Content: Caretaking | Stubborn Whumpee | Comfort | Working While Sick | Fever | Cuddling | Cats | Avengers OC’s
Super soldiers didn’t get sick. They couldn’t, the serum wouldn’t allow it, at least that’s what Eamon always believed. He had never seen Steve or Bucky get sick, he had never heard about them getting sick! So he wasn’t sick, he couldn’t be. It didn’t matter if it felt like a blunt pole was being driven into his temples repeatedly, or if his throat burned each time he swallowed back the snot dripping from his nose, or if his body was so unnaturally hot that it felt so wrong. Eamon normally was like an ice cube (a side effect of the serum) so usually any warmth was more than welcomed (especially if it was from Matthias) but right now it was like he had walked days across the desert in a thick wool sweater, his shirt kept sticking to his body along with the longer strands of hair falling out of the bun he kept it back in. On top of that, he couldn’t stop shivering— which made no damn sense because if he was this hot he shouldn’t be shivering! But his body evidently didn’t get the message.
But he wasn’t sick. He couldn’t be. Plus, the team had a mission to go on, a rather simple one in all honesty. Evidently there was some bank robbery where there were hostages involved (and of course the robbers had some weird-ass superpowered weapons which is why the avengers were called in to help), so he couldn’t be sick. He had a job to do.
The drive was rather short, carpooling in Matthias’ truck to get to the site but Eamon could tell Matt was worrying over him, he had that look in his eyes, every half glance in the other tom’s direction, the way his paws were tightening on the steering wheel— hell, Matt had cranked the heater up for a reason and not because it was cold outside since it was goddamn June. When they finally parked, Eamon unclipped his seatbelt just as Matthias finally decided to speak up. “You sure you’re alright, Eam?” His tone was so gentle and concerned that Eamon considered admitting that he felt like someone kept hitting his head with a brick and his stomach was churning so much he was pretty positive he was gonna puke any minute now and that his damn body couldn’t decide if he was too hot or too cold! But his attention then turned to the street, the police gathered around the entrance of the bank, he could faintly hear the hostages screaming inside and Tony’s muffled voice just outside. No, they needed him, plus he wasn’t sick.
“Yeah, m’fine, Matt. It’s jus’ allergies, pollen an’ shit like that y’know?”
Matthias fixed his stubborn boyfriend with a disbelieving look but before he could open his mouth to speak up again, Eamon opened the door and headed out to where the rest of the team was.
So… the mission might not have gone to plan. Eamon… might’ve given away their position and might’ve gotten stuck in a three vs one fight after his gun had been kicked away. But it was fine! He was fine! His head just throbbed is all and he couldn’t stop coughing every half second- but that was from the smoke. Unfortunately, all it took was one well aimed strike to the stomach to send him sprawling to the ground, the nausea he’d been keeping at bay surging up into his throat all at once as a violent shudder wracked his body. Through his blurring vision he could see some gun-like weapon being aimed at his face and it was glowing… probably not good. The robbers were talking but he couldn’t hear it over the loud, annoying ringing in his ears which only aggravated his headache, so he resorted to squeezing his eyes shut for a moment or two. Then there was a muffled thud- a few muffled thuds and grunts and yells. Silence for a few seconds then a distinct but still distant:
Huh, he knew that voice. Eamon dared to open his eyes as a familiar face came into view, golden fur and bright sea green eyes. “Matthias?”
“Shit!” Matt hissed and bent down, urging Eamon to stand which he managed to do so with so difficulty. “I knew it- I knew you were sick! You’re burning up for Christ’s sake!” His tone was scolding but definitely held worry and concern and it only made Eamon’s ears drop in response. His head was swaying from side to side and he only squeezed his eyes shut again as the world started to spin. “M’sorry-.. I jus’ thought-..” A gag cut him off as the nausea surged again. Swallowing it back, Eamon let out a hoarse groan and dared to crack open his eyes again. Matthias’ face was full of concern, maybe annoyance or disappointment but concern was the most prominent. A sigh escaped his jaws and he moved closer to let his boyfriend lean against his side, his fluffy tail going to lay across Eamon’s back. “God, you’re an idiot.” He sighed out, though his tone held no real heat.
When they finally made it outside, Eamon winced as the sunlight assaulted his senses, and turned to hide his face against Matt’s shoulder until things became less bright. “Sheesh, he’s not looking too good.” Eamon heard Tony say but didn’t lift his face from the other’s fur just yet. Matthias let out a sigh and answered the billionaire. “Yeah, he’s got a fever, went out doin’ this today sick.” His tone was laced with light annoyance. Tony sighed and Eamon got the sense he was shaking his head. “Yup. Sounds like Eamon alright.” Matthias huffed and started forward again with Eamon in tow. “Ya’ got things handled here right?” “Yep,” Tony answered. “You just take care of Frosty over there.” Eamon was being steered back to the truck but managed to lift his head finally and fix the tomcat with a bleary glare. “Don’t call me that, tin man.” He muttered. Tony smirked just slightly and waved Eamon off with a fake salute. “Uh huh, kick my ass for it after you’re better.” Eamon rolled his eyes (immediately regretting the motion that made his head spin again) and climbed back into the truck, slumping against the passenger seat as Matthias got back in the driver’s seat and started the vehicle up.
“Where’re we goin’?” Eamon finally asked after a few minutes of driving. His cheek was pressed against the window, eyes half lidded, threatening to droop further down and drag his tired, feverish body into some much needed sleep. Matthias let out a breath and glanced over. “My apartment, ya’ need actual rest an’ frankly I don’t believe you’d stay in that room ya’ have in the tower.” The golden tom answered. Eamon hummed in response.
By the time they actually arrived at the apartment, Eamon had dozed off, being startled awake by a calloused paw nudging his shoulder. Eyes flicking open, he stared up at Matthias who was helping him out, his own paws feeling heavier than normal, like heavy chains had been locked onto his ankles and wrists. He trudged up the stairs, following the gold-pelted tom up to his apartment door, the metallic rattling of keys being fumbled with muffledly hitting his ears. The next thing he knew, Eam was being led upstairs, climbing onto a soft bed though before sleep could claim his mind, a soft voice spoke and roused him.
“Hey, you’ll be a lot more comfortable if ya’ take your gear off.”
Oh, he didn’t even realize he was still wearing that stuff. Eamon looked down and only gave a noncommittal hum, fiddling with his heavy paws to undo the straps. Matthias sat in front of him, helping to shrug off the gear onto the floor, reaching over to detach his prosthetic. Eamon gave an appreciative hum as the vibranium arm was sat on the nightstand and he settled down against the pillows. “Wait right here for a moment, ok?” Matthias had told him, which Eamon had been planning on regardless. Through half lidded eyes he watched Matt pad into the bathroom and return a few moments later with some Tylenol and a glass of water. “This’ll help the fever.” The gold tom said as he handed his sick boyfriend the pills and the water which Eamon gulped down. The tomcat slumped back against the pillows as Matt reached out, carding a gentle paw through his sweat-slicked hair as his eyes drooped down. “Get some rest, darlin’.” Came the quiet murmur. Matt leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to his boyfriend’s forehead which Eamon leaned into before his eyes fluttered shut finally and sleep claimed his feverish mind.
Damnit, Eamon was too stubborn for his own good in Matthias’ opinion. Going out sick on a damn mission was just plain idiotic! His boyfriend could’ve gotten himself hurt or worse and did he just- not care?! No… Matt knew that wasn’t it, but Eam had a habit of just ignoring his body’s cues, a habit developed by HYDRA (go figure) and a bad one at that the tom was still trying to break. Still, it could be annoying, even if Matthias understood it.
He couldn’t really sleep, his mind far too wired to lay next to a conked out Eamon. Instead he had gone downstairs to try and call Steve or Bucky since they’d gotten sick once despite being super soldiers. Matt figured it was just like taking care of any other cat with a fever but he didn’t fully know if the serum changed anything. From what it sounded like, it didn’t- thank god- nothing was amped up, no adverse side effects, etc etc. Still, he couldn’t sleep even after his phone calls.
It was around 1 in the morning when Matthias finally got back up from the couch to pour out his cold mug of coffee, he’d been planning on just turning on Yellowstone and watching it until he felt tired enough to head up to bed. At least until someone came up from behind, arms wrapping around his waist, a muzzle pressing against his the back of his shoulder. Matt almost jumped ten feet and his first instinct would’ve been to incapacitate whoever was grabbing him, but he narrowly stopped himself when he caught the scent, and heard the groggy voice.
Turning his head the gold-pelted tom saw his boyfriend snuggling up against his back, eyes shut, his hair a long, tangled mess. Wearing an oversized hoodie he had evidently found in Matt’s closet and baggy sweatpants, truth be told Eamon looked adorable in the clothes. He would’ve been cuter if he wasn’t still sick.
“And you’re supposed t’be in bed.” Matthias countered, turning so he could face Eamon properly. The sick tomcat mumbled something incoherent and Matt only sighed. Maybe he’d had a nightmare, or maybe he felt cold despite his still unnaturally warm temperature (considering Eamon was always like an ice cube), or maybe Eam was just feeling cuddly right now. Whatever it was, Matthias didn’t have the heart to send him back upstairs. So with a soft sigh, he led his boyfriend over to the couch and let him curl up on his lap as he turned on Yellowstone just for some background noise. “Better?” He asked softly, running a paw through Eam’s messy hair.
“Mmhm.. s’better.” Came the hoarse, mumbled response and Matt gave a soft nod.
“Good. Now get some real sleep, ok? Ya’ need it, Eam.”
Eamon made a soft noise, though for once he didn’t argue and it wasn’t long before his body went lax against Matthias’ and his breathing evened out.
