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It didn't happen often, but sometimes even the Ash Lynx got sick. It was one of those rare times now, and Eiji was trying his hardest not to scream or pull his hair out in frustration.
It was a beautiful, late spring day, not too cold but also not too warm, the afternoon sun was shining through their sheer curtains and casting the bedroom in a warm glow making everything soft and cozy. You could still hear the bustle of New York in the background, cars horning and kids yelling. It was impossible to find it quiet, even in the dead of the night. After all it's the city that never sleeps.
"Can you please eat this while it's still warm?" Eiji was trying to reason with his stubborn boyfriend who was bedridden with fever. It started a few days ago, Ash was not feeling too well but of course when asked, you only got his standard answer of "I'm fine." and "It's probably a stomach bug, no big deal." Turns out it was a bacterial infection. If only he wasn't too stubborn they could've dealt with this while still in an early stage. Eiji sighed as Ash turned his head from the soup for the fourth time.
"Ash, you need to at least have a few bites. You won't get better if you don't eat." He said it so calmly as if he was explaining something to a toddler.
"I don't want that soup, Eiji. I'm not having it." Ash's voice was weaker than usual, and Eiji could see he was struggling to get it out, probably because of the sore throat. His hair was sticky with sweat and his face was flushed so red. His normally beautiful jade green eyes were hazy and he was ever so slightly shivering and shaking.
"But you asked for chicken noodle soup! I made it for you, would you at least try it?" He was lying, he didn't make it he bought it from the deli section and heated it up while Ash was napping. But he thought if he could guilt trip the blond he would finally relent and eat. It was a white lie for a good deed.
"I said I wanted chicken and star soup. They're star shaped, these are egg noodles they're wide strips did you skip geometry?" Eiji sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose trying his hardest not to quarrel with the infuriating teen in front of him. He is sick. He reminded himself and repeated it like a mantra in his head.
"I'm sorry. You know your onii chan sometimes makes mistakes, will you try it for me and for the effort I went through? Please?" He pleaded for the last time thinking if Ash refused once again then god help him, he will force feed him and just shove it down his throat. The mental image was hilarious but he hoped he wouldn't really go for such drastic measures.
"Fine. But I just.. I umm.." he was stuttering. Eiji's eyes widened, he'd never seen him stutter before, it was a peculiar sight. "What's wrong, love? You can tell me anything." Eiji placed the bowl of soup on the night stand and reached over to hold the other's trembling, pale hand in a comforting grip.
"I just can't get up." If he wasn't already so flushed he would just flush some more at admitting a weakness. Logically he knew Eiji would never hold it against him and on the contrary, he'd love to help him and be there for him but old habits die hard. He never accepted help because there was always some sort of ulterior motive, but this is Eiji, his soulmate and he's not like them. Those who used him and hurt him. Eiji is his safe haven.
"You silly boy, you don't need to get up. I'll feed you myself just prop up and lean on the pillows." Eiji stated with conviction, and once again Ash felt like his face got even warmer if that was physically possible. He tried to cross his arms but the gesture just made him look like a child rather than the feared gang leader. "I can feed myself! I'm not a child!" He tried to declare it loudly, but it came out as a scratchy yell whisper instead. Eiji was almost laughing, but he composed himself, sensing that teasing would make matters worse so instead he went for diplomacy.
"I know you can, but you're tired and I'd love to make it easier for you. So could I?" He spoke in a soft tone and knew when those green, sleepy eyes fluttered that he won this round. "Okay." Was the soft response he got. It was a meek approval, but an approval nonetheless and Eiji didn't waste time. He grapped the bowl again which was still nicely warm and the brightly colored spoon.
"I can't believe you actually bought these stupid spoons." Ash groaned weakly in complain but did open his mouth with no further objections. "What's wrong with them? They're nice!" Okay maybe he was getting a little defensive over the brightly patterned cutlery but so what? He was allowed to defend his taste and he knew that Ash secretly liked them but he would never admit it. Stubborn brat.
"Can we juts have less complaining and do more eating?" Ash merely hummed and accepted the next spoonful, "What about you, you're not eating?" Ash asked trying to look nonchalant and Eiji smiled softly at his terrible attempt of nonchalance. "I got myself a salad, I'll just eat when you're done." And after what felt like eternity the soup was finally eaten, well half of it actually was eaten, but Eiji would take it. Small victories.
"Alright time for your meds." As the asian boy was beginning to pull out the tablets, a hand shot out to stop his movement.
"I don't want to take them." Ash was trying to glare but it clearly didn't work because Eiji went on; "You have to take them, these were prescribed for the infection. Unless you want it to get worse." Eiji explained with this soft but firm expression of his that he knew was his winning card.
"But they hurt and I can't swallow them. Please don't make me take them." Ash knew he was whining but he just felt so tremendously exhausted. His brain was cloudy and he couldn't coordinate his muscles accordingly, if his enemies were to find him in such state, he would be six feet under in a blink. He knew his gang are watching out but he was still wary.
"Well I got you Pedialyte to take the meds with, they wouldn't hurt as much now, okay?" Again with that soft tone and Ash just couldn't deny it, so he complied with a tired nod and swallowed the damn tablets. He was surprised that Eiji was right, they didn't hurt this time when aided with the electrolyte drink. Blueberry too, Eiji did know him well.
Suddenly he felt so grateful, he had to express said gratitude, it was a burst of emotions surging through his slow, fuzzy mind like electricity and before he knew it he talked out loud. "Thank you, Eiji. It's just that.. well no one took care of me like that since Griff when I was a little boy." Eiji who was in the middle of collecting the tray with the food stopped and turned his head to the side and looked at him so warmly; "You're more than welcome, Ash. And you're still a boy, we both are. It's okay to want someone there for you, I'm always gonna be here for you." Ash was getting teary and he blamed it entirely on the fever. God everything ached.
"How about a bath? You're sticky with sweat and look so uncomfortable." He was right, but Ash didn't want to be alone so he twisted his tongue to voice it out, "Would you be with me?" He initially winced. Hating how he came across as a demanding, clingy brat. Eiji only grinned at him, not seeming bothered at all by the request. Or maybe he was delirious. He could hardly tell.
"Of course, I'm going to prep it now. It will only take a few moments." So maybe he wasn't hallucinating yet as it seems, with that Eiji stormed to the en-suite that was practically the size of a Tokyo apartment. He ran the tap on a warm setting aiming for just a lukewarm rather than hot and poured some lavender oil in. By time he made it back to the bedroom, Ash was still lying down, head lilting with the effort to stay awake. Eiji leanded against the doorframe and smiled at the sight, if not for the sickness, this would make for a cute domestic moment. He almost wanted to grab his camera and snap a shot. But his priority now was to make Ash comfortable and he didn't think the blond was coherent enough to give his consent anyway.
"Hey, sleepyhead. It's ready now let me help you up, okay?" Ash leaned heavily on the asian boy, relying on him in more ways than just physical as they slowely made their way to the full tub.
"Can I help you take your clothes off? It's okay if you say no." Eiji asked tentatively and Ash hesitated for a second but then nodded. Eiji's hands were not intrusive or abusive, they didn't hurt and his touch didn't burn, they were gentle and calming. His eyes stayed above his waist and didn't stray to his nakedness. It was so intimate and it didn't make him feel repulsive or dirty. There was nothing sexual about it, just love and respect. His soul fluttered at the caring treatment he was receiving and craved and wanted, no he needed more and more of. When he was finally soaked in the luxurious tub, Eiji started massaging his scalp gently with shampoo and it was so relaxing that he almost dozed off, but before that could happen Eiji helped him out and wrapped him in a big, soft towel. He felt like a child again, safe and protected and loved.
Getting dressed in a comfy, oversized hoodie and soft sweatpants then lying down in bed again which was so cozy, it all made it harder and harder for him to keep his eyes open. Eiji was there through the entire process but then he caught his hand as he was turning to leave.
"Don't leave me." He whispered it like a prayer and Eiji smiled at him sweetly and replied in a reassuring voice, "Never. I'm just getting you some cold compress, for the fever, I'll be back before you know it." Ash reluctantly let him go and true to his words he did return fast and gently pressed the icy pad against his flaming forehead. Ash sighed with content and before finally relenting to sleep he felt Eiji cuddling him and kissing his cheek while murmuring sweet nothingness. Sleep swiftly claimed him and he couldn't remember being any happier. He slept in his boyfriend's arms so peacefully.