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

[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.

[ex_doubly406]

Are you sure?? You still don't look so good. Do you want water? Should I take your temperature again? I'm really sorry, I should've been more careful!

[Shut. Up. Kise.]

[jitensha]

[ as hard as it is to feel cheerful at the moment, Makoto still manages a smile as she reaches out to touch his hand. It's terribly weak, a bit shaky at the edges, but it's a genuine attempt at reassurance.

Even if she's sort of listing to one side. ]

It's not your fault. Actually... you were a really big help.

[ex_doubly406]

[Time for a rescue, Kise style.

Which means he's wrapping his arm around her so that if she's going to start leaning, at least she'll lean into him instead.]

I know I screwed up so you don't need to say that... [It kind of hurts when he can tell her hands are shaking.] This nursing stuff isn't as easy as they make it look...

[jitensha]

[ and lean she does; her body's aching too much for her to be terribly stubborn about sitting up on her own. It doesn't mean she's not frustrated, though. When she starts speaking again, a little louder and persisting through a cough, her voice sounds like it's being squeezed through a tight tube. Her forehead presses against his shirt.

It's like she's trying very hard not to cry. ]

You didn't... I'm sorry, being this pathetic... I really didn't want you to see me like this.

[ex_doubly406]

[Oh.

That twinge in his heart becomes an all-out ache, making it easy for him to declare that that wasn't very fair of her. Seeing her so upset isn't helping, and he wonders if it's because she's feverish or if it's because he gave her the wrong impression about what he likes about her.]

Hey, Makocchi, I never said anything like that. [He gives her a squeeze, leaning down so that his lips can ghost over her forehead.] Can you not put words in my mouth?

[It sounds pretty harsh, but he's smiling and his tone is light enough that she should be able to tell that he didn't say that to be mean.]

Even if you said no I would've come by to see you.

[jitensha]

[ ordinarily, she'd know better. Except that thinking with a fever has never ended well, and she's this close to crumpling in a fit of hopeless tears. But then he's leaning in and smiling, and she has to breathe shakily instead. She's acutely aware that she's trembling, but he doesn't look appalled at all. ]

... You're amazing.

gdi i thought you went to bed

[ex_doubly406]

[It catches him by surprise, leaving him blinking dumbly. The abruptness of that compliment melts away with her trembles however, letting concern settle in again.]

Thanks, Makocchi.

[He gently lowers her back down onto the bed, pulling the blanket up for her once she's settled in. She seems even smaller than usual like this.]

Then you'll be an amazing patient for me, won't you?