"B-B-Baron! I want to see Baron" Haru said shakily. Suddenly, she scrunched up her face and her nose twitched a little. "ACHOO!" Haru sniffed and rubbed her red nose with her handkerchief.
"Nope. Not until tomorrow, Miss Haru. His temperature is a little high from that stunt you two pulled yesterday. We want to make sure he's not sick before you can see him. You, however, need to stay in bed. You're a little worse off. I know you may not remember, but you have a fever. You've been falling in and out of consciousness for the past few hours" one of the family nurses that live in the mansion said.
"I'm fine…really" Haru said weakly as she yawned. She clenched her hands into fists and raised them above her head into a stretch. She weakly smiled in content then fell against the soft pillows before drifting off to sleep. The nurse smiled. She gently dipped the rag she was holding into a basin full of cold water. She wrung it out and placed the cool cloth on Haru's forehead. Haru's breathing was a little shallow as she tried to breath. Her face was flushed a deep red color and sweat covered the girl's skin. The nurse knew not to panic when Haru was awake, but it was one of the worse fevers she had ever seen. Haru had been acting delirious only a few hours earlier. At least this time when she woke up, she seemed better.
"Abigail?" a quiet voice called out as the nurse shut the door to Haru's room. Abigail, the nurse, looked around in confusion. Where had the voice come from? "Abigail!" the voice called out again but a bit more insistently. Abigail sighed upon recognizing the owner of the voice. She stepped in front of Baron's door.
"I don't want to hear any word from you. You should be sleeping! You can see Haru tomorrow if I deem you healthy enough. In the meantime, I will tell Muta and Toto how Haru is doing. I'll come back in a couple of hours with some medicine for her. If you're well rested, then I'll speak to you about Haru myself" Abigail said through the door. Abigail heard a groan coming from the other side. She smiled when she heard nothing else. As she walked away from the bedroom and down the hall to the kitchen, Abigail heard Muta and Toto arguing.
"She's fine!"
"I don't know. Chicky looked really pale."
"She'll be okay. Just wait and see. We'll ask Abigail when she's done."
"…"
Abigail decided that Baron and Haru needed rest and not the disturbance of a fight. She should intervene before any trouble starts. She stepped into the room.
"Toto. Muta. I am finished with examining Haru. I only wish the doctor wasn't on vacation. I would have liked his opinion on the matter" Abigail sighed out as she sat down. The duo rushed over to the middle aged woman and knelt down in front of her. Toto gently grabbed one of Abigail's hands.
"How are Baron and her doing?" Toto asked. Abigail patted the raven haired man's pale hand.
"Baron is doing well. He's quite stubborn when it comes to Haru, but I got him to rest for a short while. I'd like you to watch him and make sure he doesn't go see Haru. She's trying to sleep" Abigail ordered.
"Of course…but what about Chicky? Is she better?" Muta said.
"I must admit that I've never seen a case as severe as her's. She hasn't been awake long enough to eat or drink anything. I'm hoping to take some medicine up to her later. Hopefully she's awake. But Haru's just…she's always been…I just don't want anyone to get their hopes up that she will recover. She's strong, but there has been no improvement since this morning" Abigail said as her eyes drifted over to the cooks. Their heads were hanging low. One of the cooks was making oatmeal to take up to Baron, and another was making some soup for Haru.
"We understand" Toto said distantly. Muta nodded in agreement. "Come on, Muta. We better make sure Baron isn't sneaking out of his room.
The next day…
"Alright Baron, you can go see Haru" Abigail said as she shook the thermometer. His temperature was back to normal. Baron smiled and jumped up off the bed. Sure he heard about Haru's condition, but he wasn't worried. He knew she'd be okay…she had to be. Baron opened his bedroom door and went into the hall. Baron's hand reached for the doorknob to Haru's bedroom, but he hesitated when a hand rested on his shoulder. He glanced over his shoulder to see Abigail.
"I don't want you in there for more than three hours" she said firmly. Baron nodded and watched Abigail disappear around the corner. His hand stayed on the doorknob, but he made no move to turn it. Finally gathering the courage, Baron twisted the polished brass and opened the door. He looked around the room. His eyes stopped on the figure on the bed. He gasped and rushed over to her. His eyes scanned her body up and down. Her skin was as white as paper and her lips were a very light pinkish purple. Her hair was clinging to her face, and it was drenched in sweat. Her brown eyes were dull and almost lifeless looking as they stared at him.
"Haru?" Baron choked out. A faint smile graced her features.
"Oh Baron! I'm glad you came. I'm sorry for you to see me like this. I'm so embarrassed. I don't know what happened. I never wanted to trouble you with my problems. We barely know each other! Mother will be worried sick about me" Haru murmured as her eyebrows knitted together in concentration. Her eyes widened slightly in fear. "Oh no, who will make her dinner?" Baron's heart dropped at Haru's words. Abigail, Toto, and Muta told him that Haru was delirious at times, but he never expected this. Shakily, Baron took Haru's closest hand in between his two. Despite her sweating, Haru's skin was cold.
"Do not worry about such a trivial thing. I already told one of the servants to visit your mother and watch over her tonight. She's in good hands" Baron forced out. Haru gave Baron a weak smile.
"Oh thank you, sir. I'm forever in your debt. I don't like debts, but what you have done is the most generous thing anyone has ever done for me. I hope I can repay you in some way! Say…what did you say your name was?"
"Baron. My name is Baron."
"Baron! Yes, I remember. How are you faring? Abigail said you weren't feeling well yesterday. We really should have used an umbrella. I was stupid for being so reckless" Haru said in a self-scolding. Out of nowhere, her head lobbed to the side and her eyes fluttered closed. "Oh, I'm sorry Baron. I'm getting kind of tired. Have you seen Humbert? I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks. Where does that silly cat of yours go?" Haru giggled as she fell asleep.
"Haru" Baron called out weakly. He got no response. Baron quietly and softly kissed Haru's forehead. He almost gasped at the feeling of his lips against her skin. Her hand was freezing cold, so how was her forehead so hot?! "Get well soon and sweet dreams, my love."
A few hours after visiting Haru then leaving, Baron decided to go check up on her again. He wanted to see if she, by chance, was awake and aware of what was going on around her. He didn't think to knock on her door; he just let himself in. To his dismay, Haru was sound asleep. He slouched his shoulders in defeat but pulled up a chair next to Haru's bed anyway. He grabbed her hand and held it. Haru moaned and turned her body abruptly towards him, dislodging the cool cloth on her head in the process. Baron smiled at the scene before him. Like the concerned suitor he was, he re-wetted the cloth and tilted her head slightly to place the cloth back in its original position. To Baron's surprise, Haru's eyes fluttered open upon the immediate contact of the wet rag and her forehead.
"Baron?" she said weakly. Baron nodded and smiled.
"Are you feeling better? Do you want a sip of water?" Baron asked quickly. Haru's eyes slightly sparkled at the mention of water. Her throat was parched. She was sort of hungry but not really.
"Yes, please" she said hoarsely. Baron helped Haru sit up a little bit with her back against the propped up pillows. He gingerly held the glass of cold water that sat on her night stand to her lips. Haru eagerly gulped down the liquid. Baron yanked the glass away, and Haru whimpered.
"I'm sorry, Haru. You need to drink slower or you'll get a stomach ache. Just try small sips" Baron said tenderly. Haru's face flushed a deeper red than it was before. Baron raised the glass to Haru's lips once again, but this time she took small sips. When Baron deemed that Haru drank enough water for the moment, he pulled the glass away and put it back where it was sitting earlier.
"Baron?" Haru said as her clammy fingers played with Baron's as he held her hand.
"Yes, love?" Baron said as he ran a finger down Haru's cheek in a loving manner.
"I've been thinking about your curse" Haru said. "I mean, I've been dreaming about it."
"What were your dreams about?"
"I'm not exactly sure. I kept seeing you, Lune, and an unusual green glow. I think I need to talk to Lune about your curse, if that's alright with you?"
"Of course it's alright. You can do anything that you think will help unlock the secrets of where the long lost Von Gikkingen relic went!" Baron said determinedly. "I just want you to rest first. Once you're all better, you can start looking for any clues." Haru flashed Baron a weak smile, but it faded away as quickly as it came. "Haru, what's wrong?"
"Oh, ah, nothing!" Haru said as she turned over to face away from Baron. She snatched her hand away from him like his touch was poison. Haru didn't miss Baron's hurt expression as she scooted away from the side of the bed he was on.
"Haru?" Baron said in a deep warning tone. Haru flinched.
"It's nothing, I swear!"
"Please Haru, I want to help" Baron said. He made sure to show how hurt her actions made him. Haru looked at Baron guiltily, but her cheeks were still deeply flushed. Was she blushing?
"I-I-I just needed to u-use the bathroom" Haru said meekly. Baron's face turned red.
"I-I'll go get someone to assist you" Baron declared. His voice squeaked as he said it.
"B-But I don't think I can wait!" Haru blurted out. A hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. Baron turned his head and averted his eyes at her implication.
"I understand" Baron said in a flustered manner. He stood up from his chair and pulled the sheets covering Haru from the bed. She was wearing one of the long normal nightgowns he got her, but it was heavily drenched in sweat. Haru looked down as her folded hands shamefully. He must think she looked disgusting. She blinked as her eyes grew heavy. She yawned, and to her surprise, Baron ignored her damp clothes and picked Haru up. He carefully carried her to the bathroom where he set her down on the toilet seat. "Can you manage from here?" he said nervously. Haru nodded. Baron left the bathroom and shut the door behind him. He stood at the door for a minute or two until he heard a yelp. "Haru! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine" Haru's weak voice called out. He heard the toilet flush and knew it was safe to go back in. Haru was back in the position he put her in. Baron picked her up again bridal style and began carrying her to the bed. "Baron?"
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you a favor?"
"Anything."
"I'm really tired, and I want to go to sleep but this nightgown is so gross and hot. Can you help me change into a fresh one? Maybe one of the silk ones?" Haru said weakly. She was beginning to nod off in his arms.
"Haru, it just isn't proper!"
"I don't care. I won't tell if you don't tell" she murmured against his arm. Baron sighed. There was no use in arguing in a fight he wouldn't win. Besides, even if he waited for her to fall asleep and not change her nightgown, it would still be wrong. She could get worse by staying in that outfit. Baron gently set Haru down on the edge of the bed. He began to unbutton the buttons on the front while keeping his eyes trained on anything but Haru. He slipped the fabric off her shoulders and body and threw it on the floor. Haru sighed out in content. Baron stood up and walked over to Haru's dresser. Inside the top drawer, Baron found all her nightgowns. He picked up the first nightgown on the top that was silk. It was white and had small bow that went around the waist. However, this silk nightgown was different than her normal ones. It was an opaque white so it wasn't see through and it was long enough to reach Haru's knees. Baron looked at it respectfully then grabbed one of the slips Haru kept in the right side of the drawer for safety precautions.
"Here. Lift your arms up so I can put this slip on" Baron said as he went back to Haru. His eyes were trained on the canopy above the bed. Haru shook her head 'no' before falling back against the covers and curing up in a ball.
"I'm tired and hot. I don't want a slip" Haru said. "I want to go to sleep."
"Please do it for me, Haru" Baron begged. Haru grumbled something and shook her head 'no' again. He knew she wouldn't let herself go to sleep until she won the argument.
"Fine. Just sit up and hold your arms up so I can put your nightgown on." Haru complied and lifted her arms. Baron knew he had to look down at Haru to make sure her arms went in the arm holes, but it was so improper that his body didn't want to react. He was raised to be a gentleman!
"Baron" Haru whined in sleep deprivation. Baron gathered up his courage and looked down at Haru, who was in her undergarments. He blushed and began to lower the nightgown over Haru's head.
At the same moment, the door opened and a surprised maid walked in. She saw the intimate sight before her and squeaked in surprise. She bolted out of the room as fast as she could. "Bloody hell!" Baron yelled as he yanked the nightgown down over Haru's head and onto her body. Haru yelped in surprise and fell back onto the bed. Baron headed for the door and threw it open. He was going to tell that maid what was really going on. He didn't want gossip flying around the mansion saying he was taking advantage of a sick Haru.
"Baron?" Haru said softly as she slowly crawled back under the sheets and snuggled into the pillow. Baron looked over his shoulder at Haru. She smiled at him as her eyes drifted closed.
"Thank you. I love you" she said before falling asleep. The corners of Baron's mouth twitched up into a smile.
"I love you too" he said before closing the door and rushing down the hallway.
Three days later…
"Abigail, how is Haru holding up?" Baron asked as she exited Haru's room. Abigail sighed.
"She's still the same. There has been no improvement. I'm afraid we were just having a conversation about your study and how it was painted pink" Abigail said.
"Pink? My office is painted green" Baron said with a frown.
"Exactly. I'm afraid she is still delirious."
"Do you think she's getting any better?"
"I'm afraid not. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. I shouldn't have let Haru run out in the rain like that the other night. Now she's dying…because of me."
"No Baron, it's not your fault!"
"But it is. The medicine isn't helping. She hasn't eaten for two days. She wouldn't even drink anything yesterday no matter how hard I tried to tell her it would make her better!" Suddenly, Baron's head jerked to the side as Abigail slapped him. His cheek began turning red immediately.
"Calm down!"
"I'm sorry, Abigail. I didn't mean to lose my cool. I'm just a little shaken up. I want Haru to get better, and when she does, I want to marry her. But…she is not getting better. She is getting worse and worse each day" Baron said as a few tears trailed down his cheek. "I don't want to lose her."
"Oh Baron, you won't lose her. She isn't going anywhere. She may not have the strongest body from her malnutrition in her early years, but she's still a fighter" Abigail said in reassurance.
"Thank you for trying to make me feel better. Can I go see Haru now?" Baron said eagerly.
"Sure, but I must warn you that she might be sleeping. Try not to wake her" Abigail said. "I'll be in my room if you need anything. One of the maids will be bringing up some broth too, later. We want her to eat something."
"Okay. Thank you" Baron said as he slipped past Abigail. He opened the door to Haru's room and went over to the chair beside her bed.
"Haru, are you still awake?"
"Mmmm" Haru hummed out as she opened her eyes slowly. She blinked as the light hit her eyes, even though the sun was setting so the room was dimly light.
"How do you feel?"
"Tired."
"Oh I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to disturb you. Do you want me to leave?"
"Uh uh. Stay" Haru commanded as she turned on her side. She closed her eyes once her hand found Baron's. Shortly after, her face scrunched up and she sneezed. Baron chuckled.
"Sleep" he ordered softly like his demand would be met immediately if he said it. Haru moaned and gripped Baron's hand tighter. Her breathing slowly evened out as she drifted to sleep.
Two hours later, Baron was getting a bath and getting ready for bed. He was tired and wanted to sleep. The week was turning out to be long and not promising. Rest would be good for him.
"It broke! It broke!" a voice shouted excitedly. Baron raised an eyebrow in question. What broke? He decided it wasn't a big deal and shifted his shoulders as he tried to relax in the warm bath water.
Unexpectedly, the door to his bathroom flew open and hit the wall. Baron shrunk himself down in the water as he saw Abigail approaching him with a smile on her face. "Um, Abigail, as much as I enjoy your company, I would rather like to finish my bath alone. If you would like to speak to me, then I would rather have it done so when I am decent" Baron said lowly. Abigail rolled her eyes.
"Baron, we all know I have seen you indecent before. But if you don't want to know how Haru is doing then I will be on my way" she said in a sarcastic tone. Baron sighed. He was annoyed, but admittedly, he was a little curious to what the nurse was getting at.
"How is Haru?"
"Oh she is just splendid. I went in her room to check on her a few moments ago and although she didn't eat anything, her fever has broken. She's slowly getting better!" Abigail chirped. Baron opened his mouth in shock.
"Really?"
"Oh yes, dear" Abigail stated. Baron was too excited to think about anything else. He grabbed the plug and yanked the chain to drain the tub of water. He stood up and grabbed his grey robe, tying the sash into a knot.
"I'm going to see her right away" he announced. He quickly grabbed a white towel and began to dry his hair as he left the bathroom to go to his bedroom and pick out some pajamas before seeing Haru.
"Oh no Baron, you can't go see her. This is a crucial time. She definitely cannot be disturbed now. She's sleeping and needs the rest she's getting now more than anything" Abigail stated. Baron stopped drying his hair to look at Abigail sadly. Abigail could see the disappointment on his face as plain as day. "I'm sorry. I know how much you want to see her, but it will have to wait until tomorrow."
"I understand" Baron said dejectedly. He slowly went over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of blue pajamas. "You may go to bed now if you wish." Abigail nodded and left the room. Baron began dressing in his pajamas, but as he began putting on his shirt he hesitated. He was already getting warm. He didn't want the shirt making him even hotter. Baron decided to go against the proper thing to do and leave his shirt off. Haru never did things the proper way, so why should he? That decision left Baron in only his white boxer shorts and blue pajama pants. Baron felt comfortable and free.
It wasn't long after Baron settled in his bed and got comfortable and almost fell asleep when he heard his door creak open. Baron tensed up. He stayed where he was without moving until he felt someone crawl into his bed. They shimmed under the sheets and scooted over to Baron, whose back was facing the intruder. The next thing Baron knew, small, cold, clammy hands pressed against his back. The hands were followed by a warm forehead resting against his back too. Baron knew who the person was immediately.
"Haru?" Baron felt Haru's body stiffen.
"Baron, I didn't know you were awake" Haru said sheepishly. Baron smiled. He turned his body over so he could see the teenage brunette better. She was looking up at him with her warm brown eyes.
"What are you doing in my room let alone my bed?" Baron said teasingly. Haru blushed.
"I couldn't sleep." Baron chuckled at the statement.
"Haru, you've been sleeping easily for a majority of the week with no problem. What changed?"
"I am not sure. Maybe it is the fact that I have been sleeping so much that I'm not tired anymore" Haru said with a glare.
"That's reasonable. You can stay if you want as long as you stay on your side of the bed" Baron said in sudden embarrassment. He was embarrassed by the fact that the night he decided not to wear a night shirt was also the night Haru had to sneak into his room. Haru smiled at him and moved slightly away from Baron. Baron rolled over so his back was facing Haru.
"Goodnight, Baron."
"Sweet dreams, Haru."
Baron quickly fell asleep from his previous exhaustion. Haru just stared at his back. A good half hour later, Haru was still awake. She was about to get up and leave to go back to her room and find something to do, but Baron abruptly flipped over and his arm wrapped around Haru's waist. The frightened girl squeaked in surprise. Baron, in his sleep induced state, unknowingly pulled Haru closer to him. Haru wanted to struggle but couldn't. She saw the dark circles under Baron's eyes, and she knew he was stressed out. He needed his rest just as much as she did. After a while with Baron's arm around her, she decided it wasn't too bad. It was actually quite comfortable. With a yawn escaping past her lips, Haru snuggled up against Baron and leaned her head on his bare chest. A low rumbling came from Baron's throat as he began to purr. Haru let out a silent giggle. It wasn't long before she fell asleep too.
A/N: I hope it was mostly fluff like I promised and I didn't make a lot of people upset or worried. I'm not good at writing that purely cute romantic stuff but I want to learn…at least I don't think I am (even though all my stories are romance I think but maybe one.) Please tell what you think in a review.