This is for all the people who think I've not been putting enough fluff in recently. Here you go – a whole chapter of fluff!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or titles mentioned in this fic.
Chapter 27 – Sick
Ryou groaned as he awakened one Saturday morning. He then sat up as a violent coughing fit racked his body. He nearly gagged on the phlegm that tried to make its way up his throat. Breathing deeply as the fit ended, Ryou leaned forward and rested his head on his knees.
Bakura, hearing the horrible noises made by his lover, was also awakened. He sat up groaning and rubbing his eyes. Noticing Ryou's hunched figure, he soothingly ran his hand up and down the boy's back. Ryou sighed before breaking into another coughing fit.
He'd known this was coming. The day before his throat had been irritated and he'd felt more tired than usual. Those were the symptoms of his now full-blown cold. Ryou's eyes slid shut in despair. He then sneezed. Wonderful, he had a stuffy nose as well.
Bakura looked at Ryou worriedly. "You alright?"
"I think I've got a cold," Ryou said before coughing lightly.
"Oh," was Bakura's smart reply.
Ryou shuffled over to Bakura and let his head rest on the other's shoulder. Bakura smiled softly, his arm slipping around Ryou's waist making Ryou smile sleepily. "I'm tired," Ryou mumbled sleepily.
"You should go back to sleep then," Bakura replied gently.
Ryou shook his head. "I promised the others I'd play a role-playing game with them this morning."
"Ryou, if you're sick I'm sure they'll understand."
"But-"
"No buts. You are going to stay in bed and get some rest," Bakura ordered, gently but forcefully pushing Ryou onto his back. "You stay here and I'll bring you some breakfast. Then we can spend the rest of the day cuddling."
Ryou smiled, his eyes slipping shut. "I'd like that." A violent cough forced him to sit up. "Could you also get me some more pillows? And tissues and medicine?"
"No problem," Bakura replied as he propped Ryou up with his own pillows. He then leaned down and pressed a kiss to Ryou's forehead. "I won't be long."
Ryou mumbled something unintelligible as he snuggled into the pillows. Bakura smiled at the adorable scene, wishing he had a camera to record the moment. He didn't though so he got up and quickly dressed. When he exited the room, Bakura found that the others were all sitting in the common room.
"Where's Ryou?" asked Jou.
"Ryou's not feel well so I told him to stay in bed," replied Bakura.
"Oh dear, that doesn't sound good," said Yugi, a look of concern spreading over his face.
Marik grinned over at Bakura. "You sound like a concerned mother. I bet you told him to have plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids."
After giving Marik the finger Bakura asked, "Anyone know where I can find pillows?"
"There's some in the store cupboard over there," Malik said, pointing over to a cleverly disguised door that was masquerading as part of the wall.
Bakura walked over to the cupboard and selected a few pillows. He took the chosen pillows and placed them outside his room, intending to give them to Ryou when he got back from breakfast. Turning back around he asked, "Anyone got any tissues or medicine?"
"I've got both," Seto said as he left the room. He returned a minute later with both items. He raised an eyebrow at the curious stares he received. "What? I like to be prepared." He chucked the items over to Bakura. "That's why I'm not going near you or your germ infested boyfriend."
"Gees Seto, you really know how to make someone feel loved," Jou said sarcastically.
Seto glared at him but Jou was used to it by now. Bakura placed the items with the pillows and headed down to breakfast. "Later losers!" he called over his shoulder.
Just as Bakura walked through the portrait hole, he heard Marik shout something after him. "Going to try on your nurse outfit?"
At first Bakura was insulted. Him? A nurse? But then the idea started to seem appealing. Only, he wouldn't be the one in the nurse outfit. It might be worth getting sick just to get little Ryou give him a sponge bath. Dirty thoughts, dirty thoughts.
An hour later Bakura was back in the common room. He gathered up the things for Ryou and quietly slipped into the room. Ryou was sleeping soundly so Bakura was forced to work silently. He placed the food and drink he had brought from breakfast on Ryou's bedside table, along with the medicine and tissues. The pillows he placed on his own side of the bed since it seemed that Ryou had claimed Bakura's for himself. After that Bakura was at a loss for what to do. He could go annoy the others until Ryou woke up or he could stay with Ryou and…read?
Ryou had bought Bakura some books for Christmas that he had yet to pick up. He'd read the first one and hadn't been impressed. The kids in 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' thought their lives were bad but it was nothing compared to what he'd been through. He'd had to watch everyone he knew and cared about be slaughtered by soldiers. He'd had to grow up on the streets as a thief. He'd grown up alone – he'd not had siblings to help him through his grief. Okay, nobody had ever tried to marry him for his money, but still. Those kids were so melodramatic. That was why Bakura was reluctant to read 'Artemis Fowl' even though it was about a criminal mastermind like himself. The fairies also put him off.
As Bakura considered his options, Ryou woke up with a groan. Bakura walked over as the boy coughed lightly. Ryou offered a smile, which Bakura returned. "I got you the things you asked for," Bakura informed the other.
"Thank you," Ryou said before he reached into the box of tissues. He removed one and used it to blow his nose noisily.
"I also brought you some breakfast," Bakura added as he unwrapped the toast, placing it gently in Ryou's lap. He then uncapped the top of the hipflask with pumpkin juice inside. Picking up the medicine, he offered both to Ryou. Ryou accepted the offer and swallowed two tablets before moving on to the toast.
While Ryou ate his breakfast Bakura slipped out of his shoes. Walking over to the other side of the bed, he eased himself under the covers, scooting closer to Ryou so that he could put an arm around the boy's shoulders. Ryou smiled up at him as he nibbled on the toast. He paused before taking another bite to say, "I really appreciate this 'Kura," in a strained voice. It was easy to tell that his nose was blocked and his throat was sore.
Bakura grinned devilishly. "I'll do anything as long as you return the favour in a nurse outfit."
Ryou suddenly choked on his toast. He leaned forward coughing violently. The grin dropped from Bakura's face and he immediately began to hit Ryou's back. Ryou leaned over and grabbed a tissue. He held it to his face as he emitted a horrible noise that made Bakura grimace. When he moved the tissue away from his mouth it held what looked like chewed food as well as phlegm. Bakura decided it was best not to comment as Ryou gulped down pumpkin juice. Instead, the yami soothingly rubbed Ryou's bent back.
When Ryou was calm again he turned to face Bakura. "Please don't say stuff like that when I'm eating," he croaked.
"I promise not to do it again."
Ryou nodded and carefully started eating again. They sat in silence until Ryou was finished. He took a final gulp of juice before setting the breakfast things on the table. He sat still for a moment before drawing back the bedcovers.
Bakura frowned. "Where are you going?"
"Bathroom."
Bakura accepted that answer and let the boy walk out of the room. As Ryou exited the room he noticed the others playing games. Yugi looked up and smiled at him. "Hey Ryou, how are you feeling?"
Ryou rubbed his neck to indicate a sore throat. He couldn't be bothered to talk unless it was necessary. Talking to Bakura was necessary because if he didn't actually tell him what he wanted to happen then there was a possibility of Bakura misinterpreting what he was trying to say on purpose. Wasn't it wonderful having a reliable boyfriend?
Yugi nodded sympathetically. "I hope you feel better soon."
Ryou smiled back and nodded before making a quick dash to the bathroom. His bladder was sending him an urgent message that he couldn't ignore. As soon as business was done he returned to his room. The others didn't bother looking up as he walked by but he didn't really care. Socializing was a pain when all you wanted to do was either sleep or settle down with a good book.
As soon as Ryou had slipped back into bed Bakura's arm had positioned itself around his waist. Ryou snuggled into Bakura's chest, smiling as Bakura buried his nose in Ryou's hair.
Suddenly, Ryou's nose started to itch. As he sneezed Ryou jerked back, effectively setting up a collision between his head and Bakura's nose. Bakura cried out in pain while Ryou reached over for a tissue. He blew his nose before whispering, "Sorry."
"If you were anybody else you would be so dead by now," Bakura muttered as he rubbed his sore nose.
Ryou smiled angelically at him. He then got up and started searching the room for something. Bakura watched curiously as he returned to bed with two books. Ryou moved back into Bakura's arms before going, "'Kura, will you read to me?"
"Can't we make-out instead?"
"I have a blocked nose – I wouldn't be able to breathe if we did that."
Bakura sighed wearily. "Fine, I'll read to you. What book is it?" Ryou passed him the book. "Artemis Fowl? This is the book you got me for Christmas."
"Well, I like the story and you need to read it. It's always best when you kill two birds with one stone."
Bakura reluctantly opened the book at the first page. As he read, Bakura found himself becoming quite engrossed by the story. Ryou, on the other hand, found himself becoming tired and was out like a light by chapter four.
It took awhile for Bakura to notice that his light had fallen asleep. When he did he slipped the bookmark Ryou made him use between the pages of the book. He shifted Ryou into a more comfortable position then sat back and watched the boy sleep. Ryou was very pretty when he was asleep. He was the picture of serenity. The way his silk-like hair splayed across the pillows captivated Bakura. He couldn't help reaching out and toying with the strands. Ryou's parted lips were so inviting but Bakura was able to restrain himself from leaning in and capturing them. It was a real shame he couldn't though.
The situation reminded Bakura of just before he and Ryou got together. Back then he also used to secretly watch Ryou sleep. The first time he had stormed into the room demanding food. He's stopped his tirade only when he noticed Ryou wasn't able to hear him. He had been enchanted by the way Ryou's pale skin had contrasted against the darkness of the room. Seeing Ryou so peaceful had somehow calmed Bakura. All he'd been able to do was stare wordlessly at his little hikari.
After that Bakura had made infrequent visits to Ryou's room at night. He never knew why he did it; only that he was drawn to Ryou in someway when he was like that. Then, when they'd finally gotten together, Bakura had no longer needed to sneak into Ryou's room to see him sleep. He'd been able to share a bed with the boy and observe him up close without having to worry about disturbing him. It had been a wonderful experience.
Bakura yawned. Watching Ryou sleep was making him tired. As carefully as he could Bakura moved Ryou forward and slipped behind the boy. He then pulled Ryou back so that his head was resting on Bakura's chest. Ryou protested in his sleep but quietened when Bakura securely locked his arms around the teen's waist. Ryou seemed to like this and nuzzled his head appreciatively against Bakura's chest. Bakura chuckled and closed his eyes; yawning one last time before allowing himself to drift off into the throws of sleep.
Ryou woke up to the sound of growling. It wasn't a wild beast growling though. It wasn't a sound one made with their throat. It was a sound one made with their stomach.
Ryou twisted round to see Bakura watching him. "Is that your stomach or mine?" Ryou asked with a smile.
"Both I think. It is lunchtime after all," Bakura replied with much the same smile.
"It is?" Ryou looked at the bedside clock in surprise. "We slept that long?"
"You slept that long. I've been sitting here pretending to be your pillow for hours," Bakura grouched.
"Don't pretend you don't like cuddling," Ryou said as he reached for a tissue to blow his nose.
"This isn't cuddling. This is you using me as a pillow," Bakura protested.
Ryou shook his head. He felt refreshed after his sleep but still didn't feel up to arguing endlessly with Bakura. "Whatever you say Bakura," he said as he drew back the covers.
Bakura frowned. "Where do you think you're going?"
Ryou turned around and simply said, "Lunch – I'm hungry."
"I can always get it for you."
"Bakura, you're starting to mother me."
"Only because I want you to get well as fast as possible so we can have hot, rabid sex."
Ryou sighed in exasperation. "Is that all you think about?"
"That and food and sleep," Bakura said as he nuzzled Ryou's shoulder.
"You're like a dog – you lead a very simple existence."
"Just for that I'm going to tickle you."
Ryou cried out in surprise as Bakura reached under his shirt, deft fingers moving across the sensitive skin. Bakura grinned evilly as Ryou wriggled like an eel, trying to escape his tickle torture.
Eventually Bakura's hands stilled. Ryou sat still, trying to regain his breath while laughing and coughing. Bakura let one hand glide through Ryou's silky locks while the other glided over the smooth skin of Ryou's stomach. Ryou smiled as his eyes slipped shut. "You're evil," he whispered.
"I know," Bakura whispered back. "You still love me anyway."
Ryou coughed. "Only because you're so persistent."
Bakura's ministrations slowly reduced in speed until his hands were completely still. "Let's go to lunch," he said softly, right before his stomach gurgled impatiently.
Ryou chuckled softly. "Let's." Once they had dragged themselves out of bed and gotten ready, they walked hand in hand down the stairs towards the Great Hall.
I hope that was cute enough for you. Please Review!
