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Subspace lay sprawled beneath a fortress of blankets, feeling feverish, agitated, and undeniably miserable. His eye, usually alight with cunning mischief, now held a dulled, unfocused look, betraying just how thoroughly his illness had overtaken him.
His throat felt raw and tight, every attempt to speak met with a dry, stabbing pain that made him wince and fall back into silence—a miserable and helpless quiet that he hated.
A soft footstep made him glance toward the door, and there stood Medkit, his usual composed, calm self, carrying a tray with warm tea, a bowl of soup, and a small bottle of medicine. Medkit’s gaze swept over Subspace’s miserable state with an amused glint in his eye, taking in the sight of his husband-turned-sick patient.
“Well, well, what happened to the great Subspace T.Mine, Blackrocks 'Greatest' Inventor? Reduced to shivers and silence, I see.” Medkit’s voice was teasing, though his touch was surprisingly gentle as he set the tray down beside the bed. His eye held a faint, mocking smile, which only deepened Subspace’s pout.
Subspace opened his mouth, his instinct to snap back—but all that emerged was a cracked, painful rasp. He turned his head away, face heating up with both fever and frustration. He was furious at his own weakness, at being unable to muster even a single snarky comment.
Instead, he grumbled silently, slumping deeper into the blankets with a sulky glare.
Medkit only chuckled, reaching out to brush a few stray strands of white hair from Subspace’s flushed face. “Poor thing,” he said softly, mocking yet affectionate.
“You’re awfully quiet tonight. I think I could get used to this.”
Subspace’s eye narrowed, filled with defiance and a silent plea he didn’t want to voice. He watched Medkit with an intensity that would have spoken volumes, had he been able to speak at all.
Medkit paused, the edge of his smile softening as he took in Subspace’s frustrated silence, seeming to understand exactly what he was too proud to admit.
“Oh, I see,” Medkit murmured, a gentle smugness lacing his words. “Is that what you want? Just a bit of care?” He leaned closer, brushing his thumb over Subspace’s cheek in a soft, grounding touch. Subspace flinched slightly, his face warming even further, and quickly averted his eye, biting back a pout. Medkit saw right through him, of course.
“You don’t have to pretend, you know. Just rest, and let me take care of you.” His voice softened, lulling and soothing, and with that, he leaned down, pressing a soft, feather-light kiss against Subspace’s forehead.
Subspace’s breath hitched, caught off guard by the tenderness of the gesture, and a faint, raspy squeak slipped out before he could suppress it. The sound was so vulnerable, so unlike him, that his cheeks burned even brighter. He clenched his fists in the blankets, mortified at his own reaction.
Medkit’s smile grew, eye twinkling with a gentle amusement. “Ah, so you do like that, don’t you?” he teased, his hand still cradling Subspace’s flushed cheek. He leaned in closer, brushing another kiss along his fever-warmed temple, his lips soft and lingering.
Subspace’s body tensed, a tiny, involuntary noise escaping him again as he felt the warmth of Medkit’s mouth against his skin. The touch was so careful, so nurturing, that it both embarrassed and soothed him, leaving him torn between frustration and reluctant acceptance. His heart raced, caught off guard by how comforting Medkit’s gentle attention felt, even as his mind scrambled to maintain some semblance of his usual defiance.
With a huff, he shifted his gaze to meet Medkit’s, squinting with a faint, halfhearted glare. “F-uc—off...” he tried to say, but his voice emerged as a raspy croak, strained and weak from his fever. The words were meant to be a sharp retort, but they came out more like a whine, muffled by the softness of his throat.
Medkit raised an amused eyebrow, clearly not deterred by Subspace’s futile attempt at bravado. “Oh, is that any way to talk to someone who’s just trying to help you?” he teased, his tone light yet filled with warmth. There was a playful glimmer in his eyes, as if he found delight in Subspace’s half-hearted protests.
He leaned closer, tilting his head in a way that allowed him to better observe Subspace's flushed face, which only deepened his affection for the man lying beneath the blankets.
The heat radiating from Subspace's cheeks was undeniable, a bright contrast to the coolness of the room. He could feel Medkit’s fingers, warm and gentle, lingering against his skin, and despite his pride, he couldn't shake the feeling of comfort they brought. The kiss had left him feeling a little dazed, caught in a web of conflicting emotions.
“Really, darling, you should try to relax a little,” Medkit continued, his voice soothing, as he tucked a loose strand of white hair behind Subspace’s ear.
“You’re not fooling anyone with that glare. Just look at you—feverish and grumpy.” He chuckled softly, the sound rich with genuine affection, and Subspace couldn’t help but glare even harder, though it lacked any real heat.
“St-oop-.. with the kiss-es,” Subspace managed, though it sounded more like a whimper than a demand. His annoyance was palpable, yet the way Medkit’s lips had felt against his skin lingered in his thoughts, a silent protest to his own vulnerability.
Subspace huffed, feeling utterly helpless as he fought the urge to lean into Medkit’s touch. It was infuriating how much he craved that softness. His eye flicked up to meet Medkit’s gaze, and he gave a faint, halfhearted glare, his expression betraying the delight he tried to suppress.
Medkit chuckled softly, reaching up to trace gentle fingers along Subspace’s cheek. “You really are adorable when you’re like this,” he murmured, his tone soothing as he continued to stroke his hair. “No wonder you try so hard to hide it.”
With a reluctant sigh, Subspace leaned against Medkit, the warmth of his body seeping into him. It was hard to remain stoic when Medkit was so close, his presence both comforting and infuriating.
The way he cared felt like a warm blanket, wrapping around Subspace, making him feel safe despite the sickness that left him vulnerable.
“Let’s get you something to drink,” Medkit said, his voice gentle but firm. He reached for the cup of tea on the bedside table, lifting it carefully.
“You need to stay hydrated, and this will help with your throat, so you can get back to your annoying self..."
Subspace’s eye widened in protest, and he turned his head slightly, clearly reluctant. Medkit raised an eyebrow but didn’t back down.
“Just a sip. You can do that for me, can’t you?”
With a defeated sigh, Subspace relented, allowing Medkit to guide the cup to his lips. He took a small sip, the warmth of the tea soothing his aching throat. It was surprisingly pleasant, the honey and lemon creating a comforting taste that made him feel just a bit better.
“Good boy,” Medkit encouraged, a smile spreading across his face.
“See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
Subspace shot him a glare, but he couldn’t hide the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. He hated how Medkit made him feel—fragile, cared for, and painfully exposed.
“Let’s have some more, shall we?” Medkit continued, lifting the cup again and tilting it towards Subspace. The warmth of the liquid was inviting, and he took another sip, letting the soothing warmth wash over him.
“Now that’s a good patient,” Medkit praised, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to Subspace’s cheek. The tender contact made Subspace shiver, and a soft, involuntary sound escaped him, leaving him feeling embarrassed and exposed.
Medkit chuckled again, clearly reveling in the way Subspace’s reactions shifted between annoyance and affection. “You’re doing so well,” he murmured, brushing another kiss against Subspace’s forehead. “Just relax. I’ve got you.”
With a gentle motion, Medkit settled in next to him, carefully picking Subspace up onto his lap. The move was smooth and instinctive, and Subspace found himself cradled against Medkit’s chest, surrounded by warmth and security.
He squirmed a bit, trying to maintain some semblance of defiance, but the comfort of Medkit’s embrace quickly made him forget any irritation.
Medkit’s fingers tangled effortlessly in Subspace’s long, fluffy white hair, brushing against the natural hot pink streaks that added a touch of vibrancy to his otherwise pale locks. The delicate strokes sent a wave of warmth through Subspace, leaving him feeling both embarrassed and soothed. Medkit was careful, his touch gentle as if he were handling something fragile and precious.
As Medkit’s fingers brushed through his hair, Subspace couldn’t help but lean into the touch, feeling safe and cared for. Each stroke felt like a balm to his weary soul, and he found himself enjoying the attention more than he wanted to admit.
“You’re doing so well, love,” Medkit muttered, his voice soft and soothing. “Just keep breathing, nice and easy. I’ll take care of everything.”
As Medkit cradled Subspace against him, Subspace instinctively wrapped his legs around Medkit's hips, pulling himself closer. The warmth radiating from Medkit felt like a protective cocoon, wrapping him in safety and comfort. He could feel Medkit's heartbeat thumping gently beneath him, a steady rhythm that lulled him further into relaxation.
“…”
"I'll keep you safe..."
Medkit mumbled, his tone barely above a whisper. He tilted his head down, brushing his lips against Subspace’s temple, the soft caress sending a shiver down Subspace’s spine. The tenderness in his voice was reassuring, creating an inviting atmosphere where all of Subspace’s worries seemed to fade away.
Medkit hugged him close, wrapping both arms around Subspace’s frame as if shielding him from the world outside. “I love you,” he murmured, the words rolling off his tongue like a soothing balm. The sincerity in his voice filled the space between them, and Subspace felt a warmth spread through him, brightening the corners of his heart.
Nestled against Medkit, Subspace felt the gentle rise and fall of his husband’s chest, each breath a comforting reminder of his presence. The world felt so far away, and for once, the chaos in Subspace’s mind quieted, replaced by the rhythmic sound of Medkit’s heartbeat.
He burrowed his face deeper into the crook of Medkit’s neck, inhaling his familiar scent, which smelled like honey sizzling with a tint of ginger—a fragrance that felt like home.
Medkit couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his husband finally relaxing in his arms. As he gently brushed a stray lock of white hair from Subspace’s forehead, he leaned in and pressed a series of soft kisses along his temple and cheek.
Each peck was tender and deliberate, a sweet reminder of his affection. “You’re so precious to me,” he murmured, his voice laced with warmth.
Subspace squirmed slightly, a mix of embarrassment and delight flooding him at the gentle attention. The kisses continued, each one igniting a warmth in his cheeks. Medkit’s lips danced across his skin, as he peppered him with affection, whispering sweet nothings in between each kiss. “I love you more than you can imagine,” he said softly, pressing another kiss to the tip of Subspace’s nose, which elicited a faint squeak from him.
As the kisses continued, Medkit felt Subspace slowly begin to relax even more, his breathing becoming softer and more rhythmic.
“Sleep now, my love,”
Medkit whispered, planting one final, lingering kiss on his husband’s forehead. The warmth of Medkit’s love enveloped Subspace, soothing him into a gentle slumber where only the sound of Medkit’s heartbeat remained—a steady lullaby that would keep him safe through the night.
written for jmalyqe