Ivan stretched his arm, reaching… Reaching… No.. It was no use. He sighed and braced himself to sit up. Groaning as his head pounded in protest and his world rolled. He grabbed the box of tissues and blew his nose, it didn't improve the headache. Ivan flopped back down to his previous position, laying on the couch and feeling like he was dying.
The boys had to go out of town for a family get together. Usually Ivan came to these, posing as Matthews boyfriend, but this time he had caught a head cold from hell.
earlier
"Okay! That's it! Call dad Alfred, we're staying here. He has a fever, I'm not just gonna leave him like this!" Matthew announce jumping up with the thermometer
"Calling!" replied Alfred taking out his phone
"No! Put the phone down!" he scrunched his eyes and groaned at the noise he himself had made. "How would you explain Alfred not going?"
"Fine! we'll say I'm sick!" said Alfred
Ivan raised an eyebrow "And have your Papa try and come take care of you again? I didn't know you liked packing everything into the shed outback so badly"
It had taken half an hour before he assured them he'd be fine. He'd sleep, maybe watch a movie, and they could come back that night instead of staying until morning. He bid them farewell with a small smile to reassure them, only to scowl the moment he heard the car pull away.
Now he was bored… His running nose made it too uncomfortable to sleep, his headache made reading impossible and there was nothing on TV… He was about to give up and call his sisters (a truly desperate act of someone with no entertainment.) when he spotted the pile of DVDs. Alfred had brought them home, most were still in there wrapping. Sitting up he cringed again, but reached for the pile, war movie? too much banging. Horror film? The screaming wouldn't do any good. Oh… This one had a dog on the front 'Hachiko: A Dog's story'. Alright then. He stood, wobbling slightly and gathered himself before moving to the TV and putting the disk in. Ivan sat back down and settled as he turned it on.
This was a mistake. He should turn this off now… The first box of tissues was gone and he was half way through the second. The crying causing his nose to run more. but maybe there was a happy ending! Maybe the dog got a new owner to love and… oh god…
By the time the credits rolled, Ivan was a complete and utter mess. watching this movie had probably been the worst idea in the world he decided. What between the fever, general feeling of unwellness and separation from his own pups… What if something happened to them!? What if something happened to him… oh no.
He turned his face to the pillow and cried harder. Would they be devastated?! Would it be worst if they weren't? They were going to be driving at night, what if something happened! Matthew would be sure not to drink any wine with diner right? He should call them and make sure! He looked at the time… If they were driving and he called… no. No don't call just wait.
Waiting was killing him. No, really. He felt like he was dying. Ivan couldn't move without something hurting, but if he used any brain power, it drifted back to that damn movie and he would cry again making everything hurt more. He had tissues shoved up his nose at this point, giving up completely on the concept of blowing it. He was on his third box and all he could do was lay there and stare at nothing.
It was eleven thirty at night when the door finally opened. the boys tried to be quiet, but Ivan sat bolt up and whined in distress at the feeling. the boys looked at him startled as he reached out "Matvey…. Alfred…" he whimpered.
They hurried to him "Oh god! He looks even worse! I knew we shouldn't have gone!" Alfred said as he reached the back of the couch
Matthew ran around the front and put a hand to his forehead. " Go get a cold cloth he's so hot!"
Ivan sobbed and pulled Matthew to him. "D-don't wait for me, be happy" he cried. Completely beyond reason or coherent thought, he just held the small blonde to him stroking his curls,
Matthew simply hugged him back "It's okay, we'll make you feel better, it's gonna be okay" he looked to his brother anxiously.
Alfred dashed from the kitchen with the cloth and was about to place it on Ivan's forehead when Matthew was suddenly shifted and somehow both blondes were situated on his lap, his head falling against their joining shoulders. "I-Ivan? You're scaring us dude… what- uh-oh"
Matthew head whipped around recognizing the tone "What do you mean uh-oh Alfred?! What is it?!"
Alfred picked up the open and empty case. "Remember those movies I brought home? And that one you refused to watch because it was too sad?" He held up the case with the man and dog displayed on the cover.
"Oh no…Daddy? It's okay… shhhhh" Matthew stroked his hair, as he slipped into the tone that would hopefully calm him. "We're home now" Ivan nodded and held them both closer, shaking and trying not to sob.
"Come on lets go to bed okay?" Alfred joined in quietly. Between them they lifted the over tired, over emotion, ill Man to his feet, getting him down the hall and into bed. They disrobed quickly and crawled in beside him, Shushing him, and snuggling as close as they could to calm him. It took a while.
Matthew smiled at his brother as Ivan was finally calming down and falling asleep, then very sweetly he whispered, "If i ever see you with a copy of 'Marley & Me' in this house, they won't find the body" His smile widened briefly "Good night Alfie, love you"
Alfred gulped and made a mental note to find that movie before these two woke up and destroy it.
