Bitter Potion, Sweetest Wish
"All done. For you, honey."
A horrific bitterness. The stench of burning rubber concentrated hundreds of times over. A hellish smell that twisted my face into a grimace all on its own. What the hell is this smell...! Did they really make this for people to eat? Well, Elma is a dwarf, but even so, this was too much.
Elma flinched. Her shoulders jerked up sharply.
"Sniff, sniiiiff..."
She was sniffling through her nose. Even through her stuffed-up nostrils, that toxic stench must have wormed its way in.
"Ugh... Ah, no."
Elma's face contorted mercilessly. Whoosh! She burst out of my arms and scrambled backward in a panic. She yanked the blanket over her head all the way up. The round blanket lump thrashed left and right.
"N-No! Get that away!"
"Elma. You gotta take your medicine to get better."
"How am I supposed to eat that? Just the smell is killing me!"
A muffled shout exploded from under the blanket. She sounded just like a little kid throwing a tantrum.
I scooped up a spoonful of the black, viscous liquid. It sloshed around like pure poison. I held the spoon right up to the blanket lump.
"Just one gulp and it's over. Come on, say ahh."
"Nooooo!!"
The blanket flapped wildly. Short little legs kicked furiously at the air.
"It reeks! That's dwarf-only medicine! You think I don't know?!"
"Aren't you being a bit dramatic, Elma?"
"I don't need this crap! I'm not a dwarf anymore! Starting today, I'm human!"
A declaration of abandoning her race. She really didn't want to eat it.
"Don't be stubborn."
"Ugh... I'll just stay sick. You'll nurse me back to health anyway..."
She whined with everything she had. But her breathing was still ragged. If I left her like this, her fever would spike dangerously. Time for a decision. Drastic measures.
"Elma."
I kept my voice as calm as possible.
"If you hold your nose and finish it all..."
I paused for effect.
"I'll grant you one wish. No matter what it is."
"..."
The thrashing blanket lump froze. Silence. I could hear her swallowing hard from inside.
Got her...!
"A wish...?"
"Yeah. Anything you want, I'll make it happen."
Slowly, a strand of pale barley-colored twin tail poked out from under the blanket. A round almond-shaped eye peeked out next. It darted around. She was clearly spinning all sorts of wild ideas.
"For real? Anything I want?"
"Have you ever known me to lie?"
"Hmmm..."
Elma smacked her lips. The offer clearly tempted her. She slid the blanket down and shoved her face forward.
"Then... just one bite?"
"Yeah. Gulp it down in one go. Come on, ahh."
Elma squeezed her eyes shut. She pried open her tiny mouth with effort. I carefully brought the spoon to her lips. The black liquid drew closer. But...
"Urk...! *Cough cough*!"
It hadn't even touched her lips yet. The horrific bitterness slammed into her nose. She dry-heaved violently.
"Gah, *cough*! Nooooo!"
Tears sprang to her eyes in sheer horror. She flopped backward, dragging her butt along the ground. She bolted to the corner of the tent like a shot.
"I can't! Forget the wish— it smells like hellfire brimstone!!"
"You still gotta eat it! That's how you'll get better!"
A struggle broke out with the wriggling Elma. Where was all this strength coming from in her tiny body?
Haa, this is driving me nuts.
No other way. Even tempting her with a wish wasn't enough— her disgust won out. I couldn't just pin her down and pour it in. This wasn't some Joseon-era execution.
In the end, I picked up the medicine bottle. *Slosh*. The black, thick liquid inside. The pharmacist's words came back to me.
- It's like your tongue shrivels up, you know? Your taste buds will be numb for half a day.
Taste buds can recover after some suffering.
I swallowed a short sigh. Brought the bottle to my lips.
"H-Honey?!"
Elma, sniffling in the corner, went wide-eyed.
*Gulp*.
I poured the black liquid into my mouth. Shock. "Urgh...!" My head throbbed sharply. Sparks exploded in my vision. My taste buds burned away.
This isn't just bitter...!
It wasn't bitterness— it was pain. Exactly what swallowing poison raw would feel like. I crushed the rising nausea with sheer willpower.
Hold it together. I have to.
Mouth clamped shut, I approached Elma.
"H-Honey?! Are you insane?! Why'd you eat that!!"
She freaked out, flailing her arms. I just scooped her into my arms. One hand gripped the back of her head firmly. The other seized her fever-hot cheek.
"Mmph...!?"
I lifted her lightly, meeting her eyes. Her almond-shaped pupils swirled in panic. I leaned down. Covered her tiny lips with mine.
"Mmmph!?"
Elma's throat jerked. Our lips met. I pushed the medicine straight into her mouth.
*Squelch*.
The horrific bitterness passed between our lips. Elma's eyes widened to their limit.
"Ummph...! Mmm...!"
Her pained nasal whines. Her tiny hands shoved hard at my chest. But I didn't release my grip on the back of her head.
*Gulp*.
Finally, her throat bobbed sharply. The medicine slid down her esophagus. Success.
But I didn't pull away.
"Haa... Mmm..."
I rubbed our lips together, licked her teeth. Forced my tongue deep between her lips. It tangled wetly with her small, hot tongue.
*Smack... Slurp... Mmm..."
I swept every corner of her mouth. Mixed our saliva, over and over. To wash away every trace of that bitterness.
"H-Honey... Haa..."
Her hands pounding my chest slowed. Saliva. Hot tongue. An overwhelming kiss that stole her breath. The medicine's bitterness had long vanished. Her thick scent and cozy warmth filled its place.
Elma's rigid body melted like snow in my arms.
"Haa... Mmm... Feels so gooood..."
Her short arms suddenly wrapped tight around my neck. Hands that had pushed me away now clutched desperately at my collar. She even sucked on my tongue, demanding a deeper kiss.
*Squelch. Smack. Slurp.*
Lewd wet sounds echoed through the tent for a good while.
"Haa... Haa..."
Finally, our lips parted. The saliva thread between them snapped. Elma slumped against me, limp in my arms.
"Hah, haa..."
Ragged breaths burst from her parted lips. Was it the cold, or the kiss? Her face was far redder than before. Steam practically rose from her head.
I gently wiped the saliva from her lips with my thumb.
"How's that?"
My voice was hoarse too.
"Not scared of the medicine anymore, right?"
Elma half-lidded her almond eyes sulkily. Her gaze was completely melted. She pouted, then headbutted my solar plexus.
"Jeez..."
She rubbed her cheek against my chest. Her voice was thick and soaked.
Her tiny lips grumbled on.
"Kissing me like that... You knew I'd cave...?"
Her clenched fists turned white with effort.
"That's... totally cheating..."
"You swallowed the medicine, and you still have a wish left."
I planted another light kiss on her flushed cheek. *Smack*.
"Seems like a sweet deal for my queen, doesn't it?"
"...!"
Queen. A pet name she pretended to hate, but only we two knew. Unable to hide her embarrassment, Elma burrowed deeper into my arms.
"I-I told you not to call me queen... You're so annoying..."
Her grumbling ended in a pleased hum.
===============================
The medicine's effects kicked in for real. Her steady breaths turned ragged again.
"Ngh... Uuugh..."
Pained groans escaped her. A war raged inside her body. Dwarf-specific medicine battling the virus. The problem was the aftermath.
*Shiver shiver*.
Her body in my arms vibrated like a leaf in the wind. Brutal chills.
"C-Cold..."
Her teeth chattered. I hurriedly pulled out a thick blanket and draped it over her. Even bundled her up in Neukdori's fur. But it was no use.
"Huu... Honey... I'm freezing to death..."
The huddled blanket lump trembled nonstop. Her blue lips whimpered endlessly. I even dragged out the electric blanket, but it wasn't enough.
"Sob... Honey... I'm so cold..."
Ah.
Elma's round eyes welled up pitifully. I knew what she needed now. Not a heat source— comfort.
Whoosh. I stripped off my clothes. Flap. Dove straight under the blanket.
"Ugh... H-Honey...?"
Her fever-glazed almond eyes. Unfocused, they stared blankly up at me.
No words. I just reached out. Pulled her trembling little body close.
Squeeze.
"Hyah...!?"
A tiny yelp. Her petite form slotted perfectly into my arms. Heat radiated through her barley-colored skin. I hugged her tight, pouring in my warmth without reserve.
Soft. Chewy. Her plush breasts pressed delightfully against my chest.
Thump. Thump. Thud. Thud.
Where our chests met, heartbeats transmitted through tender skin.
"Human heater. Remember? We did this on the trip."
I whispered sweetly in her ear. Stroked her quivering back gently.
"Better now?"
"Mmm..."
The shivers gradually subsided. Warm color returned to her barley skin.
Squirm squirm. Elma adjusted her position in my arms. She rubbed her cheek all over my chest.
"Mmm... Love your scent, honey..."
Her lips parted loosely. A drowsy, melting hum from deep in my arms.
"So warmmm..."
Her short arms hugged my neck in return. Like a little beast finding a safe den.
After sharing body heat for a while...
"Um..."
A tiny voice wriggled out from under the blanket. Slyly.
"Honey. You said you'd grant one wish, no questions asked... right?"
She must feel better. Straight to business now that she could breathe.
I kinda force-fed her half of it, but...
A promise was a promise. And her obedient cuddling was just too adorable. Breaking her stubbornness to take the medicine. Her dangerous fever easing. Everything made me grateful and proud.
I wiggled my fingertips gently. Scratched her scalp softly.
"Feeling alive now?"
"Mhm..."
"What's the wish?"
I could guess, knowing my usual Elma.
"Snow king crab? Or should I grill some Hanwoo for two?"
"..."
"Wanna go on a trip once you're better? Or watch a movie together?"
I'd grant anything. I waited for her chattering little lips, full of excitement.
But.
Shake shake. The tiny head in my arms shook quietly.
"Huh?"
Unexpected.
"Or... something you want? I'll get you anything I can."
Another shake. She buried her face deeper in my chest. Rubbed her cheek mushily.
Swoosh. Her head lifted slightly.
"...You've already granted it."
A fragile whisper.
"Huh?"
I asked in confusion. Already granted? I hadn't done anything yet?
"You've done it all. For me, honey."
Did she read my mind? Even sick, her senses were sharp. Her tiny hand roamed my bare chest. Callused fingertips gently caressed my nape.
"You know? Honey."
"Yeah. Elma."
"I've always been alone, right?"
A flat tone. But it weighed heavy on my heart.
"So small... a freak. No one would hang out with me. So I got mad and acted all high and mighty, but I was alone."
A story I'd heard countless times, but it still ached like an infected wound.
"Same when I got sick."
Her tiny lips quivered.
"Even burning up with fever, I'd suffer alone."
"..."
"No matter how bad it hurt, no one helped. It was so scary... so lonely..."
Times she'd endured alone in that little body. No one to warm her.
"So I kept wishing. Someday, someone would come. Someone who'd treasure me most."
Tears welled in her round eyes.
"To stay by my side when I'm sick."
Her arms around my neck tightened.
"To hold me like this."
"Elma."
"Comfort. Sharing warmth."
Tears she'd held back slid down her cheeks. Hot droplets plopped onto my chest.
"That was my real wish."
"..."
I couldn't speak. My throat choked up. Affection and pity surged fiercely.
I looked down at Elma's wandering hand. The tiny hand mocked all her life. I overlaid mine, gripping it firm. Kneaded it softly. Poured all my warmth between her fingers.
"...I promise."
"Mmm..."
"From now on, never leaving you alone when you're sick."
"For real...?"
"Yeah. If you're sick, I'm right there."
Elma beamed. A tender smile through tears. More beautiful and radiant than anything.
She sighed in relief, slowly closing her eyes.
"Your arms... feel so good."
Babyish mumble. Her tiny body slipped into deep sleep.
"Tomorrow... I'll be all better..."
Her breaths settled softly. *Sigh... Sigh...* Even rhythm brushed my bare chest. Wet forest scent and nutty aroma. Her natural smell pleasantly tickled my nose.
I leaned down carefully. Brushed back the barley bangs stuck with cold sweat. Fever-flushed nose bridge. Damp eye corners. I kissed her forehead deeply.
*Smack*.
No matter what anyone said, I'd protect this small, lovable woman forever.
"Sweet dreams."
I whispered, barely audible at her ear.
"My queen."
Even in sleep, her instant grumble.
"Mmmph..."
She rubbed her cheek wildly against my chest in protest.
"Told you... not to call me queeeen..."
"...Pfft."
Even half-asleep, she had to get her say in. I couldn't hold back and let out a chuckle.
Yeah. Queen or little professor, what did it matter? She was my one and only wife in my arms.
I quietly placed my hand on her small, precious back. Pat pat.