I barely remember how I ended up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket that felt too warm for my feverish body. My head was pounding, and the cold sweats clung to me like a second skin. I must have looked a mess. I was definitely in no condition to do anything, much less take care of myself.
The sound of the front door creaking open barely registered, but then I heard itâhis voice.
"Baby?"
It was Luigi. My heart fluttered despite the foggy haze in my mind. I didn't have the energy to move, let alone muster up a smile, but I knew I was safe with him.
He came over to me, a gentle hand brushing my forehead. "You're burning up," he said softly, his voice laced with concern. The edge of vulnerability in his tone made my stomach flip. Despite how shy he could get sometimes, when it came to me, he was always so present, always so steady.
"I'm fine," I mumbled, though I knew it was a lie. The room spun slightly as I tried to sit up, but Luigi gently pushed me back down.
"No, you're not," he said, sounding a little flustered but determined. His hands were already movingâgently adjusting the blanket around me and fluffing a pillow behind my head. "Stay still. I'm going to make you something hot. You need it."
I nodded weakly, too tired to argue. I watched as he moved around the kitchen, and even with a fever, the sight of him was oddly comforting. He had always taken care of me, in small and big ways, but today felt different. Today, I could see the quiet care in his every movement. He was making sure I was okay, and even though he rarely showed it, I could tell how much it meant to him to be the one in charge of this moment.
When he returned, he had a cup of warm tea in hand, steam rising from the mug. "Here," he said softly, sitting beside me on the couch. "Sip this. It'll help with the chills."
I took the cup, grateful for his presence. He seemed to know exactly what to do, and I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
"Luigi..." I whispered, trying to catch his attention. "You don't have to do all this, you know..."
He gave me a small smile, the kind that made his eyes soften just a bit. "I know. But I want to. Let me take care of you."
His words hit me in a way that made my heart beat a little faster. There was no bravado, no teasingâjust pure, honest care. I could tell he was doing his best to hide the concern in his eyes, but it slipped through anyway, making him even more endearing.
I sipped the tea slowly, feeling the warmth spread through my body. "Thank you," I said quietly, leaning into him just a little. I wanted to tell him moreâhow much his kindness meant to me, how lucky I was to have himâbut I was too exhausted to put it all into words.
Luigi shifted slightly, his hand brushing mine. "You're welcome," he replied, his voice almost too gentle. "Just rest. I'm here."
And as I closed my eyes, letting the tea and his warmth soothe me, I realized that, in this moment, I was exactly where I needed to be. With him.
-i wrote this 'cause i've been sick <3