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Pierrot knew he wasn‘t supposed to be in Harlequin’s bedroom, after all, Harle’s wishes were to just be alone with only Jester as his caretaker. Pierrot knew he was being insensitive to Harlequin‘s wishes while so sick, but he had to check. After all, Jester said Harlequin was getting better, right? A bigger appetite meant maybe some stress was good for the heart. If Harlequin wasn't as weak as before, it shouldn't be a big problem, right? Not like he’d get sicker, would he? It was just one small visit too. He’d just stay quiet and be quick about it. If Jester doesn‘t know, then it’ll be like it never happened. Harlequin was weak, not like he’d waste energy on complaining. Well… with Harlequin is… maybe he would. But… Pierrot just had to be gentle about it.
Pierrot had to wait for hours before he could even attempt to sneak in. Jester barely left Harlequin’s bedroom anymore. He practically lived in the bedroom, occasionally sleeping in bed with Harlequin in case Harlequin vomited in the night or needed comfort from Jester because Harlequin was so sick, but with Harlequin slowly getting better, Jester was taking more time to do other tasks around the circus and also let Harlequin be alone, though Jester still tried to only leave when Harlequin was sleeping. Jester was currently in a meeting with the Doctor if Pierrot understood what was going on right. It made sense. Harlequin being sick but scared of the Doctor, so Jester had to do all the medical stuff on the Doctor’s behalf.
The room was dimmed and there was not a single candle lit. The bedroom wasn‘t much different than what Pierrot remembered it looking like, just a little more neat (probably because Harlequin was too weak to go searching through his stuff like he usually spent hours doing). There were also a few cups on the nightstand, no doubt the rice water Jester had been feeding Harlequin recently on Doctor’s suggestion. There were also small bowls, which Pierrot didn‘t know what they could’ve had in them. Odd. But probably… medicine? Harlequin’s hair brush was on the bedside table as well.
Pierrot could see Harlequin’s form curled up in his bed, though it was turned away from the door and heavily blanketed, half his face submerged beneath blankets. At least five or six blankets on the bed. Pierrot slinked closer, quiet as a stalking cat. Harlequin didn‘t move, though Pierrot knew Harlequin had an odd sixth sense for knowing whenever Pierrot was sneaking up on him. Was he that weak he couldn‘t even turn? Pierrot quickly did a double take of the room to make sure no one else was near before getting the smallest bit closer to Harlequin’s bed.
“… Harle?” Pierrot quietly whispered, placing his hands gently on the bed. Harlequin only made a small, weak sound. Pierrot tilted his head, carefully and slowly climbing into the bed to be able to see Harlequin’s face. Pierrot was so so gentle as he moved the blankets down from Harlequin’s chin.
Harlequin‘s eyes tiredly flicked up to Pierrot, eyes flickering shut for a moment before opening once more. When Harlequin didn‘t react badly to his presence, Pierrot moved to be able to actually sit on the bed and watch Harlequin like a curious little guy. Harlequin looked so tired, weak. Harlequin‘s waking yawn could barely be qualified for a yawn with how small it was. Harlequin truly was adorable when he wasn‘t being an annoying menace that wrecked Pierrot‘s things or was parading around what he stole from the other circus members.
“… You’re awake?” Pierrot whispered, not exactly knowing what he expected. Harlequin didn‘t seem awake enough to even realize he was being spoken to by Pierrot, mostly just trying to weakly curl more under the blankets, Pierrot’s sense did kick in and he helped, carefully moving the blankets in a way where Harlequin could coil up under them in warmth.
Pierrot didn‘t know whether he should stay or not. Harlequin didn‘t seem too responsive, and he probably didn‘t even want to be bothered with how he tried to slink under the blankets that Pierrot had moved.
“… are you cold?” Pierrot asked, climbing a bit closer to try and at least keep eye contact with the evasive viper of a clown. Harlequin ignored him, eyes shut, curled up in bed, under his warm blankets. Pierrot sat there for a few more minutes before the embarrassment got to him.
“… I should go before Jesi gets out of the meeting…” Pierrot shrugged before moving to leave the bedroom. More so just wanting escape from the awkwardly filled air. He felt odd. Clearly Jester understood Harlequin’s silence better than Pierrot did at least. Pierrot couldn‘t tell if Harlequin wanted him to stay or not. Pierrot slinked out of the bedroom in quite the swift strides.
In the hall, Pierrot quietly thought to himself. Harlequin did look… bad, but that’s probably why Harlequin only wanted Jester, as he probably didn‘t want to be seen looking so unwell and sick. It was odd not seeing Harlequin so… energetic and annoying. Pierrot did decide to get a move on just in case Jester decided to come upstairs. Maybe Pierrot could make more rice water for the acrobat… last Pierrot checked, Jester had brought up the last of it to feed Harlequin before the meeting.
Pierrot quietly headed downstairs, going to the kitchen to start making another batch of rice water.
