Sick
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Druig whispered to Makkari.
Makkari nodded with a serious expression on her face.
Yes I do. I have to.
“No one is pressuring you to do this” Druig replies.
I have to. If anyone’s gonna do it, it’s me.
“Okay, good luck” Druig says gently kissing her temple before standing to the sidelines with the other Eternals.
Makkari looked at him with a reassuring smile before straightening her spine and looking at Ikaris.
“Not too late to back at you know” Ikaris said stretching his arms.
Funny, I was gonna say the same thing to you. Makkari signed to him back as she stretches her legs.
Ajak steps in front of the two.
“All right, we are gathered here today to see who the fastest Eternal is. The rules are simple. We have taken an object of special meaning from each of you. Whoever finds the hidden object in the arctic first wins. This is not only a game of speed, it is also a game of strategy” Ajak instructs.
You’re going down Ikaris Makkari signed to him playfully.
“Challenge accepted” Ikaris replied smirking.
“On your marks” Ajak started.
Makkari bent her legs.
“Get set”
Ikaris started levitating into the air.
“GO!”
In a blink of an eye, Ikaris and Makkari break away and their top speeds. They left a small dust cloud, leaving everyone coughing.
“Who do you think will win?” Sprite asks.
At the same time Sersi and Druig both respond with the name of their partner
“Makkari”
“Ikaris”
“Awkwarddddddd” Kingo whistled in the background.
“You can’t honestly think Ikaris could beat Makkari” Druig taunted.
“And why not?” Sersi asked raising an eyebrow.
“Well maybe it’s because Makkari is…Makkari? Not only is she the fastest one on this team. She is also smart. She collects artifacts for fun. She’s got Ikaris beat” Druig bragged.
“Maybe, but Ikaris is strong. He also has great vision. He can find anything and he has that air advantage” Sersi challenges.
“Ikaris is basically a flying brick-”
“Hey! You take that back Druig!” Sersi argues.
“All right enough. Sersi, your boyfriend is cool. Druig, your girlfriend cool. But sorry Sersi, my bets on Makkari. When she runs her-”
“Watch it Kingo” Druig warns, sending death glares at Kingo
“Oh yeah, sorry man” Kingo snaps out of it.
“Kingo I thought you liked Ikaris?” Sersi said.
“I do, but boss against Makkari in a game of speed and smarts? Come on Sersi”
“Okay fine, does anyone here believe in Ikaris?”
“I do. I think he can be an underdog” Sprite speaks up.
“Great! So majority thinks Makkari” Druig says pleased with himself.
Just then a gust of wind went by and Makkari was by his side.
Did I beat him?
“You did beautiful” Druig replied putting an arm around Makkari’s shoulder and shaking some snow out of her hair.
Moments later Ikaris flew up next to Sersi.
“Damn it, how long have you been here” Ikaris signs to Makkari.
Long enough, I left you the dust dude Makkari signs happily walking over to Ikaris giving him a high five.
“Did you find the object?” Ajak asks.
Ikaris and Makkari both nod. Ikaris hands over the ring he used to propose to Sersi with and Makkari hands over the Emerald Tablet.
“You both did a great job, but Makkari did beat Ikaris, so that concludes todays race” Ajak says.
Good game Ikaris Makkari signs to him.
“You too” Ikaris responds.
As the group makes their way back to the Domo Makkari let out a small sneeze.
“Awww, you’re so cute when you sneeze”
“I think he means bless you” Thena says elbowing Druig.
“God, you two are almost as bad as Ikaris and Sersi” Sprite pipes up.
“What? No one is as gross as them” Phastos replies.
“Hey! We’re right here you know.” Sersi says offended.
“Oh we’re aware” Druig responds.
Oh leave them alone you guys Makkari signs sniffling.
“Hopefully you don’t get sick” Kingo jokes.
Please, with my metabolism, I never get sick Makkari signs proudly.
Those were her famous last words, as two days later Makkari was lying on her bed, sick as a dog.
“Makkari! You okay? You missed breakfast and you never miss a-whoa” Druig said entering her room.
There were tissues everywhere as well as a small heap of blankets in the middle of the bed.
“Makkari?” Druig said cautiously.
The mountain of blankets rustled slightly as Makkari poked her head up from the pile.
“Hey…how are you feeling?” Druig asked.
How does it look like I’m feeling? Makkari signed to him.
“Yeah…you look…” Druig struggled to find the right words. “Queasy?”
Not helping Druig Makkari rolled her eyes at him and going back under the covers.
“I’m sorry love. I just don’t know what to say…Eternals aren’t supposed to get sick” Druig said walking over to the bed and digging his girlfriend out from the blankets once more.
Ugh, I feel icky Makkari signed to him.
“Hold on, let me get some materials. Don’t go anywhere” Druig joked
Druig, one more joke and I’m breaking up with you Makkari warned.
“Sorry, sorry. I was trying to make you laugh. Okay, sit tight” He said kissing her forehand and leaving.
Just from that kiss he knew she had a fever. Her forehead was hot. Burning hot. He left her room to gather some materials.
By the time he came back, Makkari had already shrunk back down into her bed.
“Makkari, darlin, I need to take your temperature” Druig said, once again unburying Makkari from the blankets.
I just want to sleep though Makkari signed weakly.
“I know love, but don’t you want to get better?” Druig said taking out the thermometer.
Makkari nodded and opened her mouth for Druig to check her temperature.
A couple moments later Druig pulled the thermometer out and checked the results.
“Do you want to the good news or bad news?” Druig asked
Bad news Makkari signs.
“Well the bad news is that you have a fever” Druig said putting the thermometer down.
What’s the good news then?
“I get to take care of you” Druig said happily with himself standing up.
Makkari smiled as she grabbed another tissue and sneezed into it.
You don’t have to, I don’t want to get you sick too.
“Hey, in sickness and in health remember?” Druig said tidying up the room a bit.
We’re not married though Makkari said confused.
“Yet” Druig replied simply.
Makkari’s face went redder than her comforter. Druig noticed this and smiled.
“Makkari. As much as I love making you blush, we need to get your body temperature down”
Ice cream! Makkari signed happily.
“Close” Druig said cupping Makkari’s face. “A cold shower”
Makkari furrowed her brows and went back under the covers.
“Come on Makkari, you’ll feel better” Druig coaxed, grabbing blankets off of her. He was surprised how buried she was, as 6 blankets later he found here shivering on her bed.
No Druig, I’m cold Makkari said, attempting to grab the blankets back from Druig.
“I know, but you’ll feel better I promise”
Makkari shivered in her bed with now only one blanket covering her.
Can you at least cuddle me?
“How can I ever say no to you?” Druig said coming into bed with her.
Druig stroked Makkari hair as she slowly fell asleep in his arms. She still was shivering as she steadily breathed against him.
As much as he hated to leave her side, he slowly got up and left the room. Druig made his way to the training room where he knew he would find Thena and Gilgamesh.
As per usual, the two were sparing in the center. Thena using graceful attacks and Gilgamesh using forceful defenses.
“Druig! You here to spar with us?” Gilgamesh asked when he noticed him standing in the doorway.
“No, I’m here to ask a favor”
“What do you need?” Gilgamesh asked.
“Can you make some of your famous soup? Makkari is sick”
“Of course. I’ll get right on it. Hey Thena, a chef always needs a sous chef” Gilgamesh says smirking.
“Make me the soup and then we’ll talk” Thena said walking away.
“Whatever you say” Gilgamesh says watching Thena walk away. “I’ll get the soup started and bring it to you later”
“Thanks Gil” Druig responded and waked back to Makkari’s room.
She was still asleep when he arrived, so he slipped back into bed with her.
Makkari stirred in her sleep and slowly opened her eyes. Where’d you go? She signed to him.
“Shhhh, go back to sleep my beautiful Makkari” he whispered, stroking her hair once more.
Makkari didn’t question it, and slowly drifted off to sleep in Druig’s arms. Around 30 minutes later Gilgamesh knocked on the door, causing Makkari to wake up again.
“Hey Makkari, Druig you mentioned you were sick, so I made you my world famous soup” Gilgamesh said walking over to her bed carrying a tray.
Thank you Gilgamesh, this is perfect. Makkari signed to him as he placed it down in front of her.
Gilgamesh nodded and looked at how Druig was holding her. He raised an eyebrow at him, smirking.
“I was gonna get Phastos to check up on you, but it seems that Druig’s got it all under control”
Makkari’s smiled as she began eating the soup, Druig on the other hand was mouthing words to Gilgamesh.
“Get out” Druig silently mouthed to Gilgamesh.
“What was that Druig? Didn’t hear you there” Gilgamesh responded.
Makkari looked up from her soup and shot Druig a confused look.
Druig played it off cool and gave her a cheeky smile before she went back to her soup. He then glanced back at Gilgamesh and glared at him.
“I’m gonna kill you if you don’t leave right now” Druig mouthed at him.
“All right Makkari, feel better” Gilgamesh said as he left the room.
Druig rubbed the back of Makkari’s back as he gently grabbed the spoon from her.
Druig, What are you doing? Makkari signed to him,
“Sit back, relax, I will be taking care of you” Druig responded, bringing the soup up to her mouth.
Makkari smiled at him as she slowly drank the soup from him. The two made small conversation as she finished the bowl.
By the time she finished, Makkari nestled her head into Druig’s chest as he held her close.
I can’t believe this was all because of a stupid race Makkari signed.
“Hey, it wasn’t stupid! You won and the look on Ikaris’s face was priceless” Druig responded.
Is this how humans feel when they are sick? This sucks. Makkari signs to him.
“Yeah…I’m sorry you feel like this love” Druig soothed.
Thank you for everything Druig, but I don’t want to get you sick.
“Stop worrying, I will take care you Kari” Druig reassured.
But-
“No buts. Now, get some rest” Druig ordered.
Makkari chuckled as she snuggled close into Druig’s embrace and fell asleep listening to the soft vibrations of Druig’s breath.
When she awoke she had a lot of pent up energy. She was never used to sitting still, nor did she like it.
Makkari slowly got out of bed, not to wake Druig and began stretching her legs. She got into a runners position and ran out of her room. She ran out into the halls passing Sersi and Ikaris talking, Phastos designing a new invention, and Thena and Gilgamesh sparring. She ran out of the Domo and all around the village they were stopping at for the time being. She ran out into the desert and didn’t stop until she reached the end of it.
She took a deep breath and looked around. After being sick for almost 24 hours, it felt so good to get out of that room of hers. She realized that she just left Druig after he spent so much time and effort taking care of her, so in a blink of an eye she ran back into the Domo.
“Makkari! Glad to see you are feeling better” Ajak welcomed her back.
So much better, thank you Ajak She signed to her.
“You look well Makkari, was it my soup?” Gilgamesh said walking in, with Thena following him close behind.
Must have been, thank you Gil it was delicious Makkari signed to him.
“Where’s Druig?” Thena asked.
I left him in my room, I just needed to stretch my legs, I’m going back now. Makkari responded.
Thena and Gilgamesh gave each other a side eye before nodding and going back to their dual.
Makkari walked at normal speed back to her room just in time to see Druig sitting up.
“You look better beautiful” Druig signed to her.
I feel better, thanks to you Makkari signed coming over to him.
Druig nodded as he held out his hand to her. She took it and sat down next to him.
Thank you for taking care of meDruig She signed to him leaning in.
“Anytime my beautiful, beautiful, Makkari” Druig spoke also leaning in.
Before their lips had a chance to touch he pulled away and sneezed into the crook of his arm.
“Excuse me” Druig sniffled.
Bless you Makkari signed.
“Sorry, now where were we?” Druig regained himself and started leaning in again.
Makkari smirked and leaned in, but at the last moment kissed his forehead.
You’re hot she signed.
“I know I am, now cmere” Druig responded wrapping his arms around her waist.
Whoa whoa whoa, Druig, you’re burning up Makkari said slipping out of his grasp.
“I feel fine” Druig responded
For now…looks like you’re on bedrest for the next 24 hours Makkari signed to him.
“Come on Kari” Druig protested as she gently pushed him back down into her bed.
I told you I would get you sick.
“Ugh, my head is starting to hurt” Druig said grabbing his forehead.
Makkari smirked and leaned in kissed it.
Does it feel better now?
“A little, but my cheek is starting to hurt too” Druig said looking awfully innocent.
Makkari laughed and leaned down and kissed his cheek.
Anywhere else?
Druig smiled as he pointed to his lips.
Makkari smiled and slowly leaned in to kiss him, but pulled away last minute.
If we continue this, we’ll never get better, now stay here while I see if Gilgamesh has any leftover soup. Makkari laughed.
“You little-” Druig chucked attempting to sit up, only to be pushed back down by Makkari.
What is it you said to me? ‘Sit back, relax, I will be taking care of you’ Makkari mocked Druig as she winked at him and left the room, heading to the kitchen.