“She did say you would get sick,” Ares told his partner as he poured some hot water in a mug with a tea bag in it.

Eliza was wrapped in her comforter on the couch with her red nose poking through the small space she made to breathe. She looked miserable and wouldn’t quit groaning. Ares didn’t mind it. He was giddy to experience a sick Eliza and see just how terrible she could be. For the most part, she was needier than angsty. She asked for tissues, cough medicine, water, and everything else. Unfortunately, Ares was on his way out to get a bounty for them, so she would have to be alone for a time.

“Whatever,” she grumbled.

Ares brought over the hot tea, setting it on the coffee table in front of her. “I need to go now, Lizzy. You should have everything you need while I’m gone. Once I’m back, I’ll be your slave again.”

“You’re not my slave.”

“My step count would say otherwise.”

She mumbled while Ares leaned over to kiss the top of her head. She didn’t look up at him when he stepped away nor did she say anything when he walked out of the apartment with a cheerful farewell. Eliza groaned again and completely covered up her face as she flopped on her side. Being sick was irritating. She couldn’t breathe out of her nose and she was stuck at home. Normally, she would hunt but Ares forced her to stay put. She hated it.

Eliza didn’t move much at all while Ares was gone. She got up once to use the bathroom and another time to spit out the phlegm in her throat after a hard cough. Lying on the couch, she watched old reruns of a science fiction show she remembered from childhood. Her brain didn’t really comprehend what was going with all of the medicine in her system, but it held her attention all the same. She dozed off a couple of times and the last time she entered her dreams, Ares came home.

He immediately checked on her, smiling at her peaceful face in the midst of her covers. As amusing as it was for him to see her in such a state, he also felt bad she was dealing with a cold. He wound up setting the reward aside and sitting on the end of the couch where her head was. Gently, he picked up her head and let it lay on his lap. She didn’t move at all. Ares took the pad of his thumb and started to massage around her nose and under her eyes to help with the congestion. Soft groans left her as he worked the pressure in her sinus cavities and a few snores escaped. Ares would have chuckled, but a crease found its way in between his eyebrows as he looked at her.

Hunting without Eliza wasn’t the same. It wasn’t fun. All of the joy he used to have in hunting was gone. He didn’t know when he started to depend on her being there to help, but it happened. His hunt that night was lackluster and tedious. He almost didn’t go seeing his sick partner bundled up on the couch. Something inside him made him crave getting Eliza back to her usual self. He hadn’t felt it in a long time.

Slowly, Eliza opened her green eyes and stared at Ares. His movements paused as he stared back. She didn’t look mad or annoyed. Frankly, she didn’t look like she really saw him. Her eyes seemed a little glazed over.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, pulling his hand away from her face.

“My head’s fuzzy.”

He couldn’t help chuckling. “I think that’s the medicine. Do you want some help getting into your room?”

“No.” Eliza scrunched down in her cocoon and snuggled into Ares’ lap.

“I think your own bed will be more comfortable, Lizzy.”

She shook her head.

“You do realize that you’re using my legs as your pillow. You don’t like me very much.”

She snorted and then reached for a tissue to blow her nose. “You’re not as bad as you think,” she muttered, tossing the tissue on the floor with the others.

“Really now? I thought I was the one person you couldn’t stand to be around voluntarily. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Shut up.” Her cheeks were red, but he wasn’t sure if it was only from her illness or not.

Ares brushed some hair from her face. He smiled down at her for a second before putting his attention on the television. He couldn’t be sure she was totally conscious of her words. For her sake, he’d be quiet and let her rest. She clearly didn’t want him to move either, so he was glad to stay seated.

They stayed on the couch long after the sun fell below the horizon watching show after show. Eliza fell asleep a couple of times until her congestion had her snoring herself awake. Ares just smiled at her and let her settle back into her sleep. She didn’t seem to notice he was even there.

The night was nearing 1 a.m. when Eliza finally woke up enough to sit up. Ares took that chance to get up and use the bathroom. She was still there when he came back out, the comforter falling around her shoulders. Her holey shirt fell off one shoulder, showing off the soft flesh of her neck. Ares ignored it.

“Are you ready to go to bed now?”

She turned toward him, surprised he was there.

“You’ve been sleeping on the couch since I got back. I tried to take you to your room, but you wouldn’t budge.”

“I think that cold medicine is too strong.” She rubbed her forehead.

“Did it help at all?”

“Maybe. I don’t feel as sick as I did this morning, but it could be from sleeping for so long.”

Ares sat next to her again. “Do you think you’ll sleep tonight?”

“I’m still sick, Ares. Of course, I’ll sleep.” She coughed into her elbow. “I just don’t know if I want to get up yet.”

“I can carry you.”

Eliza looked at him unamused, “No. I can walk.”

“I know. I just figured I’d be a good slave one more time before I annoy you tomorrow,” he said with a grin.

She sighed and stood. She didn’t even stumble as she squeezed between the couch and table with her covers wrapped around her. Eliza grabbed the box of tissues as she went by and she coughed again. She suddenly paused at her bedroom door.

“Thank you.” She didn’t even turn to look at him or wait for a response. She spoke her words and disappeared in her room.

Ares held a crooked grin as he stood to clean up the living room. He took all of her tissues and tossed them. The mug she used for tea, along with her water cup, were taken to the kitchen sink. The television was turned off and Eliza’s medicine was moved to the dining table. He washed his hands and finally went to his own room. Eliza wasn’t as bad as Donovan said. She was unusually pleasant to Ares. He kind of liked it. No, he really liked it. He wanted to be a little nicer to her to see it more. Maybe that was his motivation.

He shook his head and tucked himself into bed. No. He had too much fun getting a rise out of her. Being too nice would bore her. He had a sneaking suspicion she actually enjoyed his playful banter. She’d gotten better with her rebuttals. She was getting braver. Eliza was letting her playful side out the more he did it. He couldn’t let that go. She’d just have to suffer until she inevitably kicked him out.

Ares put his hands behind his head and stared at his ceiling. He’d be a little nicer to her, but not too nice. That was a good compromise.