I thought about writing something a bit more casual and leaning more to the K or K+ rating, so here it is;
"Just… just let me go outside, Linc. *cough* Sunlight is supposed to *cough* help, ya know?"
Lincoln sighed as he continued to stir the chicken noodle soup. He had expected Lynn to insist on going outside to play her sports, despite her sickness. Still, for the past half hour he had been sitting next to her bed, she had demanded he let her go about once per minute.
"I'm sorry, Lynn. You're just going to hurt yourself. Just drink your chicken soup. That should take your mind off of it."
Lynn grunted in annoyance, but still took the warm soup bowl from his hands. She shakily grabbed the spoon in her constantly vibrating hand, and slowly brought it up to her mouth, sipping the contents. She paused and smacked her lips together, trying to get a taste for it, before finally beaming at her brother.
"Tastes good," she said, before her smile turned a little more mocking, "Maybe cooking is your thing. I guess those delicate, soft hands would be good for something."
"Come on, Lynn," Lincoln complained, "Do you have to be like that all the time?"
Lynn's smile quickly wiped off her face, but before she could answer, she went into a coughing fit. Not dry coughs either. Each time she coughed, it was as if the mucus was running up her throat, and she shook with such force that Lincoln immediately grabbed the soup so she wouldn't spill the piping hot liquid all over herself.
"Lynn, are you okay?" he asked in panic, "Do you need me to get Mom?"
"No *cough* it's fine *choke* Can you just… rub my back?"
"Rub your back? I don't see how that would…"
"JUST RUB MY BACK!" she screamed before letting out another chesty cough. Lincoln immediately followed her order, and started gently moving his hand up and down her back, in a calm and relaxing manner. His older sister's coughing began to slow down, and eventually it stopped. She started to breathe in and out of her mouth loudly, calming herself from her fit.
"Th-thank you Lincoln," she practically wheezed, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. You wanted me to rub your back, so I don't mind you screaming…"
"Not that," she said, weakly waving her hand dismissively, "I'm sorry… for making fun of you earlier. I-I really appreciate that you're sticking with me."
"No problem, Lynn," he said with a soft smile at her, "And… it's fine. We're siblings. We get used to bullying and teasing each other."
"But now… I guess what I said earlier still applies…"
"What do you mean?"
"Your delicate, soft hands really are good for something."
Lincoln looked at her face, trying to find some trace of mocking or amusement on her behalf. But, to his surprise, she was being genuine. She smiled weakly at him, as much as her illness would allow, in a look that told Lincoln that she really was thankful for him being there.
"Th-thank you, Lynn," he said, deciding to accept the compliment despite its two sided nature, before he gained a thoughtful look on his face. "Lynn, why did you want me to rub your back specifically?"
The sporty girl, whose face was already red from the heat of the sickness, felt her face go even more crimson and warm, as she looked down at her blanket and mumbled something too quiet for Lincoln to hear.
"What was that?" her brother asked again.
"It calms me down…" Lynn admitted quietly, almost as if she were ashamed, before she looked back to her brother with fiery eyes, "If you tell anyone about that…"
"I won't, Lynn, I promise," he said, as he continued to massage her backside. The athletic girl smiled and softened her eyes, and let her brother continue. Eventually, she let out a large yawn, causing Lincoln to remove his hands and stand up slightly.
"Well, I guess you need to get plenty of rest," Lincoln said softly, grabbing her blanket and drawing it over his older sister, "Sleep well, Lynn," he said, kissing her burning forehead and turning to start walking away…
"Wait, Lincoln…"
The young boy turned back to look at her, and she said, in the same shy tone as earlier, "Can you… stay with me? I-I don't want to be alone."
Poor Lynn, Lincoln thought to himself, This flu is really making her act differently.
But he didn't deny her, especially when she seemed to be in need. He walked back over to the small chair he placed next to her bed, and sat down. He looked her in the eyes, and grabbed her hand. "I'll be here when you wake up," he promised her, causing her to smile gently at him with gratitude.
"Thanks. I... I love you, little bro," she said as she rolled over and closed her eyes.
"I love you too, Lynn," he responded with a brotherly smile as Lynn's chest began to rise up and down and the girl began snoring.
