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"Jack, you're soooooo nice" Eric says through watery eyes and a blocked nose that looked so red he looked like he could light Santa's way.
"No, I'm not really. I'm just taking care of you so I don't have to deal with all these snot rags piling up in our apartment."
Eric was laid down on the living room couch bundled up in multiple blankets. Hair disheveled, face puffy, and voice groggy. But apparently that wasn't enough to stop him from continuing this small argument with Jack.
"Nooooo~ you're super nice, Jack. Who else would stay with me and make me chicken noodle soup but my mom? Hey……" Eric's eyes unfocused for a second before coming back to Jack's face. "Are you my mom and I've just been having a deep hallucination this whole time?" He slowly reaches his hands out from under the blanket to touch Jack's face like he's a blind person and not just rocking a high fever.
Jack swats away his hands and decides to leave the conversation unfinished, opting to continue spoon feeding Eric his soup. He wasn't going to let Eric know right out that he wouldn't do this for just anyone, Eric was special. Sure maybe he'd give Shawn some medicine and fix up some quick soup, but definitely not skip class and spoon feed him. Jack was slightly embarrassed of himself but he didn't ponder on it for too long because Eric then "boops" his nose and laughs at Jack's surprised expression that follows. He's covered in sweat and has snot peeking out his nose, it shouldn't be endearing but, god, is Jack stupid.
In an attempt to save himself from further looking and acting stupid Jack says, "Okay, calm down it wasn't that funny. Besides, you need to save your energy to focus on healing." Jack tucks Eric back under his blankets and fixes the pillow under this head.
"Jackie, you're so nice. Why are you so nice?!" Eric draws it out like a whine. Like he's complaining that Jack is taking care of him or is frustrated that Jack is being nice to him.
"I told you. I'm trying to make you better so I don't have to be the one cleaning up all these tissues." Jack says it in a level voice, veining annoyance when they both know Jack's not actually mad at him.
"If you don't want me here, I can just get up and leave, man."
"No! I never told you to leave! Sit down and get back to feeding me, nurse!" Eric tries to exclaim but the words still come out weak and hoarse. Jack chuckles at Eric's attempts at being intimidating but quietly complies with his demands.
Jack sat back down by Eric's side on their not-so-big couch, back to spoon feeding his soup and getting lost in his thoughts as his gaze fixes on Eric's face. I have class right now. What is this power he has over me? It should have just been pills and water, how is it I'm spoon feeding him?! I am so weak.
"Jack, are you alright? You're eyebrows are all knotted and you've been pushing and empty spoon to my mouth for about 10 seconds."
Jack is shaken out of his daze and realizes that the bowl is empty. And his had a spoon pressed against Eric's lips, which explains why what he'd just said sounded a bit muffled. His lips were so pink and Jack almost lost himself in a daze again staring at those lips if he hadn't just been caught spacing out mere seconds ago.
Jack took the items to the sink and washed them. Going back to Eric's side to tuck him in one more time and found his eyes were already closed. He must be sleeping. Jack moved Eric's hair out of his face, some parts slick with sweat, and held his hand to Eric's forehead to check his temperature. With his temperature still high, Jack worries and stays in that position for a few minutes. His hand drifting from Eric's forehead to the side of his head, thumb stroking back and forth against his temple.
Eric shifts a little and breathes out, "So nice, Jackie~" before snuggling further into Jack's hand and letting out a sigh of content. Jack wasn't sure if Eric was actually conscious or if that was just him sleeptalking. Either way, it made his face turn red and he didn't know what else to do but hide his face in his hand, the one not still caressing Eric's face, which only made Jack feel even more embarrassed and red. He wanted to scream but held back the urge because he can't, under any circumstances, let Eric see him like this.
His heart was beating so loud in his ears, he couldn't focus on anything but the sound of it thumping and the sound of Eric's soft breathing. What am I going to do? He thought in helpless plea.