Work Text:
Ling Ying fumbled through her bag, trying to find the keys to the apartment. Nearly letting out a grumble, she heard a click as the next door neighbor came out from their apartment. She tried to give her best smile and nod, but she wasn’t quite sure how well she executed it based on the neighbor’s concerned smile. Muffling a sneeze in her scarf, she finally took out the keys, wondering if she had any other obligations tonight. But her brain was too fogged up at this point to think straight. The usually short walk back felt awfully long as gusts of cold winter wind wore her body down even more.
The walk shouldn’t be this strenuous , was the only thing her brain came up with.
Her coworkers had persuaded her to go home throughout the entire day, but she only gave in near the ends of the work hours. It’s mildly embarrassing, but I should’ve been able to finish before the day ended…there was so little work left. I could’ve done better.
After the nth wave of fatigue hit her, she finally gave in. But mainly because she did not want to make any unintended mistakes in her compromised state; she’d rather not expose her status as a radiant in public.
Unlocking the door, she was met with a dark apartment. While on one hand she was relieved that Sabine didn’t have to face her in her current state, a part of her felt a pang of sadness. It was foolish feeling that way though, knowing that the scientist usually comes back home later.
She decided that turning on the lights would probably worsen her headache. And despite the fact that undressing her work clothes would reduce the pain when they brushed against her skin, or the fact that a bed would probably be much more comfortable, she huddled herself into the corner of the couch to sit for a moment. Just a moment , and then I’ll try to remember what I still need to do, she thought as her shoulders hunched up and her eyes felt heavy.
=====================================================================
Sabine could tell something was off with Ling Ying. Maybe it was her red-rimmed eyes, or her posture a little less upright than usual, or perhaps it was the fact that she was much less organized than her regular, detailed self. She was probably tired from all the all-nighters and constant discussion with her co-workers when they found errors. So, Sabine decided to finish up her work quickly today to see if there was anything she could help with. The people that knew her would’ve done a double take upon hearing her do something like this, but it has nearly become Sabine’s second nature at this point.
It was also second nature for her to worry when she saw the healer in a shivering ball on the couch. By the sounds of her breathing, Sabine concluded that Ling Ying was sick. She put a hand out to feel her temperature, noticing the grimace and sweat plastered on the healer’s face. Upon feeling the healer’s hot forehead, Ling Ying’s eyes jolted open with an intense look in her gaze and immediately gripped Sabine’s wrist, threatening to crush it. Sabine’s hand slacked in the healer’s grip, and coming to her senses, Ling Ying immediately loosened her hold with a surprised look on her face.
“Sabine? I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was doing–” Ling Ying’s voice sounded worn and scratchy underneath her panicked tone.
Rubbing her wrist, Sabine frowned, “It’s alright. Though, you seem to have a fever.”
Before Ling Ying had time for her guilt and embarrassment to crash over her, Sabine returned a concerned look.
“Do you want to move to the bed or stay here? Do you want to eat anything? Have you eaten today? The toast this morning doesn’t count.” Sabine took off her bag and sat next to the healer.
Ling Ying sat there, unsure what to say. Is she not upset? She couldn’t see much annoyance, if at all, on Sabine’s face.
Ling Ying sat idly for a moment, unsure what to say.
Sabine added, “I’ll make something simple for you, okay? Do you want to go to your room or…” Sabine’s head motioned toward the bedrooms.
As silly as it sounded, being in her bedroom sounded too far away from Sabine, even if they were in the same vicinity. A part of her disliked her childish thinking.
“Can I stay here for a while?” Ling Ying whispered.
“Of course. Wait here.” Sabine got up and headed into the hallway.
Ling Ying sat in silence, wondering what was happening.
What she couldn’t seem to realize for herself was that Sabine only dedicates so much of her efforts on things she finds the most important to her.
Sabine returned with a thick blanket and a small smile. She handed it to Ling Ying and went to grab her some water.
“It’s ok Sabine, really I-” Ling Ying muttered.
“No offense, but I wouldn’t want to eat anything you make at your current state. But more importantly, I want to… because you deserve it. So just wait here.” Sabine huffed.
Before Ling Ying could react again, Sabine headed towards the kitchen to turn the lights furthest from the living room.
The rhythmic sounds of Sabine cooking after everything was sorted out lulled Ling Ying to sleep, and she let herself close her eyes this time. The warm glow and comforting sounds from the kitchen welcomed her in and out of her dreams. During one of these times, she caught a glimpse of Sabine's face in the kitchen, and a rush of realization washed over her.
You've been alone all this time, helping everyone else. It might be ok to let her watch over you.
The next time she woke up, Sabine was gently shaking her shoulder, telling her that the food was ready.
She put a bowl of steaming, savory porridge and a small side of pickled vegetables and steamed egg to go with it on the table. Ling Ying’s eyes widened a little, “This is…really good. Thank you.”
Sabine couldn’t help but grin, feeling accomplished. She turned to go heat up her own food.
=====================================================================
Sabine knocked with the best of her abilities on the bedroom door with her hands occupied with supplies. The healer opened the door, a little surprised.
“Once again, will you let me do my part?” Sabine smiled gently.
“Oh.” Ling Ying shuffled back into her bed, keeping herself busy by fidgeting with her hands. Sabine placed the items on Ling Ying’s desk, and gave her a cup of warm tea. She thanked Sabine as she wrapped her fingers around the steaming mug. She bit the inside of her mouth and shifted in her bed stiffly as Sabine got closer.
“You really don’t have to…why are you…?” Ling Ying finally muttered.
Sabine paused, tilting her head, “As I said. Because I want to. But also…how do I put this…I’m not sure. But does there need to be a reason? I promise you’re not troubling anyone right now because you aren’t feeling well. I know it’s rich coming from me, but breaks are needed sometimes. I just wish this “helping” thing is mutual.”
Sabine tucked a stray strand of hair behind Ling Ying’s ear, “And plus, it’s not every day I get to see you with tousled hair and tired eyes. No one else gets to see you pretty like this, so I think it’s quite a reward already.”
Ling Ying froze for a moment, letting out an awkward chuckle, unsure how to respond to the comment.
“Anyway. You should probably drink that before it gets cold.” Sabine spluttered out.
I have said too much.
Ling Ying smiled as she took a sip of the tea. Right. It’s different now than before.
She snuck a glance at the scientist, her once cold eyes now returned the look with warmth.
Sabine took a small inhale as Ling Ying rested her head on her shoulder. Unknowingly, she let out a foolish smile. Perhaps it was a good thing the healer was trying to suppress a cough and never noticed it.
After ensuring that the healer doesn’t die of dehydration during her sleep and taking her temperature, she asked “Does a concoction of grape-flavored acetaminophen, phenylephrine hydrochloride, and dextromethorphan hydrobromide so you can actually fall asleep tonight sound good?”
Ling Ying chuckled, “How knowledgeable.”
Sabine grinned, “I try.”
Ling Ying smiled as she took the small cup of purple medicine. The two sat there for a little while. The thought of going to sleep still bothered her, and her mix of symptoms made it rather difficult to do so, anyway. The taste of her rather bitter memories still lingered. But as if the scientist had read her mind, she asks, “Do you want to do something, ‘till the stuff hits you and knocks you out?”
Ling Ying gave Sabine a thankful look and nodded, “That’s an awfully violent way of putting it, though.”
The two sat huddled under blankets, watching a terrible rom-com on the laptop to make the minutes pass. But as the first episode ended, Sabine could tell Ling Ying was fighting to stay awake, and she herself was fighting not to catapult herself from the window to avoid watching another second of the show. She paused the autoplay and spoke up.
“I think I’d rather drink my own poison than watch a second episode.” Sabine made a pained expression.
Ling Ying let out a drowsy laugh. Though it quickly turned into a spluttering cough, Sabine could tell she was fighting to control her amusement.
“What?” Sabine’s eyes suddenly widened dramatically as she rubbed the healer’s back, “Don’t tell me you are actually enjoying that? ”
After a deep breath, Ling Ying grinned and shook her head. Sabine let out a sigh of relief as the healer propped her head on Sabine’s shoulder. “But I had a lot of amusement watching your expressions periodically throughout the whole thing.” Ling Ying smirked, still a little out of breath.
“Now you’re just profiting off my suffering.” Sabine narrowed her eyes.
Sabine could feel Ling Ying’s body rise and fall with each congested breath. She held her gaze for a moment. Maybe it was what the healer had just said, or her flushed cheeks, or her warm smile, or the way her long, messy hair draped over her shoulders, or maybe that single episode had somehow rotted her brain to act on its will, but she leaned close to Ling Ying, lifting her bangs, and planted a gentle kiss on the healer’s warm forehead.
“Hm. You’re still quite warm, but it’s definitely working on you now. Should we go to sleep?”
Ling Ying froze, staring at Sabine with a shocked expression on her face.
Realizing what she had done, Sabine shot up and bolted out the door, her face a shade of red that could confuse someone as to which one was running a fever.
That left Ling Ying to sit in her bed, dazed. If it weren’t for her temperature and the medicine she took a little prior to the incident, she might’ve holed herself in her bedroom for the rest of the night. But, blaming it on the illicit substances in her grape flavored medicine to reduce her 3 digit temperature, she stumbled out of her bedroom.
“That was out of the bag.” Her words sounded coarse and were sloshing together.
“The what?” Sabine laughed nervously in the middle of the living room, “...You mean out of pocket?”
“Some…something like that.” Ling Ying mumbled, “I heard it from Jett and Phoenix.”
For some reason, Sabine bursts out laughing, and Ling Ying leaned on the hallway wall, slightly offended.
“Hey! Some of these new American sayings are really strange. I don’t even know what half of the new slang in Chinese means anymore, nonetheless ones in English. Like, what’s based? Based on what? Cut me some slack-” Ling Ying grumbled, but she was cut off with several sneezes.
“Anyway, I wouldn’t mind pocketing another one.” Ling Ying sniffled once she regained composure.
Sabine stood there, a little surprised, until a small smile formed on her face.
“Sure. Let’s get you back to bed first, grandma.” Sabine held back her laughter as she guided the healer back to her room.
Ling Ying gasps, “Excuse me, Dr. Sabine Callas. But, aren’t you the older one here?”
“Hmm? Don’t remember anything of that sorts. Could it be the old age?” Sabine smirked, “Though, jeez your voice sounds like one too right now.”
“You-” Ling Ying tried to rebuke, but was cut off by another several sneezes.
Sabine chuckled as she grabbed a few tissues for the healer, “I’ll grant you a compromise of revoking your new title if you teach me the phrases you say in Chinese.”
“Nooo, all my secrets will be revealed…” Ling Ying grumbled as she buried her face in the tissues.
“Secrets? Why are you here Cypher and what have you done to my Ling?” Sabine couldn’t help but grin at the healer’s loopy state.
“Mmm. It’s embarrassing….” Ling Ying murmured sleepily.
“Well now I want to know even more.” Sabine chuckled.
“Better start learning then, 毛豆.” Ling Ying leaned close to Sabine and whispered.
Better start learning, edamame.
“Alright.” Sabine froze for a moment and laughed as she landed another kiss on the healer’s cheek.
Ling Ying stayed quiet for a moment, words getting stuck in her throat.
Sabine raised her eyebrows a little and waited.
“Could you stay a little longer? Until I fall asleep.” Ling Ying asked quietly, “If you want to, of course."
“Of course.”
Sabine’s face struggled to stay composed as the healer scooted to one side of the bed. She crawled under the blankets and pulled Ling Ying close, wrapping her arms around her and planting a kiss between her eyebrows.
Ling Ying willed herself to get closer, letting her head rest in the nook of Sabine’s neck, feeling the medicine and soft blankets pulling her into sleep.
“Rest well.”
