"Ohhhh… ouuuu… aaaa… my head… whyyyy-"
I squirmed in pain, my face was burning, my head beating with my heartbeat, bring waves of agony again and again. Now I know what It was to Verdia, but mine's worst.
Eris sat on my side, worried. "How did you even manage that?"
Well I will tell you how.
---
It was a day with lot's of work like any other, but not truly, because I decided to train by working manually along my other selves/my extensions. Who would have guessed that working under the scorching sun in the desert would have bad effects?
Well at least I managed to get some work done, making a new and bigger cabbage farm, because as one may know, my energy recerves began to run short and all my factories stopped working, along with the big cabbage farm, so I'm kind of at a zero right now...
I also managed to make a tree farm, which also includes coconuts, which in all honesty is my spirit animal. So now I have a steady stream of trees... If my reserves weren't fucking diminished. When all the trees stopped growing and my little extensions kind of died, returning the soul fragment in them to me, I became aware of this issue.
So after a long while of manual labour, because I was forced to use my own mana reserves, I finally set up a crude farm - no fancy building, just some land and cabbages on top.
---
"Awwy :("
"You should take better care of your body, my love. " She scolded lightly, touching my forehead with her hand, which felt cold to the touch.
"There were issues that can't be ignored, and I wanted to train."
She just looked at me, confused. "Train? You were the one who told me to not be insecure. So why are you insecure?"
I look at her with a sly smile.
She blinked a few times, not receiving any answers from me.
With a sigh, she placed a hand on my cheek, as if checking just how warm they are.
"You are too stubborn for your own good." And then she was up, moving out the room with grace. The sound of running water hitting a metal bowl was heard and moments later she came back with the vessel, as well as a towel, both she placed on the nightstand, before soaking the towel in the water.
The wet cloth touched my skin, cooling the pain. As she did that she rose up again, went, and returned with a pitcher and a cup.
She poured water into the cup and then gently guided it to my lips, lifting my head so I don't choke.
"Eris..." I whispered. "You don't have to do all this?"
Her gaze burned with quiet resolve. "I am your goddess. Your wife. If I cannot do this for you, then what am I worth?"
The words struck deep respect inside me.
Hours passed like that. She would occasionally vanish, before appearing back as quickly as she went. She was juggling between her divine duties and tending to my state.
Finally, the pain dulled into something bearable, but It only was because I was falling asleep.
The last thing I felt tonight was her lips pressed gently against the side of my head.
That night nothing eventful happened, except that I was back on the streets in Nesebar; Eris was with me and she was enjoying this trip as much as I was... Though this wasn't an accurate picture of Nesebar, it gave such vibes.
We went to a restaurant and ordered some... But the menu for some reason was only cold drinks. I ordered a lot. Like a lot of tea... When I think about it, it tasted like an iced tea I enjoyed drinking when I was back home.
Ahh, my favourite...
When I woke up, I saw Eris standing with her arns crossed in front if the open window, staring into the gentle morning light.
"Morning," I murmured, my head still pounding with residual pain.
She turned immediately, eyes full of worry. "Good morning... are you feeling better?" She quickly moved to my side.
"Yes... thank you..." I replied my voice softer.
"It's nothing," she said and hugged me.
I smiled faintly against her hair. "I wish I could take care of you like that."
She chuckled softly, her tone lighthearted.
"Funny, but... We goddesses aren't to common colds. You might have seen it with Aqua-senpai."
I smirker. "Alright, let me rephrase - I wish to take care of you however I can."
"That's better." She said with a bright smile. "But you seem to be missing something..." She said, gently placing her hands on my face and giving me a look that just made me melt. "You already do."
In that moment everythint just triggered me, the closeness, the warmth, the look of giving. But I held myself back.
And so breakfast came, I managed to stand from the bed without swayingm I decided to put my hands to something small - a bit of work, which would lead to major comfort... The taste... I miss it.
We went to the kitchen where we had quite a lot of fruits to pick from, but I decided to make a mix, I brewed some tea, with the tea I got while buying salt and spices as my dear wanted them. I drew out the extract, then added aroma, a touch of sweetness - mana shaped into glucose, found within those two fruits. In the end I was left with a lovely looking drink - iced tea with peach and passion fruit.
Eris lingered by the counter, curiousity clear in her gaze as I worked.
At last, I poured the now chilled mixture into a cup, took a sip myself and sighed with satisfaction. "Ahh... Memories." I tilted my head to her. "Wanna try?"
She looked at the drink, wondering. "You used to drink this back in your old world?"
"Yeah," I said with a small smile. "It was one of those little comforts I'd pick up on hot days... And also at winter, but that's just details."
She chuckled slightly at my dismissive tone before lifting the cup and taking a sip. Delight immediately broke across her face. "It's so sweet and fruity!"
I leaned in a bit, letting a grin tug at my lips as I grasped the opportunity. "It can't compare to your lips."
Her cheeks flushed in an instant, her composure crumbling. "Y-you... really don't hold back?" she stammered, though her lips curved into a smile.
I shrugged innocently. "It's true though."
She tried to hide behind another sip, but her blush betrayed her.
Watching her savor and enjoy it was the most valuable thing for me. "It came to me in a dream, you didn't try it there, so I decided to let you try it here. Thought you'd like it."
She lowered the cup slightly, eyes soft. "I do. It's more than tea. It's... a memory..." She whispered. "And I will drink every drop... so I can taste what your past was like."
And so we moved to the table, where we shared the pitched of iced tea. After it was fully gone, I straightened up, stretching my still-weary limbs. "Alright... I think I'm ready to work again. Nothing heavy, just-"
She cut me off with a glare. "Oh no, you don't."
I held up my hands. "Listen, I promise - no standing under the sun, no pushing myself. I'll let the little workers handle the load. I'll just supervise."
She crossed her arms, unconvinced.
"Truly. I'm not lying."
She narrowed her eyes, then softened, tilting her head with mock annoyance. "Mhm. You say that, but I know you. You'll sneak into labor the moment I blink." Her lips curved into a teasing smiled as she leaned closed. "Do I have to tie you down to keep you in bed?"
I froze, blinking, before letting out a short laugh. "You're really using charm against me, huh?"
She smiled sweetly, victory in her eyes.
"...Fine," I sighed, flopping back down on my chair. "Maybe it is a good time to a take a break."
She laughed softly, slipping beside me and curling into my side. "Good. Now rest. It can wait."