It's Derpielle.

"Oh no." Shosei had called her earlier to tell her to pick some things up from the pharmacy for Ruki, so she knew he was under the weather but he was much worse than she had thought. She whispered a silent thank you to Shosei for looking out for him.

Ruki moaned again as he tried to sit up, but it was taking a lot of effort so she assisted him.

"Easy there." She helped him put his back to rest against the bed.

His unfocused eyes looked up at her as she checked his temperature. A fever: no surprise there.

He tugged weakly at her arm. "Go, I don't want-" He spoke brokenly, as if he was struggling to stay awake "I don't want you sick too."

She smiled gently at him and placed her hand on his.

"No Ruki, I'm staying. When I was ill, you took great care of me. Let me do the same for you." He hesitated for a bit but when he realised that he would just be wasting his energy by insisting, he gave in.

"I love you." He mumbled and she kissed his head.

"First, let's get you comfortable and get rid of some of this sweat."

He nodded weakly in agreement and she went to find a basin and a rag to wipe him down. She blushed slightly while rummaging through his drawers to find him better clothes. Apart from accidental looks, she hadn't seen him as undressed as he would have to be to get wiped down properly, so her task made her a bit unsettled.

She placed the items next to him nervously and went to get some warm water.

Ruki had only managed to unzip his hoodie and was breathing heavily by the time she came back over to his side. Seeing him like that made her focus immediately, forgetting her earlier thoughts. "It's okay Ruki, I'll continue."

She helped him push off his hoodie and saw that his top underneath was sticking to his sweat. He would definitely be needing the re-hydration drinks she had brought with her.

She pulled his top over his head and he shivered as the colder air hit his weakened body. She wet the rag and started wiping his back. He moaned in relief and flopped on to her, making her have to fight to push him to sit up again but in the end he ended up half leaning on her and the bed. He gasped and groaned every time the rag came into contact with his skin, taking away some of the unbearable discomfort at every wipe and tried to resist just curling up in her lap.

"Ruki, what are you doing?" She gently nudged him, "Are you falling asleep?"

"Sorry...it's so comfy." He looked at her with heavy lids and a slight smile that told her that he was at least getting some relief from it all. She shook her head and tried to bite back a small smile of her own before putting a new top over his head. She rubbed his back for awhile, letting him getting warmer again and his breathing even out.

"It's okay but try to stay awake if you can, I need to do the bottom half now." He nodded and she moved to unbuckle his belt and he lay down so that she could pull off his jeans easily. As she wiped his legs, she made him prop up and passed him a drink so that he could have enough energy to stand up to pull up his pants by himself.

When he was finished, she helped him sit down on the edge of his bed. The world was still spinning around him, so he buried his head in her torso and she rubbed his back gently.

"I'll make you something light to eat. You can have it later." She piped up when she felt his head getting heavier. "I'll be right back." She kissed his head and tried to put him to lie down but he held onto her tighter.

"Don't leave me. " He pouted.

"Wasn't it you who was telling me to leave earlier Bubu? I'll be right back." She chuckled but she stroked his hair.

He blushed and snuggled up even more. "I'll be lonely."

"But you need to lie down Ruki." She insisted but he shook his head.

"I bought a futon recently, it's in the living room, could I watch you from there?" He pleaded, tilting his head so that she could see the pleas in his eyes as well. He was too cute to fight him.

"Okay, let's do that." She agreed, reasoning to herself that at least he would still be laying down.

She helped him to stumble to the living room where she put him to sit on a chair to take some medicine while she set out the futon. When it was set up, he lay down, angled in a way that he could see her in the kitchen. She got to work making food for him and humming while she worked.

Somehow Ruki managed to stay awake until she was finished so, she decided to feed him.

He propped himself up when she sat down next to him with the food and opened his mouth before she had even picked up the spoon, making her chuckle again.

Once he was finished, she put a cold patch on his forehead and gave him water before putting him to lie down. They decided to stay in the living room because there was enough space for them to lie down next to each other comfortably. She patted the top of the covers until he fell asleep before getting ready for sleep herself.

****************

Late next morning, Ruki looked a lot better. She put a hand on his forehead and breathed out in relief. His fever seemed to be mostly gone.

Apart from when he woke up disoriented and overheated in the night, requiring her help once again, he slept soundly enough to recover fast.

"Good morning Beautiful." He mumbled, when she removed her hand from his forehead. "Am free from affliction?"

"Why are you talking like that?" She laughed and brushed his hair. "I think so."

He grinned and rubbed his eyes as she pulled out the thermometer to check.

"All clear!" She declared happily. "Just make sure you eat well and stay warm today to be on the safe side. How are you feeling?"

Ruki stretched and winced when he lifted his arm. "Still heavy and sluggish but much better."

She nodded "That's normal. I'll go get your medicine."

"Okay Doctor." He smirked and she got up to get it and some water.

Ruki was staring at her with a lopsided grin when she came back.

"What?" She handed them to him and got under the covers again.

"Nothing, just thinking that my doctor looks extra hot today in my T-shirt." He winked before taking the medicine and she blushed.

"There was nothing else to wear! You're definitely better." She huffed but leaned on him and he put an arm around her.

"I can't wait to be able to thank you properly." He nuzzled her cheek.

"Let's order brunch and just stay here like this."

"You need to have a shower and freshen up properly now that you can see straight Bubu." She said even though she snuggled up to him to his delight. "But I'm looking forward to your thank you."

Ruki nodded but then blushed. "I'm sorry you had to see me in such a state last night. Thank you for being there for me."

She kissed his cheek and played with his fingers. "I'll always be here for you Ruki. I love you."

He smiled and held her hand tighter. "I love you too."

🤍

**********************

Notes:

Enjoy Ruki getting pampered!

I was inspired lately to blow the dust off my sick fics for him.

This work is Part 3 of 11 More Moments!