docholligay:

Since you’re sick, I decided to go head and write something for the “One taking care of the other when they’re hurt or sick” prompt. (Since that’s a free space, I’d like to enter for the school life girls) I hope you enjoy and get feeling better!

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“Alright buddy.” Minako propped Haruka up with more pillows, careful not to move her too quickly. “Rei swears by this. Says it clears her up every time.”

“Okay.” Haruka’s head was pounding too hard to think of the questions she should have been asking. She took the cup. Mina guided her hands to her mouth to keep the steady.

For all of about three milliseconds, it seemed fine. Then everything from her lips to her throat started to burn. Her nose started to run; tears streamed down her face as though she had just watched the end of Titanic. “What the hell is that?” The question would have been better asked before drinking it.

“Well. Water, mostly. A little salt. And cayenne powder.” Minako handed over a box of kleenex. Haruka wiped at her face. “Do you feel any better?”

“No!” She felt very decidedly worse, the pain in her mouth now beating in time with the one in her head, and the contents of the mixture settling precariously in her already shaky stomach.

“Huh.” Minako smiled. There was a hint of sheepish apology, but it got quickly replaced by cockiness. “At least we can look forward to telling Rei she was wrong.”

“That… doesn’t help me at all.”

“I believe I know something that would help. In fact… I believe I have told you several times what would help.”

Haruka buried her head under the blankets as Michiru approached. Her heels clicked across the wood floor, announcing Haruka’s doom in even steps. Doc-tor. Doc-tor. Doc-tor.

“I don’t need to go, Michi, Mina’s here.”

“Mina is leaving.”

“No I’m n–” Haruka could not see through her blanket wall, but she knew the exact glare Michiru had employed. She counted that it had never been used against her as one of her greatest blessings. “Uh, right, sorry buddy, I’ve got a thing. Get well soon.”

As the door shut behind Minako, Michiru pulled the blankets off Haruka’s head. “You’ve got a bad bug, love.” She stroked the hair away from Haruka’s warm forehead. “Please get checked out.”

Haruka groaned and cuddled into her pillows. “I don’t need to. I’m fine.”

“Ah yes, I can see you are the picture of health.” Michiru sat next to her on the bed and rubbed her head, her fingers soft and light enough to ease the pain instead of aggravating it. “What can I do to get you to go?”

“Nothing.”

Michiru’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “I don’t wish to be harsh, but I do know people who can take you there with force. I could call them, or…” She leaned in very close to whisper in Haruka’s ear, the way that got a very enjoyable reaction when Haruka wasn’t sick. “You can negotiate the terms for going. Doesn’t that sound more fun?”

“Nnnnn fine.” Haruka pouted, but Michiru was mysteriously unaffected. “You take care of me today, and if somehow I’m not better I’ll go in the morning.”

Michiru sighed. “I suppose that’s better than nothing. What do you need?”

“Something to stop the burning.”

Michiru left and came back with ice cream. Cookie dough, one of Haruka’s favorites. “With this suffice?”

“I think so.” Haruka took the bowl. “Except…” She looked up at Michiru with her best puppy eyes. “It will make me cold.”

“Oh dear. How shall we remedy this?”

Haruka scooted over and held up the covers. “Cuddles?”

“I suppose I can do that.” Michiru slid into bed and pulled Haruka over to nestle at her side. “You’re burning up, love.”

“I took a Tylenol before Mina’s thing,” Haruka said between bites. The ice cream relieved that pain, but even with Michiru there she started to shiver. She set the bowl aside unfinished.

Michiru kissed her head. “I hate seeing you like this.”

“It’ll pass. Always does.” She nuzzled herself even closer. “And it’s not so bad with you here.”

Michiru was quiet for a long moment. She rubbed Haruka’s back in a way that made her sleepy. “Well, I’m always going to be here, alright? I promise.”

“I know, Michi. You’re very sweet like that. Sweeter than ice cream…”

As Haruka began to snore, Michiru closed her eyes. The weight of Haruka’s head on her chest made her feel aware of her heart, both the literal beat and the figurative warmth. Quietness settled around them like a fourth blanket. She’d drag Haruka to the doctor early the next morning, but she supposed the postponement wasn’t so bad. The steady rhythm of Haruka’s breathing made her own eyelids heavy, and soon she joined her in a light and gentle sleep.

AH man Sam, I enjoyed this whole thing (WHO AMONG US DOES NOT ADORE NURSE MINAKO WHOSE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IS SHE CAN TELL REI SHE WAS WRONG) but that last paragraph from beginning to end is just like, my heart, oh my god, stop (never stop). It’s tender and well written and man the thing about Michiru’s heart killed me, slayed me right there. There are so many excellent lines in this, THANK YOU

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