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It’s not like Jaden made a point of not taking care of himself or anything.
But sometimes it was hard to remember he was only human, and sometimes he didn’t feel too great.
Funny thing about being the top duelist in the academy though? People like to challenge you. Or hang out with you.
Everyone in the academy either wanted to beat Jaden, befriend Jaden, or be Jaden.
And normally, Jaden was more than willing to duel anybody who would challenge him. He wouldn’t turn down a duel for anything.
But sometimes that meant anywhere from five to ten duels in a single day, and when you do that everyday for a week the body doesn’t exactly enjoy it.
Jaden learned that the hard way when he prepared to duel some Ra Yellow student as Hassleberry and Syrus watched.
“Prepare yourself, Jaden!” The Ra yellow taunted. “I’m ready to take you down!”
Jaden knew he woke up feeling funny. His brain was a bit foggy, his eyes a little tired, and his body rather sore.
But he just…kept going. That’s just what he did.
“Get your game on-“ Jaden tried to exclaim his catchphrase as he drew a card.
But that seemed to be the final push, because the next thing Jaden knew, his vision was blurring and everything went dark.
“JADEN!” His friends exclaimed as he collapsed.
And so…Miss Fontaine put him on bed rest. For an entire week.
“Oh Jaden, you have a terrible fever. What were you thinking?” Syrus fretted.
Jaden groaned, doing his best to smile. “I didn’t even realize it, Sy. It’s no big deal.”
“Uh, sarge do I need to remind you that you passed out from drawing a card?” Hassleberry questioned, crossing his arms.
Jaden weakly sat up in the bed in the infirmary. “I’ll just be more careful. Now come on, I’ve gotta find that Ra yellow student and throw down-“ He burst into a vicious series of coughs.
“The only thing you’re throwing down is that blanket.” Alexis scolded as she stepped in, having just heard Jaden’s comment. She walked over and grabbed the blanket. “Now lay down.”
“I can’t. I have duels planned.” Jaden protested. “I had three scheduled today and-“
Alexis effortlessly pushed Jaden down by his forehead, and he had no strength to sit back up. She covered him with the blanket, making him grumble.
“Jay, the duels can wait. If you duel anymore you’re going to really hurt yourself.” Syrus told him worriedly.
“I appreciate it, but guys I know my own limits, really.” Jaden promised as he grunted, trying to sit up again. “Now I need to get out of here before-“
The door flew open. “Jay!”
Jaden groaned as his boyfriend ran in.
He looked down at Jaden strictly. “I know I don’t see you trying to sit up in your condition.”
“Jesse, I’m fine-“
“Lay down.” Jesse demanded, making Jaden lay back down fully.
Jaden pouted at his friends and boyfriend. “Okay, okay, sheesh. You want me to rest? I’ll rest. I’ll go to sleep right now.”
“Thank you.” Alexis sighed in relief.
“We’ll check on you later, sarge.” Hassleberry promised.
Syrus smiled. “Yeah. Rest well, Jay.”
With that, Jaden’s friends headed out.
But Jesse stayed behind.
Jaden frowned. “You don’t have to stay, like I said I’m going to sleep.”
“Really?” Jesse smirked. “You weren’t planning on escaping the moment we all left?”
Jaden began to sweat for more reasons than the fever. “W-What? What makes you think I’d do something like that? I’m serious about resting.”
“Good, so I can take your deck then.” Jesse snatched Jaden’s deck off the side table.
Jaden gasped. “Wait, you can’t take it-“ He winced, realizing he’d been caught.
Jesse looked through the deck and smiled, taking out Winged Kuriboh. “Here, so you won’t get lonely.” He winked, handing the card to Jaden.
“You’re not staying?” Jaden frowned.
“Now you want me to stay?” Jesse asked in amusement.
“Well now that I know I’m actually stuck resting-“
Jesse laughed. “Of course I’ll stay, Jay. As long as you want.”
Jaden smiled at that and allowed his eyes to flutter shut.
“Stop that! Guys you’re gonna wake him up! Oof-“
Jaden’s eyes twitched open and he looked around in confusion. “What’s going on?” He muttered.
“Sorry Jay.” Jesse sighed heavily. “I tried to get them to stop but…”
Jaden looked over to see Ruby and Kuriboh play fighting like they usually did, letting out all kinds of noise.
“It’s fine.” Jaden yawned. “How long was I asleep?”
“About four hours.” Jesse answered easily.
Jaden’s jaw dropped. “You stayed here for four hours!?”
“I said I would.” Jesse shrugged like it was nothing. “I just chatted with my family.” He held up his deck.
That’s when Jaden realized the Crystal Beasts were all out, and surrounding him!
“Oh wow, I must be seriously out of it if I didn’t notice them right away.” Jaden chuckled. Amethyst was curled up asleep on his bed by his feet, along with Emerald who was tucked away in his shell. Topaz lied next to him asleep, Sapphire stood next to his bed, Amber was stood in another part of the infirmary and Cobalt was flying around the room.
Jesse smiled. “So are you feelin’ better?”
“A little bit. But I don’t think I can get out off bed yet.” Jaden admitted sheepishly.
“Then go back to bed. We’ll all be here.” Jesse promised warmly.
Jaden hesitated, growing embarrassed at his own thoughts. “Um…you know…if you wanted to lay down with me, you could?” He offered rather hopefully.
Jesse stared at him for a moment, before grinning widely, the lightest of blushes on his cheeks.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
And that’s how Jaden ended up curled against Jesse while Jesse held him in his arms. The Crystal Beasts surrounded them like a warm blanket, keeping them safe from any form of harm.
Except for Ruby, who refused to stop playing with Kuriboh for literally anything.