Aki worked tirelessly. He knew his master's life was on the line. He was going to lose Zephyr if he didn't find something. The disease slowly took over Zephyrs body despite the medication. Aki was exhausted, ready to collapse but working hard.
Lucien helped with everything as much as he could, though because he couldn't get close to any disease victims, there was a limit to how much he could help. He tried to reassure Aki as much as possible, before speaking with the physician, who was making headway on an actual cure, but without it, people died in the streets.
Aki was grateful for any kind of help, from anyone. He wanted to cry, but he couldn't. He barely ate or slept, becoming more and more frantic to find a cure. He had only.broken down once, going into hysterics before calling down and returning to work.
Lucien found him at about noon, and gently put a hand on his shoulder. "Aki, you need to eat and take a nap." he said softly, knowing the other man had hardly eaten or slept. "You're going to work yourself to death."
Aki starts when someone talked to him, his eyes widening a little. He shook his head, going back to his scribbles and chicken scratch. "I can't, not with Zephyrs line on the line. I can't lose him. He's the only family I have…" His voice was shaky and strained, his eyes wide from being forced open all the time. He could barely see straight.
Lucien gently took the scribbles and chicken scratch away from him, holding it in the air. "I know you're worried, but you aren't going to do anyone any good like this." He replied softly. "I know how you feel. I felt the same way about my father. But you can't work yourself into the ground like this."
Aki looked close to tears, trying weakly to get it back. "Lucien please! I need- I can't… I can't lose him. Every second could be his last…" He whimpered. "I need to find a cure!" He cries, the tears now flowing freely. The kitsune was weak, tired and he was about to lose the only family he had.
Lucien put the notes down, and hugged him gently. "Aki. You can't help him like this." He picked up the smaller boy, and carried him out of the room. "Come on. You're going to eat, then sleep." He said firmly.
Aki broke down into Luciens shoulder, shaking and sobbing. He didn't want to lose his master. He couldn't lose Zephyr. "Please… Please Lucien." He begs softly. "Please let me work… I can't… I can't lose him."
Lucien stopped, and held him close. His heart hurt, seeing the other like this. "Aki." He said quietly. "You're going to kill yourself if you keep working like this." He gently smoothed his hand over the back of Aki's head. "Please. Just an hour of sleep, and then you can work again."
Aki shook his head. "I- I need to keep working. I can't.." He whispers. He was so tired, maybe a little sleep would do him some good. "J-just an hour of sleep…" He murmurs quietly, his ears flat against his head.
"Food first, then you sleep." Lucien agreed, carrying to the dining room. His arms were gentle around the other male.
He leaned into the other tiredly, "Okay…" He mutters, "I'll… I'll do that." He looked relaxed as the other held him, almost as if he was falling asleep.
He carried Aki into the dining room and set him down in a chair. "Stay here. I'll bring you food." He said gently. He left, then came back with a plate full of food.
Aki sat in the chair tiredly, muttering softly to himself. His head dropped as he tried o stay awake. There was no chance. He was dozing on the table when Lucien came back.
Lucien set the plate down, and sighed. "Aki, you aren't supposed to sleep yet." He gently shook the other male's shoulder to wake him up.
Aki woke up, his eyes widening as he panted heavily. His eyes were wide, before he looked around, and then towards Lucien. "O-oh… S-sorry…" He mumbled.
Lucien shook his head a little. "It's fine. Now eat a bit, then I'll take you to your room, alright?"
Aki nods and eat slowly, not wanting to choke on his food. He only ate a little though, since it filled him up rather quickly due to days loss of food. "Thanks…"
Lucien nodded, and threw away what Aki couldn't eat. "You're welcome. Now come on, let's get you to bed, alright?"
Aki was trembling by now, the exhaustion was killing him. Aki stood, trembling a bit before his knees gave out and he began to fall.
Lucien caught him quickly. "Okay, I'll carry you." He said softly. He swung Aki into his arms and started walking, carrying the smaller male easily.
Aki starts when he's grabbed, leaning tiredly into Lucien. "We really must stop running into each other like this…" he laughs quietly. "I'm always about to pass out and you have to drag me to a bed to make me sleep…"
Lucien chuckled. "Mm. Maybe once this disease blows over, we can hang out more without you passing out." he replied with a gentle smile, carrying Aki through the halls.
Aki nods slowly and sighs quietly. "Yeah… that would be nice…" He mumbles. He didn't want to deal with the disease but he knew he had to… But sleep… Sleep sounded wonderful.