Steven coughed wetly into his arm before stifling a groan. He had only been home from the geology conference for a few days and he already had too much to do. He didn't have time to be sick. It had started with a noticeable headache and a cough that had left his throat raw last night. He knew he could hide it from the other league members for another two days since he was doing gym inspections this week. He was pretty sure Wallace wasn't at the gym today. He had mentioned he was taking today to rest after getting back from Fallharbor Town. The flight to Sootopolis City had been uneventful, but his body burned against the blazing heat of the sun. He was certain it hadn't been this hot when he left the house this morning. He had decided to to randomly assign the order of the inspections so he wasn't surprised that he wasn't greeted until he was inside the gym. What he had not been expecting was to hear that Wallace was in the pool with Walrein. As he made his way to the pool he wondered if it was too late to go to Dewford City.

"Hey there, Mr. Champion." Wallace waved lazily from the pool.

"Weren't you supposed to take today off?" Steven said, his voice rasping slightly. He cleared his throat as quietly as he could manage before adding "I told you to stop calling me that."

"Steven, you alright?"

Steven flinched as Wallace's voice cut through the humming in his ears. Wallace wasn't a loud person usually so why did his voice hurt? Swallowing thickly he replied "Yeah." He took a steadying breath before adding "I have another gym inspection to do today so we should get started."

"Okay, sure, um…yeah." Wallace stumbled to find the words he wanted at that moment. "If you're sure."

Steven took the lead as the pair navigated the halls of the gym. He could feel Wallace's concerned gaze boring into his back as he dried his hair with a towel. His partner wasn't being unreasonable in his concern, but Steven reminded himself that he didn't have time to rest now. He could feel the chilly air biting at his skin and yet he still felt hot. Sootopolis City was one of the warmer places to be in the Hoenn region at any point in the year, though Steven was certain it wasn't usually this bad. Could it be that he was beginning to run a fever? That would be his luck for sure. Steven's vision blurred as the room spun faster. His legs felt weak, the muscles burning with each step he took. Wallace's distorted voice drifted from behind him, but Steven couldn't understand what was being said. The summer heat was really getting to him. He stopped in front of the double doors that led to the arena. Wallace's voice came from behind once more, distorted as if he were underwater. His head began to throb painfully and only increased with each beat of his heart until it felt unbearable. His vision blurred again and he blinked hard as he tried to clear away the black spots. He turned slightly when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Wallace was standing only inches from him, watching with unmasked concern. He was saying something again. Steven wanted to respond, but as he parted his lips to do so his body suddenly felt heavy. Something was wrong. The last thing he saw as his vision faded into black was Wallace's panicked expression.

When Steven opened his eyes next he was in a familiar room. The curtains were pulled to but he could make out the distinct mint color of the walls and the brighter green accents around the room. He burrowed deeper into the familiar green blanket with a sigh. He was in Wallace's bedroom. He pushed himself up and slid out of the bed though he made sure to keep the blanket wrapped around him. He found Wallace lounging on the couch with a book in his hand."Wallace?" he rasped.

"Steven, are you sure you should be up?" Wallace abandoned his book on the coffee table and gestured for Steven to come over to him. Despite Steven being older, in this moment, he looked small wrapped in Wallace's favorite blanket. "You passed out at the gym and gave everyone quite the scare."

"I…don't feel too well," Steven admitted, he felt his face heat up and he glanced shyly away from Wallace.

Wallace didn't comment on Steven's admission. He learned a long time ago if he wanted Steven to talk to him then he couldn't make a big deal out of it. He reached out and rested the back of his hand against Steven's forehead "You're face is bright red so I was worried you had a fever. It seems I was right to worry. What other symptoms are you having?"

Steven coughed into his arm and he flinched at the wet rattling in his chest. "Honestly, it feels like a bad cold." Steven managed to choke between coughs. He was struggling to catch his breath now.

"That sounds like your luck." Wallace chuckled sadly as he rubbed his hand up and down Steven's back "You can stay here until you are feeling better."

"I can't do that. I have way too much work to do." Steven protested. He would love to stay. The idea of moving, let alone traveling across the region, sounded horrid.

"Compromise then?" Wallace cupped Steven's cheek in his hand, palm pressing against his fevered skin "Rest for an hour or so and see how you feel. I will make you some tea."

Steven scrunched his nose at the idea of tea which earned a genuine laugh from Wallace. "Pass." He rasped.

"I will add honey for your throat. This is non-negotiable."

"Seriously. I will be fine." Steven pushed himself off of the couch.

"Steven please," Wallace reached over and grabbed Steven's wrist carefully "You're shaking. I understand you have work to do, but don't you think your health is more important? You won't get anything done if you end up in the hospital. Besides, you lost consciousness. That's no joke."

Steven met Wallace's determined gaze and sighed. Wallace was probably right. "Okay." He rasped softly as he leaned back against the couch. He let his head fall backward until it hit the cushion. He let his eyes track Wallace as he disappeared into the bedroom. He was gone for less than two minutes before he emerged with a hoodie in his hands.

"Thank you."

Steven could hear the relief in Wallace's voice as he pulled on the hoodie. Neither of them acknowledged that this was Steven's favorite hoodie that Wallace owned. It didn't need to be said. Wallace knew. It was far too big on Steven compared to his tailored jackets but that might be why he likes it so much. It was soft and worn and it smelled like Wallace.

Wallace tucked the blanket tighter around Steven's shivering frame "Now stay put and I will be back with the tea."