〚 ❣ 〛 There’s no resistance from her as she walks with him out into the kitchen area; even if she wanted to put up a fight, she couldn’t, her body too weak from the cold for her to want to do much but lie back down and go to sleep until the fever breaks and her energy comes back. Except the last part won’t happen unless she eats, and though she’s tired and exhausted and weak, she lets him guide her until he helps her into a chair.
He asks about pancakes and she simply nods before lifting one arm onto the table and resting her head on it, watching him cook. The blanket is still draped around her, pulled up along with her arm, and it’s almost like a pillow, almost enough that if she closes her eyes, she might drift back to sleep and find some more rest. The angle of her neck won’t be the most comfortable, but her eyes will be closed and that’s what matters, right?
No. Frustrated at herself, she keeps her eyes open and watches him in the kitchen. Her expression doesn’t change with each little wink or smile he gives her, her face staying passive while erring slightly on the side of miserable, and she’ll wink at him later, when she’s feeling better.
Her stomach grumbles loudly as the smell of breakfast fills the room, and of course she’s hungrier than she thought she was. Though being sick has made her not feel as hungry, it’s been since the previous afternoon that she’s eaten. Hopefully this will stop the trembling in her hands and arms, give her the energy to at least formulate a decent response when he talks to her. She feels like awful company, and the part of her mind that isn’t thinking logically wonders if he regrets bringing her over.
When he brings the plates out, she pushes herself up and leans back in the chair. “I got it,” she says, and it’s slow going, but she manages to work her way through about half of them and all the fruit before she feels the telltale sign of eating too much. She sits for several minutes, hoping the feeling will pass and she can get down a bit more, but it doesn’t. “Sorry, I tried.” She offers him an apologetic smile, and though she still feels exhausted, she thinks she has a bit more energy now. Energy she wants to use to sleep, but he did promise her a hot bath next.
While waiting for him to finish, she pulls her legs up into the chair with her and wraps the blanket around them, cocooning herself in them for now. She’ll move in a few minutes, when he’s done. She’s in no rush at all.
The General watched intently as they ate their breakfast, making sure that the Actress was consuming her meal with relative ease and assisting her in case she faltered for a moment. He was the faster eater out of the two of them, and after a couple of minutes of sitting down, he had already finished the soft and delectable pancakes before she had set her half-eaten breakfast aside. He offered a reassuring smile and nodded upon her apology. Boy, did he wish he could do more for her.
“Don’t be sorry, you’re not feeling well and that’s completely fine. You can have the rest later if you’re feeling hungry, okay?” The SOLDIER, ever gentle in his words, rose from his seat taking the two plates back over to the counter. Her plate was placed inside of the microwave while the empty one was put into the sink. Only thing left to do now? Well he did promise her a hot bath.
Rushing back to her and sliding to a stop at the dining table, he hovered his figure over her before wrapping his slender arms around her like a sloth. He wanted to be gentle, but also a little teasing as he lifted her from the seat and carried her back to the bedroom in his arms. The grin on his face was hidden by lengthy silver locks, but it was there if she peered through the gaps. “I hope the meal was okay?” Asked the ever caring War Hero as he moved her over, placing her down onto the soft mattress of their bed and folded his arms. “Try not to fall asleep? I’ll get the bath ready for you.”
Rolling his sleeves up once more as well as tying his hair back tightly into a ponytail, he began his work in the bathroom. Of course, his senses were fare less sensitive to pain compared to a normal person so checking the temperature of the water was quite difficult, but he hoped she would find comfort in a bath measured by a First Class. He’d try at least. Reaching into one of the cupboards, he found one of those cute little spheres that Jessie sometimes liked having. ‘Bath Bombs’ he believed? Playing catch with it for a moment he eventually plopped it inside and watched as the colours dispersed in the water and the sweet aroma of lavender filled the room.
Returning to Jessie, he tilted her chin up and placed an affectionate peck upon her red nose before lifting her up slightly. “I’m gonna need you to take off your clothes now... Do you need help with that?” His voice was sheltered, quiet. Conveying his care for her as he slowly pulled the blanket free from her shoulders as the sound of the calming and alluring pours of water could be heard behind him. “It’s ready, and you can stay in for as long as you want... Within reason of course.”
