Kiku's fever got worse, so Alfred requested a week off. Arthur just looked at him in disbelief.
"A week? You must be mad!" Arthur exclaimed as he looked at Alfred's completely serious face. Alfred just shook his head.
"I'm serious Arthur. Kiku is really sick so I need to be at home to take care of him," Alfred said and Arthur sighed in frustration.
"Fine. But you better be in next Sunday."
"I will!" Alfred called as he ran out of the building.
...
Kiku was sleeping on the couch when Alfred walked in. Alfred set the fever reducer on the coffee table and kneeled down. He felt Kiku's forehead and Kiku stirred, opening his eyes a little. He looked at Alfred and smiled weakly. Alfred smiled back.
"Hey Kiku, how are you feeling?"
"Awful. My body is burning up."
"Well I got some fever reducer. Let me go get you some water," Alfred said as he got up and headed into the kitchen. After getting the water, he walked back into the living room to see Kiku had sat up. He gave him the water and opened the box of fever reducer. He gave one of the small pills to Kiku and Kiku put it in his mouth and drank the water.
"Are you hungry?" Alfred asked as Kiku sat the glass on the coffee table. He looked at Alfred with a pitiful look and shook his head.
"No... I'm afraid that if I eat I'll throw up."
"Okay, then lay back down and rest some more. I'll be here if you need anything," Alfred said as he sat in a chair. Kiku nodded and laid back down. Within moments he fell back asleep.
A few hours passed. When it got close to 10, Alfred picked Kiku up and took him to the bed room. He laid Kiku on the bed and covered him up. Kiku sighed in his sleep but he didn't wake up. Alfred got some extra blankets and went to sleep on the couch.
...
The next morning, Alfred was already cooking breakfast when Kiku walked into the kitchen. He sat down at the table and Alfred looked over at him.
"How are you feeling?"
"A bit better, but I'm kind of hungry."
Alfred just smiled and kept cooking. Once he finished, he fixed himself and Kiku a plate. He set the plates on the table and they began to eat. They were silent as they ate. Once they were finished eating Alfred took their plates and walked over to the sink.
"How about you go lay down," Alfred said as he began to wash dishes. Kiku didn't respond, but before Alfred could look over at him, he felt delicate arms wrap around him. He blushed and smiled. He continued to wash dishes as Kiku hugged him. When he was done, he dried his hands and pulled Kiku in front of him, returning the hug. Kiku purred at this.
He so cute, I wonder if he realizes this, Alfred thought as he began to pet Kiku. Kiku looked up at him and Alfred could see his face was red. He felt his forehead.
"You're getting warm. Come on," he said as he led Kiku to the living room. Kiku once again took some fever reducer and laid down on the couch. Alfred ruffled his hair.
"What do you want for dinner?" Alfred asked as he walked to the door.
"Hm... I guess fish," Kiku said as he looked over at him.
"Okay! See ya when I get home," Alfred said as he left.