Sick Intern
Gyro was tinkering away at yet another one of his latest inventions, glancing back and forth between the machine and the blueprints provided with it, keeping his mind sharp and focused towards the task at hand. He hadn’t even bothered to check what trivial thing Fenton was occupying himself with, a heavy silence in the room.
Not that Fenton was getting much done, as he worked as sluggishly as he felt. His feathers felt heavy and damp with sweat, despite the coolness of the lab. His cheeks, and the tip of his beak burned like fire, and he felt hot to the touch. His throat was dry and he had to suppress a cough every ten seconds. He didn’t want to disrupt the chicken or himself from their thoughts, knowing Gyro would chew him out for it.
“Ugh.. why did I even come today? What could I have possibly been thinking?” The duck berated himself under his breath, his throat burning with every cough he was forced to hold back. He sniffled and snorted, feeling the snot leaking from his throat. God, he was in need of a cold shower. A lot of things would be nice right now, actually but like a fool he forced himself into work.
“Intern.” Gyro’s voice appeared behind him suddenly, causing the duck to jump in his seat. Fenton wheeled around, clearing his throat as to greet the other, but that proved a mistake. As soon as he attempted to clear his throat, a fit of coughs escaped from his beak. Gyro stepped back with eyes wide, his beak pulled down into a frown.
“...YES Dr. Gearloose?” Fenton wheezed with tears in his eyes, finally managing to hold back the coughs enough to answer him before it resumed once again.
“What exactly makes you think I’d allow you to work in my lab in such conditions?” Gyro questioned, one of his eyebrows raised. He’d adjust his glasses, staring down at the tan duck with an unamused look.
Fenton looked off to the side, his face red not just from the fever but the fact that he felt sheepish as well. He wasn’t entirely sure why he forced himself into work, maybe for the sake of not letting the chicken down. Maybe even for the sake of not letting himself down.
“S-sorry, Dr. Gearloose. I just thought.. You know if I ignored it enough-”
Fenton was interrupted by the sound of Gyro exhaling sharply, shaking his head. A hint of a smirk appeared just curling the corners of his beak, before they disappeared with a single blink of an eye.
“Even though I should be mad at you for potentially getting your germs all over my lab, and trust me I am: I can’t stand by when my intern is clearly feeling under the weather. Stay there.”
Fenton only watched with confused eyes as Gyro retreated to another part of the lab. The duck glanced over at Lil Bulb, who simply shrugged in response. They didn’t have to wonder long about what he was up to however, with the chicken coming back holding an assortment of things. There was a glass of water and some hot green tea in a mug, there seemed to be a cool compress draped against his arm as well.
“Huh.. do you always have this stuff saved in case I get sick?” Fenton asked, it didn’t help with the appreciative blush that glowed softly on his cheeks. He had to admit, the cold washcloth and soothing green tea did look inviting.
Gyro scoffed. “It’s for if either of us ever get sick, intern. But yes that.. Does include you.” Gyro cleared his throat, glancing away for a moment before he approached Fenton. The duck hadn’t noticed it, but among the assortment of things there was also a small bowl of soup.
“Well.. either way, thank you. Heh! I guess it was rather weird of me to come into work all sick like this.”
“You have no idea. But in all honesty, there’s one part of it I don’t mind about it.”
Fenton opened his beak to ask about just what that part was until the cold washcloth was pressed against his head, and a sigh of relief interrupted his thoughts. He closed his eyes, melting into the coldness of the cloth, that small gesture making him feel better almost instantly..
Gyro then moved the cloth down to Fenton’s cheek, and the duck wasted no time leaning into it as much as he could. He even pressed his hand against Gyro’s to press it against him more. It wasn’t until he noticed how quiet the chicken was that the tan duck slowly reopened his eyes, and he was met with Gyro staring at their hands, his beak in a thin line and his face glowing a bright pink.
“Whoa, Dr. Gearloose. You got a fever too or something?” The duck tried asking to lighten the tension in the room. Something in the room shifted, the mood changing. Had he done something wrong by pressing his hand against Gyro’s own? Was the chicken worried about the germs?
“Intern.. Do you know what part about you being sick in my lab I don’t mind?” He asked under his breath, inching closer towards the duck. Fenton felt a nervous lump in his throat, his words stuck in his throat. He simply shook his head, and instead of being given a verbal answer he almost fell back in his chair when Gyro brought their beaks together in a deep kiss.
Fenton’s eyes were wide, but he didn’t pull away. Gyro was kissing him?? And when he was sick?? It didn’t make sense, and he realized he was too distracted to properly enjoy the kiss. Just when he had the mind to return the gesture, their beaks were separated.
“Crazy as it seems I actually enjoy.. Taking care of you.” Gyro averted his gaze. He shifted in his seat, a more dark red blush now appearing on his face. “I mean, not that I want you to come into work every time you’re sick, but..”
“Aww, Dr. Gearloose.” Fenton smiled tenderly, chuckling when the chicken turned even redder. “I.. like you taking care of me too. And I’m happy I get to return the favor.”
Gyro looked back at Fenton, a confused look in his eyes. He then remembered he literally just kissed someone with a high running fever, and a sigh deflated from his lungs.
“..But since we’re both already sick, maybe we can..?” Fenton allowed his actions to finish the words for him, planting a soft kiss against Gyro, pulling away after just a few seconds.
Gyro shook his head, and Fenton felt his heart sink in his stomach. He watched him bring the bowl of soup forward, handing it over to the duck. “Your soups getting cold. Finish it up and then.. Maybe we can resume our kissing.” He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms.
Fenton nodded his head, heart fluttering. He knew that even though Gyro wasn’t acting like it, he was looking forward to kissing each other once again just as much as the duck was.