Work Text:
Castorice woke up to the sound of her alarm, reaching for her phone on the nightstand to cease the repetitive melody. Immediately afterwards, while still hugging the plushie she had made together with Hyacine, she checked her notifications for her girlfriend's good morning message.
However, there wasn’t one. The last message was Castorice’s reply to her good night wish with one of her own, accompanied by a purple heart.
A sharp pang of fear immediately found its way to her heart. A good morning message adorned with a pink heart would be sent to her everyday as soon as Hyacine woke up. Had she upset her? Had Hyacine finally decided to abandon their relationship, after growing tired of her? She knew this day would come sooner or later, regret tainting their relationship.No matter how many times her lover reassured her that she loved her and that she wanted the relationship just as much as Castorice did, it was not enough to ease her worries. No matter how gently Hyacine would care for her and talk softly to her, it was simply never enough. Hyacine was too nice, she would never break her heart with words, so she expected actions instead.
Castorice could accept being broken up with if it meant Hyacine would be happy. She deserved to be. Hyacine was a light brighter than the sun, her very being so warm it could meltsoften the coldest of hearts. Meanwhile, Castorice's very being was cursed; she took light out of everything she came close to. Why Hyacine chose her remained a mystery for Castorice, despite their relationship lasting a few months already.
Worse than the idea of Hyacine giving up on their relationship was Hyacine being hurt. She knew the hospital’s schedule for this week, the nurse was supposed to wake up an hour ago. She always woke up on time, since her passion for her work was unparalleled. The thought of something bad happening to Hyacine outweighed everything else in her mind.
With sudden hurry, Castorice got up from her bed and rushed to get dressed to leave her apartment she shared with her sister. When she arrived at her lover's house, she first knocked on the door, trying her luck in case Hyacine was still at home. When no answer came, she took out the spare key that Hyacine had given her. She had been given the keys on the day when they first held hands; she rememberd Hyacine flashing her a comforting smile, making Castorice instinctively smile back. Remembering that sweet memory made it even more dreadful for her to open the door and call out her girlfriend's name.
Anxious steps found their way to Hyacine's pink, bubbly room. There she was, sleeping with a somewhat uncomfortable expression on her face. Breathing a sigh of relief, she sat down on the side of her bed. She extended her hand to gently touch Hyacine's forehead, not wanting to disturb her yet also needing to see if she was alright.
Upon her touch, Hyacine's eyes started to open, her face paler than ever and tiredness present in her eyes. Seeing her lover, Hyacine's eyes softened. The sight was always a balm to Castorice's soul, it was an irrefutable proof that she was loved no matter how much she thought otherwise.
''Cassie?''
Suddenly, Hyacine tilted her body up, shifting to a sitting position with her legs out of the bed, her thigh touching Castorice's, ''Oh goodness, what time is it? I can't be late for work!''
Castorice, filled with worry once more, held Hyacine's hand gently yet still tentatively before she could get out of bed, ''Hyacine, you have a fever and you don't look so well... Please, rest until you get better.''
Seeing the candid worry on her beloved's face, Hyacine paused for a moment.
As usual, Hyacine gave a cheerful smile to hide her own exhaustion. She took Castorice's other hand, ''Cassie, I'm fine! I have patients at the hospital to take care of. Besides, a little rest after work will make it all better!''
Castorice knew all too well, how Hyacine wouldn't show her own pains and burdens to others when the matter of life and death was the concern. But she had the heart of a lover, Castorice not only worried about Hyacine but also felt her pain as her own. The thought of her girlfriend ignoring her illness, even if it was just a mild, felt wrong to her.
''I know you have work but your health is important too, Hyacine. To others, to me... How will you take care of others if you don't take care of yourself? Please, take the day off, I'll stay with you... Just like how you always stay with me.''
For Hyacine, the wellness of people always came first, healing and assisting, helping them forward towards a happy, healthy, fulfilled life. She could physically handle a single day with a flu, but it would then harm the one in her heart, Castorice. She would endlessly worry, potentially even blame herself even when it wasn't her fault. It wouldn't take a toll just on her mental but also physical health.
Her heart couldn't stand to see anxiety on her beloved's face, not after experiencing the sweet sight of her smile and peace before, when the ugly unease and shame left her beautiful face next to her.
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In the kitchen, Castorice was carefully following the recipe for a nutritious soup recipe her friend Phainon had sent her. She wasn't a good cook, but she would try her best for her girlfriend.
To think Hyacine had agreed to stay at home and let Castorice take care of her lefther heart pureof fear; how warm was the feeling of being in love. After her entire life spent apart from others and, therefore, unable to experience human warmth and touch, Hyacine was like a blessing she could never imagine having. For once in her life, she didn't feel so shameful, so self hating. Hyacine's love had made her feel like she could experience love and affection and, morever, that she was worthy of receiving it.
Going back to Hyacine's room, she found her already awake from her nap, the cloth she had put on her forehead still in place. Hyacine took the tray from her, smiling before Castorice could apologize in advance for her cooking.
Giving her lover another tender smile after taking a sip, Hyacine spoke with that soft voice Castorice had fallen in love with, ''Thank you, Cassie. It tastes amazing.''
Were it to be her past self from just a few months ago, Castorice would be all red from shyness. Now though she, too, had a tender smile on her face. It hadn't been just Hyacine's welcoming and uniting nature that had taken her out of her shadow, but her unconditional love and care.
''I'm glad, my love.''