Trigger warnings: sickness and panic attack

❤️🖤

The night before had been wonderful. Cole had taken Kai to Charming Hive Restaurant, which had just opened in the city. The food was amazing, the best they'd eaten in a while. The night ended with the pair curled under blankets watching movies.

Now, however, Cole is awake, kneeling over the toilet and shaking. His stomach churns as he pulls himself up, reaching forward to flush the toilet. Stumbling to the sink, Cole rests his weight on it, washing his hands.

Soft pads of feet go unheard as the door creaks open, the fire ninja poking his head into the room, bed hair sticking up everywhere and eyes full of tiredness.

"Cole?" He asks softly, walking over slowly, "what's wrong?"

"I-I...yeah," he points to the toilet, flapping his fingers to get rid of the excess water.

Kai loops his arms around him from behind, pushing back slightly to look at him.

"You feel warm."

"I'm sick," Cole sniffles, drying his hands and rubbing his eyes to avoid the onslaught of tears.

"Yeah but I mean...fever warm."

Cole tenses under his hands, shaking more. Kai hushes him and slowly guides him away from the sink and back to their bed, propping his pillows up and helping him sit up against them. The younger offers the Earth ninja the water bottle he keeps on the nightstand.

"Have a couple of sips. I'll go and find a thermometer."

Kai walks back into the bathroom, opening the cupboard near the shower and grabbing the first aid kit, pulling out the thermometer. He turns around and grabs the bin, making sure it's empty before taking both items back to Cole.

"Just in case," Kai reassures, noticing the panicked look in Cole's eyes as he slowly sets the bucket down.

He turns the thermometer on, helping Cole to sit forward a little bit before holding it against the skin of his back, tapping his foot as he waits for the beep. The sound blares around the quiet room, making Kai cringe as he pulls it away, studying the numbers.

"You have a fever sweetheart," Kai says, putting the thermometer down and hugging him gently.

Cole groans and flops back into the pillows, fighting off the urge to sleep. Kai tsks quietly.

"Arms up baby, you'll feel worse later if you wear those warm clothes."

Cole raises his arms slowly, blinking blearily at Kai as he removes his sleep shirt. Kai throws it into the washing basket before tugging the comforter off the bed and putting that into the basket too. The pair lay the pillows back down, Cole's head following and he turns to face Kai, watching as the younger lays on his side of the bed, facing him and grabbing his hands.

"I'll be here if you need me. Wake me up if you need anything."

Cole nods and yawns, eyes slipping shut and succumbing to sleep. Kai follows not long after.

Kai's unsure of what wakes him up, a mere hour and a half later. He's now facing the wall, ears straining for a noise. That's when he hears it, quiet whimpers and sniffles. Shooting up, he turns to Cole, watching as he breathes erratically, his whole body shaking as he tries to hold the bucket as far away as he can.

"Sweetheart..." Kai cooes softly, shuffling closer and taking the bucket, placing it against the wall to be dealt with later before climbing back into the bed, pulling Cole towards him slowly and carefully.

"I-I'm s-sorry I-I couldn't-"

"Shhh...it's okay. I'm here," Kai leans back into his pillows, Cole following for the feeling of safety and security that Kai's arms provide him, "I'm here and I'm not leaving."

Cole nods, hands gripping Kai's shirt, head resting above his heart, his steady heartbeat thrumming against his ear.

"In," Kai murmurs, arms snaking around Cole's waist, smiling tiredly when the other copies, "and out."

Cole follows Kai's breathing for a few minutes, eyes closed as he blocks everything else out. Kai would begin rocking them at this stage but for the sake of Cole's stomach, he keeps them still, resorting to threading his fingers through Cole's hair instead.

"Do y'think it's food poisoning?" Kai asks quietly once Cole's fully relaxed against him.

"Ma'ye," Cole yawns, snuggling into his pillows and squeezing Kai's hand gently.

Once he's sure Cole's asleep, he climbs out of bed and takes the bucket into the bathroom, cleaning it before taking it back and placing it by Cole.

"Good night darling, sleep well," Kai climbs into bed and falls asleep.

❤️🖤

The next morning, Kai is the first to wake up, yawning and stretching out. He turns his head to look at Cole, smiling when he realises he's still asleep. Slowly sitting up, Kai's eyes light up at an idea that pops into his head.

Scrambling out of bed, he rushes downstairs and into the kitchen, switching on the switch for the toaster. He pulls out the loaf of bread from the bread bin and opens it, pulling out two slices and placing them in, pushing the handle down and waiting.

The toast pops up and he pulls it out, dropping them onto the chopping board and begins buttering them, cutting them up into smaller pieces and placing them on a plate. He fills a glass with cool water and places it on the tray, putting the plate next to it.

Carefully picking it up, Kai walks up the stairs, walking into their room and smiles when he spots Cole awake, blinking at him blearily.

"Good morning baby," Kai cooes, walking over and placing the tray on Cole's lap.

"What-" Cole's voice scratches as he uses it, "what's this?"

"Breakfast in bed," Kai chirps, "just some toast to ease your stomach."

Cole smiles thinly and takes a slice, slowly eating it as Kai goes into the bathroom to grab a cool flannel. He places it on Cole's forehead. He leans down and presses a kiss on his nose.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

❤️🖤

This is the first oneshot I've written in a while. I didn't intend to go on a hiatus but here we are. I've had little to no motivation to write anything else on the account but I think my motivation is coming back (very, very slowly). Anyway, hope you enjoyed this oneshot! Tell me your thoughts in the comments.