Dirk

Autumn had indeed proven deceptive. And so, you were lying on the living room couch with a throbbing headache, a stuffy nose, and a nasty cough. Your temperature was treacherously rising. You were in a foul mood. Mustering up the last of your willpower, you scribbled a short message to Dirk about your condition. Fortunately, he turned out to be an unusually sympathetic friend and, judging by everything, took the news too seriously. An hour later, he burst into the apartment with a bag of medications, vitamins, and fruit. Now Dirk was fussing over you. He kept coming over, adjusting the slipping blanket, changing the compress on your forehead, and forcing you to drink herbal teas.

"How many times have I told you to dress warmer? Why did you have to show off?" He grumbled, frowning. You tried to protest, but all that came out was a hoarse cough.

"It's not true, I dress warmly. And you never said anything like that to me!" You croaked, feeling completely shattered. You knew, of course, that you were wrong. But you really didn't want to admit your mistake. The illness was turning you into a capricious child who could get away with anything.

Dirk, ignoring your attempt at protest, pulled out a thermometer and tucked it under your arm. Then he began laying out the medications on the coffee table, carefully sorting the tablets and syrups. After a while, he insistently poured the fever reducer into you, coaxing you like a child. And, surprisingly, the medicine worked. The headache gradually subsided, your body relaxed, and your eyelids grew treacherously heavy. Finally, an hour later, you felt yourself drifting off to sleep. Dirk, noticing your state, gently brushed your tangled hair from your face and smiled tenderly.

"Finally calmed down," he murmured quietly. You barely had time to hear it before Dirk scooped you up in his arms, carrying you like a feather, into the bedroom. His touch was gentle and caring. You felt him gently lower you onto the soft pillow, cover you with a warm blanket, and kiss your forehead.