Sketches
Written by: kohee
Fandom: Disney; Princess and the Frog
Summary: A series of drabbles, and some bits and pieces here and there – may be before the movie, during the movie or after the movie.
Genre: A mixture of mumbo jumbo with some gumbo.
Disclaimer: Wants to own but own nothing except pocket lint.
Author's note: Naveen is sick and is, as usual, seeking attention.

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nine: Pampered

(Naveen x Tiana, post movie)

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Tiana took the thermometer out and expertly gave it a shake, holding it up against the light to read it. "Well, you don't have a fever."

A muffled sound emitted from a very sorry-looking Prince of Maldonia lying among the fort of pillows and blankets on the bed. She sighed softly and rested her hand on his cheek, her forehead creased, her worry apparent. "I don't think I've seen you this green before."

Naveen coughed and smiled weakly. "That is very serious, then. For if you can remember, I was once a frog, very green and fabulously charming."

She tucked his blankets more firmly around him, and helped him up to a sitting position. "Very green, yes, but I'm not too sure about the charming part."

His mouth turned down a little, into what most people would call a pout. "Surely, my darling, you could spare me the smallest of compliments, seeing that I am so pitifully ill."

Tiana laughed and reached for the bowl of warm chicken broth on the table beside her. "Oh, you were fabulously charming. Still are, if I may say."

"That is better, much better." He said, with a satisfied air, and then he sniffed, his nose twitching. Reaching for a handkerchief, Naveen sneezed exactly seven times. He then muttered something in Maldonian that Tiana did not understand, but it did not sound polite, even to Tiana's unfamiliar ears.

"No rude words, now." She said automatically, tucking a little napkin under his chin as she raised a spoonful of hot broth to his lips.

"I was not saying something rude. I am merely thanking the heavens for the opportunity to be pampered by my lovely wife." He answered, all wide-eyed and watery-eyed innocence.

The corner of her mouth lifted a little; Naveen was still so essentially him, even as a patient with a nose as red as Ruldoph's. He sipped the broth slowly, one spoonful after another, and leaned back comfortably once the bowl was empty.

"That was very, very good," he said, "but as expected, from the kitchen and the hands of the most excellent chef in New Orleans."

"It was my daddy's recipe." She admitted, placing the empty bowl down, and readjusting his pillows to his comfort. "He used to make me this when I was sick as a little girl."

"Well, then, you must teach me this recipe, so that I can return the favor if you are ever to be ill."

She threw him a look. "The idea of you in a kitchen, Prince Charming, is enough for me to make sure that I am never gonna be sick."

He winced. "Touché, Princess."

Tiana laughed and propped another pillow under his head. "Do you need anything else? Another sip of water?"

"No no, I am all good." He turned slightly to his side to look at his wife. "Are you going to stay with me? Read me a story? Maybe the Frog Prince, yes?"

She shook her head, and stood up. "You, Froggy, are going to have to sleep now, and sleep well. I'm gonna pop to the restaurant for a bit."

Naveen's face fell. "My pampering, it ends at the chicken broth?"

"Naveen, you really need to rest. I'll be back in two winks, and before you even know it." She pat his cheek lightly, and turned to leave.

"Tiana!" He called, just as she was about to exit the bedroom. "My chest, it hurts here."

Her step faltered when she heard him, and turning back, she hurried to his side in a few strides, to see him grimacing slightly, one hand on the left side of his chest. Her face etched with worry, she placed her hand over his. "How is it hurting?"

"I take one deep breath, and there is a pain, here." He said, pressing against his chest. "It is, as if, I cannot breathe."

Tiana was beginning to think that she should really get a doctor to see him when he continued on, his tone dramatic. "I think it is because you are leaving me, all alone in this room."

A wave of relief washed over Tiana, and she smacked him, not lightly, on his shoulder, and Naveen yelped. "That was not very funny, Naveen!"

"I was only trying to be romantic." He sniffed, and sneezed again.

She massaged his shoulder lightly, feeling a slight tinge of guilt. He was sick, after all.

"But if I may say, I do not think I can breathe without you." He said, in an off-handed tone, when he finally stop convulsing in sneezes.

"Physiologically, you still can." She returned, brushing his hair away from his forehead.

Naveen caught her hand in his, and brought her fingers to his lips, brushing her knuckles with a brief kiss. His eyes were more serious than she thought they should be. "Perhaps then, it is more correct to say that I do not want to breathe without you."

Tiana's face softened, as she leaned down and pressed a brief kiss on his mouth. "You'll never have to."

"Are you not worried that I am contagious?" He asked, when she pulled away.

She shrugged, smiling impishly. "Then you better start learning that recipe."

He reached up, and kissed the corners of her mouth. "That, I shall do."

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887 words

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Note: I was listening to Leona Lewis' Can't Breathe, just so you know that is where all that breathing stuff came from. Lyrics are cheesy but I love the melody. And lyrics then became less cheesy.

I wanted to make Naveen speak Maldonian as I really enjoyed Maldonian!Naveen in so many of the PatF fics, but seeing I speak Mandarin (and dialects) first, English second and Malay third, I have no idea at all how to make Maldonian sound even reasonably passable. So there you go, Naveen shall only speak English as I write him.

And yes, I am planning on sketches on Louis, Ray, Mama Odie and other characters. :) I just want to get them right, and Ray would be really tricky with the accent. More research (aka cinema trips) needed!

I really want to thank you guys for leaving reviews, particularly the long ones. You guys are simply amazing and it really encourages me to keep plotting, planning and writing. Thank you!