Chapter Text
When Vale said, during the press conference, that Marc’s illness wouldn’t affect him and that he’ll be alright on Friday, he really meant it.
Because he would have been his personal nurse for the evening.
Marc reached his room still blowing his nose, he had lost the count of the tissues he’s used during the day, his body hurting like he’d fallen from the third floor, hid head like in a bubble. But the sight of Valentino walking around the room, speaking on the phone with someone made him feel better immediately.
He was sure that if he would take care of him, he’ll heal soon… in the end, it was entirely his fault that he caught a cold, Marc knew that running in the woods under the rain wasn’t a good idea, it was still cold, not like in the summer when he’s the first one to enjoy the rain on his body to wash away the heat. But he wasn’t able to deny a single thing to the man he loves, especially since he took him back after Argentina, so they spent more than half an hour under a heavy rain, running and kissing and joking like kids before going back home. And that was enough for Marc to find himself coughing and sniffling the morning after.
“Ok, sure. Don’t worry Roser, I’ll take care of him. Bye.”
“Were you speaking with my mother?”
Marc raised an eyebrow. That was something new. His mother and Valentino have always had a very good relationship, even during their two breakups she never said a word against him and she was the first one to be happy that they were back together. But Marc didn’t thought the two were so close to talk about him on the phone.
“Of course. Mums always know the best remedy for their children’s illnesses. I wanted to know what’s hers for your cold so that I can nurse you and make you feel better.”
The Spaniard stayed for a couple of seconds with his mouth open, and not just because he wasn’t able to breathe with his nose… that was probably one of the sweetest things Vale had ever done for him! He didn’t thought, honestly, that they could go back to their old habits, when taking care of each other was natural and the love between them stronger than anything. After everything that happened in 2018, he was already happy that they have decided to try once again but he sensed that Vale wasn’t letting go completely.
“Are you serious?”
“Why wouldn’t I? It will be easier to have you ill and out of the fight for the weekend, but I prefer to have the chance to beat you on track than have to sleep with you snoring because you can’t breathe properly.”
Marc smiled and shook his head.
“Ok, so what did my mother told you?”
“You should have a cream in your beauty case, the one she has prepared with various herbs. She says that works on you since you were a child.”
The younger rider made a disgusted face.
“That thing smells like swamp, I’m not using it!”
“Oh yes, you are! I don’t want to face an angry Roser thinking I didn’t take care of you just because you’re a stubborn child.”
Marc crossed his arms on his chest, calling Vale out. But the older rider was serious and went to the bathroom to take the ointment. Once he was back, Marc tried to take it from his hands and they ended falling on the bed tickling and laughing.
When they were calm again, Marc rolled on his side to lay on half of Vale’s body, letting his heartbeat lulling him while the older rider started to pass his hand through his hair.
“Marc, seriously… let me make you feel better, you can’t ride tomorrow in this state.”
The Spaniard felt a tear appearing in his eyes but he forced it back. It was so beautiful to hear that sweet tone, the one Valentino has always had for him, to hear the concern in his voice. He wanted to reply that he only needed Vale’s hug to feel better, nothing more, his love was enough. But maybe it was too soon, they were taking things slow this time and the last thing he wanted was to fuck them up again being impulsive.
“Ok… but can we eat before? I won’t be able to taste a thing with that disgusting smell .”
Vale rolled his eyes but then called for the room service, he decided for Marc too, another thing that they used to do that made the HRC rider smile. It was amazing how easy it was for them to get used to their usual routine even after more than one year spent apart.
When the food arrived, Vale arranged everything on the small table and Marc got lost again in the familiar scene in front of him, silently praying he could enjoy moments like that forever, this time.
“There you go, ‘pasta aglio, olio e peperoncino’.”
“What? I don’t like chili pepper!”
“I know, but it works for the cold. I will follow your mother’s instructions but I’m going to try with my mother’s too. She always gave me chili pepper when I needed to free my nose.”
“Really? Even when you were a child? Well, that explains a lot of things…”
Vale laughed.
“No, not as a little child, she isn’t that crazy!”
“Ok, let’s try this…”
It wasn’t as bad as Marc thought, probably because he couldn’t taste things properly. After dinner, they cuddled watching something on TV, and before going to bed Vale prepared an infusion and rubbed the cream on Marc’s nose, on his throat and between his shoulder blades.
The smell was strange but not as disgusting as Marc told, in a few minutes he got used to it and they resumed their usual position under the sheets, Marc curled against him and Valentino stroking his arm gently. And probably he’ll have a cold too tomorrow but knowing it’s because he’s taken care of Marc will be worth it.