Chapter Text
Green rolls his eyes as he takes Red’s temperature. “You’re up there for three years,” he says, “but you wait until you’re here to get sick. Nice timing.”
He’s sitting at the edge of the bed, and a shaft of light from the slightly-open door slants across his shoulders, leaving Red in shadow. Red’s eyes are hazy, and they drift shut when Green smooths his hair back, palm resting against his warm forehead. The thermometer beeps and Green looks down to read it, nodding when it confirms what he already knew. “38.5,” he says. “Fluids and rest, all right? I’ll go get you some Tylenol.”
He moves to stand, but stops when Red sits up, dropping his head to rest against Green’s shoulder. His arms twine around Green, and his whole body radiates heat. Green blinks, but forces his tone to stay light. “Red,” he says gently, “come on.” Red shakes his head and pulls him tighter, but doesn’t fight when Green untangles himself. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
He returns quickly, urging Red to take the pills and drink as much water as he can. Red lies back, the corners of his mouth pulled into a slight frown as his head flops to the side against the pillow. Green looks at him, thinking, before he turns to the pikachu huddled against his trainer’s side.
“Move over,” he says, going around to the other side of the bed. Pikachu glares at him, but makes room when he lifts the bedsheet. Green slides under the covers with a sigh before he gathers Red’s pliant body up.
Red snuggles against his chest, his hands loosely clutching Green’s shirt. Green tucks Red’s head under his chin and rests a hand on the back of his head, feeling a soft nose brush his fingers as Pikachu nuzzles Red’s nape.
“You’ll be fine,” Green says after a moment, half to Red, half to himself. Red gives a minute nod, already falling asleep.
As Green’s eyes close, he realizes he’s forgotten to turn off the hallway light, but can’t find it in himself to care.