The sun filtered weakly through the curtains of their apartment, but the usual warmth in the air was missing.
Riku Kazehaya lay on the bed, face pale, hair messy with sweat, and an obvious fever dulling the sharpness in his eyes. His breathing was steady, but heavy. A cold towel lay across his forehead, and a half-empty glass of water sat on the side table.
Sitting beside him, Aika Hoshino held a bowl of porridge and a spoon in hand, focused entirely on feeding him like a full-time nurse.
"Say 'ahh,'" she instructed gently.
"...I can feed myself, you know," Riku muttered hoarsely, trying to lift a hand.
"You're sick," Aika said flatly, "which means you're useless today. So shut up and eat."
Riku let out a dry chuckle before obliging. Punch, their white-haired American Spitz, sat near the edge of the bed, head tilted and ears perked like a tiny fluffy guard.
"You really didn't have to skip school for me," Riku mumbled between bites.
Aika set the bowl down, narrowed her amber eyes, and crossed her arms. "If I left you here alone, you'd probably take Punch's meds instead of yours."
Punch let out a proud bark in agreement.
"...I caught a fever once when I was younger. Lasted a whole month," Riku said as he leaned back. "This might take a while to go."
Aika stood, pulled the blanket up to his chin, and sat back down beside him — this time, a little too close.
"Doesn't matter. You better be fine before July 5," she said, running her fingers lightly through his hair.
"That's your birthday, right?"
"Mhm," she nodded, smirking. "I'm turning eighteen."
Riku closed his eyes. "So you'll be officially older than me for seven months."
"Exactly," Aika whispered, lips nearly brushing his ear. "Which means I'm your senior. And I get privileges."
He cracked an eye open. "That's dangerous talk."
"You haven't seen dangerous yet," she said teasingly, snuggling up to him. "So you better start planning a proper birthday date. Dinner, lights, something romantic. You've been warned."
"...What if I'm still sick?"
"Then I'll drag you in a blanket burrito," she said, puffing her cheeks.
Riku chuckled. "You're ridiculously determined."
Aika leaned closer, their foreheads gently touching. "You don't get it. This is my first birthday since I fell for someone."
There was a moment of soft silence.
"You're the first guy to see me beyond the makeup and sarcasm," she whispered.
"You're the first girl who's made me laugh since I stopped boxing seriously," he replied.
A faint knock broke the atmosphere — it was soft but insistent. Aika turned and opened the door slightly.
It was Punch, pawing at the door.
"I guess he felt left out," Riku said.
"He wants in on the cuddles," Aika laughed, letting the dog hop up on the bed.
As the pup nestled by Riku's side, Aika remained close, her head now resting on his shoulder.
"Oh yeah," she said, as if remembering something, "sorry, I might've damaged your hoodie while trying to wring the sweat out. It's hanging near the heater."
"That was my favorite one..." Riku groaned.
"I can compensate you," Aika said, tracing circles on his chest. "What do you want?"
Riku raised an eyebrow, playfully. "Alright, I demand the right to fondle your—"
Before he could even finish, Aika's hand was already at the hem of her shirt.
"W-WAIT!" Riku waved his arms. "It was a joke!"
She stopped, grinning mischievously. "Too bad. I would've liked it if you were serious…"
He groaned again, blushing furiously, and turned away, muttering, "I'm too weak to deal with this today…"
Punch barked again.
"Even the dog thinks you're being a chicken," Aika teased, before gently placing a kiss on Riku's cheek.
"I'll let you rest now," she whispered. "But next time you joke like that... don't expect me to stop."
As she dimmed the lights and walked out, Riku Kazehaya could only sigh, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite the fever.