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[noburden]

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[rosarianoath]

Founder, that feels so good, so perfect. He could purr if he didn’t feel like he’d hack up a lung for the effort.

“I felt fine this morning,” he says.

[noburden]

"You're unwell. It will pass with some rest," she says plainly, kneading his neck and petting his hair. He feels heavy and too warm on her lap.

"I'll see you healthy."

He doesn't really have any say in the matter.

[rosarianoath]

"I haven't been unwell since the brand was removed," he mutters, closing his eyes. "And before that, with Tiamat."

[noburden]

"Then you're overdue. And you're in the most luxurious of situations, this time."

She can take care of him.

"Consider it a good excuse to spend the day on my lap rather than working outside."

[rosarianoath]

Luxury sounds right, considering the rough living of the hideaway compared to her plush lap, her gentle fingers.

“But I like serving you,” he says. “Even if I also like relaxing with you.”

Another miserable cough.

[noburden]

"Serve me today by letting me take care of my love without a fight," she tells him, half teasing. She's happy to spend the day looking after him. He just has to let her. "The garden will still need your muscle in a day or two."

[rosarianoath]

He could, he thinks. He cannot fathom how that counts as service, but his head feels thick, and figuring it out is like wading through mud.

“Just this once, then,” he says. And then he adds: “Keep Joshua at length from me. I won’t have him ill too.”

[noburden]

A victory. Jill smiles, petting him like he's a cat that's decided to stay and snuggle on her lap. Good boy.

"Of course. We'll keep you in here today." She was already planning on bringing him food, whenever he realizes his stomach is empty. "And you'll tell me if you need anything."

[rosarianoath]

“I will,” he says, but he can’t imagine what he’ll need other than sleep to be rid of this. “I like your fingers…”

Then he’s just about out again.

[noburden]

He's much sweeter once he's given in. Her poor, sick Clive. Yet a part of her is glad that he has reason to simply stay put, to linger on her lap and let her run her hand through his hair as she closes her eyes to doze.

Vaguely, she thinks she feels a little tickle in her throat.

[rosarianoath]

Giving in feels, frankly, like ass. But at least Jill being tender with him is a consolation prize, and it is not difficult to reach back to a time where he was miserable and longed for such a thing. He sleeps in her lap for a while. Time doesn't matter.

When he finally wakes from another coughing fit, he keeps his eyes screwed closed and makes an irritated sound.

"Tomorrow I'm getting up," he says, making no motion to do so. "It's only going to get worse if I don't."

[noburden]

His coughing brings her back to the world of the wakeful, and she resumes petting his hair like she never drifted off. It's reflex.

"We'll worry about tomorrow once we're there, sweetheart," she murmurs. "Or is it so terrible to let your lady spoil you with care?"

[rosarianoath]

Sweetheart. He wishes he had the energy to stick his face in between her thighs. Instead he just continues to sag into her.

"I only wish to indulge in such spoiling when I can better spoil you in turn," he says.

[noburden]

"It need not be immediate. You may spoil me thoroughly in a few days, once you're well." Day has become plural.

[rosarianoath]

He does catch that, and he feels his optimism sinking.

"It won't last a few days," he says.

[noburden]

Oops. Jill brushes his hair back from his forehead. He's still so warm.

"We'll see," she says. "Our lives won't fall into ruin if it does."

[rosarianoath]

Clive yawns, exhaustion clinging to him in a way he can’t shake off. He blinks sluggishly. The pressure in his head feels like a bladder fit to burst.

“If I’m not better come morning I’m surely done for,” he says. It would have to be that bad to bring him down.

[noburden]

She's seen him sliced so many times she was sure he'd topple in different directions.

So, she's really not that worried about this, and soothingly rubs his shoulder.

"I'll take care of Joshua and Torgal."

[rosarianoath]

Her touch is so nice. He feels like he’s on fire.

“Thank you,” he murmurs. “I‘m sorry to burden you.”

[noburden]

"You're no burden," she reassures. "All you need is to rest, to allow yourself to rest so that your body can recover, and you'll be fine before you know it."

She presses cool fingers to his forehead just to offer him comfort.

"When you feel hungry, I'll get you whatever takeout you desire."

[rosarianoath]

He shifts just enough to wrap an arm around her thighs.

“I want a burger,” he says. Lack of appetite or not. “And I will try to rest.”

[noburden]

"I will get you a burger, my love," she says, though she doubts he has it in him to eat. "You'll have to let me go if you'd like it now."

[rosarianoath]

He likes her thighs and he fears being vertical, but it must be done. With some great effort he sits up, his head immediately spinning. He has the wherewithal to cover his mouth with the crook of his elbow as he falls into another coughing fit.

“Alright,” he croaks.

[noburden]

Terrible as it is, Jill is thoroughly enjoying this helpless Clive. How often does she truly get to take care of him without him fighting it tooth and nail, or trying to turn it into him taking care of her instead?

"Let's get you situated before I go." She pulls back the covers so he can lay on cool sheets, and goes so far as to flip his pillow over to the cool side. "Do you have any other requests while I'm out?"

She already plans to find him medicine.

[rosarianoath]

It’s so tempting to lay back down when she offers, and so he does, crawling into place clumsily. His head hits the pillow and he closes his eyes immediately.

“A beer,” he mutters.