### A Promise Despite the Fever

Prompt: Simon woke up sick with a high fever but pushed through it because he promised his wife emily he would do the chores today so that she can work from home. He got the kids to school and started on his chores. Every movement made him dizzy. Halve way trough his chores he took a quick break on the couch and tried not to fall asleep. It was then that he heard emily come in from her home office. He quickly tried to get back to the chores as to not dissapoint her but he failt. Emily got quite cross with him when she saw not everything was finished. Simon could not hold it back anymore. He cried as he tried to explain. He felt like a burden. Emily apollegised and took care of simon

Simon woke up in a fog, his head heavy and his body aching. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, wincing as he felt the chill of the floorboards against his feet. Glancing at the clock, he noticed it was well past seven. He could hear the faint hum of the world waking up outside, birds chirping and the distant rumble of cars. But in his small, home cocoon, he was completely isolated, enveloped in fever dreams and groggy realizations. “Just a little fever,” he muttered to himself, feeling the heat radiate from his skin. He closed his eyes momentarily, hoping for clarity. Today was a big day for Emily. She had a major deadline for work, and he had promised to take care of everything around the house while she focused on her tasks. It was supposed to be a shared partnership, a balancing act that they had worked hard to maintain. “I can't let her down,” he thought, dismissing the growing queasiness in his stomach. With a heavy sigh, he put one foot in front of the other and trudged to the bathroom. He splashed water on his face, a futile attempt to wake himself up. His reflection looked back, eyes glassy and exhausted. “You can do this,” he reassured himself, determinedly setting his jaw. He threw on a pair of sweatpants and a worn T-shirt, a hint of sweat already forming under the fabric. The kids were restless as Simon hurried to pack their lunch. "Dad, you’re sick! You should stay in bed!” his youngest, Lily, said, concern crossing her little face. “I’m fine, sweetheart,” he said, brushing off his discomfort. He forced himself to engage, smiling as he pretended to pack their favorite snacks. After a flurry of breakfast and hurried shoelaces, he finally managed to drop the kids off at school, each hug and goodbye lingering just a moment longer than it should, as if they sensed their father was not quite himself. Exhaustion washed over him like a wave as he returned home. He took a moment, leaning against the fridge, catching his breath. But there was no time for rest. He grabbed a list Emily had made the night before, detailing the chores waiting impatiently. Laundry needed to be folded, dishes washed, and the living room should look as tidy as a picture from a magazine. Simon looked at the list, then at the heated coffee pot, longing for just a sip to reignite his energy. The first few chores were manageable, albeit dizzying. He loaded the dishwasher and started a load of laundry. Each task took longer than the last, and a fog began to hang heavy over him. With every movement, the room swayed slightly. He pressed on, though, gritting his teeth and muttering encouragements to himself, willing his body to comply. Halfway through, he could no longer ignore the collapsing sensation in his limbs. He treated himself to a brief moment on the couch, hoping to gather his scattered energy. Lying there, eyes shut, he barely noticed how the minutes slipped by, his body fighting to drift into rest. But just as he lulled into a shallow sleep, he heard footsteps approaching. Emily had emerged from her home office. Panic flared up inside him. He could hear her soft footsteps approaching, and he bolted up from the couch, pushing the fatigue aside. “Hey! Just getting a few things done,” he called out, his voice cracking slightly. He rushed to the kitchen, trying to cover the half-finished chore list that lay sprawled out in disarray. But as she entered the room, Simon could see the shift in Emily’s expression. The moment of realization washed over her as she took in the sight of the unswept floor and piled-up clothes, still wrinkled and damp in the basket. Simon's heart sank as her brow furrowed in disappointment. “Simon, you promised!” she exclaimed, the frustration evident in her voice. “I thought you could handle this. I really need to focus on my work today.” Each word twisted like a knife through his already fragile resolve. He tried to defend himself but the words caught in his throat. All that he was feeling crashed over him in a tidal wave — the fever, the dizziness, the overwhelming sense of failure. Tears began to form, pushing against the barriers he had tried to construct around himself. “I… I’m so sorry, Em,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “I didn’t want to let you down. I just… I can’t do it today.” Emily's expression softened as she stepped closer, her frustration melting away under the weight of his sadness. She knelt beside him, her eyes searching his face. “Oh Simon,” she said gently, her voice wrapping around him like a warm blanket. “You’re not a burden. You should have called me. I didn’t want you to push yourself.” “I just wanted to help… I didn’t want to feel useless,” he confessed, wiping away tears with the back of his hand, trembling and raw. The fever burned hotter in response to his emotional outpouring, making him feel even more vulnerable. Shifting from frustration to concern, Emily took his hands, squeezing them gently. “You’re not useless. You’re my partner, my love. We’re in this together. Now, let’s go back to bed. I’ll take care of everything.” Simon felt a rush of relief wash over him as she helped him stand, her support steadying him against his unsteady frame. They walked together towards their shared haven, feeling the strength of their bond surpass the weight of the responsibilities. It was in that moment, amidst his weakness, that Simon understood what truly mattered: the promise of love that transcended chores and deadlines. As they settled into the warmth of their bed, Simon knew that tomorrow would come with its own challenges, but they would face them together. And for now, he would allow himself the grace to rest.