Title: The Best Part of Chicken Soup

Rating: PG

Synopsis: Does chicken soup really cure colds? Mush and Blink find out.

Category: Slash, established relationship, unabashed fluff

Feedback: Makes me warm and fuzzy and inclined to write more.

Disclaimer: Fan= not mine. Fiction= not real.

Note: What can I say? The can of chicken soup was sitting right next to the box of Swiss Miss.

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"You stay in bed, ya hear?"

"But Blink," Mush moaned, "I'm fine. I feel fine." He attempted to look healthy and enthusiastic, but the effect was ruined when he had to sniffle and wipe his nose.

Blink shook his head and pushed Mush back onto his pillow. "Huh-uh. Nope. You ain't goin' nowhere until you're over this cold. You can't get better if you're out in the winter sellin' papes."

Mush sighed pitifully. He hated being stuck inside. Even if his throat felt sandpaper-scratchy and his nose was raw from rubbing it so much and his head felt heavy and tired . . .  He yawned.

"See!" Blink said triumphantly. Mush snapped his mouth shut, glaring defiantly. "Now you just lay here and rest. Don't worry about nothin'."

"Bliiink," he moaned again, widening his eyes. Maybe if he looked sad and pathetic Blink would feel bad about leaving him behind. He coughed a little for effect. Blink just looked more concerned. Mush sighed again, giving up. "Fine, I'll stay here," he said sullenly.

The brilliant smile he got made him blink rapidly. "You'll feel better in no time, I promise Mush," Blink said, running a soothing hand over his forehead. Mush leaned back, his eyes closing. "That's right, Mush. Just go to sleep," Blink whispered.

Mush nodded, already feeling himself drift away. "'Kay," he murmured. The last thing he felt was Blink pulling the covers up around him.

"Uuuurgh," Mush groaned. He felt horrible. What had woken him up? Slowly, he pried his eyes open.

Shiny blonde hair. Gentle smile. Eye patch.

"Whassamattah, Blink?" He looked around, confused. "Already done sellin'?"

"No," Blink said. "The rest of the guys are still out. I brought you somethin'." He held up a steaming bowl. Mush's stomach growled.

"What's that?"

"Chicken soup." Blink grinned. "I heard it makes you feel better if you're sick."

"Yeah?" He reached for the bowl. Blink's grin widened.

"You sit back and relax. I'm gonna feed it to you."

Mush felt his face get hotter. "Feed it to me?" he managed to squeak out.

"Yup. Don't worry, none of the guys are gonna see us or anything." Blink held up a spoonful of the soup, eyes gleaming. Mush sat back weakly and opened his mouth.

Blink was very careful about it, but he couldn't seem to keep the grin off his face. It felt nice to have Blink taking care of him, but did he have to be so cheerful about it?

"Oops," Blink said. Mush grimaced at the feeling of chicken broth running down his chin.

"Yeah, oops," he muttered, reaching up to wipe it away. Blink's hand stopped him.

"Wha--" Blink's mouth stopped his words. By kissing him, that is. Blink was kissing him. In the middle of the Lodging House. The Lodging House that nobody else was in . . . why wasn't he kissing back? Mush leaned into the kiss and enthusiastically returned it.

"Mmm." Blink pulled back, licking his lips. "That was good soup. I'll have to get some for myself."

"Yeah," Mush said dreamily.

Blink smiled and put the bowl aside. "You get some more sleep now." Mush nodded, already yawning.

"Uuuurgh."

Mush laughed. "That's what you get for kissing me when I was sick."

Blink glared up at him from his bunk. "Yeah, yeah." He brushed hair off his sweaty forehead, sniffling. "You liked it, too."

"Yup. That's why I brought some chicken soup with me." He grinned as Blink slowly blushed. "Let's hope I'm as bad at keeping it on the spoon as you were."