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Otto doesn't get sick very often. He always says it's because he grew up on a farm; Awsten says it's because Otto eats dirt. Either way, even when Geoff catches every bug going, Otto remains unscathed.
Well, not this time.
He wakes up with a sore throat and assumes he didn't drink enough water yesterday. Then he tries to stand up and his head spins - there's something wrong with him, and he's already over it. Eventually he manages to get out of his bed and into the hallway, but his vision swims and he struggles to remember where the bathroom is.
"You alright, honey?" Geoff's voice calls from somewhere in the house. He always wakes up hours earlier than Otto and gets on with his day. It's only annoying to Otto when he wants to cuddle as he's waking up and realises Geoff is long gone.
Otto tries to speak, but it comes out as a cough, which snowballs into a coughing fit. He collapses against the wall, trying to keep himself upright, but he slowly slides to the floor.
"Is that a no?" Geoff appears beside him, crouching to where Otto kneels on the floor. He presses the back of his hand to Otto's forehead. "Oh, honey, you're burning up."
"'M fine." Otto insists, even though he's very clearly not. "Just gimme a minute."
"You're going back to bed." Geoff scoops him up off the floor and kisses him on the forehead. "You poor thing. You must have caught something when we were in New York."
Otto just grumbles and leans his head against Geoff's shoulder. He hates being sick, hates being unable to go outside and enjoy himself. That last thing he wants is to be stuck in bed for days. If he has to sit in one place for too long, he gets restless - he can survive about as long as he has to sit at a drum kit for a show, then he starts climbing the walls. Or, more likely, trees
"Don't wanna go back to bed." Otto whines.
"You've got the flu, angel, you need to rest." Geoff coos, cradling Otto gently. "Would you rather be on the couch?"
"Can I sit on t'porch?"
"Hm… fresh air might help." Geoff agrees. "But don't go running off into the garden, okay?"
"Promise." Otto kisses Geoff's jaw.
Geoff sits Otto in his rocking chair on the porch. It's a little chilly - although that might be the fever - so Geoff wraps Otto up in two different blankets so he's warm enough. Then Geoff gets Otto a cup of hot tea and makes him take some medication.
"You need anything, I'll be right inside." Geoff says, petting Otto's hair. "Don't try to get up on your own, okay? You'll hurt yourself."
Otto agrees and Geoff goes back inside. He dozes a little, grateful for the fresh air and the nice view of the garden. It's much better than the inside of their bedroom, that's for sure.
Eventually, Otto runs out of tea, and his water bottle is empty too. He should just call Geoff to refill it for him, but the kitchen sink is right through the door, how hard can it be?
He unwraps himself from his blankets and stands up. For a moment, his head spins, but then it passes and he feels fine. The medication must be working already. He walks up to the open back door with his water bottle in hand, and then his knees give out.
Otto hits the floor with a crash, most of the noise caused by his metal water bottle. Geoff appears in an instant, right at Otto's side.
"I told you not to get up!" Geoff chides, hauling Otto up into his arms. "I didn't hear you shout for me."
"Didn't. Wanna do it myself." Otto mumbles. He isn't used to being unable to take care of himself. He is annoyed at himself for being so reliant on others, especially Geoff.
"Well, now you're getting put to bed for your own safety." Geoff says. Otto whines. "My only compromise is the couch."
"Fine." Otto grumbles. "As long as you're there."
"I'll always be here." Geoff promises.
Geoff sits on the couch with Otto's head laying in his lap, three blankets wrapped around him this time so he can't move. Otto starts to doze again as Geoff rubs his back.
"Love you." Otto whispers.
"I love you too."