We moved up to the upper quarter the very next day and our new apartment was spacious, well-furnished and had three bedrooms, one for each of us so I instantly ran in to claim my own one, which was the smallest with the window facing the west so that I could watch the sunset.
It was late again however I was out collecting some food supplies on the late market where prices were typically cheaper, helping to keep our budget low however when I got home, it was to find Lee passed out on the floor with his uncle kneeling beside him with a hand to his forehead. "Lee!" I exclaimed and instantly raced inside, kicking the door shut behind me as I dropped my basket on the ground and instantly placed a hand on Lee's chest. "Your skin is like wildfire! What happened?" I turned to Mushi who was lifting Lee up to put him to bed.
"He just collapsed." He told me. I didn't ask why Lee was wearing an all black uniform but helped Mushi to move him into his bedroom where Mushi then undressed him and washed him down as I prepared some medicine and tea as well before taking it to Mushi, who had a bucket of fresh water at his side, putting a damp cloth to Lee's brow. "You're burning up, you have an intense fever." He said as he sponged Lee's face. "This will help cool you down."
I approached quietly, handing Mushi the tea then gently lifted Lee's head before making him drink the medicine to try and help bring down his temperature, though he retched after he'd swallowed. "So thirsty…"
"Here's some clean water to drink." Mushi said as he ladled some water from another bucket and touched it to Lee's mouth as he and I supported his weight. "Stay under the blankets and sweat this out." His uncle said soothingly as I bit my lip. Lee grabbed the ladle and drained the water from it in one gulp before launching it away then reaching across for the bucket. He lifted it up and poured it down his throat and chest then flung that away too.
He started to cough, collapsing back down and I looked over him with worry, not knowing what else to do. Mushi and I stayed up late into the night tending to Lee, however when Mushi fell asleep I remained awake, unable to take my worried gaze off of Lee. He seemed so frail and he kept on murmuring in his restless sleep as if he were having nightmares, so I continued to keep his brow cool with damp cloths and I sang to him a soft lullaby, one that comforted me as much as it seemed to work on him.
As I sang he became a little calmer, lying still whilst shivering so I pulled the blankets higher up his toned chest and made sure her was well covered before lying down next to him, unable to relax however, my own exhaustion seemed to cave in and I fell sound asleep.
Mushi and I continued to take care of Lee for the next few days, nursing him ourselves though I got very little sleep I was so worried. Mushi seemed convinced that this illness was because Lee had to make a very important decision, though he wouldn't tell me anything about it so I was left to wonder if this was all my fault.
Again it was late in the night and Mushi was fast asleep, however I was lying beside Lee, propped up and running my fingers gently through his hair as he lay with his eyes closed, resting peacefully. "Lee? If this is my fault then I'm sorry." I whispered to him quietly. "You tried to tell me things were complicated, but I wouldn't listen." Feeling tears begin to slide down my cheek, I sniffed and wiped them away. "I don't understand any of this and I know that there are some things you and Mushi are hiding from me, but if it's about your past then I don't care. I just want you to be happy and safe." As another tear spilled down my cheek I lifted a hand to brush it away, however someone else's beat me to it.
My eyes flew open to see Lee touching my face with gentle fingers, his eyes focused on me as he lay without shivering and with clear skin. Instantly I smiled brightly, relieved to see that he had broken through his fever as he wiped away my tear. Without saying a word I flung my arms around him and he sat up, arm curling around my back securely as I lay across him in my embrace, burying my face into his neck as I exhaled softly.
I pulled back to look into his beautiful golden eyes and Lee was smiling freely at me, for once completely relaxed and seemingly at peace with himself. In unison we both leaned inwards and closed our eyes, our lips touching before he pulled me closer and I gave a soft sound as I felt my heart rise in my chest, my stomach knotting tightly as Lee pushed his hand through my hair which hung loose around my shoulders.
Even as he pulled back I continued to smile at him, never feeling happier than in that moment as he held my face in both hands. "You're so beautiful." He whispered to me and I closed my eyes as he touched a feather light kiss to my cheeks and eyelids, his lips tracing over my features before he wrapped his arms around me and lay down, holding me against his chest as I rested my ear over where his heart thrummed softly, hearing it beat rhythmically and it soothed me into a deep sleep, Lee's fingers still stroking my hair and the familiar sensation brought a dreamy smile to my face as I dreamed of laying on a gentle lady's lap, her loving fingers caressing my hair as she sang the lullaby I was always singing.