#little fun fact irises aren't deadly (typically) but still have a ton of side effects when eaten

[montammil]

ouu! for those requests, can we see a super sick sawyer being taken care of by rowan? 🫶 (up to you if he's sick bc sawyer poisoned him or if it's something he got on his own :3c )

TW: Intentional poisoning of food (nothing lethal), vomiting, creepy/intimate whumper, creepy comfort, captivity, non-sexual nudity

...

Rowan was getting tired, to be frank.

Sawyer's defiance had been getting worse instead of improving, much to Rowan's growing irritation. He thought after enough punishment, Sawyer would begin to learn his lesson and eventually obey, but his misbehavior and impudent attitude remained staunch in place. Not only that, but it was getting far more obvious with each passing day.

Despite Sawyer's attitude, Rowan did feel more optimistic each day at work, every time he needed to go to the office.

Sure, he still hated leaving the house (more importantly, Sawyer), but he felt in a much more chipper mood now that he wouldn't have to return to an empty home.

He would never again go back to that lonely, depressing life.

Soon enough, Sawyer would come to his senses and allow himself to be cared for and loved. Rowan just had to be patient, surely. Who in their right mind would continue to deny a life of luxury and romance? It'd be ridiculous.

No matter how stubborn Sawyer was, even he had his breaking point somewhere within. And once it's breached... everything would finally fall into its perfect place, where Sawyer could be happy to spend his time with Rowan.

When he got home, he shucked off his oxfords and placed them carefully by the door, straightening them out. He then slid the briefcase from his shoulder and set it aside, loosening his tie as he went into their bedroom.

He heard pained coughing when he entered the room, and saw Sawyer laying on the bed curled up in the fetal position, sniffling softly.

"Sawyer? Darling..." Rowan frowned down at him, sitting himself on the edge of the bed and feeling his forehead. He felt incredibly warm and a bit damp too.

Sawyer looked at him silently, his face scrunched up from the pain he was enduring. His nose was red and irritated, skin hot to the touch, dark circles around his eyes indicating lack of sleep.

"You must be sick, poor thing... don't worry, I'll get you some medicine," Rowan kissed his head, going off to search through his bathroom cabinets.

He always stocked up on medicine for flu and fever season, so he knew he should have some left.

When he came back with a bottle of cold and flu medication, he shook out a couple pills in his palm and filled a cup of water in the kitchen sink, returning to Sawyer's side.

"Here, love. Can you sit up for me? Just need to take this medicine, alright?" Rowan hummed quietly, setting the medicine and glass of water on the nightstand before turning to assist Sawyer in getting upright.

The raven haired man groaned weakly as he got lifted into a half sitting position, accepting the medication from Rowan and gulping down the pills along with some water.

Once that was taken care of, Rowan wiped the wet bangs from his forehead and pecked his burning temple.

"My poor darling... I know what will help you feel better. Do you want me to make some soup?"

"Stay away," Sawyer hoarsely mumbled. "I'll get you sick."

Rowan's frown split into a grin. How sweet he was to think of him like that! He hated to admit it, but he couldn't deny he liked Sawyer's sudden change in behavior.

Now if only he could act like this all the time instead of being uncooperative and difficult.

"Oh, sweetheart," He leaned in to press kisses against his forehead again, wrapping his arms around him, stroking his fingers through his hair. "It's okay, I don't mind at all. I'm here to take care of you. Let me do my job..."

"But—"

"Shhh," Rowan gently hushed, brushing a thumb over his lips. "None of that. Don't strain yourself any further. Please, let me get you some soup. I don't like seeing you in such misery like this." He kissed Sawyer's warm cheek and laid him back down, bringing the comforter over his body. "I'll be right back. Not one step out of bed, alright?"

"...Alright..."

After finding his apron and tying it neatly around his waist, he headed off into the kitchen and pulled open the refrigerator to find vegetables and broth he had saved for dinner later on.

As he prepared Sawyer's soup, he heard loud coughing erupt from the bedroom.

He sighed to himself. Maybe leaving him in the cold shed really had been pushing it too far... but what else was he supposed to do with Sawyer's continued resistance?

What more would it take for his sweetheart to realize it was all hopeless? He had faith that soon enough Sawyer would learn to trust him.

Maybe this was the final push he needed.

"On second thought, 'm not that hungry."

Rowan turned around to see Sawyer standing in the hallway of the kitchen, swaying dangerously on his feet as if he'd trip any moment.

He dropped what he was doing, quickly striding over to hold Sawyer before he stumbled.

"What are you doing?! You're supposed to stay in bed," Rowan reprimanded firmly, looking into Sawyer's glazed eyes. Sawyer only grumbled an incoherent noise. Rowan clicked his tongue and led him over to the couch, placing him there while he went to fetch some blankets. "Just can't sit still for a minute, can you?" Rowan returned with a large quilt in tow, tucking Sawyer inside and making sure he was wrapped snugly in it.

Sawyer sniffed for the seemingly millionth time. "'M fine."

"I'm sure you are," Rowan spoke in a mocking tone, kissing his sweaty forehead, "My poor baby... just can't stay put for even a second. Here, wait." He went back to finish heating the soup and poured some in a bowl, taking care to blow on it before carrying it back over to the couch. "Open up."

"I don't—"

"Ah-ah, I know what you're going to say. Open."

Sawyer opened his mouth reluctantly, letting Rowan spoonfeed him bits of broth. After a while though, he did refuse to eat any more when he suddenly covered his mouth with his hand and swallowed thickly.

"Noo, please, my love. Can't you finish the rest of the bowl? It'll be so good for you," Rowan pleaded, trying to coax Sawyer into finishing.

"Feel too sick..." Sawyer hid his face in his sleeve in a desperate attempt to hide his tears, squeezing his eyes shut tightly. His breathing began to pick up and shudder.

"Oh... oh no, oh baby, hey, hey... look at me... it's okay," Rowan whispered to him. "Come here, come here..." He set the bowl aside and crawled onto the sofa, gathering Sawyer into his arms and rubbing his back. Sawyer started to sob. "Hush, hush... you did nothing wrong," Rowan shushed. "You were so brave for me, love, so brave. There's no need to be upset."

While this was breaking his heart, he also couldn't help but feel thrilled. This was a drastic change compared to how Sawyer used to behave. It was so incredibly refreshing.

"It hurts," Sawyer rasped.

"Where does it hurt?"

"My throat, and— and my stomach. And I feel so gross and sweaty, but I'm so cold."

"How about a nice bath?" Rowan offered. "Hmm? A lukewarm one, maybe?" Sawyer shrugged his shoulders, which Rowan took as a yes. "Up we go now," He muttered while shifting Sawyer in his hold. He was glad he started working out more before he took Sawyer in. All those exercises and diets were paying off well.

He managed to scoop him up into a bridal carry and stood from the couch carefully. They made it all the way to the bathtub successfully and he eased Sawyer down onto the closed lid of the toilet.

Sawyer instinctively looked away when he saw Rowan undressing. "You're getting in, too?"

Rowan smiled. "Can't a man bathe with his husband?" Sawyer didn't comment on how they weren't even boyfriends, much less husbands. Rowan stepped closer and stripped Sawyer of his clothing until he was completely nude. "I won't try anything, if that's what you're worried about. Unless you want me to." He winked.

Even Rowan knew his answer was obvious, so Sawyer didn't bother replying other than with an unamused frown.

When Rowan was done filling the tub with the appropriate amount of water, he slipped in and then beckoned Sawyer over with both hands. Sawyer climbed in, cringing when Rowan pulled him close and trapped him within his arms.

"Why is the water cold?" Sawyer grunted.

"We don't want you getting warmer," Rowan informed him, moving aside and returning with a bar of soap. "I take cold showers every morning, so I'm used to it."

Sawyer huffed. He thought kidnapping was proof enough that Rowan was insane, cold showers in the morning though? Now he knew he was insane.

"Why?" he asked, only to distract himself from the skin-to-skin contact. "Is there a reason for it or do you just want to torture yourself?" He felt Rowan's chuckle reverberate through his chest.

"It actually does have many health benefits. It improves your circulation, mood, sleep, and is healthier for your hair and skin," Rowan claimed. "Though if you want to ever join me, I'm more than happy to make the shower as hot as you want it." Sawyer remained silent. Rowan continued to scrub him down, along with his hair. "After this, I'll make you some tea and you can get some sleep. I'll take a few days off work just to make sure you get better."

Sawyer suppressed a scoff. "You don't have to do that, I'll be fine—"

"Oh, hush. Of course I have to do that. You know I can't bear to be without you for even a little while. I'll hop at any excuse to take work off for you." The water sloshed lightly when Rowan shifted around, pouring water over Sawyer's head to rinse him.

For the next few minutes, Sawyer spaced out, that when he became aware of his surroundings again, he was already sitting in bed bundled under two large blankets and wearing warm clothes.

He felt the heat of a cup being pressed against his palms and blinked away the dizziness when he took a sip of what was given to him, tasting herbal tea with a hint of lemon and honey.

After that, he fell asleep with Rowan wrapping an arm around him securely, like he had to be afraid Sawyer was going to disappear at any moment.

When Sawyer woke up the next day, he immediately noticed a body curled behind him, and there was something heavy on top of his hip. Casper was resting on him and purring loudly when he saw that Sawyer was awake.

Sawyer went to pet him, then felt a wave of nausea overcome him. He leapt out of bed and sprinted to the bathroom, lifting the lid and spilling whatever he could muster out of his insides and into the toilet.

He didn't realize he was crying again until a thumb brushed the tears away from his cheeks while fingers gently pulled his hair out of his face.

Rowan rubbed circles over his back with his free hand. "There we go. Let it all out, love."

Soon enough, Sawyer finished expelling the contents of his stomach and slumped into the strong arms awaiting him. "Fuck," he whispered. His throat burned and felt raw.

He made small shushing sounds, guiding Sawyer back to bed and tucking him in.

Sawyer was past the point of caring about his own humiliation by now. He buried his face in Rowan's stomach once Rowan sat down on the bed and closed his legs around him.

"So clingy today," Rowan chuckled. He sounded more happy than worried, but Sawyer didn't even notice over the ringing in his ears. "Let me get you some more medicine first, then you can latch onto me."

"Nooooo..." Sawyer whined, nuzzling his abdomen like a cat. Rowan huffed out another laugh and simply reached into the nightstand's drawer to fetch the fever medicine, popping out a pill and grabbing the glass of water from now just a few hours ago.

After Sawyer swallowed both down again, he fell back asleep. Rowan couldn't stop smiling.

...

Just three days later, Sawyer was starting to improve. He wasn't slurring his words nearly as much, and his throat and stomach pain were only mild.

It was a (rare) good day for Sawyer, but for Rowan? Not so much.

He knew it was selfish, but he missed having Sawyer depending on him and needing constant care and attention.

As much as he wanted him healthy, he missed having Sawyer clinging onto him and acting like he needed Rowan for everything. It made his heart ache to know Sawyer would return to his regular behavior eventually... that it was only a matter of time before he ended up trying to escape again or denying his affection.

"More soup!" Rowan claimed. "Vegetable soup, to be specific."

Sawyer sighed. "I'll eat it, but then I want to be left alone."

"Sure, darling. What ever you say."

His tone wasn't sarcastic, but that's what made Sawyer more suspicious. Rowan never would've responded that way. He shrugged it off and sipped on his soup until it was all gone. The clock ticked silently as Rowan watched over him, smiling cheerily as if it were Christmas.

Sawyer gave the bowl to him and turned his back to close his eyes and get some more sleep.

Rowan left, still cheerful and bubbly. He was thankful he had decided to grow those irises in the backyard because it would work wonders with the soup. In more ways than one.