(( A/N: ahh godness I'd like to say thank you to all of you readers~! W/ I'm VERY happy from all the help and love I've been getting! You're all so kind~! *w*
Chapters might be a tad slow since schools here *gags* and sadly I've got immune system problems so I get sick a lot =w= and to add onto the pile, my new computer's keyboard really suckkksss bleehh its too big ;o;
wahh sorry for the long A/N! Here's the story!
Reviews are always appreciated, thank you all for the previous reviews!
Enjoy!))
The ivory, cashmere blanket that surrounded Kiku was enough to make him want to sleep the whole day away. Plushy, fluffy, somewhat thin, but still kept him warm enough. The soft 'pitter patter' against the glass was just enough to wake him, the raven slowly opening his deep brown eyes.
Curled up on his side, wrapped up like a little burrito, Kiku closed his eyes for a moment to groan and strain to sit up. He could feel the bruises he had were painless now, lifting up a slender hand to probe at them lightly before deeming them practically gone.
He pushed himself up, glancing around the room. It was surprisingly a bit dark still, even though the clock on the wall read 7 am. Though a distant clap of thunder caught his attention, Kiku peeking to the picture window and through its spaced out blinds to see the thick clouds that covered the snowy sky. A thunderstorm in the winter like this seemed odd, but Kiku didn't question it, happy it wasn't more snow.
Kiku ran his fingers through his hair, deciding it was fine time he took a shower. Climbing to his feet, he lumbered off to the bathroom, peeking inside to make sure no one was there. Surely Ludwig wouldn't mind if he took a quick shower.
He was in and out within ten minutes, just long enough to get washed off. He stepped out and glanced around, taking a towel off the shelf and using it to dry his hair, soon after wrapping it around his waist. He found the towel to be oddly large, just assuming Ludwig bought bigger towels because he was a bigger guy.
It took Kiku a few seconds to realize it, but soon he noticed he hadn't brought his bag with him, meaning he had to walk through that freezing hall with nothing but a towel to get his clothes. Kiku couldn't suppress his groan, not up for it, but also not wanting to walk around naked in Ludwig's house.
Mustering up courage, Kiku turned to the bathroom door, adjusting his towel a little more as he opened up the entrance.
...
Maybe he should've waited just a little longer.
"L-Ludwig!" Stammered Kiku in surprise, letting go of the door and pulling up the towel to cover up. The sleepy German was almost wide awake now as he had been just about to knock, not thinking Kiku was inside. His pale cheeks turned crimson, almost instantly, Ludwig gabbing in his stupor before his mind snapped back into action and he averted his gaze politely with a quick 's-sorry,' in his native tongue.
Of course, Kiku wasn't entirely nude, but Ludwig did get a good glimpse of a few things he felt he shouldn't have. He tried to calm his own embarrassment as Kiku stammered a 'thank you' before hurrying past him, taking off back to the living room.
Once Ludwig heard the light footsteps fade off, he hurriedly slipped into the bathroom, closing the door. He sighed, leaning against it as he tried to think. He was already well aware that he was a bisexual, that was clear as day to him since the start of middle school. He never thought he'd be falling for his secretary, though. Of all people...
Well, after he gave it some thought, it didn't seem that odd. They had been together as business partners for a good six years, even if those years were mostly work wise. He also can't say he hadn't become at least a little jealous whenever his brother would try to maul the Asian male with love and affection.
Ludwig gave his head a shake, puffing out a heavy breath. He didn't want to act on any ideas that would screw up any relations between him and Kiku. He would just tell Kiku that he's feeling much better and that he could go home... that would work, right? He wasn't sure but would give it a shot. Besides, Kiku probably wanted to be home by now.
He silently stepped out of the bathroom, hearing Kiku in the living room still. Ludwig headed off and stopped in the entry way to the living room, opening his mouth to speak only to shut it immediately.
Kiku was bundled up under the blankets, dressed in a fleecy little sweater and a pair of jogging pants. He was trying to keep his teeth from chattering, looking as if he was sitting in a freezer. Ludwig was bewildered as to why he'd be acting like this, seeing as it was decently warm in the house. It took him only a moment to realize what was more than likely going on.
He stepped forwards and Kiku shied back, much to Ludwig's surprise. He hesitantly came the rest the way over, Kiku looking a little uneasy as he did so. The German reached out, pressing his appendage to the Asian's forehead. He felt Kiku shudder along with the blazing heat that radiated off of his forehead.
"Y-you're running a fever!" Sputtered Ludwig in astonishment, Kiku growing just a little less surprised than Ludwig as the blond brought his hand to himself. Ludwig seemed to pause, looking caught on what to do.
After what seemed to be an eternity to Ludwig, The German went with his gut. In a swoop, he gathered Kiku up in his arms, the smaller man giving a small gasp from being startled. Ludwig merely hurried off, glad Kiku wasn't squirming around in his arms.
Ludwig gently set Kiku in his own bed, the sheets still warm from when he was in there. He made quick work to bundled Kiku up in blankets, Kiku not budging. The redness in his cheeks could be passed off as illness, having tried his best to settle his embarrassment.
"Don't move," Ludwig half demanded half requested, not entirely bold with his words as he hurried off to the kitchen. Kiku did as told, his shuddering going down some from the blankets.
"Here," Ludwig huffed as he came back into the room, setting down a cup of water, pill bottle and a plate with pie and a fork on it. "I-It said not to take the pill on an empty stomach,"
Kiku paused for a moment before replying. "Thank you, Ludwig, I'm sorry to be a bother," Muttered the Asian in a breathy tone as he sat up, taking the pie into his lap. Ludwig shook his head 'no', giving Kiku's shoulder a pat.
"You're not a bother, you have done the same for me since Tuesday," Ludwig murmured as he read the bottle to make sure that there wasn't anything else needed. He didn't take medication often, so he didn't want to do something wrong and end up making Kiku more sick. Kiku's cheeks lit up a bit more, unsure why he was getting so embarrassed. He just shook it off before starting to eat.
The blond got himself nestled in the sheets beside him, getting cozy, having retrieved a book from the bedside table to read quietly. After Kiku finished off his pie, he set down the plate and took one of the pills, soon after nestling down in the sheets. The thunder rolled outside, a mix of hail and rain joining the noise. It was muffled, nothing disruptive, Kiku gazing up at the white ceiling.
Those noises were... soothing. It gave him something to focus on while he tried to get some rest. The Asian's eyes slowly fell closed, starting to listen to the other noises around; the sound of book pages turning, Ludwig's quiet breathing, the smallest creeks of the house... It was just so homey that Kiku could barely hide a small smile.
He was starting to love that sensation of having someone by his side, even if they weren't even interacting. The emotion he felt was warm, tender, sense like his chest was filling with a soothing heat. He slowly passed off into slumber with this feeling, leaving the corners of his mouth upturned in quiet happiness.
Ludwig peeked over at Kiku, trying to tell if he were asleep or not. After a few pokes and nudges to confirm, he gently checked the smaller male's temperature, feeling the still decently hot heat coming from his forehead.
As he moved his hand to brushed back Kiku's hair, Ludwig couldn't help but feel bad. He unintentionally passed on his illness to Kiku, knowing how bad it felt to be nauseous and feverish. He petted the raven's hair absentmindedly, making sure not to disturb him from his slumber. He was trying to ease any ache that the man might be having at that moment.
Ludwig stayed like that for a while, delving in his thoughts as he once more tried to figure out what to do with his romantic feelings towards Kiku- aka, wonder if he should actually tell Kiku or just pass this all off as some silly crush. He WANTED to get the information off his chest, but felt both too shy and too fearful of rejection and distrust afterwards if rejected.
Ludwig was soon on his feet again, deciding he'd cook some for Kiku. He- as quietly as he could- put his book away and left to go figure out something that would be good and not mess with Kiku's unwell system.
A couple of hours passed, Kiku sleeping most of the day away from his fever. The rain had eased up a little and the thunder had long since left. The Asian peeked open his eyes, greeted with the warm blankets around him, the dimly lit area and the somewhat distant aroma of something good cooking. It made Kiku breath a sigh, getting used to such a calm atmosphere without hesitation. It was lovely, he just wanted to stay there forever in Ludwig's home, enjoying his presence and cooking...
Kiku paused at his own thoughts. Did he really want to stay in Ludwig's house...? Just earlier this week the man nearly sent him to the hospital after mistaking him for an intruder, and had recently busted Gilbert's lip over teasing... It was a bit hard to sort through the thoughts. He felt a bit alarmed but he did remember that Ludwig was pretty much asleep on his feet from how ill he was the past couple days, so he could let one or two mishaps slide; But... this man was his boss. If he got rejected, he could possibly get fired or worse. But... Ludwig had been so nice to him, he truly seemed like he wouldn't take it badly.
Once he felt the throb of another approaching headache, Kiku snapped his eyes shut and groaned, pressing his palm to where the pain was most to hopefully help stop it. He was contradicting himself and that was enough to put his brain in knots in his groggy state.
"Kiku?" The gentle voice roused the sick man, peeking towards the door. Ludwig stood there, half out of the room, wearing an apron and one oven mitt. Ludwig gave him a small smile, packed with a blow of sweetness that Kiku wasn't prepared for.
"Dinner's almost done, do you feel well enough to eat?" Asked the German, Kiku giving a slow nod. Ludwig left after, the raven laying on the pillow once more as he tried to deal with the aftermath; Aka, a face colored crimson, slight shaking, a tightness in his chest and an embarrassed stupor that made him see stars. He covered his face with both of his hands, feeling the heat that radiated off of him. He wasn't going to say those were the symptoms of-
Ok. He won't say out loud, but he might be feeling something for Ludwig. Something. Not anything serious. That could all just be an overreaction from how sick he was. Yeah. It had to be. Or some stupid, silly middle-school crush that would go away in a day or two.
After his stirred thoughts relaxed into peaceful silence, the Asian laying there for a bit more time before pushing himself out of the blankets. He stretched his arms, popping his shoulder blades before trotting towards the door.
Kiku flinched as a figure met him in the doorway, quickly giving him a shove to knock him a few feet back before slipping into the room themselves, shutting the door after himself. Kiku nearly tripped over his own two feet, catching himself and snapping his gaze to the intruder.
He recognized the man in an instant; Gilbert. He was starting to wonder how the man got in and out of the house so easily without Ludwig even knowing. The albino had a finger pressed to his lips as he ushered Kiku over to the bed, Kiku jerking and trying to get away.
"G-Gilbert what are you doing?!" Kiku snapped, murmuring from Gilbert giving him a 'shush'. The man sat Kiku down quickly. He started to pick at Kiku, shoving his palm to the Asian's forehead and unbuttoning his sweater some. Kiku was quick to grow flustered and shove at Gilbert, the man clinging to him.
"Quit shoving, I'm trying to help," Gilbert snapped, Kiku looking bewildered.
"W-what do you mean help?! Get your away from me!" He snapped, keeping quiet though as he didn't want to get Ludwig involved unless necessary. Gilbert pouted as he soon just pushed Kiku over a tad roughly and pinned him down, stuffing his own finger in his mouth and under his tongue.
Kiku gasped and started to thrash, kicking his legs and squirming. Gilbert took his finger back to himself and sat down on Kiku's hips, digging around in his pockets. Kiku grunted from the weight, panting from his struggles.
"G-Get off! Y-you're too heavy!" Kiku snapped, Gilbert sticking out his tongue.
"Muscle's heavier than fat, birdie~" Gilbert chimed as he soon got out a bottle. He dumped a few pills from it into his hand, taking one and holding it out to Kiku.
"Eat it or it will go down a more painful way, if west finds me in here like this I'll be in a hospital for weeks," Gilbert huffed, Kiku turning away, the busted lip on Gilbert still somewhat visible but having mostly healed.
"G-Gilbert, what are you doing!?" Kiku stammered, not liking the answer he had in mind. Gilbert snorted from his reaction, not wanting to waste time so he jammed his hand into the raven's mouth.
"Oh please, I'm not some sexual beast, I'm just here as a little home-doctor since Ludwig can't even help heal a common cold on his own," Gilbert explained, Kiku gagging as the pill was forced down his throat. The German recoiled, wiping saliva off on his pants before closing the bottle.
"H-how did you know I was sick?" Kiku gagged, throat sore and feeling nauseous once more. Gilbert patted Kiku's hair before shoving it into the pillow to get him to 'relax'.
"Luddy messaged me about it, he felt bad about spreading his germs to you," Gilbert informed, moving his hands to be on Kiku's temples, starting to massage them. His rough movements had eased enough to be soothing with this motion, Kiku slowly growing limp.
"You did not need to come," Kiku informed in a murmur, Gilbert sticking out his tongue.
"He gave you extra-strength Tylenol and expected you to get better just on that," The Albino chided. "It would've taken you a week to feel better. So, I gave you some Ibuprofen and if you sit still I'll go get you a wet cloth so you don't smother in your own heat," He continued to gently message the Asian, who was reluctant to accept all the help but it seemed it was going to be given to him without choice. So he just gave a sot nod, Gilbert smiling as he slipped off of Kiku and onto the floor, marching off to go get said cloth.
He was back in a blink of an eye, gently laying the cloth on Kiku's forehead. "I'm here for more reasons than health, birdie~" Gilbert soon chimed, still hushed, Kiku raising a brow as Gilbert sat himself down on the side of the bed near Kiku's legs, cracking his knuckles.
"So, as you and Ludwig's third wheel I suggest you attempt to be a little sweeter to him," Gilbert hummed as he tilted backwards on the bed, Kiku jolting some.
"W-What?! Third wheel!?" The Asian stammered, making the other roll his eyes.
"Don't give me that, it's more than obvious that you two are meant for each other," Gilbert huffed, laying himself down on Kiku's legs. "Two love birds, too shy to tell each other their true feelings~ Its making me barf," Gilbert cooed before giggling, Kiku gawking in embarrassment.
"T-That's not how it is," The Asian tried to sputter, earning a hush from Gilbert as the German got cozy.
"Ludwig's has had the hots for you ever since he beat you up in earlier this week," Reassured Gilbert, making the other frown. "I'm more than sure you like him, too,"
"W-Well..." Kiku muttered in embarrassment, Gilbert grinning and rolling onto his stomach.
"Weeellll?"
"...I-I like him a little! I'm not going to risk my job over a crush, though," Kiku snapped, Gilbert snickering happily.
"See! I knew it, and you're not going to be risking your job, you just have to approach him right," The German reassured, giving Kiku a pat before climbing up to sit near the raven's top half.
"Now, listen here, I've got some advice," Gilbert purred as he leaned down, starting to whisper to Kiku. The Asian listened, growing more and more red-faced at Gilbert's suggestions.
Soon enough, Gilbert pulled away and slipped off onto the floor, tossing the bottle of Ibuprofen onto Kiku's chest. "Use these in six hours if the pain comes back," He explained as he trotted over to the window. "I have to hit the road, Ludwig's probably wondering where you're at,"
Kiku sat up, taking the cloth off. He jolted as he realized what Gilbert was up to. "D-Don't go through the window, we're on the second floor,"
Gilbert shrugged, opening the window up. "I'll live~" he chirped, slipping outside. Kiku bolted to his feet to stop the man but the German was gone before he could get there, sliding down the side of the house and landing in the bushes below. He slipped out of them, brushing the slush and snow off of him rain starting to dampen his clothes. He just trudge off to go get in his car, Kiku hesitantly closing the window.
He took a deep breath, nervousness making his body tremor a tiny bit. He came back over to the bedside, taking a seat, thinking over what he was told.
Well, time to give it a shot.