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You wake up coughing, a crackly wheezing cough that has you gripping onto the sheets with strain. Rogue who was sleeping in a chair in the corner of the room wakes up and rushes over to you, grabbing your hand. She squeezes it softly as she rubs your back, worry painting her face. Your coughing finally subsides and you take a few deep, wheezing breaths. Rogue sits on the edge of the bed next to you and speaks softly,
“You ok sugar?” You nod slowly, greasy black curls falling in front of your eyes.
“What time is it?” You pause for a second “actually what day is it?” You frown. Rogue smiles sympathetically and pats your hand.
“It’s Saturday, 10pm…you’ve been in and out of consciousness with a fever for a few days” you groan and rub your face in frustration, sitting back against the pillows.
Rogue shifts uncomfortably and clears her throat.
“um…” she looks up at you. “There’s something I have to tell you” you look back at her in anticipation, clueless to what she might say.
“You know how people have come to visit you? All the team…except Logan.” She sighs.
“…yeah…” you reply skeptically. She scoots closer to you. you haven’t seen Logan ever since you got sick. Everyone’s come to check on you except for him. Rogue continues,
“Well, he’s been in pretty bad shape… and I overheard Jean talking to Scott about something she read in his mind” she says hesitantly. “He’s been avoiding you. Jean said something about him being afraid-“ she gets cut off as suddenly there’s a knock at the door. You both turn in unison to see Hank step in.
“Ah. Did I interrupt?” He chimes. You look at Rogue but she just clears her throat and stands up. “No it’s ok I was just leaving” She pats your arm and smiles softly, whispering to you,
“I think he’s scared of losing you” you look up at her as she leaves, not knowing how to react to that. Hank clears his throat and walks over to your bedside, rolling a metal trolley with equipment beside him.
“Just gotta do some tests. your condition is…worsening it seems…” he trails off as he starts checking your vitals. “Hmm fevers better but…” he pauses. You look up at him, eyebrows pulled together with worry. Your mind conjuring up every bad scenario that could play out.
“What?” You say shakily. Hank writes something down in his notebook and looks up at you.
“I thought this was just the flu but it seems that it’s progressed… we need to get you started on treatment.” You sit up weakly and stare at him.
“Treatment?” You croak.
“Yes. Just some antibiotics and IV treatment, nothing extreme. But if we don’t get it started soon…well you're going to get a lot worse.” He sighs. You groan and lay back down.
“Worse than this? No thank you.” As you say it you see something from the corner of your eye. Someone standing in the open doorway. You look over and your eyes widen.
“Logan?” You can’t believe your eyes. Hank looks at Logan with a worried expression. He just stands there, his hands planted firmly in his pockets as he stares at you. You shift uncomfortably under his gaze.
“I thought you were avoiding me.” You say, a hint of annoyance coming through unintentionally. He steps in the room hesitantly and you can see him more clearly. He looks like he hasn’t slept for days. Hank clears his throat uncomfortably and shuffles away with his trolley.
“I’ll get your treatment prepared then…leave you two be.” He leaves and Logan closes the door softly. His silence unnerving. You sit up again weakly, groaning slightly with the effort and Logan shifts, wanting so desperately to help you but he’s still hesitant. He speaks softly, walking a little closer.
“Are you….ok?” You scoff, although a smile tugs at your lips.
“Do I look ok?” You reply.
“No, you look like shit” you raise your eyebrows and breathe a laugh.
“Thanks Logan” you sigh. “Why’d you come here? You obviously didn’t care enough to check on me before, so why now?” Logan sighs, bringing his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose.
“It’s not that I didn’t care I-“ he breathes out slowly before continuing “I was…. I was stupid, and scared… because I realised something when you got sick.” He pulls up a chair and sits down, avoiding your gaze. “I realised that I care about you, a lot. And I was scared of that…”
“Logan…” you interrupt, frowning. He shakes his head.
“No let me say this, or else I’m never going to.” He clears his throat and you listen intently, desperately wanting to reach out to him and comfort him.
“When I heard you were getting worse, I knew I couldn’t stay away for any longer. What I’m trying, and failing, to say… is that…” he finally meets your eyes and you can see the fear in them. “I think I’m in love with you…” he says quickly, taking in a sharp breath. Your eyes widen and the shock sends you into a coughing fit. You hold your chest as you wheeze and Logan rushes to you, placing one hand on your back and the other on top of your own. You hold onto him as you calm down, breathing in and out slowly. He looks at you with worry and you smile weakly at him.
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting… took me a little off guard…” you wheeze. His hands linger for a moment before he moves them away, a small frown forming on his face. you quickly grab his hand before he can pull away fully.
“Wait.” You pull him down so that he’s sitting on the bed next to you, his heavy frame sinking into the mattress pulling you closer to him.
“Logan," you say, your voice rasping but steady, "you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that." At your words his eyes light up, searching yours for any doubt. You smile at him and interlock your fingers with his.
“I never thought I would be able to say that. To you. To anyone ever again. But you just make me feel so…” he trails off, not knowing how to express his emotions.
“Happy?” You interject. He smiles.
“Yeah.” He says softly. You’ve never seen him so vulnerable, sure you’ve seen him beaten and bloody, all sorts of pissed off, but never this. The big bad Wolverine, scared to show emotions, just confessed his love to you.
“I love you too, Logan” You feel his breath hitch beside you, the weight of all the years between you both finally softening in the quiet. He brings your hand up to his lips and places a gentle kiss to it.
“Now that we got all that mushy stuff over with,” he smiles, “I think I need to make up for lost time. Care for you properly…” he pauses and frowns slightly. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you before” you pull him into a hug and he happily obliges, melting into the well needed hug.
“But you’re here now, that’s all that matters.” You say softly.
Hank comes back in, without knocking and sees you two,
“Oh, uh, sorry. I always seem to be interrupting…” he awkwardly clears his throat and walks over to your bedside as Logan smirks and sits up, hand still holding yours.
“Seems like it, blue” he retorts. Hank shoots him a glare before setting up an IV bag.
“Anyway, I’ve got your medicine.” He turns to you, noticing how Logan is crowding you protectively.
“If I could…” he clears his throat “I need to administer this IV” Logan just rolls his eyes and scooches away, still staying near you. You close your eyes as Hank pokes the needle into your arm and Logan rubs your leg comfortingly.
“Alright, now that that’s in your system you should be feeling better in no time.” Hank chimes happily. You smile and let out a soft sigh of relief. “But you still have to rest,” Hank turns to Logan as he continues, “make sure he rests, you know how he can get” Logan chuckles and nods.
“Sure thing doc” he moves closer to you, holding your hand in his tightly. “I won’t let him out of my sight.” Hank nods and leaves, shutting the door softly on his way out. You look at Logan with pure love in your eyes, and you can’t believe that you get to have him all to yourself.
“You're such a big softy” you chuckle. Logan pokes at you jokingly.
“Am not. I’m very tough, thank you very much.” He smiles.
Logan smiles contently as he climbs into bed next to you, getting under the covers and pulling them over you both. You don’t waste any time cuddling up to him, and it takes him off guard, his shoulders tightening as his hand hovers around you. You just smile and lay your head on his chest, hearing his heartbeat race. He puts a hand on your head, relaxing as he makes himself comfortable. The silence between you both, a welcome peace. You both stay like that until eventually you fall asleep on Logan’s chest, your own rising and falling slowly. Logan smiles softly and nuzzles into you, silently listening to your soft breaths as he closes his eyes, content and happy.