Roadtrip Oneshots

Rack, Shivers

Rye

I'm shivering before I even open my eyes. I feel my body tremble and shake, and I curl up slightly.

I open my eyes when I realise I'm not cold. Not even in the slightest. It's not much of a harsh shiver, but it's more of a constant tremble that courses through me.

What the hell is happening?

I stand up, yet the shivering still persists and the task of getting changed takes far longer than it normally does. I get my fingers stuck in my sleeves, and struggle to pull my socks on. Eventually, I give up with socks, and just settle for tracksuit bottom and a long-sleeved t-shirt. I stumble a little as I walk, but soon I learn to compensate.

I don't feel like eating, so I flick the kettle on, after struggling with filling it with water. I made a little mess on the counter, but I clean it up rather clumsily.

While the kettle is boiling, I listen. Silence. The rest of the house is dead to the world, the other boys all fast asleep. I smile a little, although I'm still rattled by the fact that I'm shivering with absolutely no cause.

I swallow my fear, and focus on making my cup of tea to try to distract myself. I burn myself a little on the hot water, but apart from that it goes well. I take a sip of the tea, hating how I can see the liquid shake and spill over the sides. I hiss as it burns my fingers, and the mug slips from my grasp.

I let out a shout and leap back as it nears the floor, but a hand swoops in and catches it smoothly. I jump.

It's Jack, and he's smiling.

'That was close,' he laughs, and sets it on the side.

I just stare at him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. I was so caught up in myself that I didn't even see him enter the room.

'Jack?' I question, for no reason.

And then he looks at me. Really looks at me.

'What's up? You look... odd,' he says softly, and steps in close to me.

I can't get my mouth to speak, so I try to portray my fear and confusion in my eyes. My mouth opens, closes, and my eyes widen. My body trembles and shivers even more, and I lean against the island to catch myself.

'Rye? What's wrong?' he asks, a bit louder than before.

He cups my cheek with his hand, and searches my eyes. I reach out to hold him, latch on to him, and he frowns at my hand.

'Rye, you're shaking...' he says, confused.

I nod frantically, and Jack just takes me completely in his arms. Soothes me when my shivers turn into shivers of fear.

'You're okay. You're okay,' he whispers.

There's nothing but silence around us, and I revel in it. I hold back the tears, and just hide my face, hating how scared I am.

'Are you cold at all? You're shivering quite a bit,' Jack asks a while later.

'No. I'm perfectly fine. That's why...' I trail off weakly, and squeeze my eyes shut. I don't want to cry. It's pathetic really.

'Okay,' Jack says. He runs his hands along my arms, all the way up to the back of my neck, where he tames the hair there, gently twirling it.

The heat from his fingers travels down my spine, and I shiver, but for a completely different reason. Heat whispers along my skin, despite not being cold. But Jack's touch does that do to. He makes my body do things no-on else can, and doesn't he know it.

'Is that calming you down?'

I sigh to let him know I can hear him, but he knows it calms me down. He knows every trick in the book to calm me down.

'Do you even need to ask?' I mumble.

His arms tighten around me as he chuckles. I can hear him thinking of what to say... he's never really been a fast thinker; more of a plodding along pace sometimes.

'You know, it's nothing to be worried about just yet... it's your body starting to fight off an infection,' Jack explains.

I frown anyway, not really getting what he means. This has never happened to me before, so I have no idea what's happening.

'What do you mean?'

'Shivering can heat up your body enough to kill bacteria or a virus that has invaded your system... but if it carries on for too long we'll take you to see a doctor, alright?' Jack says quietly.

I nod into his shoulder. 'Sounds good,' I whisper.

Jack laughs as starts to sway us a little. 'You're being really cute today... I don't think I've ever seen you like this before Rye.' He plants a kiss on my head and I close my eyes.

My body still shivers and shakes, although I'm not cold in the slightest.

'Can we cuddle?' I ask quietly.

I just want to lie in bed with Jack, with his arms around me. Maybe watch a few films, or random stuff on YouTube. Under the duvet, and fall asleep on and off all day.

His heart beat near my ear relaxes me, even though I'm still shivering.

He laughs again, and it's out of adoration. 'Of course we can Babe. Do you want to go now?'

I nod wordlessly. He plays with my hair for a few more seconds.

'Come on then.'

He follows me up the stairs, and the whole time I'm missing his warmth. I cross my arms around myself, only now beginning to feel cold. Jack rests his hand on the small of my back, and heat begins to spread throughout my body... I miss Jack all the time, although he's right beside me nearly on a daily basis.

We go to Jack's room, and collapse on his bed. He encases me in his arms, and I bury my face in his neck. Nuzzle in a little, and rest my hands on his chest. My eyes flutter shut.

'Get some rest Rye... I think you need it,' Jack murmurs.

'Okay,' I say, my voice above a whisper.

Jack sings softly under his breath until I drift off, and I let the melodies of his delicate voice wash over me, relaxing me enough to sleep.

I hear his voice in my dreams, and nothing wipes the smile from my face.

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"You put your arms around me and I'm home."

Love WolfGirl.❤️