Chapter Text
Alice lay in bed, too dizzy to sit up. Dammit. she thought, why’d I have to get sick now?
It was the second day of Julius’s trip away from the Clock Tower. He was off on business, catering to a client who needed care urgently.
“It’s only for a few days, and I’ll be back as soon as possible.” he explained. “So please try not to light the Clock Tower on fire, or seriously injure yourself while I’m gone.”
I wonder if he considers extreme illness a form of self harm, she mused. Alice had felt perfectly fine on the morning of his departure, but after getting caught in a storm later that night, she woke up warm and feverish. And now I feel too weak to stand. Just perfect. She lay there, mulling over her options, when suddenly the door to the Clock Tower creaked open.
“Hello? Who is it?” she called out feebly.
“ALICE!” a voice shouted back, and she listened as loud footsteps raced up the stairs. In bounced Peter, wearing a smile that lit up every part of his face. “ALICE!” he cried out joyfully, leaping to crush her in a smothering embrace.
“DON’T!” she yelled, before falling into a heavy coughing fit.
“Alice? What's wrong? You sound terrible!” Let me see!” He quickly reached out to touch her forehead, but she swatted his hand away.
“Stop it, leave me alone! I’m fine!”
“No, you are most definitely NOT fine!” Peter argued. “And where is Julius? Are you all alone here? Where has that twit run off to, and how could he abandon you like this?! I’ll shoot him for his careless negligence!”
“Calm down, it’s just a little cold and Julius will be back soon.” Alice explained. “So go away and let me get some rest Peter!”
“I can’t leave you like this; you need to be properly cared for! And I, Peter White, refuse to leave your side until you have been tenderly nursed back to health!” he promised, a gleam of determination in his eye.
“Wait a min-”
“Shhh” he silenced her lovingly. “Now stop being childish and rest. Meanwhile, I will start preparing you a soup. Please try to get some sleep until I return.”
“...Fine” Alice mumbled, turning onto her side. She closed her eyes, and listened to the soft fading of Peter’s footsteps as he left for the kitchen.