I grabbed a spoon out of the drawer and trudged back into the living room with my bowl of strawberry ice cream, my bare feet pattering softly against the cold wooden floor. I slumped down on the comfy sofa and pulled the fluffy blanket over my aching body, setting down and pressing play on the DVD remote.
My flu had started out last night as cramps in my stomach and a minor throbbing in my head, which had only intensified when I woke up this morning after one shitty night's sleep. My throat was sore, making my voice hoarse and croaky, and my whole body was achy in such a way that I couldn't find a position in which I could get remotely comfy in.
I didn't even have Nathan to comfort me, which was possibly the worst part of it; he would have been a good distraction. However, he was currently in Germany. Him and the boys had been travelling across Europe for the past three weeks and weren't due back for at least another six days. It meant that all the things that should be brought to you when you are ill - tablets, soup, hot water bottles and such - well, I had to get them all myself and I couldn't get settled. I didn't even have anyone to cuddle with.
Sad times.
I watched the screen in interest, seeing Harry finally making his move on Ginny Weasley. About time. Only took him six bloody films yet they've been making eyes at each other since the first one. They were still cute though, I thought, as I shovelled the first spoonful of ice cream into my mouth. It tasted wonderful, and soothed my scratchy throat as I swallowed it. I was all set for another spoonful when a loud knock at the door stopped me. I groaned and dropped the spoon back into the bowl, pausing Harry and Ginny's kiss. I shoved the blanket off me and shuffled down the hall to the front door, scrunching my nose up as I realised how crappy I looked. I was wearing my bunny rabbit onesie - complete with ears and fluffy tail - my hair was a greasy, knotty mess of horrible-ness and my face was even paler than usual, with dry, cracked lips and dark circles under my puffy eyes, only slightly hidden by my thick-rimmed glasses.
I placed my hand over the handle and turned it, ready to politely dismiss whoever was at the door, presuming they hadn't already run away at the sight of me.
However, when I opened the door, no words left my mouth as my eyes took in the familiar dark mop of hair, that ridiculously cute nose, those dark lashes framing his sea-green eyes. A small smile pulled at his lips as he glanced over my form. I cringed, knowing exactly how grim I looked at that moment. He looked back up to my eyes.
"Surprise" he smiled, amusement clear in his voice.
"You're home early" I croaked quietly.
"I heard my girl was ill" he said, letting his bag fall off his shoulder as he stepped into the flat, and I took a step back, opening the door further for him. He discarded the bag on the floor in the hall before looking back at me, a small smirk sitting on his face, "I didn't realise the enormity of the situation though; I mean, things must be bad if you've got the bunny rabbit onesie on..."
I groaned and hid my face with palms of my hands, but Nathan just chuckled, moments before I felt his arms around me tightly, his cheek resting against my hair. He was so warm, heating up my cold body instantly, and he smelled so familiar, of shower gel and coffee and that natural Nathan smell. It was comforting, especially when I felt horrible and especially when I hadn't experienced it for a while. I hadn't realised how much I'd truly missed him; I never do until he comes back home and I'm in his arms and realise that I never want to leave them.
"You're gonna catch flu" I mumbled against his chest.
"Nah, I'll be fine"
I had no energy to argue so I just closed my eyes and nuzzled my face into him.
"Have you had some painkillers?" He asked, stroking my hair gently.
I nodded.
"And have you had something to eat?"
I nodded again.
"What have you eaten?"
"Soup" I murmured.
"Good, now go and get comfy and I'll make you a hot chocolate or something, okay?"
I nodded as he pressed his lips against my temple, leaving them there for a few moments before his nose nudged my head back a tad, enough for him to press his lips against mine. I kissed him back for a few moments, realising I hadn't kissed him for three weeks, before I pulled away.
"Stop it, you're gonna catch something" I murmured, shaking my head at him.
"Doesn't matter" he smiled, kissing me again. I cupped his cheeks with my hands, feeling his light stubble beneath my fingertips as I pulled his face away from mine.
"It does" I pouted, "now go make me a hot chocolate"
He smiled amusedly, kissing my forehead sweetly and shutting the front door. He grabbed his bag from the floor and kissed my cheek.
"Go get settled" he said, "I'll be in in a minute"
I nodded and did as I was told, snuggling back under my fluffy blanket and playing Harry Potter again. Nathan walked into the living room a few minutes later, holding two mugs. He sat down carefully next to me so as not to spill any, before handing me one of the mugs. The heat of the mug warmed my hands, and I noticed a few marshmallows floating atop the chocolate.
"Where did the marshmallows come from?" I asked.
"I'm not stupid, Soph" he smiled, getting himself comfier at the side of me with his mug of tea, "I saw the packet you hid at the back of the cupboard"
I pouted, not daring to make eye contact with him and so stared at Harry and Ginny again. He'd only be smirking at me anyway, knowing he d got one over on me.
"I didn't want you to eat them" I mumbled, making him chuckle softly to himself and pull his arm around me.
"I know your tricks, love" he replied, "you hid it in the same place you hid that jumbo pack of Oreos, and those Percy Pigs"
The little bastard, I thought. I knew there were less Percy Pigs left in the packet when I returned to them; I just thought I'd eaten more than I'd realised - after all, those Percy Pigs can be very addictive.
"Dick" I muttered, "I'll have to change my hiding place now"
"Go for it" he smiled, and then changed the subject completely before I could argue, "so what film are we watching?"
"Harry Potter"
"Obviously" he said sarcastically as we watched Harry Potter chatting to Ron Weasley on the screen, "I meant, which one?"
"Half blood prince"
"Is this the one were Harry and Ginny get it on?"
"Yeah, you just missed it" I told him, leaning my head against his shoulder, "how was Europe, by the way?" I asked, tilting my head up to look at him. He subconsciously took a piece of my hair between his fingers and began to play with it.
"Good" he replied, nudging my temple with his nose, "I missed you"
I smiled, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, "I've missed you" I replied, poking his chest with my finger. I loved how he made me forget that I was ill without, really doing anything.
"Well, that's lovely to hear"
"When do you have to go back?" I asked the inevitable. There was no way he'd have been able to come back from work a whole week early just because his girlfriend has flu.
He let out a small sigh and gave me a sad smile.
"Flight's booked for tomorrow night" he told me, quickly adding, "but then it's only six days 'til I come home again, that's not even a week, it'll fly by"
"That's a shame, I hoped it would have been longer" I sighed jokily.
"You cheeky little- come here!" He teased, pulling his arm tighter around me in a sort of headlock and pushing his face into my neck. I laughed, which made my body ache, so I then whined.
"Ow, don't" I pouted, "it's hurts to laugh"
"Aw, bless you" he cooed, nuzzling his nose into my cheek.
"Stop, I'm gonna spill my hot chocolate" I moaned, elbowing him in the stomach.
"Ow!" He exclaimed, pulling away from and clutching his stomach, "jeez, thought you were supposed to be weak when you're ill"
"I will always be strong enough to cause you physical pain" I told him.
"Yeah, I can believe that" he mumbled, probably regretting coming home. I just grinned to myself, pleased.
"Bet you wish you'd stayed in Germany" I said, leaning my head back on his shoulder.
"Not at all" he smiled, leaning down to press a sweet kiss to my forehead as we fell into a comfortable silence to watch the rest of the film.
Just a little one for you guys that I finished the other day, please vote and comment :)