hadriel_logs | Event Log: Flu Season

Entry tags:

Event Log: Flu Season

Who: All characters
What: The event log for the Flu Season event
Where: All over the city
When: March 20th-March 30th
Warnings: Gross sneezing, sick people, and paranoia

It starts with a cough, a sneeze, a sore throat - something small and simple, easily ignored. But then your symptoms get worse. It's probably been awhile since you've been sick, that sort of thing doesn't usually happen here. You might be able to raid the shops for some tissues and tea before it gets too bad, and hopefully you've got a friend to help out until you get better. Surely it'll be over soon, right?

Until the fever sets in, and you start to understand why your friend is really there. They don't want to take care of you. They want to make sure this is the last anyone will ever see of you. They want to learn all your secrets. They want to steal your most precious possession. You know they're plotting against you, you know they're keeping something from you. What will you do to find out what it is?

Then, as the sickness fades, you realize it was all in your mind. Let's hope you didn't do or say anything too awful. But that friend of yours... they seem to have picked up your cough. Maybe you should help them out?

► This log covers March 20th-March 30th.
► Feel free to make your own logs, as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If your paranoia ends in murder, please let us know here.

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Rhy's fingers itch to reach out, to straighten Alucard's hair where he's pushed it into disarray, or simply to touch him. But if anytime was a bad time for that, it would be now, and so he refrains. He takes himself to the kitchen instead, striving for a light tone to disguise his worry.

"Well, I'll get you some juice at least, shall I? Maybe that'll give you enough energy to get to bed."

He hopes that Alucard is exaggerating for dramatic effect, or perhaps for sympathy. Rhy doesn't know what he'll do if Alucard is seriously ill. He has no skills in that area, and no real idea what to do, and he worries anything he could do would only make it worse.

Alucard is honestly more a man who would under-exaggerate his condition than over. Perhaps it's how he has found himself in this predicament in the first place. If he had only stayed home -- if that is what you call this room in the spire they have together -- in the first place, he might not feel as awful as he does now. As it is...

He watches Rhy cross into the kitchen, listening for the sounds of his movements. "Juice," he repeats. "Yes. Maybe so. Or maybe you'll just have to carry me," he chances, with a weary quirk of his lips.

Okay, maybe that was a stretch. But he's tired enough, he'd be willing to give it a try, if Rhy's up to the challenge. He wouldn't complain if Rhy wanted to touch him more in general, truth be told.

He finds a glass, pours some juice into it. He's trying to think about what else he can do - what he would do at home. Call servants to bring soup, call doctors. Since coming here, Rhy has become very aware of how little he can do on his own. He was raised to be a prince, to rule, to lead, and as such he often doesn't know how to do small day-to-day tasks. He's learning, but right now 'learning' doesn't get him very far.

"Oh, you can always lean on me if you need to. So long as you take care to sneeze in another direction."

He keeps his voice light, easy. What else can he do? Rhy sets the glass next to Alucard, unable to entirely mask the concern in his eyes.

"Drink that, then rest if you can."

Alucard may be feeling awful, but not awful enough that he doesn't catch that look on Rhy's face. He reaches for the glass, moving to take a sip and feeling the liquid burn slightly down his scratchy throat, but it's good. He'll feel better for it. And he'll feel better for Rhy at his side as well. He reaches for the other man, unthinking. Moving to catch his hand, if he'll let him. Skin fever warm against his own.

"I'll do my best," he says, with his best attempt at a reassuring smile, squeezing Rhy's fingers. Opening his mouth to continue, "Stay. Stay with me."

It is perhaps not what he had intended to ask of him. But now that the words are out...

Alucard's hand is too warm in his, but Rhy doesn't let go of it. How could he, when Alucard is looking at him like that, asking him to stay? It's because he's sick, Rhy knows that, but it's - too much, almost. Living together at all is already a form of subtle torture, and this is a more painful pinprick.

But Rhy can't let it affect him. His worry now needs to be not for his own heart, but for Alucard's health. And that is impossible not to worry about.

"I've no intention of going anywhere." He is more serious now, trying to offer reassurance since he can do nothing else. "You need someone to take care of you. I may not be the best choice, but I'll try."

Alucard is distantly aware that his hand is probably a little bit off-putting, but he's grateful that Rhy is humoring him nonetheless. Swiping his thumb over the other man's knuckles gently before simply just holding on. He's grateful for Rhy's reassurances. He'll be even more grateful if the other man sticks to them.

He lets out a soft noise of protest at his words. Not the best choice, Rhy, honestly. The man may not make all that much of a nursemaid, but there's no one Alucard would rather have by his side. Of course, it's one thing to know as much. It's another thing entirely to say it aloud.

"I need you," he insists. "And this glass of juice and perhaps a day or two of rest," he adds, to lighten the mood, flashing the other man a smile. "I don't think Esa will be very sympathetic to my plight, no matter how sweetly I ask her otherwise."

It is difficult, in some strange way, to hear Alucard say that he needs him. Or maybe it isn't strange at all - maybe it makes perfect sense that it's difficult. After all, the loss of Alucard, his sudden abandonment, still serves as a source of pain for Rhy. He wants to be needed - he wants Alucard to need him. It's a selfish impulse.

"She will likely be pleased if you rest for a day or two. She seems to like having you to curl up next to." Rhy, of course, chooses to respond to the bit that doesn't make his heart clench. He smiles, a touchy shaky but genuine.

"I'll get you more juice if you need it, and water, but I think the best thing for you now is rest. I've never seen you sick before."

So hopefully he's more worried than he needs to be.

Alucard hums in the back of his throat at Rhy's commentary, raising the glass to press the side of it against his forehead and try and find some relief in it. It feels nice. Probably a little too much so. He wonders distantly whether he should be concerned about asking Rhy to be near him but he supposes that living together, if this is contagious it's already too late.

"It's been a while," he replies, honestly. "But not so long as you might think. There are some particularly unsettling illnesses men will pass around to each other, particularly on ships, where there is no escaping one another, and without a healer to speed recovery..." He gives the other man a little shrug. "The Captain's cabin only offers so much refuge."

He reaches out to touch Alucard's hair, carefully, gently. He probably shouldn't - he probably should keep his hands to himself. But it's impossible, especially when Alucard looks the way he does. Rhy always prefers to see the people around him be happy, content, not - this. Especially the ones he cares for.

"It sounds terribly unpleasant."

He doesn't ask why Alucard didn't come back, if it was that bad. Likely it was just sometimes. Likely the benefits were worth the dangers. They had to have been.

"We could go to the clinic."

Alucard thinks about forcing himself to move that far and groans softly. He registers that he's hardly being cooperative but he's only just made it back to their little apartment and he doesn't want to force himself back out. He doesn't want to go anywhere or do anything but stay here. With Rhy. Just to be with Rhy. Rhy touching him, at last. Rhy's attention on him. At last. Maybe suggesting to go to the clinic is his attempt to get rid of him. Well Alucard won't have it.

"No," he replies, more forcefully than perhaps he means to. "I won't go. This is where I need to be." Even if it kills him, it means he will have had this one last chance to have been with Rhy. Even if they were never really back together in the way he might have wanted.

He lowers his glass and reaches for Rhy's arm, his stormy blue eyes fever bright as he clutches at the other man. "Don't take this away from me." He isn't even registering that he's not really making sense anymore.

He's surprised by the vehemence of Alucard's response, surprised enough that he isn't sure what to say. Rhy feels certain the clinic would be better for his health, but he isn't going to force Alucard to go. He couldn't even if he wanted to, and now - now he's not sure he wants to at all.

It's rather self-centered, really, because he finds that he likes Alucard's desire to stay. It doesn't make much sense, not really, but Rhy wants him there, and Alucard - for whatever reason - wants to be there. Thinks he needs to be there.

Rhy doesn't understand, but he also isn't going to disagree.

"I won't make you go." He says it as if that's his final word on the matter. "But won't you at least lay down?"

Alucard's grip on Rhy tightens for a moment longer -- fingers hot against the other man's cooler, more healthy skin -- before he nods. Alright, maybe he should lie down. He's feeling woozy. Light-headed, and it would probably help if he got some rest. At the same time...

"You can't leave me," he says, and if he were in his right mind he would recognize the way that it sounds. The phrasing not quite right. "You can't, Rhy." As though he won't let him. As if he had any choice in the matter, when he can barely sit upright, let alone the rest of it.

He does not know what to think of that, what to make of it. Some petty, childish part of Rhy wants to protest, wants to point out that Alucard is the one who left him, that Rhy never would - never would have. But he knows that's meaningless right now. Alucard is feverish, not thinking straight. Not thinking of that, certainly.

"I won't leave. Everyone seems to be getting sick, anyway - there's not a single good time to be had out there." He makes his voice light again, frivolous. Truthfully, he wouldn't leave even if there were, not with Alucard like this. Rhy doesn't know how to help him, but he's certainly going to try.

"Come on. I'll help you to your room."

Alucard studies the other man's face carefully for a long moment before he finally nods, relaxing slightly into his chair. It doesn't seem like Rhy has any ulterior motive. He's agreed to stay, he'll help him to his room. All the signs point to wanting him there, but there's this unsettled feeling inside of him that still says otherwise. Of course, there's one way to find out...

"Let's go to bed then," he says. As if this is the most natural thing in the world. As if they haven't been keeping separate bedrooms for the last several months. As if he hadn't disappeared for three years with no explanation and has still given the other man no explanation as to why.

That gives Rhy pause. More than pause. He hasn't the first idea how to respond to it, and for a moment, he can't even think. It's just - memories, too many of them, of Alucard saying similar words in that voice of his, and Rhy is not over any of them yet. Perhaps he never will be.

But surely that isn't what Alucard means. He's clearly not well, and he's - confused. Not himself. Or at least Rhy thinks that must be the case, because why else would he say such a thing?

"Ah-"

He really doesn't know what to say. His usual charm and easy replies always seem to desert him with Alucard.

"You're rather ill. It's best you sleep alone."

It's a sign, Alucard is sure of it. At least, his fever-addled brain makes him sure of it. It's best he sleep alone. Rhy doesn't want him here. Rhy wants to get rid of him. That's why he hasn't touched him the whole time he's been here. That's why he hasn't kissed him. Rhy wants him gone.

"Is there someone else?" he asks, suddenly, searching the other man's face because it's clearly the only possible explanation in this. "Are you seeing someone else? Rhy." The other man's name crawls its way out of his throat, cutting through the air between them like a knife. Something rattles in the kitchen and Alucard doesn't realize that he's losing control of his powers but perhaps Rhy might do.

What Rhy feels immediately is defensiveness. What right does Alucard have to ask that question? Rhy's affairs are his own because Alucard decided they should be. He doesn't get to ask that. He doesn't get to care.

But he bites down on that, though it takes an effort. Alucard is not well. It's increasingly obvious that in addition to his illness, he's not thinking right. Not thinking clearly. Rhy hears the dishes rattle and that's another piece of proof, another reminder that he can't react rashly, no matter how much he wants to.

"There's no one." He can't keep his tone from becoming curt, but at least he mostly manages to keep his temper under control. "You need rest, and I don't want to get sick."

"No one..." Alucard echoes, and he supposes that's true, his magic settling for now as he recognizes as much. He supposes that he's not seen Rhy bring anyone home to their apartment, that he would have seen them if that were the case.

He swings his head to look into the other man's face, deep blue eyes searching deep. "Not even me." For he recognizes the truth in that as well. Rhy, pushing him away. Everyone always pushing him away. His father, his brother, Kell. Had Rhy ever truly wanted him or had he ever just been a prince's plaything? No one had come after him after he'd been sent away. Certainly not the first time, and definitely not the second. How long had it even taken Rhy to notice he was gone?

"Not even you." He says it quietly, because after all, he can't disagree. At home, he flirted, he found ways to amuse and distract himself without ever allowing his heart to be put in danger again. Here - here, there's really none of that. Oh, he can flirt easily enough, but with Alucard nearby he has no interest in anything further.

It's his own fault, for never quite being able to get over him.

But he knows better than to get involved with Alucard again, or so he tells himself. And Alucard - is as handsome as ever, as charming as ever, but Rhy can't tell where his heart lies.

Right now, none of that matters anyway.

"Especially not when you're sick. Now go rest."

A part of Alucard, a part of him that is not consumed by jealousy or fever, can feel his heart breaking at this particular admission from Rhy. It's a truth he knows deep down inside of himself. It has to be true, after all, for Rhy has shown no interest in him the whole time he has been back. A part of him regrets his return, for that reason. Regrets their proximity. Regrets being able to see and not touch, not love him as he had before. But only a part.

Unfortunately it's not the part of him that's in command of his abilities now. That jealous, angry, lonely piece of himself wants to grab and take and possess all of the other man that he can. But he feels so warm, his head spinning even as he sits in place where he is, and he doesn't think he could manage any of that even if he tried.

"I need you," he says, softly.

He knows that Alucard is not himself right now. That is obvious enough, even without those words that Rhy would never expect to hear from him. I need you.

It isn't true, of course. Alucard wanted him once, and even cared for him, but he never needed Rhy. Rhy knows this is true, and so he knows that Alucard is not himself. He's sick, he's affected by - whatever is happening in the city this time. Because it's clear there is something.

Still, that doesn't mean Rhy is unaffected by hearing those words. Even if he knows they're not true, even if he knows better than to allow himself to believe them, he can feel his heart clench.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here."

I'm not going anywhere. No, he supposes not. He had been the one to leave, after all. Hadn't he. Leave with his hands and feet hobbled together, one of his shoulders at a painful angle. Never to return to Arnesian shores again. At least, that's what he had supposed at the time. Until he'd found his way amongst the pirates. Until the privateers had brought him back. Had captured him. Tortured him.

He had had an audience with the king and queen then. Did Rhy know that? An audience at their behest, to order him onto a ship of their own making and send him back out to sea.

A part of him wonders whether they had kept it from him to spare him the pain. Or whether Rhy had abandoned him even then.

"Rhy..." It's about all he can get out before it becomes just a little too difficult to continue sitting upright and Alucard's head connects to the table with a sudden thumping crack.

He doesn't know what Alucard was about to say. He couldn't even begin to guess. But seeing that - seeing him crumple like that, like he can't even hold his head up anymore, is nearly too much for Rhy all on its own. Of course he still cares about Alucard, of course he wants him to be well. And this, whatever's happening, Rhy barely knows what to do.

He's at Alucard's side instantly, of course, taking his arm, checking his head to be sure he hasn't injured himself. What else can he do, except, well - drag him to bed? Make sure he rests and gets better?

At least Rhy is not weak. Alucard will be a rather heavy load, but he can manage.

"Luc?"

He has to at least know if Alucard is still conscious or not.

Alucard isn't really injured, though he'll have a nasty bump on his forehead come the next morning. His head already ached, from the fever, but now it is throbbing from the crack on the table as well, and he finds it's just. Difficult. Too difficult, to keep his eyes open, to try and think straight, to cold a coherent thought or sentence.

He lets the other man turn his head to check him over and blinks feverishly at Rhy as he does. He's too hot, everything is too hot, and he just wants Rhy to stay where he is. By his side. Rhy's hands on his face, soft and cool. Holding him steady.

His eyes flutter shut but he reaches for the other man's wrist, wrapping his own fingers around it to hold him there. Don't leave him. Please.

How can he move when Alucard is doing that? He wasn't going to leave anyway, though eventually he'll need to get up - to retrieve water, or juice, or something else that might help Alucard. But for now Rhy can't find it in himself to move.

He's worried, he doesn't know how long this will last or what will happen, but he thinks that Alucard is undoubtedly even more distressed than himself. The least he can do, all he can really promise, is that he'll stay.

"I'll be here when you wake."

It's a quiet promise, one he isn't sure Alucard hears, but he gives it anyway. More for himself than anything.

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solase - 2018-09-01 23:22 (UTC) - Expand

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Event Log: Flu Season

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sorry not sorry...

omg!!!

he's a bad, bad man

no... he is amazing

if you say so ;; my inner alucard just feels so bad for this

its ok i like to be sad

so do i tbh makes it worse again

CRIES

TWISTS IT DEEPER i live for this

oh god my heart

;; <3

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