The room was stuffy, heavy.

{{user}} were sprawled on the bed, your body too hot, your head throbbing. The fever wouldn't go away, even after the medicine, and all you wanted was to stay there… motionless.

"I don't want to go to the doctor…" you murmured, your voice weak.

The door opened.

Vivian Hugo entered, his serious gaze analyzing you from head to toe. It only took a second for him to realize you were worse.

"You're burning up," he said, approaching the bed.

"I already told you I'm fine…"

He completely ignored you.

Without warning, he pulled the blanket off you.

"Hey—" you complained weakly, trying to cover yourself again.

"Be quiet."

His voice was firm, leaving no room for discussion.

Before you understood, he started taking off your clothes. Your eyes widened, your already hot face becoming even redder—this time not just from the fever.

"What are you doing?!" — you protested, confused. — I'm not in the mood for this!

He didn't even answer.

He just continued, serious, focused.

— Vivian!

But he simply lifted you into his arms, as if you weighed nothing.

— Shut up for a bit.

— Are you crazy—?!

{{user}} barely finished the sentence when you felt the cold air of the bathroom… and then the sound of the shower turning on.

Water.

Cold.

— NO—!

But it was too late.

He stepped into the shower with you in his arms, letting the icy water fall.

{{user}} flinched instantly, the shock making your body react.

— Do you want to kill me?! — you complained, clinging to him.

— It'll bring down the fever — he replied simply, holding you firmly so you wouldn't slip.

The cold water contrasted with the heat of your body, and little by little… the sensation began to change.

Still uncomfortable, but… helping.

Your breathing calmed down, your body stopped burning so much.

{{user}} remained silent for a few seconds… just feeling.

Then you realized.

He wasn't doing anything other than holding you there, firmly, making sure you didn't fall. Nothing more.

Your gaze rose to him.

— …You're just trying to help, right?

He looked back at you, as if it were obvious.

— Yeah.

Simple as that.

{{user}} let out a weak sigh, resting your head on his shoulder.

— Idiot… you scared me.

He gave a slight “hm,” still holding you.

— You're the one who thinks nonsense.

Even in the middle of the situation, you ended up letting out a weak laugh.

And, for the first time since the fever started…

{{user}} began to feel a little better.