Work Text:
Lukas is a hard worker. Always has been always will be, but it has gotten to the point that Jesse has had to pry him away from his desk multiple times.
"You'll work yourself to death!" He'd say. "You can't finish a book when you've passed out from exhaustion!" He'd argue.
Lukas would shake his head and after a while of giving Jesse what he wants he would sit right back at his desk and get right back to work, much to Jesse's annoyance. But, he'd let it slide for the sole reason that Lukas had taken a break and he got him to eat something.
Sometimes though, Jesse would wish he'd done more. When he comes home from BeaconTown and sees Lukas passed out on his book with his feather quill still in his hand, he'd think about what he could do to keep Lukas away from the page for longer. He'd pick him up from his desk and carry him to bed and tuck him in. He'd place a gentle kiss on his forehead before he sighed sadly.
Lukas was stubborn just like Jesse. He was dedicated and that was a good quality, but only in moderation. If Lukas kept up with the pace he was going, he'd wither away right in front of him. Jesse stood and slipped off his shoes by the door. If Lukas kept up with the way things were going, he would get sick. No if ands or buts about it.
-~-~-~-~-
Lukas woke up with a horrible headache one morning. Lukas rolled over onto his stomach burying his face in his pillow. Dewey, his Ocelot, started poking his face with his paw. Lukas grumbled wanting to stay in bed longer. Dewey was not having any of that. He stuck his paw in Lukas’ mouth causing the man to sit up straight. “Ah! Dewey?” Lukas looked around. The bright light shining into his room made his headache even worse. He squinted trying to filter as much light as possible.
He groaned rubbing his eyes trying to alleviate the pulsing pain that thrummed in his head. Dewey once again called to him and Lukas peaked through his fingers once again feeling the sharp sting of the bright lights. Lukas sighed as he scooted to edge of his bed and stood up. He supposed it was too quickly because he felt incredibly dizzy. He reached for something to save him from falling over, but found nothing so he plopped back down on the bed much to Dewey's dismay. Finally, the dizzy spell left him and he blindly maneuvered his way to the window and closed the curtains.
Lukas rubbed his eyes again and trudged into the kitchen and he grabbed a cooked chicken from the fridge. He ripped off pieces and put them in a bowl. He placed it on the ground and Dewey immediately rushed over. Lukas gently pet his Ocelot’s back before walking back to his room. He grabbed something to wear before realizing he was much too cold to go out in what he’d grabbed. He then picked up his jeans and thick sweater. Lukas finally felt warm. Maybe a little too warm, but he didn’t have the energy to change his clothes again. Lukas stumbled over to his desk and grabbed a fresh sheet of paper.
He figured being a little down and out was nothing. He was an author and everyone was waiting on the next chapter. He had to do this. For them. He dipped his pen into the ink and started scribbling down words, but it was strange. The more time passed, the more Lukas felt entirely out of it. His eyes felt heavy and his thoughts like thick syrupy soup. His movements were sluggish and jittery. He usually had beautiful and flowy handwriting but now… he couldn’t really even tell what he was looking at. Lukas sat back and rubbed his eyes. His head hurt. Maybe he needs some fresh air? He stood up once again being assaulted by another dizzy spell before clumsily making his way for the door.
Lukas mumbled a brief goodbye to Dewey who meowed at him but Lukas had ignored him in favor of not turning around too quickly. He feared if he did, he might fall over. He stumbled outside and leaned against the post of the porch. Lukas looked out over the bright scenery, but he couldn't seem to enjoy it. He was too cold then too hot then everything in the middle and it just made him uncomfortable. Lukas had one thought that was clear enough. "Jesse." Lukas pushed off the post and made his way down the steps and started his walk towards BeaconTown.
The sun was shining down on him but he didn’t feel like it was at all. It was cold and Lukas found himself shivering. He found this strange. Wasn’t it warm a couple minutes ago? Either way, he found his way into town and waved at a few people. At least he thought he did, his body felt like it was made of bricks. He made his way towards Jesse’s office and bumping into people as he went. He muttered apology after apology, but after a while his throat was quite sore. He still had a ways to go and he must’ve bumped into someone else because he was suddenly on the ground. Lukas sat up and looked around.
“Hey! You- Lukas?” Lukas immediately registered Ivor’s voice. Lukas couldn’t really see him though. Everything was blurry and he felt really uncomfortable. “Lukas, are you alright?” Lukas suddenly felt all eyes on him. He had the unmistakable urge to hide away. He stood up quickly trying to recover and make it seem like there was nothing wrong, nothing was wrong after all, but was too quick. Lukas willed himself not to pass out. “Oh yeah. I’m fine. H-how are you?” Ivor swayed back and forth. Lukas didn’t know if that was his own doing or if Ivor was idly swaying in place. ‘That seemed unlike him.’ Lukas’ muddled mind supplied. Did Ivor say something just now? “I’m going to see Jesse. Is he in his office right now?” Lukas asked. Ivor seemed like he didn’t want to answer or maybe he was just scrutinizing every little thing about his condition. He was fine. It was just a little cold outside.
“Yes... he's in his office.” Ivor said slowly. Lukas felt glad about that he could actually hear his words this time. “But Lukas, are you sure you should be-“
“Thanks Ivor. I’ll be seeing h-him now.” Lukas said waving to Ivor. Did he wave? His body felt like stone. He stumbled up the steps almost tripping a few times. He blindly walked through the building and up to Jesse’s office. He knocked on the door and walked inside. Someone was talking to him. He could see the blurry outline. He felt like he was going to throw up.
Someone was suddenly in front of him. Someone smaller but they held him steady. Lukas felt calloused hands gently holding his forearms guiding him along. His skin felt so sensitive he felt like fire was underneath it. Lukas pulled away too quickly and stumbled. He fell back losing his balance. But before he hit the ground, someone caught him. Lukas looked blearily up at the ceiling, his mind clouded with thoughts that trampled over each other. He blinked slowly before he couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer.
Lukas felt bad that he wasn’t able to see Jesse though. He was certain if Jesse saw him now he would probably be freaking out.
-~-~-~-~-
Jesse was absolutely freaking out.
Lukas stumbled into his office drenched in sweat and stumbling around like he was drunk. Jesse stood up immediately and walked over to Lukas gently holding his arms so he would fall over. Lukas looked worse up close. He had a feverish flush on his face and Jesse Jesse narrowed his eyes having a sneaking suspicion he knew what was wrong. Lukas grimaced and pulled away, but he moved too quickly and he teetered too far back. Jesse quickly caught Lukas before he hit the ground.
Jesse carefully lowered Lukas to the ground, still holding him gently in his arms. He used the back of his hand to confirm his suspicions that Lukas was sick feeling the heat radiating from Lukas before he even touched his face. He bit his lip before he placed his palm against Lukas’ forehead. Jesse felt the sweat and used his sleeve to wipe it away. Jesse looked up at Radar. “Clear everything. I’m staying home until Lukas gets better.”
Radar couldn’t even get a word out before Jesse had scooped Lukas up into his arms and walked out of the room leaving him alone.
Jesse ignored the stares from the people as he walked through town and towards Lukas' house. Jesse flinched when he saw the door was cracked. Lukas was honestly too feverish for him to probably think straight. Jesse wouldn't hold it against him even if he were conscious enough to understand what was happening around him. Dewey sat on the door mat and once he heard Jesse walking up the steps he stood up quickly. Jesse chuckled knowing that the fierce little jungle cat would protect their home so there was no need to worry.
Jesse walked inside with Dewey trailing behind and closed the door with his foot. Dewey protected the house while he was away, but now that Jesse was back there was no need for that responsibility to fall to the poor ocelot. Jesse opened the door to their bedroom finding the curtains closed and Lukas' clothes strewn out on the floor. He wouldn't have thought much of it because in actuality Jesse was a slob, but those were Lukas' clothes and he was not a slob. He was meticulous in making Jesse clean up when he noticed Jesse's side of the room start to look a little messier than usual.
Jesse noted how warmly he dressed despite how pleasant it was outside. Jesse laid Lukas down on the bed and dug around in a few chests to find something loose for Lukas to wear. After dressing him and throwing his sweat-drenched clothes into the laundry basket, Jesse went into the kitchen and filled up a small bowl and grabbed a rag as well as a glass of water. He set the bowl and glass down on Lukas' bedside table and used the rag to gently wipe away the sweat that most likely would make Lukas feel pretty gross when he woke up.
Dewey jumped up on the bed and nestled up to Lukas' side purring loudly. Jesse sighed as he propped his head up on his hand. He looked on at Lukas' sleeping form and noticed the subtle grimace etched into his features. Jesse could only hope that he could help Lukas' fever break before it got too terribly bad. In the meantime, Jesse would leave Lukas to rest while he readied something for him to eat. He knew his boyfriend and he most likely forgot to eat again.
-~-~-~-~-
Lukas felt like he was awake and asleep. Somewhere in between. He tried too wake up but that was impossible. He could feel his body and knew that he was asleep, but he couldn't wake up. Around him were colors that moved when he did. In in fever muddled mind all that he could think was completing this strange game would let him wake up. Lukas rolled around and every color moved but when he tried to win the game it would go backwards. Lukas felt hopeless. This game was useless what was happening. Couldn't someone help him? Why can't he wake up? He wanted help, needed help. Someone. Jesse? Please...
Lukas felt a hand on his shoulder and he was quickly lifted from his weird dream. He felt like he could breathe, no longer being suffocated by some strange fever dream. "Breathe my dear, breathe."
Lukas looked up towards the voice and saw Jesse's gentle eyes looking back at him. He could see the relief when he looked at him. He couldn't help but melt in his gaze. "Jesse?" Lukas coughed at the sound of his hoarse voice. Jesse helped him sit up before he carefully lift a glass to his lips. Lukas muttered a thank you as he sipped on the water.
"Drink slowly. I can always get you more." Jesse said rubbing Lukas' back. They sat in comfortable silence as Lukas drank the cool water. It felt like heaven for his burning body. Jesse sighed before he spoke. "You know we have to talk."
Lukas knew what about, but he could pretend he didn't. "The dream? It was strange. I was moving colors and-" Jesse placed his finger up to stop Lukas who knew that he messed up when Jesse tilted his head with a mildly annoyed expression on his face.
"You know what I meant Lukas. Doing what you have been is reckless and dumb." Jesse said. "What if you passed out in the woods. I would have no way of knowing until I got home and even then where would I begin to look?" Lukas looked down at his hands dejectedly.
"I'm sorry, Jesse." Lukas whispered afraid that using his voice at a higher volume would cause him to start coughing again. Jesse sighed once more and took Lukas' hand in his.
"I'm not mad at you." Jesse paused. "Okay, I'm a little mad but that doesn't mean that I love you any less. I'm just worried Lu. You work yourself like a dog and I worry that you might not recover from it one day. This one was- is bad." Jesse raised his hand to feel Lukas' temperature again. He felt warm but it wasn't as bad as it was when Jesse had first seen him. Lukas leaned into his hand closing his eyes feeling the coolness of his boyfriend's hand against his burning skin.
"I know. I'm sorry." Lukas said, cracking one eye open. "I'll try to do better. I don't want to worry you, Jesse. I love you."
"I love you too." Jesse said placing a soft kiss on Lukas' forehead. He pulled away and booped Lukas' nose. "But that means I will pry you away from your desk with my bare hands and hold you down whenever I see fit!"
"No... my revisions!" Lukas wheezed, trying to feign sadness. He leaned up against Jesse and laughed softly. Jesse kissed Lukas' hair before he pulled away.
"I made dinner. Would you like it now or later?" Jesse asked combing his hand gently through Lukas' tangles.
"Maybe later. The thought of food makes me feel sick." Lukas responded closing his eyes and enjoying the feeling.
"You have to eat sooner or later you know." Jesse reminded.
"I know, I know. But I know that you will be here to take care of me. You won't let me forget again." Jesse smiled as he nuzzled his face into Lukas' hair kissing him a few times.
"You're one hundred percent right!" Jesse said enthusiastically. Jesse hugged Lukas tightly but remained gentle. "Would you like a bath. Being sweaty all day can't be fun."
"I would like that a lot actually. Thank you Jesse."