A/n: Chapter 1 and 2 are one-shots although there's some purposeful contrast there is you squint hard enough. In Chapter 1, Jay isn't feeling well and can't wait to get home to the brother's shared apartment where Will has everything set up to help him get better. In Chapter 2, it's Will's turn to fall ill, and all he's thinking about is going home to their shared apartment. Unfortunately, Jay is caught up at work and isn't there for Will when he gets home, of course he makes up for it when he realizes that Will is sick.

Jay Halstead tossed and turned in bed, the incessant coughing keeping him awake. He had felt the first signs of a cold creeping in yesterday morning but brushed it off, hoping it was just fatigue from the long shift. But now, lying in bed in the early hours of the morning, he knew it was more than that.

His throat felt raw, every swallow a painful reminder of his worsening condition. He glanced at the clock – 4:30 am. Too early to wake up for work, but too late to get any real rest. With a resigned sigh, he got up and stumbled to the bathroom, grabbing a glass of water and some cough drops before heading downstairs.

In the kitchen, he brewed a strong cup of coffee, hoping it would help clear his head. Jay Halstead was not one to easily admit defeat, especially when it came to illness. He was used to pushing through, whether it was chasing down criminals or dealing with the aftermath of a particularly tough case. But this cold seemed determined to bring him down.

As he finished his coffee, he heard the familiar sound of his phone buzzing on the counter. It was a text from his brother, Will.

*Hey, Jay, you feeling okay? You sounded a bit off on the phone yesterday.*

Jay hesitated for a moment before replying.

*Yeah, just a bit tired. Long shift. I'll be fine.*

He knew Will would see through the excuse, but he wasn't ready to admit weakness just yet. He had a job to do, and he wasn't about to let a cold stop him.

At District 21, Jay Halstead kept himself busy, focusing on his work to distract from the pounding headache and the persistent cough threatening to reveal his secret. He avoided making eye contact with his partner, Hailey Upton, knowing she would pick up on his condition in an instant.

"Hey, Halstead, you coming for lunch?" Upton called out from across the bullpen.

Jay glanced up, forcing a smile. "Maybe in a bit. Got a few things to finish up here first."

Upton raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. She knew Jay well enough to recognize when something was off, but she also respected his need for privacy. Still, she made a mental note to keep an eye on him throughout the day.

As the afternoon wore on, Jay's energy began to wane. He found himself zoning out during briefings, his mind drifting back to the comfort of his apartment and the promise of relief that awaited him there. He knew he should probably go home early, but he couldn't shake the guilt of leaving his team short-handed.

By the time the end of shift approached, Jay was counting down the minutes. He kept his head down as he made his way to his desk, hoping to slip out unnoticed. But just as he was about to leave, Sergeant Hank Voight intercepted him.

"Halstead, you got a minute?"

Jay cursed inwardly but nodded. "Sure, Sarge."

Voight studied him for a moment, his gaze sharp and assessing. "You look like hell, Halstead. Everything okay?"

Jay forced a casual shrug. "Just a cold, Sarge. Nothing I can't handle."

Voight eyed him skeptically but didn't push the issue. "Alright, get some rest. We'll manage without you for a day or two."

Jay nodded gratefully and practically sprinted to his car. The relief was palpable as he finally allowed himself to admit just how terrible he felt. All he could think about now was getting home to Will.

Will Halstead had spent the day preparing for Jay's inevitable return. He knew his brother well enough to anticipate his needs – a warm bath drawn, fresh sheets on the bed, and a well-stocked medicine cabinet. He had even picked up Jay's favorite takeout from their favorite Thai place, knowing that comfort food was sometimes the best medicine.

When he heard the door open, Will glanced at the clock – earlier than expected, but not unwelcome. He hurried to the living room just as Jay stumbled through the door, looking pale and exhausted but relieved to be home.

"Hey," Will greeted softly, his concern evident in his eyes. "You look like you could use some TLC."

Jay managed a weak smile, leaning heavily against the door frame. "You have no idea."

Will stepped forward, guiding Jay into the living room and helping him out of his coat. "Come on, let's get you settled."

Jay allowed himself to be led to the bathroom, where Will had already prepared the bath. The warm water was a welcome relief, easing the tension in Jay's muscles and soothing his aching joints. Will hovered nearby, handing him a cup of herbal tea and a towel as he emerged from the bath.

"You should get some rest," Will urged gently, guiding Jay to the bedroom. "I'll bring you some dinner."

Jay sank gratefully into bed, the weight of the day finally catching up with him. As Will disappeared into the kitchen, Jay closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax for the first time in what felt like days.

When Will returned with a steaming bowl of noodles, Jay was already half asleep. He smiled warmly, setting the food down on the nightstand before climbing into bed beside his brother.

"Sleep," Will murmured, brushing a hand through Jay's hair. "I've got you."

And as Jay drifted off, he knew that no matter how tough things got, having Will by his side made it all bearable.

Over the next few days, Will Halstead took on the role of caretaker with unwavering dedication. Jay's cold stubbornly persisted, leaving him weak and achy, but under Will's watchful eye, he began to mend. Will juggled his shifts at Chicago Med, ensuring he had enough time to tend to Jay's needs at home.

Each morning started with Will waking up early to check on Jay. He would bring him breakfast in bed – toast with honey and a steaming cup of ginger tea to soothe his throat. Jay, although still feeling under the weather, appreciated Will's efforts immensely.

"Thanks, Will," Jay would rasp out each morning, his voice hoarse from coughing.

Will would simply smile and brush a hand over Jay's forehead. "You're welcome. Just focus on getting better."

During the days, when Will was at work, Jay would try to occupy himself with light tasks around the apartment – reading, catching up on paperwork, or watching a movie. But more often than not, he found himself dozing off, the exhaustion from his illness catching up with him.

In the evenings, when Will returned home, he would bring dinner – homemade chicken soup, a staple in the Halstead household during cold and flu season. Will had perfected the recipe over the years, knowing it was Jay's favorite remedy for any ailment.

"Here," Will would say gently, setting a steaming bowl in front of Jay. "Eat up. It'll make you feel better."

And Jay would obediently sip the broth, grateful for the warmth and comfort it brought. The routine of care and nourishment became a lifeline for Jay, a reminder that even when he was at his weakest, Will was there to support him.

After a week of rest and care, Jay Halstead finally began to turn the corner. His cough lessened, his energy returned in small bursts, and he could feel the fog of illness lifting. Will noticed the change immediately, a smile spreading across his face as he watched Jay move around the apartment with renewed vigor.

"Looks like someone's feeling better," Will remarked one evening, as they sat together on the couch watching a movie.

Jay nodded, stretching out comfortably. "Yeah, thanks to you."

Will chuckled softly. "I just did what any good brother would do."

Jay glanced over at him, gratitude and affection shining in his eyes. "You did more than that, Will. You took care of me."

Will's smile softened, and he reached over to squeeze Jay's shoulder. "Always."

As the days passed, Jay gradually returned to work at District 21. He was still cautious, mindful of not pushing himself too hard too soon, but his colleagues noticed the improvement. Hailey Upton, in particular, couldn't resist a teasing remark.

"Look who decided to join the land of the living," she quipped one morning, as Jay walked into the bullpen.

Jay chuckled, a hint of his usual self returning. "Miss me, Upton?"

"Someone had to keep Voight in check," she replied with a smirk.