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Body shivering under the thick layers of blankets, you twisted both legs in discomfort as another horrible cough tore through your chest—the type that made your throat burn in agony. You were wide awake, though the surrounding seemed heavy due to the fever clouding your consciousness. It was absolute hell. Every bone in your body ached painfully, making it impossible to drift off to sleep despite the lethargy.
Tugging the raven stuffed toy closer to your chest, you shut your eyes momentarily, searching for tranquillity–even if it was just temporary. Mentally begging your body that you only needed one hour of sleep. Just one hour. How long has it been since you actually slept instead of falling in and out of restless sleep and waking up every five-minutes?
The air in the room shifted. Suddenly, you felt a cooling touch against your forehead, which caused you to jerk. “Shh...” Hearing the familiar low voice, you slowly blinked open your eyes. Seeing him, you mustered a smile. Fingers gently brushed away the stray hairs sticking on your forehead. The mattress sank slightly as he sat beside you, gazing down at you with concerned eyes.
“Murph...”
"Darling, you are very sick. You’re burning up.”
You let out a chuckle that sounded like a dying animal. "Unfortunately." A haggard cough left your lips, and he rubbed his hand down your back.
"Sorry," You apologised. "What day is it?" He told you the date, and your eyes widened. "Shit... it's been three days." Three days of being stuck in bed with a persisting fever, but you were too tired and weak to see a doctor. Maybe tomorrow, you told yourself.
Positioning your arm, you attempted to push yourself up. Seeing you struggling, he aided you up. "Water... painkillers..." You pointed to the half-filled water jug and a box of Tylenol on your nightstand. He quickly popped two pills out and placed them in your hand before pouring a cup of water. You muttered a small gratitude to him, putting the painkillers on your tongue and washing them down with water. Silently watching, he rubbed a comforting hand down the nape of your neck.
“You need to lay down, love.” He softly spoke. You were about to return the cup yourself but he already took it off your grasp and placed it on the nightstand. “You don’t have to be here... aren't you busy nowadays?” You tiredly chastised him as you laid down and snuggled into your blankets.
“Lucienne’s helping me manage. Besides, I was worried. You were not dreaming for days. I thought something terrible had happened.” He told you, caressing a hand on your cheek. “Turns out you were feeling unwell. My apology for coming so late.”
Exhaling a breathless sigh, you tugged the sleeve of his coat. “Lie next to me?” You shifted your body so that there was enough space for him to occupy. Reluctantly, he lowered his body. Once he was at your eye level, you reached out and ran your fingers through his mop of unruly hair. At your touch, he momentarily closed his eyes and relished the feeling. “Don’t be sorry... I know how busy you are nowadays. Besides, I have Jeremiah here.” Reaching into the comforters, you pulled out the raven and showed it to him. He gifted it to you after telling him that you wanted your very own companion. He chuckled in response.
“I’m here now...” He reassured, pulling your hand away from his hair and placing it on the side of his face. You hummed in content.
His presence was what you needed desperately to lull you to sleep. With him lying next to you, you implored him to talk to you. His deep voice could replace any medicine, soothing every pain in your soul. He told you about his duties, and you responded in incoherent mumbles. “Matthew said he misses you, you know?” He mentioned.
In a sleepy haze, you replied: I miss him too...
You felt his face draw closer. Delicate breaths tickled against your skin. So gentle. He rubbed his finger across your bottom lip and whispered, “Did you miss me too?” His words were like waves that travelled in ripples throughout your body. You whispered back, “I don’t think that telling you that I miss you with just words will express how much I yearn for you when you are not here.” Finally, he closed the distance and pressed his lips against your own. So sweet.
He brushed his tongue between your lips, and you were about to reciprocate by parting your lips before you sensed the aggravating vibration driving its way up your throat that made you push him off with a pained groan. Shifting your body sideways, you let out a series of coughs.
You uttered, “I don't think we should... be this close…” However, a pair of arms encircled your waist and pulled you closer to him. “Please, I’m gross... I can’t stand myself.” Your eyes started to water, and you covered your face in shame.
He gently flipped you over, pushing away your hand. Tilting your chin upwards, he gazed at you with tenderness. “Please, do not speak of yourself that way. I love you. I love you in every condition. I love you enough to tell you that you are beautiful even when you are sick.” Your chest tightened with his promise as you replayed it in your head. Every insecurity present at that moment disappeared.
Burying your head between his neck, you told him you loved him. He chuckled and pressed his lips on top of your head and held you tighter. “Stay with me.” It came out as a hushed whisper, but he heard it as soon as you said it. “Sweet dreams, my heart.” Gradually, your body felt lighter, and your consciousness started to slip. Eyes fluttering closed, a tranquil haven of peace and serenity began to unravel around you. The discomforts that plagued your body previously began to fade away. You sighed in relief as sleep overtook you.
The last words you heard before you fell asleep were, “Everything is alright now. Sleep and dream of me.”
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me