My Dearest Lady Cotton

Red Like a Fever

  "Like this?"

   "Hmm... Close, you're almost there!"

   The tall man pursed his lips and stuck out his tongue in concentration. Knitting was far more difficult than negotiating with Ignis Soldiers in his opinion. The constant loops, twists, and pushes were just a headache to swallow!

   On the other hand...

   His dark blue eyes strayed to his Wife as she easily finished another pearl on the shawl. Sighing, Louis dropped his needles and yarn and watched the lavender lass expertly slide the needle through the hole.

   She was using two different colored strings for darns sake! He could hardly keep up with her speed, and not only that... He sighed once again. Leaning on his palm, one leg outstretched while the other arched, the silver Knight let out a silly giggle as he watched his Wife work.

    The cold Icetonian breeze lifted her stray lilac locks into a nice wave as the sun illuminated her small figure in a gentle glow. The sight alone brought him sagging to his knees.

   How lucky was he? How lucky was he to even gain the love of such a wonderful woman?

   The blue-eyed man imagined what it would be like at the Winter Ball. Cotton, his darling Honeydew, dressed all perfect and sweet. Her innocence shone beyond anything the man had seen, and how it lured his heart so to just be able to have the chance to dance with her. Him and him only! 

    But alas, the Ball was stationed to happen tonight without them. It was catered for the rich and Noble more then the lowly commoners like them.

   With a love sick smile, his gaze melted upon the little grin Cotton displayed as she finished the shawl. The wind from the open window ruffled his silver locks as he continued to stare at his Wife with a giddy beam in his aura. With the barely knitted blanket at his lap he--

   "Louis!"

   Snapping out of his daydream, the tall man blinked rapidly as his Honeydew patted his shoulder with a concerned gaze. "Louis? Are you alright?"

   "Uh-- Yes! I'm alright. What's wrong?" He blinks, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head. Darn it. His Wife caught him staring like a love obsessed man. Not that he wasn't, really. Honestly, he wouldn't mind if she did. It would have made the trip to the bedroom much faster.

   "You had quite the strange look upon your face." She answers, tilting her head as she rose from her seat upon the balcony. "You're not sick, are you??" Pressing a warm hand to his forehead, Louis rose an amused brow when she closed her eyes, replacing her hand with her own forehead.

   "I'm fine my dear, do not fret!" The Knight grins, his cheeks heating as she hummed and squints. His heart spasmed as Cotton pursed her lips at his declaration, her pondering face imprinted in his mind. She's so cute! He gulped, clenching his hands as she crossed her arms.

   "Mhm, sure." The lavender haired woman nods, clearly not believing him. He really wasn't sick, so why had she not accepted it?? "If that is so, then why are you so red?"

  He jolted, instantly slapping his hands all over his face. He was red?? Was he-- oh no. He was bushing, wasn't he?

   At that thought, the tall manly man flushed a darker velvet and covered his face stiffly. It wasn't fair... He was the Husband. It was his job to make his adorable Wife all blushed up and squealy! Yet here she is, easily countering his manliness with her unknown charms.

   But really, what manliness do you have except for those muscles of yours? Teased his conscious, nicking him in the back of his head. His nose scrunched in displeasure, annoyed over the negative thoughts crowding into his brain.

   "It must have been the wind, oh Louis your burning up!" Cotton gasped and quickly sprung from her crouch, unintentionally interrupting his hasty thoughts.

   Rushing him into the house, the lavender haired woman swiftly shut the balcony closed and forced the large man into bed. Puzzled, the silver haired Knight scrunched his brows as she dragged him into the covers. 

   "My Honeydew, what are--"

   "You need to be in bed, now! You have quite the high fever!" His Wife replied sternly and pushed him onto the bed, ripping off his boots and wrapping the blankets over his confused body.

   What? His blue eyes widened when she checked his temperature once again. He was completely fine, there was no need for his sweet to panic.

   Though... There was nothing wrong in having a little fun, was there?

   Inwardly smirking, Louis kicked off the blanket in teasing refusal. Quickly, she rewrapped the fabric over his body. Again, the Knight pushed it off with his tall legs, and again, Cotton threw the blanket over him with a huff.

   Chortling under his breath, his blue eyes sparkled with mirth as his Wife stared down at him with such a serious expression on her pale face.

   "Louis!" Planting her hands over her hips, she glared at the jesting lad.

   "Cotton!" He repeated, crossing his arms like a little child.

   Rolling her eyes, she pulled the blanket further to his chin, but failed as he pushed it down. "Oh for the Stars above! I'm trying to help you."

   Sighing, his heart warmed at her desperate need to care for him. "Cotton, love, I know. I know, but--"

   "I'll be back! I think we still have some of Chroma's potions somewhere." Said woman suddenly bursts, hurriedly sprinting towards the door until a large and heavy hand grabbed her small wrist.

   The young wife turned her head to meet with the sparkling puppy eyes of her Dear Husband, silently begging to be free. Her ocean hues softened at his shimmering pupils, relaxing in his grip. 

   Abruptly, she swatted her hand free, spinning back to the exit only to halt at the voice of her desperate Husband. "Honeydew! I really am well!"

   Already having enough, Cotton groaned and patiently crossed her arms while the Knight hastily sat up. "My love, stop." Rolling her eyes, the young Wife smirked in the realization for all his childish acts. "You just don't want a taste of the bitter potion."

   "My dear," Louis puffed out a laugh of humor and horror, determination strong in his tone as he tried to reason with her, "You know that isn't--"

   "Oh no, I know you Louis! I know how much you hate bitter things!"

   "Wait--"

   "Stay there! And don't you move a muscle! I'll be back with it!"

   And thus, she sped off. Down the stairs she went as the sound of barrels and chests echoed around the home. Planting a hand to his face, he shook his head at his predicament.

   As much as he loved his dear sweet Honeydew, Cotton just had it the worst when someone was in need of care. Her panic was beyond anything he's ever dealt with. And she had a hard time listening to reason when one was inflicted, be it real or not.

   "I found it!" The lavender haired lass shouts with a tender smile, holding onto the dreaded potion. Louis gulped, perturbed upon her next words. "Here we are, now stop trying to run away."

   Jerking his head back, the silver haired man grabs both her hands, tightening his hold over them gently. Just as his Wife opened her mouth to retort, he shouts over her in embarrassment. 

    "I have no fever! I was flustered over how adorable you are!"

    She blinked slowly. Her face gradually reddening in her own mistake. Louis breathes heavily, finally calming as they both submerged into silence. The beat of his heart rapidly accelerates over the sight of her flustered stare. 

    The Knight tenderly raised a hand to her face, brushing her fringes aside with an adoring smile. 

    "Whose the red one now?"

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