I prided myself on being healthy. I ate well and stayed active. I figured I was pretty much immune to illness.

Until I woke up to my gut trying to rip itself out of my abdomen.

I rolled over Sylus and ran for the bathroom. I heard him groan as I elbowed him in the belly, but I couldn’t stop to check on him.

I fell to my knees and emptied the contents of my stomach into the porcelain throne.

Sylus wasn’t far behind. He knelt in the door way and held my locks back as I projectile vomited.

“I warned you. Straight whisky isn’t really a beginner thing.” He breathed.

I gave him a quick finger before I had to return to holding onto the bowl for dear life.

I wasn’t a drinker. I never drank except to try my cooking wines. That was it. But Sylus was drinking so I really thought I should try. He was right. I took it too far. I was trying to keep up with a being that was physically incapable of getting sick from drink. He stopped, I kept drinking. Guess I thought I had something to prove.

My stomach was killing me. My soul was trying desperately to escape my body.

I barely remembered the evening. I remember getting home. I remember giving Sylus a hard time when he was worried about me. I remember flopping on the living room rug taunting him.

“Oh God.” I groans as I hocked something up from the depths of my bowls.

He wrapped an arm around my abdomen. The warmth of his hand managed to ease the pain. I still felt like shit.

I was crying. I was disoriented and confused. I rolled from the toilet to his belly. I rested my head there and sobbed. There was probably still puke and bile on my lips but he pressed me against himself and rubbed my back.

“It’s alright, Starlight. You’re going to be alright.” He cooed.

I was barely concsious. All I could feel was the pain in my gut and head. I tried desperately to focus on Sylus. On his gentle words, his soft touch, his comforting belly. It was so hard.

I wrapped my arms around him, pressing my face as deeply into him as I could.

“Now now,” he pulled me back, “You still have to breathe.”

I squeezed him tightly as I slowly caught my breath.

“I’m sorry.” I muttered. “I’m so sorry.”

“For what, my love?”

“Drooling barf all over your shirt.” I rubbed my face in his belly. “Seeing me like this… I’m a gross mess.”

“Why on earth would you even think any of that?”

“I’m not supposed to get sick.”

“Not supposed to-what? What are you saying?” He stroked the back of my head. “Oh it’s just the drink talking.”

“I’m so… Mortal compared to you. It’s pathetic. I’m pathetic.”

“Now now.” He held me tight. “None of that bollocks is true and you know it. You are so very very strong, Starlight. Stronger than you know.”

I moans as I pressed myself into him again.

“Your only shortcoming is needing to breathe.” He chuckled as he pulled my head out of his stomach again.

I held me in his arms, rubbing my back and head. As the pain subsided, I could feel his comfort more and more. Exhaustion started surfacing. I knew I had to get back to bed, but I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed in his embrace.

And so he sat there. Holding me. Cooing softly. Massaging my aching muscles.

He was right. I would be okay.