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In the cold room akin to the temperature of the seafloor belonging to the Octavinelle's housewarden, lies Azul in his bed, feeling the heat starting to rise from his body. Eyes slowly blinking to grasp his sight as he tries to remember how he got in this state, not only is he feeling his body getting hot, sweating all around especially his forehead but also experiencing the worst headache he’s ever had. Right, I passed out in the office after feeling dizziness which makes me.. sick.
Sick? A word that does not bode well for the gray head as the thought sends shock to his spine, resulting in him painfully jolting his upper body up. He cannot be sick, absolutely not when there’s an upcoming special event for Mostro Lounge that needs his attention to make things perfect for its upcoming release. And yet the fatigue, painful headache, and the heat in his body distorts all his senses to move properly so he wobbles like a newborn.
A snapped voice then halts his movements, “AND WHAT IN SEVEN’S ARE YOU DOING?!” An all too familiar, dare he say, beautiful voice despite the incredibly harsh tone can only belong to his one and only boyfriend, Riddle, who’s now glaring daggers at his way as he holds a basin.
Azul greets him in his usual charming facade, only his voice is a bit raspy and his expression plastered ‘sickness’ all over, “Always a pleasure to see you, dear. Now, if you’ll ex–” but expectedly, his words were cut off instantly, “Touch your feet on the ground and I’ll have Floyd hold you down.” The red head retorts, making his way onto his nightstand to place the basin down.
“It’s just a headache, it happens all the time. Besides, I'm needed at the shift right now, I can’t–”
“Are you a fool? You look pale as a ghost. Now, sit up, I need to take your temperature.” Riddle then sits down besides him and shoves the thermometer to his mouth before he could counter.
“39C…” The red head reads off the thermometer after the beep. Azul sighs in defeat, he knows he’d only burden his students more and possibly spread his sickness too, and knew well to take his raised to be a medical mage boyfriend’s advice when it comes to health issues—but now the problem lies in his boyfriend who has come out of his way to take care of him. He cannot let him trouble any further.
“Alright, I’ll take the day off, but you don’t need to take care of me. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself even when sick.” The gray head says, and as he starts to lie down, Riddle grabs both of his shoulders to stay in place.
“Don’t say such ridiculous things. I’m here to take care of you and that’s it. No more buts.” He asserted, now in his mood wherein he won’t take no for an answer, much to Azul’s grimacing as he thinks being a burden to his boyfriend is the last thing he wanted out of this situation.
Riddle then starts to reach out the towel in the basin he set aside, but was stopped by the other, “I’m sure you have far more important things lined up in your schedule than be here.”
“You are important. That’s why-”
“I can always go to the infirmary.”
“It’s cold and raining outside, it’d only worsen your fever. Also, didn’t I warn you about flu season?”
“My magic isn’t so weak that it’d be affected by a mere fever.”
“Do you really wish to get rid of my presence so much you’d kick me out?” The red head’s expression was in an almost danger zone for him, the boyfriend, as his face started to turn sour with arms now crossed. Azul gulps and thinks of a way to let his dearest go on about his usual day rather than nursing a weak octo-mer.
“I’m saying… That I’d rather let the nurses take care of me than.. Hindering a bright student’s way onto greatness.” He carefully explains while slowly untangling his lover’s arms and holding his hands to calm him down.
Riddle eyes him for a minute before bringing a hand to flick his lover’s forehead, earning a pained reaction from the boy in front of him, “Wh- What was that for?!”
“That’s for being a fool! Now, sit up properly so I can wipe off your sweat!” He orders and immediately has the other follow suit.
The redhead grabs wet cloth from the basin with filled cold water and wrung out its content, then he proceeds to dab it on Azul’s forehead gently, a smile coming to form on his lips, “It’s not like you’re a burden to me.. So let me take care of you.” He says in his soft voice. All Azul could reply was his silence and a look to the other way to not meet his eyes, in which Riddle thought he hit the right spot.
“You know..” the latter continues on as he dips the cloth in the cold basin for another round, “As you can assume, health issues are always taken seriously in my household, even if it’s simply the common cold.” He then moves the cloth on the other’s neck, “Though I must admit, I never expected nursing someone personally can be somewhat.. Pleasing? A sweet joy I feel taking care of a vulnerable individual in my hands, like I’m tending to my dorm’s hedgehogs.” A delightful smile now plastered all over his face resulting in Azul to groan in annoyance.
“Actually, I think I prefer a doctor to nurse me. Having Jade and Floyd accompany me to the infirmary won’t hurt today’s shift.”
“Do you really wish for a doctor that bad? In that case, shall I dress up as one? With my laboratory coat, I think I can pull it off.” The red head giggles in his ear as a hand moves to wipe on his neck.
“No thank you, I’d rather have a doctor doing his job than someone who’s able to find a pleasant time in my dire situation.” The gray head replies while taking the remaining energy he has to fight off the blush he’s feeling.
“Oh, please–” Like a light bulb suddenly lighting in Riddle’s mind, he pauses his words to think further on the incoming thought, “Or I could dress up as a maid.” He blurts out.
“Huh?” Azul says in surprise, now looking at him, as if he’d misheard what he said.
“Cater has a maid outfit. I believe it was a trend on magicam recently for maid day and as you can expect, my social media specialist student doesn’t miss any kinds of fads. I can give him a call right now and borrow his outfit for today.”
“Come again?” The gray head replies in disbelief.
Riddle chuckles, “Since you prefer to be nursed by a professional, how about I dress up as your very own maid and nurse you, my master~” a gleeful tone for the last few words escapes his lips before he continues on, “After all, maid is a profession that requires to be skilled at various areas, and nursing is certainly not an exception.”
There was a glint in his eye that the octo-mer found troublesome as he knew well how this was going, but his mind shut off the thought immediately to save himself and his pride. “You, of all people, in a maid outfit? To think the top student is capable of enjoying someone at your mercy.”
“Who exactly told me that I was irresistible? I’m aware of what this trend perceives to certain people, and yet you’re completely unfazed. It must be the fever, right? How cruel.” Riddle sighs, and wrings the cloth once more.
He was wrong, when in fact the thought itself was very much a problem to the octo-mer who was already sick. And as if he’s been hit in the head like another wave of pain, the image of the Riddle Rosehearts in a maid outfit was now present in his mind.
The red head then stacks his pillows on one side and gently pushes him to lean on the pillows, “I’ll fetch your meal and meds. Don’t doze off yet, alright?” He says as he grabs the basin and shuts the door. But Azul really couldn’t care what he’d heard since he only has one thing in mind.
What’s worse was how the topic was very much strong in his head after being forced to hear on Idia’s rambling on maid outfits from their previous club session earlier. Long or short skirt, knee or thigh high socks, the cap as part of its uniform—frankly, there was nothing wrong in learning information, but the context and how it was perceived by his fellow clubmate/housewarden makes him feel ashamed and brings himself to a flush of red.
“I’m back.” The red head enters the room with a tray of soup, water, and medicine and places it on the nightstand next to the bed as he sits down. “I’ll feed you.” He says, or what Azul could figure since his senses are starting to wear out from the fatigue.
As he’s being fed a spoonful of warm soup, the only remaining energy he has is in his thoughts as he tries everything to get rid of the image and pretend it was never a thing. How shameful , he scolds himself. But hey, there’s nothing wrong in fantasizing your boyfriend in a cute outfit, right? No, Azul! He would scold you for thinking such shameful thoughts ! But then he remembers that his dearest was the one to bring it up in the first place. So technically, it isn't wrong to picture the image when the common creature’s brain automatically processes information firsthand as it’s in their nature, he’d have no way in control at whatever his brain makes him think. Thinking about it more, it is the red head’s fault for starting all this, so he thought he might as well indulge himself a little into his imaginationland and even if it brings him to shame, it’s not like his thoughts are for everyone to hear, so just like his questionable ways in dealing his business or students, this is one of those scenarios where he’ll keep it to the grave.
But the moment he brings up the image of his boyfriend in a maid outfit once again, part of him regrets it almost instantly as if he had been sucked into an abyss with no way out. He can’t deny it, no, there is absolutely nothing within his entire being that could deny how he looks— Riddle, would look absolutely amazing in a maid outfit! Short skirt and thigh high socks would fit him much better. He'd look breathtaking. Bodacious. A marvelous sight to bless one’s eyes. It’s enough to make the most prideful man tear down the walls and fall to its knees. He could walk on a withering greenland and his steps would heal and regain the vitality of its surroundings, blooming with flowers all around creating paradise. Even the most aggressive animals would soften up to him. The house he’ll be working for would always be pristine clean, emanating an blessed aura all around that an angel sent by the gods were to be in charge of this said house, and its owners would never have a bad day with him around.
“Only a few spoonfuls left of soup, that’s good. I’m surprised you can finish all this, my students couldn’t even stomach past 5 spoonfuls.” Riddle brings a spoon to his mouth and blows it before offering it to the boy in front of him, “Open up.” The latter opens up just like before, but he can’t even feel anything at the action of his boyfriend feeding him when he's facing a situation.
Rambling in his mind, he imagines himself being placed in a dock of a courtroom as two of his conscience in a form of himself on opposite sides start to argue, and another one of himself seated in front as a neutral judge— hold on, didn’t he offer to wear it? Maybe– Stop it, Azul! You cannot bring yourself to embarrassment! But should another opportunity arrive wherein he offers again, I would consider it– No! How would Riddle, the most important of all who wears his dignity and pride on his sleeve, when he’s being presented with such thought? You’d dare defile the image he’s built? What, you think he can’t have fun doing something with us that would seem as embarrassing for others? If he wants to play dress up with us, then as the boyfriend, I say we let him do as he pleases! Both consciences were starting to get a little loud for his ears until the judge himself slams his gavels a few times to silence the room before speaking up, Both sides make up for an interesting case, though I have to ask for the main man in the middle , All eyes on him, Have you asked yourself on why you’re worked up in all this? The topic in hand concerns a mere costume and yet you’re battling yourself over.. a costume? I believe understanding yourself will reach you to an answer. Indeed. Why was he worked up over a costume? He’s aware this trend makes people excited– Hold on, excited? Sure, his boyfriend would look good in a maid outfit, but what is it that makes him excited? The judge then follows his train of thought, I see, then, let’s go over what he said previously: he would serve you as your very own maid and you would have to be, in his words, “my master”-
And as if the room of thought process were made of porcelain and it breaks during revelations, he slaps both hands to his face at the realization upon him, causing Riddle to be shocked at the act, “Azul?! What’s wrong with you?!”
No no no, there was absolutely no way. He cannot be serious at the thought of a roleplay exciting him. Not only is it embarrassing, but also shameful! Outrageous! Despicable! All negative words aimed at himself while he screams in his internal void as the sirens go off all around at the new information he learned about himself. Gathering his senses, he sees Riddle with a worried expression while mumbling something incoherent he wishes to hear, but he’s busy imagining himself turning into his octopi form and wrapping himself with his tentacles whilst swimming away to escape the other’s eyes.
It was then a cool hand that touched his forehead that finally brought him back to reality, “Huh?! You’re burning up!” The red head exclaimed, “It wasn’t like this just a moment ago, good thing you’ve finished your soup so you can rest easy now. Ah, but you need your water and medicine first.”
He watches him pour water into a glass whilst feeling annoyed now, Me? Burning up? Whose fault is that exactly? Weren’t you teasing how you’re having a delightful time taking care of me? , is what he'd comment if it weren’t from his sore throat. Instead he wraps his arms around the other to bring him close and rest his head on his shoulder. Riddle does not comment, but puts the glass down as he leans his head and reaches his hand out to rub his sides in comfort. He finally mellows out as he feels himself clinging on to the warmth of his boyfriend—despite the burning heat his body is experiencing and would love nothing more than to bathe in ice water, Riddle’s warmth was a source he’d always loved to cling on as it brings him peace and comfort, to even combat out the ongoing heat in his body. They stay like this for a while until he places his chin on his shoulder to admire the beauty his lover possesses, which turned out to be a mistake as not only the image of him in a maid outfit was present in his mind again, but his eyes were now filtered to see him in a maid outfit, bringing his face to flood with red all over again. He leans in a bit to peck his cheeks only to be stopped by a finger to his lips, "Not today I'm afraid. You can kiss me as much as you want once you're all better." the red head says, earning an even more annoyed look from the gray head.
The red head can be a tease sometimes, but even with all the smarts he has, obliviousness was certainly a recurring trait of his. Throughout their relationship, he’s learned the hard way how he can sometimes instigate certain things out of him and find out he's the only one losing his mind while the other just sits there blissfully enjoying his presence. Just moments ago he called him cruel, when he’s definitely the cruel one to start all this and most certainly made his fever worse all while acting like he didn’t unleash a new force into him.
‘You’re unbelievable sometimes..” The gray head managed to blurt out in a mumble whereas the other replies with a hum, “Hm? How so?”
For starting something and not seeing it through , or any other clever remarks he has to say if only the weariness wasn’t starting to seep into him.
Sensing his boyfriend’s behavior, Riddle then continues on what he was supposed to do, letting him drink his water and medicine—all while in silence as Azul was already bearing half-lidded eyes. The former then helps him ease into lying down and tucked him in bed comfortably. He brings a cold pack to his forehead and kisses his cheek before saying, “Goodnight. Get well soon, my dear” to the now sleeping while lightly snoring octo-mer.
The next few days, he’d find himself having a detailed discussion regarding maid outfits over a board game with the intellect of his fellow clubmate, Idia, all while figuring out if he’ll let his desires take charge for once or live on with an annoying wish he’ll have to take it to his grave.