TMD; The Mighty Ducks; Preferences and Imagines

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕤𝕥 ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 ; 𝔸𝕕𝕒𝕞 𝔹𝕒𝕟𝕜𝕤

The house was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight that streamed in through the bedroom window. It was well past midnight when AJ stirred, his tiny body twisting beneath the covers. His eyes fluttered open, his stomach churning with a dull, nauseating ache. He tried to ignore it at first, curling up tighter in the warm bed, but the feeling only intensified. He sat up suddenly, his breath catching in his throat, and before he could fully process what was happening, the sickness hit him.

AJ gasped, his small body trembling as he realized what had just happened. He was covered, sick all over himself and the sheets. The panic rose in his chest like a wave, and tears welled in his eyes. The room felt impossibly large and dark in that moment.

"Mommy?" he called out weakly, his voice trembling, eyes wide with fear. "Mommy, help..."

His voice was small, fragile, as if calling for her might somehow make everything go away. But in the silence of the house, it felt like nobody was there.

Adam, who had been sleeping in the room next door, was jolted awake. The sound of AJ's soft cry echoed in his mind, pulling him from his deep sleep. It wasn't the normal sound of a nightmare or the whimper of his son when he was just having a bad dream. This was different.

"Daddy!" AJ's voice cracked louder this time.

Adam shot out of bed, heart hammering in his chest as he rushed toward the door. The hallway seemed unusually long as he sprinted toward AJ's room. He threw the door open, and what he saw made his stomach tighten.

AJ was sitting up in bed, his small hands trembling as they clutched the blankets, his face pale and streaked with tears. The smell in the room hit Adam instantly.

"Oh, buddy..." Adam said softly, his voice filled with concern as he quickly crossed the room. He knelt beside AJ, his hand coming to rest on his son's shoulder. "Hey, hey. It's okay, you're okay. Daddy's here."

AJ's lip quivered as he looked up at his father. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't mean to..." His voice faltered, tears slipping down his cheeks.

Adam's heart ached. He could hear the worry in AJ's voice, the feeling of guilt that was far too heavy for a child so young. "No, no, don't be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong, buddy," Adam reassured him, brushing his hand through AJ's messy hair. "You're sick. It happens."

AJ sniffled, his little hands wiping at his face. "I didn't want to make a mess, Daddy."

Adam smiled softly, his voice gentle as he helped AJ sit up a little straighter. "You didn't make a mess, kiddo. Your body's just trying to get rid of all the bad stuff inside. Let's get you cleaned up, okay?"

AJ nodded, his bottom lip trembling as he allowed Adam to scoop him up.

"Shh, you're alright," Adam said, walking toward the bathroom. He tried to keep his movements calm, steady, though his mind was racing. He hated seeing AJ like this—so fragile, so upset.

Once they were in the bathroom, Adam sat AJ on the edge of the counter and began to gently wipe him down with a damp washcloth. AJ winced as the cool water touched his skin, but Adam's soft murmurs seemed to comfort him, even if only slightly.

"Can I have a hug, Daddy?" AJ asked, his voice small and soft.

Adam stopped what he was doing and pulled AJ into a tight hug. AJ buried his face into Adam's chest, clutching him like a lifeline.

"Of course, buddy. I've got you," Adam said, pressing a kiss to the top of AJ's head.

AJ's breathing was shaky, but his small body seemed to relax against Adam's chest for a moment.

"I feel really sick, Daddy..." AJ mumbled against him.

"I know, kiddo," Adam whispered. "We're gonna take care of you, okay? I'm right here. Let's get you cleaned up, and then you can lay down on the couch. How does that sound?"

AJ nodded weakly, and Adam helped him out of his soiled pajamas, replacing them with a clean set. He was careful with every movement, trying not to make AJ feel worse.

Once AJ was in fresh clothes, Adam took him into the living room. "Can you lay down on the couch while I clean up your bed?" he asked softly.

AJ shuffled over to the couch, his small feet dragging as he sank down onto the cushions. He curled up into a little ball, still shivering slightly.

Adam went back to AJ's room, stripped the sheets, and got the laundry started, the soft hum of the washer filling the air as he worked. His mind was full of worry, wondering if AJ's temperature was spiking or if there was anything else he should be doing.

When everything was finally cleaned up, Adam returned to the living room. AJ was lying on the couch, his face pale, his eyes half-closed, but he gave a small smile when he saw Adam.

"Daddy?" AJ's voice was quiet, barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, buddy?" Adam replied, sitting beside him.

"Can I have some medicine? My tummy hurts," AJ asked, his eyes still filled with that faint worry.

"Of course," Adam said. He went into the kitchen and returned with a small cup of medicine, which AJ took without complaint, swallowing it down.

Adam checked AJ's forehead. "You've got a little bit of a fever. It'll pass, though, we just need to rest for now," Adam said, rubbing his son's back gently.

"I just want to feel better," AJ murmured, his voice quiet but full of longing.

"I know, buddy. I know." Adam smiled softly, brushing AJ's hair from his face. "I wish I could take the sickness away. But we'll get through it, alright? You're my tough guy, and we'll take care of you. I'll stay right here with you."

AJ smiled faintly, his eyelids fluttering. He shifted closer to his dad, resting his head on Adam's chest. Adam adjusted the blanket around them and settled back into the couch, making himself as comfortable as he could.

"You're gonna be okay, kiddo," Adam murmured, his voice soft but steady.

"I love you, Daddy..." AJ whispered, barely awake now, his body sinking into the warmth of his father's chest.

Adam's heart swelled. "I love you too, more than anything. Always, AJ."

As the minutes ticked by, the exhaustion of the long night began to take its toll on both of them. Adam's eyes slowly drifted shut, his arms still around his son. He held AJ close, knowing that he would stay awake as long as he needed to, always there for his boy.

The first light of dawn was just beginning to peek through the windows when Y/N walked down the stairs. She rubbed her eyes, groggy from sleep, but when she saw the scene before her, her heart melted.

Adam was lying on the couch, his arms wrapped protectively around AJ, who was curled up against his father's chest, both of them sound asleep. The quiet, peaceful sight filled her with a deep sense of warmth.

She smiled softly and walked over to them, gently adjusting the blanket to make sure they were both comfortable. She kissed AJ's forehead first, then Adam's.

"Good morning," she whispered softly, not wanting to disturb their peaceful moment.

She stood there for a moment, watching her husband and son, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for these quiet, tender moments that so often went unnoticed.

It had been a long night, but they had made it through. Together.