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It's been weeks now since the brave trio decided to move from risking their lives over and over. They still feel nervous, wondering if everything is okay where the fight is, wondering if they did the right thing, and often feeling selfish. But after countless reassurances from Pure Vanilla Cookie and the other ancients, they decided that they had gone through enough, and they deserve to rest, and maybe one day they will fight once again for cookie kind.
They have a cottage in the hills. Gingerbrave went out to jog and gather fruit in the morning, his new hobby, since it allows him to go out and move (and get food in return). Wizard Cookie is cleaning while humming a tune he probably heard in the Hollyberry kingdom; the windows are open to let the breeze in. Wizard is sweeping until he gets tired - "Um... Well, it doesn't hurt to make use of practical magic." - he grabs his wand, then smirks and adjusts his scarf - "I didn't learn levitation magic for nothing." - And with that, he murmurs an incantation which makes two brooms and a feather duster float; it starts cleaning slowly but efficiently. Wizard sigs - "Much better."
He hears steps approaching, instantly recognizing it as Strawberry Cookie who just woke up, Wizard turns around - "Good mor- Dear witches!" - He exclaims as he looks at her. Her skin is pale, her eyes puffy, and her eyelids are drooping. He gently places a hand on her forehead, then quickly retrieves it - "You're burning up."
"I'm okay..." - Strawberry says, but the way her voice sounds betrays how sick she feels.
"No, not okay!" - Wizard Cookie nudges her towards the hallway - "Bed, now."
"B-but-"
"No buts, go to bed!"
Strawberry decides to give up, not having the energy to protest or fight back in any way - "Fine..." - She says, defeated, walking to her room.
"I'll go get a damp cloth, and some water, and... What else could help?" - He reaches for a book on the shelf, flipping the pages with concentration - "Mm... I don't want to risk using magic and making it worse; traditional methods will have to suffice." - He closes the book and exhales.
Shortly after the front door snaps open - "I'm baaaack!" - Gingerbrave sing-songs, instantly noticing Wizard's nervousness as the boy fills a glass of water - "Whoa, what happened? Is someone dehydrating or somethin'?" - He asks playfully, but with a hint of concern.
"Strawberry is sick" - Wizard says bluntly, grabbing the damp cloth and the glass of water
Gingerbrave gaps - "What? Really? Is she okay? Does she need something!? Is she-" - Wizard shuts him up by kicking his knee, Gingerbrave groans - "Ugh... Okay, okay, I won't hover... But I will go see her, she's in her room, right?"
"Yes" - He hands Gingerbrave the things - "If you're going, place the cloth on her forehead and leave the water within reach, I'll go see if I can somehow find medicine" - Before leaving, he adds - "And avoid overwhelming her, lower your voice a bit."
"You got it!" - Gingerbrave catches himself and lowers his voice - "I mean... You got it" - He winks and walks to Strawberry's room, nudging the door open with his hip - "Hey Strawb... How're you feelin'?"
"Uuuuuuuughhhh"
"Not great, huh?" - He steps inside and places the damp cloth on her head as instructed
Strawberry whimpers - "Can you cut my head?"
Gingerbrave chuckles softly and sits on the edge of the bed - "No cutting heads today, buddy" - his smile softens as she protests, then offers her the glass of water - "Here, let me help" - Gingerbrave tilts the glass slightly to let her drink - "Small sip- Oops" - he reaches to clean the spill clumsily with the blanket
"W-where is Wiz?" - Strawberry asks curiously, trying to distract herself from the headache
"Went to look for medicine" - Gingerbrave answers - "Why? I can call him over if you want, I will literally sprint away to get him for you."
"No, don't... Don't do that" - She sighs
Gingerbrave's leg bounces, he looks at the door, and then back at Strawberry, he smirks and leans down to whisper - "Want me to sneak your game console?"
"Wiz will scold us" - She chuckles
"I mean, he doesn't need to know..."
"..."
Wizard Cookie opens the door later, he has a small paper bag - "Ahem, I found something bu-" - He pauses, Gingerbrave smiles nervously, and Strawberry is groaning on the bed, Wizard sighs - "I'm scared to ask..."
"Wiz! Uh... She maaay have tried to play video games, and then... Her head started hurting more" - He rubs the back of his neck with a sheepish grin, then turns to Wizard - "Don't take it out on her, by the way, it was totally my fault!"
"..." - Wizard murmurs something under his breath, then approaches the bed - "Fortunately, I did find medicine, now shoo" - He shakes a hand towards Gingerbrave to make him step back, then pauses before adding - "and lower your voice"
Strawberry watches Wizard grab the medicine and puts some on a spoon, she hesitates - "Um... D-does it taste like... A-all the other medicines?"
"Strawberry Cookie, if you don't take the damn medicine, I swear I will teleport it inside of you."
"Come on, Wiz, don't be too harsh!" - Gingerbrave chuckles lightly, then turns to Strawberry - "The medicine is yucky, buuuut I think it's better than the headache"
"You- Uh..." - She pauses, then finally sighs and grabs the spoon - "Okay..." - She grimaces as she takes the medicine, giving the spoon back to Wizard
"Good, thank you" - Wizard says, strangely relieved, as if seeing her hurt affected him too in some way. He blushes and shakes the thought off - "O-Okay, now rest" - He adjust her blanket, then turns to Gingerbrave - "And you lost visiting privileges, let's go"
Strawberry watches as Gingerbrave protests but ends up following Wizard, then smiles. She lies down properly, looking at the ceiling, the constant pulse in her head is still there, but calming down now, she closes her eyes to wait for the medicine to act. The muffled voices of the boys outside bring her comfort, they stayed outside of her door, they didn't leave her alone. She allows herself to slowly fall asleep. Being sick is terrible, but she's glad to have friends so she doesn't have to deal with it by herself. And they know just as much as Strawberry, that she would do the same for them.