The wind howled against the windows as the snow began to pile up outside the house. Ice was frozen to the outside of the glass as the winter air dropped to below 0 degrees Celsius. Merlin tried to ignore the sick feeling that was rolling in his stomach but it was becoming increasingly more difficult. Arthur pushed the door open hesitantly, just in case his partner was a sleep. The Warlock flopped back on his uncomfortable pillow on seeing Arthur.
"I'm cold." His teeth clattered together noisily.
"I know, Merlin. I know." Arthur pushed the blanket tighter around his partner's small frame.
"I hate being sick." Merlin rasped out. His sore throat felt as though nails had been scratching along the inside of his neck. He swallows but winced as it burned.
"It's horrible."
Merlin snuggled further down into the heat under the blanket with a tired yawn. As he moved his stomach lurched making the tall man grimace. Erch, I hate being ill. Stupid flu.
Arthur moved forward and sat down on the edge of their double bed with care not to jolt the sick man. He smoothed a cool hand over Merlin's over heated forehead. The Warlock's dark hair was stuck to his skin with the sweat that dripped from his hairline. He breathed out a sigh as his partner comforted him. It dawned on the older man that he very rarely had to care for Merlin; it was usually the other way around.
"Perhaps you should get some sleep?" The blonde asked gently.
The taller man tucked himself deeper in the cocoon of blankets and released a non-committal groan. Arthur watched his boyfriend for a few moments when he thought that he had fallen asleep before moving to get up. Quick as lighting, Merlin's cold hand shot out to grab his forearm and stop him leaving. His dark puppy dog eyes made the elder smile down at the Warlock sympathetically.
"Please stay." His voice was hoarse but quiet like a small child.
Arthur settled back down next to his partner to allow the sick man to sleep, "Of course, Merlin."
The Warlock let a small smile grow on his lips before his eyelids fell closed and he became unconscious. Within minutes of him falling asleep, small snores were breaking up from his throat as he breathed. His thin chest rose and fell in time with his shallow breaths.
The former King lent forward and placed a soft kiss on Merlin's head as his fingers brushed the smooth skin on the ill man's cheek. Arthur shuffled down until he was lying flat on his back then curled onto his side so he was leaning close to his partner. He released a soft sigh before allowing himself to slowly drift off to sleep beside his patient.
He just hoped that Merlin would be better soon.
