After returning from Kurama Mountain, Nanami has a massive hangover from eating too many sake buns, and Tomoe cares for her.
Visiting Kurama's home was fun after everything was said and done. Once the whole Sojobo mess has been cleared up and Jiro understood that Nanami cared for him but not romantically, things had gone rather well. And the banquet had so much delicious food.
Unfortunately, the only thought on Nanami's mind was how sick she felt as she vomited into the toilet again.
Tomoe sighed as he held back Nanami's hair. Ever since this morning, the girl had been extremely ill from accidently having too much sake the night before on Kurama Mountain. They had spent all day in the bathroom. This was certainly a new experience for him. After all, gods did not get ill from sake.
He tied her hair up into a bun for her to keep it away from her face.
Ever since he had come to the startling realization that he loved Nanami, he looked at her with new eyes. Right now, as she emptied the contents of her stomach, he wasn't disgusted. In fact, he was saddened that she was feeling so awful and wished that it was in his power to take her pain away so he could see her smile again.
"This is so embarrassing," Nanami moaned as she sat back from the toilet.
"Never fear," Tomoe said kindly. "It is a familiar's job to care for his lady and mistress. In all situations."
"Yeah, but even still…"
Tomoe took a damp rag and ran it over her sweaty face. "I apologize for not realizing what was happening earlier. The fault is mine."
"I don't blame you, Tomoe. And you shouldn't blame yourself either."
"You are supposed to stay in perfect health as long as I am watching over you. And I have failed."
"Everyone makes mistakes."
Tomoe handed her a cup of water. "Here, drink this."
Nanami reluctantly took the cup and slowly sipped from it. It didn't do much to get the awful taste out of her mouth, but she did finally feel her stomach begin to settle a bit.
"I'm so sorry," Nanami said quietly.
Was she really apologizing for his mistake? "There is nothing to be sorry for," he told her.
Tomoe continued to run the rag over her face. Her cheeks were red, but he couldn't tell if it was because of their close proximity or because of her illness. Probably a combination of both.
She most likely didn't remember blurting out her love for him last night as he carried her back to the wagon. He was pretty sure she didn't remember 12 hours of her life after she had gotten wasted.
Nanami put down the cup of water and began vomiting again. Tomoe sighed and gently put his hand to her back. His long nails rubbed small circles on the fabric of her tank top.
When she finished, she leaned back again, her stomach cramped from tensing up so much. However, the constant nausea she had had for the past several hours finally started to decrease and she could tell the worst was coming to a close.
"I shall find some crackers for you to eat," Tomoe said to her. "It should help calm your stomach down."
"Ugh…I don't want to eat anything."
Normally, Tomoe would've given her a hard time about not following his orders, but what good would that do now? It would probably only make her sicker, and no one wanted that.
"Just eat a couple to get some food in you. You will feel better afterward."
"Fine."
"Good."
Tomoe gently lifted her up, careful not to upset her stomach any further, and went to the kitchen where he was sure they had a box of crackers lying around somewhere.
The girl did as she was told and ate three crackers. Luckily for her, she managed to keep them down.
The two of them sat in front of the TV to distract Nanami from her massive headache and the horrid nausea. She soon fell asleep in Tomoe's embrace.
Tomoe looked down at her. He gently moved her bangs away from her forehead. So beautiful, even when sick.
There was something he recalled from American wedding ceremonies. 'In sickness and in health'.
"Yes, Nanami," he said softly. "I shall be by your side throughout everything. When you are sick and when you are well. And you shall be beautiful to me no matter what."
Even if he wasn't her familiar, he would do whatever it took to make sure she always smiled.
