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Whizzer pulled open the curtains, as he did every morning, causing a rather stressful awakening for his lover. Marvin was calmer now, he didn’t mind the jest. Two years ago there would’ve been yelling. A lot of it.
“Marvin, hun, wake up.” Whizzer said, kneeling over him on the bed. “You’ve got to go.”
“Whiz-” Marvin cut himself off with a cough. It sounded painful.
Whizzer looked down at him, running his hand through Marvin’s sweaty hair. “Are you feeling alright?”
“I’m fine.” Marvin held his hand out for Whizzer to take. “Just tired.”
“Marvin, you look awful. No offense.” Whizzer took Marvin’s hand, helping him up. Marvin chuckled.
“None taken. I’m fine Whiz.”
His point was disproven almost immediately when he started coughing, pained cracks making it sound even worse. “Doll, you’re not fine. Lay down, alright? I’ll call us both in sick.” Whizzer murmured to him, kissing Marvin’s forehead.
Marvin opened his mouth to protest, but quickly closed it and nodded. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Marvin. I’ll be right back.” Whizzer kissed his forehead one more time, before standing and heading to the kitchen. He called both of their workplaces, explaining the sickness and the unknown amount of time they’d be gone. Then he made Marvin a water, before heading back to their bedroom and sitting back next to him. Marvin was asleep again. He decided to let the poor man sleep, it could make the symptoms better. He sat there with him, reading and combing back his hair.
He woke up about thirty minutes later, gasping and shivering. Marvin grabbed onto Whizzer’s wrist.
“Baby, baby, hey. You’re okay.” Whizzer murmured, pulling Marvin closer. “How’re you feeling?”
“Worse.” Marvin croaked, nuzzling into Whizzer’s arm.
“Drink this.” He whispered, handing Marvin the cup. “Do you want me to call Charlotte?” Whizzer asked, holding Marvin close to him.
“Not yet. It’s cold in here.” He muttered, moving the blankets to cover him more.
Whizzer frowned. “I know, baby. I know. I'll turn the heat up.” He slipped from the bed, walking across the room to turn up the heat. Marvin coughed again, not stopping for a while even as Whizzer came back and tried to help. Eventually the coughs faded, and Marvin was back to leaning into Whizzer, looking on the verge of tears.
“It hurts.” Marvin whimpered, breathing shakily.
“Yeah.” Whizzer kissed his head, continuing to wipe away the sweat forming. “Do you want to watch a movie? I can make you tea. Some pancakes, maybe?”
“Just tea. ‘M not hungry.”
“Okay. Come here.” Whizzer looped his arms around Marvin, picking him up and carrying him to the couch. He lay him down, wrapping a blanket around him. “What do you want to watch?”
“Rocky horror?”
Whizzer nodded, smiling at him before putting the movie on. “I’ll go make that tea for you. Let me know if you need anything.”
Marvin nodded, reaching out to squeeze Whizzer’s arm quickly before turning to the movie. Whizzer boiled water, adding a tea bag in and bringing it over. “Can you lay with me?” Marvin asked.
“Of course. Come here, darling.” Whizzer opened his arms, letting Marvin cuddle up to his chest with a mug in hand.
They just sat and watched for a while, Whizzer steadying Marvin’s mug whenever a coughing fit arose. Marvin’s eyes and nose were puffy, and he looked miserable. Eventually Marvin finished his tea, and he fell back asleep in Whizzer’s arms. He looked more at peace while asleep, like he was having a bad dream, but it was slowly turning good. His face relaxed, wrinkles smoothing out. There was no movement underneath his eyelids.
When Marvin woke up for the third time that day, Whizzer forced him to eat, handing him a sandwich and some water.
“You haven’t eaten yet today.” Whizzer argued, though he kept his voice steady. If Marvin really couldn’t, he wouldn’t be mad.
Marvin winced a bit, leaning back onto him. “I think I’m gonna puke.”
“Okay… okay, c’mon.” Whizzer helped him stand, leading him to the bathroom as Marvin leaned on him. Marvin kneeled down in front of the toilet, blinking away tears.
Whizzer brushed his hair out of his face, holding it out of the way. Marvin retched a few times, before stomach acid made its way out. He was shuddering, and Whizzer tried to comfort him the best he could, but Marvin wasn’t the easiest to comfort. Eventually, his breathing evened, and he leaned back onto Whizzer. Grabbing a washcloth, he dabbed around Marvin’s mouth, cleaning any excess that was there. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to Charlotte?”
“I’m sure. Ibuprofen would be nice, though.” Marvin whispered, loosening his grip on Whizzer’s arm.
“Sounds good, hun. C’mon. Let’s bring you back to bed, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Marvin laid back down, fluttering his eyes closed after swallowing the pills. He let Whizzer hold him—something which used to be a rare occurrence—as he slowly fell asleep again. Hopefully for the last time that day.
“Whiz-”
“What is it, baby?” Whizzer opened his eyes quickly, turning Marvin over and helping him sit up.
“It’s hard to breathe.” Marvin murmured. He looked panicked. Fuck.
“Okay. You’re okay. Will you be okay for a minute if I go get Charlotte?” Whizzer asked, cupping his face and placing a hand on his forehead.
“Please don’t leave.” A tear ran down Marvin’s face. What the hell did he have?
“Then we’re going over there, Marv. I’ll help, but you’re not waiting this part out.” Whizzer waited for the small nod from Marvin before picking him up. He held him carefully, trying to make breathing as easy as possible. He held the man a bit closer as he knocked on the neighbors doors, easing him down to a standing position and holding him up.
The door opened a moment later, revealing Cordelia, still in her pajamas. Her eyes widened the slightest bit when she saw Marvin.
“Bring him to the couch. I’ll get Char.” She told them, before disappearing into another room.
Whizzer sat Marvin down, turning all his attention onto him. Marvin’s shallow breathing filled the otherwise silent room. “Focus on breathing, okay doll? C’mere.” Whizzer pulled Marvin so that the shorters back was to his chest, and Whizzer held his arms loosely around his torso. “You’re okay.”
Charlotte entered the room just then, eyebrows furrowing as she sat down next to them. “What happened?” She asked. Her doctor voice was overpowering her friend voice by the slightest bit.
“He woke up sick yesterday. When he woke up today he was struggling to breathe. Still is.” Whizzer explained. Marvin was practically limp against him, looking pained.
Charlotte nodded. She grabbed a chair, then led Marvin into it. Whizzer followed, kneeling in front of it and smiling softly, grabbing his hand. “Okay, Marvin, try to sit up.”
He did so, squeezing Whizzer’s hand as he moved. “Relax, hun.” Whizzer murmured. Marvin visibly tried, and his breathing seemed to improve a bit.
“Try to breathe, Marvin.” Charlotte told him. Marvin smiled, which was probably a good thing.
“Easier.” He whispered.
“Good.” Charlotte said. “Keep him in this position. Call if you need anything.”
“We will. Thank you, Char.” Whizzer smiled, bringing her into a hug. “We owe you one.”
“You owe me many ones.” She laughed.
“Seriously though. We’d probably be dead if it weren’t for you.” Whizzer pulled away, patting her arm before turning back to Marvin and helping him up. “Bye, Char!”
“Bye.”
He managed to get Marvin back home and in a chair. Eventually he seemed to be breathing fine.
“You haven’t eaten anything in over a day, Marv. Do you want anything?” Whizzer asked, sitting across from him and interlacing their fingers.
“I’m not hungry.”
“What if not eating made you throw up, Marvin?” Whizzer needed him to eat something. He looked so… frail. It hurt him.
Marvin looked over at him, before sighing. “Pancakes still an option?”
“Yes.” Whizzer smiled, walking over and placing a kiss on his forehead. “Thank you for at least trying to eat.” He whispered, hugging him before backing up. “Do you want anything while I make them?”
“Water?”
“I’ll get that for you.” Whizzer promised. He squeezed Marvin’s shoulder one last time before walking into the kitchen, making a water and placing it in front of Marvin. He got started on the pancake mix, and once he was plating the last few, the phone rang.
“This is Whizzer Brown.”
“Mr. Brown, I know you’re taking vacation days, but we have an emergency shoot tomorrow we’re needing you to take.”
Whizzer froze. “I can’t.”
“It’s required, Mr. Brown.”
“No, my partner’s sick, I need to help out.” Whizzer sounded desperate, even to himself. “Please.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Brown.”
“No, wait-”
The line went dead.
Fuck.
He called Charlotte.
“Do you have any clue what he’s got?”
Charlotte had him list Marvin’s symptoms. Her best guess was influenza. She said she would get some medicine for him to pick up.
“I’ll grab it after work, sounds good?”
“Sounds good.”
There was a click, and the line went dead.
“Hey, Marvin? We need to talk for a second.” Whizzer said, placing a plate down in front of him and making himself a one.
“What’s up?” Marvin took a bite of his pancakes.
“My boss is making me go in tomorrow.” He sighed.
Marvin looked over, nodding. “Oh. Okay.”
“If you need anything, and I mean anything, call me. I’ll pause what I have.”
“Don’t get fired.” Marvin frowned.
“I’m not getting fired. I love you.”
“Love you.”
They finished eating, Marvin taking considerably longer to eat. He looked stressed.
“Do you want to take a shower?” Whizzer asked, interlacing their fingers again.
Marvin nodded slowly. “Can you sit with me?”
“Of course I will. C’mon, let’s get you in there.”
“Can- can I actually take a bath? That seems easier.” Marvin flinched nervously.
“Yep! I’ll go start that.” He squeezed Marvin’s shoulder as he passed, walking into the bathroom and starting the water, getting to a temperature Marvin preferred. Whizzer added bubbles and relaxing salts in, then waited for the tub to fill. He dimmed the lights, making the room easier for Marvin’s eyes. He probably still had that headache. Finally, he added in a waterproof cushion to make sure the porcelain wasn’t digging into his back. He turned the water off, going to collect Marvin.
“Hi.” Marvin murmured, holding Whizzer's offered hand.
“Come on, baby. Do you still want me with you?”
“Yeah. I want to lay on your chest.” Marvin decided, letting Whizzer pick him up again.
“Sounds good.”
Whizzer laid down in the bath, Marvin following, his head laying on his shoulder blade.
“Whiz?”
“What’s wrong, darling?”
“You’re coming back tomorrow, right?” Marvin asked. He looked so small.
Whizzer looked down at him, frowning. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know.” Marvin whispered. “I’m just afraid of you leaving. I don’t want you to leave again.”
“Oh, Marvin.” Whizzer murmured, wrapping his arms around him and leaning their heads together. “Oh, Marvin.” Whizzer felt a tear fall, and god, he felt horrible. “I’m not leaving. I promise, baby. I love you. I’ll call during my lunch break, okay? And you can call if you need me at any other time. I’m so, so, sorry I have to go tomorrow.”
“Just promise to come back. Please.”
“I promise. I’ll be home as soon as possible. Oh, Marvin.” Whizzer rocked him back and forth, kissing his head and holding him even closer.
“I love you.” Marvin told him, holding his arms.
“I love you too.”
“Can you wake me up before you leave?”
“I will.”
“Okay. I’m tired.”
“Bed?”
“Bed.”
Whizzer nodded, waiting for Marvin to get up and pull a towel around his waist before pulling the drain. He slipped out, toweling off before following Marvin. He laid down with him, cradling the man in his arms while he tucked his head in. “Goodnight, Marv.”
He was already asleep.
“Marv? Marv, wake up.” Whizzer cooed, gently shaking Marvin awake. Marvin’s eyes blinked open, and he smiled, before wincing in pain.
“G’morning.”
“Good morning, Marvin.” Whizzer brushed back his hair, kissing his nose. “Do you need anything before I go to work?”
“No, I’m okay.” Marvin said, attempting to pull Whizzer back. “Just, stay for a second?”
“Yeah.” He lay back down, keeping Marvin snug in his arms. He lay with him for ten minutes, before kissing his forehead and beginning to stand up. “I’ve got to get ready, baby. I love you.” He whispered to the half-unconscious man beside him.
Marvin wrapped his arms around him limply before pulling him down for a kiss. “Love you.” He murmured. Whizzer smiled, before getting up and changing, giving Marvin’s hand one last squeeze before leaving the room.
He poured Marvin some cereal and made himself a coffee, before fixing his hair and leaving.
Work was difficult. The client was nice, she was one of his usuals. An actor. Monthly headshots. She seemed understanding when he panicked about getting a phone call, and was patient when he answered.
“Marv?” Whizzer murmured.
There was a cough on the other end. “Hi.” He croaked. “I’m sorry, I just… wanted to hear your voice.”
Whizzer smiled, holding the phone a bit closer. “Well, here it is. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll let you go back to work now.” Marvin said.
“Okay, baby. I love you. Call you at lunch.” Whizzer reminded, smile slowly fading as the line disconnected.
He wished the rest of the day went quicker. He had one last client, he got that done quickly yet sufficiently, then bolted back home, picking up Marvin’s medicine on the way. He also got the man some lollipops to hopefully help his throat.
Marvin practically ran to him once he got home. Well, it was more of a tired walk, but it was still sweet.
“Marv, baby.” He whispered, holding Marvin’s back and head. “How are you feeling?”
“Todays been the worst so far.” Marvin explained. His voice was practically gone, just a raspy pain in the back of his throat.
“Seems like it. I got you some medicine and lollipops.”
Marvin took the medicine, gladly, and then popped a sucker in his mouth. He took it out after a moment, looking over at Whizzer. “It's movie night. Your turn to pick.”
“Okay. Go sit down, I’ll get some tea and ice cream.” Whizzer told him. Marvin nodded, leaving and sitting in the living room.
Whizzer got the food and drinks, placing it all in front of them and having Marvin cuddle up to him while they watched. He had decided on giving up his choice week, letting Marvin turn on a murder documentary instead.
It didn’t take long until Marvin was asleep on his chest, snoring softly. Whizzer smiled, leaning his head back and beginning to fall asleep too, hands around Marvin’s waist.
Marvin woke up before Whizzer the next morning. Instead of getting up, he stayed on his chest, and when Whizzer awoke, he was carefully playing with his hair.
“Hi.” Whizzer murmured, making eye contact with Marvin as he took his hand out of his hair.
“Whiz.” His voice was groggy, and if he wasn’t so sick, he would’ve found it cute.
Whizzer smiled, sitting up a bit and resting his hand on Marvin’s hair, holding his head to his chest. “Good morning, baby. How are you feeling?”
“A bit better. Do you have to go to work again today?” Marvin asked, hugging the tallers chest.
“I don’t. I’ll stay right here, hun.” He whispered, kissing his head and feeling Marvin scooch up and wrapping his arms around Whizzer’s neck.
“Good. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. Do you want to take a bath?” Whizzer murmured, placing another kiss to the top of his head. Marvin nodded, allowing Whizzer to pick him up and carry him to the bathroom. Marvin buried his face into his shoulder, a small cough escaping his lips as Whizzer turned on the water. Once it was filled to the top, he stepped in, letting Marvin lay back on him. “You’re so amazing.” He whispered, getting his hand wet and running it through Marvin’s hair.
Marvin let out breathy laughs, cuddling closer to Whizzer and setting a few soft kisses across his chest. “I’m sorry that I’ve gotten sick. I felt like such a bother the past few days.”
“Oh, baby…” Whizzer cooed, lifting his chin so that Marvin was looking at him. “I’m not upset. You can’t control getting sick.” He leaned down to kiss him, softly and quickly. Pouring shampoo into his hand, Whizzer massaged the other's scalp carefully, before dipping his head down into the water and washing it out. “There you go, darling.” He whispered, pulling him back up and letting him rest his eyes a bit.
“Love you, Whiz.”
“Love you.”
And he meant it. Marvin was his everything. It hurt seeing him like this. In pain. He’d vomited once. It was horrible. He held Marvin a bit closer, only getting out of the bath when the water ran cold and Marvin grew uncomfortable. Whizzer pulled the plug, grabbing Marvin sweatpants, boxers, and a hoodie to change into. He tried to grab things that would keep him warm. He’s been complaining about the cold.
Once he had laid Marvin down in bed, he tucked his hair behind his ears and kissed him softly, before leaning their foreheads together. “Do you want lunch? It’s already noon.”
“Yes please. Can I try and help today? I’m feeling a bit more awake than usual.” Marvin smiled, holding Whizzer’s waist.
Whizzer smiled back, placing another kiss to his lips. “Of course. Let me know if you need to sit down though, okay? Don’t overwork yourself.”
“I won’t, baby. What’re we making?” Marvin reached his hand out, letting Whizzer pull him to his feet.
“Hmm. I was thinking spaghetti? If you’re up for that?” Whizzer grabbed his other hand and pulled him to the kitchen, walking backwards.
Marvin nodded, reaching one of Whizzer’s hands up and kissing it. “Sounds good.”
While Whizzer got out the ingredients, Marvin filled a pot with water before placing it on the stove to boil.
While they waited for the water to heat, Marvin sat on the counter, chatting with Whizzer and kissing the side of his jaw.
“How’re you feeling, Marv?” Whizzer asked, thumbing over his knuckles and turning his head to face him.
“Okay. It’s not too bad anymore.” Marvin whispered, his forehead digging into the other's shoulder.
“That’s good.” Whizzer held Marvin’s hand, carefully bringing him to the couch so that he could relax. He had managed to fall asleep. He kissed his forehead, before heading back to break the spaghetti in half and place it into the pot. He glanced over at Marvin, his relaxed body warmed by the blanket he had draped over him.
Once the noodles had cooked, he drained the water, before buttering the noodles and adding oregano to it. He placed them on the table, along with two waters, before carefully walking over and rocking Marvin awake.
“Whiz?” Marvin murmured, half awake.
Whizzer smiled, cupping Marvin’s face with one hand. “Hey, baby. You fell asleep and I thought you’d be more comfortable here.”
“Mm. Thank you.” Marvin wrapped his arms around Whizzer’s chest, pulling him down to lay with him.
“Foods ready.” Whizzer told him, kissing his nose and wrapping Marvin up in his arms.
“Okay.” Marvin sat up, following Whizzer to the table. “You could have woken me earlier, you know.” He murmured, holding Whizzer’s hand from across the table.
“Sleep will help you get better. Now eat. Food will also help you get better.” He took a bite of his own food, hoping Marvin would follow. Thankfully, he smiled softly and did.
“Thank you.” He whispered, taking a sip of water. “This is amazing.”
“Hey, you boiled the water.” Whizzer laughed, gently squeezing his hand. Marvin cracked an amused smile.
Marvin was silent for a moment, his head tilted and examining Whizzer.
“You okay, baby?”
He nodded, making eye contact with him. “I love you.”
“I love you too, darling.” Whizzer smiled.
Eventually, Marvin finished eating, and he offered to watch an episode of a show they’d recently found. Luckily, it was on that night. They snuggled up together on the couch, Marvin’s head finding its way into Whizzer’s lap. One episode turned into three, and Marvin had fallen asleep. Despite not being tired, Whizzer didn’t want to wake him by trying to move, so he sat with him. He sat with Marvin until he himself got too tired to stay awake, and he drifted asleep on the couch with him for the second night in a row.
The next morning, Marvin wakes up first, and he’s smiling when Whizzer wakes up too. “Good morning, Whiz.”
“Good morning, Marvin. How is it?”
“Better. Much, much better.”