Fever and Questions - Aki

Aki was woken up by a calm melody. Where was she? Everything smelled like sugar. Was that Ryo, playing guitar by her side?

She opened her eyes, slowly. It was him, and he didn’t notice her. He seemed so deep in thought and lost in the music at the same time. Her body instinctively curled up against the fish plushie. When did that get out here?

The more she thought about it, she didn’t actually remember how she got home. What had happened? She had met Rika, Kumi and Yoshino for lunch, but that was the last thing she remembered.

And, somehow, it didn’t matter. The melody from Ryo’s guitar warmed her whole body. The way he focused on it only made everything feel peaceful. She felt her lips form into a smile. Why did he seem so perfect?

“You’re awake?” He put the guitar away and moved closer. “How do you feel?” The warmth of his hand wasn’t as warm as she had expected. Was he cold? “Damn! You’re hot!”

Hear spread through her whole body. Did he really think that? But why did he say that now? She buried her head in the plushie. He shouldn’t say such things. It only made her get her hopes up.

“Here.”

When she looked up, he offered her a bottle of electrolytes and a pill. Her eyes moved towards his. Why did he look so worried?

She looked back at the yellow pill. It looked like the fever reducers Kumi had gotten her when she was sick a few months ago.

She grabbed the bottle from him, popped the pill into his mouth and tried to hide behind it. He had meant that she had a fever. Hot as in her body temperature was elevated, not hot as in attractive.

Both the embarrassment and the disappointment was hidden behind that bottle. At least she hoped so. She didn’t want him to see through her.

“How do you feel?” The worry in his voice had faded slightly after she took the pill, but it was still there.

She took another sip of the drink. How did she feel? Besides stupid? “Kind of mushy.” It was the best way to describe it. Even the, now empty, bottle in her hands felt a bit heavy, and her brain was foggy.

At least she could realize that she wasn’t thinking straight. That was always something.

“With that fever, I can imagine.” His eyes fell on the bottle in her hands. “Do you want me to get some water for you?” The couch shifted beneath her when he stood up.

“No.” Before she knew it, her hand held his shirt tightly. She didn’t want him to leave, not even if it was just to the kitchen.

“I’m sorry.” She let go. What was she doing? They only lived together, they weren’t dating or something. No matter how many times she caught herself wishing they were.

“No, no.” He took the bottle from her, and put it down on the table, before he sat back down. “Staying on the couch is way less work for me.” He chuckled. “What do you want me to do?”

She crawled a little closer before she leaned onto him. “Can I stay like this for a while?” His smell found the way into her senses, even more with her head on his shoulder. She could be a little selfish, right? At least until she felt better.

He chuckled a little more while he adjusted them both into a more comfortable position. All he did was move his arm to be around her, instead of crushed between them. But to her, it felt like he shook them both around before he settled. But the cool touch coming from both sides of her, made it worth it.

“Don’t leave this guy out.” He reached over and pulled the fish plushie closer to them. “I think he’ll be jealous if I get all comfy in front of him.”

She buried her head further into his shoulder. “He’ll have to get used to it.” She knew she should feel embarrassed by that statement, but she didn’t have the energy to.

Ryo chuckled and she felt his hand stroking her hair. It was comforting in a way she couldn’t explain. “Does that mean that I should also get used to this?”

Yes! Absolutely!
“Maybe.” She curled up closer. “Unless you don’t want to.” She wanted this. She wanted his arms around her. And she wanted him to want it too.

“Is that a trick question?” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Of course I don’t want you to be sick like this.” His fingers felt soft as they grazed her skin. “But I can’t say that I mind this.” He leaned his head against hers.

“Will you stay here?” Her eyes felt heavier. “With me, I mean?” She decided to close them. She didn’t need to see him to know he was there. And she could face the consequences of her question another day. Right now she enjoyed the sweet smell and his cold touch too much.

“For as long as you want me to.” His voice faded further away, but she felt a warmness spreading through her. And it wasn’t the fever. He would stay. He wouldn’t go anywhere.

She still felt his hand, gently stroking her hair. Was this what it felt like to be safe with someone? She could get used to this.

Had she ever felt this before? This comforting safety? She trusted him when he said he wouldn’t leave. Not a single cell in her body doubted him.

As she drifted back to sleep, everything felt soft and fluffy. Like a cozy blanket on a cold day. And despite not thinking straight, she knew that there wouldn’t be anything but pleasant dreams this time.

Never once did the thought hit her that someone must have carried her home. And the idea that they might return was even further from her mind.