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The bed was cold when he woke up.
The warmth of his lover was gone next to him. Blindly, he stretched his arm over to the other side of the bed, searching for the man rather dumbly. Aleks grunted, finally opening his eyes, and huffed when his woes were confirmed. Heaving himself on his other side, he checked the alarm on the bedside table. Nearly seven in the morning, much too early for the other to be out and about. Curiosity got the best of him, and he slowly pulled himself out of bed, petting the dozing cat next to him. He dressed himself in simple sweatpants and slippers, then finally stood up to investigate.
The kitchen was empty, apart from a moth flying around the light. The bathroom was vacant as well, same for the porch. Strange. The car was still in the driveway, and it wasn't like Yesenin to take a walk just like that.
He was about to go look behind the house when he heard a muffled sneeze coming from inside. He forgot to check the living room, and after cracking the door ajar, he let out a sigh of relief.
There he was, for some reason, laying down all curled up on the couch.
"Yese, what are you doing here?" Aleks asked, realizing as he got closer that the other man was trembling like a leaf.
All he got in response was a sleepy grunt. He sat down on the edge of the cushion, assuming he was drunk until he placed a hand on his dewy cheek.
"Goddamn you're warm. Are you sick?"
"Feel l'ke shit…" He mumbled into the pillow he had apparently brought over, slurring his words.
"I can tell. Why are you here and not in bed?"
"Don' wanna get y'sick too…"
Aleks sighed, petting his lover's cheek.
"That's very thoughtful of you, but I'm not keeping you sick on the couch. I'm taking you back to bed."
Gathering Yesenin's spidery limbs was the tricky part, but he was so thin that lifting him up was effortless.
"When'd you get there?" Aleks questioned as he placed the other's pillow on his belly for now.
"I dunno…" He sighed, resting his head heavily against his skin. "Threw up last night, n' I moved here after…"
Aleks' heart squeezed in his chest. He pressed a soft kiss to his head, stroking his bony shoulder with his thumb.
"Could've woken me up, love, I would've helped."
"Helped w'th what..?"
He was placed into bed, tucked underneath the covers.
"I would've rubbed your back, gotten you some water, some medicine… Which is what I'm going to do right now."
With a final smooch to the forehead, Aleks left the room briefly, ignoring Yesenin's mumbled protests.
He got something for his fever in the bathroom cabinet as well as a cold rag and a thermometer, and a glass of water from the kitchen, making his way back to the bedroom afterward.
"Alright, sit up." He instructed, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I need to give you something for your fever."
Yesenin only groaned and grumbled in response, barely moving from his balled up state. Aleks had to drag him up into a sitting position to give him the medicine and water.
"Take off your shirt, too." He told him, preparing the thermometer. Yesenin gave him a strange look.
"Well aren't you bold.." He slurred, clumsily tugging off the sweat-drenched fabric.
"Dumbass, I need to check your temperature. Make sure I don't need to take you to the emergency room."
Yesenin mumbled mockingly, throwing his shirt on the floor. Aleks stuck the thermometer under his armpit and tucked his arm against his side.
"Stay like that, I'll get you a new shirt."
He turned away for a moment to rummage through their closet, pulling out a suitable, comfortable shirt for his lover to wear. Right on time, he heard the little instrument beep, and he plucked it from underneath Yesenin's arm to glance at the small screen.
"Oh good, you're not dying."
"Sure feel like it…" The tall man grumbled, barely keeping his head upright. Aleks tutted, feeling protectiveness wash over him.
"I know. I'm going to take care of you, don't worry." He assured him, assisting him with putting on the fresh top.
"You'll get sick too…"
"I don't care. I'd rather fall ill as well than leave you alone."
He couldn't stop himself from giving Yesenin another tender smooch to the forehead before placing the cold rag, his heart oozing with love when his lover instantly relaxed. He helped him lay back down, keeping him close to himself.
"N' what if I throw up again…"
Aleks almost rolled his eyes.
"I still wouldn't care. Puke doesn't scare me."
He looked down at the head in his lap as he felt him move. Yesenin was looking at him with glassy eyes, suddenly emotional.
"…You're too kind to me…"
Aleks sighed, stroking his cheek once more.
"Stop that. Just go back to sleep."
He didn't need to be told twice. He nuzzled into the other's lap, getting comfortable before immediately dozing off. Aleks' heart felt so full it may just burst.
Oh, how he loved this man.