Chapter Text
“Yup, that’s a solid fever right there.“
“I’m telling you I’m fine, just let me – achoo!“ Even his sneezes are cute, you think.
“Sure. You’re calling in sick, right now.“
Reiner had been listless for the last couple of days. Very much unlike his usual attentive, driven self. You had already expected that he was coming down with something. And this morning, your suspicions are confirmed: your very tall, very broad, very strong boyfriend sits in his bed, with a runny nose and reddened cheeks. He’d been sneezing and coughing the entire night, but still insists that he’s healthy and able to go to work.
“Please, you’re making it sound like I’m dying,“ he wheezes, trying hard to keep sitting upright.
“No, you are. You straight up sound like a corpse right now,“ you say, checking his temperature again. “I know you think you’re a superhero, but you really can’t go out like that.“ He glances at you, his amber eyes watery and tired, but determined to get out of this bed and ruin his health entirely. You can’t let that happen, obviously.
“Look, if you can’t do it for yourself, at least do it for me? Please?“ you try one more time.
He sighs deeply, then finally whips out his phone. He can’t ever say no to you, especially if you ask him so nicely and caringly.
“Alright,“ he concedes, “alright, I’m texting Zeke as we speak.“ Zeke is his superior. You’ve met him before; you know he’s always looking out for his coworkers and would probably have sent Reiner home himself if he saw him like this.
“Thanks, babe,“ you tell him happily and squeeze his hand a little. He gives you a weak smile, then drops his phone and snuggles back into his pillows.
“So, what do I do now?“ he asks. You look at him, puzzled.
“Uhm, you get some rest? Sleep a little more? Read a book? What kind of question is that,“ you tell him.
“Sorry, I’m not used to being sick. I never know what to do with myself,“ he says, sniffling a little.
“Tell you what,“ you say definitively, “I’m gonna call in sick, too. I’ll spend the day with you, so you don’t have to be alone.“
“No, don’t do that, you’ll just get in trouble,“ he groans, but he already knows he protests in vain. Your mind is made up.
“Please, at this rate, you’ve already spread your germs all over me anyway, so I might as well get a day off out of it,“ you say cheerfully, jumping off the bed to formulate your own sick note.
“Well, if you say so…“ he coughs, drawing his blanket up until it covers the lower half of his face completely. You snicker to yourself. It’s almost funny to see him like this, so helpless and delicate, and very much unlike the resourceful, rugged gentleman he usually is. It’s very cute, and just adds to the many, many reasons you love him.
“You know what you need?“ you call out to him, an idea forming in your head.
“Another ibuprofen?“ he asks sardonically.
“Well, that too, but I was actually talking about something more nourishing.“
“Oh yeah? What’s that?“
“Just wait. It’s a surprise!“
You practically run into the kitchen to get to work. It’s one of the easiest tricks in the book, but it is a sure fire way to get anyone up and running again. You always have a carton of chicken stock at home for cases like this. All you need to do is chop up some vegetables, add some noodles, and you’re good to go. It’s what your mother made when you were sick. Sure, you could go all the way and make chicken stock from scratch, but that’s not what he needs right now. What he needs is a little pick-me-up, served with a good helping of love. And you definitely know how to make that.
While you peel some carrots, your mind keeps running back to your poor boyfriend. You remark how much he tries to keep composure even during times like this. How he doesn’t try to be a burden even when he is well within his rights to do so. How he cares for you more than he does for himself. All the more reason to be extra kind and comforting to him today, you think, as you watch your boiling broth closely. It feels as if you are making a potion, a witchy elixir to nurse him back to health. It’s a fun little thought, and you hold on to it as you pour him a bowl and carry it over to the bedroom on a little tray.
As you open the door, you see him, sound asleep, breathing softly, the sunlight coming in through the window painting little patterns on his handsome face. Your heart swells at the sight. He is most definitely the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen, and once again you can’t even begin to describe how lucky you are. You put the tray on his nightstand and kiss his forehead softly to wake him up. He blinks at you lovingly before he sits up to taste your aromatic wellness brew.
“This is delicious! I think I’m feeling better already,“ he calls out, not a hint of sarcasm in his voice. You grin at him, as he keeps ladling spoonfuls of your soup into his mouth. “Thank you, angel,” he mutters in between bites. It’s nice to see him so enthusiastic again. He returns your gaze and gives you another one of his pretty smiles.
“I’ll be honest, though. When you said nourishing, I thought you were talking about something else,“ he says, a cheeky glint returning to his eyes.
“What’s that?“ you ask, even though you already know the answer.
“A kiss maybe?“ he replies, drawing you into his arms. You laugh and willingly let your mouth mingle with his, silently appreciating his plush lips and scruffy chin. So what that you’re definitely catching his cold now. It just means you’ll be able to spend more time with him. And get to eat some very delicious soup. Made with more than enough love for the two of you.