Work Text:
Y/N dragged herself out of bed, every muscle in her body protesting the movement. Her head felt heavy, her throat scratchy, and she could barely breathe through her stuffy nose. She winced as she shuffled to the bathroom, the light too bright for her aching eyes. The mirror reflected dark circles under her eyes and skin that had lost its usual warmth. She sighed, trying to shake off the fog in her mind. "I can't afford to be sick," she muttered, reaching for her toothbrush with trembling fingers. Work was non-negotiable; she was a hunter, and she couldn’t take a day off from fighting wanderers. But before that, there was something else she couldn’t forget, dropping off paperwork for her annual hunter exam at the hospital. Just the thought of it made her stomach twist, not because of the exam itself, but because the hospital meant one thing: Zayne. Her physician, and someone she'd known almost her entire life. She couldn't afford to let him see her like this, not when she was barely holding herself together.
After forcing down a couple of bites of toast, Y/N bundled up in her warmest coat, even though the weather wasn’t particularly cold. She was shivering already, and the added layers brought a slice of comfort. The walk to the hospital felt longer than usual, each step taking more effort than the last. By the time she reached the entrance, she was practically swaying on her feet.
Y/N pushed through the glass doors, the cool air inside hitting her. She kept her head down, hoping to avoid any familiar faces as she made her way to the reception desk. "Just drop these off and get out," she reminded herself, clutching the paperwork to her chest.
The nurse behind the counter gave her a concerned glance as Y/N handed over the documents, but Y/N forced a smile and mumbled a quick thank you. She turned to leave, her vision blurring slightly as the room spun.
“Y/N?”
Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of that voice. Zayne. His tone was as neutral as always, but it held a sharp edge that made her pulse quicken. She stopped in her tracks, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment before slowly turning around to face him.
“Oh, hey Zayne,” she managed, her voice a shaky whisper. “I gotta go.”
She tried to move past him, but he stepped in front of her, his sharp eyes narrowing as he looked her over. “You’re pale. Are you sick?” His question wasn’t a question; it was a fact, one that left no room for denial.
Before she could protest, Zayne’s cool hand was on her forehead, checking her temperature. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, and not just because of the fever. “You’re burning up,” he said, his voice hardening with concern.
Y/N swallowed, trying to find her voice. “It’s nothing. Just a little cold. I’ll be fine.”
Zayne’s expression didn’t change, but she could see the wheels turning in his mind. He wasn’t going to let this slide. “You’re not going anywhere like this. You need to be checked out. Now.”
Y/N pulled Zayne’s hand away from her forehead, forcing a smile despite the pounding in her head. “I’m fine, I promise,” she insisted, her voice shaky. “I gotta get to work.”
Zayne’s eyes narrowed slightly, his scepticism clear, but he didn’t push further. Y/N took a deep breath and tried to walk past him, each step feeling like she was dragging her feet through quicksand. The room seemed to close in on her, the walls warping and shifting as a wave of dizziness washed over her. She blinked rapidly, trying to steady herself, but it was no use. Her legs gave out beneath her, and the world tilted violently as she stumbled, her vision blurring. Before she could even register what was happening, her knees hit the cold floor.
“Y/N?” Zayne’s voice was sharp with alarm as he rushed to her side. His hands were on her immediately, supporting her before she could fall further.
She tried to push him away, tried to insist she was okay, but the words wouldn’t come. The room spun faster, the edges of her vision darkening like a curtain being drawn. She could feel the panic rising, but her body wouldn’t respond.
Zayne’s voice was the last thing she heard, low and urgent, but the words were lost to the darkness that swallowed her whole.
Her eyes weakly flickered awake, the first thing she noticed was the softness beneath her and the steady beeping of a heart monitor. The sterile smell of the hospital filled her nose, and she realized she was lying in a hospital bed, covered with a warm blanket.
She tried to sit up, but a gentle yet firm hand on her shoulder stopped her. “Take it easy,” Zayne’s voice came from beside her. “You’re in no shape to be moving around just yet.”
Y/N turned her head to see him sitting in a chair by her, holding a book in one hand and the other on her shoulder. He was still in his white coat.
“What… what happened?” Y/N croaked, her throat dry and sore.
“You passed out in the lobby,” Zayne replied, his tone as icy as ever, but his gaze flickered with something deeper—worry, perhaps? “You’ve got a fever of 102, and your blood pressure is low. You’re dehydrated and exhausted. When was the last time you took a day off, Y/N?”
Y/N winced at the question, knowing she had no good answer. “I’ve just been busy, you know? I didn’t think it was that bad…”
Zayne sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, a rare gesture of frustration. “You’re always pushing yourself too hard. I keep telling you almost every appointment to be more careful. You can’t keep ignoring your health like this.”
She looked away, guilt eating her up. He was right, of course. She knew she’d been overworking herself, but she didn’t want to admit it. Not to herself, and especially not to Zayne. “I didn’t want to bother you,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Zayne’s expression softened even more, and he leaned forward, “You’re never a bother to me,” he said quietly, his tone sincere. “You should have come to me the moment you started feeling unwell. That’s what I’m here for.”
Y/N felt a lump form in her throat, a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite name. She had always relied on Zayne, but something about showing this vulnerability to him now made her feel exposed. “I didn’t want you to worry,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly.
Zayne shook his head, a small, rueful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I’m always going to worry about you, Y/N. That’s never going to change.” He reached out, taking her hand in his, his grip warm and reassuring. “But you need to start taking care of yourself too. No more running yourself into the ground, okay?”
Y/N squeezed his hand, feeling a tear slip down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, nodding. “Okay,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
“Good,” Zayne said, his tone softening even more. “Now, you’re going to rest. I’ve already spoken to your work, and they know you won’t be in for a few days. I’ll make sure you get the care you need.”
Y/N opened her mouth to protest, but the exhaustion in her body and the warmth of Zayne’s hand in hers made her relent. She nodded again, allowing herself to relax back into the pillows. “Thank you, Zayne,” she murmured, her eyelids growing heavy once more.
“Just rest,” he replied, his voice soothing as he stroked the back of her hand. “I’m not going anywhere.”