A/n: Will's trying to remember to take care of himself on top of taking care of Jay but some old habits diehard. So, when Jay calls him and needs his help, it doesn't matter that it's late or that he just got off a 12 hour shift, he's going to show up.
Detective Jay Halstead sighed heavily as he rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the persistent headache that had plagued him all day. He glanced at the clock on his desk—it was nearing midnight, and the precinct was finally quieting down after a chaotic evening of cases and paperwork. He should have gone home hours ago, but a string of urgent tasks had kept him tethered to his desk.
Pushing himself up from his chair, Jay gathered his files and made his way towards the exit. His steps were slower than usual, each movement feeling heavier as exhaustion settled into his bones. The headache throbbed behind his eyes, and he cursed silently, knowing he had pushed himself too hard again.
Once outside, Jay leaned against the cool brick wall of the precinct building, taking a moment to gather his strength before heading home. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see a text from his partner, Hailey Upton, asking if he needed a ride.
"Nah, I'm good. Thanks, though," Jay typed back, forcing a smile. He didn't want to worry her—he'd be fine once he got home and crashed.
As he walked to his car, Jay debated whether to call Will. His brother, Will Halstead, was an emergency room doctor at Chicago Med, and they always looked out for each other despite their busy schedules. Jay knew it was late, but the dull ache in his chest was worsening, and he needed some reassurance that it was just fatigue and nothing more serious.
Finally deciding, Jay dialed Will's number as he climbed into his car and started the engine. It rang several times before Will answered, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
"Jay? Everything okay?" Will's concern was evident even through the tiredness.
"Yeah, sorry to wake you, Will," Jay began, his voice hoarser than usual. "I've just been feeling like crap all day. Headache won't quit, and now my chest feels tight."
There was a pause on the other end, followed by a soft sigh. "Where are you right now?"
"On my way home," Jay replied, turning onto the familiar streets of his neighborhood.
"Alright, listen," Will said, his tone firm despite his weariness. "Get home, take something for the headache, and I'll be there soon. Don't tough it out, Jay. I mean it."
Jay hesitated, wanting to protest but knowing Will was right. "Okay, fine. Thanks, Will."
"See you soon," Will replied before hanging up.
Jay pulled into his driveway, grateful to be home. He stumbled through the front door, shedding his jacket and shoes before collapsing onto the couch. The dull ache had turned into a throbbing pain, and he closed his eyes, willing himself to relax until Will arrived.
Minutes ticked by slowly, each one stretching into eternity as Jay waited for the familiar sound of Will's knock at the door. When it finally came, Jay almost cried with relief. He opened the door to find Will standing there, holding a bag with a medical kit and a concerned expression.
"Hey," Will said softly, stepping inside and setting the bag down. "How are you feeling?"
Jay managed a weak smile. "Like crap, honestly."
Will nodded, his brow furrowing as he pulled out a stethoscope and motioned for Jay to sit down. "Let's take a look, then."
As Will checked his vitals, Jay tried to relax, the tension slowly easing from his shoulders. He trusted Will implicitly—they had been through too much together not to—and having his brother here made him feel safer somehow.
"Well, you've got a fever," Will finally said, straightening up and removing the stethoscope. "Your heart rate's a bit elevated, probably from stress and fatigue. I'm guessing the headache is partly stress-related too."
Jay sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, probably."
Will gave him a knowing look. "You've been pushing yourself too hard again, Jay."
"I know," Jay admitted quietly. "Just trying to keep up."
"You don't have to do it all alone," Will said gently, handing him a glass of water and a couple of pain relievers. "Take these, get some rest. I'll stay here tonight, make sure you're okay."
Jay hesitated, touched by his brother's concern. "You sure? You just finished a shift, Will."
Will chuckled softly. "And you're my brother. I'm here for you, no matter what."
Gratefully, Jay swallowed the pills and settled back against the couch cushions, finally feeling the exhaustion wash over him. Will sat nearby, keeping a watchful eye as Jay drifted off to sleep, the tension in his chest slowly easing with each steady breath.
As Jay slipped into a peaceful slumber, he felt a wave of gratitude for his brother's presence. No matter how tough things got, he knew he wasn't alone—not as long as Will was by his side.
Over the next few days, Jay focused on recovering under Will's watchful eye. He reluctantly took a few days off from work, allowing his body the rest it desperately needed. Will stayed with him, alternating between checking his vitals and preparing meals that were both nutritious and comforting.
Despite his initial protests, Jay couldn't deny that having Will there made a world of difference. His fever broke, headache gradually subsided, and the tightness in his chest eased as he allowed himself to relax and heal.
"You're going to have to take it easy for a while," Will reminded him one morning, handing him a cup of tea. "No more pushing yourself to the brink, okay?"
Jay nodded, sipping the tea gratefully. "Got it. Thanks, Will."
Will smiled softly, sitting down beside him. "Anytime, Jay. You know that."
As the days passed, Jay's strength returned bit by bit. He took short walks around the neighborhood with Will, enjoying the fresh air and the simple pleasure of his brother's company. They talked about everything and nothing, catching up on each other's lives in the midst of Jay's recovery.
"You know, you're lucky I answered that call," Will teased one afternoon as they sat in the backyard, soaking up the warmth of the sun.
Jay chuckled softly. "Yeah, I am. Thanks for coming, Will. I really needed you."
Will nudged him gently with his shoulder. "Always, Jay. You're not in this alone."
As Jay started to feel more like himself again, he couldn't help but notice the toll his illness had taken on Will.
It began with subtle signs—Will yawning more frequently, his shoulders slumping with exhaustion as he checked Jay's vitals or prepared meals. Jay, ever observant of his brother's well-being, couldn't ignore the weariness etched into Will's features, despite his attempts to hide it.
One evening, as they sat down for dinner, Jay finally broached the subject. "Will, you look exhausted. Have you been getting any sleep?"
Will glanced up from his plate, offering a tired smile. "I'm fine, Jay. Just a little tired, that's all."
"You've been taking care of me non-stop," Jay pointed out gently. "You need to take care of yourself too, Will."
Will sighed, setting down his fork. "I know, I know. It's just hard to switch off sometimes."
Jay reached across the table, placing a hand on Will's arm. "You don't have to do it all alone, Will. I'm here for you, just like you were for me."
Will met his gaze, gratitude flickering in his eyes. "Thanks, Jay. I appreciate that."
The next morning, Jay woke to find Will already up and moving around the kitchen. He watched silently as his brother brewed coffee, his movements slow and deliberate. It was clear that Will was running on empty, pushing himself to keep going despite the exhaustion weighing him down.
"Will," Jay called softly, causing his brother to turn around with a weary smile. "Why don't you take the day off? Rest for a bit."
Will hesitated, his brow furrowing. "I can't, Jay. There are patients counting on me."
"You can't help anyone if you burn yourself out," Jay insisted gently. "Trust me, I've been there."
Will sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know you're right. It's just hard to let go sometimes."
Jay nodded understandingly. "I get it, Will. But you need to take care of yourself too."
With a resigned sigh, Will finally relented. "Okay, fine. I'll take the day off."
Jay smiled in relief, grateful that his brother was finally listening to reason. "Good. Now, why don't you sit down and let me take care of breakfast?"
Will chuckled softly, sinking into a chair at the kitchen table. "Alright, but no fancy stuff. Just toast and coffee."
Jay chuckled, busying himself in the kitchen. As he moved around, preparing a simple breakfast for them both, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He knew that Will had sacrificed so much to take care of him during his illness, and now it was his turn to return the favor.
Over the next few days, Jay did his best to ensure that his brother took time to rest and recharge. They watched movies together, played board games, and even took a short trip to the park to enjoy the sunshine. It was during these moments of quiet companionship that Jay realized just how much he relied on Will's strength and support.
But despite their efforts, Jay couldn't shake the feeling that something was still off with Will. His brother seemed to tire easily, his usual energy and enthusiasm dampened by the lingering effects of exhaustion. Jay couldn't help but worry—what if he had pushed Will too hard, just as he had pushed himself?
One evening, as they sat on the couch watching a movie, Jay couldn't contain his concern any longer. "Will, are you feeling okay?"
Will glanced at him, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Yeah, why?"
"You seem... off," Jay admitted quietly. "Are you sure you're not coming down with something too?"
Will chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I'm fine, Jay. Just a little tired, that's all."
Jay frowned, unconvinced. "Maybe you should let someone check you out. Just to be sure."
Will sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I promise I'll take it easy, okay? No more late nights at the hospital."
Jay nodded, though the worry didn't quite leave his mind. He knew Will was stubborn when it came to his own health, always putting others before himself. But this time, Jay couldn't shake the feeling that his brother needed more than just rest.
As the days passed, Will's condition didn't improve. If anything, he seemed to get worse, his exhaustion deepening despite Jay's best efforts to help him relax. It was during one late night at home, as they sat in companionable silence, that Will finally admitted defeat.
"I think... I think I might be getting sick," Will confessed quietly, his voice hoarse with fatigue.
Jay immediately sprang into action, guiding Will to the couch and fetching a thermometer and a glass of water. "Here, let's check your temperature."
Will nodded wearily, allowing Jay to take care of him for once. As he waited for the thermometer to beep, Jay couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He should have seen the signs earlier, should have insisted that Will take better care of himself.
When the thermometer finally beeped, Jay frowned at the reading. "You have a fever, Will. You need to rest."
Will sighed, leaning back against the cushions. "I know. I just... I didn't want to let you down."
Jay shook his head, sitting down beside him. "You could never let me down, Will. You've done so much for me—I just want to return the favor."
Will managed a weak smile, his eyes closing tiredly. "Thanks, Jay. I'm glad you're here."
They sat in silence for a while longer, Jay keeping a watchful eye on his brother as he drifted off to sleep. It was a role reversal neither of them had expected, but as Jay settled in beside Will, he knew that they would get through this together, just like they always had.
As Will slept fitfully on the couch, Jay sat nearby, unable to shake the guilt that weighed heavily on his shoulders. Will had always been the strong one, the protector, and now, seeing Will vulnerable and unwell because of him, Jay couldn't help but feel responsible.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and running a hand through his hair. The events of the past few days replayed in his mind like a broken record—the moments when Will had pushed himself beyond his limits to take care of Jay, the signs of exhaustion that Jay had dismissed as nothing more than tiredness.
"I'm sorry, Will," Jay whispered quietly, his voice tinged with regret. "I should have taken better care of myself. Maybe then you wouldn't be sick."
Will stirred on the couch, his brow furrowing in discomfort. Jay's heart clenched at the sight, knowing that his brother was suffering because of him. He should have been more mindful of Will's well-being, should have insisted that his brother take a break instead of letting him push through his exhaustion.
A soft knock on the door interrupted Jay's thoughts, and he glanced up to see Hailey Upton standing in the doorway, concern etched into her features. She stepped inside quietly, her eyes flickering between Jay and Will.
"How's he doing?" Hailey asked softly, nodding towards Will.
Jay sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "Not good. He's running a fever now. I think I got him sick."
Hailey crossed the room, sitting down beside Jay. "It's not your fault, Jay. You couldn't have known this would happen."
"I should have," Jay muttered, his voice thick with guilt. "I should have taken better care of both of us."
Hailey placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You were sick, Jay. You needed help too."
Jay shook his head, unable to shake the feeling of responsibility. "Will always puts others first. He shouldn't have had to take care of me."
"He's your brother," Hailey reminded him gently. "That's what family does—they take care of each other."
Jay nodded slowly, his gaze drifting back to Will's restless form on the couch. He knew Hailey was right, but it didn't ease the knot of guilt in his stomach. He had always been the one to protect Will, to shield him from harm, and now he had inadvertently caused his brother's suffering.
"He's going to be okay." Hailey said quietly, as if reading Jay's thoughts.
Jay nodded again, not saying a word. He couldn't bear to see Will in pain, knowing that he was partly to blame.
Hours passed slowly, the only sound in the room the soft hum of the air conditioning and Will's occasional restless movements on the couch. Jay stayed by his side, alternating between checking on him and pacing the room in restless frustration.
When Will finally woke, his fever had broken but he still looked pale and weak. He managed a weak smile when he saw Jay sitting nearby, watching over him with concern etched into every line of his face.
"Hey," Will rasped, his voice hoarse from sleep and illness.
Jay rushed to his side, relief flooding through him. "Hey. How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck," Will admitted with a weak chuckle. "But better, I think."
Jay nodded, helping Will sit up slowly. "I'm sorry, Will. I didn't mean to get you sick."
Will shook his head tiredly. "It's not your fault, Jay. You needed help, and I wanted to be there for you."
"I should have taken better care of both of us," Jay insisted, his guilt still lingering.
Will reached out, placing a hand on Jay's arm. "Hey, we're in this together, remember? We'll get through it, like we always do."
Jay managed a small smile, grateful for his brother's reassurance. They sat in silence for a while longer, the weight of the past few days slowly lifting from Jay's shoulders.
"I'm sorry for making you worry," Will said softly, breaking the silence. "I should have listened to you, taken better care of myself."
Jay shook his head, squeezing Will's hand. "You were just looking out for me, Will. I appreciate that more than you know."
They sat together in quiet understanding, each grateful for the other's strength and support. As Jay looked at his brother, still weak but recovering, he knew that their bond was stronger than any illness or hardship they faced.