“Leo, she’s awake!”

A shout broke him from his cooking reverie. Leo mixed the thick broth once again and pulled it from the flame, letting it settle and cool down for now.

“Got it, I’m coming.”

Knocking gently before entering the room, he made his way right to the bedside. The woman groaned, seemingly still unaware of what’s happened.

“Here, lady, have some water. Empty half of it at least, you need it.”

Handing her the jug with a subconsciously authoritative tone, he helped her bring it to her mouth and then brought it away once he’d deemed she’s had enough.

“Who are you? Why are you in my home? And why..” the woman just about to sit out of bed as she shot a flurry of questions.

“Atatatata!” exclaimed Leo as he pushed her back under the quilt, a brief blush surfacing on his cheek. “Best you stay put, lady… At least, erhm, ascertain your condition before you get off.”

The woman seemed to catch on and nearly shrieked despite her age. She balked at the child holding her bare shoulders down, then spotted her nephew Fino and finally stammered and laid back down, somewhat violently cleaning her throat while glaring murderously at Leo.

“Why don’t we wait for you in the dining room to explain? I’ve made some broth for you that should ease your recovery. You err, put some clothes on and join us…”

Dragging the confused Fino out of the room while the woman was still processing his order, and before she could lash out, he fled the proverbial volcano before it erupted.

“Sit down, kid. I’ll feed you some broth while your aunt calms down.”

Pushing a set of bowls along the table, he emptied the pot he’d prepared and split it into three portions. He then sat across Fino and spoon-fed him the broth.

“Blow on it if it’s hot, don’t expect me to that for you too,” bemoaned Leo as he watched the kid’s face flush with tears. Despite berating him, he nonetheless slowed down and fed him at his own pace.

Just as he finished feeding him, the door creaked weakly. The lady, with somewhat orderly hair and wearing a thin one-piece, made her way in and sat down, glaring at Leo with suspicion and some revulsion.

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Noting her murderous glance, but pretending to not notice — he smiled brightly and pushed the bowl closer to her.

“You’re suffering from an infectious disease, lady. Should have made you weaker, and made you suffer from a fever every now and then for the better part of two weeks, right? It’ll last another week or so, then you should get better. If you don’t want to collapse again, make sure to bathe only in lukewarm water, drink a lot of water and rinse your throat with salt-water whenever its sore.”

As if remembering something, he paused and avoided glancing at her, then seemingly unsure how to breach the topic, finally stammered with a weak voice, “Also abstain from err… relations with men. You’re weak as is, and that’s where you got infected in the first place.”

The spoon dropped to the ground, prompting him to look up only to see the woman stammer with equal embarrassment. Unwilling to dwell on the topic, he quickly diverted the topic away.

“Anyway, Fino here ran hungry as you were sick, and since he couldn’t reach you, he had the brilliant idea of stealing from the market. He got caught and had his hands broken. Probably beyond repair.”

“My little sister was kind enough to goad me into extending a hand, hence I helped clean him up and stop the bleeding. He then told us his father’s gone, and that you’re his only relative. I brought him here, and I found you passed out in the bathroom.”

“That’s it,” he then proceeded to swiftly eat his portion of broth with relish, as though to make sure he’d finish it before they get kicked out.

The room descended into silence for a while as he ate, and the woman seemed to accept his rapid-fire explanation because she asked no further questions. After a while, she examined Fino’s bandaged arms with a guilty look, sniffling to stifle the urge to cry.

Fino for his part remained quiet with his elbows resting limp on the table. He must’ve been exhausted and was using sheer will just to stay awake.

“Well, then, consider this broth repayment for my medical recommendation,” Leo stood up just as he finished wolfing down his meal. Unwilling to bother with the odd atmosphere, he decided to make his escape.

“Keep your door unlocked, and make food for the kid lest he starve. Change his bandage tomorrow, but make sure not to touch the sticks bound to his fingers. Those casts are meant to keep the bones in place as they heal.”

“Oh and, when Fino’s father returns from sea, should he be benevolent enough to reward me for saving his son, or require advice on how to proceed with his recovery, he may make a voluntary donation up on the hill at the Saintess monastery.”

Finally reaching the door, he stopped and shot the woman another glance. His gaze cheekily wandered up and down as if to conserve the memory, much to her obvious annoyance.

“Good evening, then.”

Briskly escaping and shutting the door behind him, he sighed in relief and thanked the stars the woman was too weakened by her fever to retaliate and beat him up.

He got to act like an adult medic, and it sure felt great to strut around like he knew what’s up.

Grinning from ear to ear as he made his way out the yard, he stopped in his tracks as he heard faint sounds of sobbing behind him. Unsure if it was Fino finally breaking from pain, or his irresponsible aunt crying from guilt, he could only wish in his heart that things work out for them.