Yugi examined the thermometer carefully,sitting on the edge of the bed.
"You've got to rest,Love. Your fever's getting worse. I told you to be careful." Yugi said.
"I have. I've been lying in our bed with you for the past thirty minutes,you can't expect me to stay in bed all day." Atem coughed into his sleeve. Yugi had compromised with his love,allowing him to be propped up against the headboard.
"Not constantly. You haven't slept at all and you've been so busy tending to me-"
"I enjoy being able to take care of you, it is my favorite responsibility. We talked about it and I -"
"I know we did and like I told you, as your heart, this is what I need from you. I know you're used to doing things a certain way,but you should let me help you too." Yugi insisted
"you do help me. You make dinner each night,you've brought lunch to the shop on several occasions and when I need someone to talk to, I know you're there. That helps more than you know.I don't require you to do those things. When I gave you your ring, I explained what being married to be would have been,but I also told you that all I would ever ask of you is to be happy and -"
"And I made a promise to you too,Atem. That I'd always love you,and be there for you. I do all of those things because...well, I might not have ever been a king like you,but you're my heart too. You're so important to me and I love you so much. This is what happens when you love someone as much as we love each other and I wouldn't change anything, but it's never going to be all on you. We're partners remember?" Yugi lightly kissed Atem's head. "It's your turn to rest and be taken care of. I'll go make you some soup and I'll bring it up to you."
" I can -" Atem began,pushing the blanket off.
"No." Yugi replied sternly, pressing a gentle hand to Atem's chest. "Right now I don't want you to do anything but rest." Yugi covered him back up and handed him a glass.
"Drink your juice and relax." Yugi turned to sneeze,the action caused his headache to become worse. It didn't go unnoticed.
"Yugi,come lie down. we'll get something later." Atem said.
"If you can put yourself aside for me, I can do it for you. It's not fair to expect you to -"
" Yugi-"
"No. I'm fine."
" but -"
"I just -"
" let yourself rest,it's okay,really. "
"Even if I do lie here, I won't be able to rest. You might as well let me help."
" why is it so hard for you to just slow down? " Yugi asked. "You do so much every single day. You're always doing something,just once for your health and if not for you,for me." Atem sighed.
"That's who I am. I know I am no longer a king, I gave it up to be with you but I am still me. I cannot rest knowing there are things to be done. Please try to understand. "
"I do understand,Love. But I'm worried. I don't want you to end up with pneumonia and have to go to the hospital. Your fever- if you end up in the hospital, I'm going to be upset with you. I might not visit for a while." Yugi crossed his arms. Atem shook his head.
"You and I both know that isn't true. Yes you'll be upset with me,but rather than you not being there,it would be getting you to go home -"
" Maybe. Maybe not,but don't test that theory. "
"You want me to believe that knowing my illness is enough to keep me in a hospital bed instead of ours,you could stay away from me even a single day?" Yugi didn't reply. He knew how ridiculous it sounded.
"It's not your nature to be so cold hearted nor is it in mine to intentionally cause you so much stress. Should you ever be that angry at me, I would have failed you. I would not have the right to claim you as my heart and I would not allow our marriage to-" Yugi wrapped his arms around Atem.
"Don't say that.I love you way too much ever let you go.I just need you to be okay."
" I will be. Does it mean that much to you that I allow you to-"
" Yes,it does. " Atem knew for Yugi's sake only one thing could be done.
"I'll try,My heart. Though I do feel a bit useless-" Yugi raised his head in surprise.
"Is that what this is,do you hear yourself?" Yugi could hardly believe his ears. "Atem, you saved the world, not to mention Grandpa, all our friends, me, you're still looking after us, you help Grandpa in the shop,you are many things but never useless. Maybe I should have Grandpa make a doctor's appointment for you,your ever must be worse than I thought,we'll have to get a new thermometer,ours must be broken...useless, honestly. A few days rest isn't going to change that. You couldn't be if you tried. Never say that again."
"I don't need to see a doctor, what I need to do is-"
"Relax." Yugi insisted. Atem sighed heavily.
"You can be upset if you want to,but I'm putting my foot down." Yugi stood up and made his way out of the room and down to the kitchen,leaving Atem slightly irritated by the conversation.