#mostly because i don't feel well and want cuddles so i'm going to live vicariously through scott :c

[inaris-mage-of-storms]

"You really don't have to stay," said Scott, letting Sausage take the empty teacup from him. "I mean, I'm grateful for your help. But I'm sure you have more important things to attend to. I can manage on my own." He nestled further into the blankets wrapped around him, comfortably tucked into the corner of the couch nearest the fireplace, and watched the snow through the window.

"Nonsense," said Sausage, gathering up the tea tray and carrying it to the kitchen. "You're the most important thing to attend to right now. Bubbles has everything handled back home," he assured him as he returned to the living room and sat in the armchair across from Scott.

Scott had to admit he was glad for Sausage's company, even as he alternated between coughing fits and dozing through parts of Sausage's story about Bruno and Pepe arguing over the best method of storing supplies for the tavern. The ache in Scott's throat began to intensify, and he was contemplating asking Sausage for more tea when a knock at the door interrupted Sausage instead.

"Sorry, no visitors today!" called Sausage as he stood to go see who it was. "I'm afraid he isn't feeling up to – oh! Jimmy, hi!"

"Hi Sausage," came Jimmy's voice from the entryway. "Sorry, I can go. I just wanted to see how he was doing, and bring him this."

"It's okay, Sausage," called Scott, and winced at how hoarse his voice sounded. "He can come in."

Sausage poked his head into the living room. "Are you sure?" Scott nodded, and Sausage directed Jimmy to the coat hook before he led Jimmy into the room and bowed to Scott dramatically. "A gift for you, my king!" he said cheerily.

Scott laughed, his eyes sweeping over Jimmy. The sheriff's hair was ruffled from his habit of running his fingers through it after removing his hat, and his cheeks were pink from the cold wind. "You brought me a pretty man? Sausage, you know me so well," he teased, knowing full well that Sausage was referring to the dish clutched in Jimmy's hands.

"What?" squawked Jimmy, the color in his cheeks deepening. "No! He means this!" He held up the container. "I, um. I heard you weren't feeling well, so I brought you some broth. I mean, you don't have to have it if you don't want. The kitchen looked like Sausage has you stocked up on food pretty well. It's probably not even that good, if I'm honest. Not sure I got it right. It's similar to something my granddad used to make for me whenever I was sick - "

"You're rambling," said Scott, cutting him off. Too tired to care about appearances, he made grabby hands in Jimmy's direction. "And I'm hungry. Gimme."

Even if he hadn't been hungry, the smile that crossed Jimmy's face alone was worth accepting the gift. Jimmy took the lid off and handed it over. "It should still be warm," he informed him, just as Scott registered the faint glow on the bottom of the bowl from the enchantments carved into it.

He murmured his thanks and took a sip before closing his eyes happily. His nose was too stuffy to appreciate the full range of everything that had gone into the broth, but what he could taste was delicious. And, Scott realized as he took another sip and mentally sorted out every herb he could pick up on, everything that had gone into it was deliberately chosen to ease one symptom or another of his flu.

It tasted, above anything else, like love. He looked up and gave Jimmy a soft smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," beamed Jimmy, seeming pleased that his gift had been received so well. "I hope you feel better soon. I'll get going so you can get some rest."

Sausage glanced at the disappointed expression on Scott's face and smiled mischievously. "Actually, Jimmy, do you have anything in particular you need to go take care of?" he asked. Jimmy shook his head no. "Excellent! Then would you mind sitting with him for a bit while I tidy up? I don't want him to have to yell across the house if he needs something."

"Yeah, I can do that," said Jimmy. "Or I can do the cleaning, if you want - "

"No no, have a seat!" said Sausage, and guided him to sit on the couch next to Scott. "Just keep him company!" Scott narrowed his eyes at Sausage, but he only grinned and left the room.

"Sorry about him," said Scott. "You don't really have to stay, if you don't want."

"No, I want to," said Jimmy. "So long as you don't mind."

"I don't mind," said Scott, and took another sip. They sat in silence while he finished his meal, listening to Sausage humming in the kitchen. When the bowl was empty Jimmy set it aside for him, and Scott leaned back against the cushions. His thoughts were beginning to feel hazy again, and he shivered and pulled the blankets tighter around him, closing his eyes.

He jumped a little when he felt a hand on his forehead. "Sorry," Jimmy apologized for startling him. "Gosh, you're burning up." Scott shivered again, and Jimmy frowned. "You ought to be in bed." He pulled the blankets away, and Scott whined at him. "Sorry, sweetheart," murmured Jimmy, scooping Scott into his arms and standing up. "Let's go get you tucked in."

Scott leaned against him, letting the sheriff carry him upstairs. Jimmy got him settled in bed, tucking the blankets around him and brushing a hand over his forehead. He turned to leave, but Scott grabbed the bottom of his vest. "Stay," he croaked. "Hold me."

He couldn't make out what the expression on Jimmy's face meant, but thought he might cry if Jimmy decided to walk away from him now. In his feverish state Scott didn't care about the maintaining the facade between them. He was cold, and achy, and all he wanted right now was to be safe and warm in Jimmy's arms again.

"Please?" he whispered.

Jimmy's face softened. "Okay. I'll stay." Scott breathed a sigh of relief, and Jimmy took off his boots and vest before crawling into the bed with him. He wrapped his arms around Scott and pulled him close, and Scott buried his face in the crook of Jimmy's neck and fell asleep before he could murmur his thanks.

When he next surfaced from his slumber, the room was dark and he could hear Sausage in the doorway. "I need to get back to Sanctuary," he was in the middle of whispering. "Are you sure you're okay to stay, or should I try to get hold of someone else?"

"It's okay," Jimmy whispered back. Scott closed his eyes again, not wanting to risk Jimmy deciding to let go. "I've got him."

He heard footsteps, and the clink of something being set on his dresser. "He needs another dose whenever he wakes up," whispered Sausage, and Scott wrinkled his nose at the thought of the potions Sausage had made him drink when he first arrived. "One of each, and probably again in the morning."

"Okay," acknowledged Jimmy. They said their goodbyes, and Scott dozed off again before Jimmy could realize he was awake.

The second time he awoke, Scott could feel Jimmy's steady breathing and chanced a look at him. Moonlight fell across the room, illuminating his sleeping face. His arms were still firmly around Scott, holding him close like a treasure to be protected. Scott rested a hand against Jimmy's chest, feeling his heartbeat. As they lay together in the dark, Scott could almost pretend this was normal for them, like it had been once before.

A cough wracked his body, breaking the spell and waking Jimmy, who rubbed soothing circles on his back until the fit passed. "I'll get you some water," he said when Scott was finally able to catch his breath, and let go. Scott missed the warmth immediately, feeling a chill he was certain had nothing to do with his illness as Jimmy got out of bed and poured a glass of water from the pitcher Sausage had left next to the potion bottles.

He sat up and accepted the water from Jimmy, sipping at it while Jimmy uncorked a potion bottle. "Do I have to?" he grumbled.

Jimmy smiled and measured out a spoonful of the shimmering liquid. "I'm afraid so," he said, and held out the spoon.

Scott swallowed the mouthful reluctantly, then did the same with the second potion, and took another drink of water as soon as he could. "Gross," he complained. "No matter how she brews it, no amount of melon can cover up nether wart."

"It's not that bad," said Jimmy, looking amused. "You just have sensitive taste buds, I think."

"And that's not usually a bad thing," said Scott. "It makes food more interesting. Even sick I can still name at least five different herbs you put in that broth."

Jimmy laughed. "You do have a very skilled mouth."

There was a beat of silence while they both processed his words. Scott's eyebrow rose and a slow smirk crossed his face, and Jimmy turned bright red. "No!" he squeaked. "That's not what I – I just meant, you can taste things others can't, and you always have some clever comment or snarky comeback at the ready, so I mean – I didn't mean to imply – Oh my god," he groaned, and buried his face in his hands.

Scott laughed until he had to stop to cough again. "Maybe when I'm not sick I can show you what else I can do with it," he said hoarsely, unable to resist one final dig at the sheriff's blunder.

"You're awful," came Jimmy's muffled rebuttal. He ran his hands through his hair, face still a little pink, then took the water glass Scott handed him and set it back on the dresser. "Right. So." He rubbed the back of his neck. "You seem like you're feeling better. Would you be more comfortable if I slept in another room?"

Scott's smile disappeared, and he chewed on his lip before taking a deep breath. His head was clearer than it had been earlier, but he wanted to be selfish a little longer. "I'll leave it up to you," he said carefully. "But to be honest, I...I think I'll sleep better if you're here."

"Then I'll stay," said Jimmy, and Scott hoped he wasn't imagining the eagerness with which Jimmy answered. He got back in the bed, and pressed a shy kiss to Scott's forehead when Scott leaned into his embrace. "Get some more rest. I'm not going anywhere."

series masterpost