ephemerality =Crankiplier=

Hyacinth

Mark had woken up to the sound of Ethan coughing loudly. It sounded quite painful too. He sat up, rubbing his eyes as he looked over to see Ethan sat on the edge of the bed coughing. "Oh honey.." Mark trailed off, reaching over to place a comforting hand on the boys shoulder. Heat radiated off him, Mark could feel it. The coughs eventually calmed and Ethan looked at Mark, face flushed red, an apologetic look on his face. "Sorry I woke you, I'm sorry." He apologizes and Mark frowned.

"You feel warm." He states matter of factly and Ethan shrugged. "Is my forehead hot?" He asks and Mark briefly pressed his lips to the other forehead to feel. Holy shit. "My god you're burning up." Mark says and Ethans face fell. "You shouldn't be near me, what if.." He trailed off but Mark knew what he was getting at. "You get fevers with the flu. Even so, we were already around eachother. So if you have it so would I." Mark says and Ethan nodded. "Do you feel sick at all?" He asked and Mark shook his head.

"No but some people can carry the virus and not show any symptoms. We don't have it though, I really think you just have the flu, Eth. Do your muscles hurt?" Mark asks and Ethan nodded. "Dude everything hurts. Am I sick or did a train run me over? Can't tell the difference." Ethan jokes and Mark smiled slightly. He's glad Ethan can still find humor in a situation where he's feeling utterly horrible.

Tomorrow came slowly, or at least it felt like it. Mark didn't leave Ethans side meaning he didn't get much sleep. The other boy kept waking up coughing but Mark wasn't upset about it because he knows Ethan obviously cannot help it. Plus no one enjoys being woke up by their own body forcing coughs out. Ethan headed off to his do for and Mark waited anxiously at the house. He couldn't go with him due to covid and he hated it. Getting the text of him saying "on my way home" made Mark so unbelievably relieved. Then happy as he read the word home over and over. Ethan considered here home? Mark blushed. That's sweet.

Mark made Ethan soup while he waited, this time it wasn't out of a can. When he heard the front door open, he rushed to greet the smaller boy. "It's the flu right?" Mark asks and his heart tightened in his chest at the look on the others face. Ethan didn't take off his mask as he shook his head. "You shouldn't be near me Mark." Ethan says and his heart felt like it temporarily stopped. "You got it didn't you?" He asks and the smaller man nods. Mark could see he was tearing up and he stepped forward, pulling him in for a hug.

"It's okay. We are quarantining together Eth, I can be around you. I'll help you the best I can okay? You're not alone." Mark whispers, rubbing the other back. "What if I die?" Ethan asks, his voice strained. "No. I won't let that happen Ethan. Don't get worked up it might cause a cough attack okay? It's not gonna be easy but you're gonna be okay." Mark says running his fingers through other others hair comfortingly and Ethan slowly nodded, sniffling.

"I made homemade chicken noodle soup. I have a humidifier that may help you breathe a tad bit better. Maybe take a warm bath later?" Mark offers, and Ethan pulled away a bit to look at Mark, eyes red and puffy. "What if I get you sick?" He asks and Mark shrugs.

"Considering the fact I've been around you this whole time and I'm not showing any symptoms, I either have it and I'm not showing symptoms which happens or I didn't get it from you which is rare but can happen. If you want us to wear masks around eachother that's fine but I'm not gonna leave you alone in your room to suffer alone. I don't have to leave the house to work so if I get it then I get it." Mark says seriously and Ethans eyes teared up again, grateful.

"You're literally the bestest friend I could ever ask for. Thank you." Ethan says and Mark smiles softly at him. "Meet me at the table, we can have soup for lunch." Mark says, pulling away and Ethan nodded. Mark left the other to collect himself as he made bowls of soup for them. "You never cook, you must feel really bad huh?" Ethan jokes and Mark scoffed, fake offended. "I made you dinner that one time!" He exclaims and Ethan laughed. "Yeah, you're right." He says, coughing after laughing and Mark frowned. It looked painful.