elva

It started at dinner. Kremy had cooked up a Carlfish Courtbouillon, and it was great as always. But the lizardfolk had only picked a bit at his helping.

Gideon had certainly caught it. Kremy turning in a bit early wasn’t unusual, but not finishing supper? That was.

Gideon knew the two of them were not matched in appetite, he could border on bottomless pit some days, comparatively speaking Kremy ate like a mouse. Regardless, the lack in appetite was noticed. The krew as a whole didn’t press him on it, he seemed tired, so they let him be.

But in the early morning, when it came time for Gideon to wake Kremy up for his watch shift, he knew something was up before he even opened the tent.

The odd squeaky wheezes gave him away, and the noises caused Gideon to whip the tent flap open in a panic (though he wouldn’t admit that element, it was the bodyguard in him, definitely not the ironic husband).

Kremy pulled his cover up over him, a little angry hiss as the cool air filled the tent space. But still being mostly asleep, he didn’t have the energy to fight Gideon’s prying arms to get a better look at him. Though he had plenty vocal protests left in him despite his lacking lung capacity.

“Gid, I’m fine, just give me a minute!”

“You don’t sound fine, man, you sound weird! Like ya gargled a bunch of marbles or somethin’!”

Kremy had always prided himself on having a robust immune system. That being said, he was looking a bit pitiful. He was shivering, and while he was physically incapable of running a fever, he definitely looked peaked.

He was breathing short through his open maw. Every once in a while he’d sneeze or make a weird clicking cough. They’d be so quick sometimes they almost seemed like hiccups. His eyes were bleary, whether from the evident weather he was under or from being tired, the Genasi couldn’t tell. It occurred to Gideon he hadn’t ever seen Kremy sick. And, well, it freaked him out. To the point that he woke up Gricko, much to Kremy’s chagrin.

“Well, he’s sick.”

“Yeah I know that Gricko! That’s obvious, but what’s wrong?”

The goblin was still half-asleep, but he knew a checkup was in order, even if it ended up not being serious, it would ease Gideon’s mind.

“Kremy, I’m gonna have to get in your personal space a bit, lad.”

“You started at the tent door.”

Kremy wheezed.

Gideon couldn’t help a small chuckle.

“Well hey, he’s still alive enough to snark atcha’ that’s something.”

“For Baron’s sake, Gid I already told ya I’m not dying.”

Gricko wasn’t phased, he sat down beside Kremy’s bedroll.

“Gid, can you help him sit up?”

Gideon nodded, shifting so that he was sat behind him, allowing the gator to lean back on him to stay upright. As soon as Kremy felt the heat from Gideon’s skin he was glued there.

Gricko carefully lifted Kremy’s head, tilting it, looking over his snout, his eyes, even took a look at his tail, picking it up and dropping it with a soft thump.

“So, good news and bad news. Bad news is, he definitely has a ‘res-spat-tory’ sickness. Good news is, while these symptoms aren’t fun, he’s right! He isn’t dying.”

“See?”

Kremy said flatly. Another odd clicking cough followed, which only caused Gideon’s brow to furrow.

“Look, if he started to rapidly lose weight, or if his joints started to swell, eyes sinking in, frothing around the eyes, nostrils, mouth, those sorts. We’d have trouble. But the way I sees it, he doesn’t have it major. Just needs some rest and relaxamacation is’all.”

Gideon nodded, albeit reluctantly.

“So, what do we do?”

“Don’t worry big red! We’ve got a fantastic Druid,” Gricko gestured to himself. “And a crafty swamp warlock in our crew! We can all look after Kremy. I’ve seen plenty of reptilian beasties come out the other side perfectly fine!”

Kremy shook his head.

“And how exactly do we go about that when we’re on the move?”

Gideon and Gricko exchanged a look.

“Um…we won’t be.”

“Won’t be what?”

“On the move. Not until you’re better, at least.”

“What?! Gricko we can’t-“

Kremy tried to stand up, but Gideon yanked him back down.

“Do not test me Gideon Nathaniel Coal!”

He growled, but Gideon held firm.

“Come on, Krem, I don’t know much but I know you can’t just go on business as usual, even if it is just a lizard-head-cold.”

“He’s right, Kremy, if you force yourself you could end up on the worse end of things! It’s best to rest, get some magical-medicinal care, let it run its course!”

Kremy was very clearly not pleased. But as annoyed as he was, he knew the Goblin was right. He had seen lizardfolk on the “worse end of things” as Gricko put it, and it looked absolutely miserable. Not that this situation was a party.

With a silent acknowledgment (or as silent as it could be given the weird breathing and occasional click or sneeze) from the gator, Gricko clapped his hands.

“Great! I can give the lads and Twig the skinny, and we’ll go from there! Be back in a bananya split!”

With that, Gricko scrambled out of the tent.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“You gotta let Gricko and the others help, I know you like doing the cooking, running the ship, but your job right now is to relax.”

Kremy watched him, he was brushing out his fiery hair, which was still in a tussle from the night before.

“Gid. I don’t want to be fussed over.”

Gideon snorted, which was not the response Kremy was looking for.

“What’s funny?”

Gideon sat beside him, a cheeky grin on his face.

“Oh, nothing, man, it’s just…you’re constantly talking about how it’d be nice to be taken care of, cooked for, and all that.”

Kremy huffed.

“I know I say that. I just don’t want the entire crew standing on my tail actin’ like I’m helpless.”

“Give us some credit, Krem. We know you are perfectly capable, strong, all that ominous jazz. But, we also know you’re a stubborn hardass who won’t let people know when things are getting at you.”

Kremy couldn’t really argue with that. Gideon stroked his arm, which caused shivers to go down his cool scales, but not in a bad way.

“If you’re really worried about it, I’ll make sure they’re not overbearing. But, I’m not gonna stop them from taking good and proper care of you. Cause’ you know…you deserve it.”

Kremy let out another funny-sounding breath, his eyes searching for a corner in a circular tent.

When Gideon walked outside, the crew were gathered around a now reignited campfire.

Twig was buzzing about getting tinder, but she stopped dropping all the sticks when she saw Gideon.

“Gideon! Good morning!! How are you?-“ She gasped mid-sentence. “Wait! How’s Kremy?! Gricko said he’s definitely not dying but we should still be wary of things taking a turn or something and we’ve been brainstorming a good meal to make for him!”

“Woah! Slow down there, Twigsy!! One thing at a time, I still haven’t had my bean-milk, alright?”

Twig deflated slightly, but she perked up at the mention of her signature hot drink.

“Oh! Well I can whip that up no problem. But just my first question first- you and Kremy, are you both good?”

Gideon chuckled.

“I’m good, Kremy’s good, he’s just tired and breathing a bit funny.”

Twig nodded, accepting this, before zipping off to make some Feywild coffee.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Gideon approached the fire, Torbek, Gricko and Frost were deep in the food debate.

“I have dried soup, it’s literally made for such an occasion.”

“Anything Torbek tries will be full of hairrrr, so he won’t be much help.”

“While a broth is the right direction, I don’t think your soup-by-the-foot is….any good, at all.”

Frost sighed.

“I suppose pemmican is also off the table?”

“I’m vetoing that one for sure.”

Gideon spoke as he took his spot.

“Kremy’s apron is attuned to him! So we have limited supplies! I mean my Bananyas are literal magic, but they’re not a full meal. We need something a bit more sub-stand-tional.”

“Substantial.”

Frost corrected.

“Point is,” Gricko continued. “Just goodberries, as good as they are, won’t cut it.”

“Have y’all just…asked Twigsy to set out the inn? She has a full stocked kitchen and she’d be able to whip all sorts of things up in ten seconds flat.”

The trio awkwardly looked around.

“Really? I got there before even Frosty?”

Gideon seemed genuinely shocked.

Frost’s tail flicked, slightly annoyed.

“Admittedly, I didn’t consider that. But it seems the most logical option. After all, if it is going to be a bit before we move again, it might be worthwhile to have a more permanent and comfortable place for Kremy while he recuperates.”

“What does Kremy have to do with chimpkins?”

Gricko asked.

“Hm?”

“‘Coop’-erates? Ey?”

Gricko elbowed Frost’s knee, a bright smile on his face.

“Ah, that’s..funny, Gricko.”

Torbek shook his head.

“Not your bessst.”

Gideon didn’t have to do a whole lot of convincing for Twig to set up the inn. She was immediately abuzz with the idea of slumber parties and game nights. The crew made sure to keep her on track though, creating a separate space for their sick ringleader.

Kremy was not about to pass up on an actual bed, and was quickly ushered inside by Twig who was chattering about his blanket and pillow preferences.

As soon as Kremy was swept away by Twig, Gricko pulled Gideon aside.

“What’s happening, Little Green?”

“Okay, so I know we’re all gonna pitch in for a good hearty get-better meal, but I think you’ll be the most help getting Kremy better. Have you ever heard of a behavioral fever?”

“Can’t say I have.”

“Basically, when reptiles get sick, they don’t run fevers, right? But fevers are necessary to fight off diseases, the raising body heat makes the body a hostile place for germs and such. Well reptiles can replicate that by basking and raising their temperature!”

“So this stuff is your engineering, huh?”

Gricko smiled.

“You know it, big red!”

“So should I ask twig to make sure there’s a fire going in Krem’s room?”

“Oh? I figured you’d have it covered just…being there and all?”

“What do you mean?”

Gricko quirked an eyebrow, looking Gideon up and down like he was missing something.

The goblin just chuckled.

“Nothing.”

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

When they were done packing up the campsite, they headed inside.

Twig was running around with Pigtunia and Hootsie, and came to a stop when she saw them.

“Kremy’s upstairs in his room! I also got some ready for you guys since you’ll sleep too, you know? And the kitchen is all clean so we can get the cooking going! But first, Bean-Milk!”

She gestured to steaming mugs on the counter, Gideon whistled, happily taking a mug for himself.

“How is Mr. Kremyy?”

Torbek drawled, wringing his hands.

“Well, he’s pretty sick, like Gricko said- but not dying sick, so that’s good? He’s breathing real funny and he sounds kinda squeaky? Like the inn door.”

“Well, Twig, I know you have an extensive tea-cabinet from prior…”

Gricko shot a nervous look at Hootsie, who seemed none the wiser.

“…events involving orc transformation and lots of nakedness.”

Twig shuddered at the memory. Quickly shifting back to chipper.

“I do! It’s all alphabetical and such! I have my own honey bee farm too! And lots of cremes and sugars!”

Gricko nodded.

“Well, well, we happen to have an EXPERT tea brewer in our party, Twig. Frosty here knows his way around any teapot, no matter how short or stout!”

“Oooh! Well there’s so many fun teas to choose from, Frost! I even have Beezle-Leaf tea!”

“Beezles have leaves?”

Frost tilted his head curiously.

“Where do you think they keep their secrets?”

With that ominous note, Twig led Frost to the tea cupboard.

“Frost will have the warm cuppa for Kremy covered, I was searching in my pack, and I actually have some overripe bananyas that’ll be perfect for Twig’s banana bread! So it’ll be magically healing for the body AND soul.”

Gricko nodded proudly.

“What will Torbek’s job be?”

“Torbek! You and Gricko can get some fresh honeycomb from my bee farm!“

Twig called from across the room.

“Ehh…Torbek has had a lot of close calls with bees…are they friendly?”

“Don’t worry Torbek, I’m sure they’re as sweet as can bee.”

Frost said, a wry smile on his face.

Twig burst into a fit of giggles. The rest of them found it more funny how amused she was with Frost’s pun.

“Well, Torbek will help however he can, he trusts Twig and Gricko.”

The bugbear smiled meekly.

“Great! Gricko is good with beasties and Torbek is good at getting things from small spaces! And honeycombs are like hundreds of little small spaces! So it works out perfect!”

Twig was clearly pleased with herself.

“And Frosty’ll do the tea, you’ll do bananya bread, Torbek and Gricko will get the honey and Fix’ns. Where do you want me, Twigsy?”

Twig pushed up her glasses and fixed a hard stare at Gideon.

“You, have the hardest, most difficultiest, most toughest job of all, Gideon. You- have to make sure Kremy stays upstairs during all of it.”

Gricko gasped at the not-that-dramatic reveal.

“Wait, that’s it? That’s no problem!”

Twig shook her head.

“Look, you know Kremy on a lover-lobster-coupled-dudes level-“

“Well, okay I don’t-“

“But I,” twig continued, ignoring him. “Know him in the kitchens. We Electrum Chef-d together. That forges something fierce, Gideon. And I know that that sick alligator will be drawn to this kitchen as soon as he hears me turn a knob on the stove! But you gotta keep him away! He needs rest! No matter how the kitchen calls him! You have to promise me Gid!! Promise me!! For Kremy!!!”

Twig shook Gideon’s broad frame by his suspenders.

“Okay! Okay! I promise! I’ll keep him put! Jeez Twigsy did you get into the Bean Milk this morning?”

“Nah, I prefer cocoa.”

Twig beamed up at him.

With all their jobs divvied out, it was time to get to work.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Gideon walked up the stairs, slowly, mostly because Hootsie was weaving in and out of his legs, trying to be the first to Kremy.

“Sorry, honey, but you can’t go pouncing on Kremy like you usually do, gotta be a bit more careful.”

The owlbear tilted her head, large golden eyes staring up at him, seeming to process what he was saying. She hooted softly, and followed him up the stairs at a steadier pace. She really was a smart girl. Gideon knocked on the door.

“It’s me, Kremy! Oh, Hootsie’s here too.”

He winked down at Hootsie, who’s little stubby tail immediately began wagging.

“Well now, that’s all I needed to hear, come on in.”

Gideon chuckled, opening the door and stepping aside to let their niece in.

“After you, little lady.”

Hootsie’s claws tapped quickly on the hardwood approaching the side of Kremy’s bed.

The room itself was cozy, walls covered in little trinket shelves and framed artwork depicting swampy scenery with an ethereal quality. In the corner an armchair covered in throw blankets and pillows sat, it even had a small footrest with matching trimming.

And then of course, was the bed, sturdy dark wood with a plush mattress. A pillowy quilt and crotchet comforter acted as the spread. The quilt caught Gideon’s eye, as it had patches with floral designs, but looking closer, the forms of unicorns stood out. Like it was enchanted with illusion magic.

Kremy was scratching Hootsie behind the ears, who was happily trilling. The alligator looked equally pleased giving her attention. Gideon watched the scene, sitting down on the bed’s edge. When Kremy coughed, her demeanor instantly changed, pressing her paw down on his lap, setting him with a concerned expression.

“Don’t worry, sweetpea, I’ll be alright. Just not at 100%.”

She accepted this reassurance, giving Kremy a little nip before pattering out of the room.

“I’m gonna have to ask Twigsy where she got this quilt, I keep staring at it.”

“I think she said some old wizard gave it to her in exchange for a room? She was chatting about it, but if I’m honest words were in one ear out the other as soon as my head touched a pillow.”

“I can see why she picked this one for you, though.”

Gideon gestured to the shifting patches. The unicorns turning to sprawling wildflowers and then back to unicorns. Kremy smiled softly.

“Yeah, reminds me of Meemaw. She loved quilting almost as much as cooking. Course’ I didn’t have the patience for it, I learned to patch up my coveralls but that’s about it. We didn’t have a lot of fine fabrics to work with of course, most of it was scraps other folks in the neighborhood didn’t want. But she managed to make it something beautiful every time. It was her own kind of magic.”

Gideon certainly knew more about Kremy’s past than the rest of the crew, but even then, he preferred to keep things close to his chest. So when Kremy spoke about these things, Gideon listened like they were the most fantastical stories in the entirety of the realm. And in a way, they were.

“She sounds like a lovely lady, Krem.”

“Oh yeah, she was. I think she would’ve loved you.”

Gideon was quiet for a moment, that was high praise. He knew the regard Kremy held the matrons of his family in.

“You know this morning I thought you were choking on something.”

Kremy looked surprised.

“Really? I was breathing hard, isn’t that the opposite of choking?”

“Well, sure man, technically, but the way it sounded was so weird and strained? You know you were- er, still are- all wheezy and squeaky. I hadn’t heard that before it kinda freaked me out.”

“I still can’t believe you woke up Gricko.”

“Come on! You know I had to, I mean like it or not he IS the resident expert on these things. Besides, at the time I didn’t know what was happening!”

Kremy laughed a little at that, Gideon stared at him offended.

“What’s funny?!”

“It’s weird to see you worried over me the way I worry over you.”

Gideon flushed a bit, the embers in his hair growing brighter.

“Ah…I’m hardly as helpful as you in these situations. I mean you could at least make me a bowl of soup, I’m just sittin’ here.”

“You told me to give you some credit, so I am, if you hadn’t gotten Gricko and forced me to not ignore this, I probably woulda ended up worse. Because you’re right, I am a hardass.”

Gideon snorted.

“Honesty don’t suit you, Kremy.”

Kremy swatted at him lazily with his tail.

“Oh shut up. Point is…you keep me warm when I’m cold, you back me up even when we both know I’m in over my head, and you’re chatting with me right now so I don’t go down and try to make brunch for myself.”

“Hehe, not much gets past you.”

“That, and Twigsy bless her brownie heart, is incredibly loud.”

“Now that you mentioned it, have you been warm enough up here? Like hot- not just warm? Gricko mentioned something about heat being important for getting over this.”

Kremy blinked, taken aback.

“Oh! Um…well the temperature is fine. I’m not shivering like I was outside. I got the quilt and the throw, so it’s comfortable.“

“But is it like, fever temperature? Gricko said you needed to bask? I’ll be honest I’m not sure how it all works but I reckon regardless you need to be on the hotter side of things.”

Kremy looked at him, the gator was hardly the domestic type, but even he couldn’t help being endeared. Maybe because it was Gideon, it came easy.

“That’s true. For lizardfolk heat is generally the best medicine. My brother stayed by the furnace when he had the sniffles. An extra blanket probably wouldn’t hurt…”

Gideon thought on that for a moment, when it suddenly clicked into place, hitting him at once.

“I’m the blanket!”

“…come again?”

“Gricko was telling me all this stuff because I’m made of fire! You said it yourself, man, I heat you up when you’re cold. You need me to make you hot!”

“Okay well maybe don’t…phrase it like that.”

“What do you mean?”

Kremy grimaced.

“Never mind. Are you okay with that? Staying in here? I mean I don’t think you can catch this from me, but I don’t want to push it. This bed can fit two, but I doubt there’ll be wiggle room with the both of us.”

“Well I mean, logistically speaking the closer the better, right? Besides, the gang specifically assigned me up here, I don’t think they’d do that if they thought I could catch it from ya.”

“Stands to reason…”

Kremy trailed off, seemingly deep in thought. Before making up his mind.

“Alright, let me make room for you.”

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Of the two of them, Twig did not expect to be patching up Gricko’s bee stings.

“You had no trouble, Torbek?”

Torbek shook his head.

“Gricko drew them all away…Torbek was able to get a lot.”

“My bee was a bit rusty…I put too much emphasis on the bizzz and not enough on the rzzzz.”

Gricko lamented. Twig only shook her head.

“My bees are always so friendly! You must’ve really made ‘em mad, Gricko.”

With his stings magically healed up, the goblin flexed his arms a bit, before jumping down from the counter.

“Nothing a bit of bananya mush can’t fix! But I do think I’ll need to stay inside, they’ll certainly hold a grudge.”

Gricko shuddered.

“It’s a miracle he doesn’t smell like bananas everyday.”

Frost entered the room with arms full of strong-smelling jars. The herbal earthy fragrance permeated the air.

“Frosty are you making Kremy a cup of tea for every day of the Equivalent-Of-January?”

Frost’s tail flicked.

“Rooting around in the cabinet my nose was a bit scrambled. I picked the standouts so I could analyze them further. That being said, I could smell the bananyas from across the inn.”

“Well I hope you like the bananya smell because it’s gonna get even smellier on account of the baking.”

Twig tied her apron tight, as if to punctuate her point.

“Speaking of which, Gricko I need those ripe bananyas now please and thank you.”

Gricko excitedly pulled the browning bananyas out of his pack.

“Ta-dah!”

Twig took the bunch, which was about as big as her body, flittering over to the counter and setting it with the other ingredients.

“Now! Can you prepare the chili ingredients? Chopping and whatnot?”

“Chili?”

“Yeah! Savory and sweet you know? It’s not my famous beef stew, but Kremy likes something with a good kick. Our breakfast is a brunch now anyhow!”

“I may not be the Electrum Chef, but I can meal-prep as the rich mums on click-clock say.”

Gricko dragged a stool over to the counter. Torbek swayed awkwardly on his feet.

“What should Torbek do?”

“You can help me, Torbek.”

Frost called, he was now at the oak coffee table, the jars of tea leaves set out in front of him.

“Torbek isn’t a teaaa drinkerrrr, I’m more of a spiller.”

“Ooo~ like the hot gos, Torbek?”

Gricko said flourishing his fingers.

“Well the drink is usually hot when Torbek spills it on himself…it never makes it to his mouthhhh.”

“Exactly my point. You have a less biased perspective, I drink tea all the time. I think you could give me some insight. If nothing else, I wouldn’t mind some company while I try and decide.”

The tabaxi shrugged sheepishly, and Torbek smiled a little.

“Awh well that’s all you had to saaayyy!”

The bugbear’s long strides brought him to Frost’s side in seconds, he elected to sit on the floor so they were eye level.

The mid-morning was slowly shifting to noon, and the inn at the end of the road was full of sweet smells and fresh air. Hootsie trotted downstairs and took her place on the rug by the fireplace, listening to her family work on their feel-better brunch.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

It’s no different than being in a tent together, at least that’s what Kremy was trying to tell himself. Gideon was busy fiddling with his boots, because sick or not, Kremy would not be having any shoes in the bed.

Every once in a while a cough would come unbidden, and Gideon would glance (without any subtlety) back at him.

“Gid, I haven’t gotten the plague since you turned your back to me.”

Gideon rolled his eyes as he got into bed.

“I’m just checking. You could get fey cursed to suddenly have consumption or somethin’.”

Kremy whipped around and knocked on the wooden headboard.

“Gid! Don’t tempt them! Jinxes are real here! Damn!”

Gideon laughed heartily, leaning back beside him.

“It’s hard to take you yellin’ seriously when your voice is so squeaky, man.”

Kremy grumbled.

“I’m about’a uninvite you from this comfy-ass bed.”

“Uninvite me? It was my idea!”

“But I gave you my permission.”

Kremy crossed his arms.

“Yeah yeah, get over here, sorry-scales.”

Gideon wrapped his arm around Kremy, dragging him close.

Kremy’s resolve was all but melted away as soon as the warmth hit his scales.

They laid like that, quiet for a moment. Kremy shifted slightly, his gaze met Gideon’s and he laughed nervously.

“A bit anti-climatic, ain’t it?”

Gideon shrugged.

“Well I wasn’t it expecting some instant-magic-cure to happen, but I will say this quilt is absolutely going to be hard to leave behind when we go back to camping.”

“You’re telling me.”

Kremy’s head rested on Gideon’s shoulder, and as soon as their eye contact broke, Gideon smirked.

“You know…this is the longest you’ve gone bare-faced in the entire time I’ve known you.”

Kremy gasped, mortified. Gideon’s plan was already in full motion.

“Gid, Gid! Let me go to my pack, Gid!”

Kremy helplessly smacked his shoulder, but Gideon’s arms stayed put.

“Your pack is downstairs, sorry man!”

The Genasi kept him close, Kremy could hear the shit-eating grin in his voice, which only pissed him off more.

“Damnit Gid! Why the hell would you mention that then!?”

The lizardfolk’s struggle slowed, breathing hard into Gideon’s chest.

“Shit that took it out of me.”

Kremy wheezed.

“All part of my master plan.”

Kremy stared daggers at him, or his shoulder, at least.

“Traitor…back stabbed by my own husband…the nerve.”

Kremy mumbled, Gideon just chuckled. His fingers mindlessly running over the scutes and scales on the back of the gator’s head. The repeated motion only contributed more to the heavy sleepiness setting in.

As his partner’s breathing slowed, Gideon couldn’t help feeling a bit tired himself. It had been a very long morning, for better or worse.

Maybe it was the sunlight muffled by the curtains, the smell of baking sweets downstairs, the distant chatter of their friends, or maybe it was just the feeling of Kremy’s cool scales on his skin, the rough edges of his scutes under hand, that put Gideon to sleep.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Kremy was roused by the sound of wood creaking and the smell of spices.

He yawned, blinking slowly, stretching as best he could still wrapped in Gideon’s arms. Who was fast asleep.

“Psst, hey, hey Gid. I think it’s finally brunch time.”

Kremy shook his shoulder and Gideon stirred slightly but didn’t wake, Kremy just sighed with a smile. Adjusting slightly, he moved Gideon’s head to his lap, the embers in his hair twisting around his horns. He brushed a few sparking stray hairs from his face, the Genasi snored softly, dead to the world. Sitting up, Kremy patiently waited as the sounds of his friends and clinking dish-ware drew closer.

“Don’t drop anything!”

“I wasn’t planning on it!”

“Torbek, make sure Hootsie doesn’t rush them.”

“Careful! wait!-“

The door swung open, Torbek was holding a very antsy Hootsie aloft, Twig and Gricko both had trays, and Frost was carrying a large teapot.

Kremy held a finger to his mouth, nodding towards Gideon.

Gricko snickered.

“I think the roles are meant to be reversed here.”

He whispered.

Twig flittered in place.

“I’m gonna drop this if I don’t put it down!”

She carefully sat it down on the bedside table. Like flipping a switch, Gideon immediately perked up.

“Kremy, why didn’t you wake me up, man?”

Kremy scoffed incredulously.

“You sleep like a damn rock, Gid, Trust me, I tried!”

Gideon sat up, stretching himself with a yawn.

“Little Green I’m guessing that one’s mine?”

“You betcha!”

Gricko handed it off, and Gideon was already digging in.

Frost was busy pouring tea, but Kremy didn’t take his eyes off the spread.

A bowl of chili, bananya bread drizzled with honey, and multiple jams on the side to choose from.

“You outdid yourselves with this.”

“High praise, Mr. Electrum chef.”

“Well relax he hasn’t eaten it yet Gricko!”

Twig landed on the bed with a fluff, Gricko hoisting himself up beside her.

Torbek sat Hootsie on the bed and she immediately spun in a circle before loafing beside her Papa.

“The tea is Beezle-Leaf, with some notes of Cherries berry.”

Frost explained, handing the full teacup to Kremy.

“It’s more~”

Gricko added.

“Well, now I’m very curious.”

Kremy lifted his tea cup and sipped.

The taste was reminiscent of Beezleberry, but with more earthy notes, and a bit of a spiced twist. The aftertaste was the “more” of the Cherries Berry.

“This is surprisingly tame all things considered.”

“Yeah, diluting it down to tea really tames the eldritch beast coursing through every Beezle hivemind. Just be warned they like to leave messages at the bottom of the teacup, best to ignore them.”

Twig spoke casually, as if noting the weather.

“Right…well, it’s delicious, thank you Frosty.”

“You’re welcome, Torbek helped me pick, he convinced me to mix two tea flavors though I was reluctant.”

“Heheh hey! Look at Torbek getting Frost to live on the wild side!”

Gideon was already halfway through his chili, it was truly amazing how quickly he could eat.

The meal was arguably the best thing Kremy had in a while that he hadn’t cooked himself, though he was his own critic.

The chili was strong and hearty, the bananya bread, while magically healing, was also just delightfully sweet.

And in eating the bread, Kremy found his voice was starting to come back to him. He wasn’t all the way there, but sitting there he felt warm inside and out.

Twig had elected to just bring more chairs in the room rather than have them eat their own helpings downstairs.

Hootsie enjoyed a bowl of unseasoned beef and vegetables, even getting a piece of honeycomb as a treat.

They ate, laughed and talked, and by the time Frost was downstairs helping Twig with the dishes, it was late afternoon.

Gideon helped bring dishes down, and the sight of Twig’s porcelain teacups in his large hands was a tad humorous. Before heading upstairs, he rummaged through Kremy’s pack.

Grabbing what he came for, he made his way back upstairs.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Kremy was flipping through one of Twig’s many books. It was written in Draconic, and he felt compelled to read some lines out loud, just for the sake of tasting familiar words in his mouth again.

The whole day had an odd nostalgic quality. Being sick in bed with quilts and storybook, he almost smelled his Meemaw’s perfume in the air.

But it was quickly overcome by the smell of a forest fire, which felt just as much like home.

“Hey man, I brought you something. Or well- two somethings, I guess three from a certain point of view-“

“The technical number doesn’t matter unless it’s Frost, Gid.”

“Right! Right- uh first,” Gideon pulled out Kremy’s compact and lip liner.

Kremy’s smile widened as he took the mirror in his hands.

“Alright, I take back calling you a traitor and a back-stabber, you’re back in my good graces.”

“Phew, thank the gods. I thought our marriage would never recover.

Gideon nudged him playfully and Kremy laughed. They both ignored the fluttering in their chest at the words “our marriage”.

Kremy sat the compact in his lap, leaving his mustache not drawn for the moment.

“And what’s the second/third from a certain point of view thing?”

“So glad you asked!”

Gideon beamed at him and whipped the plush from behind his back. It was the Almiraj plushie he won for Kremy at the Witchlight Carnival. It felt like years ago, but in reality it had been less than a month.

Kremy wasted no time taking the unicorn rabbit.

“Twigsy knows how to wash it without it getting hurt, so don’t worry about germs.”

“Thank you, Gid, really.“

Gideon rubbed his neck.

“Awh, you know. Figured you could use a buddy who doesn’t snore so loud.”

Kremy chuckled.

“I’m assuming Miss Toadspring has a room ready for you, then?”

“If I want it, yeah…”

Kremy let that statement sit without comment, despite really, really wanting elaboration. Instead, he went about applying his mustache.

“There ya go! Nice and pencil thin!”

“You know it.”

Kremy shut his compact and put it on the side table.

“What book did Twigsy pick out for ya?”

“It’s a fairytale collection, it’s all in Draconic though, which is nice.”

“No shit man! That’s awesome. You should read me something.”

Kremy smiled, a bit bewildered.

“You…don’t know Draconic, Gid.”

“Well…yeah, true. I dunno I just think it sounds cool when you speak it. You could be reading a landscaping brochure, but it’d still sound badass.”

“Hehe, I don’t know about all that, but sure, I’ll read you one. How about the Bullywug Prince? It was my favorite as a hatchling.”

“That sets a high bar, now I’ve got to hear it.”

Gideon assumed his spot beside Kremy, holding the Almiraj plushie so that he could read. And Gideon was right, even though he couldn’t understand, he hung onto every word.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••