Sniffles
X was actually sick.
It was a major shock to everyone, especially Zero, when he called in along with several others that he had caught this season’s Replo-Rhino. Every year, like some sadistic joke, some human would rig up a bug for Reploids that replicated the (still un-curable) common cold. Typically, only un-updated or brand new Reploids were afflicted by it, and even if X ended up the most in contact with it, he never caught it. So him suddenly having it?
People panicked.
“What if it’s a strand of the Sigma Virus?” Palette wailed after Signas made the announcement that X was not coming in today, along with Alia and several other hunters and Navigators. “What if they’re going Maverick? We’re doomed, doomed!”
“That’s enough, Palette,” Signas said, calm as ever. Zero wondered if he had an emotion chip at all sometimes. “It’s just the typical symptoms—headache, stuffiness, coughing and sore throat. By the way he was making it sound, he’ll be back after a twenty-four hour purge and defrag with system restore. Same with Alia.”
“A purge?” Axl looked worried.
Zero placed a hand on Axl’s shoulder. “It’s not what you think,” he said, “We older types still purge once in a while. He’s basically replacing all of his internal fluids in case of the bug producing irritates in them. It’s one of the basic things Replo-Rhino does, jacks up everything it can but in an easy-to-fix way.”
“And the defrag with system restore?”
“Well he apparently downloaded something that had the bug. Basic precaution.”
At this point, Axl looked pleadingly to Signas, looking incredibly like a lost kitten. How the kid could pull off such a look, no one was sure, but he did.
“Sir,” Axl said, “I don’t like the sounds of it, maybe someone should watch X. Today’s a light day so far, and we can always call back whoever we sent if it gets heavy.”
Signas frowned slightly. “I can’t have a sitter for everyone sick.”
“No, sir, just X… his, uh, older system worries me more than anyone else.” Axl suddenly clapped Zero on the shoulder, making the blond lurch forward. “Zero here will sit with him for today! Won’t you, Zero?” he secretly leered.
You sneaky brat. “If need be,” Zero said, careful to keep his voice neutral. After all, spending a day alone with X, sick or not, was rare…
Signas didn’t look ready to give in, but as another phone call came in with another Hunter calling in, he sighed and nodded to Zero. Before he could change his mind, Zero smirked at Axl, who flashed a thumbs up, and raced out of the room.
If he was lucky, X was faking it.
~*~
X was not faking it by a long shot.
If there was one thing Zero appreciated about his secret lover, it was how neat he was. X’s apartment was always meticulously cared for, everything in order and labeled. Sometimes Zero joked he was obsessive compulsive, and although X often scoffed that remark off, he certainly showed signs of one.
When Zero first entered the apartment, using the key code he knew by heart of course, the first room was in perfect order. So was the second—well, a few things were out of their places, but that was okay. By the time Zero reached the bedroom though, it was a warzone, and one that made Zero’s core freeze for several nanoseconds in actual terror.
Assistive machines were strewn everywhere, some in pieces even, with a few splattering drops of oil and red-tinged fluid on the bed. The floor was covered with covers and pillows, books and clothes, along with discarded pieces of armor. Zero raced to the bathroom, flinging it open and wincing away as a hot puff of steam slapped him in the face.
“Who d’ ‘ell…” X’s red face and bleary eyes leaned forward from the darkened bathroom. “Ze’o?”
“Jumping jeezus on a pogo stick, X,” Zero fanned at the air. “You’re going to melt your skin!”
“Maybe it help.” X sniffled. “Wha’ up?”
X was certainly a mess: his eyes were red and puffy, his entire body flushed (although perhaps from the steam moreso than the bug), he sounded stuffed and gruffed up... the poor guy. Zero just wanted to cuddle him back to good health.
Zero smiled as he reached into the bathroom, pulling X out of the steam. “I’m your sitter today, make sure everything goes well.”
Immediately X launched into his whining, “Don’ they tru’ me? I okay! Bu’ my ‘amn pur’er broke.”
“Is that why your fluids’re all over the place?”
“Yea’ I had a ‘ight wit’ it.” X sniffled miserably. “I ‘eel like ‘hit.”
“You sound it too, love.” Zero carefully swept X up off his feet, carrying to the cooler and cleaner living room. “But you’re okay now; I’m here to take care of you.”
“Yaaaay…” X muttered, snuggling close as Zero fell onto the couch. “Wha’ a snotty ‘ay to spen’ a day to’ether.”
Zero grinned. “Just don’t snot all over me and we’ll be just fine.”
“Jerk.”
“I know. Get some rest, I ain’t goin’ anywhere even if they call me.”
“Goo’.” X snuggled closer. “I ain’ lettin’ ‘ou go.” He closed his eyes and finally smiled. “Thanks.”
“It’s what boyfriends do.” Zero made a mental note to give Axl credit… later. For now, he’ll take the glory.
“Mmhmm. ‘Ove you, Ze’o.” X sniffled.
“Love you too, X.”