*Hack* *Cough*

"Mmmm…"

I curled a little tighter under the covers, rolling slightly away from the sound.

*Koff*

"Ack."

Another cough and a small gasp near my ear finally pulled me from the arms of slumber.

"Wes?" I said quietly. I could feel his head on my side, pillowed right where it should be, but his breathing was a little labored. He sighed gently in reply and coughed again.

I raised my head, leaning back to look at him.  His face was slightly flushed, and he was huddling under the covers. Was he… shivering?

"Sir?" I said, a little louder. His eyes opened slowly, and he blinked blearily.

"Bit?"

"Mmm."

"I have a headache. I feel… gross."

We lay in silence for a few moments.

"I think I have a fever."

I carefully uncurled, snagging a pillow and slipping it under his head as I slid off the bed. He pulled the covers closer and balled himself up under them.

Once my hooves were on the floor, I concentrated slightly and shifted form, feeling the familiar twitch and flow as my shape changed from insectoid-pony to insectoid-human, plain cotton pajamas appearing for modesty. He watched me with dull eyes. I caressed his forehead, trying to gauge his body temperature.

"Could be." I frowned slightly. "I'll get you a thermometer."

"And a glass of water?"

"Of course." I gave him a nod and turned to the door.

I was back a moment later with cold water, a thermometer, and his day planner. He drank the water listlessly, and while the thermometer sat in his mouth, I read his schedule for the day.

"Pencil?" he asked, reading the thermometer and handing it to me. I passed him one, along with the planner. I watched, slightly confused, as he carelessly scratched out my careful schedule. "Thanks for your work."

"But, um…" I stared at the now-empty planner, perplexed.

"I'm taking the day off."

"Then what…?"

He paused, looking at the planner again, and carefully wrote 'rest' in, filling the entire day. He looked at that for a moment, and then added 'Hug Bit'.

"That's all?"

"That's all." He closed the planner slowly, placing it on the nightstand. He lay back with a sigh, patting the bed beside him. I almost climbed up, but remembered his rule about the bed. I was about to change back, but he stopped me with a touch. "This time—" He paused, coughing. "This time it's okay. A little… human comfort would be nice."

I looked at him for a long moment, but he just patted the bed again. I silently pulled back the covers, slipping under them. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, resting his chin atop my head.

I could feel his heartbeat.

His breathing slowed, gradually returning to calm sleep.

I sighed deeply and let myself relax. It was warm and quiet in the dim room. There was nothing in the planner except spending time with my favorite person in the whole world. The snow was falling outside, and the small wood stove would keep the house warm for hours yet.

Days like this were nice, too.

I let myself drift off to sleep, barely feeling the tiny smile that formed on my lips.