7: Intense Coddling/Cuddling on the Couch

As much as neither of them were expecting this to have happened during their leave, Kielholz didn't exactly mind getting to take care of Langenscheidt. At least they were at his brother's home instead of Stalag 13.

"Tobias is making you some lemon ginger tea," Kielholz said when he entered the living room, where Langenscheidt was on the couch, a pail in his lap. "Is there anything else we can get you?"

"I don't think anything is going to stay—" Langenscheidt broke off to retch in the bucket. It was dry heaves at this point.

Kielholz felt his own stomach turning as he listened, but stayed where he was, determined to help.

When Langenscheidt lifted his head up, his face was red, and he looked like he was about to cry. He took a deep breath, trying to return to a more neutral expression. "I don't think anything is going to stay down," he finally said.

"Ginger is supposed to be good for your stomach," Kielholz replied.

"I don't think my stomach cares, Erich."

"At least give it a try. What's the worst that can happen? You have the pail right there."

"If the roles were reversed, you would not be thinking that. You would want to be as far away from food and drink as you can possibly be."

A thought struck Kielholz. "How do you think someone like LeBeau handles having a stomach flu? They spend their entire lives loving and perfecting the art of food and suddenly their body is violently rejecting it."

Langenscheidt was quiet for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You know, I have never thought about that before, but that is a good question."

Tobias entered the room, holding a cup of tea on a saucer. "Here we are. Lemon tea with ginger." He set the cup on the table across from Langenscheidt. "If there is anything else you need, just let me know."

"Thank you, Tobias. Honestly, you are being too kind."

"You are sick and in my house. Naturally, I must take care of you. Don't be afraid of asking for anything." Tobias turned to leave the room, then looked over his shoulder. "I will be out in the garden for a bit if you need me, though I'm sure Erich is capable of doing anything you need."

"I am capable of brewing more tea, but I can't cook as well as you can," Kielholz said.

"You can make broth, and didn't you mention one of the French prisoners at your camp taught you how to make soup?"

"Yes."

"Then I am sure you can make that for Karl if he requests it." Smiling and nodding, Tobias headed out to the garden.

Kielholz waited until his brother left before sitting next to Langenscheidt, who was staring at the tea. There was silence aside from the snapping and crackling of wood in the fireplace behind them. It was late spring, but Tobias had decided starting a fire would make the house feel a bit cozier and more relaxed.

Langenscheidt sighed before setting the bucket on the table and picking up the tea. "This is certainly a rotten way to spend leave."

"At least you don't have to worry about Klink getting upset with you for being laid up in bed again. Or General Burkhalter showing up. Or worse—Hochstetter," Kielholz said.

"True." Langenscheidt sniffing the tea before taking a sip. He waited a minute, then two, before drinking more. When he determined that the tea wasn't going to hurt his stomach more, he looked at Kielholz. "Why exactly are you sitting with me when I am sick? Are you not worried about getting sick yourself?"

"I sat with you when you had pneumonia," Kielholz replied. "I don't care how sick you are. You are my friend and it is my job to help you get well."

"You would rise from your deathbed to take care of me."

"Yes, I would."

"Honestly, now I'm not sure whether to be greatly appreciative, or greatly mortified."

"Both are reasonable reactions." Kielholz grinned a little. "Is there anything I can get you now?"

"Not really. Just… staying here would be nice."

"Do you want a hug?"

"I don't want to throw up on you by accident."

"The bucket is right there on the table, and I'm sure you will have enough warning to grab it."

"Right—" Langenscheidt was suddenly enveloped in a tight hug. "Not so hard, Erich."

Kielholz loosened his grip a little, but still hung on. They sat and listened to the fireplace for a few minutes, then Kielholz felt Langenscheidt return the hug.

"To be completely honest with you, Erich, I wish I was home," Langenscheidt said.

"We will be home someday," Kielholz replied. "I promise."

"I don't know if that is something you can promise."

"Too late. Already did. Don't worry about anything right now. Just relax and take a nap. I won't go anywhere."