Not down with the sickness

[seemagicshit]

[Another day of work done. Zhao made sure everything was put away and locked up before being the last to leave. Almost as though that were a signal, whatever strength that had been powering him through the day abruptly vanished.

Fuck. He'd been trying to stave this off, but he could feel sickness beginning to dog him. It's why he'd kept the cat at home; he didn't have the strength to really play with her and chase her around outside. His body felt heavy and his throat scratchy.

It wasn't often that he could track how fast sickness took him, but the 15 minute stroll from his place to the restaurant took 30 minutes. As soon as he walked in, he set his keys aside, took off his shoes, locked the door and face planted into the couch.

He should probably take something for whatever was currently bitchslapping him, but he was too exhausted to care. Joon-gi Han would be home soon, so he'd have to make dinner. Maybe he'd just nap until then....]

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[joongipan]

[ There was the sound of a key sliding home and the rattle of the door as it opened, followed by heavy footfalls. Joon-gi kicked loose the light dusting of snow still coating his boots as he entered, and shut the door behind him. ]

Tadaima...

[ Normally, Chun-Li would be trotting toward him right about now, the little bell on her collar tinkling merrily as she twined around his legs, demanding his immediate attention. But there was only silence.

Joon-gi frowned. Chun-Li always came to greet him as soon as she heard the door open. Even if she was in a dead sleep, she'd wake up as soon as she heard his voice and come running. ]

Hey, baby girl? Are you sleeping under the couch or something?

[ He heard a noise from the next room: a trilling little mrrrow that basically translated to "I have a problem that requires the assistance of a big, strong human to fix".

Joon-gi spared a moment to slip out of his boots and set them aside. He noticed Zhao's boots nearby, leaning haphazardly against one another, laces spilling onto the floor. It looked like he'd shucked them off carelessly, as though he were in a hurry to get inside.

A small knot of worry settled in the pit of his stomach. ]

Babe? I'm home!

[ No answer. Just another trilling mrrrow from Chun-Li. Maybe it was his imagination, but it sounded more urgent this time.

Joon-gi made his way toward the living room and found Zhao stretched out on the couch with his eyes closed. Chun-Li was loafed on his belly, staring intently at his face while her paws kneaded at his shirt. She spared Joon-gi a brief look, blinking once, before resuming her work.

He padded toward the couch and laid one hand against the armrest, leaning over to get a better look at Zhao. His hair was disheveled. A sheen of sweat glistened on his brow.

He... didn't look so hot. ]

Hey. You asleep?

[seemagicshit]

[He hadn't heard his boyfriend come into the apartment until he hovered above. Zhao blinked awake. How could taking a nap actually make him feel worse?]

Oh. Hey. I should...I should make dinner, yeah?

[That was why Joon-gi Han was saying hello, right? He sat up slowly and then stood up and abruptly got lightheaded. He didn't quite sway but holy hell was he not steady. Not to mention a chill wracked him, making his teeth chatter. Oh, and he'd moved the cat aside without even realizing it.

Zhao did not look quite awake and not well at all as he looked at his boyfriend.]

Dinner, right right...

[joongipan]

[ Zhao blinked awake, looking tired beyond all belief. He levered himself into a sitting position, which looked as though it took a monumental effort just to remain upright. Chun-Li hopped to one side and perched on the edge of the couch, mewling plaintively as Zhao stood. It looked like a strong breeze could topple him over. ]

Hey. You don't look so good. [ Joon-gi placed a steadying hand on Zhao's shoulder. ] Let me check your temperature...

[ He pressed his palm to Zhao's sweat-slicked brow, pushing some of his hair back in the process. As a general rule, Zhao ran a bit warmer than most, which Joon-gi appreciated very much during the winter months. But his brow felt unusually hot, like he was running a fever.

Joon-gi frowned, placing his other hand on his own brow, just to make sure. Yeah, Zhao was definitely running hot. ]

I think you have a fever. [ He placed both hands on Zhao's shoulders and gently pushed him back toward the couch. ] You lie down and I'll take care of dinner, okay?

[ Though his voice was gentle, there was a firmness to his tone that indicated he wasn't going to budge on this decision. ]

What would you like me to make for you?

[seemagicshit]

[Zhao would have protested that he was completely fine for making a meal, except another chill hit him and he shuddered. Not to mention that standing up took all his strength so laying back down seemed the way to go.]

I think just some miso and a bit of rice. Just something simple.

[As soon as he laid back down, Chun-Li crawled back up him and meowed at him. She resumed making biscuits on his stomach.]

Are you trying to fix me?

[He closed his eyes. How exactly do you get hot and get the fucking chills at the same time?]

'M sorry I got sick, Joon. We were gonna have our fun day tomorrow and I fucked it up.

[joongipan]

[ Something simple? Okay, miso soup was simple enough. He'd made it plenty of times in the past. But it wasn't terribly filling, though.

Still, it'd be enough to tide Zhao over until he could take inventory of the kitchen and make something a little more substantial for the both of them. ]

Sure thing. [ He felt Zhao shiver as he settled back against the couch. ] I'll go get you a blanket.

[ In the brief time it took for him to grab a blanket from the basket next to the couch, Chun-Li had already assumed her place on Zhao's stomach. Joon-gi could hear her purring as he approached. He couldn't help but smile. ]

I know you're trying to play nursemaid, but can you at least let me do my part, too?

[ Gently, he pushed one hand against her flank, nudging her out of the way. She jumped to the floor, watching with wide eyes as Joon-gi dragged the blanket over Zhao, and meowed plaintively.

He spared a moment to tuck the edges of the blanket around Zhao's shoulders, then paused at the mumbled apology. Something small and sharp, like a sliver of glass, worked its way into Joon-gi's heart. ]

You don't need to apologize, jagiya. These things happen, you know? [ Leaning forward, Joon-gi pressed a kiss to his feverish brow. ] I can get a refund on those tickets, no big deal.

[ Yes, he'd been looking forward to the final installment of Lord of the Wedding Rings. He'd been excitedly talking about it for months as soon as the trailer had dropped. And, yes, it had been near impossible to grab tickets for the opening night.

It was disappointing, sure. But it wasn't worth going to see the biggest blockbuster of the year all by himself, knowing that Zhao would be stuck at home, languishing on the couch. ]

[seemagicshit]

[Oh man. Joon-gi had been wanting to see the movie forever and while Zhao didn't care that much about it, he was going to go with his man on opening night. They were learning how to compromise on the things they cared about just so they could share them together.

They'd see the movie once he was better, but he'd have to think of something extra to make up for getting sick. He just didn't like letting down the people closest to him.

With the blanket tucked around him, he just lost track of time again until his boyfriend told him that food was ready. Zhao kept the blanket on and sat up, sniffling as now he could feel congestion setting in.]

I think...I think after I eat, I'll just take a warm bath. I think we have some cold medicine or something around.

[Should he apologize about the movie more? Promise they'll do something fun later? Fuck, Zhao couldn't muster the strength to be charming and instead just felt like his head was stuffed with cotton.]

[joongipan]

[ He returned with a wooden tray laden with soup and tea, which he set on the coffee table. Taking a seat next to Zhao, he took one of the bowls and carefully handed it to him. Chun-Li, who was perched on the back of the couch, stretched over Zhao's shoulder and sniffed at the steam wafting from his bowl before curling back up again, clearly uninterested in sneaking a bite. ]

I already checked, but we're out of cold medicine. I'll run by the pharmacy while you take a bath. There's a few things I need to grab from the grocery store anyway.

[ He picked up one of the mugs and settled back against the couch, savoring the warmth against his palms. He leaned against Zhao, shoulders brushing, and felt Chun-Li stretching behind his head. He smiled as she began to purr. ]

I guess this would be a good time to try my hand at making samgye-tang, don't you think? If you eat that, I'm sure you'll get over your cold in no time.

[ His mother always made samgye-tang for him whenever he was sick. She would bring it to him on a big silver platter that she'd found at a junk sale, like he was a little prince in a storybook. She would sit on the edge of his bed and make sure that he ate it all. Because a bowl of homemade samgye-tang, filled with a mother's love, was the most reliable way to cure any cold.

Joon-gi sipped at his tea and gently pushed those memories aside. He wished that his mother had taught him the recipe, but in lieu of that, there was always the internet. It would have to do. ]

[seemagicshit]

[Miso and tea. It was hardly a meal. More like a snack, but it was really all he could handle at the moment. They were both warm and he took his time to drink, pausing once or twice to cough. He must have fought this off as long as he could since it settled in quick.]

Okay, I think I can handle a bath while you restock.

[He did perk up at the thought of samgye-tang. Maybe after a bath, he might be hungry for something else and that might do the trick.]

If you think it'll work, I'll give it a try.

[He finished his soup and tea and laid back against the couch, sniffing, and leaning his head on Joon-gi's shoulder.]

I hope I don't get you sick. Or...maybe stock up on some Vitamin C while you're out.