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Mike had just got home to find Billie Joe lounging in his boxers. His eyes were practically glued to the tv across the room blasting some stupid rerun he didn’t care about. Mike couldn’t help but smirk, happy to realize Billie showered while he was gone.
“Glad to see you finally cleaned up.” Mike joked as he dropped his stuff to come sit.
“Huh?” Billie looked confused as Mike chuckled to himself.
“Why do you think you woke up alone this morning? You fuckin’ reeked from not showering after the gig last night.” Mike smirked as he watched Billie’s confusion turn into disbelief.
“Oh fuck you, like you’re any better.” he scoffed. Mike’s grin grew wider.
“Yeah. I am. ‘Cuz I washed before going to sleep, unlike your stinky ass.” Mike poked at Billie’s stomach like he was making an accusation. Billie couldn’t help but smirk a little, too, despite how hard he was trying to act offended.
“Gee, well sorry I was exhausted.” Billie was beginning to pout, like he was trying to make himself look innocent so Mike would stop teasing him. Mike couldn’t help himself from reaching to brush the damp hair off Billie’s forehead and leaning down for a kiss. He paused when his lips met Billie’s forehead.
“Billie, you feelin’ okay?” Mike put his hand to Billie’s cheek. Shit. He was burning up. “You’re so hot.”
“You’re not so bad looking yourself.” Billie joked. Mike rolled his eyes.
“No that’s— you know that’s not what I meant.” Mike carefully tilted Billie’s face up into the light so he could get a better look at him. “I think you have a fever. Do you feel warm at all?” Mike asked, concern growing in his voice.
“No. Kinda chilly actually.” Billie said.
“Then why are you only wearing boxers?”
“‘Cuz I can’t stop sweating. But I figured that’s just, like, humidity or whatever from taking a shower, y’know?” Billie explained. Mike blinked at him.
“Is it your first day on earth? Jesus, Bill, you’re definitely comin’ down with something.” Mike brushed Billie’s damp hair back again, feeling his forehead to confirm. Billie groaned. He hated being sick, even more so when they had stuff coming up. Fuck. He couldn’t get sick, because then Mike would cancel their plans this weekend and make Billie stay home. He had to make it seem like he was okay.
“‘m fine.” He mumbled as he tried to push Mike’s hand away. “Just need some air.” Billie moved to get up.
“No you don’t, you shouldn’t be walking around. You need to rest.” Mike said firmly, already preparing himself for Billie’s inevitable excuses. He squeezed Billie’s shoulder, emphasizing for him to stay put.
“Really, I’m fine, Mike. You’re worrying over nothing.” Billie sighed.
“You and I both know you have the immune system of a chihuahua. All it takes is one sneeze and you’re falling off the couch.” Mike couldn’t help but joke around a little bit, knowing how much Billie hated getting sick. He thought maybe if he could lighten the mood Billie would listen a little easier. “Now c’mon, I think we should get puppy back to bed.”
“But I’m not tired.” Billie grumbled.
“Doesn’t matter,” Mike said curtly. “You don’t gotta sleep but you have to rest.”
“That’s the same thing.”
“It’s not and you know it’s not,” Mike said, shaking his head slightly. He stood and reached his hand out to Billie, who crossed his arms and sunk further into the couch. God, he looked like a kid trying to negotiate his bedtime. “C’mon, let’s go. I’ll make you some soup.” Mike waved his hand but Billie wasn’t moving, ignoring him and watching the TV. Mike finally sighed and, without another word, scooped Billie up into his arms. He may not have been much bigger, but Mike was certainly the stronger of the two. Plus, even though Billie wouldn’t readily admit it, he was not operating with enough strength to fight back.
“Hey, sto-op!” Billie whined as Mike tightened his grip and headed towards the bedroom.
“C’mon now,” Mike spoke softly into Billie’s ear. “You’n I both know you’re not feelin’ good right now, hmm?
Billie could feel himself melting in Mike’s arms as he lightly marched them along. He reeeally didn’t want to be sick, but he could feel himself losing the battle. His head was aching and his throat kinda hurt, as much as he wanted to ignore it. Fine, he thought. It might be nice to let Mike take care of him… but he still wasn’t happy about it.
“Hmph.” Billie grumbled as Mike set him gently on the bed. He looked up at him with his best puppy dog eyes.
“Hey,” Mike began softly, brushing Billie Joe’s cheek. “You’ll feel better faster if you let your body rest.” Billie didn’t say anything. “Stay here. I’m gonna make you some dinner, okay?” He got up to leave. Billie sank further into the pillows almost woefully, silently cursing himself for not even feeling strong enough to fight back right now.
Mike returned several minutes later holding a burnt up cookie sheet as a tray. He brought soup and tea and a small cup of cold medicine. Billie was curled into a little ball, pouting at the wall.
“Listen, you should eat something, okay? I microwaved this for you.” Mike set the tray of things on the bed. “Sit up, I want you to take this for your fever.” he motioned to the cough syrup.
“I don’t want it.”
“You don’t wanna eat or you don’t want the medicine?” Mike sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Neither.” Billie mumbled.
“You’re being a brat.” Mike came around the bed and forced Billie up, fluffing the pillows so he could sit up comfortably. “If you don’t let me take care of you, you’re gonna get worse. And then I’m gonna have to make you stay home this weekend and you’ll be even more upset. Is that what you want?” Mike said, letting his patience slip away. Billie sighed, almost deflating. He picked up the spoon and began to eat.
“Good boy,” Mike breathed as he brushed the hair back from Billie’s forehead. “Take the medicine, I’m gonna go get a cold washcloth for you.” He rushed off as Billie rolled his eyes and drank the syrup.
When Mike got back, Billie looked a little more at ease. Still pouting, but at least he was eating. Better than nothing, he thought. He made his way back to Billie and wrapped the washcloth around the back of his neck.
“There,” Mike began softly. “This should help you cool down a little.”
“Whatever.” Billie mumbled before dropping his spoon on the tray. “Do I have to eat? ‘m really not hungry.”
“C’mon, you gotta. I know you haven’t eaten all day. You need to get something in your system.” Mike kept his voice light as he brushed his fingers through Billie’s hair. “Just take a few more spoonfuls for me, yeah?”
Billie shook his head.
“Fine,” Mike sighed. “At least drink the tea. Please?” He handed the mug to Billie, not giving him any option other than to take it, and set the tray aside. He felt a tiny bit of relief looking down at the empty medicine cup. At least Billie was following some of Mike’s instructions.
Billie took a few careful sips of the tea and set it aside on the nightstand as Mike crawled into the bed next to him. He settled back into the pillows, still feeling mopey over everything. It wasn’t fair, he just wanted to curl up and cry.
Mike got comfortable and put his arm around Billie, pulling him over to lay on his chest. He slowly started playing with Billie’s hair, trying his best to keep him grounded.
“You wanna tell me what’s wrong?” Mike asked softly. Billie shook his head again and buried his face in Mike’s neck. He was sore all over and staring to feel the kind of dazed you get when you’re overtired and delirious with fever. The frustration was taking over and he couldn’t help from crying.
Mike tightened his arm around him and began to trace Billie’s back with the other.
“Shh… okay,” Mike cooed. “It’s okay. I’m here… you’re alright.”
“I don’t feel good.” Billie sniffled, his face still muffled in Mike’s shirt.
“No shit,” Mike let out a light laugh before placing a gentle kiss into Billie’s hair. “I know, prettyboy. It’s gonna be okay.” He placed a hand on Billie’s cheek, coaxing him to look up. “You’ll feel better soon, I promise. You just gotta stop being a little brat,” Mike teased, “and listen to me, okay?”
Billie sniffed again and nodded lightly.
“Good.” Mike said with a gentle smile. “The medicine should start to help soon.”
“Was it the sleepy kind?” Billie asked simply. Mike hummed a light laugh.
“Yeah,” Mike chuckled again. “The sleepy kind.”
Billie finally let himself relax into Mike’s arms, already feeling the drowsiness beginning to wash over him. He sighed as he fought to keep his eyes open, eyelashes fluttering every few seconds.
“Go ahead, close your eyes.” Mike spoke tenderly. “You’ll feel better if you sleep.”
“You promise?” Billie murmured as his eyelids finally stilled.
Mike hummed, placing an assuring kiss on Billie’s forehead. “Yeah, I promise.”