Archive of Our Own ^beta

Ellie lay curled up in a small chair beside Danny's bed, a thick blanket draped over her shoulders. Her nose was green from constantly wiping away the snot running down her chin, and her cheeks flushed with fever, but just like her father, she stubbornly refused to acknowledge she was sick from not wearing her Far Frozen gear. 

“If only Sam was aware enough. She’d know how to get Ellie to take her medicine,” Tucker thought glumly. Sam hadn’t responded to anything the past two days and it was starting to worry him. She didn’t even react when Tucker helped wash off Danny’s blood from her hands. 

Tucker had to give credit to where credit was due. The Yetis did attempt to get Ellie to take some cough syrup earlier. Emphasis on “attempt.” She bit and scratched so many of them that they have started calling her “Demon Child” instead of their usual “Little Princess.” 

Ellie certainly hasn’t been acting like one lately. 

The Yetis eventually gave up and enlisted the help of one Tucker Elliot Foley Baldaŭ esti Duulaman. And he wasn’t taking no for an answer. 

"Why won't you just take the medicine, Ellie?" Tucker pleaded; his voice laced with frustration. "You're only making yourself worse by refusing to treat your cold." 

Ellie shot him a glare, her blue-green eyes flashing with determination. "I don't need it," she insisted, her voice dryer than the Sahara Desert. "I'm fine." 

Tucker sighed, running a hand through his short dreads in exasperation.  

"Of all the traits she had to get, it was Danny’s own stubbornness... Fuck you, Vlad.”  

He knew she was worried about Danny and didn't want to cause any more stress, but her refusal to take care of herself was only making everyone else more stressed.

"Ellie, please," Tucker pleaded, his voice softer now. "Danny would want you to take care of yourself. He wouldn't want you getting sicker and hurting yourself because you didn’t take some cough syrup." 

Ellie glared at the bottle; her lips pressed into a stubborn line. "No way. I hate that stuff," she muttered, her voice sounding like a lawn mower gargling marbles. "It's gross and goopy and... and it reminds me of... of..." A fit of coughing suddenly cut her off. 

Tucker sighed as he rubbed her back. “It's not your favorite, but you're sick, Ellie. We need you to get better so you can help us take care of Danny and Sam." 

Ellie's eyes welled up with tears, her lower lip trembling. "I can't leave Dad-Danny," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "What if he... what if he Fades while I'm gone?" 

Tucker's heart ached at the fear in her eyes. “What if indeed." He didn’t even want to think about what could happen.  

"Ellie, Danny wouldn't want you to suffer like this. He'd want you to take care of yourself," he said softly, offering her the bottle cap once more. 

After a moment of hesitation, Ellie reluctantly took the bottle and uncapped it, grimacing at the sight and smell of the thick, syrupy liquid. She raised it to her lips, hesitated, then took a deep breath and swallowed it in one gulp. 

The taste was even worse than she remembered, making her gag and cough even more. But she swallowed it down, fighting back the urge to spit it out. 

The medicine worked quickly, and soon Ellie's eyes drooped and she slumped against Tucker, asleep. He carefully picked her up and carried her through the glittering halls of Clyt’a Slerl’a’si. Tucker could hear the whispers the Yetis made at the sight.  

“Seems like Ellie is the local demon child no longer.” Tucker laughed to himself. “For now, at least."  

Tucker gently laid Ellie down on her bed, tucking the blankets around her small form. She looked so vulnerable in her sleep, her usual stubborn demeanor replaced by the peaceful expression of a child. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his heart heavy with worry for her and for Danny. 

"Get some rest, Ellie," he whispered softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead before quietly leaving the room. 

As he quietly closed the door, Tucker tiptoed to where Sam lay on their bed. 

She was sprawled across her bed, having crashed there three hours earlier. It was a welcome sight compared to the days she had spent staring blankly at the wall, lost in her own thoughts. Tucker couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for not being able to help her more. 

“Baby steps Tuck,” he reminded himself, “baby steps. She’s getting better.” 

He approached her bedside, studying her intently for a moment. Despite the exhaustion etched on her face, there was a hint of peace in her expression that hadn't been there before.  

Tucker reached out and gently brushed a lock of violet hair away from Sam's face. He watched her for a moment longer. 

"Sleep well, Sam," he murmured softly, before turning to leave the room, leaving her to her dreams. Tucker prayed to the Core that Nocturn would be at least a tad bit merciful in her dreams. 

Clockwork knows they all needed it. 

With a sigh, he got up and left for Frostbite’s office. With both Sam and Danny out of commission and Ellie being too young, it was up to Tucker to alert the Council of Ancients and the citizens of the Infinite Realms of the status of their Crown Prince. They deserve to know what happened to the prophesied Eternal King. 

Suited to it he may be, but he did not enjoy being in charge. In fact, he hated it. 

Tucker just hoped no one would do anything ... brash. 

... 

He’s been doing a lot of hoping lately.