The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow over the park. Jackie sat slumped on a bench beneath a tall maple, trying to keep her breathing steady. Her jacket did little against the chills racking her body, and every time she blinked, her vision blurred just a little more.
Across the field, Inez and Slider were mid-frisbee match, laughing and teasing each other. Jackie managed a weak smile, pretending to watch — pretending everything was fine. Her head felt stuffed with cotton, and her throat throbbed with every swallow.
"Hey, Jackie!" Inez called as she jogged over, her hair flowing behind her. "You okay? You've barely moved in like… ten minutes."
Jackie quickly straightened, ignoring the pounding in her skull. "I'm just… soaking up the sun," she replied with a forced laugh, even as goosebumps broke out on her arms.
Slider came up right behind Inez, frisbee in hand, brows knitted in concern. "You don't look so good. You're pale — and not in your usual pretty-girl way. Like, actually pale."
"I'm fine," Jackie said quickly. "Just tired. Didn't sleep great."
Inez stepped closer, frowning as she placed the back of her hand to Jackie's forehead. Her face dropped. "Jackie, you're burning up."
Jackie turned her face away. "It's nothing. Just a little… summer heat?"
Slider raised an eyebrow. "Heat doesn't give you shivers. Jacks, come on."
Jackie hugged herself tighter, her pride cracking but not breaking. "Don't make a big deal out of it, okay? I'll be fine."
Inez exchanged a long look with Slider, her jaw tightening.
"I'm calling Matt," Inez said suddenly, already pulling her phone from her back pocket and turning away.
Jackie's eyes went wide. "Wait—no! Don't—!"
Too late. Inez was already walking away and dialing. Slider goes to sit next to Jackie, making sure she's okay.
Matt's voice answered on the second ring.
"Hey, Inez. What's up?"
"She's sick," Inez blurted, her voice low but urgent. "Jackie. She's not saying it, but she's got a fever, chills, and she looks like she's going to pass out. I thought it was just tiredness, but it's bad, Matt."
A pause. Then Matt's voice dropped into a serious, focused tone. "Where are you?"
"Ridgeview Park. North side, near the old basketball court."
"I'm on my way."
Then, the line went dead, and Inez pulled the phone away from her ear. She turned back around to walk over to Jackie.
Gravel crunched under heavy footsteps as Matt practically sprinted toward the bench. His chest heaved not from the run, but from panic, worry, and guilt all tangled together.
There she was. Jackie was curled weakly against Inez's shoulder, eyes fluttering, her whole body slumped like she could slide off the bench any second.
"Jackie!" Matt dropped to his knees in front of her, cupping her cheek gently. "Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"
Jackie stirred at the sound of his voice. "W-what? No, I'm not sick. Who told you that?"
Matt raised a brow, lips pressed into a tight line. "Really? So the fever, the shivers, the fact that you can barely sit up — just… vibes?"
Jackie groaned and hid her face in her hands. "Ugh… traitors."
"I'll wear the title proudly," Inez stated from beside them, arms crossed.
Matt exhaled and, without another word, slid his arms under Jackie — one under her knees, the other behind her back — and lifted her bridal style off the bench with ease.
"Matt!" Jackie squeaked, clutching his jacket. "You don't have to carry me—this is so dramatic—"
"Too late." He adjusted her gently in his arms. "You should've told me, Jacks. I would've dropped everything."
"I didn't want you to worry…" she whispered, suddenly feeling how fast his heart was beating beneath her cheek.
Matt softened, brushing her sweaty bangs back from her forehead. "I always worry about you. It's literally in the job description of 'boyfriend.'"
Jackie sighed, melting into his chest despite herself. "Fine. You win."
Beside them, Inez leaned against Slider's side, grinning.
"Called it," Inez whispered.
Slider chuckled. "He's gone full knight-in-shining-armor mode."
As Matt gently carried Jackie toward his car, she looked up at him, her eyes fluttering closed.
"Okay, okay… next time I feel like I got hit by a virus truck, I'll let you know."
Matt pressed a kiss to her temple. "Good. Because next time, I'm bringing soup. And I'm not letting you out of my sight."
Jackie blinked her eyes open slowly, the scent of something warm and familiar drifting into her nose. She stirred under thick, cozy blankets, realizing she wasn't in her own bed.
"Matt's room...?" She thought, her eyes darting around the room
She sat up slightly, head pounding less than earlier but still dizzy. A steaming bowl sat on the nightstand, along with a glass of water, tissues, and a thermometer. The blinds were closed, and a soft hoodie of Matt's was draped over her shoulders like a blanket.
From the door, a familiar voice drifted in.
"You're awake."
Jackie turned her head to see Matt walking in, holding a tray with more soup and some crackers. His hair was slightly messy, and he was wearing his signature green shirt over a sleep shirt — probably hadn't left her side all night.
"You brought me soup?" she asked, voice scratchy.
Matt gave her a look. "Of course, I brought you soup. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't?"
She managed a small smile. "An amazing one who also happens to be way too good at this 'taking care of me' thing."
Matt sat beside her, putting the tray down carefully. "You scared me, Jackie. You never let on how bad you were feeling. You'd have passed out if Inez hadn't called me."
"I didn't wanna be a burden," she mumbled, looking down.
He gently took her hand. "You're not. Ever."
Jackie leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thanks… for carrying me, by the way. Even if it was a little dramatic."
"I am dramatic," he smirked, wrapping an arm around her. "Especially when it comes to you."
They sat in silence for a moment, the comfort between them thick like honey. Then, from the other room, a voice called:
"Hey! I brought ginger tea and a portable humidifier!" Inez's voice rang out. "Slider helped me pick out a get-well playlist!"
Matt chuckled. "Looks like your backup caretakers are here."
Jackie groaned, hiding under the blanket. "Great. I've got a whole team of overprotective weirdos."
Matt kissed her temple. "Only because we love you."
Later that afternoon, Jackie was curled up on the couch in Matt's hoodie, sipping tea. Her hair was in a messy bun, and the blanket draped over her made her look like a sick little burrito. She was finally starting to feel human again.
Inez plopped down beside her with a smirk that screamed Oh, I'm about to say something wild.
"So… Matt carried you bridal style?" she teased, bumping Jackie's shoulder gently.
Jackie groaned. "Don't start."
Slider leaned on the back of the couch, grinning. "We're just sayin' — Matt didn't even hesitate. He ran like you were the last cookie at a bake sale."
"I was dying, okay?" Jackie muttered, cheeks turning pink.
"Sure, sure," Inez said with a wink. "But you gotta admit, the boy went full Romeo on you."
Jackie rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the tiny smile that crept onto her lips. "Okay, yeah… it was kinda sweet."
Slider grinned. "Sweet? He was a walking romance novel. If that's how he reacts when you've got the flu, imagine how he'll act when you guys have kids someday."
Jackie nearly choked on her tea. "Excuse me?"
Inez laughed. "No, for real! Can't you see it? Matt with a baby carrier, three diaper bags, and still managing to lecture the kid about Greek mythology facts?"
Slider chimed in, imitating Matt's voice. "'Zeus is the king of gods, ruler of Mount Olympus'"
The room erupted in laughter.
Matt walked in right on cue, holding a fresh mug of tea, confused by the giggling.
"What did I miss?"
Jackie cleared her throat, trying to play it cool. "Nothing. Just… imagining you as a dad."
Matt paused. Blinked. "...Was I cool?"
"No," Inez said immediately.
"Very cool," Jackie added at the same time.
Matt gave her a look. "So I wasn't cool."
Jackie smiled up at him and tugged his sleeve. "But I love you anyway, Captain Overprotective."
Matt rolled his eyes affectionately, handed her the tea, then turned to Inez and Slider. "Alright, fun's over. The patient needs rest. Out, Nurse Squad."
"Ooooh, he's pulling the boyfriend card," Slider whispered, dragging Inez out with him.
"Rest up, drama queen!" Inez called over her shoulder. "I expect a full Matt-as-a-dad fantasy report next time!"
Once they were gone, Matt sat beside Jackie again, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close.
"Do not listen to them," he said, resting his cheek against her hair.
Jackie grinned, snuggling in. "Too late. I'm already picturing you with a baby strapped to your chest and talking about sports."
He groaned. "You're lucky you're cute."
She looked up at him with soft eyes. "And you're lucky you're mine."
Author's Notes
They're so cute, right? People need to write and ship them more. I'll see you guys in the next one! Bye!