit.”
Essek smiled slightly; a bit confused. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“I already told you. I’m making soup.” Mollymauk pulled a few potatoes and carrots from the storage.
Essek checked the cat-shaped clock that hung on the wall.
“It’s nearly four-thirty, you haven't eaten yet? I thought you had a, ah, ‘lunch date’ with Yasha today?”
Molly paused from where he was taking out a large knife.
“The soup. Is for you.” He said, slowly. He gestured at Essek with the hand holding the knife, then seemed to belatedly remember he was holding the knife, quickly jerking it back to point the sharp end away from either of them.
Oh. Oh.
Essek felt very dumb. He blamed it on the fever.
“Oh, no- Mollymauk, that's very kind, but you don't have to-.”
“I know. But I'm going to.”
“Really, please don't trouble yourself.”
“Come now, love, just-” Mollumauk paused, looking torn, “I mean, if you really want me out of your hair, I’ll leave you alone, fuck right off, as long as you promise to eat something first. But, but- I’d like it very much if you'd let me take care of you a bit, at least until Caleb gets home. It's no trouble, not to me.”
Mollymauk was looking at him with such a kicked-puppy expression that Essek felt guilty. But, he also felt guilty for making Mollymauk cook for him. He hesitated.
“...At least let me help you…” Essek finally conceded, with a shy smile. If he was going to feel guilty either way, he may as well choose the option where he gets to enjoy some soup, he decided.
Mollymauk grinned and rolled his eyes good naturedly. “One day, I'll get you to let me properly pamper you,” he sighed, “but, today is not that day. Today, we make soup!”
With a flourish, he pulled out a chair for Essek, getting him settled at the table with a vegetable peeler and some potatoes, while the tiefling himself turned to the counter, humming a lively tune as he chopped carrots and celery, and set some leftover broth in a pot, alongside a kettle, to boil.
Essek's body was uncooperative, feeling slow and clumsy. The potatoes were a bit sloppily peeled, but Mollymauk didn't mention it, only murmuring a soft ‘Thank you, Dear.’ as picked them up and moved them to his own workstation to prepare them for the pot.
Essek asked for his next task, but Mollymauk shook his head and chuckled. In the blink of an eye he swiped the peeler out of Essek’s hands, replacing it with a warm mug of tea before the drow could react.
“Drink, sit back, and enjoy the show. I do love an audience,” Molly said, twirling back around to the counter and wiggling his tail suggestively.
Essek laughed softly and hid his blush with a deep drink from his mug. He wasn't sure how to respond, so he quietly did as he was told; He sat back and drowsily sipped his tea as he watched the tiefling work. Essek let his eyes wander, blinking at the light refraction off glittering jewelry that hung from his horns, tracing the lines of Mollymauk’s forearms as he worked, admiring the artwork that adorned the purple skin, and following the happy, lazy pattern that tieflings' tail cut through the air.
Soon, everything was finished and set to simmer. All there was left to do was wait. Mollymauk turned to him, absentmindedly drying his hands on a soft pink tea towel.
“You look like you could use a nap.”
He did feel exhausted, despite hardly doing anything. He really wanted to lay down.
“Mmn, well, you did give me the most difficult task. Peeling potatoes is quite strenuous.”
“Pfft, you wizards and your noodle arms.” Mollymauk came closer, “May I?” he asked again, gesturing to Essek’s face.
“Oh, ah-, yes. You may.” Essek lowered his gaze to his nearly-gone tea as Mollymauk leaned down and pressed the back of a hand against Essek’s forehead; other hand coming up to gently cradle his jaw. It was comforting, and Essek barely managed to keep himself from leaning into the touch.
Mollymauk’s hand felt almost cool against his skin, which felt nice, but was probably not a good sign. Mollymauk must have thought so, as well. He sucked in a breath through his teeth. His thumb began rubbing comfortingly against Essek’s cheek, and this time he couldn't resist leaning into the contact. He could probably fall asleep like this.
“Shite, you feel even hotter than before.” He stood upright, taking his hands away, much to Essek’s disappointment. Molly crossed his arms and tapped his foot in thought for a moment, tail lashing. Ah, that's cute, Essek thought.
“Let me draw you a bath. Not a hot one. We need to cool you down. I think we have some medicine-tea-stuff” he waved his hands about as he talked, “from the Clays, left over from last time our Magic Man caught a cold. If not I might hop the back fence and see if Yasha’s got any good stuff. But first, bath and more tea. Then soup. Caleb might be home by then, too.”
Mollymauk was speaking quickly, and Essek was struggling to keep up with what he was saying. He let himself be led up the stairs to the bathroom. He sat on a stool, still wrapped in blankets, as Molly started the water and laid out towels and washcloths and a change of clothes. He searched in the cabinet next to the sink, where they kept medicines and first aid supplies, both magical and conventional.
“Ah ha! Here we are!” He pulled out a lightly battered tin. It was only labeled with a small painting of a plant, clusters of purple blooms and almond shaped leaves. Essek recognized it, but still mentally put together a plan to organize and label all their supplies another time. He should actually probably reorganize the soaps and such too, it had become a bit cluttered since Mollymauk moved in and-oh, Mollymauk was talking. Essek blinked.
“-have this ready when you get out,” The tub was mostly full, and Mollymauk turned off the tap, sticking a hand in to test the temperature. He wrinkled his nose, “Sorry, not gonna feel as good as our Caleb’s hot tub, but it’ll help.” He stood back to give Essek some space.
“Thank you,” Essek murmured. He slipped the blanket off his shoulders, feeling strangely naked without it despite still being fully dressed in crumpled and sweaty lounge clothes. He folded it neatly, then paused, fiddling with a few loose threads. Mollymauk was still standing there, bouncing on the balls of his feet and looking around the room thoughtfully. Essek cleared his throat. “I-ah-,” his throat caught: he coughed again, “I think I can manage this part on my own, Mollymauk.”
Molly blinked, shoulders jumping, eyes wide. “Oh, oh yeah, of course. Sorry, sorry. About that. I wasn't- ah,- okay.” Mollymauk backed out of the room as he spoke, closing the door behind him. Essek had never seen the tiefling flustered before. He took a moment to appreciate the rare treat, despite his own burning cheeks. He breathed an unsteady laugh into the silence that Molly left behind.
Finally, Essek turned and undressed, slipping into the bath. Earlier, he had sneakily entertained the thought of using magic to heat the bath once Mollymauk had slipped away, but now that he was sitting in the cool water, he found himself sighing in relief. It wasn’t freezing, for which he was very thankful, but it also wasn't even close to the near-scalding temperatures he usually preferred to bathe in. The water quenched the heat radiating from his skin and dulled his aches, leaving him feeling refreshed and clear-headed. He soaked a washrag and dabbed it across his cheeks, forehead, and around his neck, sighing happily again. He cleaned himself of fever-sweat and let his mind drift.
It was strange, but not bad, having Mollymauk here. A few years ago, he wouldn't have been able to imagine having this kind of…friendship with the silent, wide-eyed tiefling they pulled from the ruined city. Although, barely a year before that, before meeting the Nein, he wouldn't have been able to imagine anyone, aside from perhaps Verin, drawing him a bath or making tea when he was ill.
His thoughts wandered more, to Mollymauk. This was very kind of the tiefling, but Essek sternly told himself that shouldn't allow it to happen again. Yes, through their mutual love of Caleb, they had grown quite close. Yes, He was,..terribly fond of Mollymauk. But, Mollymauk wasn't his, and he shouldn't take advantage of his kindness, or make a burden of himself when Mollymauk was only here, in this house, for Caleb.
Essek frowned, dropping his hands away from his face and watching the silhouettes shift and ripple in the soapy water. That wasn't quite right, though, he scolded himself.
He still had a long way to go, but he was getting better at recognizing troublesome thought patterns.
He knew it would be healthy and responsible to unpack his thoughts, stop and think about his reactions, like Caduceus often told him. But today he was sick, and the cool water had begun to outlive its comforting properties, so he decided to just abandon that upsetting train of thought altogether, tucking it away for later retrospection. Another coin in a jar.
He finished washing up, and had just stepped into the pair of leggings Mollymauk had set out for him when said tiefling knocked on the door.
“Hey, uh. You alright in there, drow man? Tea’s ready, Soups nearly done.”
“Ah- yes, apologies, just a moment.”
“Take your time love, I was just checking, Caleb would be upset if I let his favorite wizard drown while I was downstairs fucking around and making a cup of tea.”
Essek slipped on the tunic that was set aside for him. It was too big. Molly must have grabbed one of Caleb’s shirts by mistake. Essek didn't mind it one bit, though; he felt childish for it, but it was strangely comforting. He adjusted the collar to keep his shoulder from slipping though before reclaiming the blanket that he set aside earlier, wrapping it around his shoulders.
He blinked in surprise when he opened the door, Mollymauk was very close, and looked just as surprised.
“Didn't mean to crowd ya,” He stepped back, and began leading Essek not back to the living room, but to the bedroom. It was technically Essek and Caleb’s room, but over the past few months the lines had blurred somewhere, and all three of them ended up sharing it more often than not, whenever Mollymauk was in town. He sat Essek on the bed. “You’re looking better. Knew a bath would help. Let me check your temp?” Essek nodded, and resisted the urge to lean into that comforting touch again. “How are you feeling?”
Essek’s stomach answered for him, and he suddenly realized he was hungry. He tried to control his blush, but knew he completely failed at it. At least he could blame it on the fever, he comforted himself. “Ah, well…. I suppose, I am looking forward to that soup you promised.”
Mollymauk laughed, sounding strangely delighted. “Well, you’ve cooled down some, but we'll have to see if it sticks. At least your appetite’s back! Let’s get you that soup I promised.” Essek made to stand, to follow Mollymauk to the kitchen, but the tiefling lightly nudged him back onto the mattress.
He sat down hard, bouncing a bit on the plush covers, “Oh,..?”
“Nope! You. You stay here. I will bring you your soup. Come on, under here with you.” Mollymauk tugged the duvet out from under Essek’s butt, turning them back to make a comfortable looking nest for the drow.
Essek's heart jumped. Making him a comforting meal was a sweet gesture, but having Molly bring it to him while he laid in bed like, a- a spoiled prince,....It would be terribly selfish of him to accept that, wouldn't it? Cheeks and ears burning, he tried to protest. But, Molly just shushed and tutted away his objections. In the blink of an eye, he found himself tucked into bed resting against a mound of pillows.
Mollymauk smoothed the covers down before sitting himself on the bed, leg pressed against Esseks over the covers. He placed a hand on the back of Essek’s neck, and leaned in close, touching their foreheads together, “I know, I know, you wizards and your ‘thinking you don't deserve things’. i'll have none of it. Think of it this way; I would be ab-so-lutely miserable if I knew you were feeling bad but wouldn't let me help. I already said, it's no trouble to me, so, let me do this, yeah?” Mollymauk craned his neck, giving Essek a kiss on the forehead before standing to leave. “Now, you just sit here and wait for soup time.”
Essek, wide eyes and burning up, closed his mouth and waited for soup.
He was still sitting in exactly the same position, brain full of static, when Mollymauk returned carrying a tray. He stepped gingerly to avoid the cat that weaved its way around his feet as he shouldered the door open. He tutted, shooing the creature away with his tail.
“No soup for cats! I already fed you, you spoiled beast.” Molly laughed, lowering the tray to Essek’s lap. “Here you are, the Tealeaf Special.” There was a steaming mug of tea, a few thick slices of bread, and a frankly ridiculously generous portion of soup.
Essek’s blamed the sudden wave of emotion on the illness scrambling his brain. He blinked hard, picking up the mug of tea and breathing in the steam deeply before taking a slow sip.
“Alright, love?” Mollymauk looked worried.
Essek cleared his throat, and managed to get a hold of himself. “Yes, yes I am fine, thank you so much Mollymauk. Everything looks wonderful.” he turned his attention to the soup, which indeed looked and smelled delicious. He tried to pace himself, but he was hungry, and the soup was delicious. He found himself quite a good way through it before he started to slow down.
“It-this is very delicious, Mollymauk, this is lovely, really, but…I'm not sure if I can finish…,” he hoped Mollymauk wouldn't be offended, but he was already very full, and the heavy tiredness from earlier had begun to creep back in. He shouldn't have worried, though; Mollymauk didn't seem bothered in the least. He gave Essek another kiss on the forehead, took the tray back to the kitchen, leaving Essek with the mug and an order to at least finish the tea.
Essek obediently drank, set the mug aside on the night table, and laid back with a sigh. Sleepy, and a little dizzy again, he pulled the blankets over himself, turning to bury his face in the soft pillows. He felt the subtle bounce-and-dip of a cat jumping onto the mattress. No respect for personal space, it stretched out across his side, making its own bed out of him. It effectively trapped him in this position, but it was a comforting weight. He closed his eyes and replayed the afternoon’s events in his mind, for once not trying to overanalyze, just simply…thinking, on them. Eventually he heard the sound of someone entering the room.
Mollymauk breathed a laugh, “That can not possibly be comfortable,” he said, voice barely a whisper.
“Mn,” Essek’s reply, muffled by his pillow.
Another quiet laugh, some shuffling. The mattress dipped beside him.
He was already floating in the buzzing, relaxed space right before sleep, but when he felt gentle hands begin carding through his hair, nails lightly scratching against his scalp, Mollymauk may as well have a Sleep spell on him.
He sighed, feeling overwhelmingly content-grateful-safe-loved, and drifted to sleep.