Dialogue Prompt

Whump Prompt #643

How long does A manage to hide the symptoms of their diagnosis before their friends finally find out?

Sicktember Day 2

Homesick

Fandom: -

Characters: Florian and Celia

Illness: Common cold, Fever

Warning: -

A little bit of context for a better understanding (bc I just jumped straight into action lol): Florian was invited to a neighboring kingdom for diplomatic purposes, and in his escort he brought Celia with himself and now she's providing comfort for him while they're far away from home. The prince and Celia are pretty comfortable with each other at this point but still maintaining their obligatory distance.

-

’I just… I want to go home. Everyone is so loud and irritating here and there are always so many problems with everything. And my head hasn’t stopped pounding since two days ago.’

Celia quietly sighed as Florian leaned back and rested his head on the top of the armchair. He was exhausted and this whole room was just uncomfortable and hot, he wished to be back in his own chamber and own bed. It was selfish of him, he knew that well and he felt bad about his thoughts but couldn’t help with the helplessness and homesickness that was clinging onto his chest. Celia’s cold hand on his forehead was what brought him back to reality. The maid was looking at him with a pitiful sadness and Florian’s stomach jumped into a knot at the look in her eyes. He never liked it if somebody was looking at him like this, it made him feel weak and useless like he wasn’t good enough for his title. And the emotional state he was in right now, clearly wasn’t helping his clouded mind.

‘You’re burning up.’

‘What?’

‘You’re running a fever, Your Highness. I believe you’re sick.’

‘No, that can’t be.’ Florian quickly shooed away Celia’s hand, but only realized how hot his head actually felt when the maid’s cool fingers weren’t pressing on his skin anymore. Maybe even his head started hurting a bit more. ‘I can’t get sick right now.’

He was trying to convince himself that it wasn’t right, he was just tired and maybe that has messed with his temperature, but the scratching feeling in his lungs that made him want to cough was clearly protesting against his idea.

‘I’m sorry Your Highness, your body must have gotten tired because of the traveling and caught a cold.’

Celia was still looking at him that way. She was pitying him. He didn’t need anyone’s pity, especially not a maid’s!

‘Stop looking at me like that!’

Florian’s voice was harsh and rough and Celia quickly turned her head away. She was familiar with higher ranking people yelling at her, but it was the first time Florian raised his voice at her and it caught her off guard. She let her feelings show too much and she must not let this accident happen again.

‘I’m sorry Your Highness, please forgive me.’

Her voice was weaker than she had intended and Celia was cursing herself for that. She needs to get herself together, this behavior wasn’t suited for the crown prince’s nursing maid.

‘No, no I’m sorry Celia…’ it only took a moment for Florian to realize how he just acted with her, who was only trying to help him, and immediately felt terrible. ‘I didn’t mean to yell at you like that, it was very rude of me, you didn’t do anything. You don’t have to ask for forgiveness. I’m just…so tired, I’m sorry…’

Tears were forming in the prince’s eyes and he quickly pulled a hand in front of his face but Celia gasped when she saw the tears running down Florian’s face.

‘Oh no, it’s alright, I’m not angry or anything! Please don’t cry Your Highness, everything’s fine.’

‘I’m sorry, I don’t know why am I like this… You shouldn’t see me like this…’ the prince’s voice was trembling and Celia not minding the young man’s status, pulled him close. Florian hasn’t protested, just laid into her hug.

‘I’m the very person who should see you like this.’ Celia’s soothing words filled the air with some kind of comfort. ‘And you’re feverish, it’s normal to experience mood swings, I know you haven’t meant it.’

‘I don’t want to get sick…’

‘I know, but I’m here to help and you’ll feel better soon enough.’

‘But what will they say…?’

Those always-watching and unpredictable gazes felt like burning irons on his skin. Normally he’d know how to deal with them, but right now he was so tired and lost and buried under all those problems without a clear solution. He really just wanted to go back home and hide under his blankets where he could comfortably rest for a few days without everyone questioning him. But even if he set off right now, it’d take two weeks to get home and he had to admit, he was in no way in any shape, or form fit for a road so long. The only thing he had closest to home was Celia right now.

‘For the next two days there won’t be any meetings.’ answered Celia after a little thinking, while gently rubbing Florian’s back. The prince wasn’t sure when was it okay to let go, but he sure didn’t want to yet. ‘The noblemen are going for a hunt and you can kindly decline to go with them, saying that you’re honored, but hunting isn’t your favorite way of passing the time and you must manage some matters regarding a few diplomatic decisions that need your attention. And while they are out and you’re seemingly busy with work, we’ll nurse you back to health in no time.’

‘That sounds actually… quite manageable. But I’m sure they will comment on me missing out on the hunt.’

‘We can’t make anyone happy, but I’m sure they’ll understand you have work.’

‘Hm.’

‘So, how about it Your Highness? I can send someone out immediately if you want to.’

Florian was quiet for a little, trying to think through the plan and find some weak points in it, but his mind wasn’t working properly anymore, too fogged to do any of its work.

‘Yes, alright… This one will do it… And nobody will know how I…?’

‘Nobody. I promise.’

‘Thank you, Celia…’

‘Of course.’ Celia smiled at him as she gently pulled away from him and Florian let her go with a shaking breath but found her fingers on his face again before having a chance to step away. She was carefully placing her palm on the prince’s cheeks, tapping the hot skin with her fingertips and discreetly whipping away some of his dried up tears. Florian closed his eyes and haven’t even flinched when Celia’s soft lips made contact with his forehead and rested there for a few seconds to feel his temperature. Even her breath felt nice and cool and for a fragment of a second, Florian was no crown prince, just a sick boy in a loving hold.

‘Please get comfortable and go to bed, Your Highness. I’ll bring some water and tea for you and make someone inform the noblemen. You’ll have to sweat this one out.’

Florian just nodded and threw his clothes on the ground as Celia quickly left and climbed to bed with aching muscles. He wasn’t even sure how he had the energy for this day when the only thing he was able to do now is to hide under the heavy blankets shivering and waiting for his maid to finally return back to him.

Wholesome dad energy Leifs to make up for the prior cursed image

whumpee who's usually active / talkative person, is just sitting quietly in the team meeting now , which is very not him

Team leader (caretaker) noticed that, so he approached him & asked in concern :

- hey whumpee ,Why are you spacing out here?

-....

- whumpee ??

whumpee's unfocused gaze is finally gone, he replied in confused voice:

- t..team leader?

- .... are you ok ? I called you twice

- ah .. I'm sorry

- is there's something on your mind? maybe I can help !

- ah , no , nothing actually , mmm , I'm a bit tired , I couldn't get any sleep last night

- ... should get some rest then , I'll send you the meeting's summary later

- thank you, leader

At night, caretaker went to whumpee's room to check on him , especially that he didn't left his room the whole day!

he knocked the door twice, but there was no response, so caretaker just opened the unlocked door and went inside

- excuse me ... whumpee ??

He looked around, whumpee was in his bed wrapped in blankets , caretaker wondered if he was sleeping the whole time !!

- hey whumpee !!

when he uncovered his face, whumpee looked like he's in pain !! he was so pale , breathing loud and shivering hard , when he touched his forehead, it was already burning up

- WHUMPEE !!! CAN YOU HEAR ME ??

he shaked his shoulder, slapped his face, there was no response, " DAMN IT " he swore with grounded teeth

the team was shocked when the leader went downstairs carrying whumpee between his arms, and shouting :

- CALL THE AMBULANCE NOW !!

So uh, I might've started writing a fic. Vi ventures her way down to the ant kingdom, what sort of wacky characters will she come across?

Bugtober

Day 3: Cozy

Caretaker dialogue, feel free to add to the list

"I think you have a fever, you feel warm"

"Bless you, you sound congested"

"Sounds like you're losing your voice"

"That cough sounds horrible"

"Can I help you?"

"You need medicine"

"Feeling any better?"

"Do you need anything?"

"Here, this will make you feel better"

"Are you cold?"

"What's bothering you? What hurts?"

"Maybe I should take you to the doctor..."

"Let me take a look"

"You need rest"

"Let's get you to bed"

"I don't like the sound of that"

"Save your voice"

"Blow your nose, you'll feel better"

"I know you're not feeling well, I'm sorry, I wish there was more I could do for you"

"103? ...no wonder you feel so bad, come on we need to do something about this"

"It's okay, you can't help it"

"Have you been sneezing this much all day?"

"You must be exhausted"

"You sleep okay? No? Looks like you could use a nap"

"Good job"

"When did you start feeling sick?"

Okay, okay, I'm not really good at making sentences work the way I want them but I'll try to convey my thoughts and emotions over the characters from Bug Fables after completing the game last night at 2:00 ish in the morning (I was weak and there no way I was gonna stop with all the stuff that was going on at the end. I'm the type of player that plays till a good stopping point) that being said there will be spoilers from here on down so you've been warned!

But really it's such a beautiful experience and i highly recommend going in blind to any new player.

Okay, on to the point. I know many people have decided on their favorite of the team and I'm not here to say "oh they're the best and you're wrong!" NOPE I'm not doing that I am trying to say is "they're all the best and you're so right to care for one but let's love them all". Each character has their own ideals and their own goals when we first meet them.

Vi (Violet) a bee who has essentially runaway from home after burning the bridges between her family and her "mother" the queen to become an explorer. An occupation that (based off context clues) is the last thing a bee does for a living. And this is emphasized with all other bugs that explore being not only bigger than her but NOT bees. And biologically...it makes sense! A bee, is to collect pollen and nectar for the hive and produce honey (which Vi use to do with her job at the factory) and biologically bees do avoid fighting since their only way of attacking is with their stinger. But unlike the other black and yellow bugs, a bee's stinger is a one use thing. After it's used, it remains in the creature the bee attacked and from the bee's body it takes their organs with it. (If I remember that correctly. It's been a while since I looked up why bee's die after stinging someone). But you understand the concern that other bees in Vi's life have for her becoming an explorer. But that isn't the only thing the Vi dealt with before becoming and explorer, she had to deal with many of her friends and family badmouth her dreams and guilt her from trying to accomplish them. As Vi said to her sister when they were trying to resolve their fight, "But if I can say something, you were mean to me too! I had dreams and you stomped over them! I'm doing great! I've gone to many places and beat up huge monsters! If...if you had any faith in me I could've done it sooner!" Even her desire of money is so that she can live how she wants without anyone telling her how to live. And it's a strong desire due to the fact that Vi is always trying to strike a deal or not spend their savings on expensive wants, shown through her reluctance to buy the green ranger toy, or her utter shock to the 400 berries flower toy she forked the money for. (Something that shocked Leif and Kabbu due to the fact that Vi just spent 400 berries on a toy for someone else)

Kabbu a beetle (who specific species I don't know) who is the definition of an honorable bug. Going out of his way to help others and if it weren't for Vi he'd do it for free. Which would essentially leave him homeless once that is said and done. Who through the majority of the game he's the voice of reason, passion, and inspiration. (With a skill "Pep Talk" he's able to revive a fainted teammate). And who wishes to create a team of explorers to call his own. I will say that Kabbu was precious. I loved how the only reason Vi and Leif got anything done or didn't do a crime, the chaotic duo that they are, was because of Kabbu and how his hesitance was enough to keep Vi and Leif from upsetting him further. But I do want to say that I found it odd how willing he was to behave that way. When I was playing through the festival I found it so weird how Kabbu was okay with not participating at all. Until I realized that I personally do that too. Kabbu was happy as long as his teammates were having fun. (Until you learn of his old teammates, who were trying to go to bugaria by going through the swamplands and perished to the Beast by holding it off while Kabbu ran away) Kabbu who after surviving the Beast alone had to make more than half of the journey to the Ant Kingdom alone, through a desert filled with monsters, some which he couldn't attack by himself due to their burrow ability, and bandits, with some bandits flying to high for him to do anything but run from. The entire time being alone to fester in the guilt that he essentially "abandoned" his teammates to die at the hands of the beast and how easy the desert would be if his teammates were there to help him. (Not only that but if I remember correctly Kabbu's old teammates were more experienced than Kabbu himself, which added to the guilt "if I was stronger they would still be around") And now the festival wasn't as happy as it was led to appear. Kabbu is okay with letting his teammates have fun because he doesn't "need" to have fun. Vi and Leif are placeholders for his old teammates during this event. If they can have fun one more time, I can truly be happy. I will keep them safe and happy unlike my old teammates. I will do all within my power to make sure my teammates are happy and safe. Because I didn't the first time and I won't make that same mistake. That is why when we collectively reach the grasslands Kabbu comes to the decision that he's strong enough to avenge his fallen teammates by defeating the Beast. Alone if he must.

Leif a moth (with the ability to control ice that they generate within their body) who is found after Kabbu and Vi stumble into the deeps of Snake mouth cave. And when they're awakened from their "nap" Leif has no idea that time has essentially changed. Now the Ant Kingdom has grown, their queen is no longer in charge but their daughter. And things aren't as peaceful as they use to be, the wasps and termites have cut ties with the ant kingdom, there are bandits left and right, and now there is need for a prison when in the past there was no such need. All of the bugs that Leif once knew are no more except Rebecca who is too aged to fully remember them. (If that's her name, I honestly was never too sure...) And it wasn't till later in the story that Leif is shocked to realize that one of the family's in the residential areas looks just like they're wife Muse. And that is when you realize that Leif was stripped from they're family. And thus leads to Leif working harder in finding out what exactly happened in that cave and when we do it's heartbreaking. Apparently Snake mouth cave was home to a civilization of roach scientists who were trying to recreate an equivalent to the eternal sapling by experimenting with cordyceps and bugs that the roaches lured to the cave with the promise of an artifact that would lead to the everlasting sapling. That is why there was a trap door as you open the door to the "treasure" of Snake mouth cave and further beyond that "treasure" was another door were bugs were inhumanely experimented on in some sick experiment as the roaches looked for purpose. (It's only super concerning that the majority of zombified bugs happen to be small ants, bees of the "smaller" variety, and green beetles of the "larger" variety. (Creepily enough they looked like Vi and Kabbu and I really hope that Leif's old teammates weren't some variety of those bugs cuz that would be super upsetting.) There, Leif learns that they were once dead, and that they're not even them, they were a sentient cordyceps that "failed" the roaches test and possessed a dead bug, Leif, who was most likely ambushed with his team and left behind by said team least they all lose their lives. Only for Leif to be subjected to experiments in order to become the next immortal, a purpose for the roaches to live for. And unluckily (luckily??) survived the experiments once a cordyceps housed itself within them in a symbiotic relationship. And with Kabbu and Vi's help, comes to accept that they have always been the same bug from the beginning till now and onwards. Now that they realize that even though they are part cordyceps part moth it doesn't mean they have really changed from the bug they use to be when it came to they're family. Which gave them the courage to meet the present version of their family and be accepted with open arms (it was touching and I cried).

But that's just it. Vi, Kabbu, and Leif; Team Snakemouth are the best team, because they had each other. And even though they each had their own personalities and their pasts that laid heavy within each of their minds. Team Snakemouth supported itself, and was open to itself (some a bit more than others). They keep their secrets within the team, they backed each other up, they tease each other, they beat anyone fight anyone that insults one of them (How dare you insult us! Insult one you insult all!). Because they aren't just one, they are a team, a family, friends. A success, is all their success. A failure, is all their failure. One's happiness, is all their happiness. And ones sadness, is all their sadness. And it was their team that saved Bugaria from the wasp King. And we loved them all.

I love the way you write soft whump!! Would you consider writing a sickfic in which A is very sick (fever, weakness, the works) but keeps trying to get up and do things so B and C have to band together to keep them in bed and take care of them?

thank you so much!! and thanks for being patient - this was a perfect prompt for @sicktember!

sicktember day 30: get back in bed!

“Finally got them back in bed,” C says, walking back into the living room where B is watching TV. 

“What was it this time?” B asks, eyes not leaving the screen.

C huffs a laugh. “They were trying to reorganize the bookshelves.” 

B rolls their eyes. “Why? You wouldn’t catch them dead doing that if they were healthy.” 

C shrugs. “I guess fevers make them restless? In any case, they should be–”

A crash interrupts their train of thought, and both B and C look up the stairs, groaning in unison as they head back to A’s bedroom. 

But A’s not in the rumpled covers, nor are they in B or C’s beds (of which they tried to change the sheets twice already today). No, this time they’ve crawled to the bathroom, where they’re carefully lining up all the bath products from the cupboard along the floor next to the shower. A blanket’s tangled around their shoulders, and their hair is sleep-mussed and wild.

“A, honey,” B kneels down next to them, laying a hand on their shoulder. “You shouldn’t be up.” 

“I have to return these, B. There’s too many.” Their voice is scratchy, frantic, and their glassy eyes are wide. “But I can’t find the shampoo.” They’re clutching a bottle of body wash to their chest, lower lip trembling like they’re ready to burst into tears. 

B presses their other hand against A’s forehead, then looks up at C with worried eyes. “Their fever’s worse.” 

C nods, kneeling down on the floor next to the other two. “A? We can take care of this later. Right now, you need to get back in bed.” They gently pry the bottle out of A’s trembling hand and hoist them up, B with their arm around their other side. A is dead weight between them, and C catches B’s eyes as they stumble down the hallway.

“Desperate measures?” C asks.

“Desperate measures,” B replies.

When they get to the bedroom, C pours another dose of flu medicine into the small plastic cup, and B helps prop A up on the bed so they can choke the cherry-flavored liquid down. Afterwards, they ease A back under the covers, then C and B take their places on both sides of them.

“What….what’re you doing?” A’s still out of it, but they’re lucid enough to know that C and B are two unusual additions to their bed.

“Making sure you stay,” B says, gently tapping A’s nose. “Close your eyes and let the medicine do the work. We’ll be right next to you.”

A looks like they want to argue, but their eyes are already slipping shut, and the protests die on their lips. In minutes, they’re unconscious, as evidenced by their short, shallow breaths. B leans up on one elbow, casting a nervous glance at C.

“They’re really sick, aren’t they?” B’s voice is hardly more than a whisper.

C nods. “Yeah, they are.” They gaze down at A’s sleeping form, raising a hand to brush a lock of their hair behind their ear. “But they’ll be okay. We’ll make sure of it.”

Still, neither of them leave A’s side for the rest of the night.

Team Snakemouth taking in the sights during an expedition to the Giants' Realm.

Spoiler alert: It's actually a city in Brazil.