- Long time no see, folks. It has been a while since I've updated or written anything on here. Why? The simple answer is that I've been very busy, mostly due to work. Spare time isn't easy to come by anymore.
- Now it isn't like I haven't been writing. For the last year or so, I've been trying out new ideas and even attempted to do some crossovers...which admittedly isn't my strong suit. Most of them were okay at first but then I started to doubt some of the parts and whether or not they'll actually work.
- I was surprised by how many people kept asking for me to update but I appreciate it nonetheless. Be warned...my writing ability is pitifully low right now. It has been a long time.
Enjoy.
...
"Achoo!"
The Queen of Symkaria woke up with a violent sneeze and she sleepily reached over for a tissue to blow her nose. Horrible was the only way to describe how the monarch was feeling at the moment. Her body felt drained of all strength and her limbs hurt whenever she tried to move them. The worst of it was her head, which felt heavy as it pulsed with pain from the inside.
Sable struggled to sit upright before she placed her hand on her forehead to check the temperature. Her head was hot to the touch...making her sigh out of annoyance. It was clear she had a fever and a mildly serious one at that too. Fortunately for her, there wasn't much work to be done and Sable was about to call for Aurelie or Sofia for help.
...Only to remember it was their day off today. She would've asked for Hope or Anya but they weren't here either. Peter was out assisting the Avengers, which meant she was on her own.
Her stomach was growling with hunger but as much as Sable wanted to fix herself up something to eat, she knew it would be best to just go back to bed. It was already hard enough to just sit up...walking to the kitchen in her condition might possibly end in a accident.
"Damn." She cursed in her mother tongue. "I'll just have to rest till this fever goes away."
The Queen did her best to fall asleep again. Her growling stomach wasn't making it easy though and she tried to ignore the hunger.
"Man, it's cold outside."
The unexpected voice made Sable lift her head...and her lips warmly smiled when she saw her beloved Peter coming in from the window.
He quickly closed it so the chill wouldn't flow into the room. "Good morning. I hope I didn't wake you up."
She shook her head. "How did your mission go?"
"We won...though I'm not sure why they keep asking me to go with them. All I did was beat up some Hydra agents with Bobbi."
"Don't sell yourself short, my love." Sable reassured before she started to cough, irritating her sore throat.
Peter rushed over with a worried look on his face. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. My throat's just a little dry."
"You'll forgive me if I don't believe that." He frowned as his hand checked her temperature. "I knew it...a fever and judging from your growling stomach, I'm guessing you haven't eaten anything yet either."
"I'll be fine. This isn't the first time I've been s-"
Whatever she was going to say couldn't be finished as Peter picked up Sable in his arms and gently held her in a manner befitting a princess.
"I know but better safe than sorry." Her boyfriend said. "I'll make something for you to eat while you rest on the couch in the living room. The fireplace there should help to warm you up a little better than here."
Sable buried her head into the crook of Peter's neck. "...I'm sorry. you should be resting after having just returned from your battle."
"It's okay. Taking care of you is more important."
Her lips twitched upwards into a smile. "...You truly do spoil me, you know that?"
Peter chuckled as they entered the living area. "As your boyfriend, that is my job."
He set her down gently on the couch and grabbed a warm blanket. Placing the blanket over her, their eyes met as she nodded in thanks with a beautiful smile.
Peter caressed her face before he made his way to the kitchen and checked all the cupboards for the ingredients he needed. As easy as it would've been to just give her some medicine, pills like Advil or Tylenol would only alleviate Sable's fever for a few hours at best. He would fix up something more simple and tasteful to help put away her fever instead. Throwing the right amount of each ingredient into a pot of hot water, he waited a moment for everything to boil to a certain heat before mixing it all together.
Sable had dozed off for a few minutes when Peter gently nudged her shoulder.
"What's that?" She asked, looking at the tray he was carrying.
He picked up one of two cups. Even with her stuffed nose, she could still smell a faint scent of something sweet.
"Herbal tea." Peter explained. "Trust me...it's a lot more effective in not only relieving your fever but also getting rid of it faster than the typical pills."
Sable moved her aching arms to hold the cup, only to stop when her beloved shook his head.
"I'll hold it for you. Make sure you drink it all."
She took a sip as he lifted the cup to her mouth. The taste that met her tongue made the Queen cringe before she quickly pulled away.
"It's bitter."
He shrugged. "Most good medicine is bitter. Finish the rest...this one will help soothe your sore throat."
"...Do I have to?" Sable pouted.
"Do you wanna get better or not?"
The Queen reluctantly obeyed and drank the rest of the tea without complaint. Soon as she finished the first cup, Peter brought the second over.
"It will help with your congestion. Don't worry, this tastes better than the first."
She obliged, drinking the second cup of tea...smiling out of relief at the sweet honeyed flavour that touched her tongue this time. This one was much easier to drink and it didn't take long to finish all of the medicinal drink.
He placed everything back on the tray and got to his feet. "Alright, get some sleep. I'll make something to eat and let you know when it's ready."
Sable laid her head down and closed her eyes. Her beloved waited till she finally fell asleep before he returned to the kitchen.
'Let's see now...what should I cook?'
Anything fried was out of the question. Tasty as it might be, he knew eating fried foods would only make Sable's fever worse. Spicy dishes weren't an option either...he had no desire to risk making her congestion more serious than it already was.
Eventually, Peter decided to make a classic dish mixed with something he found to be tasty and soothing whenever he was sick.
...
Sable stirred awake from her nap. The first thing she noticed was how the pain in her limbs had dulled to minor aches. Her throat felt much more at ease and it wasn't as difficult to breathe through her nose anymore.
The Queen looked towards the kitchen and saw her beloved returning with another tray...while wearing an apron over his costume. The odd combination of clothing on her beloved was a very funny sight and she couldn't help but giggle at the adorableness of such an image.
"Looks like I finished just in time. How are you feeling?"
"Much better now, thanks to you." Sable said, still admiring at how cute Peter looked. "What did you make?"
"My own variation of chicken noodle soup. Whenever I'm not feeling well, I always make it with buckwheat or chow mein noodles."
The Queen couldn't wait to try out Peter's cooking as she took the bowl. He tried to take it back but stopped when she held up her hand.
"You need to eat too, Peter. I'll be okay."
Her beloved nodded after a moment's hesitation. Sable took her first bite...and was almost overwhelmed by the rich savoury flavour of both the soup and noodles.
"You like it?" He asked.
"Indeed. This is very delicious." The Queen praised with a grin. "You must make this again sometime...and not just when we're sick either."
Peter chuckled as Sable eagerly devoured her food. It did his heart good to see her enjoy his cooking so much.
He was the first to finish eating and she followed just a moment after. Peter placed the two empty bowls onto the tray before he handed her another cup.
The slight frown on her face made him chuckle again. "Don't worry, it's not bitter. Drink it all...it will help with your headache."
It was warm but not too hot, allowing her to finish the tea in one shot. Peter cleaned up everything and set the dishes in the dishwasher before he made his way back to Sable.
"You should cook more often. Your culinary skills are a lot better than you give yourself credit for."
"Maybe but my cooking pales in comparison to Sofia's. You should go back to sleep...your fever will still take a while to subside."
"You need your rest too." Sable pointed out before she patted the space next to her. "...I always sleep better when you're by my side."
Her beloved smiled and removed his apron, shirt, and gloves before he laid down beside her on the couch. Sable snuggled her head on Peter's chest, savouring the comfortable warmth his muscular body provided.
"Thank you for taking such good care of me." She whispered as her eyes closed.
Peter pecked a gentle kiss on Sable's forehead. "You're always taking care of me...it's only fair I do the same for you."
...
- The idea was easy to think of but writing it out was a more difficult matter. Nevertheless, I did my best. Whether or not it's good is something I'll leave to the readers...but I certainly hope so.