(Liam's POV)
Last night was a total chaos and fun but feels right as I was enjoying it with Aaron's side. But when I woke up the world around me felt like it was submerged in a thick fog as I gradually pulled out of the depths of sleep. My body felt heavy and achy, covered in a sheen of sweat. As I blinked against the dim light, confusion washed over me. Where was I? What had happened?
I turned my head slowly, and that's when I caught sight of him: Aaron, sitting by my side, concern etched across his face. He was almost like a guardian angel, an image that pulled me from the haze of fever dreams.
"Aaron?" I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper. My throat felt raw, and I shifted again, realizing how uncomfortably hot I was.
"Hey, Liam. Welcome back to the land of the living," he said softly, a small smile breaking through his worry. He was holding a steaming bowl of soup in one hand, and beside him was a glass of water. "I was starting to think you'd never wake up."
"What happened?" I mumbled, trying to sit up, but Aaron gently placed a hand on my shoulder, urging me to lie back down.
"You had a nasty fever. I found you passed out on the couch last night after our movie marathon. I didn't want to wake you, so I let you sleep," he explained, his voice steady and calm. "But then you started burning up."
I squeezed my eyes shut, memories flickering like shadows in my mind. The laughter, the fun of karaoke, the sense of companionship—it all felt like a dream now, overshadowed by the aching reality of illness.
"I brought you some soup," Aaron said, shifting closer and carefully positioning the bowl on my lap. "Mom's secret recipe. A little bland, but I hope it helps."
"Thanks," I mumbled, relieved and grateful, as the familiar aroma wafted up towards me. It was comforting, a reminder of countless times he had helped nurse me back to health over the years. I took a sip, the warm liquid soothing my throat as I tasted the familiar flavors bursting with home-cooked love.
Aaron watched patiently as I took small sips, and for a moment, his presence made everything feel a little lighter. The fever still simmered beneath the surface, making my head spin, but having Aaron there felt like an anchor in the storm.
"Do you need anything else?" he asked, glancing at the water bottle as I finished the soup. "I can get you more if you like."
"No, I'm okay," I replied, my voice hoarse but filled with warmth from the soup. "How long have I been out?"
"Long enough for me to prepare the soup, keep track of your temperature, and wonder if you'd ever wake up," Aaron replied, playfully rolling his eyes. "Seriously though, you've been out for almost a whole day. I was worried you might have slipped into a coma or something."
I chuckled weakly, but it quickly devolved into a cough. "I'm sorry for putting you through this," I said, feeling guilt seep in. "You didn't have to stay, you know."
"Don't be ridiculous. Of course, I did. You're my best friend," he said, brushing aside my protests with a wave of his hand. "Plus, who else is going to keep you in check when you start giving me a hard time about your favorite knights and princes?"
"I guess you're right," I admitted, my heart swelling with gratitude. "What would I do without you?"
"Probably be too stubborn to call for help, that's for sure," he teased, a lightness returning to his eyes. "But seriously, let's get that fever down."
He pulled out a small cloth from a nearby bowl of water, wringing it out before gently placing it on my forehead. It felt cool against my skin, a welcome relief. "Let's see if that helps. You really had me worried for a while there."
I relaxed under his care, closing my eyes as his fingers brushed softly against my forehead, smoothing the cloth into place. It was soothing, the cool touch grounding me in the present.
"Did you have plans for today?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I canceled everything to stay here," he said, his tone serious but undercut with a hint of playfulness. "So, if you're feeling up to it, we could watch those prince and knight movies again—or maybe something less cheesy."
"More like I'm on the verge of losing my mind without something to distract me," I chuckled softly, grateful that despite feeling awful, the world could still feel cozy in Aaron's presence.
"You'll be back to your usual self in no time. I brought the whole collection," he said, nodding toward the stack of movies on the coffee table. "Tonight is about you, and I'm ready to cater to your every need. Ice packs? More soup? A constant supply of water?"
We shared a laugh, and suddenly the heavy weight of illness felt slightly lighter, the shadows retreating just enough for me to breathe a little easier.
"Seriously, though. You've done more than enough. I just want to get through this and have a memorable movie night," I said, sincerity in my tone.
"Me too, buddy," he replied softly. "You're worth taking care of. Now, rest some more, and I'll make sure you stay comfortable."
As he returned to his soothing tasks, I felt something within me shift. The fever still raged beneath the surface, but the warmth of friendship and care wrapped around me like a blanket. As the sun dipped lower outside the window, casting a beautiful array of orange and purple hues across the room, I finally let my guard down, surrendering to the comfort and safety of just being.
Sinking into the couch, the sounds of warm laughter and the clattering of dishes faded into a distant beat as I succumbed to sleep once more, listening to Aaron humming softly, content and present—the perfect antidote to the lingering loneliness of the past few days.