A/N: I know I really couldn't get more generic than this, but it was a request from a friend of mine who wanted some Taichi/feverish!Koushiro fluff. Reviews are greatly appreciated. :D

---

It seemed like every time I was about to fall asleep, I'd have a coughing fit and have to start all over again. It was three-thirty in the afternoon and I was lying, sweaty and feverish, in my bed with my pajamas still on and a half empty box of Kleenex keeping me company on my quilt as I hacked into my sleeve, head pounding. I had finally stopped throwing up, but my stomach still felt like it was being stabbed on and off. I writhed under my covers and moaned. It wasn't often that I got sick, but when I did, it was always severe.

I blew my nose for the umpteenth time that day. Adding the used tissue to the pile that was now spilling out of the trashcan, I heard a knock on my door. "Come in," I said weakly. The door slid open and Taichi's grinning face appeared.

"Hey, you," he said, closing the door quietly and crossing the room. He had obviously come directly from school; he was still wearing his uniform. I had always liked how the uniform looked on him. It was the only thing he owned that wasn't completely covered in grass stains. "How're you feeling?"

"Sick," I said simply.

"Aw," Taichi murmured. He threw his bag on my bed and climbed up next to it, sitting at my feet. "I have something that'll make you feel better," he said, smiling mischievously and unzipping his bag.

"Is that so?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

"Homework!" He held up two textbooks with an assignment sheet inside both, and placed them next to him on my blanket. I laughed, but my giggles quickly turned into another coughing fit.

"Thanks for bringing it to me," I rasped, trying to clear my throat.

"You don't sound good at all," Taichi remarked, his grin fading and his brown eyes full of concern. "Can I get you anything?"

"Nah, I think I just need more Tylenol," I said, reaching for the bottle of cough syrup that was sitting on my nightstand.

"Here, let me do it," he said, standing up and taking the bottle. He poured the crimson liquid into the white cap, measuring out the right dosage.

"Smells terrible," he commented, handing me the lid full of cough syrup.

"Tastes worse," I said. I gulped down the capful of medicine and made a face. Taichi snickered and ruffled my red hair as he sat next to me on the bed again.

"You look really cute when you're sick, you know," he said, smiling affectionately.

"Great," I said, slumping backwards into my pillows. "Glad to know someone's enjoying this." But I secretly relished his comment. I must have looked terrible with my flushed cheeks and clammy, unwashed skin. Knowing Taichi could still find me attractive even when I felt disgusting made my cliched heart skip a beat.

"Aah, Kou, I didn't mean it like that..."

I just looked at him. He looked at me, and I saw that mischievous light come back into his eyes. Before I knew what was happening, Taichi had crawled over me and was kissing me softly on the mouth.

"You taste like that cherry," he mused, licking his lips.

"You are aware that the reason I'm quarantined in this room is the fact that I'm contagious, right?" I said.

"Where's the fun without a little risk?" he asked.

I smiled and kissed him again quickly, then nudged him off of me. Taichi scooted backwards, slid off the bed, picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder.

"Get some rest," he said. "Call me any time you want me to come back."

"I will, thanks."

"I love you. Feel better."

"Love you too."

The door closed quietly and I found myself wishing that he hadn't left. My sigh of loneliness turning into a cough, I rolled over, closed my eyes and listened to his footsteps echo down the hall until I fell asleep.