As the night wore on, Will's condition only worsened. He spent most of it curled up on the bathroom floor, his body wracked with pain. He knew he couldn't keep this hidden from Jay forever, but the thought of his brother blaming himself ate away at him.
The next morning, Jay called to check in on him, his voice filled with concern. Will assured him he was feeling a bit better, though it was a blatant lie. He couldn't bring himself to admit the truth.
By the time Jay stopped by later that day, Will was barely able to stand. His face was pale, his hands trembling as he struggled to maintain his composure.
"Will, what the hell is going on?" Jay demanded, his worry turning to alarm.
Will hesitated, unable to meet Jay's gaze. "Think it's food poisoning, probably ate something that didn't agree with me."
"Jeez man you look like shit. What the hell did you eat yesterday?" Jay countered
"Nothing" Will replied instantly "Except the chili you brought over." He mumbled.
Jay's expression softened immediately, replaced by guilt. "Oh God, Will, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen."
Will shook his head weakly. "It's not your fault, Jay. You didn't know."
"But I should've known," Jay insisted, kneeling beside his brother. "I should've been more careful."
Will managed a faint smile, reaching out to squeeze Jay's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. I'll be fine."
Jay helped Will back to the couch, fetching him a glass of water and some crackers. He hovered anxiously, torn between wanting to make his brother comfortable and blaming himself for what had happened.
Over the next few days, Will slowly recovered, thanks to plenty of rest and Jay's constant support. Jay checked in on him regularly, bringing over homemade broth and ensuring Will was taking his medication.
As they sat together one evening, watching a rerun of an old movie, Jay couldn't shake off the guilt that weighed heavily on his shoulders. Will sensed his brother's turmoil and placed a hand on Jay's arm.
"Jay, listen to me," Will said softly, meeting his brother's gaze. "What happened, it wasn't your fault. It could've happened to anyone."
Jay swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in his throat. "I know, but I hate that you had to go through that because of me."
Will shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You're my brother, Jay. I know you'd never intentionally hurt me. It was just bad luck."
Jay nodded slowly, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "I'm glad you're feeling better, Will."
"Me too," Will replied sincerely. "And hey, next time you decide to cook, maybe skip the spicy stuff."
Jay chuckled softly, the tension between them easing. He knew Will didn't blame him, just as he didn't blame Will for the occasional mishaps that came with being brothers. They shared a bond that went beyond words—a bond built on love, trust, and the occasional bout of food poisoning.