y/n coughed hoarsely and felt the exhaustion wring out her muscles of any movement.

"still not feeling any better?"

matt asked,

placing his lips to her sweltering forehead.

she shook her head.

"no. i feel horrible."

"should i stay home today?"

"no, love, i'll be okay. go to work."

"you're sure?"

y/n shrugged,

not having the energy to speak.

matt frowned and took his seat on the edge of the bed next to y/n,

kissing her temple softly.

"i'll stay."

"you're sure?"

"absolutely."

y/n smiled as best she could muster and leaned her head to his shoulder.

"i love you."

"i love you more. now, get some rest."

y/n didn't argue.

she laid her head down on the pillow and allowed the exhaustion that followed along with sickness to carry her under,

where she slept peacefully in matt's arms again.

***

y/n soon woke up again to the smell of soup floating through the air.

"matt?"

she mumbled through her dry throat,

sitting up slowly to avoid the throbbing pain in her head.

matt stepped back inside of the room,

wearing a warm smile as he stood in his pajamas.

y/n couldn't help but to adore him.

he extended a glass of water out for her and asked,

"you feeling okay?"

she nodded and reached out for it,

allowing the coolness of the drink to settle in her stomach and soak the dryness in her body.

"i made you something to eat."

"what time is it?"

"twelve. just in time for lunch."

y/n groaned and shook her head.

"i'm not hungry."

"you need to eat, love. how long has it been?"

when she thought back to the last time she'd eaten,

which consisted of a hearty meal chased down with wine,

her stomach rolled and filled her to the brim with nausea.

"a while. i just have no appetite."

"take two bites for me and i'll be satisfied."

y/n leaned her head against the headboard and hesitantly nodded in agreement.

"okay."

after a few minutes of sitting alone,

in the darkened room due to the blinds,

matt came back in with a tray.

a bowl of soup,

crackers,

and a refilled glass of water remained propped up for y/n,

along with some purple liquid medicine.

as soon as the smell hit her nose,

her mouth watered wildly and fueled the gnawing pain in her stomach from the lack of food.

she suddenly felt an increase need to eat,

and didn't hesitate to swallow the hot, tasteful soup that soothed every aching bone in her body.

matt sat beside her and turned on the tv,

though he found a better interest in the sick girl next to him.

"you're staring,"

y/n mumbled softly though she was smiling.

"you just look absolutely beautiful."

the girl then turned to stare at him as though he'd sprouted an extra head.

she'd lessened in color,

was frail to the touch,

hadn't touched her hair in days,

and barely left the room.

beautiful was the last word she'd use to describe herself right now.

"you're insane."

matt chuckled and shook his head.

"maybe. but so are you. how else do you think we work so well?"

after she downed the soup and most of her water,

she found encouragement in matt when trying to take the wretched cough medicine.

"come on, love. you got this. just swallow it."

y/n couldn't help but laugh at his seemingly helpful words.

but she did as he advised,

and swallowed the sticky medicine and prayed it would take away her sickness.

she then drank the rest of her water,

and turned to lay in the arms of matt simmons.

"thank you for staying in with me today."

"of course. are you feeling any better since you've eaten?"

y/n had to admit,

she felt a little stronger now that she had food running in her system.

"actually, yeah, a little."

"see. that's what happens when you listen to the wise matt simmons."

y/n rolled her eyes playfully and snickered.

"yeah, yeah."

matt laughed too then kissed the top of y/n's head.

"you know i'd do anything for you, right?"

"you would?"

"mhm. anything."

y/n nestled to his chest and let out a sight of content.

"i'd do anything for you too, my love."

matt spent the rest of his day nursing y/n back to health as best he could.

though he found the best remedy for the girl was laughter.

her eyes brightened with each joke or story told,

and often found herself standing around to giggle once and a while.

it was slow progress,

if matt was being honest.

y/n battling the flu was nothing short of difficult,

but today had been a step towards being healthy again.

and matt had never been happier to stay at home to help his sick fiancée.