~𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓈~ ʜᴜɴᴛʟᴏᴡ

Chapter 4 ~Human flu~

Sooo the last few chapters have been kinda angsty, so I tried to make a bit more of a fluffy one, but don't worry, there's more angst on the way! 

Tw: vomit

Willow's POV

I woke up in the morning, freezing cold and feeling terrible. I slowly swung out of bed, my muscles aching. I stumbled down the stairs to see the others eating breakfast. The thought of eating made we want to retch. Slowly and unsteadily, I waved to my friends. "Whoa, Willow, are you okay?" Gus asked, looking at me in concern. "Y-yeah, I'm...I'm fine." I muttered, but the room began spinning before me, and I desperately grabbed at the wall in an attempt to not fall over. Large shivers wracked my whole body, and I stood there, blinking one eye at a time groggily. 

Hunter walked up to me and pressed the back of one scarred hand against my forehead, before withdrawing it quickly like he had been burned. "Willow, I think you're sick. Why don't you get some rest, we can manage without you for a few days." He put and arm around me softly, giving me a sympathetic smile. I flushed deeply at how close he was getting to me, but shook it off and raised a finger pointedly, placing it over Hunter's mouth. He stared at it as I spoke, and gently moved it. "What?! No, I'm not sick, and I'm going to help us get back to the Demon Realm no matter what!" I croaked determinedly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go to the bathroom, and not throw up, because I am not sick!"  I turned and attempted to walk calmly to the bathroom, but felt bile rising in the back of my throat, and ran the rest of the way there, one hand clapped helplessly over my mouth.

Hunter's POV

I watched worriedly as Willow dashed into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. I shut my eyes and frowned sympathetically, winching slightly at the retching noises coming from the the bathroom. After around a minute of heaving up half of Willow's insides, she hoarsely called out, "Oh...hey, look, it's the bizcocho from yesterday..." followed by the sound of violent gagging. We all winced at that, and Amity whispered to us "She's definitely sick." We nodded in agreement, and waited for Willow.

I heard the toilet flush, and a couple minutes later, Willow emerged out of the bathroom, wiping the corner of her mouth. She looked terrible, pale and shaking. Well, maybe 'terrible' isn't the right word for it. Even when she's sick, Willow is still as strikingly beautiful as her namesake, maybe more. "So, now are you convinced you're sick?" Gus raised an eyebrow and Willow's hunched over, sick frame. She attempted to stand up straight, a look of determination flashing in her eyes. "No! I'll just go change, and then let's do this thing!" She insisted. I couldn't help but admire her determination and persistence, even if it was bad for her sometimes. 

She spun around headed for the stairs, only for her legs to give out on her, tripping on the second step. Gus screamed out in alarm, jumping backwards, and pointing a Willow's limp frame, "AAAAIIH!! We killed Willow!!" Luz assured Gus she was fine, and together, we started to drag Willow up the stairs gently and onto her bed. 

I spent the next few hours caring for Willow, placing cold clothes on her hot, feverish, and restless body, and doing everything I could to help her without waking her. Camila said that Willow probably had the "flu" which apparently was a human sickness. When she finally came to, I was sitting at the foot of her bed, waiting for her to wake. "H-hunter?" She stuttered, grabbing her glasses from beside her, and placing them over her face. "Hi, Willow." I smiled comfortingly. She smiled back. "Camila says you have the flu, it's a human sickness." Willow sighed. "Maybe I am sick." She admitted. "And what's so wrong with that? I mean, I know it sucks, but it's okay to not feel well. It happens to the best of us." I reminded her softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. I flushed at my action, and suddenly couldn't meet her gaze. I hurriedly stood up, glancing away from Willow. "Uh-here, let me go get you some—soup!" I rushed out of the room, then paused outside the door, covering my blushing face with my hands. "Why am I like this around the captain? We're good friends, I have no reason feel so awkward around her!"  Groaning, I stood up straight and headed down the steps absentmindedly. I wondered what kind of soup Willow would want? Kraken noodle? I suppose there wouldn't be krakens in this world.....oh, well, I can substitute. 

"Hey, Luz." I greeted my sister as I reached the bottom of the steps. I asked about the soup, and she said she could just make a pot of chicken noodle soup for Willow. 'Chicken' sounded strange,  but I could only assume it was like kraken. When Luz handed me the warm bowl of soup, I observed it carefully. It had a yellowish broth, lots of short noodles, and pale balls of meat that I guessed was the chicken. I brought it up to Willow, where she was resting in bed, reading. "Oh, hey Hunter!" She smiled when she noticed me. "Hi!" I responded, passing her the soup. "What's this?" She queried, pointing at the soup. "Luz called it 'chicken noodle soup'? I think it's like kraken noodle soup." I replied, shrugging. Willow took an inquisitive and careful sip. She tasted it carefully. "Huh, yeah, that's actually really good!" She chirped happily, gulping down a few more mouthfuls. Willow and I spent the rest of the day together, we watched a movie, and talked, just hung out.

Hello, just here to let you know, you should get a snack and remember to drink some water.  You do deserve it, starving yourself or not taking care of yourself isn't going to help! And, You. Are. Loved, darling! So have a good day or night!

~ 973 words~

Published on Fri, Mar 15, 2024