(Author's note: The prompt is "Great. Now I have your germs all over me." and it was perfect for my relationship between Gehrman and Laurence, which is sibling-like and involves a lot of teasing from both of them.
This takes place in their Byrgenwerth era. I headcanon that Laurence was very sickly pre Healing Blood and would always get the flu at least once a year.)
"It was about time, huh?"
Gehrman had to take only one look at Laurence to know that his yearly cold had struck again. It happened every winter without fail. Laurence was standing in the doorway, or more swaying, covered in a thick winter coat, his face almost completely obscured by a shawl.
"I was so hoping that this year it wouldn't happen.", he murmured. His voice was very rough and hoarse. Gehrman could see that his face was flushed with fever even from the little bit he could see of it.
"It's time for you to crash on the couch again.", Gehrman said, walking over to Laurence and supporting him so that he could walk without fainting. Laurence already fainted when he wasn't sick, something about him having not enough blood or something. Gehrman wouldn't risk an injury upon Laurence while he was sick. He was annoying enough when he was only sick.
Gehrman would still take care of him. Because they were friends. Besides, Laurence didn't get sick on purpose.
"You are lucky that you never get sick.", Laurence murmured and then had a muffled coughing fit into his shawl.
"You probably shouldn't talk now.", Gehrman said, "To rest your voice. Also, I have gotten sick. It just… happens very rarely. I think the last time I was sick I was… eleven or so?"
"I am getting all your sicknesses apparently…", Laurence said and then fell quiet. He was hot, Gehrman could feel it even through the coat. Laurence would always get such a high fever right away. Which felt hilarious in hindsight, because Laurence was always feeling cold, he would even go out wearing the caped uniform in the height of summer.
"Well, since you have shown up, I haven't been sick, that is true.", Gehrman said, "But I was fourteen back then, so I hadn't been sick for at least three years already."
"Enviable…", Laurence went silent after that word and all that was heard was the crunching of both their boots in the snow.
The trek to Gehrman's shack wasn't a long one, but with the sick Laurence in tow it took a while. Once he had entered, Gehrman led Laurence to the couch right away so that he could sit down. He was breathing heavily and looked like he could fall over any given moment.
"Get yourself comfortable, I will get a few things.", Gehrman said, after making sure that Laurence was sitting in such a position that him fainting would land him on the soft couch.
Gehrman appeared five minutes later with a few blankets, a wet and cold washcloth and a bucket. Laurence had already laid down, but not taken anything else off than his boots.
"You can get rid of your coat now, Laurence, I have blankets.", Gehrman said, laying them on the edge of the couch. Laurence stirred and moved, blinking a few times.
"Why is there a bucket?", he asked, "I don't have the stomach flu, just the regular flu."
"I don't trust your stomach.", Gehrman said, "Besides, in case you can't move again when I am not there to help you, it will come in handy."
"Oh, yeah…", Laurence said, getting rid of his coat and his shawl. He was already wearing pajamas, he probably didn't get dressed, just tossed the coat over. Gehrman would organize a few more clothes for him later. Laurence wrapped himself in the blanket and laid down again.
"Another week of this…", he murmured, "I probably will mostly sleep again. I just… don't want to be awake when my head is feeling the size of a watermelon."
"You really should not talk that much.", Gehrman said, "Even when you are sick, you can't stay quiet. The only way to get you to be quiet is when you have to puke. Well, at least I know that you don't have to puke then."
"Fuck you, Gehrman.", Laurence retorted. It was normal that they teased each other like that, though Gehrman shouldn't take it too far, Laurence was sick and would be easily upset and nobody wanted a crying Laurence in their vicinity.
"I am going to make some tea.", Gehrman said, "Make yourself comfortable."
There wasn't a reply from Laurence anymore which either meant that he had already fallen asleep or his voice really had failed him. Or he really needed to puke, but the bucket would have that covered.
Gehrman prepared the tea can while the kettle was on the stove. Lots of herbs that would help with a sore throat. Besides, it was important for Laurence to keep hydrated, and the warm tea would help his sore throat.
Once the tea was prepared and had steeped, Gehrman got a mug out of a cupboard and brought it over to Laurence. He was still awake, but with glassy eyes, it didn't really feel like he was there.
"Laurence, I got some tea."
Laurence pupils wandered to gaze at Gehrman. Ah good, he was still there.
"Help me up, Gehrman… I don't think I have enough strength to move on my own..", Laurence murmured.
"Of course.", Gehrman stepped near Laurence and helped him up. Of course Laurence was sick, so it had to be expected, but Gehrman still was a bit surprised when Laurence had to sneeze. Very hard and very suddenly and of course his snot landed all over Gehrman.
"Great. Now I have your germs all over me.", Gehrman couldn't help but be a bit sarcastic.
"Good, maybe you'll finally get sick again.", Laurence retorted. Ah well, he was still quick-witted enough for such a comeback, but then he added: "Sorry…"
"It's fine, really. I knew you didn't do it on purpose. Just like when you puked in my hat. That wasn't on purpose as well. I hope."
Laurence shook his head. "Of course not. It was just the first thing I saw when I had… oh, I am gonna sneeze again…"
Laurence fell into a sneezing fit then and Gehrman scooted a bit away from him.
"I am going to organize you a few handkerchiefs."
(Author's note: I adore writing my Gehrman interacting with Laurence so much. I hope you enjoyed this fic ^^
The next one will be posted on the 7th of September and will be a Dark Souls fic.)