Try A Little Tenderness (c)

[Specs]

Specs cleared his throat as he entered the kitchen, looking for anything that'll sooth his sore throat and cough. His sickness came out of nowhere. He figured it was from that old gentleman who coughed at him as he handed over his money for the paper.

He was hungry, dizzy and just wanted to lie down. But first, he needed something to make him feel better.

[Tag Along]

Tag was in the parlor, reading as usual. She heard someone shuffling into the kitchen and didn't think twice about it until that someone coughed. And it sounded an awful lot like Specs.

She set her book down on the coffee table and headed into the kitchen. She spotted him rummaging through the pantry and furrowed her brow.

"Hey... What're you doing?"

[Specs]

"Water," he croaked before setting off another coughing fit. It was then that he realized it was Tag. He didn't want her to see him like this, all weak and not manly.

"I'll be fine," said Specs, waving her off as he looked at the pantry yet again.

[Tag Along]

((LOL "all weak and not manly." Bless.))

Tag walked quickly over to him, shutting the pantry door and putting herself in front of it so he couldn't open it again.

"Oh, no, sir. I don't think so. You need to go lie down." She told him, her voice more stern and demanding.

[Specs]

((I just had to ))

"Can't I just get a drink or somethin'?" pleaded Specs with tired eyes.

[Tag Along]

"Don't be silly." Tag replied, shaking her head. "I'll get it for you, after you go lie down."

She looked at him expectantly, then gestured to the staircase.

[Specs]

"I'll stay here with you. I'm not injured, just sick. Look, there's a chair!" said Specs, pointing at it before sitting down.

[Tag Along]

"Absolutely not, out of the question." Tag took hold of his arm and began pulling him toward the stairs.

"You need to rest, and I won't stop bothering you until you lie down."

[Specs]

Too tired to argue, Specs followed Tag upstairs and towards the bunkroom. "Will you be following me inside?" he teased, smirking. Sure, he was sick but that didn't mean he couldn't crack a joke.

[Tag Along]

"Yes, of course." Tag sighed, too into 'mother hen' mode to allow joking. She went a few steps into the bunkroom before realizing she didn't know which one was his bed.

"You go lie down, and I'll make you some tea, okay?" Before he could answer, she turned on her heel and dashed downstairs.

[Specs]

Specs smiled as he watched her leave, wondering what he did to deserve someone like Tag. He wasn't used to anyone taking care of him, especially if it was something as small as a cough. Heading over to his bunkbed, Specs laid down, stretching as he put his cap over his head.

[Tag Along]

Tag returned in five minutes time, walking slowly into the room with a steaming mug of tea in her hands. She eventually made her way over to Specs' bed and set the mug down on the bedside table. She gently sat down on the edge of the bed and took his hat off.

"I've brought your tea." She said quietly.

[Specs]

Specs hadn't realized that he dozed off, feeling quite comfortable in his bed. He blinked to see Tag and lazily smiled at her. Pushing himself up to sit, he reached over for the tea and took a sip. He felt almost instantly better.

"Thanks, Tag," he smiled, taking another sip.

[Tag Along]

"My pleasure." She replied, smiling back at him.

Just to make sure, Tag put a hand on Specs' forehead. She immediately frowned.

"Oh, you've got a fever."

[Specs]

"You sure?" muttered Specs, failing to notice anything anymore. He just felt tired and his bed was so comfortable.