“Go away, Harry,” you groaned, turning over and nestling further into the pillows.
Harry did not in fact go away. He only got closer, the steam of the soup in his hands warming your face. He rested a hand on your forehead before setting the bowl down. “You haven’t eaten all day, lovie.”
“Leave me alone to die.”
“Well, now you’re just being dramatic,” Harry said, laughing just a little. “You have a cold at best, sinus infection at worst.”
You peeked an eye open to glare at him. “That you gave me.”
“And now I’m here to nurse you back to health,” Harry said, not wavering for a moment, even when you turned over so your back was facing him. He began running a light hand up and down your back, which you begrudgingly leaned into.
“I hate being sick,” you pouted.
You felt a kiss to the back of your head. “I know.”
“Please hold me.”
“Thought I was supposed to leave you alone to die,” Harry mused. You only grunted something unintelligible as you pushed the covers back for him. Taking the hint, Harry slid into bed, his chin nestling right in the crook of your neck as his arms snaked around your waist. “You have to eat.”
“Stay away from me with that soup. I’m trying to get better, not worse.”
“I’m going to let that slide because illness is clearly fogging up your brain,” Harry said, lightly pinching your side. “Though I don’t remember extreme grumpiness being a side effect of a cold.”
You ignored him as another wave of body aches hit you. Whimpering, you said, “Can you keep rubbing my back?”
Harry kissed your cheek, his lips burning against your skin, though not in the usual pleasurable way. Slowly, his fingers trailed around your back, directing your focus to his touch rather than your aches and pains and stuffy nose. “Sure, lovie.” Whatever you want.“
Your head hurt, you could hardly breathe comfortably, and chills wracked your frame every few minutes, but with Harry there you were able to find rest in the circle of his arms.
