Based on a prompt by funpromptsforall on tumblr

post/173745066085/dialogue-prompt-78-whos-a-good-kitty-please

This one is a Wonderland AU, though roles are never explicitly stated. Arthur is the Cheshire Cat and Marshall (America) is the Knave of Hearts.

His adoptive brother was always frustrating, but he was especially annoying whenever Arthur was sick. Contrary to popular belief, Marshall was competent enough to help treat a sick person. He liked to fool around, but he wasn't an idiot.

That said, he didn't seem to understand how painful a headache could be. Or that Arthur preferred to be alone when he was sick. He especially never took into consideration Arthur's heightened hearing due to his feline features. But he supposed that some company wasn't a bad thing. He did know that Marshall had a job to do.

"Honestly, Marshall," he sighed, voice raspy and throat dry. "Aren't your superiors going to get frustrated with you for playing hooky?"

"Well, duh. But it ain't like it's gonna get back to the queen. They'll get over it," he shrugged. "No way I could leave my big bro to suffer with the flu all alone."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "You'd better hope it doesn't get back to the queen. I'm not going to be happy about saving your arse from one of her executions."

"Aww, Arthur, you do care!" Marshall laughed before hugging Arthur. This entire time, he hadn't cared about getting sick. He wasn't about to worry about it now. His laughter only increased when Arthur made a hissing sound. "Daw, who's a good kitty?" he chuckled as he patted Arthur's hair, mindful of the ears for once.

"Stop petting me," Arthur snarled as he pushed Marshall away. Or tried to. He may have been recovering, but his arms still didn't have much strength to them. The ever present fever made the position much more miserable.

"Alright, alright," he snickered, pulling back. "I'm glad to see your attitude is back. You scared the shit out of me." Arthur was notoriously stubborn, so he didn't tell anyone he got sick. And then he passed out when Marshall was visiting over the weekend. It was enough for a heart attack.

"Yeah, well... I'm fine now. So you can-"

"No, no, no. You're still burning, dude. I'm not going anywhere 'till the fever breaks." Then Marshall abruptly jumped up from the sofa and darted off. "Speakin' of which-I totally forgot your medicine!"

Watching Marshall blandly, Arthur sighed, but smiled. Maybe it wasn't so bad, even if Marshall was hyper. There was something nice about having company. And it was nice to see someone actually be concerned about him. Marshall may have had too much energy, but he was sweet.

At hearing a crash and shatter from the washroom, Arthur started to rethink his gratitude. He had a lot of time consuming potions and medicine in his washroom. "You are going to bloody pay for anything you broke!"

"I don't have that kind of money!" Marshall screeched.

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