Work Text:
When Axl woke up he thought he was sleeping on a pig farm. He turned around annoyed and realized that the pig was actually Slash. Slash usually snored but never like this. It was always like he was breathing just a little bit loud and it calmed Axl down to hear the other man breathe, but this was something else. He felt like his ear drums were bursting.
He nudged him. No response. He nudged him again. No response again.
He finally kicked him and Slash let out a loud yelp.
“Slash, roll over, you’re snoring” Axl complained.
“Mphh” Slash murmured in a nasal voice and rolled over.
And then Axl heard it. An undeniable sniffle.
“Slash are you sick?” he asked.
“No” Slash lied. Another sniffle betrayed him
“Don’t you lie to me” Axl said in a warning tone.
“I’m not. I swear, I’m fine” he said as he went into a coughing fit.
“Fine my ass” Axl said sarcastically under his breath.
Slash rolled over again, this time so that he was facing Axl and hugged Axl from behind, spooning him.
“Get off of me. You’ll get me sick” Axl whined.
“I told you I’m not sick. Now let me go back to sleep.”
“Yes you are. You cough every time you open your mouth, you have a stuffy nose and you’re sweating.”
“’M fine.”
“No you’re not” he said and pushed Slash off of him, getting up from the bed.
“Where are you going?”
“To make you tea.”
“No come back here and snuggle with me” Slash whined.
“I’ll be right back Slashy” Axl said and pulled back a few strands of curly hair from Slash’s face. His heart broke at Slash’s expression of pain.
Axl quickly made his way to the kitchen and prepared two hot cups of tea with plenty of honey and lemon in Slash’s cup. He also grabbed a box of cold and flu and a thermometer.
He put everything on a tray along a glass of water in which he devolved an effervescent vitamin C tablet and made his way up the stairs.
When he walked in the room again Slash was already sleeping.
He put the tray on his nightstand and softly nudged Slash who was halfway spread on his side.
“Slash” he whispered.
“Slash” he said again.
“Slash baby, open your eyes for me baby.”
“Don’t want to.”
“Come on baby and then I’ll get in bed with you. I’ll be your pillow, just sit up for me for a second.”
Slash obeyed and sat up against the headboard, removing his shirt as well.
“No Slash keep that on.”
“It’s too fucking hot. I can’t” he said weakly as he leaned his head back, nausea coming over him.
“Here baby” Axl said and handed him a pill to drink with his vitamin. He also stuck the thermometer underneath his armpit and waited patiently for the characteristic beep.
“God Slash you’re burning up. You have a 39.4 degree fever. Maybe we should call a doctor” Axl said worriedly.
“I told you I’m fine. Just the flu or something. Quit fussing.”
“I’m not fussing. I’m just helping you get better so you won’t infect me with your infectious disease. Now drink” he said and handed him the cup of tea.
He finally sat on the bed, his position identical to Slash’s, his back against the headboard as he pulled the covers up to his waist.
They both drank their tea in silence and after he was done Slash handed Axl his cup to put on the nightstand. Slash then went to get up.
“What are you going?” Axl asked extending his arm in front of Slash’s chest to stop him.
“I’m getting up. We need to get to the studio.”
“No we don’t when you’re like this.”
“I told you I’m fine. Let me go.”
“No you’re staying in bed today. And I already called to cancel.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“Me? Or you who won’t even admit that you’re sick?”
“How many times will I have to repeat myself? I told you I’m-”
“Fine. I know. You’ve mentioned. Now lie down. I promised you cuddles.”
Now that was an offer Slash couldn’t refuse. He wasn’t sick of course, he didn’t need Axl babying him like a small child but he could use a day in bed snuggled up with Axl.
Axl slid down on the bed and laid on his back as Slash rested his head against Axl’s chest. Axl wrapped his arm around Slash’s shoulders and brought him closer.
“Rest, you thick skinned idiot” Axl said softly, care hidden behind his insult.
“I don’t want to sleep” Slash protested.
“Will you just listen for once?”
“I am. My ears are working. I just choose to disagree.”
“Stop talking back and acting like a child. I know you have functioning ears. Just try to sleep, it’ll help you feel better. And when you wake up I’ll make you chicken soup” Axl promised.
“I don’t need chicken soup. I’m perfectly healthy” Slash insisted once more.
“Is coughing a sign of perfect health? Because if so I need to visit a doctor immediately. I’m not coughing Slash. What’s wrong with me? Do you think I’m dying?” he said dramatically.
“Fine I’ll try to sleep. But only so that I won’t have to listen to your annoying worrying.”
“I’m not worrying. I’m calmly trying to help you get better.”
“Of course. You just act like an over protective mama bear as a hobby.”
“Sleep you loser.”
“Mphh” Slash huffed but he was already half asleep.
“Love you” Slash said before he finally fell asleep.
“Love you too, my bigheaded idiot” Axl whispered and closed his eyes as well to sleep, desperately trying to ignore Slash’s loud snoring.
Oh well at least the mama bear could rest her head just knowing that her cub was near.