Chapter Text
"Do you like me?"
From Jay's lap the question comes soft and vulnerable, sneaking out of Matt's mouth like he's ashamed of even asking. Like he's afraid. The words slip out almost like a whisper, dissipating in the air almost as quickly as they appeared.
Jay lowers the volume of the Looney Tunes episode on the TV and looks down at Matt. There he is, curled up with his head resting on Jay's thighs, his tangled blonde hair spread messily all over him. His cheeks are red, but whether it's from the fever or the sudden loaded question is anyone's guess.
With precision, Jay's hand lands atop Matt's head and he pets him carefully, gently. "'Course I like you, MJ." He makes sure to stop to massage his scalp every few seconds. He doesn't mind the sweat or the constant need for reassurance at all. "You're my best friend."
Matt turns his head to look up at Jay. His eyes, bloodshot and watery, are struggling to stay open. He's been drifting in and out all day because of this fever, this random illness that decided to strike in the middle of July. All week long he's been moping and lounging and just suffering, praying to anyone who will listen to rid him of this sickness.
Poor Matt, Jay thinks for the hundredth time this hour as he blinks up at him with those exhausted eyes.
"But…do you like me?" Matt asks in a voice smaller than anything Jay's ever heard before. His bottom lip juts out and quivers, and Jay knows he has to say the right thing or else the dam breaks and the waterworks will inevitably start.
Jay nods, the widest, warmest smile he could possibly manage glued to his face. "I like you a lot, Matt. I love you. You know this, buddy."
"I know," Matt whimpers, snivels. "I just…dunno…I feel weird."
"I know you do," Jay tuts. He continues to stroke Matt's hair with a gentle touch, his fingers moving even gentler than when he touches the precious ivory keys of their piano. He knows he's doing it right when Matt's eyes close, when that soft purring noise escapes from the depths of his throat.
"S'just…" Matt swallows, unable to resist Jay's caress. He curls up closer to Jay. "M'not being…a burden or…or anything…am I?"
"No," Jay says with a laugh, shaking his head. "No, you're not being a burden, MJ, I promise. You're never a burden. Not to me."
"I don't believe you," Matt slurs out quietly, half-pouting, half-holding back a smile.
"I like taking care of you."
"Yeah, right…"
"I do. I promise. I like…I like relaxing like this." Jay shifts against the couch cushions and adjusts his body so Matt's comfortable. "I like doing the Rivoli stuff, but I also like hanging out like this too. Just…being here with you. It's the best. I love it, man, I really do."
Jay looks down and notices that Matt's breathing is evening out. His chest rises and falls and he tries to speak, but it comes out in barely audible, sleepy wisps. He hums, like he agrees with Jay, but he's already too far gone, and he succumbs to sleep in an instant.
No matter.
Jay smiles. He combs through Matt's hair. He prays he'll have more moments like this with Matt for years and decades and centuries forever more (but he thinks that they could probably do without the fever).
He can't seem to stop smiling when he looks down at his best friend, sleeping soundly beneath him. "You'll never be a burden to me, MJ. I promise you that."