isaac was your very close best friend. you practically lived with him and his friends—tanner, larry, blake, and nick. you got along well with them and spent a lot of time together.
one day, you noticed isaac hadn't left his room all day. concerned, you decided to check on him and found him in bed. you saw isaac sitting up in bed with a thermometer in his mouth, which surprised you.
"why do you have a thermometer in your mouth?"
he removed the thermometer and looked at you.
"i'm sick,"
he said, coughing a bit before placing the thermometer on his bedside table. he then patted the space next to him, inviting you to sit down.
you sat beside him, concerned. his flushed cheeks indicated he had a fever.
"come here,"
he said, motioning for you to get closer.
you scooted closer, meeting his gaze. he wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you against him, preventing you from moving away.
he rested his head on top of yours, enjoying your closeness. after a few minutes, he spoke again.
"can you do me a favor?"
his voice was raspy from being sick.
you looked up, his head still resting on yours, and nodded.
"sure, what do you need?"
he glanced down at you.
"can you get a cold, wet towel for my forehead?"
he asked before coughing again, burying his head in your shoulder. you smiled at his attempt to act tough and patted his head.
"alright, i'll go get it. just a minute, okay?"
he let go of you and watched as you left the room. he sighed heavily and lay down, feeling worse from the fever and cold.
when you returned, isaac was lying down. you shook your head as you sat beside him again.
"so stubborn,"
you mumbled, placing the cold towel on his forehead.
isaac closed his eyes, enjoying the coolness. he smiled contentedly as he rested further into the pillow.
"this feels nice, thanks,"
he said, exhaling deeply. he seemed more comfortable and ready to sleep. your eyes softened as you watched his expression shift from calm to tired. you gently ran your hand through his hair, untangling small knots. he leaned into your touch, seeking more comfort.
he hummed faintly, his body relaxing as you continued. he subconsciously leaned closer, craving more affection.
you smiled as he leaned in, silently asking for more attention. you kept running your fingers through his hair, occasionally massaging his scalp. he seemed ready to sleep but refused, not wanting the moment to end.
he finally opened his eyes, his expression a mix of contentment and neediness.
"don't go..."
he mumbled, his voice soft and raspy as he reached for your hand.
you chuckled at his neediness, finding it adorable. you squeezed his hand and smiled.
"i'm not going anywhere, isaac. i'll stay until you fall asleep, okay?"
he smiled weakly, grateful for your reassurance. he gently squeezed your hand back and whispered.
"can you lie down with me?"
he wanted more closeness, needing your warmth and presence to feel secure. you chuckled softly at his request.
"alright, move over a bit so i can get on the bed."
he obediently shifted, making space for you. as you lay down beside him, he immediately wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you close.
he sighed in relief, burying his face in the crook of your neck. you chuckled, feeling his breath against your skin. you wrapped your arm around his torso, gently rubbing his back.
"you're so needy,"
you joked as you continued to soothe him.
he hummed, nuzzling into your neck. he wrapped his other arm around you, pulling you even closer.
"yeah, and you love it,"
he mumbled, his voice raspy. you smiled, shaking your head playfully.
"yeah, i do,"
you replied softly. you enjoyed caring for him, knowing he secretly craved your attention and comfort.
he relaxed further in your embrace, the soothing touch helping him feel better. he buried his face deeper into your neck, finding comfort in your scent. after a few moments, he mumbled.
"you know, i love you, right?"
your heart skipped a beat. you smiled and rubbed his back a bit more before replying.
"i do know, and i love you too, you big softie,"
you said, playfully ruffling his hair.
he chuckled softly, enjoying the affection. he pulled you closer, as if wanting to merge your bodies.
"i'm not a softie,"
he mumbled weakly, contradicting his own words.
you chuckled at his attempt to deny it.
"sure you're not, big baby,"
you teased, continuing to caress his back. he relaxed more, exhaustion taking its toll.
he huffed softly but didn't mind being called a baby. he snuggled closer, inhaling your scent.
"i... i don't want to sleep yet,"
he mumbled against your skin.
you shook your head, amused by his stubbornness.
"why not? you need rest."
he pouted slightly, knowing you were right but wanting to stay awake with you.
"i just want to stay awake with you,"
he mumbled.
your heart melted at his words. you continued to play with his hair softly.
"you need to sleep, isaac. you're exhausted."
he reluctantly admitted.
"fine... i guess i am tired."
you smiled internally, knowing he needed rest.
"see? that wasn't so hard. now, close your eyes and sleep. i'll be right here."
he huffed again, annoyed that you were right, but too tired to argue.
"okay... fine. i'll sleep..."
he mumbled, his voice grumpy as he closed his eyes and relaxed in your embrace.
you chuckled softly, finding his grumpiness amusing. you continued to run your fingers through his hair, soothing him as he slowly drifted off.
"good, that's what i thought,"
you whispered, smiling as he relaxed more. you stayed with him until he fell asleep.
