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.
It began subtly enough, with a scratchy throat and an occasional sniffle that Dr. Will Halstead initially dismissed as seasonal allergies. But as the day progressed, so did the symptoms. Will found himself stifling sneezes and muffled coughs during consultations with patients. He felt increasingly feverish, his head pounding with each passing hour. Despite his discomfort, he soldiered on, determined not to let his colleagues at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center notice his declining condition.
Will couldn't help but think about Jay, his brother and a detective with the Chicago Police Department's Intelligence Unit. He dreamed of his bed and warm shower, and maybe even Jay preparing dinner so he wouldn't have to worry about trying to work out what to eat when his appetite was all but gone.
Will's shift dragged on, each minute an uphill battle against his body's rebellious symptoms. He juggled patient care, diagnostic puzzles, and his own escalating discomfort, all while putting on a façade of normalcy for the sake of his colleagues. The last thing he wanted was to burden anyone.
Meanwhile, Jay was preoccupied with a challenging case that demanded his full attention. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off with Will earlier that day when they exchanged brief words at the hospital.
By the time Will finally made it home, he was utterly drained. The fever had spiked, and every movement sent waves of pain through his body. He stumbled into their apartment, greeted by the familiar surroundings that Jay meticulously maintained.
Jay wasn't there, occupied with a stakeout that unexpectedly ran late. Will sank onto the couch, enveloped in blankets, and allowed himself to finally succumb to the exhaustion that had been building all day.
Jay finally returned home late that evening, weary from the long stakeout but relieved that the case had been successfully resolved. As he entered their apartment, the sight of Will curled up in on the couch caught him off guard. He noticed the flushed cheeks and the sheen of sweat on Will's forehead, immediately sensing that something was seriously wrong.
"Will?" Jay approached cautiously, concern etched on his face as he touched his brother's forehead. The heat radiating from Will's skin confirmed Jay's fears.
Will stirred, eyes fluttering open briefly before closing again with a soft groan. "Jay?"
"Yeah, it's me," Jay replied gently, kneeling beside the couch. "You're burning up, Will. Why didn't you call me?"
Will tried to muster a weak smile, but it faltered under the weight of his exhaustion. "Didn't want to bother you. Thought I could handle it."
Jay sighed, a mix of frustration and regret washing over him. "You should have told me, Will. I would have come home earlier."
"I know," Will murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sorry."
Jay shook his head, brushing a damp strand of hair away from Will's forehead. "Don't apologize. Just focus on getting better now, okay?"
Throughout the night, Jay helped will to bed and stayed by his side, alternating between wetting a cloth with cool water to soothe his brother's fever and silently berating himself for not trusting his instincts sooner. He realized how much he relied on Will's strength and resilience, and the thought of Will suffering alone while Jay was away weighed heavily on him.
As dawn approached, Will's fever began to break, and he drifted into a fitful sleep with Jay watching over him.
In the days that followed Will's feverish night, Jay devoted himself to caring for his older brother. He took time off work, ensuring that he was always by Will's side, monitoring his progress and making sure he took his medication on time. Jay had never seen Will so vulnerable, and it stirred a protective instinct within him that drove him to do everything he could to help Will heal.
Will, for his part, appreciated Jay's presence more than words could express. As he slowly regained his strength, he found himself reflecting on the events of that feverish night. He realized how close he had come to letting his stubbornness cost him dearly and how fortunate he was to have Jay's unwavering support.
Their days were spent in a quiet routine: Jay preparing meals that were easy on Will's stomach, encouraging him to rest, and occasionally coaxing a smile from his brother with a well-timed joke or a fond memory. Will, in turn, marveled at Jay's tenderness and patience, seeing a side of his brother that was often masked by their demanding professions.
One evening, as they sat together on the couch watching a movie, Jay broke the comfortable silence that had settled between them.
"I'm sorry, Will," Jay began quietly, his gaze fixed on the screen but his thoughts clearly elsewhere. "I should have trusted my gut and come home sooner that night."
Will turned to look at Jay, surprised by his brother's admission. "Jay, you had a case. You couldn't have known."
Jay shook his head, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Maybe. But I knew something wasn't right. I should have listened to that feeling."
Will reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Jay's arm. "Hey, it's okay. You're here now, and that's what matters."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of Jay's words hanging in the air between them. Finally, Jay spoke again, his voice softer this time.
"I guess I just realized how much I rely on you, Will. I hate the thought of you going through something like that alone."
Will smiled gently, squeezing Jay's arm affectionately. "You don't have to worry about that, Jay. We're in this together, always."