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The immune system was the body's first line of defense against the threat of foreign invaders. It was a system that was forever adapting through the years, building its walls of protection to help keep the host alive. Those little white blood cell soldiers marched everyday into battle against bacteria, viruses and any other disease that might cause an untimely demise.
Even then, sometimes their efforts weren’t enough.
Thanks to the modern era of science and technology, there were new ways to help the body through this never ending war.
Vaccines, medications, and holistic remedies all helped protect the population from something as simple as the common cold.
It was no longer survival of the fittest.
Unfortunately, there was no miracle cure. Even with interventions, the host still had to endure some symptoms until they were fully healed.
Some braved this battle rather gracefully. Others seemed to believe their life was hanging by the same dibble of snot that was dripping from their nose.
Yugi just happened to be lucky enough to call the latter person, his boyfriend.
No matter how overworked or stretched thin Atem became, the man was incapable of feeling it. He was always bright eyed and full of energy to take on even the longest days.
But when Yugi went over to his house that Saturday morning, for a weekend they’d planned to spend responsibility free and wrapped up under the sheets, only to find the man still under the covers… Yugi knew instantly that he was unwell.
Initially, Yugi had been worried, not used to seeing the overly exuberant man with a dull sheen to his eyes. That lasted as long as it took for him to open his mouth.
"You're lucky I'm a pediatrician," Yugi groused, placing a tray on the nightstand. It held the staples of any home medicine cabinet, coupled with some saltines and ginger ale. "Because you're acting like such a baby right now."
A weak huff sounded from under the thick blanket on the bed. "I'm sick." A pair of glassy, garnet eyes peeked out from under it. "I'm allowed to act whatever way I want."
Yugi had a lot of ideas on how they could’ve been spending their weekend together. Not even one of them included him playing doctor to his disease riddled boyfriend.
Stupid flu season.
Yugi blew out a long breath, mostly to settle his own simmering annoyance. All it did was blow warm air up into his eyes from the mask covering his mouth and nose. Something his boyfriend didn’t seem to believe in.
Twisting the cap off a bottle of ginger ale, Yugi poured the fizzing liquid into the cup beside it so it could flatten out. "It's just a cold," Yugi said, reminding him for the umpteenth time.
"It's the flu," Atem stressed miserably. He pushed the blanket down, so he could sit up a little higher against the pillows.
The flu shot, while mandatory for all Healthcare workers at their hospital, only worked if one actually got it. Funny how that worked, right?
Despite the long list of memos reminding the staff, a certain surgical resident pointedly decided to ignore them.
"Well, maybe next time you'll remember to wear your mask when working in the hospital during flu season.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, Yugi reached out to feel the Atem’s forehead with the back of his hand. “Or at least get your flu shot on time."
Atem swatted the hand away, though Yugi noticed how weak the attempt actually was. "I've been busy."
"I've seen the way you run whenever the flu clinic does rounds. I think you just don't like needles." Yugi paused, glancing up toward the ceiling. "Which is a little ironic considering you're a doctor."
Yugi would've thought the flush tinting Atem’s bronze cheeks was from embarrassment, though he had a feeling it was from the rise in his core body temperature.
"I think you have a fever,” Yugi told him, receiving another huff in response.
Atem crossed his arms, though perhaps it was only to suppress the chill that ran through his body. "How many years of med school did you need to figure that out?"
Closing his eyes, Yugi took another centering breath.
He's sick. He doesn't mean it. He's sick. He doesn't mean it.
Opening them, Yugi asked as sweetly as he could, "Did you take the medicine I got for you earlier?"
Chin to his chest, Atem sank back into the bed. He answered him with an intelligible grumble that Yugi assumed was a yes.
"Good, hopefully it'll kick in soon." Reaching out, he pulled the blanket up to Atem’s jaw. "Try and get some sleep, yeah? I'll come check on you in a little while." And if you're not asleep I might just smother you.
Leaving his boyfriend to stew in his own misery, Yugi retreated back into the house. He’d spent enough time here by now to know most of the in’s and out’s. It didn’t take him long to locate cleaning supplies, setting out to disinfect every surface the other’s germy hands might’ve touched since bringing home his little souvenir.
After that was done, Yugi raided Atem’s fridge. He wasn’t the greatest cook, but he knew enough to pull off something as simple as chicken soup. Thankfully, Atem always kept his apartment well stocked in the food department.
In no time at all, Yugi had put together a rather tasty pot of soup. He ladled a small portion into a bowl, and then set it on the serving tray before heading for the bedroom.
Atem was awake, laying on his side and scrolling through his phone. When Yugi entered, he sat up, holding his hands away as Yugi set the tray over his lap.
He eyed it narrowly, lifting the spoon to give it a small stir.
A frown pulled at his lips. "I don't like carrots."
Yugi pursed his lips behind his mask, wondering if perhaps pharmaceutical grade sedatives would have been a better option.
"You eat them all the time."
"Not in soup."
"Then eat around them," Yugi stressed, feeling his blood pressure rising by the second.
Before Atem could give him a stroke, Yugi turned on his heel, intent to leave. Before he could take a single step, there was a hand curling around his wrist.
"I'm sorry," Atem apologized. When Yugi peeked over his shoulder, the other man did actually look remorseful. "I get a little… cranky when I'm not feeling well."
"Really?" Yugi said, turning to face him again. While this man could easily annoy him all the way to the end of the earth, Yugi would still gladly follow him right over the edge. "I hadn't noticed a difference."
The hand at his wrist squeezed lightly and Yugi earned the most adorable pout. "I could be on my deathbed and you'd still be teasing me."
Pulling out of Atem’s grip, Yugi pushed the bowl of soup closer to his boyfriend. "If you don't follow doctors orders," Yugi told him, a hidden smirk tilting his lips. "We might find out sooner rather than later."
He blew his glaring boyfriend a one handed kiss on his way out of the room, only to laugh when Atem’s hand waved it away.
Instead of going home to the comforts of his own apartment, Yugi decided to spend the night at Atem’s. While he wanted to blame it on his due diligence as a doctor, he knew deep down it was because he didn’t have it in himself to leave while the other was still recovering.
So he set himself up on the couch, only to be woken up midway through the night to the harsh sound of retching.
He was off the couch in an instant, that adrenaline spike hitting him well before he made it to the bathroom.
Yugi cursed under his breath, pausing only briefly in the doorway.
Then he was dropping to the ground beside the other man, who was double over the toilet.
"Shit, Atem," Yugi muttered, his hand reaching out to pull his golden bangs away from his face. “Why didn’t you call me?”
The only answer Yugi got was another round of heaving, along with the full body tremors it elicited. Atem hands gripped the rim of the porcelain bowl, his knuckles blanching with the effort.
His heaving lasted a few minutes longer before Atem started calming. The violent shakes eased some, and after a full minute without vomit, Atem tried pushing himself away from the toilet.
It was a weak attempt at best, but Yugi was there to guide him back. He was practically dead weight in Yugi’s arms, so the farthest they were going to get at that point was the floor. There, Atem rested his head on Yugi’s lap.
Reaching out, Yugi pulled the silver handle on the toilet, flushing down the bile before the stench could leak any further into the room. Leaning back, he rested his back against the side of the bathtub.
With Atem curled up on his lap in the bathroom, Yugi did his best to tend to him, even then. Grabbing a bit of toilet tissue, Yugi leaned over to wipe at his mouth, then tossed it into the nearby bin.
It was then that Yugi noticed how ashy Atem looked, no doubt feeling the peak effects of the flu. This would most likely be the worst of it, they just needed to get him over that hill.
Gently, Yugi brushed a few sweaty bangs from the other’s forehead, tucking them behind his ear.
Atem opened his eyes just slightly, reclining his head so he could look up at Yugi.
"You aren't wearing your mask,” He noted, his voice destroyed from vomiting.
"Whoops," Yugi said with a shrug. "Too late now."
Turning away, Atem hid his face against Yugi’s thigh. "I don't want to get you sick."
"It’s a hazard of the job." Yugi pressed his palm flat to Atem's back, rubbing soothing circles against the fabric. Yugi asked gently, "Do you still feel like throwing up?"
Atem answered with a grimace. "I… I think I’m empty now."
"Okay,” Yugi nodded, “How about we get you back to bed?”
It took more effort then expected to get Atem into bed, having to carry most of the larger man’s weight himself. With Atem sitting at the edge of the bed, Yugi exchanged his soiled shirt for a fresh one, then went to the bathroom for a wet rag to wash his face.
He was careful as he moved the cool fabric over Atem’s face, noting how he leaned into each swipe.
Yugi felt his head again. "Your fever is back.” Dropping the rag in the hamper, Yugi moved back to the supplies he brought in earlier. He popped open a bottle, shaking two tablets into his palm. He held them out for Atem to take.
It was as if Yugi was suggesting Atem take some sort of poison with the way he flinched away from them.
"If you won't take them by mouth," Yugi warned, "then I'll just take you to the ER so you can get it IV."
Atem glared at him. "You wouldn't dare."
Holding his ground, Yugi threatened. "Direct. Admission." He pushed the pills into Atem’s hand. "Try me."
"Fine,” Atem relented, also accepting the cup of flattened soda easily when Yugi offered it to him next. "But if I throw up again, I just might not make it to the bathroom."
"Wouldn't be the first time I've been thrown up on by a child,” Yugi reminded him.
After the medication was swallowed, Yugi tucked Atem under the covers.
Yugi didn’t hear another whine from the man until he flipped off the light and settled into the spot beside him on the bed.
"Yugi-"
"Hush," Yugi silenced him, pulling the blankets up to their shoulders. "I want to keep a closer eye on you." Laying on their sides facing each other, Yugi reached out, fitting his palm to the side of Atem’s face. "Besides, if I get sick," he said, his thumb tracing the line of his cheek. "At least I know I'll have a handsome doctor to take care of me."
A surprised laugh blew from Atem’s nose. "And with better bedside manners, too."
Yugi joined in on the laugh, smiling a little wider when Atem reached up for his hand. He brought it in front of his face, pressing a soft kiss to the knuckles before pulling it to his chest.
Yugi lowered his voice as he whispered into the dark space between them. "Do you think he'll even give me a sponge bath?"
Atem was mid yawn when he gave his muffled answer. "Only if you ask him very nicely."
"Can I get you anything else?"
There was a long pause, which made Yugi think the other had fallen asleep.
Then he heard a soft, "Hold me?"
"I don't think that's in my job description," Yugi explained, but still rolled onto his back, lifting an arm in invitation for Atem to scoot closer.
With Atem’s head to Yugi’s chest and his arms wrapping him in a firm embrace, they both settled into each other.
"My head hurts," Atem muttered against his shirt.
As gently as he could, Yugi carded his fingers through messy strands, massaging his scalp. "The medication I just gave you should help with that, too."
Atem hummed. "Just in case it doesn't," he mumbled, peeking up at Yugi through the fan of his thick lashes. "Will you kiss it, too?"
Yugi wished he was able to keep the stupid smile from breaking out on his face. "I don't think kisses are included in your co-pay."
"I'm willing to pay out-of-pocket."
Relenting, Yugi pressed his lips to the crown of Atem’s head. "How's that?"
Atem sighed, melted further into Yugi. "Better already."
Yugi was so relieved when he woke up to good news the following morning. While his boyfriend was still asleep in his arms, a light kiss to Atem's temple proved to Yugi that his fever had finally broken. Even just looking at his sleep-soft face, Yugi noticed some Atem’s sun-kissed color had already returned to his face.
Even though he tried not to wake him, the other still stirred when Yugi's lips brushed his head.
"Good morning," Yugi greeted quietly. "Feeling better?"
"Yeah," Atem nodded, his voice still heavy. He brought a fist to his eye to rub at his. "Sorry about last night. I know that's not exactly how you wanted to spend your night off."
"You take care of me, I take care of you," Yugi told him easily, his arms tightening around his broader shoulders. "That's what we do, right?"
When Atem looked up at Yugi, he was showing off those sparkling gems again. "I'd kiss you right now if I didn't have pukey morning breath."
“I thank you so very much for that,” Yugi chuckled, rewarding Atem with a kiss to his nose instead. "Think you can stomach some toast this morning?"
Twisting his lips, Atem considered the suggestion. He eventually nodded. "I think so,” He answered, then added, "But I think I'd like a bath first."
"So I'll make you a bath," Yugi offered. He brought his lips to Atem’s ear, whispering against the shell, "Play your cards right and I might even scrub your back."
Atem hummed appreciatively at the thought. He brought his lips to Yugi’s cheek, his lips brushing the newly formed flush as he asked, "Think you could wear a sexy nurse outfit while you do it?"
"What- hey!" Sick or not, it didn't matter to Yugi as he almost shoved Atem right off the bed. Atem's hands darted out to catch onto the sheets before he went over the edge.
“I can see you’ve made a full recovery,” Yugi diagnosed, tossing aside the blankets so he could stand from the bed.
“Oh, don’t be like that, love,” Atem called after him. "It was worth a shot!"
The only contagious thing in that room now was Atem’s laughter, infecting Yugi even as he walked toward the bathroom to draw his idiot boyfriend a warm bath.