Disclaimer: Roses are red, grass is green, Harry Potter doesn't belong to me.

Chapter Four: Sleep, Rest, Relax, and Stop Worrying

Albus's arms were aching by the time they arrived back at the manor, but he barely noticed. Scorpius's face had turned a pasty gray, and he was trembling with the effort of staying upright. His teeth chattered as Albus lowered him onto his bed.

"Scor," he said worriedly. "Scor, t-talk to me. T-Tell me you're okay. P-please..."

Scorpius opened his eyes. Merlin, the worry etched on Albus's face... "Albus Severus...I'll be okay." He smiled weakly.

"I should have n-noticed you were ill," said Albus. "I can't b-believe I didn't see—if I had been p-paying attention—"

"That was the point, wasn't it," said Scorpius. "I didn't want you to see."

"But why would you l-lie to me like that?" said Albus, sounding hurt.

"Albus Severus, that's not how I meant it at all..."

"I know," said Albus, dashing tears out of his eyes. "I'm j-just worried about you. Do you n-need anything?"

Scorpius shook his head, wincing at the pain it caused. "No. I just...I'm so tired..." he murmured.

"Sleep, Scor, g-go to sleep," said Albus. He sat down on the bed beside Scorpius and pulled his head onto his lap.

Albus was sure Scorpius, who was never one for much physical affection, would protest, but he just closed his eyes and relaxed against his friend. The last thing he was aware of was the soothing sensation of Albus's hand smoothing his long hair away from his burning brow.

*****TWAMM*****

Albus watched Scorpius sleep. It scared him, seeing his usually energetic, in-control friend so weak and ill. Scorpius shivered and whimpered. Albus tightened the blankets around him and shifted slightly so that Scorpius was lying more comfortably

"Shhh," he said. "Y-You're okay, you're ok-kay," he said softly. The problem was that Scorpius didn't really look okay at all.

Albus leaned back against the headboard and laid one hand on Scorpius's head and the other one on his shoulder. Scorpius shifted in his sleep to press his hot, sweaty cheek against Albus's hand.

*****TWAMM*****

It was sometime later when Albus realized that he was hungry. Not wanting to disturb Scorpius, he tried to ignore it for as long as he could, but when his stomach began to growl and he began to feel slightly light-headed he knew that he had to get something to eat.

He sat up carefully and moved Scorpius's head off his lap. Then he crawled off the bed, trying to jostle the sick boy as little as possible, and tiptoed to the door.

As he was turning the handle Scorpius said, "Albus Severus?"

Albus started and turned around. "Scor, I d-didn't mean to w-wake you up. Are you feeling any b-better?"

Scorpius shook his head. "You're stuttering," he said softly. "I haven't heard you stutter in a long time."

Albus gave him a small smile. "I guess I'm k-kind of frazzled," he said. He went back over to Scorpius. "We ought to t-take your temperature."

Scorpius took Albus's hand in his and squeezed, Albus squeezed back. "The thermometer's in the bathroom," said Scorpius.

Albus went into the bathroom and brought the thermometer back to Scorpius. He sat down on the bed while Scorpius put it under his tongue and then leaned against him, closing his eyes. Ablus gently rubbed his shoulder. A minute later he took the thermometer out.

"Oh, Scor," said Albus, flinching as he read the numbers on the thermometer.

"What is it?"

"Thirty n-nine point five (103.1)"

Scorpius sighed. "I guess I'm sick, huh?"

"You c-could say that," said Albus, chuckling slightly.

"Albus Severus, relax," said Scorpius, squeezing Albus's shoulder.

"It's hard to r-relax when your b-best friend is—"

"Shhh," said Scorpius. "I appreciate the concern, but I'll be fine, honest. It's just a stupid bug."

Albus's stomach rumbled.

"I'm going t-to get some f-food, Scor," he said, standing up. "Do you w-want anything?"

Scorpius blanched.

"I'll t-take that as a n-no," said Albus.

"Can you eat it downstairs?" said Scorpius weakly. "I think I might be sick if I even smell any food."

"Okay," said Albus. "I'll be b-back in a b-bit then." He reached the door and turned back.

"Go," said Scorpius, waving his hand at Albus.

When Albus was gone Scorpius leaned into his pillows and closed his eyes. He was freezing and his head pounded, his limbs ached, his stomach churned, and he really hoped Albus would come back soon, because, pathetically, he didn't want to be alone. He felt like crying for no good reason at all. And he never cried.

Albus hurriedly ate a couple pieces of toast and a bag of (not shrimp-flavored) crisps, poured a glass of orange juice for Scorpius, and went back up the stairs.

Scorpius must have dozed off, because the next thing he was aware of was someone leaning over him saying, "Scor? Scor, I b-brought you some orange j-juice. Do you think you c-can drink it?"

Scorpius opened his eyes, Albus's face was inches from his own.

"Scor?"

Scorpius swallowed. His throat felt dry and his heart was thudding painfully.

"What?"

"I b-brought you some orange j-juice. You should try and d-drink it."

Scorpius sat up, head swimming, and took the glass from Albus's hands. It felt icy. Scorpius's hands shook as he raised the glass to his lips, and Albus put his own hands over Scorpius's to steady them. They felt hot against Scorpius's clammy ones.

"Thanks," said Scorpius. The liquid was cool and refreshing and helped to dispel the metallic taste in his mouth. When he had drained the glass Albus took it and placed it on the bedside table.

"Scor? M-Maybe we should owl s-someone. Your p-parents or Saint M-Mungo's."

"No," said Scorpius as firmly as he could. "Don't bother my parents, and don't send me to Saint Mungo's."

"It's just I d-don't think I've ever seen you this s-sick before," Albus said.

"You're sweet," said Scorpius, making Albus blush, "but you worry too much."

"Ok-kay," said Albus. "You should s-sleep some more."

Scorpius lay back down and immediately felt himself drifting off.

"Do you w-want me to go or st-stay?" asked Albus.

"Stay," murmured Scorpius, trying not to sound like he was pleading. "That is, if you want to."

"Of course," said Albus.

*****TWAMM*****

Ten minutes later, Albus was holding Scorpius's hair as he heaved up the orange juice over the side of the bed.

"Albus Severus," he croaked, "can I have some—water?"

"Of course," said Albus at once. He waved his wand and conjured up a glass of water for Scorpius. Scorpius rinsed out his mouth and then gulped down the rest of the water.

"Shit," he muttered. "I can't even keep down some fucking orange juice."

Albus was staring at his wand. "I j-just did underage m-magic."

Scorpius looked at him. "Relax, Albus Severus. You're such a goody-goody. I'm of age. They'll just think it was me. You're fine."

"Y-You're sure?"

"Yes. You know how many times I did magic when I wasn't supposed to? They can't actually tell unless you're alone or seen." He shivered and Albus pulled the comforter up around his shoulders.

"I'm worrying about stupid things; you're more important than stupid underage magic laws." said Albus, yawning.

"What time is it, Albus Severus?" asked Scorpius, choosing to ignore Albus's last comment.

Albus looked at his watch. "Not qu-quite four in the m-morning."

"You should go to bed, Albus Severus."

Albus cast Scorpius a concerned look.

"Go on, Albus Severus," said Scorpius. "'I'll just be sleeping too."

Albus stood up. W-Wake me if you n-need anything, Scor," he said.

"Okay," said Scorpius, sinking back into his pillows.

"Feel b-better, Scor," said Albus.

Scorpius gave him a strained smile. "I'll try."

Author's Note: Notice the slight sexual tension there, even with Scorpius so sick? ;) Drop me a review if you've got the inclination, I'd much appreciate it.

-SQ