hugtopia | [video]

[Undertaker... has been dreadfully silent these past several days. Indeed, these past several weeks. Anyone who knows him, the few who may have known he takes daily walks around the city at least, might have noticed his lack of voice, met with a half hearted smile and a nod of the head, when he can be found at all.]

[With the recent heat waves and his penchant for wearing longer sleeves, it might seem to explain itself. But then, there may yet be another reason.]

[One that happens to have been caught on video, as some may find here. In a room in one of the temple chambers, the man sits on the edge of a bed, looking down at Ciel as the boy sleeps peacefully. He should be smiling, perhaps, glad to see the boy safe and warm and alive. Normally, he would, but something is wrong and he can't explain it. He can't even name it.]

[Worse yet, despite his efforts, despite anyone's efforts, nothing has yet reversed it.]

[So for now, he sits at Ciel's side, watching over the boy. And before the feed ends, a single tear slips free and trails down Undertaker's cheek.]

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[Neither can he. It terrifies him every time, afraid of leaving Undertaker and going back to London. Of the Undertaker he might find there instead of his Undertaker, who might not recognize him or not care for him the same way.]

I was afraid you'd say that. [But he smiles all the same, turning onto his side on the bed so they can both be comfortable. That hand draped over his chest feels nice and his smile gets warmer.

He can't help lifting that hand a moment to kiss at his knuckles before cuddling close.]

So could you. I think this might be the best part of this entire stay.

[The kiss doesn't bother him, and he rubs the back of one finger down Astre's cheek for it in his appreciation. But rather than leave their hands joined, he takes his back and drapes it full over the teen's side, set on keeping them both in bed and warm rather than falling out while they doze.]

[Because they will at some point. He has no intention of getting up again unless his ward finds himself hungry or in need of something.]

Staying in bed like the one we have in our room, but smaller and a little less comfortable? Sounds like you've downgraded us a little.

[He laughs, feeling much more like himself with the reaper. It's almost like they're back home, aside from the bland room and cramped bed. So long as he can curl into the reapers arms though, he won't object too much.]

Just a bit. I'd just as soon go back home if I could.

[A bit of guilt settles heavily into his gut then.] You should be able to sleep comfortably at home. If I hadn't gotten sick.

[What sound he makes then isn't so much a laugh as a soft sigh of amusement, as much amusement as he can muster for their current situation.]

Ah, my lord, don't let it bother you any. It isn't as if you asked for this to happen. But it did, and we'll deal with it the same as we deal with anything else and get you all better again.

[There's a moment where he just buries his face into Undertaker's chest, trying not to let it bother him. It's hard though. Even if he's right, it's still his health that's had Undertaker here the whole time he's been sick and missing sleep.]

I'll have to get well soon then. So I can make sure you're resting well again. We don't need you getting sick and staying in a temple for a month as well.

[He senses without needing to ask that this bothers Astre a great deal more than either of them will outright say, for the moment at least. Where they're each concerned, the other has grown to worry, too used to having each other around and too unwilling to let anything pull them apart again.]

[He lifts a hand and curls it around Astre, fingers resting between the boy's shoulders over the blanket.]

Oh, I wouldn't count on that being a possibility. You're already ill, and we can't rightly care for the other when we're both down. That would be quite the challenge.

[He can't help himself. Without the constant threat on his life from a demon and his role as the Watch Dog, he's had the chance to thrive and grow and learn to care about other people.

And Undertaker has so much of his love and care.]

True enough. [He gives him a smile and moves closer to hug him and tuck his head into the reapers shoulder.] If it did though, I'd sneak out to find you. And you know I would.

[He knows well enough that Astre isn't lying to him, and wouldn't about something like this. And that makes the thought all the sweeter and him more convinced than ever to stay healthy himself. No promises, but he knows he can push himself if he needs.]

Oh, I believe you. All the more reason for me to stay well and help you to get there myself, eh? You're every bit of your father.

[He'd probably stay put if something did happen, and Undertaker asked him too. And if it didn't seem too serious. He knows the older reaper is tougher than anything and anyone, so it would take a lot to worry him.]

I wish I could change gods. Then if anything did happen, I could stay close to you.

[video]

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