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It was early in the morning. The sun had finished warming the morning mist away. The air was fresh and cool, and the sun shone through some overcast clouds.
The rays from the sun sneaked in Samarie's sloppily shut curtains, waking her up. She groaned, curling up again, wishing to be back in her slumber. She had dealt with a terrible head and stomach ache last night, and wanted nothing more than to at least be asleep through the pain. Her head felt slightly better but her gut still twisted and cramped.
Samarie turned away from the sun, sighing with labor. She began to zone out, unable to occupy her mind with daydreams or anxious worries. She realized she'd forgotten.. Something.. But what? Hm.. Must not be important if she couldn't remember. Her stomach complained loudly with a growl, but given the pain Samarie wasn't sure if it was hungry or wanting to dispose of bile.
This wasn't anything new for her. Unfortunately. It's only gotten worse with time. She wasn't sick with a fever or bug, no. Since being a part of the Ninth Circle, she began to develop frequent aches. Headaches, body aches, stomachaches, even chest aches. She was grateful to be rid of the burden of being there at least. She could now rest in a soft, if unwashed and admittedly smelly, bed. Still didn't make the random symptoms fun to deal with.
Samarie jumped at a sudden knocking sound. Who could that be? She slowly sat up, clutching her very unhappy gut as it churned. She stood carefully, limping her way to the door. She opened it slowly, peeking through the crack she had made.
"Hey! You ready?"
It was Marina. She looked pretty as usual. She wore a gorgeous sundress with two bows in her tied up pigtails. "A-ah Marina?" Samarie stammered, her face ominous in the doorframe. Marina used to find this extremely creepy, but now it was just a part of Samarie she's grown used to. "Don't tell me you forgot," Marina giggled. "F.. Forgot?" Samarie repeated. "Yesterday we planned to go out to the beach today!" Marina reminded. "Oh.. O- oh Alll-mer sorry," Samarie apologized, feeling immense guilt. "Don't worry, I can wait inside for you to get ready!" Marina assured her. "O-oh.. Okay.." Samarie opened the door fully. She didn't have the will to turn down the date. She couldn't.
Luckily Marina wasn't dense. She quickly took notice that Samarie was hunched more than usual, and her face was rather queasy on close inspection. "Are you feeling alright?" Marina wondered. "Oh um.. I.. I'm just uhh nervous!!" Samarie lied through her teeth. Marina blinked. Then shrugged, smiling. "When are you not," she teased, going to the couch to wait.
Samarie walked into her bathroom to change, feeling worse than before. Maybe it was anxiety, or her stomach crying for.. Something. Vomit, food, she still had no clue. She sat on the floor, her head beginning to act up again. It pounded heavily, mostly behind her eyes. "Mgh.." Samarie whimpered in misery, curling up. Head in her knees. She'd managed to take her usual sleeping shirt off, but she couldn't bring herself to remove her shorts. She just wanted to sit. Sit for a bit and collect herself. Collect her.. Oh shit.
She felt a heavy hiccup come up, knowing the feeling. She began to gag next. Then she gagged VERY loudly. She knew she couldn't hold it down, flinging the toilet lid up and dunking her head in...
"Huff... Gah.. Huff..." Samarie panted. Everything after her lunge for the toilet was a blur. A burning, gross blur. She felt a hand rubbing her back. Too ashamed to look back, she laid her head in her folded arms atop the seat, catching her breath. "Do you need water..? Crackers maybe? I can stop by the market and grab some," Marina offered, her voice quiet. "Water.." Samarie spoke even quieter, throat burnt from the bile.
Marina got up, quickly running out the bathroom. Samarie was left alone. She realized Marina was touching her bare back, and even worse she witnessed her puking her guts out (not literally thank Sylvian). Oh gosh hopefully she didn't puke on Marina! Samarie blushed in embarrassment before another sharp cramp snapped her out of the realization. She gripped her stomach again, letting a pathetic whine out.
"I put a cup of water on your nightstand, let's get you in bed okay," Marina lifted her up delicately, trying to avoid hurting her or accidentally cupping her bare breast. Samarie's heart fluttered a bit through her pained daze, a blush creeping back onto her flushed face.
Marina laid Samarie in her bed just as carefully, pulling the blanket over her and offering the water to her black stained lips after she sat herself down. Samarie would've died had it not been for the head and stomach ache. Marina was going to hold her cup as she drank from it.
Samarie nervously placed her lips on the cup, and Marina poured. It spilt a bit but it was so worth it. She drank most of the water, she wished she could've chugged it all down but her tummy protested against it. She parted, laying down fully with a pained breath. "Does your stomach hurt still?" Marina asked. Samarie nodded slowly as to not rock her poor brain around. "Stomach and head.. Sorry I ruined today.." Samarie apologized, feeling worse now that Marina was caring for her. "Ruined?" "You got all ready a-and I promised I'd go.. You should take someone else.. M-maybe Levi or O-olivia, I- I can handle this on my own I get these often.." Samarie began to cry a bit.
Marina hummed. Just a simple hum.
"I'm going to the market, I'll be back shortly," Marina said, standing up from the bed. "M-market?" Samarie asked curiously. "Mhmm, what soups do you like?" Marina asked back. Samarie realized what Marina was doing. She began to sweat from the guilt, tears falling from her eyes. "Ka! N-no! It's fine like I said these happened all the time back in the Ninth Circle I'll be fine on my own!" Samarie promised. "I know you'll be fine, but you'll be miserable. I'd rather you not be miserable all the time," Marina argued. Samarie opened her mouth but didn't have a good counter. Marina was right. Samarie could handle herself but it was difficult. It was painful and admittedly scary sometimes. Having someone, anyone around to help would be a great relief. But.. She couldn't make Marina do it!
"I don't want to force you! P-please I promise it's fine!" Samarie forced a smile, tears spilling over. "Samarie, if I wanted to go out THAT bad I would've forced Daan to come over here for me, I asked you to go to the beach because I wanted to hang out specifically with you, I'm going to nurse you back to health because- well I don't want you to be sick, but also because I want to hang out with you, so for fuck's sake quit apologizing and quit turning me down," Marina ranted, brow furrowed in frustration.
Samarie felt her stomach churn. But, for once, since she's been sick, it was a good churn. More of a flutter than anything. She didn't have the words so she just nodded, sniffling and holding back a sob.
".. So soup?" Marina repeated her question. Samarie rubbed her tears away. "U-um.. Chicken is fine.." She replied. "Alright chicken soup, crackers, medicine-" "No!" Samarie interrupted. "Samarie it's fine," Marina groaned. "No I mean.. I appreciate the thought but medicine won't work.. I get these aches because of-.." Samarie couldn't bring herself to say it. Ever. "Ohh.. Okay got it," Marina nodded.
...
The sun fully shone now, as the clouds cleared up in the sky. Samarie had passed out again at some point, waking up. A bit less groggy at least. Her stomach and head didn't let up. She stretched a little, a loud yawn escaping her mouth. She was still almost nude minus her shorts, but honestly she didn't have the energy to throw a shirt on. Besides, Marina didn't seem to mind and Samarie, despite hating her body deeply, didn't mind the touch of Marina's hands on her bare skin.
"Oh good you're up!" Marina walked in with a bowl, steam flowing up from it. It smelt really good, though Samarie hadn't eaten in who knows how long. "It's still warm but not scolding, homemade too, though eat slow. I don't want you to puke again," Marina handed Samarie the bowl. Admittedly Samarie fantasized about Marina feeding her. She blushed and took the bowl, cradling it against her upset stomach.
Samarie began to eat it slowly, savoring the flavor more than usual. She was eating Marina's cooking.. It was bliss. Though it was hard to stomach. Not because it tasted bad, far from it. Her stomach was just at war with itself. She ate a few bites, drank the broth, then laid back down, placing her bowl on the nightstand. "Samarie, can you try to eat a bit more?" Marina tried pushing her. "No.." Samarie quickly turned down. Marina nodded, taking her bowl.
Samarie began to drift off a bit, headache easing up yet again. Her stomach began to settle a bit aswell. She watched as Marina returned to the room, closing the window to block out those pesky sun rays that kept awakening Samarie. "Tired?" Marina asked. ".. Might.. Sleep for a while," Samarie mumbled. "Alright, I'm going back to my place to change into something more comfortable, maybe some clothes for a few more nights, how long will this last?" Marina asked. "Give it a few more days.. Marina I.. I um.." Samarie stammered. "Hm?"
".. Thank you for everything," Samarie spat out, smiling again. This time it wasn't forced. "Oh, you're welcome, I mean you'd do the same right?" Marina felt weirdly flustered at the gratitude. "Of course!" Samarie cheered through her stomach pain. Marina smiled at her softly. The two just stayed together in silence for a bit. A nice moment. "Ah I should go, I'll be back soon!" Marina got up, about to exit the door. "Marina!"
Marina turned back.
"I love you," Samarie murmured just loud enough for her to hear.
Marina sighed. "Lay down, try to nap while I'm gone," she instructed. Samarie nodded, laying back down in bed, mind dizzy and hazy. Though before she passed out, she heard Marina say one last thing.
"Love you too."