Hi there, just walking in here with a prompt: Would you like to write about Clint being sick and Laura taking care of him? Feel free to add in anyone else who might be helping to take care of him or something. That would be awesome!
“Babe get out of bed, the bus will be here in 15 minutes and none of the kids are ready!” Laura yelled down the hallway. She was really starting to get annoyed.
Clint had been out on a mission last night, even though she’d told him not to go, and he’d gotten home late. So in her eyes, it was 100% his fault that he was so tired today, and that was not an excuse not to help her with the kids.
A few minutes passed without any response, so she was about to go into their bedroom and really lay it on him, when he finally stepped into the kitchen.
“Morning sleepyhead,” she said sarcastically, holding out two plates of eggs and bacon for him to take to the table.
He took them silently, carrying the plates to the table and setting them down in front of his two boys. Laura frowned as she picked up the other two plates and walked to the table. It wasn’t like him to not have a comeback, even if he was tired.
“I didn’t get you a plate since I wasn’t sure what you’d want but there’s more bacon and eggs on the stove,” she told him as she sat down at the table next to their daughter, handing her a plate as well.
“Thanks mom,” the kids all echoed, digging in to their breakfast.
“That’s alright, m’not really that hungry,” Clint drawled, his words slurring together. Laura gave him a look, something was going on with him besides a late night.
“Okay,” she said, not wanting to start this conversation in front of the kids, but making a mental note to talk to him once they left.
“You got ten minutes kiddos, better hurry. Everyone dressed?” Clint asked, making a show of inspecting them all, walking around the table and poking at them.
“Yes, dad,” Lila rolled her eyes, laughing.
“Does it look like I’m wearing pajamas?” their youngest cried, practically falling out of his chair with laughter.
Laura smiled, he was always so good with them, making them laugh like this. Even if he wasn’t so good at the discipline and the timeliness, he always made them happy.
“Well, I suppose this will do,” Clint said dramatically, “Now run and go get your backpacks once your done. And shoes on. Go, go, go!” he yelled.
In a matter of moments all the kids were up and running upstairs to their rooms, rustling around to get their bags ready for school and their shoes put on. Laura chuckled, gathering the dishes from the table and taking them to the sink. In a matter of minutes all the kids were rushing back downstairs in a whirlwind, all ready to go, just as the bus pulled up.
“Look at that, time to spare!” Clint said, standing up from the table and following them to the door.
“Bye dad,” Nate said as he headed outside and down the walk, the other two kids behind him.
“Bye kiddos, have a good day! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he called after them. Laura watched from the doorway of the living room as he waved crazily at them while the bus drove away.
But as soon as the front door was shut his whole demeanor changed. His posture slumped, and suddenly he looked exhausted again. Now that she was really looking at him, he looked pretty pale too.
“Are you okay honey?” Laura asked, walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Sorry I came in so late last night doll, I know you didn’t want me to go,” he said, turning to press a kiss to her hand.
“It’s okay, I know you can’t help it when they ask,” she sighed, “Seriously though, are you feeling alright?” she asked again.
Clint shrugged, “Might be feeling a little rough,”
Laura placed the back of her hand on his forehead, feeling for fever. He was a bit warm, but he tended to run that way most of the time, so she couldn’t be sure, but he looked ill.
“Come here,” she said, pressing him forward gently with a hand on his back, down the hall to the bathroom.
“I’m okay Laur,” Clint argued, although he did nothing to stop her.
“Sit,” she said, pressing down on his shoulder so he sat on top of the toilet lid while she dug around in the medicine cabinet. After a moment she handed him the thermometer, which he begrudgingly uncapped and stuck under his tongue. She also pulled out a bottle of ibuprofen, knowing that she was right.
“101.7,” Clint said after the device beeped. He scrubbed a hand down his face, then leaned forwards, dropping his head into his hands. Somehow he looked even worse now, the facade he’d put on for the kids fading.
“You know you could’ve just told me you weren’t well,” Laura said, filling a paper cup with water from the sink.
“S’not really my style,” he shrugged.
Laura handed him the bottle of pills and set the cup of water on the counter next to him. “I know,” she sighed. “Here, let me,” she said after watching him struggle to open the medicine with shaky hands for a moment. He reluctantly handed it over to her, holding out a hand for her to pour two pills out into.
Clint swallowed them back in one go, then slumped forwards again. Laura moved closer, rubbing a hand up and down his back. He leaned his head against her side, letting himself accept the comfort for once. She carded her fingers through his slightly sweaty hair, feeling the warmth radiating off of him for sure now.
“Thanks darling,” he mumbled, pressing his face against her side.
“None of that,” she clicked her tongue, “How about we go lay down and watch a movie or something huh?” she asked.
“Mmm, that sounds nice,” he groaned softly.
Laura gently pushed him away from her, moving to grab his hands and pull him to his feet. This time as they walked down the hallway he draped his arm around her shoulders, leaning heavily against her as she led them towards the couch.
“This certainly came on quick,” she said as she helped him get settled on the couch, draping a blanket over him before sitting down herself.
“Not really, felt like shit last night,” he admitted, leaning his head down on her shoulder.
“Oh babe,” she sighed, “you really shouldn’t have gone.”
“Felt okay when I left, just a headache, but it kept getting worse,” he shrugged.
“You are so stubborn,” she shook her head, rolling her eyes as he nuzzled against her.
“Yeah, I know,” he mumbled, already falling into a fevered sleep.
