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The couch wasn’t comfortable. However, as Jayce lay there staring up at the ceiling, it would do for now. As exhausted as he feels, sleep simply won’t come. Too many worries circling his mind. Viktor not being next to him also makes it difficult. Phone in hand, he swipes to look at the time.
3:41 am.
Exhaling, he decides mindless scrolling will be the best distraction for the moment. Just as he opens an app, the bedroom door creaks open, and the familiar sound of a cane hitting the floor.
Immediately, he’s up, almost running into Viktor as they met at the hallway end.
“Hey baby, it’s the middle of the night. Why are you up.” Jayce asks as he pulls the blanket loosely drapped over his partners shoulders closer around him. Even in the darkness, it’s still very apparent how pale Viktor is.
“I could ask you…the same.” Viktor struggles to speak as soft amber eyes look up.
“Couldn’t sleep, and I didn’t want my constant tossing to wake you.” He says. It’s half true.
Viktor gives a tired nod before bringing his hand still covered by the blanket up. A deep wet cough rattles out of him, shaking his frail frame. Jayce reaches behind placing a hand on Viktor’s waist, sucking in a breath as he listens to how bad that cough still sounds.
It bends Viktor over as he fights for air, finally passing after what seems like an eternity. Specks of sweat dot Viktor’s hairline as he clears his throat.
“Come on, back to bed.” Jayce says softly as he leads them back to the bedroom.
Another cough erupts as Viktor sits on the bed. Jayce’s heart aches, seeing his poor partner suffer.
“Here, I’ll adjust the pillows so you’re sitting up better.” Jayce takes one fluffing it before Viktor slowly leans back.
“Thanks.” Viktor mumbles, weary eyes closing. “Please stay.”
“I will.” Jayce replies, giving Viktor’s warm hand a squeeze. “Try to sleep.”
A few minutes later that ragged breathing calms a bit but it’s still far too congested for Jayce’s ears. Sighing he rubs his forehead as a headache begins to form.
Finally, he lays next to Viktor, watching him sleep until sleep takes him.
****
Jayce was happy Viktor was able to sleep a few undisturbed hours. That also meant he got sleep as well, though not a lot as he kept waking up to check to see if Viktor was okay.
Now he stood in front of the coffee machine hoping the he could stay awake long enough to pump himself full of caffeine again.
He could hear Viktor coughing from the bedroom which ached his heart. The doctor had specifically told Viktor not to use cough medicine since that wouldn’t help his pneumonia, which had made Viktor quite upset. It wasn’t news to either of them, Viktor had suffered from pneumonia before but it still never made him happy.
Jayce poured his coffee taking a sip almost immediately. Then he heard a particularly bad fit from coming from the bedroom so he hurried back down.
Viktor was hunched forward, hands cupped over his mouth, coughing wetly. Jayce sat next to him, rubbing circles on his back until Viktor regained his breath.
Viktor pushed the long strands of hair from his face, wiping away speckles from his fever. “No coffee for me?” He said looking wearily at Jayce.
“You’re adorable when you’re sick.” Jayce said smiling as he kissed Viktor’s forehead.
“I do not feel cute. I can’t even get out of bed.” He said leaning back on the pillow.
“Well,” Jayce said as he sipped his coffee, “The doctor doesn’t want you out of bed, so you don’t need to worry.”
Viktor only shrugged as he coughed again. “I need to stretch. My back is killing me.” Pressing his hands on his back, he arched it.
“Want me to massage it?” Jayce asked but frowned when Viktor shook his head.
“My entire body aches. One massage won’t do anything.” Viktor rubbed his head.
Jayce wrapped his arm around his partner. “I’m sorry, babe.”
“Coffee would make me feel better.” Viktor rasped.
“You can’t have caffeine on your medication.” Jayce whispered, pressing his lips to Viktor’s temple, trying to suppress his laugh as Viktor grumbled.