AAAAH This submission is TOO CUTE OMG!!! Thank you @sw124💙 It really made me feel better on an absolutely shitshow of a workday!
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[I couldn’t get enough of @icygrass work, (aka SlishSlashCat on A03) their adorable work has me enthralled! More so this is another tribute to the Seafood polycule thanks to you @whysoblue2 this is a cute little story I couldn’t resist writing. This was partly inspired by ‘Cold in the Cabin’ by icygrass, if you haven’t read it GO READ IT NOW!!!! I love Astaroth and Saleos in that, so much so..this idea formed around them, both taking on-…why should I spoil it for you~ enjoy!]
Calm. That was the only word that described today, though welcomed…Astaroth felt uneasy about days like this. Mostly because it meant something was brewing and if anything…it was going to be caused by Saleos. Kallamar was away in Darkwood with Harboyrm and Baalzebub, an so wouldn’t be back till late in the evening, that gave the verdant jellyfish enough time to come up with some convoluted scheme or some new poison to try. Either way he’d have to keep a strict eye on-
A voice as soft as cotton called to him, turning he spotted Mamu, peeking around a corner. Astaroth was overlooking Ancordeep from one of the balcony’s, deep in meditation when she called out to him. He turned to her, his tone even but soft. “Yes Mamu?”
“Captain Flelis is here to see you, he wishes to discuss the Armada’s latest battle stradegies.” Astaroth nodded to her, ugh…Captain Flelis, how he managed to climb the ranks was beyond him. He was an incompetent starfish who seemed to enjoy lording over people instead of doing his duty as a ships captain. Still, he had a responsibility…even if it meant dealing with this imbecile of a captain.
Astaroth approached Mamu who proceeded to escort him to where the captain is. It was a short walk, at the chambers Mamu bowed and proceeded to leave. Astaroth turned and cleared his throat. “Mamu, go check on Saleos. Report back to me on his recent activities.”
“Yessir.” She called back.
Of course…Astaroth didn’t need her to do that, he knew exactly what the mad alchemist was doing…but he hoped Saleos would notice Mamu’s condition. Poor bug seemed to be coming down with something.
She had to be careful, the stairs leading down to Saleos’ lab was pretty steep. I-it’s ok, as long as she held on to the wall she’d be fine. Mamu took slow steps…ever since this morning she felt off, her throat primarily. She had this tickle that was now turning into a scratch, how she managed to keep her tone around Astaroth was surprise. Right now she needed to focus on the stairs, one wrong move and she was gonna take a very long tumble. With grace and concentration she managed to make it to Saleos’ lab. Inside she could hear the gurgles and gagging of the latest batch of volunteers helping with his new elixir.
“I suppose thats all I’m going to get out of you, you’re dismissed.”
The door to lab swung open, Mamu stepped back as a group of followers shuffled out and up the stairs. Some looked ready to throw up, others just walked as if half of their soul was sucked out. She waited till the last follower left before she entered, Saleos; his back to her was studying a vial. Holding it up to the light, tilting it just so to examine the sediments inside.
“The alkaline didn’t fully dissolve, perhaps thats why-“ one eye caught sight of Mamu, she stood poised at the door. “..and what brings little Peni to my lab?”
“I’m here to see what you’re doing, per orders from-“ Mamu paused, Saleos had his full gaze on her. Oh dear did she have something on her outfit? A quick look down showed nothing, yet Saleos was staring at her with a rather…unusual intensity. “Um…p-per orders from Astaroth, to see what you were-“
Was it her…or was the room darker than usual, not to mention it was rather…warm and…clammy? Saleos normally kept his lab at a comfortable temp, why did it feel so warm now. If that wasn’t strange enough, everything sounded distant. The small burble of his Bunsen burners and boiling ingredients sounded a mile away and….she felt….strangely-
“….Peni-……hear m-……-er me!”
Was…was Saleos talking? Mamu couldn’t tell, the room was starting to shift now. Tilting, turning like an hourglass. The next thing she knew…she was lying against something soft..that smelled of chemicals and herbs.
At last the meeting was over, Astaroth swore that imbecile captain was just there to needle him. Not that he doesn’t get enough of that from Saleos…speaking of which; Mamu was due back soon with her report. Hopfully with some luck the mad scientist noticed her condition and sent her straight to bed. He was making his way towards the temple when he heard the sound of tendrils against marble. Rapid little taps drawing closer, pausing he waited. Sure enough just a minute later a figure rounded a corner, Saleos looking to be in a slight panic…carrying Mamu in his arms.
Saleos, seeing Astaroth called out. “There you are, go get medicine and meet me in her room. No excuses!” Before Astaroth could ask what had happened, Saleos disappeared. The general stood there for a moment, trying to make sense of what he both heard and saw..he snapped out of it when a door slammed.
No doubt it was the door to Mamu’s room, Astaroth turned and went to the nearest room. Each of which contained a small medical kit with medicine and basic first aid supplies. Being the god of health there was always a medical kit nearby just in case, mostly for the servants and followers of the temple but still…good in a pinch. He hurries to Mamu’s room, finding the door is open. Upon entering…he see’s Saleos dressing the little one in her nightgown, her sitting there; eyes half closed with…a look he only seen reserved for Kallamar when he returned from the Silk Cradle.
Ridges above the apothecary’s eyes curled up, lips folded in and gently gnawed, hands cupping the child’s now flushed face. Astaroth, for a moment he thought Saleos was just overreacting…till Mamu’s eyes opened. The once bright green was now dull, glazed over and unfocused. “How on earth did you come down with a fever so fast? Haven’t we told you before, if you’re feeling unwell speak to Kallamar at once!”
Odd, Astaroth never seen Saleos so…concerned before, at least not for anyone other than Lord Kallamar that is. How lovingly he was tucking the small bug into her bed, propping her pillows up so she was comfortable. It almost was endearing- oh for the love of- what the hell was he thinking! Saleos was probably collecting notes for later or something. Astaroth approached, setting the first aid kit down beside the apothecary.
“This was the closet one I could acquire, it should have the medicine you need.” Saleos turned to him with a bit of a sneer before opening up the kit, taking out a small blue vial an growled. “This won’t be strong enough…but it’ll do till I can get my personal tools from my lab. Here you administer this while I go get my kit, no excuses.”
Handing the medicine to Astaroth, Saleos hurried out of the room. While it wasn’t uncommon for Saleos growl or needled the general with comments…this tone was out of character for them. This was a ‘doctors’ order, not the mocking kind he’d take up to annoy him. Well..despite that Astaroth did as told. Sitting on the edge of the plus bed, he offered the medicine to the poor child. He furrowed his brow when she didn’t take it, all she did was blink at him.
“Mamu…you need to take this, c’mon I know you can-“ she blinked at him again, yes she could hear him but…Astaroth removed one glove from his hand and slid it over her forehead. It was worse than he thought, reaching over he propped the little bug up a bit, her head tilting back. He pulled the cork from the vial and tipped its contents into her mouth. A soft sigh of relief left his lips as she began to swallow, wincing at the medicines bitter taste. Her fever was worse then expected, slowly he laid her back down. Just then, Saleos returned with his bag in hand.
“Good you’re still here, I need your help with this.” Saleos plopped his bag on the bed, opening it he motioned Astaroth close. “I need you to hold Mamu while I administer the medicine.” Saleos said as he proceeded to assemble a syringe.
“Why would I need to hold her, she’d be far more comfortable lying down wouldn’t she?” Astaroth was prepared for a backhanded remark but…that never came. Instead Saleos turned to him with a gentle yet stern expression. “Individuals with fevers like Mamu’s tend to become delusional prone to vivid hallucinations at times, I need you to hold her in case she starts panicking. Further more the medicine she needs has to be given via injection and I don’t want to risk her-“
Astaroth held up a hand, he cast a glance at Mamu before turning back to Saleos. “Which arm are you administering the injection, she normally sleeps on her left side so I suggest injecting the right shoulder.” Saleos blinked at him, but then turned back to his bag. “I need to inject the medicine into a vein so thats out of the question, now…if you’d be so kind as to hold her for me. Keep her upright, her breathing is labored and I’m concerned she’s might have fluid in her lungs.”
If he could, Astaroth would roll his eyes but he restrained himself. As much as he disliked it…he had to put Mamu in his lap, he tried other methods but either she’d fall back against her pillows or to the side. He…noticed she gotten a bit bigger, she was growing rather fast
“Alright, here we go.” After dabbing a spot clean near the crook of Mamu’s elbow Saleos lined up the needle, pausing when Mamu’s eyes started opening. Saleos watched her, she was looking down at her arm…inwardly started panicking when she started whimpering. “Easy now little one, it’s just medicine. Just to keep your fever down till our Lord Kallamar returns.”
Tilting her head up, Mamu gave a pout and slurred out a response. “Easy…for you ta say…when yer not getting a shot from Papa Saleos….Father….Astsy…” she passed out again, leaving both Saleos and Astaroth in a stunned silence. Astaroth dared to look at the evil apothecary expecting either confusion or indignation…instead he was met with a wide grin and eyes filled with stars. Not quite on the verge of tears but it was definitely close, with a soft clearing of his throat; Astaroth motioned Saleos to finish administering the medicine.
Rolling his three eyes Saleos did as silently told, one quick poke and it was done. The effect was almost immediate, her body though limp had taken on a more relaxed state, her face now regaining its healthy glow. Before Astaroth had a chance to move her…Saleos decided to play his usual games. Astaroth should’ve seen the push coming but was too preoccupied with Mamu to notice. Ugh he could kick himself, but he couldn’t. He was now laying on his back with a child curled on top of him, worst yet was that damn apothecary laying next to him with that smug grin on his face.
“You make a nice bed, did you know that general?” Teased Saleos, Astaroth opened his mouth to talk but Mamu in her sleepy state reached over and grabbed Saleos and..with surprising strength pulled him close, hugging around his neck..
The doctor and general stared at each other…each sharing the ‘not a word’ glare but…succumbing to the inevitable. After some adjusting the three were nestled comfortably, at least there wasn’t anything else for Astaroth to do and Saleos didn’t have any other plans.
The two were so busy getting comfortable…..neither one noticed Kallamar watching from the doorway, hand over his mouth, covering not just a smile but stifling a squeal of delight.
He’d wait a bit before joining them.
[Eh, may not be the best but damn it I WANTED TO GET IT OUT THERE! Hehe still I hope you all enjoy, especially you Blue]
