If one were to ask if Minamoto Teru ever took a sick day, the answer would be no. He was a healthy child and someone who aided others rather than be aided himself. Which is why it was such a surprise to his vampire companion when Kou messaged her early morning asking her to take care of Teru in his stead. It would have been one thing for Yumeko to receive word that he or Tiara were sick but for Teru to be the one down with an illness was certainly a first.

So there the vampire stood, tugging at her sleeves in discomfort while Kou gave instructions on how to check Teru's temperature, where he left the rice porridge and congee, and he reminded the elder of where the smaller towels and cooling patches were.

So the vampire hadn't been around in awhile but she still remembered where most things were. It's just, she was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Teru was sick. As in, bedridden sick. How was that even possible, she didn't know but guess even the strongest people become sick with colds.

"Okay, that should be it. Sorry to bring this to you, Nee-chan. I have an important assignment with my group due very soon and I didn't want to burden them with this. I'll be going now, call me if anything happens though okay?!" Kou put on his shoes and raced out the door.

Yumeko was left reaching out her hand towards his direction, not wanting to be left alone. The sound of coughing reached her ears making the vampire sigh deeply. She took her shoes off and left them neatly at the entrance. As she walked down the main hallway, she remembered Kou mentioning Teru hadn't gotten breakfast but had gotten some cold medicine before falling back asleep. Ruby eyes peered into his room quietly.

In the middle of the bed, rolled in what seemed to be a thick blanket, was Teru. His  bangs stuck to his forehead with perspiration. His brows were furrowed, as though he were in deep pain. A cooling patch that was probably previously stuck on his forehead had peeled off and was currently laying on his pillow innocently.

Yumeko scratched her cheek awkwardly. There wasn't much of a need for her to be there was there? The blonde was asleep and would probably stay asleep for a good few hours maybe. She wiped off the sweat from his forehead before readjusting the cooling patch. It would be a temporary relief but better than nothing.

"So troublesome even when you're sick, aren't you."

The vampire knelt down, leaning to caress his face, only to back away as the exorcist turned mumbling in his sleep. She held her breath in worry that she had woken him only to sigh in relief once she saw that he was still asleep. Teru mumbled once more as Yumeko was leaving the room, making her pause in her steps. "...on't lea... don't...." even with her supernatural hearing, the vampire could hardly make out the words being mumbled in his sleep. If his restless face was anything to go by, maybe she should stay nearby; just in case he needed anything, of course.

She grabbed a book off of his shelf, sat down on the floor next to bed and opened the book. His breathing would let her know when he awoke. With that thought, Yumeko opened up the book and began to read.

It wasn't until about two hours later when Teru began to stir. With quick steps, the vampire went to fetch some water just in case. As she returned, Teru had a wary look towards the door. "It's just me, unfortunately. Kou had something important to present for class and left me in charge. Would you like some water?"

With trembling hands, the blonde exorcist accepted the glass of water. Were his eyes deceiving him? Yumeko couldn't possibly be there, it had to be Kou right? His mind was just--

"Kou left some food for you, said you needed to eat before you have some more medicine?" No this was just a dream. Yeah, a fever induced dream. His eyes blinked sleepily at her form, the glass of water slipping from his grasp as he tugged the vampire into his arms. The coolness of her skin felt nice on his warm skin. A nice relief from the heat. His consciousness faded out again.

The vampire didn't struggle to get out of his hold, highly flustered about the situation more than anything. Once she felt her breathing coming back to normal,is when she attempted to get away from the blonde. Taking hold of his arms and pushing them off, the vampire moved slowly, not wanting to wake the sleeping boy once more.

The silver haired teen went and heated up some of the porridge, getting another glass of water (she had cleaned up the one she had previously taken) and then grabbed the cold medicine Kou had laid out for her.

The sliding door had been left open, not wanting to make a mess with everything she was carrying. Yumeko left the platter on his desk, going to shake the sick exorcist awake. He needed to eat or take his medicine at least.

With some trouble, the blonde woke up, smiled sleepily at the vampire, "You're so lovely you know that." His words were laced with sleep but they still made the vampire fluster instead of responding.

"Y-yes, sure..." with shaking hands, the ruby eyed girl helped Teru eat the porridge, small spoonfuls, pausing a few times when Teru swayed. However, as he continued to sway, Yumeko stopped and went for the medicine instead. "Take this now. It'll help you feel better."

Although a bit awkwardly, the vampire helped Teru take his medicine before he knocked out again. His breathing became lighter, though his cheeks were still flushed pink. As Yumeko cleaned up, she heard her phone buzz. It was opened to reveal a message from Kou, mentioning he was on the way to buy groceries but that he should be home soon.

Yumeko took the book she had been reading earlier and began from where she had paused. Behind her, the rustling of sheets was the only sound in the room.

An hour passed and no sign of Kou. It was still early in the afternoon. Her eyes glanced at the clock in the room, placing her book down as she lost interest in the text. Turning to Teru, the vampire lifted his bangs before moving her own to the side.

A vampire's temperature was slightly colder than a human's but even she should be able to tell if his fever had gone down.

With blossom pink cheeks, the vampire lowered her head to Teru's. He still felt a little warm but he felt much cooler than earlier. Guess the cooling patch and medicine had helped a bit.

She didn't move from their foreheads touching, wanting to enjoy his warmth a bit more. Unfortunately, good things always come to an end. Her ears caught the sound of Kou entering the house and making his way to the bedroom.

Hastily, the vampire scooted away from the bed, fixing her clothing and bangs before going to greet the younger Minamoto. "K-Kou! You're home." Her smile shaky, cheeks tinted pink. Kou wondered if she had caught Teru's illness and frowned.

"Nee-chan, I'm-" Yumeko cut him off, "Well, it was nice to see you Kou. I'll be heading home now." Kou was left wondering if the vampire really was sick. But well, he would have to wonder about that later. Time to see how Teru was.

The younger boy placed a hand onto his forehead, making his older brother stir from his sleeping state. "Hmm? Kou? Wasn't Yumeko here?"

"Yeah, but she went home. Though she might have gotten your cold. She left really red in the face. Nii-chan apologize next time you see her." Teru hummed in agreement before c;osing his eyes again and resuming to sleep. Right, later.

The vampire in question reached home in record time, face further red from the physical exertion. She could still feel Teru's warmth on her forehead. She slid down her door, placing her head between her knees. "Ah, what's wrong with me. He was too cute."

As luck would have it, Yumeko had unfortunately caught Teru's cold.  But it had been worth it to see another side of him.