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"Uggghh..."
Groaning, Subaru moaned in discomfort as he shifted on the bed. Left, right—he kept tossing over and over. Much to the annoyance of Ram who sat beside him.
"Hold still, Barusu," Ram ordered. "Do you want me to take your temperature or not?"
Subaru complained, moaning again. "D'ya really needa?" he asked. His face was twisting and cringing as if just speaking was too much to bear for him. "I feel awwwffuull..."
"Yeah, well, Ram feels awful every waking minute but you don't see me making a fuss about it. Now suck it up and let me see if you're actually sick."
"Ehhh..." Subaru narrowed his eyes at Ram, covering himself with the sheets; barely poking his head out. "Finnnee..." he said, relenting.
Ram placed her palm over Subaru's forehead, her red eyes sparkling with worry for a brief moment that Subaru could just barely glimpse.
"You're burning up..." Ram said, taken aback herself. Clearly she was not expecting Subaru to actually be sick. She stood up and walked away to a desk, grabbing something.
Subaru grumbled something incomprehensible before finding his voice. "See? I told'chu..." He sniffled painfully, his nose like a burning hot piece of coal that flared violently. "Now byou belibbe me?"
Sighing, Ram made her way over to Subaru with a cup. She poured in some hot water, before tearing open a small package and dropping some powder inside. She then stirred it gently, speaking to Subaru as she did so.
"This should help remedy the effects of your sickness," she informed. "However, it will cause you to feel drowsy and achey afterwards, so I recommend not leaving bed."
"Wasn't planbbing obit..." Subaru replied, barely coherent.
Placing the cup beneath Subaru's chin, Ram tilted his head up in order to help him drink it. Subaru took slow, minimal gulps so it took a shirt while for him to drink it all. After finishing the cup, Ram set it on the dresser next to Subaru's bed and smoothed out her maid dress.
"As much as Ram hates to admit it, you are sick, and so Ram is being merciful in permitting you to stay in bed." Subaru snorted, a snot bubble coming out before popping. Ram shivered in disgust. "Eck! Ram is going to take her leave now lest I catch your dirty sickness. I'd rather not be a victim of the Barusu Plague."
Turning to head to the door, Subaru fiddled with his fingers, soon calling out to her.
"Hey, Ram?" he called.
Ram stopped, and then slowly turned around. "Yes, Barusu?"
Subaru gave a soft smile. "Thanks."
"Hah!" Ram exclaimed. "Don't mention it. Now go to bed!"
"PWAH!" Subaru shouted as a stray pillow collided with his face. Subaru grabbed hold of the pillow before fluffing it up and adding it to his pile behind his head. He buried himself in blankets, both feeling chilly and burning up simultaneously. He groaned.
"This is the worst..." With those despaired thoughts, he tried to get some rest.
After some time had passed, he found it to be a difficult endeavor. Even though he tried his best to get some shut-eye, it appeared as though his mind wouldn't allow him that luxurious gratification. Pulling the covers over his head, Subaru let out a low scream; though it was coarse and ragged. His entire body was sore and he just wanted to get better already.
"Uggghhh..."
While Subaru bemoaned his current unfortunate situation, he was interrupted by his door slowly creaking open.
"Subaru-kun?"
"HUH?!!" Subaru jumped out of the covers, blush heating his cheeks. Not that his face wasn't red already. "R-Rem? He-Hey! What's up?"
Standing in the doorway was Rem, her face graced with a sweet smile. "Sorry. Is Rem disturbing you?" she asked quietly.
"N-No!" Subaru assured. He lifted his weak arms before waving over. "Please. Come in."
Rem stepped inside and walked towards where Subaru lie in his bed. She pulled a chair over and sat next to him, concern gleaming in her blue eyes.
"I heard how you were feeling from Sister," she informed. "It sounds awful. You must be in terrible pain."
Subaru groaned, frowning. “Yeah… I dob’t ushually like throwibng a pity party, but I coulbn’t care lessh about that ri-now…” Subaru then threw his arms on the bed, surprising Rem with the soft thud. “This sucks!! Feel bad for meeee!”
Rem smiled sympathetically at the sick boy, reaching a hand iver to stroke his black locks. “Aww… Poor, poor Subaru-kun. Rem hates seeing you like this…”
Subaru sniffed. “Sh-Shorry…”
“Don’t apologize.” Rem then pulled out a box with some tissue paper inside. She took out one, before covering it over Subaru’s nose. “You’re really stuffed up. Please blow. As hard as you can!”
Adhering to her instructions, Subaru took in a breath before blowing. He squeezed his eyes tight, wincing at the slight sting of pain in his nostrils and sinuses. However, that unpleasant feeling was soon replaced with that of relief.
Rem took the paper and folded it before tossing it in the trash and grabbing another one. “Very good, Subaru-kun! Now, let’s try that again. All right?”
Subaru smiled, nodding his head. “Mm…” Rem helped Subaru blow his nose again, and Subaru finally could breathe again.
“Aahh… Thanks, Rem. I feel somewhat better now.” Rem placed the tissue box on the counter before addressing Subaru.
“It was no problem at all, Subaru-kun. I’m sure that if Rem were sick, you would do everything in your power to make me feel better.”
Subaru chuckled at that. Yeah, he likely would. Suddenly, Rem then placed her palm on top of Subaru’s forehead, similar to what Ram had done earlier.
“Goodness!” Rem exclaimed. “You’re on fire!”
Subaru let out a weak laugh; it itching the back of his dry throat. “Hehe… Yeah, Ram said the same thing.”
“Hold on just a moment,” Rem said. She stood up from her chair before heading towards the door. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere!”
“There’s nowhere for me to go,” Subaru thought. But he kept that to himself as Rem shut the door behind her.
It only took a few short moments until Rem returned, this time with a bucket of water and a small towel. Sitting back on her chair, Rem dipped the towel into the bucket of water before wringing it in her hands.
Afterwards, she folded the towel in half and gently placed it onto Subaru’s forehead. Immediately, Subaru felt some pleasant relief as the cool damp towel rested on his forehead.
“Ooh, that feels so much better,” Subaru sighed. “This feels wonderful. Thanks, Rem.”
Rem giggled. “Don’t mention it! Let me know if you want it to be dampened again. Or Rem can refill this bucket with colder water of you want.”
Suharu shook his head. “No, this is perfect. Thank you, though.”
“Anything else Rem can do for you, then? Are you hungry, perhaps?”
Subaru chuckled weakly. “Ahaha. No, don’t worry, Rem. I’m not—“
GROWL
With his assurance being interrupted by his stomach, it was clear to Rem that Subaru was indeed hungry. She giggled sweetly, while Subaru blushed in embarrassment.
”O-Okay… Maybe I am hungry…”
“Heeheehee! Anything in particular you want?” Rem asked.
Subaru hummed in thought. “Well… I don’t feel too good with eating anything solid. So maybe soup or something? Although… Admittedly I’m not the biggest fan of soup…”
“Hmm…” Rem tapped her chin thoughtfully, eyes drifting to the side. “Oh!” Holding up her index finger, Rem stood up again with a confident smile. “Sorry again, Subaru-kun. But Rem will be back in a while.”
As Rem walked out of his room again, Subaru took the moment to appreciate the cool damp cloth resting on top of him. Closing his eyes, Subaru inhaled a deep breath. He was grateful to Rem for helping out, but a part of him couldn’t help but feel guilty. He didn’t want to make Rem feel like she had to do this.
It caused a sinking feeling in his gut; an unpleasant sensation different from his ill symptoms. Of course, Rem was used to doing chores and other work, but she didn’t need to do this. And the risk of Rem actually getting sick herself from spending time with Subaru only increased the guilt. But on the other hand, Rem’s kindness and tender care did make him feel really warm and fuzzy on the inside.
While Subaru stewed over his conflicting thoughts, he hadn’t even realized how much time had passed until Rem re-entered his room. She was holding a tray this time with a steaming bowl. Sitting back down, Rem looked at Subaru with sympathy in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Subaru-kun,” she profusely apologized. “Rem didn’t mean to take long, but I wanted to make sure that this was perfect before serving it to you!”
Curiously, Subaru forced his head to lift off the pillows and peeked over. “What is it?” he croaked.
Rem held the bowl with one hand with a spoon in the other. “It’s porridge! A good mixture between soft and solid! It’s hot, so let me blow on it first.”
Subaru’s eyes lit up. It had been years since he’d ever tried porridge. A nostalgic feeling fluttered in his heart, as he remembered the meals he had back home.
Once Rem was finished blowing on the spoonful she gathered, she tilted it to Subaru’s lips. “Say ‘aah’ Subaru-kun!”
On command, Subaru did just that. “Aaaahh…” Once Subaru felt the spoon enter his mouth, he closed his lips and was met with sweet, tender porridge on his tongue.
“Mm!!” Subaru’s eyes widened and sparkled with amazement. “Thish ish aweshum!!”
Rem laughed, already scooping up another helping of porridge. “I’m glad you think so! Rem worked hard on it, so please eat up!”
After a few minutes, the bowl was empty and Subaru was drinking another glass of water. While Rem gathered up the dishes, Subaru glanced over at her guiltily.
“Hey Rem?”
Instantly, Rem turned to attend to Subaru. “Yes? What is it, Subaru-kun?”
“Um… Don’t take this the wrong way… I’m really grateful for everything you did, but you don’t have to do it, you know?”
Rem blinked, curiously looking down at Subaru. “Hm? I know that, Subaru-kun. Rem’s doing this because she wants to.”
Subaru clenched his pajama pants beneath the covers. “Really? You’re not—You’re not feeling forced to do this?”
Rem stroked Subaru’s hair comfortingly. “Subaru-kun… You don’t need to fret over such things. I’m not doing this because I feel indebted to you or treating it like an obligation. Like I said. Rem wants to help you.”
Subaru bashfully pulled the covers up, covering the lower half of his face. “Tha-That’s really sweet of you, Rem. But I can’t help but feel a little scummy for feeling happy about you pampering me like this.”
Giggling, Rem patted Subaru’s head before responding. “Rem doesn’t see the issue with wanting to be pampered once in a while. So please, let go of your concerns. Just for today.”
Mulling it over, Subaru contemplated Rem’s words. His heart feeling warmer and lighter by the second. Eventually, he smiled; wide and bright.
“Thank you, Rem. I will.”
Returning his sweet smile, Rem bent down and gave a loving kiss to Subaru’s cheek. If Subaru wasn’t beet-red already from his sickness, he would be then. Rem pulled the blankets over Subaru, tucking him in.
“Get some rest now, Subaru-kun. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. Okay?”
Subaru smiled, nodding slowly. “Okay. Thanks again, Rem. You’re the best.”
Hearing those words boosted Rem’s heart rate. She gazed lovingly at Subaru. Closing Subaru’s eyes for him before leaving him to sleep.
“Rest well, Subaru-kun! Get better soon!”
As much as Subaru appreciated Rem’s words, now he was secretly wishing he would stay sick for just a couple more days.
And if Rem were to wind up sick herself, then Subaru would jump at the opportunity to return the favor.