Model Idol Combi: so you had a sick day

[jitensha]

[ so the thing was, Makoto didn't get sick. It took a series of unfortunate events, a moment of stress-induced weakness, and doing the idiotically chivalrous thing of trying to make her way home in the pouring rain and likely spending too much time in soaked clothing, despite Kise's best efforts.

But the point was, Makoto didn't usually get sick, and when she did get sick, it had to be sick enough to buckle her knees and keep her under her covers with a fever that could warm cold palms in an instant. She'd tried to go to work, but hadn't made it further than her own doorway before she'd gotten too dizzy to stand without the aid of the frame and had been promptly ushered back to bed.

And of course, she hadn't wanted to worry Kise, but that had backfired and for some inexplicable reason, she felt worse than ever. She'd have to change the compress again, she thinks distantly, as she tries to push herself up on her elbows to give him a properly chastising look. At the very least, her parents were now out for one of her dad's races, but... ]

You... really didn't have to come.

[ what if she's contagious? It's bad enough that she feels awful and she's sweaty and her hair's a mess and her face is all red and this isn't very romantic at all-- ]

Comments

[jitensha]

[ she obediently clams up, though she looks like she'd like to keep protesting and her shoulders shake a little as she keeps the cough at bay. After a moment, she relaxes - more like sags - under her blanket. Being this exhausted is weird, but she's alert enough to (try to) watch him unpack his goods. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[Wow he was in such a hurry he even managed to bring antihistamines...

However, that cough syrup is there where he remembers putting it. A relief, since he soon realizes he doesn't know what half these bottles are. Why do they have so many things at his place...?

Anyway]

Did you already take some medicine?

[jitensha]

[ No, she doesn't say, because I kind of blacked out while I was texting you and the medicine cabinet seems really far away and there's a funny rushing sound in my ears when I try to stand up.

But that cough's still a lurking threat, so Makoto kind of rolls her head from one side to the other in as clear a "no" gesture as she can manage. It makes her wince a little. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[He's back at her side as soon as he notices that wince, peering into her face worriedly.]

Are you okay, Makocchi? Do you have a headache too?

[jitensha]

[ yes, if this feeling like a sledgehammer to her skull could be called a headache. Every little motion just sends it aching even more, just like the rest of her, but she still manages to free her arms to feebly push at his chest in a warning not to get too close. She can speak, though she has to keep it quiet. ]

It's not that bad...

[ex_doubly406]

[MAKOTO...

Instead of backing away like she probably hopes he would, he takes her hand and removes the compress from her forehead with the other so that he can put his own hand on there.

... She's burning up so bad it's a wonder she's talking about all.]

I'll get you a new one, and a spoon for the medicine.

[jitensha]

[ now there's a whimper of dismay, because Kise, you're supposed to be keeping a safe distance and she really should say as much, but his hand's astonishingly cool against her forehead and she hates herself a little for not removing it.

But score one for Kise, since she won't argue beyond that. She feels too lousy. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[He's going to keep racking up points, you just wait and see.

And true to his word, he brings back a spoon and a compress that is actually cold. He brushes away stray strands from her forehead before setting it down, making a big show of reading the cough syrup bottle afterwards.]

Let's see... Two spoonfuls! Ah, wait, is it just one?

[jitensha]

[ Makoto actually sighs once the cold touches her forehead, blinking tiredly as she tries to bring Kise in focus.

It's oddly hard, and she closes her eyes with a shaky groan and a ragged cough when another attempt brings back that headache. Sorry, Kise, she can't applaud your theatrics today. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[Well damn. He glances over, to see if she's listening but... no she looks too sick to have been paying attention to him. He doesn't know why she told him not to worry when she looks this bad.

So he sighs again, uncapping the bottle.]

Just two, okay? Can you sit up?

[jitensha]

[ maybe because she didn't want him seeing her looking this bad?? She may be one of the more unconventional girls when it comes to femininity, but even Makoto dreaded looking awful in front of her boyfriend.

Also, her efforts to sit are kind of laughable, considering how she's practically wheezing and wobbly when she tries to work herself into a seated position.

... She might need help. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[... She sure does.

There's immediate regret at saying that, and something else inside that twists just a little as he sees her clearly struggling to sit up.]

Wait!

[He can't get rid of the spoon and cough syrup fast enough, as he swoops in to help her up.]

Makocchi, say something if you can't!

[jitensha]

[ she's too stubborn for 'can't', for all that she's relying on his support now and breathing shallowly. Why does everything hurt? ]

Your hands... were full. [ she rasps, finally, because at least that's true. She'd honestly believed she could manage, though. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[He doesn't know if he should be annoyed or worried. Can you be both? They didn't talk about this on TV, though he feels like they should have.]

Makocchi, now's really not the time to be stubborn! That was dangerous, and I can always put everything down for you!

[As he fluffs up the pillow behind her so she can sit up.]

[jitensha]

[ she does, almost losing the compress before she gingerly presses it back into place. Almost thoughtfully, with a cough or two (or six) ]

If I can't... even sit up on my own, he'll get mad.

[ex_doubly406]

Huh? Why would I get mad?

[Kise, please stop being so self-centered.]

Anyway, are you sure you can swallow this? I won't get mad if you can't.

[jitensha]

Not--

[ this cough is sudden and sharp enough to hurt; she's just barely able to keep from massaging her throat, let alone find the breath to correct him.

She nods, carefully. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[Something twinges again, and he can't help but take her hand again, this time letting his lips brush her knuckles.]

... Okay, but as soon as you think you can't you have to tell me!

[jitensha]

[ making Makoto blush with a fever may not be the best idea, but at least he won't know whether the redness is inspired from embarrassment or sickness. She's still of the firm opinion that he's better off being far away from here; it doesn't stop her from thinking that it's strangely nice, having him here when she'd otherwise be alone to try and sleep this off.

It's kind of a guilty thought. She tries for a smile, anyway. ]

Okay... but I want to try.

[ex_doubly406]

[weird how you start feeling fond of someone in moments like these.]

You're always trying, Makocchi.

[it doesn't take him long to pour out a spoonful of cough syrup for her, bringing it to her lips.]

Say 'ah' for me!

[jitensha]

[ this is going to taste bad, she knows it's going to taste bad, and it's still so embarrassing that she can't even toss the medicine back herself, but she opens her mouth anyway. ]

A-aaaah.

[ it's little more than a whisper, but at least she's cooperative. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[yes, cooperation is good. Though, he has to say she looks pretty cute like this... Not that he's enjoying her cold or anything.

Once she's swallowed that down, he gets another one ready.]

One more. Lucky me, Makocchi's a good patient.

[yes that probably tastes awful but flattery and sparkles will get you everywhere work with him please.]

[jitensha]

[ Makoto's still mid-nose-scrunch when she takes the second spoonful--

And promptly chokes on it, because coughs have terrible timing. For one, blindingly horrifying moment, she can't breathe and she's pretty sure some of the syrup doesn't stay in her mouth and likely gets on the blanket/his shirt, but through something like SHEER FORCE OF WILL (and a hand clapped obstinately over her mouth to keep her from spitting it out), she swallows. And then just focuses on trying to breathe, only it feels like some of it's gone up her nose rather than down her throat and that's gross. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[H-His shirt... It was sponsored...

But no, he has no time right now to worry about spots on his shirt. Not when he's overreacting as per usual, patting her back with a little more force than necessary and looking so anxious over making her choke.]

Makocchi, are you okay?! I'm sorry, was that too fast?? Don't choke!

[you idiot she's already done.]

[jitensha]

[ okay, that actually hurts, though she only hunches over a little more until she can breathe again. Finally, still a little strangled-- ]

I-I'm okay.