Work Text:
Alex had been feeling a bit under the weather lately. A pesky cold had settled in, complete with a scratchy throat, sneezing fits, and an occasional cough. But he had a pressing matter at hand – law school exams were just around the corner, and he couldn't afford to fall behind in his studies.
Determined not to burden Henry with his minor illness, Alex hatched a plan to soldier through it on his own. He'd wake up early, make a hearty breakfast to keep his energy up, and then head to the library for hours of focused studying. No one would be the wiser about his ailment.
As Alex sneezed for the umpteenth time while making breakfast, he muttered to himself.
“Just a little cold, no big deal. I can handle this,” Alex whispers to himself.
He downed some orange juice, hoping the vitamin C would work its magic. With a cheerful smile, he announced to Henry that he was off to the library.
Henry, always attentive, raised an eyebrow.
“Are you sure you're feeling alright, love? You seem a bit off today.”
Alex, attempting to sound convincing, waved off Henry's concern. “Oh, I'm fine, just a little tired, that's all. Don't worry about me; I'll be back in a few hours.”
And so, Alex set off to conquer his law books, determined to make the most of his study session while keeping his minor indisposition a secret. He might have been under the weather, but nothing could deter him from his academic pursuits.
—
Henry couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss with Alex despite his reassurances. He had a nagging suspicion that Alex might not be entirely truthful about his condition. Determined to get to the bottom of it, he decided to search for a thermometer to check Alex's temperature.
As he rummaged through the bathroom cabinet, Henry expected to find the thermometer easily. However, to his surprise, it was nowhere to be found. Suspicion deepened into certainty as he realized that Alex had hidden it.
“Sneaky, sneaky, Alex,” Henry mutters to himself.
Henry couldn't help but roll his eyes at Alex's attempt to keep his minor illness a secret. He appreciated Alex's determination to handle things on his own, but he also knew that sometimes, a bit of care and pampering could go a long way in a speedy recovery.
With the thermometer discovered and a playful sense of mischief in his heart, Henry decided to confront Alex about his covert thermometer-hiding skills.
—
With the thermometer in hand, Henry decided to playfully confront Alex about his thermometer-hiding skills. He found Alex in the living room, studying diligently but still sniffling and occasionally sneezing.
“You can't hide from me, Alex,” Henry says with a grin.
Before Alex could react, Henry lunged forward and playfully tackled him onto the sofa. Alex let out a surprised yelp as Henry pinned him down gently.
“Henry, what are you doing?” Alex laughs.
“I'm on a mission to uncover the truth about your health.”
With a grin, Henry carefully placed the thermometer in Alex's mouth and waited for the reading. After a moment, the thermometer beeped, and Henry removed it, glancing at the display.
Henry’s eyebrows furrowed. “You have a fever, love. No wonder you're not feeling your best.”
“What fever? I don’t have a fever,” Alex denies to which Henry crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow.
Alex sighed, finally admitting the truth. “Okay, you caught me. I didn't want to worry you, but this cold has taken a toll on me.”
Henry smiled warmly, brushing a strand of hair from Alex's forehead.
“It's alright, darling. Let's get you some rest and warm soup. You'll be back to your healthy, brilliant self in no time,” Henry says gently.
And with that, Henry's care and attention were officially enlisted to nurse Alex back to health, their playful chase having ended with a confirmation of his fever.
—
Henry was determined to take good care of Alex as he battled his cold-induced fever. He prepared a comforting bowl of chicken soup, made sure Alex was bundled up in blankets and even went on a pharmacy run to pick up some over-the-counter cold medicines.
As Alex began taking the medication, he started to feel the effects, and his thoughts began to wander into whimsical and delirious territory. He lay on the couch, snuggled under a mountain of blankets, occasionally sneezing and giggling at his own musings.
“You know, Henry babes, I've figured it out. The meaning of life is... is... wait, what was I saying?”
Henry, amused by Alex's playful antics, chuckled softly.
“I think the cold medicine might be working a bit too well, love,” teases Henry.
“No, no, hear me out. It's all about... about unicorns, and rainbows, and, oh, definitely more soup!” Alex says with a loopy smile on his face.
Henry couldn't help but laugh at Alex's delightful delirium. He continued to pamper him, bringing extra soup, fetching tissues, and offering endless cuddles.
Alex's fever-induced musings continued throughout the day, each one more hilarious and nonsensical than the last. While his cold medicine-fueled delirium persisted, it provided moments of lightheartedness and laughter during a time of minor illness, turning their cozy day at home into a memorable and amusing adventure.
—
As Alex drifted in and out of sleep, his fever-induced delirium continued to weave whimsical stories in his mind. When he woke up, his eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Henry with a dazed and awestruck expression.
“ Henry, is this... is this heaven?”
Henry, who had been sitting beside him, couldn't help but smile at Alex's fever-induced musings. “Well, darling, you're not too far off. It's just our cozy living room.”
“No, you're an angel. An actual angel, Henry. You must have fallen from the heavens,” Alex says as he continues to eye Henry adoringly.
Henry chuckled at the endearing but delirious compliment.
“Well, if I'm an angel, then you must be an angel too, my love,” Henry teases.
Alex's eyes sparkled with mischief as he embarked on a mission fueled by his feverish imagination.
“Angel or not, Henry, we should go on a date. Somewhere heavenly, like a picnic on a cloud,” Alex slurs.
Henry couldn't help but indulge Alex's whimsy, playing along with his delirious fantasy.
“A picnic on a cloud, you say? Sounds positively divine,” Henry says as he kisses Alex’s forehead.
As they bantered about their imaginary date, both of them immersed in the playful silliness of the moment, the love they shared remained a constant and heartwarming presence, even amidst the fever-induced delirium.
—
After Alex's bout with a cold and fever, he had made a full recovery and was eager to embark on the date he had playfully imagined during his delirious, fevered state. With the sun shining and a picnic basket in tow, they found a picturesque spot in the park, a perfect setting for their long-awaited outing.
Henry had taken great care to plan the date, complete with a cozy blanket spread out on the grass and an array of delicious treats in the picnic basket. They settled in, enjoying the serene ambiance and each other's company.
As they savored their meal, Henry suddenly let out a little sneeze, causing Alex to raise an eyebrow.
“Oh, baby, did you catch my imaginary cold from heaven?” Alex teases.
Henry laughed heartily, shaking his head.
“It seems so, sweetheart. I guess even angels can't resist a heavenly cold, especially if it's shared with the one they love.”
They both chuckled, their playful banter a testament to their enduring bond and the joy they found in each other's presence. Whether in playful delirium or the brightness of reality, their love remained steadfast, making every moment together feel like a heavenly delight.