Chapter Text
It had been a week since Ronald had gotten hit with the cold that was going around the office. While he felt better some of the symptoms lingered around a bit longer than he would’ve liked. Lying in bed wasn’t exactly something that came easy to him.
“Ugh, why won’t this go away.” He complained laying on the couch.
“You can always go back to the infirmary and have them take a look again,” Othello suggested.
His boyfriend was sitting on one of the kitchen counters typing away. The bright light of his laptop reflected off his round glasses.
“I don’t wanna.” Ronald pouted.
“Well, then you’ll just have to stay in the flat for a little longer till you’re all better.”
“Can’t you do something? You’re like a scientist. Surely you know some magical way to fix this.”
“I am a forensic scientist. Not a doctor.”
Ronald huffed feeling frustrated. The itchy throat from earlier was finally gone but now it seemed like all the yuck had migrated to his head and ears. The most annoying part of having this problem was one of his ears was already damaged from his final demise so to have both ears not working made things even more challenging.
Fiddling around his phones he decided to look for quick cures that the glorious and trustworthy internet could provide. The sweet embrace of Google provided with many interesting ways for him to fix his current ailment. He finally found one that he could easily do in the comfort of his own flat. He finally got off the couch and headed to the bathroom.
“Where’s the hydrogen peroxide?” He asked.
“Why do you need the hydrogen peroxide, Ron?” Othello asked back.
Silence came from the other end. Othello shut his laptop taking this as not being a good sign.
“Oh, dear.” Othello sighed to himself.
“Ronald. Why do you need hydrogen peroxide?” He tried calling out again.
“Ah ha! Found it.” Ronald said from the other room.
“Please don’t do anything stupid with chemicals.”
“I’m not. Google has the recipe.”
Ronald walked out of the bathroom with the brown bottle in hand. Then he grabbed one of the clean teaspoons and an empty glass. Then he mixed a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and water into the glass. After doing that he leaned his head over the sink and dumped the contents of the glass as best as he could into his affected ear. Othello covered his mouth to try and stifle the giggle coming from his mouth.
Slowly Ronald heard a few popping noises coming from the affected ear. It was bliss.
“Did it work?” Othello asked.
“Oh, that feels so good. Holy shit. I can hear it slowly eating away at it.” Ronald smiled shaking his head the left side of his was a little wet from his concoction.
“Can you hear me?”
“Uh-huh. I missed your dorky scouse accent. It’s like if Richard Ayoade and The Beatles had a baby.”
“I love you too babe.”
Othello ran his hand through Ronald’s wild blonde hair. “But you need to be careful with quick fixes you find on the internet.”
“I’m fine. I can’t die from it. Plus, Alan makes all his weird herbal thingies and teas.”
“That’s cause he’s a trained herbalist. You're my precious golden retriever, are a little impulsive, and sometimes do things really fast.”
“Ugh! You sound like Boss.”
“What would you like me to say then?”
Ronald cleared his throat trying to do his best impersonation of his boyfriend. “Oh, wow Ron you’re so smart and handsome. That’s so boss of you to find that cure. You should totally top tonight.”
Ronald then clutched the side of his head. The ear had reclogged. He let out a little whimper.
“How’s that “boss” cure working for you?” Othello smirked.
Ronald looked up at Othello with his big green eyes. Looking like a kicked puppy.
“You need to go back to the infirmary.”
“No, I don’t. I just need to try again.”
“Don’t try it again Ron. This is coming from your sexy scientist boyfriend. We are going to the infirmary tomorrow. And we are going to put you on some antibiotics. Clearly, this isn’t going away on its own.”
Ronald pouted. “Fine.”
Othello kissed him on the forehead. "Why are you so nervous about doctors? Even back when they were around when you were alive, they weren't that bad. Back when I was alive, they were still doing leeches and doctors didn't exactly wash their hands. Plus, didn't you come from a bit of money?"
"Well yes, it was better than that. But wouldn't exactly say going from leeches to doing heroin and cocaine was exactly an improvement."
"No but, they did finally start washing their hands. I remember at the university I used to work at the other colleagues would give me weird looks.”
“Hey, you were on to something.”
“I mean yeah but, did you drink the water back then?”
Ronald thought for a moment. Growing up hearing about things like cholera outbreaks and typhoid ravaging the rest of London. Only to realize it was from how disgusting the Thames River had become over the past centuries.
“I suppose that’s true. I think I went from tit to beer when I was like 2.”
Othello laughed. Ronald joined in.
“See, that's what I'm talking about. As much as I like to think I am in the future with technology and such, I'm just as stuck as the rest of our group. "
"Stuck or ahead of the curve."
"I guess."
They both looked at each other and grinned.
“Come on. Let's go make this dinner. I think I have a good recipe that’ll clear those sinuses.”
Othello hopped off the counter and helped Ronald to stand up. Ronald pulled Othello close giving him a hug. "Can't we just get takeaway and cuddle on the couch?" He said his hands slowly going lower.
"No, we already got takeaway twice this week. Plus, probably eating all the Maccies isn't good for us."
"I'm not complaining," Ronald said now having his hand on his boyfriend's round ass.
"Shush. I'll make it. Besides I want to see you eat my cooking. I bet it's going to be delicious.”
“Alright, I trust you."
Othello gave Ronald a kiss on the cheek. Othello pulled out a frozen broth mixture from the freezer. Then from the fridge sausage, rice noodles, and green onion. Othello grabbed his chef's knife and began chopping and slicing. Ronald stood beside him watching him. He loved the way Othello worked in the kitchen. The way he moved, the way he spoke. It reminded him of how Othello was in the lab so focused and steady. Much different than the goofy way he presented himself when he wasn't working.
"So, what's this dish called?" Ronald asked.
"Bun bo hue." Othello said.
"Ah, bun bo hue," Ronald repeated back trying to match the tones his boyfriend just said.
"Close enough." Othello smiled patting his shoulder.
"It's my ears and the audio processi-"
"You are trying that's all I can ask of you. "
"I'll get the tones right one of these days."
"Just listen to me talk more."
Othello put the ingredients into a big pot and let them sit for a bit. The smell of the savory and spicy broth filled the kitchen. Ronald could feel the warmth of it through the air. Ronald's nose began to twitch. He felt hungry.
"God this looks so good Theo babe. Can we have some now?"
"Not yet. Not until after the rice noodle is cooked."
Ronald looked down at his feet. A little disappointed.
"But I'm hungry now."
"Did you not eat earlier?"
"No... I forgot."
Othello sighed. "It's ok I did too."
The noodles were eventually cooked, and Othello put the soup into bowls.
“Do you want green onion or Thai basil?”
“Nah I’ll be fine,” Ronald said taking his first bite.
“You sure? I tried lowering the spice to your level.”
“Babe. I told you I can handle my spice.”
“Last time you turned red and were sweating profusely.”
“That’s normal.”
Ronald took another bite. Ronald took another bite. This time letting the heat hit his tongue. His eyes widened. Enjoying the flavors melt into his soul. Feeling the warmth embraced him happily. Taking a deep breath as the steam from the soup filled his lungs. He couldn't believe he'd forgotten how good this food was. How good everything was. Ronald leaned up against the counter.
"This is so good."
Othello laughed. "I'm glad you like it."
“I love it. You're amazing Theo.”
"Thank you."
Ronald watched as Othello stirred the broth. Taking a sip.
"How are those sinuses?" Othello asked.
"Much better."
"Good. We need to get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow is another day."
"Yes."
"Now sit down and enjoy the food."
"Ok. Yes!"