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It was the coldest winter Time had so far encountered. He wasn’t certain if he had had higher body temperature straight off after birth or if it was something the orphanage’s owners had caused. Either way, he was fully grateful of it. Yet, there was one bad thing that his situation caused.The one eyed male couldn’t be certain of the temperature of his boys’ rooms. He couldn’t just put a thermometer into there to know unlike in the stables and Cucco house. Yet, at least in those places the animals could get warmth from each other if needed. Not to mention that Epona would definitely let him know if those places weren’t warm enough.Yet, mostly the ranch’s owner was fine with his boys crashing in his room. He enjoyed of their company and loved to look after them. At first, when it had been one to few, he was actually capable of helping. Now, with seven of them, he couldn’t deny the fact of it being bit too much.One by him was no trouble. There was more than enough of room to move away if the heat started to be too much. Two was still good. One to both side with the bed being wide enough to provide the space in case one started to be sweaty beneath the blanket. Three started to need actual getting away. Four persons around him began to make him feel tad trapped. It was still plausible of shifting the boys bit away without waking them up but still providing the needed warmth. With five the warmth rose quicker underneath the blanket than what he wanted to admit into. He needed to squirm out of the hold and pretty much sit on his pillow to let his own body temperature to cool down a bit. Six caused him to really gasp for air, fight to keep his movements careful enough so he wouldn’t wake up his boys and get out of the hold before already pulling his shirt off. Seven ended up being in such way that one to few of the boys woke up as he forced his way out of the hold while feeling sweaty, bit dizzy and slightly nauseous. Yet, he still was able to cool down and assure his boys of things being fine and that it just got bit too hot for him. He always returned to his earlier place, though. Yet, he didn’t go beneath the blanket anymore as he just laid over it to prevent getting too warm again. Eight…Things had started easy and normally at that night. Each of Time’s boys as well as his older brother had been sleeping at their own rooms. He had tried to make sure everyone’s rooms were warm enough but, for a reason or another, his family just made their way into his room. Still, each of them knew they could come to wake him up or just take a place from the bed if they felt like it.It started from Four. The shortest boy had woken up from a nightmare and felt in the need of company. While still half asleep, the youngster went into the first place he could think of: Time’s room. He just climbed up onto the bed and crawled over to his caretaker. Time, being light sleeper, woke up already into the opening of his door. He smiled fondly at his boy and just raised the blanket to let him into a hug.Next to come over was Sky. Besides the shortest boy, he was another one whom easily got cold. The youngster yawned while clutching the stuffed bird toy before scrambling to the bed. Time carefully shifted so he wouldn’t awaken the earlier kid as he moved to his back. He wrapped his free arm around the nearly asleep being pilot-to-be and smiled as the youngster snuggled close to him.Hyrule was bit surprise one to come over after all three had calmed down and the ranch’s owner was drifting back to sleep. Usually the last boy he had adopted went over to Legend’s room but sometimes, like on that night, he came over to Time’s. Maybe it was because the room was the warmest of the whole house or then just the different kind of feeling of safety he gave to his boys. Either way the kid already snuck beneath the blanket when he reached the bed and just crawled up to snuggle next to Sky and getting close to his caretaker while being between the two males.Wild was another unexpected boy to come over. The master chef, as Time called him every now and then, loved to snuggle next to Twilight. Yet, the one eyed male knew he shared some similar situations with his third boy that the others couldn’t and hopefully never would. Nonetheless, the youngster stayed beneath the blanket while snuggling close to the one eyed male’s leg and holding tightly. Time wasn’t too happy of not seeing his boy so he checked on him by raising the blanket. At least that eased the excessive amount of heat for a moment.It didn’t take long before Wind followed the boy whom had been brought to the Lon-Lon Ranch just about six months before him. Like Hyrule and Wild, he too snuck beneath the blanket as soon as he had a chance for it. The youngest youngster of Time’s family claimed the one eyed male’s other leg without second thought.Time had a feeling that Legend had been tossing and turning in his own bed for a while before he finally decided to check on whom of his brothers had already claimed their caretaker. “Just get in. Almost everyone’s already here.” The ranch’s owner whispered quietly when his second boy stood bit uncertainly by his bed.“Who’s missing?” Legend inquired while taking a place from Hyrule’s other side while being careful of lower being Wild. He kept Time as a pillow while wrapping his arms around the younger male in front of him. He yawned and snuggled close to Hyrule with a small smile on his face.“Twilight and Wars.” Time answered quietly even though he wasn’t certain if his boy heard him anymore. Yet, Legend just gave almost unnoticeable nod of understanding. “Sleep well my boys.” The one eyed male whispered with a fond smile while closing his eye and just relaxing again.Twilight came over quite soon after Legend had calmed down and fallen asleep. “You good?” He inquired after he noticed Time having opened his eye and looking at him.“All’s fine.” Time replied while at the moment feeling calm and well. The fact of having raised the blanket for Legend and let some of the warmth out had eased thing off. He hoped it was enough for the rest of the night. “Come on, Cub. Take a place.” He half suggested, half requested.The first adopted son of the ranch’s owner hesitated for a second before he nodded and moved to Four’s side. He didn’t go beneath the blanket as he hugged the shortest brother of his from behind. At the same time, unintentionally, he got the youngster to be much closer to their caretaker. And, sadly, getting the blanket tad tight from the given side. Yet, Time hoped they were close enough to the morning to worry about that.Wars had woken up to the almost constant sound of walking at the hallway. He had lived in barracks and such for quite a while so it shouldn’t have been something to awaken him. Yet, the ranch was something he really wanted to protect and hence he needed to know whom was walking at there. He had learned to recognize the seven boys’ footsteps during the few past months he had so far spend at the Lon-Lon Ranch.Once the last boy of his little brother had snuck into the one eyed male’s room, the ex-Captain finally got up from his bed and moved to Time’s doorway. “You look comfy like that, little brother.” He commented fondly.“Why wouldn’t I be?” Time half queried while glancing at each of his boys and bit lifting the blanket too to check on the hidden ones. “I got my family right by me here.” He continued before grinning. “At least, I would have if you’d actually come over and take a place too.” He pointed out while giving something between a pout and puppy-dog-eyes to his older brother.Wars chuckled softly and shook his head. “Alright, I get the hint.” He mused while taking a place from behind Sky. Like Twilight, he didn’t go beneath the blanket. He just snuggled close to his little brother’s fifth boy and wrapped one arm around the five years younger male’s chest. “Goodnight, Sprite.” He whispered fondly.“Night, Wars.” Time mumbled happily while smiling as he fell asleep. Yet, he woke up only couple of hours later while feeling sweaty and too hot. His boys had moved even closer into the given warmth and tightened their hold around him. At first he just concentrated into his breathing while hoping for the situation to pass. Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen as his body temperature just kept rising underneath the blanket.“Boys… Let go…” The one eyed male called and started to try and wiggle free. Sadly, that only got the seven boys of his to hold on stronger. He cursed and fought more while calling out to them. Yet, his voice was bit too weak and the youngsters and his older brother too deep asleep.The sweating was followed by dizziness which caused the ranch’s owner to stop struggling. He fought to keep his breathing under control while trying to force his temperature down. Obviously, such wasn’t going to work like that. Slowly he started to rather gasp for air than breathe normally.Time whined and trembled when the nausea struck. His attempts to move were weak and restricted by the seven around him. Even his brother’s arm felt like a rhino was sitting on his chest. He fought to stay conscious as the situation got worse. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a way for him to break free, wake the others up or get himself cooled down anymore. He quietly pleaded for help before darkness fell around him.Wars woke up with a start only about five minutes later. He froze to his place when he felt and heard the labored sound of breathing. The cold dread and terror struck him and he recognized the feeling in a second. He hated how many times he had had that specific feeling back at the orphanage. And yet, he also was so very grateful of it as it had helped him to save his brother each and every time.“Sprite?” He called out while quickly pushing himself up and being careful of where he put his hand. He inwardly cursed at the time his eyes took to get used to the darkness around him. “SPRITE!” He screamed out the moment the situation struck him. “Sprite, wake up!” He shouted and started to shake the unconscious little brother of his while bit slapping him but neither worked.“Damn it, damn it, damn it!” The ex-Captain growled while realizing how sweaty and hot his brother’s skin felt. “Sky, Hyrule, sorry about this!” He half apologized, half growled out while forcing the duo off of his brother.The duo gasped and yelped when the blanket was snatched away. “Hey!” Hyrule half shouted before gasping again as Wars forced him and Sky even more away from Time.“Sprite! Sprite, damn it, wake up!” Wars kept half barking, half begging while doing his best to apologize to his brother’s boys as he forced them away. He yanked and pulled on the blanket to get it away.“What’s going on? What’s wrong with Time?” Wind inquired while falling closer to panic.“Overheating!” Wars snapped with a growl. “Fucking hell. Those son of bitches!” He snarled while forcing Time’s shirt off once he had the blanket away from him. “Get wet towels!” He commanded. “Cold water!” He half shouted after the few youngster that snapped into work. “They just had to mess with your body temperature, eh…” He whispered almost underneath his breath. “Those bastards just had to fuck it up. Cold during heat waves, hot during too cold winters.” He shook his head while trying to use the sweaty shirt as a fan.Wild, Wind and Sky returned quickly with wet towels. Wars took them swiftly and started to do his best to cool his brother’s skin. “Damn it, Sprite, wake up already!” He commanded while having no idea how long his brother had been out of it. “Fucking shit, I should’ve figured it out. I should’ve stayed awake. I should’ve guarded you.” He mumbled while his actions weren’t working.“Warriors…” Twilight called with bit wavering voice.“Fuck this! I’m taking him to hospital!” Wars almost shouted while pulling his brother up from the bed. “Call the ambulance to the entrance of the town! Tell them Sprite’s having very bad case of overheating and he’s not waking up!” He commanded while rushing the five years younger male to the first floor. “Sky, Twi, you two drive the other two cars! Hyrule, you’re with me and Sprite!” He snapped the orders out while having carefully put the one eyed male down to the floor before quickly throwing on his jacket, snatching the keys and already putting the shoes on.The seven youngsters of the ranch’s owner were swift in getting ready. There was no changing of clothes but just putting on enough to stay warm in the cold night. The boys were freaked out but the fact of Wars being capable of commanding them around aided them to stay calm enough to function. The older males did their best to soothe the younger ones.Wars drove as fast as he could once Time was laying on the backseat with Hyrule watching over him. He was grateful of the meadow and wide areas to see. It helped to keep check on possible animals such as deer or foxes. Luckily the drive to the parking lot at the outside of the town went well and the ambulance was right there waiting for them.Hyrule called both Wild and Four to inform of having reached the parking lot and having gotten to the ambulance. He and Wars stayed out of the way as the medical personnel worked with better knowledge and equipment in cooling down Time. Things seemed bit better by the time they reached the hospital as the one eyed male’s breathing had eased out towards normal.Twilight and Sky drove to the hospital’s parking lot. Hyrule had kept both teams of his brothers updated on how things were going and which room to enter. For the rest of the night none of the eight males slept. Even though things were out of the worst, it still would take a while to fully recover from the incident.Time woke up late at the next day with a whine. Yet, nearly instantly he struck his eye open with a start. “The boys!” He shouted out while sitting up abruptly but that only got him to whine even louder while bringing his hand over his mouth. He was feeling hellish and nauseous.“Whoa! Easy, Sprite!” Wars nearly screamed while already gently laying his brother back down. “You gotta take it easy, damn it.” He growled before sighing and relaxing his tense shoulders at the freaked out look Time gave him. “The boys are fine. I’m fine. You’re the one who’s at the hospital bed in here.” He pointed out firmly before picking up the glass of water with a straw in there. “You need to drink.” He commanded while already offering it towards the one eyed male.The seven boys of the ranch’s keeper and Wars stayed at the hospital with Time but they kept their distance. None of them wanted to repeat the incident for any of reason. While at there, Wild asked quite well anything he came up with considering foods that could be given to a patient of overheating. Wars and the others queried for all the other information just to make sure the one eyed male would make a full recovery.It took about two days before Time was set free from the hospital. Yet, instead of going straight back to the ranch, the caretaker of the seven youngster queried for a detour. Sky and Twilight had fetched Wars’ car to the hospital’s parking lot during the first day just make sure everyone would get home without needing to wait for Wars to get his car.The shop the ranch’s owner chose was selling beds, bed sheets, pillows, blankets and such. “What are you searching for, Sprite?” Wars inquired while following his little brother and looking around.“I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out.” Time replied almost mischievously before shrugging. “But you’ll understand when I find it.” He continued while making his way straight into the section of blankets and linen. Once at there, he already started to go through them until grinning as he found what he was searching for. He knew it would end up bit pricy but it would definitely be worth it.“That’s…” Wars half whispered as he stared at the gigantic blanket.“The biggest there is.” Time replied while already fully knowing what he was doing. After finding the linen for the giant blanket, he searched out much smaller ones of both parts.After paying and getting back home, the eight males with the ranch’s owner did as much as they could to help. They got the linen washed and kept close check on Time. They made sure he didn’t overdo himself and that he drank and ate often enough to keep the nausea, dizziness, dehydration and such away while recovering. At the next day, by the one eyed male’s instructions, they got the old bed sheets and blanket off.The gigantic blanket was handled first and laid over the bed. After that came the smaller one into middle of the king sized bed. Only after that they put on the bed cover. “I’m still not getting it.” Wars stated out after everything was done.“Before I explain…” Time started calmly before turning his gaze into the older male that had been like a brother to him for as long as he remembered. “Can I ask you something, Wars?” He inquired and the ex-Captain nodded without hesitation. “About my body temperature… Has it always been this crazy? I… I don’t recall it acting strangely until I was five but… My memory’s bit hazy on some things and, well…” He shrugged a bit while trying to put the pieces together.Wars sighed heavily and shook his head. “No…” He half whispered before taking a deep breath. “Your body temp was normal until you were five. I don’t know what those bastards did to you but after that, for two years, it was going quite crazy. You had both hypothermia and overheating twice. It was crazy. I had to keep you warm during heat wave while everyone else was doing their best to cool down. Not to mention that you slept in a bathtub filled with cold water with me adding in ice cubes during winter while everyone else was trying to get warm. Your body just didn’t stop decreasing during summer nor did it stop increasing during winter. Spring and autumn were only times you had normal body temperature.” He explained sorrowfully.“I don’t recall the other kids calling me on names because of it.” Time half whispered while frowning.“They understood.” Wars replied with a small smile. “I let them know it was because of the keepers of the place. They knew it was one of the payments for you to keep them safe and out of their hands.” He sighed heavily while feeling bit like crying. “You were just a kid and still you were ready to go through hell just to keep everyone else safe.” He snorted softly and shook his head. “You really haven’t changed from that.”The one eyed male gave a small smile with bit of a blush and shrugged. “What can I say? You’re one hell of a role model.” He countered fondly and slightly grinned as his older brother blushed a bit. “Anyway, about the bed…” He continued and turned his notion to the thing.“So, I know most of you will gladly get underneath the blanket when you come over. Now it’s just bigger one. Though, I’m sorry for this but, this time I’ll be sleeping over that big one. On that way, even though everyone can get close to me, the hold won’t be as restraining as before. The smaller blanket’s mine only so it’ll be easier to take off. On this way, if it gets too hot, I can get the blanket off and cool down.” The ranch’s owner explained as calmly as he could while not being too happy of the slight obstacle between him and his boys.“You think it’ll actually work?” Wars inquired while feeling uncertain of the idea. He understood the way it should work but he fully doubted it to go right in the end.“Why not try straight off tonight?” Time countered with a grin.“NO.” The oldest male of the ranch stated out firmly. “You’re still recovering. I am not—“ He started before trailing off as his little brother gave him his best puppy-dog-eyes. “Sprite…” He started bit uncertainly but that only brought out a miserable whine and slump from the one eyed male. Wars whined loudly while facepalming. “You still can’t whimper, huh?” He half mumbled.The ranch’s owner bit flinched, sighed heavily and slumped for real. “I’m trying but…” He shrugged sorrowfully. “It’s stuck hard.”Wars sighed heavily and nodded. “Alright. Alright, I’ll accept BUT with one condition.” He yielded before already giving a stern look to Time. “I stay up the whole night and keep check on the situation.”“Wha… NO!” The one eyed male exclaimed roughly. “You need the sleep too!”“I either guard your door and keep everyone from coming over OR you accept me staying awake and guarding.” The ex-Captain stated out firmly. He grinned slightly when Time sighed exaggerated.“Fine.” The ranch’s keeper huffed and rolled his eye. “Yet, you’ll sleep at the morning. And I’ll guard you at then.” He countered with a wide grin.“Fine by me.” Wars replied and matched the grin. “Been missing you acting like a weight blanket.”Time blushed with a start before chuckling a bit nervously. “I’m not that kid anymore, you know.” He reminded while smiling bit shyly. “Gained height and weight.”Wars snorted and shook his head. “Seriously, little brother, you’re way too skinny for my liking.”The one eyed male blushed. “I’m just lithe!” He exclaimed and huffed in fake annoyance as his brother laughed.“Honestly, you need to actually gain weight, Sprite.” The older male countered.“Oh for that I’m going to squish you tomorrow morning! I’ll show you I weight just enough.” Time promised boldly and Wars just chuckled while grinning. The younger male just huffed and turned his gaze off. Yet, when he heard and saw from the corner of his eye his older brother moving towards him, he turned back to face him.The ex-Captain smiled fondly and hugged Time tightly. “You’re just perfect the way you are, Sprite.” He whispered fondly and felt the one eyed male relax in his arms. He kissed the side of his brother’s head before pulling off.Wild had been more than ready to increase the meal portions of his caretaker’s but he scratched that idea when it turned out to have been just bit of teasing around between Time and Wars. Yet, he was happy of listening the duo banter off like that since it brought out much calmer and happier side of the one eyed male. Plus, it very much let the ranch’s owner to give out stuff from his past much more freely than before.At that night the eight males did pile on Time. His body temperature still warmed up the bigger blanket from close by and with all there, the combined body warmth did increase the heat nicely. Yet, as they had awaited, the one eyed male did get too hot during the night. “You gonna help me?” He inquired when he woke up while sweating.“Only if you’re unable to do what you claimed to be capable of.” Wars countered while actually wanting to already pull the blanket off. Yet, his little brother just nodded, apologized to his boys while promising to give his arms back to be hugged and worked the blanket off. The one eyed male folded it few times before using it as an extra pillow.“See? All’s fine.” Time told almost smugly while worming his arms back into the hold of Legend, Hyrule, Twilight and Wild. Wars calmed down and simply nodded.“Just sleep, little brother. I’ll guard you.” The older male whispered and the ranch’s owner nodded before yawning. Wars smiled fondly and kept close check on the situation but with the blanket off, the sweating had stopped and things were just fine. Time slept peacefully through the night without further incidents.At the next morning the seven boys went to handle the ranch work while making sure Time and Wars stayed at the bed. “Thank you, boys! You are such sweethearts!” The one eyed male fondly called after them and the youngsters just nodded with a slight blush. “Now…” He continued with mischievous grin while turning towards Wars. “Your turn!” He half shouted before already pushing the older male down and pulling his own blanket over him. After that he just laid over his brother as fully as possible.Wars gave out a startled yelp at the push before gasping at the blanket being brought over him. He chuckled a bit when Time fully pinned him down to the bed. Yet, he smiled fondly and wrapped his arms around the taller male. This was exactly what he had been missing for long while. His little brother in his arms safe and sound. “Love you, Sprite. I will always protect you as long as I’m capable of in any way possible.” He whispered fondly while meaning each and every word.“Love you too, big brother.” Time replied quietly before tad grinning. “Now hush and sleep.”Wars chuckled and kissed the side of his little brother’s nose. He grinned at the slight start of the younger male. Yet, after that he closed his eyes while calming down and smiling fondly. Time calmed down too and relaxed with his older brother. He didn’t mean it to happen but he ended up taking a nap too while Wars slept beneath him. They both felt as safe and secure as back in the orphanage whenever they had a chance to sleep like this. Guarding one another and making sure each other was safe and sound with them. They were once again at home with family.