I never in my life thought that being a music teacher would entail… well, so much non-music work. I mean, obviously, it would, but I just want to, y'know, sing with students, play piano, have fun, etc. Spending an afternoon sorting STACKS of music through sixteen goddamn binders though? …Reality knocked. It said life was funny. Déjà vu, right?

Wow, that had nothing to do with this. Uh… Angsty chapter because I'm tired. Or something. Enjoy.

Bittersweet

"Ugh, not good," she moaned, rubbing her temples sorely while her stomach raged in pain. It turned out that bad timing was¸ in fact, sentient, and did, actually, have a sick sense of humour. And the worst part was that she couldn't even run it through with her dagger like everything else that attempted to screw her over. But even if she'd had the opportunity to do so, two things prevented her from this. The first was the illness that had reared its head in the last couple hours. The second was the very sick boy that was lying in her bed, sweating and coughing as if he was near death.

He had fallen ill quite suddenly, the symptoms quickly taking his strength as he collapsed in the midst of cleaning the deck. She had taken him to her cabin to watch over him, placing a chair at his side and refusing to move for any reason. But his condition had done nothing but deteriorate, breaking into chills while fighting a fever that had been steadily rising. Consequently, he had been persistently fighting her for blankets even while she insisted that they would only make him worse. He'd been too delirious to understand, though, and now he barely recognized what was happening, which didn't surprise her.

What did was that she was now feeling sick herself. It had come out of nowhere, but she now found herself hunched over her bed while Link attempted to rest, oblivious to her suffering. There must have been some sort of influenza that someone on the ship had picked up. He was struggling to prevent it from overtaking him, but it was starting to appear that it had also spread to her body and was already putting her through the same treatment.

She could feel the beginnings of a fever quickly overtaking her, and she panted while trying to cool herself with a damp rag. It had been used to keep Link cool through his own, but he didn't even seem to notice her sponging his forehead anymore. Hopefully that continued, because she desperately needed to treat herself before she got any worse. Although, she thought with a grimace, if he'd fallen victim in such a short timeframe, there was probably nothing she could do now to prevent her own fate.

They were already setting sail for the nearest island, which she knew had a doctor. They just needed to last long enough to arrive, and they'd be fine. The worry was that they wouldn't estimate an arrival until the following morning. She was beginning to doubt that Link may have that long; he couldn't keep any food down, and was still attempting to wrap himself in a thick blanket in the midst of a high fever. He needed medicine.

But they barely had any left. She grabbed the bottle of liquid and cast a concerned glance over the contents. There was maybe enough for one helping. She wasn't sure that he could last with only this to sustain him through the night. And what about her? She was getting sicker with each minute that passed. He was already in trouble, but she could possibly fare better if she took it herself.

She sighed, closing her eyes and trying to ignore the pain she felt everywhere. She couldn't do that to him. He was already suffering, to the point where he wouldn't even be around to see the morning if his fever continued to rise. Uncorking the bottle, she lifted his chin and gently poured the remainder of the remedy into his mouth. He drank without even opening his eyes, too confused to attempt a protest. She tossed the bottle away once he finished as her stomach heaved for what seemed like the dozenth time.

She was tough, right? She could manage to make it until morning without it, no problem. She smiled to herself, but then shut her eyes and gripped her head as the room began to spin before her, trying with all her might not to throw up all over her bed. Taking a deep breath once it felt that it passed, she opened her eyes only for the feeling to continue. Moaning in frustration and pain, she breathed once more, willing herself not to cry.

She slipped her hand onto Link's, who had once again passed out. "You'll be fine," she whispered, laying her head down on the bed. "You just have to make it till tomorrow, then we can get help. We can both get help." Her eyelids were terribly heavy; it took all of her focus to keep them open. She felt like she was ready to faint, her own fever rising steadily as her poor head pounded in agony. He had to be okay – he had medicine to ward off the symptoms, for however long it lasted. Once tomorrow came he'd be perfect in no time.

"It'll be okay," she mumbled softly as she slipped into unconsciousness. "It'll all be okay."