Preface: After my character's initial debut in Sailor Moon Defenders, I tried finding out how I can expand the character's growth a bit more. It took a couple of years, but eventually, I ended up coming up with this story.
For context: This story coincides with the Defenders of the Earth series. Inspired by Marzena's story "Defenders of the Earth: This is Their Story", I created these chapters which would be set during certain points of the series, and the Defenders will be making at least one appearance during the story, hence the crossover.
Disclaimer: See Chapter One!
Plot: (Episode: set during "Avenging Angel") Richie is sick with the flu and Tori takes care of him, while Mac and Tessa take care of an issue.
Care and Comfort
It had been ages since he had been sick. Richie hated being sick with a burning passion. He groaned loudly as he managed to get himself out of the covers after Tessa tucked him in with the covers to keep him warm. He felt like his head was spinning, and he was sweating profusely. The pajamas he was wearing wasn't helping any better. He was disappointed when he had to sit out the next mission with Duncan MacLeod because of him having the flu.
He threw back the covers and began to take off the pajama top he was wearing.
"Don't you dare!" Tori barked as she walked into the room, "Tessa said for you to stay in bed!"
Richie sighed, annoyed as she placed a bowl of chicken soup on the table.
"I'm baking alive in here, Tor," Richie replied, annoyed, "and these pajamas are not exactly what I'd prefer to wear."
"Oh, Rich," Tori chuckled, "it'll be okay. Mac and Tessa said you have to stay in bed until you get past the flu."
"I hate getting sick," Richie plopped back in the bed, "I could be out there helping Mac and Tess with whatever immortal is out there."
Tori sighed, "I agree with your feelings there. I want to help them too, but Mac gave me orders to take the day off from helping him until you got better."
Richie suddenly felt queasy again, "Great, not again."
He leaned towards the waste basket and started vomiting again. Tori ended up comforting him after he was finished throwing up. Richie layed back down on the bed and she stroke his back, comforting him. Tori looked at her friend to see Richie pale from the sickness and he was sweating at an unnatural rate.
"My God, Richie," Tori stated, "you look awful. You need to eat if you want to get better."
"You think I don't want to?" Richie asked, "I tried eating these snacks, but end up throwing it back up."
He wasn't wrong there. Ever since he had been sick, Richie had been throwing up everything he had ate. Tori sighed as she walked over to him with the pajama top in her hand.
"I know how you feel, Richie," Tori comforted her friend, "but Tessa said you have to keep warm as you had the flu. Wearing your pajamas and being bundled under the covers will help you feel better faster."
"How do you know?" Richie asked.
"Trust me," Tori answered, "my aunt had done that to me when I was sick growing up, and the methods worked perfectly."
Richie groaned as he got the pajama top back on him.
"See?" Tori soothed him, "it'll be okay. I'll make sure you get through this sickness just fine."
She watched as Richie managed to eat the soup that was on the table and took a sip of water that was also provided. Tori was watching as Richie was eating the satisfying warm soup and drinking the cool water, comforting him. Noticing how Tori was watching over him, Richie glanced at her.
"Do you really need to stand over me?" Richie asked, "I can eat by myself, and I can take care of myself."
"I know you can," Tori answered, "but the sooner you get feeling better, the sooner we can get back to our lives."
"Boy, I look forward to that," Richie smirked.
"I know," Tori smoothed him again, "Can I get you anything?"
"No thanks," Richie nodded before laying back down under the blankets, "If I was a horse, I'd be put out of my misery right now."
"Oh hush, you big baby," Tori leaned and kissed Richie's head.
"Do you think you should be doing that?" Richie asked.
"I'll be fine," Tori answered, "I know the risks if I get sick by you."
They both chuckled before Richie slowly started to fall asleep after finishing his soup and water.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Richie felt better from Tori's sweating it out plan after a couple of days enduring the flu. He was glad he listened to Tori, as well as Tessa. Mac as well. The only feeling he had in his stomach was hunger. He went to look for Tori.
He looked to see Tori holding her hair as she had finished throwing up.
"Are you okay?" Richie asked.
"I'll be fine," Tori nodded, "just caught the flu."
Richie sighed sadly, knowing how and why she got sick in the first place, "I'm so sorry, Tor. I never meant to get you sick."
"It's all right, silly," Tori smiled, "I knew the risks and I wanted you to feel better. You feel better, right?"
"Yeah," Richie nodded before replying, "yeah. Thanks to you, I got better and got past the flu. Your aunt came up with a stellar way to overcome the flu."
Tori smiled, "Well, you're better and that's what matters."
She got under the covers to work on overcoming the flu herself.
Richie sighed, "Well, why don't I take care of you, and make you feel better like you done with me? It's the least I can do."
Author's Note: Sorry for this chapter being shorter than normal, especially the last chapter, which was packed. The next chapters is going to focus on the arrival of the Hunters, as well as the Watchers, and the introduction of Joe Dawson, also known as, the end of season 1 and the start of season 2. I am looking forward to getting this going. Until then, catch you on the flip side!