In the past few weeks, work has been incredibly demanding, making your lunch breaks feel like a brief escape. Unfortunately, they always seemed to pass much too quickly compared to other days. So when your colleague, Mulled Juice Cookie, suddenly fell ill and had to stay home, you thought you might actually lose your mind from the increased workload.

You decided to speak with your boss about taking a few days off to care for your co-worker, suggesting that it might help him return to work more quickly. Of course, it was also a way to give yourself a much-needed break, though you genuinely did want him to recover. Thankfully, your boss agreed to the request.

The next day, Mulled Juice Cookie greeted you at his front door. He looked a bit pale, and you could almost feel the heat radiating from him even from a distance.

"I didn't think you’d actually come. I'm fine, after all," he remarked, his usual smug tone present, though slightly raspier than usual. He stepped aside to let you into his apartment and closed the door behind you, watching as you moved further inside and placed two bags on his table.

"And what have you brought me?" he asked. Even with your back turned to him, you could hear the smirk in his voice.