FF7 Prompt Fill: Medic Down (Angeal)

[ladykf]

[Tumblr post] From the Sickfic Prompts list, Medic Down - every group seems to have a primary caretaker. How do they handle it when (character) is the one sick? (AGSZ set sometime after Zack makes First)

Generally speaking, if Angeal got sick he’d caught it from one of his lovers, but this one was a surprise. He’d woken up feeling off and it had mounted through the day into a quiet cough and the tingling urge to sneeze, which he generally tried to put off as long as he could - those didn’t quiet quite so nicely, and if they were forced to, it just made him want to sneeze again. 

Sephiroth noticed first, though he wasn’t certain - they shared morning coffee together, the first ones out of the apartment - and the fact that Angeal was moving a little slower than usual was notable. It made a curl of worry start, but he wasn’t sure what exactly was going on and he didn’t want to push. Angeal seemed in a good enough mood, just… tired, perhaps.

Genesis, with years of familiarity, noticed as soon as he stole into his office to sneak a few muffins for his own belated breakfast, coming in late as per usual. It was clear in the slight wrinkle of his nose and the way he cleared his throat, and the redhead reflexively toned down his antics. As soon as he left, he called Zack with a warning.

Zack wore his emotions on his sleeve, always had, and was a little wary of training with Angeal if he really was getting sick. But the older First gave him that frown for suggesting otherwise, the same one that had always pulled him back into line when he’d been his student, and he gave in. Thank god he was quicker on his feet, though, when Angeal’s breath caught after a swift kick and he turned away, coughing hard against his arm. His breathless apology was met with a little flailing and Zack all but begging him to end the simulation. A little embarrassed, he agreed to it and headed back to his office.

Zack called Genesis back immediately, apologizing that he’d ever even agreed to it - Genesis assured him that no, he knew how Angeal got and Zack didn’t have near so much practice telling him not to be an idiot - and they agreed that perhaps a gentler touch was needed. Not that Sephiroth had more finesse than Genesis, exactly, but his hesitance in the role of caretaker tended to bring out a softer side in Angeal that would be perfect.

Sephiroth decided to handle it by bringing Angeal lunch - tea and soup from a Wutai place they’d frequented - accompanied by a careful smile that earned him access, even though Angeal gave him a rueful one back. “Did the others send you?”

“Somewhat,” he admitted, settling into one of the other chairs to eat his own. “They’re worried.”

“It’s not too bad.” Of course, the steam from drink and soup alike had set him sniffing softly and Angeal grimaced, grabbing up a napkin and turning aside for a quick, sharp sneeze that didn’t muffle well and made him shake his head a little. The arched brow he was treated to made him chuckle. “Really, it’s not. Just sensi-iih… HISSHHU! Snf. Ngh, sorry. But I mean it, it’s really not that bad.”

“… bless you?” Sephiroth ventured, the phrase not coming near so naturally as it did to Genesis or even Zack. It earned a small, warm smile though, and that made it worth it. “It couldn’t hurt to take work home instead, could it? You’d still get things done, and be more… relaxed?”

“Here I thought I was forbidden to bring work home.” Still, Angeal’s smile was teasing. “I might. But it’s an easy day, I’m not worried. Promise, I wouldn’t even make one of you go home for this.”

“Hn, as you say.” Unfortunately, he really wasn’t a particularly good judge of illness. It just wasn’t something he had much experience with. “Try to keep it to an easy day?”

“I’ll do my best,” Angeal promised. “SOLDIER’s honor.”

Well, it really didn’t get better than a promise on Angeal’s honor. Satisfied for the moment, Sephiroth nodded. He’d still see about what plans could be made to help him relax when he got home, though.