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It was about two weeks ago when I first started feeling under the weather. It wasn't so bad at first. Runny nose, sore throat, cough, light fever. Y'know, the usual seasonal ordeal. I kept at it like usual for a couple of days. Much to my dismay, however, my sickness did in fact worsen. I really didn't want to miss out on any of my daily duties, but I decided it was probably best not to get everyone else I know sick. I started to feel a little better again, hopeful to maybe get back to my regular life. That was until, well…
“oof…”
I stare at myself in the mirror, hunched over my sink. I woke up this morning feeling great, but that very quickly went downhill within minutes. I even have some new symptoms now, like nausea and a general soreness all over my body, so that’s cool I guess.
I was so excited to go outside and live my life, but I'm clearly in no state to be doing anything other than lying down, which really sucks because I haven't seen another person face-to-face in more than a week now.
“Whatever. I'll just go back to bed and try to sleep the day away,” I mutter to myself.
The sound of a doorbell chiming rings out throughout my home.
“Ugh, really?”
I put on a bathrobe and slowly hobble my way over to the front door. It better not be those scouts again, I already told them I'm not interested in their overpriced cookies.
I press my face against the door to get a good look through the peephole. Rather than a person standing on the other end however, all I can see is dark blue. Whoever’s on the other side must be standing right up to the door. I reluctantly pull my front door open.
“Can I help you?” I ask while peeking my head around the small gap in the door and rubbing my forehead.
“Hah, I feelst as though I shouldeth be the one askinge thou that questionne.”
I immediately crane my head up towards the very familiar voice.
“R-Rouxls?”
He laughs at my surprised face and poses dramatically.
“YES! ‘Tis I! Thou’re Duke hath arrivedth to the rescue!”
“What are you doing here?”
He opens his mouth to say something, but a sudden breeze seems to give him a chill down his spine.
“Erm, wouldst thou mind lettingeth me in firste? It’s rathere chilly outside.”
“Oh, yeah, sorry.”
I take a step back and fully open the door, allowing him inside. He wipes his feet on my doormat before placing a paper bag on a nearby table.
“I broughteth thou some wares from mine shop!”
I peer into the bag as he sits on the floor to take off his boots. Inside is a random assortment of items that are meant to help with my sickness, including a handful of soup cans and a box of fancy tea.
“That's really kind of you Rouxls, but why did you come over?”
“To maketh sure thou were okayeth. It seemeth to moi that this week hath been hellish and that thou may wanteth some company. I could telleth via text that thou were feelingst lonelye.”
He's not wrong, but this still feels a little impulsive. I sigh and cross my arms in a worried fashion.
“Again, that's really nice, but I told you I was really sick, and I don't want you to catch whatever I have.”
He looks up at me with a befuddled eyebrow raise. He then chuckles and shakes his head.
“Darlinge, playing cards can't catcheth illnesses,” he retorts, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.
My cheeks flush slightly with embarrassment.
“Oh… yeah, I guess that makes sense. Never really thought about it before.”
He gets up off the floor and grabs the bag before heading to the kitchen.
“Still though,” I say as I follow behind him, “aren't you supposed to be working right now?”
“Thou’re well-beingth art more importante to me than mine shop,” he answers with his back to me as he stocks a cabinet with the soup cans. “I can affordst to putteth aside a day of worke to care for mine sweetye.”
My blush deepens. I can't believe how sweet he is to me. I walk up to him and wrap my arms around him. He lets out a cute, surprised yelp and turns around in my arms, letting me bury my face in his chest. He pets my hair a few times before kissing the top of my head.
“Thou really should remainst in bed.”
“Yeah, you're probably righ-AHHH!”
Without any warning, he tosses me into the air and catches me in his arms before spinning around in place a few times in a showy manner. A move like that would normally have me swooning for him, but the sudden movement doesn't sit well with my stomach.
“Ohh no… Rouxls, bathroom, NOW!” I saw while covering my mouth.
“OH!!! YES DARLINGE!”
He sprints over to the bathroom and gingerly lowers me back onto the floor.
The next several minutes are spent with me kneeling in front of the toilet and Rouxls standing awkwardly behind me.
“So, art thou finishedth yet, or-”
I gag and push my head closer to the toilet seat.
“Okaye, I guesseth not then.”
A few moments of silence pass before Rouxls gets on one knee and start softly petting my back.
“Welleth, I guess this was sort of mine fault. I'm trulye sorryeth. Perhaps it'd be best if I went back home before I madeth thou feeleth worse.”
He starts to stand back up, but I grab his hand and try to speak up while still panting from almost hurling again.
“No… Please… Stay… I miss you… So much.”
His mouth curls into a warm smile. He sits down beside me and continues rubbing my back.
“Anythinge for thou, darlinge.”
I spend a couple more minutes on the floor. After basically emptying my whole stomach, I feel like I can finally get back up. Rouxls generously volunteers to clean my toilet as I wash out my mouth to get rid of the awful taste that lingers.
When we're both finished, I slowly get myself back into bed and Rouxls gently tucks me in.
“Shall I maketh thou some tea or soup?”
“Tea would be nice,” I respond with a nod as I close my eyes.
“GREAT! I'll returne in but a few short minutes.”
He kisses my forehead and I can hear his footsteps diminish as he heads out of the room. I hum contentedly to myself and turn to lie on my side.
I seem to have dozed off because I find myself waking up to Rouxls sitting on the edge of my bed, soothingly running a hand up and down my arm.
“AH, thou finally wakest up. Thou looketh most adorable during slumbertime, I didn't wanteth to wake thee.”
I sit up slightly to yawn and wipe some snot off of my face.
“How long was I asleep?”
“Oh, no moreth than half an hour.”
I nod and rest my head against the pillow again.
“Sorry, this is probably really boring for you.”
He chuckles and gives my shoulder a few solid pats.
“Thou worryeth too much about moi. I kneweth what I was signing up for when I cameth.”
“Yeah, but-”
My ringtone decides to interrupt our conversation. Rouxls stands up from the bed to grab my cellphone.
“It sayeth it's from thou're Boss.”
I groan in annoyance.
“Shit, I forgot to call out today.”
I reach out a hand for him to give me the phone, but he continues to stand there looking down at my phone.
“Oh, if that's merely the case, then no worries!”
Before I can do or say anything else, he answers the phone and puts it to his ear.
“HELLOETH! Yeseth, thou haveth the righte number. Oh, I'm their partnere! They're sicker than a dog, so they are unableth to answer the phone. Whatever does thou meaneth, this is how I regularlye speakeast. NO THIS IS NOT A ‘PRANK’, YOU CHARLATAN!!! I'LL HAVETH YOU KNOW, I-”
He stops yelling and brings the phone down into his view.
“Hmm, it seemeth thou're boss hungeth up.”
Well, I'll be lucky if I still have a job by next week. I need to remember to send an email later profusely apologizing to my boss. I sigh and decide to not think about work right now.
“Oh!” Rouxls pipes up, “I forgoteth about the tea!”
He sets my phone down and grabs a nearby mug.
“My apologies, it hath cooldth down significantly during thou're nap. Does thou still want it?”
I let out a weak cough and shake my head.
“I'll reheat it later.”
“Alrighte,” he says while setting the mug back down.
A few seconds of silence linger between us.
“Art there anythinge moi could doeth for toi?”
“Um… could you lie down with me maybe? I wanna cuddle you,” I avert my eyes somewhat bashfully.
“When wouldst I ever say ‘nay’ to somethinge like that?”
He starts to take off his shoulder-padded top and pants, and I pretend like I'm not shamelessly staring at him. Once he's down to an undershirt and boxers, he neatly folds his clothes and places them on a chair. He finally lifts the covers and settles himself beside me. Without much hesitation, I turn myself to him and wrap my arms and legs around him, burying my face into the crook of his neck. His soft skin feels cool against mine, and I let out a relaxed breath.
“Heh,” he chuckles. “And thou sayest that I am the clingy one.”
“Har har. You know I'm only teasing when I say that. I kinda like that about you, honestly. It reminds me of how much I'm cared about.”
“Well, what can I sayeth, thou deserveth all the love and appreciation in the worlde!”
I bury my face further into him, trying to hide my embarrassing reaction to that. Sure, he's, um, rather peculiar at times, to say the least, but my god does he make me feel warm inside and smile like an idiot.
“You're the best boyfriend I could ask for, y'know that?”
“Well, thou art dating THE Rouxls Kaard, so thou shouldn't expecteth any less!”
I try and fail to hold in a laugh. Forgot to mention he's funny too.
Eventually, Rouxls starts petting my hair, and I melt into his touch.
“If thou doesn't mindeth, maybe I could stayst the night here?”
“I'd very much appreciate that.”
I kiss his neck softly before setting my head against his chest.
“I love you, Rouxlsy.”
“I loveth thou too, Darlinge…”