Dumplings
Shaka rarely let his mind bothered by things happening around him. No matter grand or petty events, nothing could catch his attention. Even of a very young age, his nonchalance was almost unbeatable. And the tiny little bit left of his normal sentiment, in case he still had any, could only be for the little adorable friend of his. Aries Mu.
One year was not a very long time to get to know someone, but for two children, it was far from enough for them to get close and to form a habit of being together. But today, for the first time ever since Shaka came to the Sanctuary, since he knew Mu, the Aries was late. The Lemurian boy had not shown up for training, nor had he come to meet Shaka like he usually did. And that really bothered the blond boy, really.
.
'Mu, are you here?' Shaka called out upon reaching the Aries temple. He had waited till it got dark but still had not seen Mu, so he decided to look for him instead.
Silence was the only answer to the boy's call. The temple was all dark while it was supposed to be lightened up since the sun had already set. Shaka went to the library, then the workshop, eventually, he found Mu inside his chamber, lying on his bed. The large room was lighted up by only the dim light of a single candle on the table next to Mu's bed.
'What happened? Why didn't you answer me?' Shaka asked worriedly as he approached Mu. The Aries boy turned to look at him with weary eyes, and answered weakly.
'Sorry... Mu was too tired.'
Shaka quickly grabbed Mu's hand, then place the other hand on the boy's forehead, Mu was apparently sick, he was as hot as fire.
'Why didn't you say anything?' The blond whispered, held tightly the little hand inside his.
'It's no need, I took the medicine.' Mu answered with a faint smile. His master was currently away, brothers Saga and Aiolos still had to take care of the other boys, Mu did not want to bother anyone, he could take care of himself, like master always taught him to do.
Shaka just sat still in confusion, he wanted to help his friend, but on the other hand, he did not know how or what to do. He never took care of anyone, and never had the idea of doing something for anyone.
'How are you feeling?' The blond asked, suddenly felt silly at his own question.
'A little bit... cold.' Mu answered honestly.
Shaka thought for a while, then, he climbed onto the bed and sneaked into the blanket with Mu. The young Virgo held his friend tightly, trying to warm him up.
'Shaka, you'll get infected.' Mu protested. He tried to push the blond away but under his current status, he was easily overpowered by the other boy.
Shaka did not say anything, just quietly held Mu. After some minutes, the Aries boy stopped struggling and rested peacefully in his friend's hug. Shaka's warmth did make him feel better, and the comfort slowly drove him to his sleepy state.
Feeling Mu was more relaxed, Shaka started to caress his hair gently. 'Is there anything else that you want?' He asked in a whisper.
'Mmm...' Mu was too fatigued, too sleepy to fully comprehend the situation. Hearing Shaka's question, he could only think of the dish that he was starving for. 'Dumplings...' Mu murmured quietly before completely falling to sleep.
.
The next morning, Mu woke up still with his fever but feeling much better. He could already leave the bed and do some chores on his own. To his guess, probably he would recover fully in just two days. However, he did not see Shaka inside his temple. Perhaps he had gone back to the Virgo temple, Mu thought so. He wanted to see him to say thank, but unable to do so since he was still sick, plus it was raining really heavily today. So the young Aries decided to save it for later.
But to Mu's most terrified surprise, Shaka showed up in front of his door again in the afternoon, soaked from head to toe.
'Sha...Shaka!' The Aries called in horror. He quickly let his friend in, then hastily found towel and dry clothes for him to change.
On the contrary to Mu's hastiness, Shaka calmly sat down and took a small bag out of his robe. It was still dry, to Shaka's relief.
'Here, I bought dumplings for you.' He said shyly. 'They may be cool now, but still good, I think.'
Mu looked at his friend wide-eyedly, being too sleepy at that time last night, he did not remember anything about the dumplings.
'What is that?' The blond asked as he received no reply from his Aries friend. 'Do you want something else?'
'No, but,' Mu raised his voice. 'Did Shaka go downtown just to get this? It's raining out there, Shaka will get sick.'
'But Mu wants it.' The blond replied coolly.
The Aries boy was about to say something, but Shaka's stomach sounds snapped him from his thoughts. The dumplings could only be bought from market in town which was quite far from here, Shaka probably had not eaten anything. So Mu immediately turned to the kitchen to get some tea so they could have meal together.
As they were eating, Shaka quietly observed Mu, he hesitated for a while before asking. 'How are they?'
'Hmm?' Mu looked at his friend confusedly. He did not understand the question.
'The dumplings, they're cold.' The blond said, slightly embarrassed.
'They're good, Mu likes them. Thank you.' The Aries boy confirmed quietly.
'Good.' Shaka smiled cheerfully at the words he just heard. But as he went back to his meal, he noticed Mu became strangely silent.
'Mu, are you alright?' The Virgo asked worriedly. Leaving his seat, he went closer to his friend. 'Are you feeling tired again?'
'Shaka...' Mu whispered as Shaka tried to lift up his face.
'Yes? Wha-' The blond boy was going to touch his friend's forehead to see if he got a fever again, but suddenly the lavender-haired boy threw his arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
'Shaka, Mu is sorry, so sorry.' Mu was on the verge of tears when he held Shaka close. 'Mu doesn't want you to get sick.'
Shaka was totally confused, he never saw Mu like that before. All he could do was hugging back and rubbing Mu's back gently to soothe him. 'Don't cry, Mu, I'm still fine, still fine.'
'Bu...but...'
'If Mu cries then I will get sick for real.'
Hearing Shaka's words, Mu tried to restrain his sob. He loosened his grip to take a look at Shaka. His eyes were still teary and full of worriment, his lips pouted, making Shaka chuckle at the scene.
'I'll not get sick that easily. If Mu says that then it means Mu underestimates me.' The blond boy said with a fake serious voice, intentionally teased his friend.
'Mu did not mean that.' The Aries boy hastily answered in his sobs.
'Good, then no more worries?'
'No...'
'And now?'
'Eating dumplings.'
And with that, the two boys smiled at each other. They then got back to finish the cold dumplings. The best dumplings they had ever had in their lives.
[Five days left]
