No. 26 COMFORT (Alt. 8)

@whumptober2021

@whumptober-archive

It was flu season, and despite vaccinations and precautions, Harrison had managed to catch it. Work was bad enough with pressures, but after a few days struggling through, he had to give in and rest. Fao’s place was the natural decision, and it allowed his boyfriend to look after him too.

Fao was only too happy to look after Harrison. He’d helped him out when he’d been ill not long ago, and he was just glad that his boyfriend had admitted he needed time to rest. He welcomed him inside, shepherding him into the warm.

“Hey, tomcat.”

Harrison pouted. “Bed?”

“Yeah, bed. I’m gonna make soup.”

He gave his boyfriend a grateful smile. “Thanks.”

“And hot chocolate, if you want it. Go on up, I’ll be up in a minute. Arrow’s waiting to keep you company.”

“Thank you.” He called back downstairs, voice rough.

“Anything for you, Tomcat.” Fao replied, heading into the kitchen whilst his boyfriend got settled. He started the soup off, leaving it to simmer away for a few hours, and then made a hot chocolate to bring up. It always made him feel better, and it was the least he could do.

Harrison had made himself at home under the duvet, wrapped tightly around him and Arrow. He was wrapped around the dog, trying to keep warm.

Fao pushed the door open with his foot. “Hars? I’ve got you hot chocolate.” He said softly as he slipped inside. “If you can escape your duvet cocoon.”

“A straw and then I don’t need to move.”

“You’ll get too hot if you stay under there.”

“Don’t start that bullshit. I’m freezing.”

“When did you last have meds?”

“An hour ago?”

“Will have to wait a bit then.” Fao murmured, and put the mug down on the bedside table before he moved to lay with Harrison.

“You’ll get sick too.” He protested weakly as he curled into Fao.

“I’ll be alright.”

“I don’t want you to be ill.”

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry about it.”

Harrison made a quiet noise in protest, but Fao was warm and he was too comfortable to move.

“Just let me look after you, eh?”

“Why do you think I’m here?”

“True.”

“I feel absolutely shite.”

Fao ran a hand through Harrison’s hair. “I know. You feel really warm.”

“I like that.” He murmured. “Don’t stop.”

“Yeah?”

He hummed happily. “Yeah.”

“I won’t stop, then.”

“Good.”

“You’re cute when you’re ill.”

“I’m not cute. I feel like I’m dying.”

“Nah, you’re cute. Because you’re all snuggly.”

“I’m ”snuggly“ because you’re warm.”

“You’re cute.”

“I’m not.”

Fao moved to press a kiss to the top of Harrison’s head. “Mm, you keep telling yourself that.”

He sniffed, and then let out a low groan. “I will.”

“Your hot chocolate is on the side.”

“I’ll have a drink and then I’m gonna nap.”

“Napping is good. Just didn’t want it to get cold.”

“Then it would be cold chocolate.”

“Not the same, eh?”

“No.” He shook his head. “Marshmallows?”

“Yeah, put some little ones in there.”

That swung it and he slowly pushed himself upright. He groaned at the change of position, nausea rising. He took a few moments to breathe before reaching for the mug.

“Thanks, Fao.”

“Anything for you.”

“Sap.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Harrison drank the chocolate, savouring the marshmallows. Fao had always made the best hot chocolate, even when they used the same packet. He settled down to sleep after that, curled on Fao and as content as he could be.

Fao stroked through Harrison’s hair as he drifted off to sleep, glad his boyfriend was resting. God knows he needed it. If he was honest, he drifted off after a while too, warm and comfy with nothing better to do.

When Harrison woke, he felt infinitely worse. His hair was plastered to his forehead, but he was freezing cold. His body ached and burned, and the pain in his head was crushing. He pressed closer to Fao.

Fao stirred, aware Harrison was burning hot against him. “Hey, Tomcat. You alright?”

He shook his head, already in tears. “No.”

“Hey, hey. Don’t cry.” Fao said gently. “It’s alright, I know you feel rotten.”

“I’m dying.” He wasn’t exaggerating.

“I know it feels like that.” Again, Fao ran his hand through Harrison’s hair, unbothered by how sweaty it was. “I’ve got you. You’re gonna be alright.”

Harrison shook his head, making his way further on top of Fao. “Don’t leave me.”

“I’m right here, I’ve got you.”

“Stay.”

“I’m not going anywhere, I promise. I’m here.”

He nodded. That was good enough. He was too tired to argue any more, and slowly lost the fight keeping himself awake. He pressed closer to Fao again, fast asleep.