Archive of Our Own ^beta

The first thing Bradley notices when he wakes up is how horrible he feels. Groaning, he pulls the covers over his head. 

He’s covered in sweat, the light peeking out from his blinds is making his head pound, his whole body feels like lead. He can feel the tang of bile at the back of his throat, his mouth is incredibly dry from mouth breathing all night. His nose is stuffed with snot, an uncomfortable pressure around his eyes.

Pulling the back, squinting at the sudden brightness, he fumbles for his phone. 

1:04 pm.

He almost groans again, so much for being an early bird. 

Then he remembers he made plans with the Dagger squad for later this afternoon.

Bradley shoots upright, his stomach curling as he does so. Too fast. He bites his tongue as he waits for the wave of nausea to pass before he stands as slowly as possible. 

Just take some medicine and suck it up.

Taking deep breaths, he gets his legs to move, walking with a steadying hand against the wall to the kitchen. He feels his stomach grumble but he doesn’t move to get food, the thought of it making him feel like throwing up. Later , he thinks. 

First, he grabs a kleenex box from his island table, carrying it with him as he movies about his kitchen. He blows his nose, gripping the edge of the counter from how dizzy it makes him. He takes another deep breath, 

He makes a beeline for his medicine basket, digging around until he finds his ibuprofen, shaking two pills out of the bottle. Grabbing a glass, he fills it half way with cold water and downing the pills. 

His legs feel on the verge of collapse, his joints creak in protest with every movement. HE takes a few deep breaths, weighing his options. 

You don’t have to be at the Hard Deck till 4, just take a shower and sleep it off, you’ll feel better when you’re done. 

So, Bradley drags himself back to his room, grabs a change of clothes and his towel before shuffling to his bathroom. He flickers the lights on, grips the door frame to keep himself steady as he lets his eyes refocus. Settling his towel and clothes on the counter he turns the shower on. 

Unhurriedly, he gets undressed, throwing his sweat soaked clothes into the corner of his bathroom, shivering as the cold air meets his skin. He manages to wash himself and his hair without too much hassle, though he nearly slips when he accidentally dozes off once or twice.

The hot water and steam help clear up his nose and loosens his limbs a bit, they don’t feel entirely too difficult to move. 

He dries off, wearily putting clothes on once more. The shower had taken more energy out of him than he was expecting. 

Somehow, he makes it to his couch. He’s face down, a throw pillow squished beneath his head and a fuzzy blanket thrown around his shoulders. Slowly, he drifts off to sleep. 

The first time he wakes up, it’s from pounding on his door that only amplifies his headache. He winces, shoving his face into his pillow while he waits it out. Eventually it stops and he falls back asleep. 

It’s the sound of his front door opening that wakes him up for real.

“Bradley?” 

He hears footsteps. His eyes feel like they’ve been glued shut, he rolls to his side. 

Jake.

“Bradley where the hell are y-”

He manages to peek an eye open without burning his retinas. Jake stands staring at him concerned, slowly walking further into the living. Bradley gives up on trying to keep his eye open and relaxes back into the pillow under him. 

A cold hand brushes against his forehead. Bradley lets himself lean into it, chasing the pleasant coolness. 

“Holy shit you’re burning.” Jake mumbles as he lays his hand on Bradley’s cheek. Bradley sighs, the coolness helping to clear his head. Then it’s gone. He whines, opening his eyes again and tries to lift his arm but Jake shushes him and grabs his hand. 

“Sweetheart, where’s all your medicine?” Jake asks softly, fixing the blanket making sure it covers him fully.

Bradley purses his lips, waves in the general direction of the kitchen. “It’s uhm it’s in the, fucking basket on the uh fridge.” 

Jake nods, gives his hand a quick squeeze before letting go and walking off. Bradley eyes slip shut once more, time passes by discernibly. 

“Bradley.” someone’s gently shaking his shoulder, he grumbles incoherently and tries to turn away. 

“Come on honey, you need to make these and then I promise you can go back to sleep.” 

He huffs. Finally he gives in and turns towards Jake, who's smiling down at Bradley from where he’s perked on the edge of the couch. Jake helps him sit up, a burning hand soothing on his back the whole time as he chugs his second dose of medicine and glass of water that day.

Jake takes the glass from him and sets it on the coffee table. Bradley feels himself droop, feels Jake under him, solid, warm. He wraps his arms around Jake’s waist sluggishly, laying his head against Jake’s collarbone. 

Hands slip into his hair, chilled fingers running through his curls and blunt nails lightly scrape his scalp. They don’t talk, Bradley soaks up the silence, Jake’s fingers doing wonders for his headache. 

When Bradley almost drifts for the millionth time Jake speaks up.

“I was really worried, you know? You weren’t answering my texts, weren’t answering your door.” 

Bradley hums. “‘M sorry.” 

Jake snorts. “For what?” 

Bradley shrugs with the little room he has from his hunched position. “For making you miss out on the thing we were doing today,” He says quietly. “And for making you take care of me.” 

He hears Jake scoffs, feels his fingers stop their magic. Bradley nearly groans again but Jake instead pulls back. Hands cup his cheeks, cooling them down on impact. 

Bradley looks up, Jake’s green eyes boring into his. A soft smile tugs on his lips, his eyes barely crinkled and his smile lines still so deep. 

“Bradley, don’t you ever dare apologize to me for something you can’t control.” 

He feels his face flush more than it already is, he turns his attention to his lap and grips onto Jake’s wrists. 

Jake puts his forehead to Bradely, making his look up. “Okay?” 

Bradley smiles and nods as best he can. “Okay.” he says quietly. 

Jake’s smile grows, he pulls back and presses a lingering kiss to Bradley’s hairline. Bradley leans into it, soaking in Jake’s presence before he finally moves away. 

He stands, hands slipping into Bradley’s. “Come on, let's go to bed.” 

Bradley, with Jake’s help, lifts himself up and he somehow makes it to his bedroom. Jake pulls back the covers, letting Bradley climb in first, then him. 

Jake’s hands circle his waist, pulling Bradley back against his chest. Bradley melts as Jake lays delicate kisses on the nape of his neck and shoulder, dowsing him in affection like it’s nothing. 

“Get some sleep, I’ll be here when you wake up.” Jake mumbles against his skin.

Bradley’s silent for a moment, shifting till he’s comfortable. “Promise?” he asks, his eyes already closing. 

He feels Jake smile, pressing one more kiss to his shoulder.

“I promise. Sweet dreams, Roo.”