Hey! I'd like to leave a request for a soft, domestic Nat taking care of reader when she's not feeling well! Hcs or full fic is fine! Thanks so much, bestie!!
This started as hc's then turned into a oneshot. Not sure how that happened. Whoops. Also, I highly recommend people look up these shows to know what I'm talking about!
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It was nothing really, just a cough there, a sneeze here, nothing to worry about. Then it became another sneeze, another cough. Oh no, now your back hurts and everything else. Yep, you were sick, alright. But you couldnāt miss work, not in this economy. Natasha would absolutely disagree, though.
She always insisted you miss work if you needed to, and if anyone gave you shit, sheād have a āwordā with them. You appreciated it, but you also didnāt want to rely on her for time off. However,Ā you couldnāt make a compelling argument as you shuffled into the kitchen. Nat was already awake and making yogurt parfaits for the two of you.
The moment she saw you, before you even had a chance to speak, she raised her eyebrow.
āNo. Absolutely not. Youāre staying home,ā she said, lifting her spoon. You nodded miserably in response, your resolve melting away as you coughed into your sleeve.
āI wondered if you were sick last night, you sounded congested, and you donāt normally sound that way,ā she said, returning to her preparations, now chopping berries. You simply shrugged.
Nat paused before taking hold of your sleeve.
āCome on, missy. Back to bed.ā Nat commanded as she led you back to the bedroom. She held back the covers, ready to tuck you in. You rolled your eyes but got in anyway, trying not to smile as she tucked you in. Nat felt your forehead.
āNo fever. Thatās a relief.ā she muttered. Nat took out her phone, typing away rapidly.
āNat, no, I can handle it.ā You croaked. Nat shook her head.
āIf you insist, but I have already taken the day off to take care of you. I have that power as one of the worldās leading spies. Iāll let you text your boss while I go bring breakfast,ā she said, leaving for said food. You withheld a cough as you texted your boss, who was surprisingly chill about you staying home. Hm.
You flopped into the pillow when Natasha returned with a tray of toast, orange juice, tea, and the yogurt parfait she just made.
āEat up, darling. You need your strength.ā Nat sat on the edge of the bed as she checked her email.
You groaned. You really didnāt want to eat, but you knew Nat was right.
From there on, Nat allowed you to sleep off and on with Nat always nearby if you needed to call for her. You didnāt want to bother her, though, as you felt like she had so many more important things to do. You told her as much later on in the day.
āIāll be fine, Nat, I donāt know why you stayed home from work today. It was sweet, but you have so many people counting on you.ā
āThere is nothing in this world more precious to me than you. You give me purpose beyond work. You gave me a life outside of fighting every global threat. As much as I can, I will choose you over anything else unless I know I am saving you.ā she finished sincerely with a kiss on your forehead.Ā
āBesides, you would stay home if I were ill, I just know you would.āShe finished with a soft grin. You fought the urge to kiss her as you didnāt want to be ill. You were surprised to see Nat take her laptop and sit in the chair of your shared bedroom. She gave you the remote to turn on what youād want.
You settled for a cooking competition show. You were too out of it to care.
āBeat Bobby Flay, huh? I heard heās a jerk. I hope he loses.ā Nat said, glancing up at the screen.
āMe, tooā. You smiled weakly, coughing again. Natasha handed you a small bag full of every type of cough drop imaginable.
Bobby Flay did not, in fact, lose that episode much to both of your chagrins. You finished your breakfast as the next episode unfolded, the rest of the day coming in as a haze, with Nat checking on you every few hours, always with another cup of tea or some other drink in hand. You hated loading up on liquids, but you knew it was what you should be doing.
After one of your times awake, Natasha came in with soup and crackers, waiting for you to sit up. You couldnāt help but feel guilty having her as your nursemaid, but you know youād do the same for her. The Spring Baking Show was now on, with Natasha shrugging.
āI never was one for baking, but I know how to, at least.ā You raised an eyebrow, wondering when and where she learned it.
The soup was phenomenal. It turned out that Natasha ordered it from a local diner since she didnāt have the ingredients ready to make it herself. She assured you that she would try next time.
Finally came the evening. Nothing exciting happened after lunch as you rested while Nat worked with occasional comments about whatever show was on TV.
At dinner, Nat brought in more of the soup and even added a cookie. She wasnāt a huge fan of sweets, but she knew you didnāt mind them.
āI bought you a bath treat. I found a eucalyptus bath bomb but also a shower steamer, depending on what you want. Eucalyptus is supposed to open up the nasal passages. I personally like the smell, but itās up to you.ā She shrugged. āOh, and I can even warm the towels up for youā. She smiled. The towel warmer was a gift from Tony to Natasha. She thought it was the most frivolous thing out there, but eventually she admitted that it was a nice addition to the home.
You opted for the shower, which felt sinfully good on your aching joints. Maybe youād take a bath tomorrow. However, getting out of the shower was an experience in itself as you tried the magical warming towels - that was even more sinful. Youād have to have Nat thank Tony later. Now you want to never be without it.
Nat smirked when you emerged with your pjās on.
āEnoy the towel warmer? I heard the noises from out here.ā She said with her lips curling up.
āYes, as a matter of fact, I did!ā You responded sassily. Nat rolled her eyes and pulled the covers back. The saint of a woman even changed the sheets!
Nat smiled as she pulled the covers over you.
āYou were in there a long time. Besides, I figured this would be more comfortable for you.ā Nat said as she got under the covers, wearing her own pjās. Natasha held her arms out, motioning for you to come over.
āWhat if I get you sick?ā You said in horror.
āWe have been in the same vicinity all last night and much of today. If I were to become ill, it will be because of me being around you in general. Now, come here. I know how much you like to cuddle.ā She said, holding the covers open. You scooted over like an inchworm to Natashaās waiting arms.
Ā You immediately wrapped yourself around her with your legs tangled and your head on her chest, enjoying the slow beat of Natashaās heart as it put you on the verge of sleep. Nat had the remote and was flipping through channels.
āThis is basically all garbage, but yet I still havenāt gotten rid of cable. You and your shows,ā she muttered, faux-annoyed.
āCurse of Oak Island. Hasnāt this show been on for years and nothing has happened? House Flippers, or as I like to call it - gentrification. Ghost Adventures, oh Bozhe moy. Bunch of frat boys screaming at their own shadow. I guarantee you that Iāve seen things more terrifying than a āghostā. Oh well, guess itās Chopped?ā Natasha asked. You nodded, already half asleep. You found it cute how Natasha found the food and cooking channels and brought you into them, whether you were interested in the Food Network or not. She seemed happy with it, so you enjoyed making her happy. It wasnāt long until you fell asleep.Ā
The next morning, you felt marginally better and credited Natās care for that, but it unfortunately lingered, not enough to stop you from working. Nat was already awake, making coffee and breakfast drinks.
āAh, youāre awake. You seemed to have slept better.ā She said eating a jar of overnight oats. Nat offered you a jar as well.
āYeah, thanks to you. How are you feeling?ā You smiled. Nat shrugged.
āI know you would care for me whether I wanted it or not.ā She said with a wink.
āBut Iām fine. I took some elderberry to boost my immune system. Donāt worry about me.ā
You wandered around the counter to Natasha. You were in awe of the woman. It felt like a privilege to know and love her and to see the woman she really was.
You wrapped your arms around her waist,
āWhat would I do without you, you goddess of a woman?ā You said lying your head on her shoulder. She wrapped her arms around you in return.
āI donāt know, probably still be stuck watching Beat Bobby Flay and feeling worse.ā She joked.
āThank you, Nat.ā you said, muffled.
She kissed you on the head.
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