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Adam feels terrible.
He stared at the ceiling above his bed in silence, trying and failing miserably to distract himself from the ache and discomfort he felt. Too exhausted to do anything else, he turned his head just enough to not drop the wet towel resting on his forehead, and watch the snow falling outside his window, thinking about all the fun he’s missing out on while stuck in bed.
Adam’s always loved snow, Winter is his absolute favorite season, everything about snow days is exciting, playing in the snow, drinking warm coco, he even found shoveling snow fun, in the right circumstances. The atmosphere is mellow and relaxing. He would be enjoying a peaceful evening stationed comfortably in his bed, but the pain was just too bothersome, and he was far too sick to be able to truly revel in the cozy snowy day.
Adam rarely ever gets sick, and hasn’t been so in quite some time, his immune system is very reliable, unfortunately, when he does get sick, it’s pretty bad. He usually stays in bed and sleeps through it, but the time he spends alone is often a struggle.
As Adam continued to reflect on his sorry state, a soft knock suddenly sounded at his door. His gaze shifted towards it, only to find an unexpected face.
“Reeve?” He stated, the surprise obvious in his tone. “What’re you doing here?” He asked without giving the statement much thought. Maybe he should’ve worded that better.
He’s seen a lot less of Reeve as of late, they haven’t really gotten the chance to spend time together after the whole Hollow situation. To be fair, there’s been plenty of opportunity to do so, Adam just found himself hanging out with Mira and Kai a lot more. Of course, things have changed, and his relationship with Reeve has gotten even more complicated, to say the least. But they’re on good terms, and deep down, Adam is genuinely glad to see him.
“Nice seeing you too.” Reeve replied sarcastically as he entered the room, closing the door back behind him. Adam gave him an apologetic smile. “I came to check on you, You’re missing out on all the fun out there” Reeve teased.
“Ugh” Adam sighed, closing his eyes. “I know, I hate it. I’m just really sick, as you can probably tell..”
“Yeah, your mom told me” Reeve nodded, making his way towards Adam, and taking a seat on the edge of the mattress. “Didn’t know digital clones could get sick” He added a moment later, with a mischievous smirk.
“Reeve…” Adam groaned, rolling his eyes. He’d seriously rather not have an existential crisis right now.
“ ‘M kidding” Reeve told him, laughing. “For real though, how you doing?”
“Literally everything hurts.” Adam replied instantly. “My head, my stomach, literally everything.” He could barely move, and talking about the pain wasn’t exactly helping him stay distracted.
Reeve didn’t say anything for a moment, only shifting closer towards him, the look on his face suddenly turned serious, and before long, he spoke up. “Hey, is it really that bad?” He sounded genuinely concerned, his tone clearly indicated it, and that definitely took Adam by surprise.
Adam thought about it for a moment then offered his friend a genuine smile in return. “I’m taking the medicine mom gave me. I’ll be fine, Reeve.” He quietly assured him.
Reeve was visibly relieved, sighing as a smile returned to his face. “Want me to spend the day with you, so you don’t die of boredom?” His suggested in a playful tone.
Adam’s first instinct was to say yes, the two haven’t spent time together like the old days in a while, and he really did want Reeve to stay longer, but he hesitated, frowning. “I don’t want you to get sick because of me..”
“You won’t get me sick!” Reeve said confidently, and Adam really wanted to believe him. “We’ll stay at a safe distance.” He stated as he scooted away from Adam, settling at the edge of the mattress once more.
“There!” He announced with a smile.
“I don’t think that—“ Adam was about to respond when something interrupted him, it was a totally unexpected (and equally embarrassing) sneeze, which Adam quickly covered his mouth and nose for.
Reeve chuckled, reaching for the tissue box at the bedside table and handing one to Adam right afterwards.
“Thanks” Adam said, quickly wiping his nose.
Meanwhile, Reeve’s gaze turned towards Adam’s messy room as he examined their surroundings. His eyes settled on Adam’s Nintendo Switch, comfortably charging on the nearby desk.
“Wanna play something?” He suggested, gesturing towards the device.
“Don’t think I have the energy for it..” Adam responded, if he had, he wouldn’t have been staring at the ceiling for the past three hours.
“Hungry?” Reeve tried again, a moment later.
“Not really.” Adam shrugged. The thought of putting food in his stomach seemed awful right now.
“Uuuh,” Reeve hummed, trying to gather his thoughts to come up with another suggestion. “Wanna talk about something?”
Adam smiled. That doesn’t require much moving, but still. “You do most of the talking, my throat is still really sore” He told him.
Reeve chuckled. “Alright, deal.”
Reeve had settled on the edge of Adam’s bed, as the two continued to have an easy-going conversation. Reeve did most of the talking, but Adam chimed in occasionally. And since the two haven’t talked in a while, they had a lot to catch up on. Adam found it was nice to hang out with Reeve again after so long, realizing how much he’s actually missed him.
Also, not arguing with each other was nice for a change.
Reeve was telling him about what happened when he first woke up in The Room while playing The Hollow, when Adam’s stomach rudely interrupted with a loud growl.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Adam slowly slid under his blanket, holding his breath in shame. “That was so embarrassing..” He spoke up, voice muffled by the thick blanket now completely covering him.
“Don’t worry about it.” He heard Reeve casually reply, not a hint of mockery in his voice. “I’ll go ask your mom to make you something warm, it might help.” Adam felt the weight on the mattress shifting, he hesitantly lowered the blanket on top of him and watched Reeve leave the room.
He was relieved, that was totally embarrassing, but Reeve didn’t seem to mind it at all.
It wasn’t too long until Reeve returned with a bowl in his hands.
“I’m back. Chicken soup?” Reeve announced as he entered the room, kicking the door shut with his foot.
“That sounds really good right now..” Adam sighed, even the thought of eating something felt dreadful to him not so long ago, and now he feels like he’s starving. He wondered what his body was trying to tell him, exactly.
”Here you go,” Reeve stated as he placed the warm soup bowl on Adam’s bedside table. He stood there for a moment, waiting for Adam to reach for it. He didn’t. He simply stared at the lovingly-prepared dish without moving.
“Not gonna eat, dude?” Reeve spoke up, obviously confused.
Adam’s gaze travelled between Reeve and the bowl. He is hungry, he just didn’t feel like moving. His arms failed him, too lazy to even reach for what he craved.
“Oh, right” Reeve chuckled in realization. “I can help, y’know?” He offered with a genuine grin.
Adam quickly shook his head, he could feel his face heating up, and not just because of the cold this time around. “Reeve, you’ve done enough, really.” He insisted, but Reeve wasn’t listening, he grabbed the bowl off the table and sat right next to Adam.
“Shut up and sit upright a little, don’t want you choking on a piece of chicken.” Reeve told him, waiting for Adam to gather up the strength to do as he said, as he held up a spoonful of soup in front of him.
“An interesting way to die,” Adam joked, sitting upright, the towel on his head falling onto his lap in the process. He tried to adjust the pillow behind him with his back, since his arms still refused to function.
As soon as he settled down, Adam really took in what was happening. Was Reeve really about to feed him? Like a baby? He blushed in utter embarrassment, refusing to put the spoon held up to him anywhere near his mouth, it was just too awkward. And sure, Adam was sick, but he knew for a fact Reeve would use this exact situation against him during future arguments, and he definitely wasn’t prepared for it.
Adam was actively trying to avoid eye contact with Reeve, but when their eyes inevitably met, he immediately turned away, flustered.
“What?” Reeve asked with a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips.
“…This is just too embarrassing.” Adam confessed.
“It’s only embarrassing if you make it embarrassing.” Reeve told him, and he had a point, but there was still something off about this whole thing.
“Since when are you so thoughtful?” Adam finally asked, he was genuinely curious as to why. But his friend’s reaction was lackluster.
“I don’t know,” He shrugged. “You’re sick, I’m trying to be nice, is that so hard to believe?”
“It is.” Adam replied almost instantly.
Reeve rolled his eyes, smiling. “Eat, or I’ll tell your mom to come here and force feed you instead.” He inched the spoon closer to Adam’s mouth.
That settled it, Adam was immediately convinced, and finally took the spoon into his mouth.
“Is it too hot?” Reeve asked afterwards. The small amount of soup Adam ate had gotten cold at that point, but thankfully, the portion still in the bowl still seemed warm.
“No it’s—“ Adam suddenly recognizes it coming up again. Another sneeze, this time, he’s prepared, but just as he inhales, he pauses for a moment, then it’s just…gone.
He heard Reeve giggling. “Fake sneeze?”
“That was so unsatisfying..” Adam sighed, looking at his friend. Just then, the boy suddenly started to feel self-conscious, he awkwardly ran his hands through his messy hair, then covered his face.
“God, I’m a mess right now..” He mumbled.
“Eh,” Reeve smirked. “You’ve looked worse.” He told him.
Adam wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be comforting, or if it was some sort of indirect insult. “…Really?”
Reeve only chuckled, brushing it off.
Since Adam’s arms miraculously started working again, he insisted on finishing the soup by himself, and he did. Truly appreciating the warm meal, he felt much better after consuming it.
“I think I’m getting sleepy…” He mumbled lazily as he placed the bowl aside.
“I’ll turn off the lights.” Reeve immediately replied, standing up and making his way towards the light switch across the room.
“You know, you can leave,” Adam suddenly spoke up, stopping Reeve in his tracks. “You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to..” He clarified. Adam felt bad about keeping Reeve cooped up in here with him, taking care of him when he doesn’t really have to. He would probably be having fun outside in the snow if it weren’t for Adam, and the fact left him torn up.
“Do you want me to leave?” Reeve replied after a moment of silence. The truth is, Adam didn’t. Of course he didn’t, it’s nice having Reeve around, especially with him being so kind to him (Despite it being so uncharacteristic). He couldn’t help but shake his head hesitantly.
“Then I’m staying.” Reeve firmly stated before turning the light in the room off. Everything was completely dark for a few moments, but as Adam’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, he noted the soft light coming from the window, illuminating the otherwise unlit room.
“Can I play with your switch while you doze off?” Reeve asked him a moment later.
“Sure.” Adam was quick to respond. He couldn’t say no to any request Reeve makes at this point.
“Kay, night.” Reeve casually responded as he made his way towards Adam’s desk, making himself comfortable on the nearby chair.
”Night.” Adam heard himself reply as he quickly zoned out, letting himself relax and fall asleep.
When he woke back up, the room was almost completely dark, and the window next to him was covered by curtains. The only light in the room came from the lamp on his desk, a soft yellow color that lit up that side of the room.
“Hey, Sleeping Princess” Adam heard Reeve’s voice. He must have noticed him shifting around under the blanket.
“Hey, Reeve..” Adam mumbled gravelly.
“It’s late,” Reeve announced, Pushing himself and the chair closer to Adam’s bed. “Pretty sure your sleep schedule is messed up now, dude” He joked.
“What time is it?” Adam struggled to sit upright as he rubbed his eyes awake, trying to stir himself up.
“It’s past ten.” Reeve told him, and that was enough for Adam’s eyes to widen completely.
”Oh my god,” He panicked. Has it really been that long? He couldn’t tell, he slept pretty well, it felt like a good night’s sleep, but he hadn’t meant to leave Reeve hanging like that. “I’m so sorry I didn’t realize I’d sleep this long—“ He tried to apologize to his friend, who shook his head in response.
“Relax, Adam. Don’t apologize.” Reeve reassured him.
“But you were just sitting there the whole time waiting for me—“ Adam tried to explain.
“Not really, I did have fun,” He waved Adam’s switch in the air, gesturing towards it. “Beat your record at Mario Kart, by the way.” He added with a proud grin.
“I’m so— wait, really?!” Adam fully sat upright, as the wet towel he’d forgotten was on his head dropped once again.
Reeve laughed, before before putting the Switch aside and moving to sit on the mattress next to Adam. “How are you feeling, though?” He asked with that unusually genuine tone.
“Better, I think.” Adam told him honestly. “My headache isn’t that bad, but I’m still really hot.” He pressed the back of his hand on his own cheek, realizing he’s probably still bright red.
“I’ll change your towel, hold on.” Reeve grabbed hold of the wet towel and left the room with it, and it was during the ensuing quiet that Adam realized he never put the towel back on after finishing the chicken soup earlier, and it should’ve been colder than it is at this point. had Reeve change it for him in his sleep? Or maybe it was his mom?
Before Adam could think about that any further, Reeve showed up again, wet towel in hand.
“Lay down,” He told Adam as he moved towards him, Of course, Adam was quick to listen, he laid there, awkwardly stiff, as Reeve placed the now-warm towel on his head with peculiar gentleness.
“Here you go.” He stated afterwards, sitting back down on Adam’s desk chair. Adam thought about thanking him, but before he had the chance to, Reeve spoke up again.“I hope you get better soon, Adam.” He said softly, his voice low and soothing. Adam couldn’t help but smile, touched by Reeve’s sincerity.
“Thanks, Reeve.” He immediately responded. The two conversed for a bit before there was a knock at the door, they both turned to face it as Adam’s mom poked her head through.
”Hello, you two.” She greeted the duo with a fond grin, pushing the door open further.
“Hey mom..” Adam greeted her back.
“Sorry, sweetie, I got busy with your dad I haven’t checked on you in a while!” She told Adam apologetically.“It seems Reeve has been doing my job for me, though.” She added as she turned to look at Reeve. The two shared a look, and smiled.
“You’re so sweet, Reeve. Thank you for taking care of Adam.” Adam’s mom thanked him affectionately.
“It’s nothing, mam.” Was Reeve’s response, nodding in acknowledgment.
“I’ll leave you two be.” Adam’s mother spoke up a moment later. “Adam, call me if you need anything.” She told her son.
“Okay, thanks mom.” Adam responded. As soon as she left, carefully shutting the door behind her, Reeve turned around to look at Adam again.
“Your mom thinks I’m sweet” He stated, and Adam couldn’t help but laugh. Reeve said that so cheerfully, he sounded genuinely flattered, in contrast of the casual response he gave to Adam’s mom just moments ago.
“Well, you are being unusually nice.” Adam finally told him, a wide smile settling on his face.
“Unusually?” Reeve raised a brow, a knowing smirk accompanying it.
“Maybe a little too nice?” Adam confessed.
“Don’t get used to it” Reeve responded. Now that, sounded exactly like the Reeve Adam knows well.
“I won’t.” Adam assured his friend. “I’m sure we’ll find something to fight about tomorrow.”
“Sure,” Reeve nodded in agreement. “Tomorrow.” He added a moment later.
Until then, the two would enjoy each other’s company, just like old times, but with a noticeable absence in arguments, along with a mysterious something else, newly blossoming between them.