Jinshi and Maomao Short Stories Collection

You are really here, Part 5

During the nightmare-scene in the third part, I analyzed Jinshi a bit, and now, it's Maomao's turn! :)

After some time had passed, the door to Jinshi's chambers slowly opened, and an older lady quietly stepped inside.

"Xiaomao! Is everything alright? Do you perhaps need some help with the young master?" she inquired, careful as to not raise her voice too much in order to avoid accidentally waking up said young master.

There was no answer. A bit confused, Suiren made a few steps towards the bed and immediately spotted the knocked-over chair, picking it up without thinking twice.

"Xiaomao?"

Then her gaze fell on the bed itself, and she brought her hand to her mouth in surprise.

"Oh, my!"

Weakly illuminated by the moonlight that was coming through the window and the still burning candles, Jinshi and Maomao were both lying in the young noble's bed, sound asleep. She on her back, and he on his stomach with his head on the young woman's chest, while her hands were resting on his shoulders. It was such a peaceful scene that the mere sight of it was enough to warm your heart.

The chief lady-in-waiting gave them a gentle smile.

"I knew it was a good idea to leave the children alone."

She approached them further, and placed her hand on Jinshi's forehead, nodding with satisfaction, upon confirming that his fever had gone down a bit and that he had almost stopped trembling.

Then she carefully wiped his nose with a handkerchief, arranged the blanket that had slid off a bit, fetched fresh water, and finally left again, intending to let the two of them sleep in peace.

"Maomao..." Jinshi muttered in his sleep as the door was closing behind Suiren.

***

Maomao grimaced when someone's sniffing, coming from very close, reached her ears. There was something heavy and warm lying on her upper body. She started to stir and slowly cracked her eyes open, sleepily looking around and seeming as if she didn't quite understand where she was.

Judging by the darkness, it still had to be the middle of the night.

The apothecary rubbed her eyes and then raised her head a bit. Spotting Jinshi, who was sleeping on top of her with his mouth open, she finally remembered everything that had happened.

The very first thing she did was to put her hand on his forehead and check his temperature, almost as if it were a reflex. And then promptly sighed out in relief.

"Phew, the fever has finally gone down a little," she thought, placing her head back on the pillow. "I'm so glad... so my medicine is working in the end. The first dose was probably just too small."

The young noble was still lying in the same position as when she had fallen asleep: with his head on her chest and his arms wrapped around her waist, as if she were indeed nothing more than just a big pillow.

Maomao frowned, remembering the circumstances that had gotten her into that more or less unfortunate situation.

"But I very much hope that he'll let go of me in the morning. Otherwise, I will definitely slap him across the face. He can punish me all he wants for it, I don't care. Enough is enough."

And as if Jinshi had somehow sensed her thoughts, he flinched briefly in his sleep and grimaced slightly, and then squeezed her a bit tighter.

Maomao snorted and started stroking his hair, brushing one of its strands behind his ear.