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Jinx never got sick. It was a rare occasion, and she really didn't care much when it happened. Though, this is so much different. Of course her body decided to get sick while she's six months pregnant. She's spent the past two days paranoid that something will happen to her baby. She's already high-risk, and this makes it all worse. A trip to the hospital didn't do anything to ease her nerves, either. The bright lights and loud machines, she didn't want to be there. But, they told her that it would be best to stay home and treat it like a normal fever.
So now, she's laying in bed, sick like a dog. Ekko always tries to act cool, but she knows that he's even more paranoid than she is. He hasn't left her side since she got sick. But it makes her feel better, makes her feel safe. Like everything will be alright as long as he's here. He fell asleep on the bed next to her, clearly tired from his sleepless nights. Thanks to him, she has a cold pack on her forehead; hair pinned up and out of her face; a wet towel on her chest; is wearing his shirt, for good measures; and legs propped up like some sort of queen, despite her laying down on her side. The last two things aren't much different from usual... But she felt bad that he had to take care of her like this. Ekko has been staying up worrying about her. She insisted that he stay his distance so he won't get sick, but he refused.
Jinx is at least happy that he's sleeping now. Though something has been bothering her for the past few hours. And it's not anything physical, besides her sore throat and achy body, no. She wants ice cream. It's not a normal want, it's a need. But she doesn't have enough strength to get up and get it herself. So she's forced to wait until Ekko wakes up, which could be another few hours. It's night time, fairly late too. So, she's just hoping sleep will engulf her too. It was pretty hard to do because of the lamp still lighting up the room. But, she managed.
Soon enough she rests her hand on her stomach, feeling her baby wake up. That's all she needs. Usually, she'd be slightly pissed off that she was awoken by the kicking. But, this grounds her. It lets her know that her baby is alive and kicking. Even if she's suffering, at least the baby is okay. The doctor told her that it's good she's later in her pregnancy, because the fever won't affect her baby. She lets out a sigh, rubbing small circles on her belly. Something comforting, hopefully for the both of them.
Ekko wakes up, groaning softly as he raises his head to look at her. The sight of her with her eyes closed, rubbing her belly, it immediately warms his heart. She looks at peace, despite her quickened breathing and paler than normal skin. It was worse before, at least she's getting some color back.
He slowly takes her free hand in his. "How're you feeling?"
Jinx opened her eyes to look at him, smiling softly. "I'm okay." Her voice had more rasp than usual, victim to her sore throat. She closed her eyes again and started to rub her thumb across the back of his hand. "You woke Baby up cause you were snoring too loud."
He laughed. "Sure I was."
"Mhm."
A few heartbeats later, and she can still feel him looking at her. Watching over her while she went to sleep is all he's been doing.
"...Ekko?"
"Yeah?"
"I want ice cream.."
With that, he was already getting up. She opened her eyes to look at him. That was easy.
"Any specifics?" He asked, pulling a grey hoodie over his head.
She thought about it. "I don't know. Vanilla, I guess. It's in the freezer."
Plain and simple, she just wanted a sweet treat.
"Okay, be right back." He exited their bedroom, going into the kitchen.
Jinx took the time to sit up in bed. It took some effort, but she managed. She huffed, fixing the pillows behind her. The cold pack started to slide, so she just took it fully off, placing it on the bed next to her.
Soon enough, Ekko came back into the room, bowl in hand. He walked over to her side this time, handing her the bowl along with a spoon. She could cry, and with her hormones, she wouldn't be surprised if she did. She's been wanting this the whole night.
He sat on the edge of the bed, looking amused as she ate a spoonful of the ice cream. Jinx hummed happily, and continued to eat. Ekko presses a kiss to her belly before climbing back into bed. He settled next to her, head resting on his palm as he watched her enjoy. A smile tugged at his lips when she got some on the corner of her mouth. She grinned as she took another spoonful.
"You make me feel ridiculously good looking eating this right now."
He smirked. "Good. It's the truth."
She laughed, turning into a cough. "Is it? Or are you just staring at me cause I have something on my face?"
"That too." He swiped the ice cream from the corner of her mouth with his thumb. His hand traveled down to lightly rest on her stomach again.
"Creep." She smiled, taking another spoonful.
"You look one hundred times better just by that alone. If I knew ice cream was the cure, I'd have given it to you ages ago."
"Guess you'll have to give me more of it, then."
"Deal."
...
Quickly, she finished the bowl of ice cream. He was about to take the bowl from her when she started crying. Out of nowhere, her face scrunched up, and tears started falling from her eyes. Ekko sat up, startled.
"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" He took the bowl from her lap, putting it onto the bedside table.
Jinx wiped at her eyes, tears quickly falling and replacing those. She cursed underneath her breath, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"Stupid fucking hormones." She sobbed out, now pissed off by the fact that she's even crying. Her cries only caused her to cough, hurting her throat even more.
He pulled her into his arms, beginning to rub circles on her back. He didn't know why she was crying, but he knew how to comfort her.
Jinx covered her mouth as she coughed. "Ekko, I don't want you to catch it-"
He hushed her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She's hot to the touch, something abnormal about her. She's normally always freezing, despite the temperature.
"I don't care about that. I care about you."
His words only made her cry more. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him as close as she could without putting pressure on her belly. She buried her head in the crook of his neck, crying for a stupid reason. His free hand traveled up to stroke her hair.
Ekko pressed a kiss to her hair. "What's wrong?"
"It's stupid." She choked out.
"Whatever it is, you can tell me."
Jinx let out a sob, whining into his neck. She was sweating, but he didn't mind.
"I didn't want vanilla." She admitted, feeling her skin burn up even more.
He chuckled softly. "What?"
"I told you it's stupid. I'm just crying over nothing, like usual."
"No.. It's just, you told me you wanted vanilla.. right?"
She nodded. "But while I was eating, I thought that mint chocolate chip would be better."
Ekko pulled back just enough to look at her. "You should've told me, I would've gotten you what you want."
Jinx frowned, more tears falling from her eyes. "Yeah, but I don't wanna bother you."
His hands traveled up to her face, wiping away her tears with his thumbs. "You're not bothering me."
"...I feel like a burden. You haven't even been sleeping- You get up to take care of my every need. You make sure I'm comfortable 24/7.. Hell, you even help me in the bathroom. All while I just sit here taking up space."
He caressed her cheek, and she instinctively leaned into his touch. "Jinx, you're not just 'taking up space.' You're literally carrying another being inside you. Our child. And just so happens, you're also suffering from a fever at the same time. Of course I'm going to take care of you."
Every single need, until she gets her strength back to do it herself. Even then, he'd do it in a heartbeat if she asked.
"Still.. I- I wish you would get some sleep, at least."
He kissed her forehead. "I'll try."
"Promise?"
"Promise." Ekko sealed it off with a kiss, this time on her lips. It was soft, full of care. She returned it with the same softness, hoping all her thanks could convey to him. She's sure he's aware, though. Aware of how much she loves him. Of how much she's grateful he's here to take care of her. She would allow nobody else, only him.
She smiled against his lips. "You're gonna get sick."
He pulled away smiling. "No way."
"Let's hope not. I'll have to throw you out if you even cough."
"Just one cough?"
"Yeah, it's a sign."
"Fair." Ekko hummed and helped her sit back down comfortably. He lifted her legs slightly, propping them up on the large pillows.
This is what she means. After crying in his arms about ice cream, he's still making sure she settles. And the fact that he didn't lay her down, he's ready to go get her the flavor she really wanted.
"Still want that ice cream?" He asked.
She can't deny, she does. "Yeah."
Ekko got her mint chocolate ice cream, and she was finally reassured. The whole rest of the night, Jinx held his hand and watched as his breathing evened out, falling asleep again. Despite her dizziness, stuffy nose, and terribly sore throat: She fell asleep happily with the fact that he's sleeping peacefully beside her. As well as their baby.