Work Text:
Caera Denoir
I was rushing to Grey's classroom, hoping he hadn’t left me to go to the relic tombs. I was stopping by the cafe and hadn’t expected the line to be so long during school hours. As I saw the classroom door come into sight I slowed down. Opening the door, I found silence. I didn’t know what I was expecting but typically I would find Grey training with Regis. Concern grew as I walked to his office in the back of his class. I looked through the little glass window in the door and saw Grey, sleeping.
Confused, I opened the door slowly, hoping not to wake him up. I walked in and closed the door behind me. But when I looked at Grey again he was staring back at me.
“Oh, hey.”
I spoke softly and walked up to his desk, some papers sprawled out, some stacked, but most were unorganized.
He replied, his voice was hoarse and quiet.
“Hey Caera.”
I tilted my head, concerned.
“Are you feeling well? Maybe you should go back to your room and rest.”
He shook his head and wiped the tiredness of his face.
“I have lots of things to do today, I can’t fall behind.”
I scoffed.
“You can take a day off, and It looks like you need it.”
I leaned over his desk and took a closer look at him. His face was slightly flushed and his eyes looked unfocused. I hummed and reached out, my hand brushing his bangs out of the way to feel his forehead. It was hot.
“Shit, I think you have a fever.”
His eyes were closed and he leaned into my hand, his own hand reaching up to keep me there. I scoffed again and ran my hand through his hair and let go to take a step back. He leaned back in his chair and groaned, rubbing his face again.
“Didn’t think I could get sick, thought my body would fix it before it got this bad.”
“I mean fevers are the cause of getting rid of whatevers hurting you.”
I shrugged still not understanding his weird, not so indestructible body.
“Guess gods still get sick.”
I smirked and leaned on one leg, standing over Grey. He looked up at me, he looked exhausted.
“When was the last time you slept?”
“Couple days. I was taking a nap before you showed up, I don’t think it helped though.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Come on, I’ll walk you to your room.”
I held out my hand, helping him out of his chair.
“Thanks.”
Once we got to his room I ordered him to get into some comfy clothes as I started some tea.
“You don’t have to do all this.”
He walked out of his bathroom, dressed in a thin shirt and comfortable looking pants.
“I’m always the one being taken care of back home, I’m sick of it. Let me be selfish and have this for myself, I want to take care of you for today. Okay?”
He looked at me like he understood, after a moment he sighed and nodded.
“Alright.”
I beamed and reached a hand out for Grey to take.
“Then please, ascender Grey, let me.”
Grey rolled his eyes as he took my hand and I led him to his bed, fluffed his pillows, and uncovered his blankets for him. He sat down and I checked his temperature again, hoping it would be a bit cooler. It wasn't. He felt like he was on fire, I could feel a slight sweat starting below his bangs. His overheating forehead pressed further into my cold hands. After I told him to lay down, my other hand supported his head as he dipped into his pillow.
“I’ll be right back.”
I left to get a wet rag from the bathroom, ringing out the excess water and folding it before walking back to his room to check on the tea. I prepared it, enough honey to sweeten it and to hopefully sooth Greys sickness. When I got back to him he was shivering under the covers, his blankets wrapped around his shoulders. Rushing to help, I placed the cup on his bedside table and gently put the rag on his forehead. I sat on the side of the bed and ran my fingers through his wheat blonde hair. He looked like he was in pain, his teeth were gritted and his eyebrows were furrowed. I watched him bear through the pain, then, slowly relax.
“Better?”
“Barely”
His voice was forced and his jaw was noticeably clenched. I sighed, not knowing what else I could do to help.
“Just get some sleep okay?”
I watched him nod as much as he could before standing up off the bed.
“Wait.”
I turned to Grey again, looking over his poor state.
“What's wrong? Do you need another blanket?”
As soon as I was about to turn he grabbed my hand, keeping me from leaving.
“Stay. Please.”
He looked at me through his light lashes, his hand gripping mine. The towel on his forehead fell off as he sat up right on the edge of the bed. He pulled me closer. I stood, my knees hitting the bed frame. His legs on either side of mine, his arms slowly wrapping around me. I could feel how my face burned, how my heart was jumping out of my chest.
“Grey?”
He was still shivering. I gently pulled him off me and leaned down to his level.
“You need to sleep, come on. I’ll stay with you.”
I slid under the smooth sheets and rested my head against the fancy oversized pillows given to Grey. He followed, resting his head against my chest and wrapping his large arms around me. I covered the both of us with his thick blankets before returning the hug.