The Spade Coffee

Chapter 6

Today was the last Monday of November, and Ace decided to take advantage of the coffee shop being exceptionally closed to put up the Christmas decoration for the front windows. He had barely finished putting the colored string light when his phone rang, he picked up without looking at the ID caller.

"Ace speaking"

"Hello, Ace"

"Hey Robin, what's up?"

"I called to tell you that Marco was sent home. He is sick, and I know that both of you had planned a date for tonight, so I wanted you to know."

"I see, anyway, thanks for the call." Ace heard noise behind Robin. "I should let you go back to your class, thanks again Robin."

"You're welcome. Bye"

"Bye, Robin"

After the call was disconnected, Ace stared at the box of decoration that was still full, he took back his phone and called for Deuce. He explained the situation, and luckily, Deuce accepted coming to the shop to finish the decoration. Well, Ace had to promise to make him a basket of cookies every week for three months, but it was worth it.

That was how Ace found himself in front of Marco's house with some clothes in his backpack, along with some groceries. He tested the door to see if it was unlocked, Marco and him had spent nearly every weekend with each other since they began to date, and Marco gave him a key from his place at their last weekend.

Ace entered and put away his coat, his scarf, and his helmet in the closet. "Marco" He called but didn't receive a response. When Ace entered in the living room he saw a lot of tissue on the couch and on the coffee table; Marco had annulled their weekend, and had told Ace that he had to work on the final for his students, and by the states of the living room Marco didn't tell him that he was also sick.

Ace put his backpack in the kitchen and went upstairs to Marco's bedroom. The curtains were still closed, and the room was pitch black, but Ace could discern Marco's form under the covers with the light coming from the hallway. A trash can was beside the bed and was full of more tissues, Ace decided to let Marco rest and went back in the kitchen.

He pulled out of his backpack all the ingredients to make a tomato and rice soup. After everything was done, and the soup was on the stove, he went to the living room and began to clean it. The tissues cleared, Ace opened the window to air the room, he went back to the kitchen to look after the soup.

While Ace was stirring it, Marco came in slowly, wrapped in his cover.

"Ace?" Marco's voice was more hoarse than usual. "What are you doing here?"

"Robin called me. I thought it would be best if I came to look after you."

Marco sat down on a chair and looked at him, "You didn't have to do that. It's just a little cold."

"Marco, would you prefer if I leave?"

"What? No! I just... You said you were going to be busy putting up the Christmas decoration. I didn't want to bother you."

"Marco, it's just decoration and Deuce is doing it. Anyway, how are you feeling?" Ace asked, putting his hand on Marco's forehead. "Looks like you have a fever"

Marco leaned on Ace's hand, it was cold on his hot skin. "It's my nose that is the most annoying." He said sniffing.

Ace prepared a bowl of soup and put it in front of Marco "Eat, after you finished you'll take a shower. I will go back to my apartment. I might have something to help with your nose." Marco ate the soup, and told Ace that it was delicious even though he couldn't discern the taste.