Curate, connect, and discover
⋆˚。⋆୨✧୧˚ 𝑺𝑫𝑽!𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒚 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 ˚୨✧୧⋆。˚⋆
The winter chill this year was far harsher than it had been years prior. The town was covered, coated in a thick snow, blanketing the buildings and dead trees. The falling snow had lightened considerably, a soft flurry now. The air was crisp and biting, almost painful to breath. Even just the brisk walk from your farm to the clinic proved to be more annoying than anything. You stepped into the clinic, an unsettling feeling taking over as you took in how quiet it was. Normally Maru was up front, greeting you, the two of you chatting before you went off to see your husband. And sure, the clinic was never hustling and bustling, but this time of year there was at the very least soft music playing throughout the waiting room.
Now it was just eerily silent.
“Harvey?” You called out, pushing the door open, voice laidened with concern.
You knocked once, just to fully announce your entry, the wood creaking as you pushed it open. Harvey was inside, hunched over his desk, papers scattered about him. His normally well put together appearance was more dishevled now, hair messy, and the part of his face you could see through his arms appeared pale. It took a moment for him to notice you, but when he did, he sat up, pushing his glasses up.
“Hun?” You stepped closed.
His shoulders were slumped, posture off; you could hear the whistle of his breathing from where you stood. He looked the definition of drained.
“Hey,” He greeted you, voice gruff, “I’m just going over some files. Do you need something, dear?”
He tried to cover the cough that followed, and you felt a pang in your chest. He may be the doctor in your relationship, but it was beyond evident that your husband was sick.
“Yes,” You said softly, crossing to stand right before him, “I need you to come home.”
He tried to stand, pushing himself up from where he was seated, his legs wobbly. He winched, coughing some more, body trembling from the force. You steadied him, feeling the unnatural heat emanating from his body. He shook his head, looking ready to argue.
“Don’t even try that,” You chidded gently, forcing him to sit before he got dizzy, ignoring the weak attempts to resist, “Dear, you’re running a fever. You can’t work like this.”
“I’m fine,” He tried sounding put together, “It’s just a cold. I can’t leave the clinic unattended, especially during the winter.”
You frowned, running your fingers through his hair. His skin was burning under your touch, his hair unkempt and sweaty.
“You’re not fine,” You argued, keeping your voice light, “If anyone needs something, they can contact Maru. I’ll call and let her know you’re out of remission.”
“I can’t just—”
You interrupted him, voice more firm than it had been before, “Harvey, you need to go home. You can’t work like this.”
He sighed, though it sounded rather rough; he knew there was no use in arguing with you over this. Even so, he tried.
“I can just finish up some paperwork,” He trailed off, his argument hanging off his lips as his body sank further into his chair, exhaustion clearly taking the reins.
“I’ll just stay here, finish up a few things…” he trailed off, his eyelids heavy as his body sank further into the chair, exhaustion clearly taking over.
“Come on, we’re going home, and you’re going to rest, no arguments.”
He looked like he wanted to protest, but whatever words he had died on his lips. He didn’t have the energy to fight you on this, instead opting to sigh weakly, allowing you to help him up.
“Fine,” His voice was even quieter now, “But I’m coming back when I feel better.”
You smiled, cupping his cheek, thumb brushing against his cheek bone,”Of course, dear. Now bundle up, we’re going home.”
You were glad you had overdramatically bundled yourself up, being able to take off your own scarf to wrap about your husband, the cloth muffling his argument to this movement. Once you deemed him bundled up securly, the two of you left, locking up behind you. You knew Maru had a key, and you’d call her once you got Harvey settled into bed. The walk back took longer, your husbands walk sluggish, and you were worried he’d stumble and fall. Nothing like that happened, thankfully. Once you two got inside, Harvey looked even worse, cheeks red, and you weren’t sure if this was due to the cold or his fever. You helped him to your bedroom, making sure he laid down, propped up on the pillows.
“Bedrest, no arguments,” You said, tucking the blanket around him snuggly.
You moved to the kitchen, grabbing the phone to call Maru as you poured some water into the kettle, already pulling out all the ingredients to make some green tea with lemon. You informed your friend, who wished your husband a speedy recovery, before you two hung up. You debated making some soup, but you’d rather him rest for a bit before you woke him up to eat. The house felt colder, and as you waited you moved to the fireplace, replacing new wooden blocks on the hearth to make sure it was burning as hot as it could without risking catching anything on fire.
Once the kettle went off and you steeped the tea, you wandered back into the bedroom, Harvey perking up even just a little when he heard you come back in. He gave you a weak smile when he saw the tea cup in hand.
“You don’t have to go out of your way,” He started, voice hoarse but so familiarly loving.
“I do, actually. It was in the vows. In sickness and in health,” You replied, sitting next to him, “Besides, I owe you for all the times you’ve taken care of me after a bad run in the mines.”
He chuckled weakly, accepting the mug from you with a quiet thank you. Sipping the tea slowly, you noticed how his hands were still trembling, though less so. He hurried to take his glasses off when the steam fogged them up. For a moment the room was quiet, the only sounds the fireplace crackling in the distance.
“Thank you,” He whispered, the mug now half empty, and you moved to place it on the side table, “I’m not used to being taken care of, I suppose. Doctors truly do make the worst patients, and all that.”
You smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead, the warmth on his skin still present, “Well get used to me taking care of you, it comes with the marriage territory.”
He leaned into your touch, eyes closing for a moment, the clear exhaustion evident on his face, “I’m so lucky to have you.”
It was silent after that, a comfortable, warm silence, “I think I’ll make some soup later, bring you some more tea and water. You need fluids.”
He nodded absentmindedly, already starting to drift off, the warmth of the bed and the tea, and you presence relaxing him greatly, “Alright… promise me something?”
“Anything.”
“When I’m better, we’re going to go on a winter date,” His voice was thick with sleep, eyes still shut as he spoke, “We can take a walk in the snow, maybe get some hot cider at the saloon.”
You smiled, chuckling quietly, “I promise.”
He smiled, faint and tired, his breathing slowing down as he finally fell asleep. You watched him silently for a few moments, your heart swelling unbearably in your chest. Your husband was far too kind and too good sometimes, you were truly the lucky one to have him.