Work Text:
Byleth had noticed her nose getting stuffy progressively throughout the day. It was the Friday of a long weekend - a desperately needed one, at that. She was working at her desk in their home office, which was technically supposed to be a dining room. Felix was sitting on the couch nearby, headset on and video game controller in his hand.
Ugh, I can’t get sick now - I have too many papers to grade.
The stack of papers seemed to taunt her as she pushed them aside. She put her head down on her desk and her laptop flashed a warning. Due to inactivity, you will be logged out in 60s. She closed her eyes, ignoring the warning. Just a few minute nap was all she needed. Just a few minutes and the stuffiness would go away…
A few minutes happened to be an hour. Byleth startled awake when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She could see Felix standing behind her in the reflection of her computer screen. Her head was pounding and she could feel a pressure in her sinuses.
“Asleep on the job?” he asked, moving around her desk to face her. He leaned forward on his elbows.
“I just needed a quick nap,” she responded. She knew she sounded awful, but she didn’t want to worry Felix so she plastered on a fake smile. A frown grew on Felix’s face. He knew her too well to know that she wouldn’t take a nap so soon in the day.
“A quick nap? You slept for an hour,” he teased.
“I’m totally fine,” she responded. As she stood up, trying to prove that she totally felt absolutely fine, a dizzy spell overcame her. Her hand flew to her brow as she quickly sat back down. He hummed in disapproval. He shut her laptop and held out his hand.
“Come on, let’s get you to bed,” he said. She frowned and shook her head. He folded his arms across his chest.
“No, I’m alright, I promise,” she responded. He gave her the look and she felt her pride deflate. “Okay, I’ll sit on the couch with you,” she said, an attempt to compromise.
Felix’s mouth tilted into a crooked grin, like he was accepting a challenge.
“Alright,” he said, “come on, then.”
He held his hand out once more and she grabbed it, pulling herself up. She fought the dizziness and allowed Felix to guide her to the couch. She curled up in the corner with her favorite Squishmallow as Felix settled in with his controller. As Felix started up his most recent game obsession, Byleth pulled out her phone and started scrolling through TikTok.
As she was scrolling, she felt the heaviness of sleep settle into her body. She was going to stay awake. She was totally fine. She wasn’t going to spend the weekend sick. She put her phone down and tried to watch Felix play, but her body kept betraying her. Eventually, she gave in and closed her eyes.
——
Felix glanced over and noticed Byleth had fallen asleep, after pretending that she was feeling fine. She’s totally fine, she says. He tsked, setting his controller down on the coffee table. He knew she was going to fall asleep, even if she didn’t want to admit it.
He leaned over and jostled her, pushing her leg. She didn’t even flinch. He tried again, a little harder. Again, she didn’t flinch. She was out. He snorted and rolled his eyes. Of course, I’m going to have to carry her up like a princess.
As quietly as possible, he stood, wrapped one arm under her leg and one behind her back, and lifted her off the couch. He held her close. She shifted slightly, making a small noise, before her head rolled onto his shoulder. Her breathing turned into small snores and he let out a small chuckle.
He took her up the stairs, heading to their bedroom. He nudged open the door with his foot, barely avoiding kicking their kitten, and gently set her on the bed. She was wearing jeans and a sweater, and he knew she hated sleeping in her jeans. He sighed and knew what he had to do.
After a few minutes of struggling and not even a peep from Byleth, who was now in sleep shorts, he tucked her in. He sat down on the bed next to her and just observed her for a moment. She was beautiful even when she was sick and sleeping. He made a quick decision to run to the corner store and grab her favorite home remedy, ginger ale.
When he got back, he put the ginger ale, some pain reliever and some cough drops on her bedside table. He fixed things the way he knew she liked them and he left her to sleep.
——
When Byleth awoke a few hours later, her eyes fell on the ginger ale. Her phone was plugged in and the fan was pointed in her direction - things Felix knew she needed to sleep soundly. She smiled and sat up, stretching. Her body ached and thankfully, Felix had left some ibuprofen with the ginger ale. She picked up the ibuprofen and discovered a note from Felix below it. It was a messily scribbled heart with a small “told you so”. Byleth’s body filled with a warmth that almost could have cured her sickness and she laughed.
Felix opened the door just as she opened her ginger ale. He gave her a small grin and stood next to her, looking down at her.
“Feeling better?”
“Not really, but I will, thanks to you.”
Felix kissed her forehead and went back downstairs. Byleth settled back into bed with a smile on her face. She was the luckiest woman in the world.