sidney got home from practice the next day to find emma still in his bed. the girl had her arms around a pillow, her face hidden under it. he sat down beside her, not sure how to tell her that tom wilson only got a slap on the wrist for what he did to her. when the team found out, they were furious. they had another game against the capitals the next day and they were planning on making them pay.
emma noticed him and put her hand on his, "how was practice?"
"sucked. we miss you." he spoke softly, leaning down and kissing her head, "what do you want for dinner?"
"i'm not that hungry." emma hadn't moved from the bed since the night before except when she needed to use the bathroom.
sidney frowned, "how about i make some pancakes? but you have to come downstairs to eat with me, ok?"
emma sighed, "ok."
he leaned down and kissed her, "i'll bring you some tylenol."
"i love you, sid."
"i love you too." he got up, walking downstairs and grabbing a water from the fridge and tylenol from the counter. he jogged back up the stairs and walked into his room. he opened the bottle and handed her two pills.
she took them and drank all of the water in the large bottle, "thank you."
"of course." sidney brushed hair out of her face, "i'll be downstairs."
she hummed, laying back down and closing her eyes. her head pounded as she heard sidney walk out of the room.
•••
emma walked down the stairs with her hoodie over her head. she made her way into the kitchen and came behind sidney, putting her head against his back. she closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his heart beat. after he put the last of the pancakes on a plate, he turned around and hugged her.
sidney kissed the top of her head, "where should we eat?"
"i'm sorry. you know i love pancakes but i'm not really hungry. i'm just tired."
"it's ok, em. it's hard but how about you eat one plain one. you need food to get better."
she sniffled, tears starting to form in her eyes. she leaned her chin against his chest and looked up at him, "you'll still love me if i can't play hockey anymore, right?"
"why wouldn't i? i don't love you just because you play hockey." he wiped the tears from her cheeks, "besides, one concussion isn't going to end your career. i've had three."
"can you just come to bed once you're done eating?"
"mhm." he handed her one of the pancakes and she huffed.
sidney put his toppings on his food and sat down at the island. emma looked towards the trash can and sidney shook his head, "emma, eat it."
she closed her eyes, taking a bite out of it and gagging. she forced herself to eat the rest of it and covered her mouth, trying not to throw up. she stood in front of the sink and threw up the food she had just eaten. sidney got up and held onto her hair as she vomited into the sink.
he rubbed her back, "maybe pancakes weren't the best idea."
"no shit." emma washed out her mouth and gagged again, "i'm going to bed."
