As always, I don't own SNK or any of it's characters!

Armin could feel the sickness coming. For the past few days his nose had been runny and he had been coughing too much for comfort. Still, he hadn't thought it bad enough to cancel his lunch date with Jean. His boyfriend went to pick him up to his house and drove them to their favorite restaurant. They were chatting all the way there like always, maybe Armin had a bit of a headache and he felt pressure behind his eyes but it wasn't something that couldn't be ignored.

Everything changed when they walked into the restaurant. Armin suddenly felt extremely cold, colder than he had ever felt in his entire life. As they sat down at a table, the blonde looked at the taller boy.

"Aren't you cold?" Jean frowned.

"Not really. It's actually kind of hot." The brunette gave him a concerned look and Armin decided to drop the subject.

Armin could hardily focus on Jean as the boy talked. The blonde couldn't stand the cold. He felt like crying. He would have been desperate enough to beg any stranger for their sweater but no one had one. Did they actually think it was hot? They must be crazy!

Armin didn't want to eat anything but Jean insisted that he should at least get some soup. The blonde gave in and ordered that. He tried to listen to what Jean was saying but he really could think of nothing but the cold. He mentally begged the cook to hurry; he was desperate to leave that frozen place. It felt like years until the food got there. When it did, Armin found himself incapable of eating. Jean looked worried now.

"You really need to eat something. Are you still cold?" Armin nodded weakly. Jean frowned.

"Maybe you're getting sick."

"Maybe." Armin suppressed a shiver. On Jean's insistence he forced himself to eat, and managed to get 7 spoonfuls of soup down his throat. Jean kept looking at him with concern but Armin hardily noticed.

The blonde thought he heard angels sing when the waiter brought the check. They paid for their food and began to head out. The moment Armin crossed the door he took a deep breath and basked in the warmth. His happiness was short-lived.

He suddenly didn't feel very well. He made his way to a big potted plant and threw up on the dirt. So much for the 7 spoonfuls.

He thought he heard Jean call his name but everything sounded distant, as if someone was covering his ears. The corners of his vision were dark and he suddenly felt like he was watching everything through a television, not like he was living any of it.

He finished throwing up and lifted his head. Jean was there, holding him and talking to him but Armin couldn't hear him. The blonde felt very tired. His head began to fall forward onto his chest, but Jean shook him. Armin didn't understand why Jean was doing that. He just wanted to rest his head… Jean shook him again with more urgency. He was still talking. Armin watched his face without really seeing.

A while later, things began to clear up. Sound came back and the dark edges in his vision went away. Armin blinked and looked at Jean. Something must have changed in his demeanor because the taller boy sighed in something akin to relief.

"Do you want some water?" Was the first thing Armin understood. The blonde nodded. Jean gave him one last worried glance before leaving him for a moment and going into the restaurant to ask for a glass. Armin took a deep breath. He felt much better now. Perfect in fact. He was sure Jean would want to take him to the doctor or something but all he wanted was to go home. He looked over at the dirt where he had just thrown up on but it had already absorbed the liquid so there was, thankfully, no evidence left.

Jean came back from the restaurant and handed him the water. Armin drank greedily just realizing how much his throat hurt. He thanked Jean who took the glass back inside. He walked out and bent before Armin.

"How do you feel?" He asked cupping the boy's cheek with his hand. Armin leaned against the cool touch.

"I feel perfectly fine. Really. We can go home now." Jean scowled and stood up.

"Home? Are you kidding? We're going to the hospital." Armin sighed knowing there was nothing he could say to change his boyfriend's mind. Jean took his hand and they walked towards the car. Jean kept glancing at him like he was afraid Armin was going to drop dead or something.

"I really am fine, Jean."

"Tsk." They got into the car. There was silence for a while but it was broken by Jean. "Were you feeling bad before? Why didn't you tell me?" Armin didn't know what to say.

"I didn't know I was that sick."

"That sick? You almost passed out in my arms! Damn it, Armin! Do you have any idea how scared I was?" Jean's hands were shaking as they held the steering wheel. Armin frowned. He wouldn't have passed out. He just wanted to rest his head…

There was more silence. Armin sighed.

"I'm sorry." Jean shook his head.

"It's not your fault. I just got really scared. I don't want anything to happen to you. If you ever feel bad in any way, please tell me." He suddenly turned to look at Armin. "Promise me that you'll tell me." The blonde looked at him and gave him a weak smile.

"I promise."

At the hospital the doctor took Armin's temperature. He nodded.

"He needs an injection immediately to lower that fever; it is very high. I will give him other medications as well." Armin was kind of terrified of needles, but Jean held his hand and talked to him so he could think of something else. As Jean drove him to the pharmacy, Armin kissed his cheek.

"Thank you for taking care of me."

"Always."