The first 3 times that Hades sneezed, MC simply said, "Bless you". It was the sixth time that she gave him a look that he pointedly ignored. Then, when he began to cough, she set down her book and stared at him until he had no choice but to return her stare.
"Don’t 'yes, dear’ me. What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing," he said innocently. Too innocently.
“Really?" She looked skeptical.
MC continued to stare at him until he sighed and put down his paperwork. She noticed that his skin looked pale and clammy. Then he coughed again, and she had had enough.
She got up and went to the bathroom. After some digging around, she found what she was looking for. Walking back into the office, MC approached him with the thermometer.
"Open," she demanded softly.
He did so reluctantly, and she stuck the thermometer under his tongue. He looked guilty when she read the screen after removing it.
"Your temperature is 102." Her tone was accusatory.
He winced and looked at her with an apologetic expression. "I didn’t know it was that bad..."
She sighed and cupped his cheek. "You need to lie down."
He opened his mouth to protest, but she placed her finger on his lips to cut off his reply. She coaxed him to his feet and led him to the bedroom. Once inside, she began loosening his tie and unbuttoning his shirt before he could even get a word in.
"This is unnecessary. I am still capable of doing work." His rebuttal would have been confident if not for the cough that wracked his chest.
“You have been trying to read the same report for the last 30 minutes. Every time your phone rings, you wince and answer it with a grimace. You have adjusted the lighting of the lamp twice. Should I continue?" Her reply was cheeky.
He narrowed his eyes. She narrowed hers back at him until he gave in and took off the rest of his clothing. He received a smile before she went to grab the cold medicine.
MC returned to him looking put out, surrounded by their pillows. She held in a laugh for his benefit and went to him. “I’m going to make you some soup. I don’t think the medicine will put you to sleep, but I want you to try regardless. And," she looked at him sternly. "I don’t want you getting up to sneak in any work. Do you understand?"
He looked indignant, but agreed with a silent nod. She smiled and kissed his cheek before she turned around to go into the kitchen.
She halted when his phone rang and turned around on her heels slowly. She walked back to him with her hand held out in silent demand. Sighing, he set his phone in her hand. She could tell that he was going to protest again, but she just shook her head and left the room.
She returned 30 minutes later with a bowl of soup and a glass of water, only to find the bed empty. She gave an exasperated breath and rolled her eyes before setting the food on his nightstand.
She headed straight to the office, already knowing what she would find.
"Hades!" He raised his head sharply at her voice, a report sitting in front of him. MC put her arms on her hips and gave him a sharp look. “What do you think you’re doing? You agreed to not work."
"I remembered that Persephone needed this by tonight. This is all I will do. I swear.” His eyes were glazed over, and she could hear the rasp in his voice from all the coughing.
"I already talked to Persephone. She said that she could handle not having the report tonight. You need to get back into bed. You look awful."
Hades looked momentarily stunned that she had already thought to call his niece, but recovered quickly. He closed the folder and silently raised himself from his chair. He swayed, and MC headed for him quickly.
She placed his arm around her shoulders and walked him to their room, supporting him as best as she could.
"I’m sorry," he said quietly.
She helped him into bed and pulled the covers around him. "For what?"
MC gave him a soft smile while placing his food in his lap. She sat by his side on the bed and regarded him with a sympathetic look on her face. "You’re not being a burden. You’re sick. It happens to the best of us. Don’t worry.”
He still looked forlorn, but accepted her response with a silent nod.
“I’m going to wet a washcloth to bring your fever down. Eat as much as you can, okay?”
She patted his arm before rising from the bed. She was about to walk away when he grabbed her hand. She looked at him with confusion. Hades’ cheeks were tinted red when he replied, "Thank you."
"You’re welcome." She squeezed his hand before exiting the room.
She returned a few short moments later, only to find the bowl empty on the nightstand and Hades asleep against the headboard. She laughed silently before gently coaxing him into a more comfortable position. He gave a grunt as he moved, but didn’t open his eyes. When he was situated, she placed the washcloth on his forehead and tucked him in.
She took the dishes into the kitchen, placed the bowl in the sink, and filled his cup with more water. After grabbing some aspirin from the bathroom, she placed them next to the glass for when he woke up. MC turned his phone off and laid down next to him. He sighed softly before snuggling closer, throwing an arm around her waist before falling back to sleep.
"I love you," she whispered quietly before closing her eyes.
"Love you too," he murmured, falling asleep once more.
