A Sick Fic

Ren knew from the moment Chili messaged her something was up. She knew his text tones weren’t as strong as they normally were. He wasn’t sounding as peppy as he normally did too. That worried her greatly as she knew her crush was a very loud and outgoing person.

To: Fire of my Heart Hey are you sure ur doing okay just worried about you

To: Green Giant & Water Chestnut Hey can you check on ur brother? He’s not sounding great. Idk something just seems up.

From: Green Giant Yes I will. Thank you for letting me know

Ren waited to hear back from Cilan, who was under Green Giant on her Rotom Phone. She paced around her home in Nimbasa City. She and Chili had just recently started to talk more and Ren couldn’t help the feelings bubbling up in her chest whenever she thought of him.

She smiled softly seeing him message her back.

From: Fire of my Heart Yeah… I guess.. Cilan checked on me and made me stay in bed. I'm not even that sick.

Ren paused looking at her phone that was floating in front of her. Maybe she could go over and check on him. If he was sick maybe some of the medical herbal stuff her sister had taught her as a child would work on him.

Ren called up her sister quickly and made a note of each herb that her sister listed off. There were a lot of different ones she could have tried but without knowing what he was sick with - it wouldn’t help much. After hanging up the phone with her sister, she called Cress.

“Hello? Ren? You normally don’t call so this must be urgent.”

“Hey Cress. I was wondering if you could tell me what Chili seems to be sick with? I want to come over and take care of him so you guys can do your gym and restaurant thing without worrying about him too much.”

“You’re so sweet Ren.” She could hear him smile through the phone with his reserved but kind nature. “He seems to have a fever and a cough. The cough isn’t too worrying ,it’s more so the fever that we are worried about.” Cress said softly.

“Got it. Well don’t worry I’ll be there in an hour or so. I’ll fly with Swanna to get there fast.” She told Cress before exchanging goodbyes and hanging up. She quickly gathered up some of the herbs that she had in her kitchen and shoved them into a bag so she could make her remedies when she got to Striaton City.

She bit her lip nervously as she called out Swanna and climbed on her back. “Come on Featherfluff. Let's go see Chili. He’s sick and needs our help.” She told her bird pokemon who nodded as she took off into the sky.

Ren closed her eyes tight as the wind whipped at her face. Gradually the wind stopped being so strong so she could look around her surroundings. She spotted the adoption center of Striaton below her. Made her think about the time when she adopted her feebas from there right before she met Chili. She flushed slightly thinking about how kind he was to protect her from those rabid fans of hers wanting to battle her.

She soon landed in front of the Triplet’s home before knocking loudly. She knew the restaurant was opening in the next couple hours so the other brothers might not even be home as they were doing prep work for the busy day ahead of them.

The door slowly opened revealing a very pathetic looking Chili wrapped up in a blanket. He looked at Ren with a questioning look.

“Ren? Sugar Sweet? What are you doing here?” He asked before having a loud coughing fit.

Ren pushed past him and into their apartment with a small frown.

“Chili ...Cinnamon… Hot Pepper… You shouldn’t lie to your friends when you are sick!” she lectured him slightly as she made her way into the kitchen. “What would Lenora think about you lying to me that you’re fine and you really aren’t?” She scolded him , bringing his adoptive mother into the picture would for sure make him cave.

“Ren I’m fine.” he coughed more and groaned,slumping his shoulders. “Nevermind. The world is kinda spinning.” He muttered before he swayed a little bit. Ren rushed to his side and held him up.

“Let’s get you back into bed and I’ll bring you food and water.” she said , moving to scoop him up. She lifted him up with ease and carried him off to his bedroom, which was easily told apart from his brother’s with how much fandom merchandise he had in his room.

Ren placed Chili down on the bed and placed a hand on his forehead before moving it to his cheek to test his temperature.

“Damn Chili Pepper. You’re hot. Red Hot Chili Pepper.” She joked softly , trying to test the waters if he was feeling awful still. Normally a joke like that would make him bust into laughter but the red head just shivered on the bed and wheezed slightly. “I’ll be back with soup and something to help with the cough okay?” she told him, before leaving the room to head into the kitchen again.

Once back into the kitchen she got to work.

Herbs for the paste for his chest to clear his throat and chest from the dry cough. And enough herbs as well for a soup that would help him get something into his stomach.

A flu wasn’t anything to laugh at. She knew that. It worried her slightly that the other brothers might get sick too if they came into contact with Chili. She sighed as she grabbed the bowl of mostly broth soup and the small bowl of the paste, heading towards Chili’s room.

“Hey Chili? I have something to put on your chest and some broth for you.” She said walking back into his room. Ren placed the bowl of broth on his night stand and held out the paste for him.

“I don't really want to undress you so you can do this yourself. It just goes on your upper chest. The smell and herbs will help with your cough for sure. My sister told me that it should work best for something like this. She's an herbalist in Johto so she knows her stuff.” Ren rambled slightly hoping that Chili would feel good enough to put it on himself so she didn’t have to do that. They may have been close but Ren’s feelings for the red head would get in the way and she would just stare at him in all his glory , she knew that for a fact.

He took the small grinder bowl and looked at Ren for a moment. “Okay. I trust you.” He told her before looking away. “Can you look away at least for a moment while i do this? I dont..I don’t feel comfortable with my shirt off.”

Ren nodded and looked away, moving her attention to his action figures. They were still in pristine condition and in their boxes still. She noted how well taken care of the boxes were too. Chili really loved these shows alot it seemed and put so much care into the merch.

Ren heard shuffling as Chili fixed up his shirt.

“You can look again.” He muttered softly as Ren glanced back at him. She smiled softly seeing him propped up on his bed, pillows behind him to help him stay upright.

“Let’s make sure you get something in your stomach. I can't promise I’m a better cook than your brothers or you but it's home made for the most part. And its got some herbs in there that will settle your stomach too if you feel sick.” She said , bringing the spoon up to his lips. His face looked flushed, maybe his fever was spiking?

“You okay Chili?” She questioned , tilting her head to the side. “You don’t look good… “ She trailed off as he opened his mouth and took the spoon into it. He swallowed quickly and looked away with a small pout.

“I’m fine. I’m totally fine! I’ve never been better!” He exclaimed before looking like he was holding back a cough.

Ren smiled, glad to see him with some spunk. “Okay If you say so. How about you finish the soup and then we can take a nap… If you don't mind?”

Chili looked red once more. Man was his fever really that bad?

“I wouldn’t mind that at all Ren…”

She smiled as she fed him another spoonful of soup.

“I’ll be here for you. Whenever you need me. Today and Always.”