May's throat was aching every time she swallowed. Her eyes were unfocused. Her stomach didn't feel so good. And she had massive headache.
She was planning on just staying there in bed the whole day. After all, Drew was out training.
Or so she thought.
Because he had an earlier return than expected.
" May?!" Drew exclaimed as he ran to her side and looked at her swollen red face, her red eyes, and the tired circles under them.
" May, I don't think this is a regular cold. I think you have an infection."
May sneezed hard three times in a row. " An infection?!* She asked, her nose stuffed.
Drew took a first aid kit out of her bag. " Don't worry. I'll take care of you."
May shook her head.." it's.... Fine, Drew."
Drew gently held May's shoulder as he placed the thermometer behind her ear, doing his best to reassure her. "Just relax for a moment, May," he said softly. The thermometer beeped, and when Drew checked it, his expression grew even more concerned.
"May," he murmured, "you've got a fever that’s way too high. You definitely need to rest."
May sniffled, looking at him with hazy eyes. "But… I don't want to make a fuss," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.
Drew shook his head, pulling the blankets up to her shoulders. "This isn't fussing—this is taking care of you." He smoothed her hair back from her forehead, feeling the warmth radiating from her skin. "You don’t need to worry about anything. I’m here."
May sighed, a little relieved, as she closed her eyes, surrendering to her exhaustion. Drew gently placed a cold compress on her forehead and set out a glass of water by her bedside. “Every time you wake up, I want you to drink a little water, okay?” he said softly, knowing she needed hydration.
She nodded weakly. Drew settled down in a chair beside her bed, determined not to leave her side until she felt better. For now, his training could wait—May was his priority.
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When May woke up, a chill had settled deep into her bones. Despite the blankets pulled tightly around her, she felt as if she were lying out in the freezing night. Her entire body shivered uncontrollably, and she could feel a deep ache in her muscles. Her skin prickled from the cold, her fingers felt numb, and her teeth began to chatter slightly as the room spun around her in a dull haze.
The fever had broken into cold sweats, and she was left feeling clammy and weak. She barely had the strength to call out, so instead, a soft, weak sob escaped her lips as she curled in on herself, trying to keep warm. Her head felt like it was submerged underwater, and the pounding ache in her temples was relentless.
But Drew, ever attentive, heard her soft cries. He’d been dozing off in the chair beside her bed, arms folded across his chest, but at the sound of her distress, he immediately sat up, wide awake. He glanced at her, his expression shifting to deep worry as he noticed her curled-up frame, the tears trickling down her pale cheeks, and the way her whole body trembled.
“May?” he whispered, reaching out gently to touch her shoulder. She stirred, her tired eyes meeting his as another shiver wracked her body. Drew’s heart ached at the sight—she looked so fragile and small, nothing like her usual bright, spirited self.
“D-Drew…” she whispered, her voice barely audible, as if it were being carried away by the cold. “I… I’m so cold…”
Drew’s hand went immediately to her forehead, feeling the dampness of her skin, the lingering warmth of her fever. He frowned, his mind racing with thoughts of how to help her feel better.
“Hold on, May. I’ll take care of it,” he murmured gently, squeezing her hand before he stood up. He moved around her room with quiet efficiency, his mind focused entirely on helping her through this. Grabbing an extra blanket from her closet, he returned and carefully draped it over her, tucking it snugly around her form.
But it wasn’t enough. Her body still shook, her hands still felt like ice.
Without a second thought, Drew kicked off his shoes and slid in beside her, wrapping his arms around her gently but securely. He carefully positioned himself so she could rest against his chest, his own body heat helping to warm her up. The closeness and warmth made May breathe out a soft sigh, and she relaxed into him, her body slowly beginning to ease from the cold.
“Is… this… okay?” she whispered, her voice fragile as she looked up at him, her lashes damp with lingering tears.
Drew nodded, smiling softly. “You’re freezing, and I can’t just sit there and watch you shiver like that. Besides, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t help warm you up?”
Her eyes softened, and despite the shivers still coursing through her, she managed a small, grateful smile. Drew reached up and brushed her hair back gently, his thumb tracing light, comforting circles along her temple.
“I’ll stay here as long as you need,” he murmured. “You don’t have to worry about anything. Just rest.”
May nestled closer, her head against his chest, listening to the steady, reassuring beat of his heart. It was a rhythm she focused on as her body finally started to relax. Drew’s arms around her felt safe, his warmth fighting off the cold that had seeped into her bones.
As time passed, she felt herself drifting again, the deep, comforting warmth from Drew calming the ache in her muscles and soothing her chills. Drew continued to whisper softly to her, little reassurances that he wasn’t going anywhere, that she was safe.
“I’m here, May,” he murmured once more, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re not alone. Just rest.”
And as she drifted back into a peaceful, feverish sleep, Drew held her, determined to stay by her side through every moment, his warmth shielding her from the chill.
