Skarloey reached over for his favourite mug-it was customised to have a photo of him and his three younger brothers, Talyllyn (Tally) and Dolgoch (Doll), and Rheneas. It had been a gift from Tally, his twin brother, who was in Wales with Dolgoch.
He grabbed the mug and lifted it to his lips, sighing with contentment as the taste of Glengettie soothed him.
Putting his mug down, he picked up a wash cloth and dipped it in a bowl of water, before mopping a pale, fevered brow.
Rheneas had fallen ill and had ended up with a mild fever. Skarloey was trying to keep him cool. He would've just had Rheneas to sleep in bed, but his brother was a stubborn sod who was adamant on removing any blankets or other such coverings, so Skarloey was keeping an eye on him in the living room.
Rheneas's head was pillowed by his brother's lap, and a thick blanket was draped over his shoulders-though Rheneas was attempting to get rid of it when he could.
Rheneas moaned.
"Shh, Rheneas bach." Soothed Skarloey, tenderly dabbing Rheneas's forehead with the cold, wet cloth. "Rest easy, I'm here."
Rheneas opened his glassy eyes, and, without a word, shoved the blanket off him, aiming for the floor. Swearing, skarloey grabbed a corner of the blanket before it could fall on the floor altogether. He sighed with relief, before swearing at his brother.
"You need to keep covered, boyo, stop trying to throw it aside!"
Rheneas only grimaced, and Skarloey felt guilty. Muttering an apology, he tried to affix the blanket to his sick, stubborn sibling's shoulders, hopefully without the fear of him removing it again.
He didn't want to move Rheneas unnecessarily.
He patted his brother's shoulder. "Easy brother," he whispered kindly, and he began to card his fingers through Rheneas's hair, like when they were little boys.
Feeling soothed, Rheneas quickly settled into slumber again, fortunately not disturbing the blanket!
Feeling content, and satisfied Rheneas could now sleep, Skarloey brushed his brother's cheek with his knuckle before whispering in fluent Welsh.
"Dwi'n caru ti Rheneas. Rwy'n gobeithio y byddwch yn gwella'n fuan."
He sipped his tea and read Starstrider: the History of King Orry, by Nicholas Kettle, before he joined his brother in the realm of slumber.