Summary: A fun collection of short stories from the childhood of Kurt and Markie Wylde. Mostly fluff, but really fun to write. Please enjoy and feel free to review!

Disclaimer: I don't own any Hot Wheels/Mattel products, characters, etc.

Author's Note: I actually can't take credit for this story at all. Though I did edit this for her, my little sister pretty much wrote the whole thing on her own. Great job, Han!

Chapter 4: Sick Together

"Mom!" Thirteen-year-old Kurt called hoarsely one wintry morning. "Mom, my throat really hurts. It feels like I can barely swallow."

"Let me see," Mrs. Wylde said as she retrieved a small flashlight and looked into Kurt's mouth. "Oh, yes, it's very red and swollen," she commented.

At that moment, eight-year-old Markie came running into the room. "Mom," he whispered pitifully, "my throat hurts."

Mrs. Wylde examined his throat and exclaimed that it, too, was red and swollen. "I think we'll be making a trip to the doctor's very soon," she told her sons with a sigh.

Kurt and Markie exchanged worried glances, and sure enough, the next morning they were in the car on their way to the doctor's office. When they arrived, the doctor examined them both and declared that they both had a bad case of strep throat.

"I'll prescribe some antibiotics for you both," he told them. "I also suggest that the two of you get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids, mainly water, and eat mostly smooth foods like jello or ice cream."

Kurt groaned and glared at his brother. "Oh, why do you have to be sick right now, too? I could have had all that good food for myself!" Though upset, he spoke quietly so he wouldn't further strain his throat.

"It's not my fault!" Markie snapped back hoarsely.

"All right, boys, that's enough," Mrs. Wylde said as she stepped between her bickering children. "Thank you once again, Doctor," she added. "I'll see to it that they follow your instructions."

With that, they drove home, and Mrs. Wylde immediately gave each of them some medicine and a Popsicle. While she was out the following day, Kurt and Markie both grew hungry and decided to make themselves some soup.

Kurt was about to open the can when Markie suddenly cried out, "Wait! Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Of course I do! There are instructions right on the can. See?" Kurt held out the can to his brother who was convinced.

After Kurt had served them both some soup, Markie looked over at Kurt's bowl and then at his own.

"You gave yourself more than me," he remarked shrewdly.

"So?" Kurt replied simply. "I'm bigger than you, so I it makes sense that I should get more."

"But I'm a growing boy! I need more soup!"

"Oh, come on, Markie, it's not like you're gonna die of starvation."

"I don't care," Markie pouted, "I want more soup!"

Kurt rolled his eyes and grudgingly ladled some of his own soup into Markie's bowl.

"There," he said. "Are you happy?"

Markie smiled broadly and nodded.

"Good," Kurt said. "Just don't tell Mom we were fighting when we should've been sleeping, or she'll yell at us."

Markie hastily nodded his agreement, and they ate their soup in silence.

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A couple more days passed, and Kurt and Markie both declared that, apart from a lingering sore throat, they were feeling much better.

"That's wonderful," Mrs. Wylde told them. "Why don't you two have another Popsicle to help those poor throats of yours."

"Fine with me!" Kurt replied happily, dashing over to the freezer and grabbing a Popsicle.

Markie came up behind him and timidly asked, "Could you get me one, too?"

Kurt took a moment to search the freezer before finally answering him. "Sorry, Markie, but I think I've got the last one."

"Well, I think I should get the last one!" Markie protested. "You've had more than me over the past few days."

"I'll tell you what," Kurt replied at last and put his arm down on the counter. "Why don't we arm wrestle for it."

Markie stared wide-eyed at his older brother. "Let's play rock-paper-scissors," he moaned pitifully.

"Fine," Kurt agreed, and after several rounds of the game, he won. But just as he was about to start eating his victory prize, he glanced over at Markie who was staring intensely at the lone Popsicle.

"Here, Markie," Kurt said after a moment, "you have it. I don't really feel like a Popsicle anyway."

"Thanks!" Markie exclaimed gratefully as he took the Popsicle.

At that moment, their mother stuck her head into the kitchen. "Is everything all right?" she asked.

"Yeah, Mom," Kurt replied as he reached over to ruffle Markie's hair. "Everything's great."

"Good," Mrs. Wylde said with a smile. "There, you see, even you two can get along if you really work at it!"

Author's End Note: Hope you liked that, I'll make sure my sis sees any reviews left for this chapter! I've got one more fairly long installment in its final stages, so keep your eyes open!