Read my heart, not my mind

24. Trust

I frowned when my eyes finally landed on Hobi, tossing restlessly on his bed. The warm yellow curtains that surrounded the four-poster bed were pulled to the sides, secured with frayed but handmade little ties. He was covered in a patchwork quilt, as well as a few layers of different toned green comforters.

The edges of his hair were matted against his face and he shivered despite the warmth. I moved around Taehyung and quickly felt his forehead, alarmed that one dose of Pepperup Potion wouldn't be enough. "Namjoon," I stuck my hand backward, intending to give him the potion myself. Namjoon wordlessly handed it to me and I uncorked the phial, trying not to remember some of my more unpleasant experiences with the potion.

I tucked my arms under Hobi's head and gently lifted him up until he was almost in a sitting position as Taehyung helped open his mouth. I was thankful that he swallowed most of it as I wiped the small trail from the corner of his mouth and set him back onto his pillow. "How long should we wait for it to work?' I wondered as I tucked the comforter and quilts back around his shoulders.

I frowned as I turned to see Namjoon ticking something off on his fingers. Pepperup Potion offered the best results when administered shortly after the first signs of a cold, Hobi looked like he'd been worse for the wear nearly all night. "I'd give it half an hour to an hour. If he doesn't show signs of improvement then we should definitely take him to Madam Pomfrey as it could be more serious." Namjoon finally answered.

"Who's going to watch over him?" Taehyung asked, sounding more worried now than he had before when he told us how sick Hoseok was.

"I will." I said, too quickly. I blushed and looked away, not really caring what they said in response. I was staying no matter what.

"That sounds perfect." Namjoon answered with a soft voice as he gently squeezed my shoulder. "We'll be in the clubroom if you need us. Come on Tae."

"Thank you Joonie." I spoke quietly just before they disappeared through the door. I didn't know why he was blindly trusting me with his friend but I was thankful nonetheless. I looked around a moment, slightly confused about what to do. It wasn't often as a witch that there was an opportunity to take care of a sick person, and even less for someone like me. I shook the nervousness from my hands and smiled a little silly thing as my wand popped into my hand at the mere thought of retrieving it.

Clever little contraption.

I conjured a bowl and cloth and filled the bowl with water, warming it slightly as I dipped the cloth into it. There wasn't a great deal of room on the small table by Hoseok's bed but I rearranged a few of the plants and made a space. I sat on the edge of his bed, silently staring into his face. He seemed calmer now, even than when I walked into the room, more like he was resting instead of being restless.

I carefully brought the cloth to his skin, knowing that despite how warm it felt to my fingers it would probably be cold against his fever. I gently washed the sweat away, marveling at how quickly the potion worked to kill his fever and make his breathing sound more even. Magic was amazing. I smiled again when I finished washing his face and just brushed my fingers through his slightly damp hair.

His breathing evened out and the furrow in his brow disappeared after twenty minutes, his was still slightly warm but sleeping soundly. I knew that even with as wonderful as the potion was, it couldn't really combat the fatigue that was brought on by the sickness.

By the projected time of half an hour, I could tell that Hoseok was going to be fine, he didn't even really look sick anymore. I removed a few of the comforters and used them to sit on as I settled into the space next to his bed. Just because he was better didn't mean I was going to leave before he woke up.