Only Us (Justin Fields)

73| Stay With Me

Jillian

Justin is strong. He is as tough as they come. Mentally and physically there aren't many things that will stop or even slow him from reaching his goals. It didn't take me long to know that about him. In almost every facet of life he is unstoppable.

Then he got COVID.

That tough guy I once knew was gone. Almost like he was a completely different person right now. This illness is different for everyone so you never know what to expect. He was stuck in bed coughing and wheezing for days. I've never heard anyone this physically unwell. He took the risk while playing football and exposing himself more than someone who isn't on a team. And to him that risk was always worth it. I'm sure he will still say the same thing even now. But even so he was quarantined and this week and next week's game have been cancelled. He was one of a few people who came down with it. You have to play at least six games to be eligible to play in the big ten championship game and they were cutting it close. But with as many people as they have with COVID playing wasn't safe and it wasn't sensible.

Instead I get to play at home doctor. They have the shots to try and prevent the illness or at least lessen the symptoms but it's not a promise to work. There's no hospital cure and they were already busy enough as is. So Justin is currently dying in bed unless his symptoms get worse.

"Still running a fever" I say as I set the thermometer down. It's been two days since his symptoms first appeared, I was hoping it would get easier from here but I fear I was wrong.

"I don't want you to get sick" he mumbles as he pulls the covers over his head.

"I get tested every day and it's been negative. Plus you need someone to take care of you" I insist.

"Lillyyyyy" he whines from under the covers as I roll my eyes.

"I'm going to draw you a bath. You haven't left the bed for two days so maybe it'll help detox you. I'll put in the good smelling bath salts" I say.

I head to the bathtub and start the water. I add soap and salts to both relax and heal. You can't make your body get better and quicker than it already is. It's one of those things that just has to run its course. But you don't have to feel awful the whole time.

Once the bath was ready I return to the bed where Justin was still hiding under the covers. "Alright big guy, up you go" I say as I swing his legs around. His feet plant to the ground and he slowly rises.

I wrap my arm around him and we slowly walk to the bathroom. His weight rests on me and he was pretty heavy. All that muscle adds up quickly.

We make it in one piece and I let him rest against the wall. "Alright, undress and get in then I'll come check on you" I promise.

"Won't you stay" he asks softly. I freeze in my spot as I look at him. God he looked so vulnerable, it broke my heart.

"You don't need me to get undressed" I try.

"You've seen me naked plenty of times before" he reminds me.

While that was true it doesn't make it any less awkward. I would make a dash for the door but he was blocking it. Before I knew it he was shedding his shirt, he's been in it for two days and surprisingly enough he didn't smell bad. He has just been under the covers for so long I thought maybe the shirt was going to embed in his skin.

It doesn't take long until all his clothes were off and by the door. He starts to walk over but I can tell he was pretty dizzy. I rest my hand on his stomach to stabilize him but I nearly fall over myself in the process. He is so strong. He looks like the gods sculpted him themselves. And yet he couldn't even make it to the tub on his own. I felt awful.

Carefully he gets in to make sure the water doesn't splash everywhere. I discard his things into the laundry basket and go to get him a fresh set. As soon as I was an ear shot away I let out a sigh. That man was something else physically. And he doesn't show it off often but there is no denying that.

I go back in to set his fresh clothes on the toilet and head back out. I smile as it look like he was finally relaxing and maybe it was helping. I turn to walk away but feel something on my wrist. Once I turn around I see Justin's hand there, the friendship bracelet still on his wrist.

"Stay" he whispers.

"Baby I can't help any further" I remind him.

"Stay with me" is all he says.

How do I say no to that?

I sit down on the floor between the tub and the toilet. Luckily I clean it daily so I know it's safe. I can feel the heat from his bath water from outside the tub. His fingers lace through mine as our hands rest on the tub. A long sigh passes his lips and it makes my heart wretch. Not only is he impossibly sick but he feels like he let the team down. He isn't the only one with it but there is no telling him that. If he's a leader then where is he leading them like this? He always takes it harder than needed, but it's one thing I love about him. How much he wants for others.

"Can you sing for me" he asks.

"You're really needy when you're sick" I tell him.

"Maybe. But as long as it's you... I don't need anything else" he claims.

"Aw. That was almost sweet" I tease. "What do you want to hear?"

"Blackbird" he says.

"Blackbird it is" I nod.

I him softly before I start to sing. He always asked for this song and I don't even know why. How he came about this song. I think maybe his mom sang it to him. Or maybe he listens to it when he's sad.

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be."