Chapter Text
Sky didn’t feel good. Or to put it more accurately, he felt like death warmed over - as if he had been dragged through hell and back a dozen times before being beaten up by the devil. That devil being this Hylia-forsaken sickness that he had picked up from who knows where.
It was close to evening now, the sky starting to darken but not enough to forgo the group’s energy. Or at least, most of them.
The knight knew that telling someone he wasn’t feeling well was the best thing to do, yet some deep part of him genuinely didn’t want to burden the others. They had enough on their plates already, a clingy-annoying sick man wouldn’t do any of them favours. Besides he was fine, he could take care of himself.
Sure, he was lightheaded and nauseous, and his body felt like it was made of lead. His legs shook violently with every step, yet no one noticed because he was bringing up the rear of the group. They wouldn’t know. They didn’t need to know. Sky bit back a cough, even when it stabbed in his chest ferociously - like a wild animal trying to claw its way out of a cage.
The more he moved and walked, the more the residual pains and aches turned from annoying to unbearable. They felt like they were on fire, burning him alive mercilessly. His head throbbed like a bongo drum, making him squeeze his eyes shut for a moment and hold back a whimper.
His stomach churned something wild, it felt like his intestines were cramping him to death, in a vice grip. It hurt so bad. Oh, goddesses, he couldn’t imagine anything more cruel and painful. The nausea that had been slowly building up, forced itself through his gut and the hero lost the battle for dignity.
His knees buckled and he hit the ground faster than anyone could blink, falling to his side with a strained gasp. Several of the other heroes ahead of him heard the thud and had turned around hastily, weapons drawn as if to fend off a monster. But all that was there was a curled up, shaking Sky.
A moment of silence before everyone processed what had just happened.
“Sky!!”
“Holy shit, is he okay?”
Time approached the poor young man and knelt by him, ushering the others back, except for Warriors who knew basic medical care. He placed a hand on Sky’s arm, a worried frown sliding over his usually expressionless face. “Sky, can you hear me?” he asked, gently shaking the hero. “Sky?”
The younger hero turned to face the two, eyes glazed over and face flushed. His face was also pale and sweaty, and he looked like death warmed up. “I-I don’ feel goo’…” Sky whined softly. His eyes were shining with unshed tears and his skin looked a little green.
Warriors gaped and turned to Time. “Sprite, he’s not looking too good…”
Time nodded and placed a hand on the Sky’s feverish forehead, recoiling at the heat of it. “Oh, Sky, you’re burning up badly.” Sky whimpered softly, seemingly unaware of what was going on around him. Time felt his fatherly instincts push through and caressed a hand through the younger’s hair, fondly smiling as he leaned into it. Then he turned to the others.
“Alright team, we’re stopping here for the night. I need you all to set up camp by those trees.” He pointed at the tall, thick cherry trees that loomed overhead. Being in Wild’s era meant a lot of bushland, trees and protection - and that would serve them well tonight. “Four, Wind, I want you two to fill some basins with water and find a cloth. Wild, you get started on dinner, preferably something light and easy like broth or soup for Sky. Get Legend to help you.” They all nodded dutifully and set off to do their tasks. He faced the other boys. “Hyrule, we could use your medical skills and magic here so stay with us. Twilight, would you mind helping us get Sky to his bedroll?”
Twilight nodded and bent down, preparing to carry the younger man until said hero cried out and shook violently, a thick stream of sick escaping his pale lips. He clutched his stomach and whined, puppy-like, as he retched and spewed again. It seemed his insides were having no mercy on him tonight. “Ngghh…I…” Sky whispered shakily, voice hoarse from all the crying and throwing up. He tried to speak but he barely even had the energy to move, so it proved fruitless. “Hnggh-mmmm…” he cried again as his body started tensing and his belly began twisting again. He felt his heart race in panic at the thought of doing it all again.
Twilight stepped in this time. “You’re okay, Sky, just breathe. You can do it, just take a deep breath and let it out. You’re gonna be okay just calm yourself down and relax. That’s it…” Sky followed what he said, and calmed down somewhat, but he looked positively awful and it made the other heroes' hearts clench. “Okay, you think you’re done?”
Sky nodded shakily, eyes filled with tears that he didn’t have the energy to hide. Hyrule hummed and poured some of his magic into Sky, offering some calming energy through his frazzled senses. He sighed softly as some of the tension left Sky’s shoulders.
Time smiled warmly, trying to make the poor guy feel at least a little comforted. “Alright, we’re gonna try to get you to your bedroll now, the others should be done already. You’re gonna get some rest okay?”
Sky nodded weakly, not at all attempted to argue, which was so unlike him that it made all four heroes around him gasp in almost-comical unison. With some grunts and a few comforting gestures, Sky was soon tucked in his bedroll. He still felt dizzy and yucky, and hot too. His skin prickled like little fireballs were beneath it, wanting to get out.
As soon as a damp washcloth was draped over his head, he couldn’t hold back the relieved sigh that escaped him. A few soft chuckles echoed around him, but he didn’t mind. A gentle hand in his hair caressed it in soothing motions, scratching at the scalp so softly that his eyes refused to stay open and he fell asleep to the sounds of his brothers whispering and that comforting touch of his hair.
If he woke up the next morning, to all of his brothers around him fast asleep, except for whoever was on watch, he would smile and thank the goddesses that he was blessed with the greatest family he could ever ask for.