Title: Sick Days
Author: SneetchesToo
Rating: Teen
Pairing: Ethan/Rox; Ethan/Leanne friendship (hints at a previous relationship)
Summary: Ethan was pretty sure he was dying and all he wanted was his girlfriend by his side.
Author's Note: I needed Ethan to be a giant baby but I also needed him and Rox to be at odds with each other a little after the way last chapter went.
—
Ethan had thought that Christmas with Rox had gone without a hitch.
He had greatly enjoyed decorating the tree with her.
And then they had laid snuggled on the couch together, their limbs entwined.
He had especially enjoyed spending the rest of Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day making love to her and showering her with kisses.
She was truly the most amazing woman he had ever met.
And he loved her more than he ever thought possible.
They had also had a great evening with Emo and his dad, opening gifts and laughing and sharing stories.
He had never wanted the night to end.
But it had too. And they had kissed 'goodbye' softly before she left with Emo in tow.
He really didn't want to spend the night alone, but he had to be at work nice and early the following morning and he knew that he would be helpless to keep his hands to himself if she were with him.
So he had reluctantly let her go.
—
He had worked a fourteen hour shift the next day, and when he got home he had been beyond exhausted.
His head was pounding and his back was sore and he was pretty certain that he was getting sick.
All he wanted was to curl up in bed with Rox and sleep.
But she had never responded to his text about coming over.
So he had fallen into a fitful sleep all alone that night.
And he had woken up in even worse shape the next morning.
His head was still pounding and his back was still sore and he knew for a fact that he had a fever.
He had texted Campbell without a second thought and told the man that he wouldn't be in today.
And then he had rolled over and gone back to sleep for another six hours.
When he woke up around noon he wanted one thing and one thing.
His girlfriend.
So he had shot her another text, praying that she would answer this time.
Wish you were here. He had included a crying faced emoji before sending his message and he had closed his eyes shut tight as a wave of complete discomfort came over his body.
He hated being sick more than he hated anything else in the world.
And he really, really just wanted Rox by his side.
He must have dozed off because the next time he woke up it was almost 5:00pm and the sun was starting to set.
He couldn't remember the last time he had ever slept the entire day away.
Probably never.
He reached for his phone, hoping that Rox had replied to his message from earlier. But there was nothing.
No missed calls.
No text messages.
Nothing.
Instead there was a message from Leanne asking him if he needed anything.
And another from Ariel asking him the same thing.
And Noa had texted him to let him know that she would cover his shift tomorrow too.
He had quickly replied to all three women before pushing himself out of bed with a huff.
He knew he needed a shower. And he knew he needed to eat something.
He just didn't know if he had the energy for either one.
He decided that a shower was his best option, knowing that the warm water would help calm his nerves a little and hopefully help make him feel slightly more human.
In reality, he just wanted to wash off the sick feeling that had overtaken his body.
But when he had emerged from the shower a good twenty minutes later he didn't feel any better.
Instead, his legs were shaky and his pulse was racing and he felt like he was going to throw up.
I'm pretty sure I'm dying. He sent the text to Leanne before falling face first into the bed.
He hadn't even bothered to put pants or a shirt on, just his boxers, and he knew he would regret it later.
But right now his whole body was on fire and everything hurt.
I'm pretty sure you're not. He rolled his eyes at the woman's reply.
Everything hurts. He closed his eyes as a wave of nausea came over him.
He really, really hated being sick.
Do you have a fever? He probably should have given her more details than he had.
She was a doctor after all, just like him. She would have been able to diagnose him with a simple look he was sure.
102.2. He couldn't remember the last time he had a fever so high.
The flu's been going around, that's probably what it is. He really hoped it wasn't that.
But at this point, he was fairly certain it was exactly that.
Fuck. He let out a huff.
It would be just his luck to get the flu right now. Although, in hindsight, he was just glad it had waited until after Christmas to get him.
Where's Rox? He let out another huff.
I wish I knew. He hit send and rolled over onto his side.
He heard the front door open and close downstairs and he prayed that it was the woman in question.
She's not with you? He knew that Leanne was very well aware of their relationship. And that she was very well aware of the fact that Rox spent more nights than not at his place.
I've tried texting her but there's been no answer. He never heard the visitor climb the stairs so he guessed that it was just his dad.
I'll call her. That could end badly.
It's fine Lea. He had tried to get in touch with her and he had failed.
He doubted she would have any such luck either.
I'd come over but I have to be at work soon. Want me drop off Ariel? He glanced at the clock on the nightstand that read 6:45pm.
As much as he'd love having the teen there, it wasn't her job to take care of him.
It honestly wasn't Leanne's either.
I don't want her to get sick. And he didn't. The teen was a pill when she wasn't feeling well, much like he was, and he didn't want to do that to her, or her mother.
I'm gonna try Rox then. He let out a sigh as he pulled the blankets over his shoulders a little more. You shouldn't be alone.
I'm okay. I'm just gonna sleep it off. In reality, he wasn't okay.
And he really didn't wanna be alone.
I'm still calling her. Get some rest. I'll stop by in the morning and check on you. He let out a sneeze that sent his whole body into a spasm.
Dammit, he hated being sick.
Okay. Thanks. He closed his eyes as his head fell back against the pillow and he was asleep before he knew it.
—
The next time he woke up the clock read 3:48am and his head was pounding even worse than before. Everything hurt, even his toes, and he let out a whimper as he pushed himself into a sitting position.
He let his eyes search the room, praying that Rox had let herself in at some point, but the bed was empty beside him and the room was dark.
He reached for his phone in hopes that she had contacted him.
Maybe she was working, pulling extra time since he was out.
Maybe she was sick too, it certainly wouldn't surprise him with as much time as they spent together.
But there were no texts from her and no missed calls.
Only a text from Ariel telling him that she hoped he felt better.
And that was it.
He felt his heart sink in his chest.
He was fairly certain that Leanne had kept up her end of the bargain. That she had contacted Rox, or at least tried.
He didn't understand why she wouldn't then make contact with him.
She had to know that he needed her.
I really hope you're okay. He sent the text without another thought.
He doubted she would answer him at almost four in the morning.
But it was worth a shot.
He plopped back down in the bed then and fell asleep almost as soon as he closed his eyes.
The only thing on his mind being Rox and how badly he needed her.
—
When he woke up the following morning it was to the feeling of a cold hand against his forehead and he felt a shiver run through his body at the contrast against his hot skin.
"Rox?" He didn't bother opening his eyes. He knew it would hurt too much if he did.
"Just me Ethan." But it wasn't Rox's voice that filled the otherwise quiet space. It was Leanne's. And he felt his heart break a little.
"Time is it?" He mumbled out.
"A little after 8:00am." She whispered.
She must have known that any loud noise would hurt his head.
"Rox?" He really just wanted to know where his girlfriend was.
He missed her so much that it hurt.
"I tried calling her." She brushed some hair back from his forehead and he let out a huff. "Four times, no answer."
"She must be mad at me." He felt like he was going to cry.
He just wanted her here with him to help comfort him.
He needed her hugs and kisses more than anything else right now.
"Campbell said she called out yesterday." He cracked an eye at her and she just offered him a soft smile. "She's probably sick too Ethan."
"Why won't she answer my texts?" He sobbed out.
He felt like a giant baby, but he didn't understand why she was doing this.
If she was sick she should be with him. They should be together, in sickness and in health. That's what this was wasn't it?
"I'm sure she's just resting Ethan." Her voice was soft as she settled a hand on his cheek.
She hadn't touched him that gently in months.
It made his heart flutter slightly.
As much as he loved Rox now, he had loved Leanne almost as much back then.
"What did I do wrong?" He felt miserable and he was driving himself crazy worrying over her.
He just wanted her in his arms.
"I don't know Ethan." She whispered.
He closed his eyes once more and let his body sink into the mattress even more.
"So tired." He choked out.
He couldn't remember a time when he had ever been so exhausted.
"Try and sleep." She let her hand move back to his forehead where she pushed his hair back once again. "I'll stay for a bit."
He simply nodded his head at her statement.
He was so tired that he couldn't speak.
He was asleep before Leanne could even make it out the bedroom door.
—
He awoke a few hours later to a quiet house and a still empty bed.
He let out a huff as he slowly made his way to the bathroom.
The clock told him it was a little after one in the afternoon and he was sure that Leanne had probably already left to go get Ariel from school.
He knew that he needed to venture downstairs and get something to eat and drink.
But he didn't know if he had it in him.
Instead, he plopped back down onto the bed and reached for his phone once more.
Rox? Are you okay love? He really wanted to give her a call, but his throat hurt so bad that he didn't know if he would be able to talk.
He waited for a response, but it didn't come.
He let out a sigh as he pushed himself out of the bed and toward the bathroom, his bladder no longer able to handle it.
After relieving himself and washing his hands, he splashed some water on his face and let out a huff.
He couldn't remember the last time he had ever felt so miserable.
He heard his phone buzz on the nightstand and he rushed toward it, probably much quicker than he should have, and he felt his body protest his sudden movements.
How you feeling? Stared back at him, but it wasn't from the person he wanted to hear from.
I'm okay kid. He was thankful that he had Ariel in his life. And he loved that girl like she was his own, despite everything that had happened between him and Leanne. How was school?
Fine. He knew she hated school, even though she loved learning. He often wondered if there was something else going on in her world that she didn't talk to him or Leanne about.
How'd your history test go? He was surprised that he remembered that little tidbit of information.
Good. I'm pretty sure I passed. He couldn't help but smile at her response. She was a smart cookie, even though she did her best to act like she didn't give a damn about school.
I'm sure you did. He felt a chill come over him and he let out a sigh as he contemplated whether or not he wanted to try and tackle the stairs.
His stomach growling clued him in to the fact that he should probably at least try.
He kept his phone in his hand as he slowly made his way out of the bedroom and toward the stairs. He figured that if something were to happen to him it was best to have his phone close by. At least then he could call for some help.
It took him almost five minutes to make it the kitchen, but when he did, he grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and downed it before he let his eyes scan the downstairs.
The house was silent, indicating that his dad must have finally left.
He let out a sigh as he let the feeling of complete loneliness sink in.
He missed Rox more than he thought possible.
And his heart hurt in ways he didn't know were possible.
He just wanted her there with him, in his bed, all snuggled up next to him.
He wanted her there to take care of him.
Because as much as he appreciated Leanne's help, she wasn't the one he wanted to snuggle with.
Not now, not when he was pretty sure he was dying from whatever was plaguing his body.
He pulled his phone out and checked it, huffing when there was still no sign of any kind from his girlfriend.
Rox. Please answer me. At least let me know that you're okay. He sent the text and closed his eyes against the wave of nausea that overtook him.
Maybe he shouldn't have left the bed.
He slowly started toward the couch and collapsed back against the cushions just as his phone buzzed in his hands.
He couldn't help the small smile that came over his face when he saw Rox's name flash across the screen.
Busy. Was all that stared back at him and he felt like crying.
He knew she was lying.
He knew she wasn't really busy.
Something was going on. Something deeper and much more personal.
And it was breaking his heart that she was shutting him out instead of confiding in him.
Letting out another sigh he let his eyes fall closed as he leaned back against the pillow.
He was asleep before his phone screen had darkened all the way.
*Don't forget to comment!