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“Mark,” whined Seb as Mark finished taking his temperature.
“Listen mate, I’m not too thrilled about this either but you’re the one who went and got himself sick.”
“I don’t need you to take care of me. I’m not a baby.”
Mark wasn’t going to tell him that the complaining and childish pout he had on made him seem a whole lot less of an adult.
“Yeah but if you get worse and I just sat back and watched, Christian would have my ass.”
“No he wouldn’t.”
“Yes he would and you know it. Just relax and let me help you, yeah?”
“Whatever.”
Mark rolled his eyes. Even with a thirty nine degree fever, Seb still somehow managed to be a thorn in Mark’s side.
After they’d arrived in Texas, Seb had almost immediately fallen ill with what they assumed was a bad cold but was soon found out to be the flu. That meant Sebastian was pretty much excluded from the race weekend and Buemi would take his place. Seb was adamant that he was fine, but seeing as he could barely get himself out of his own bed, no one believed him.
Rather than flying back to Switzerland, Sebastian insisted he should stay and watch. No one really wanted to argue with him so getting a clear from the team doctor, Sebastian stayed cooped up in his room with strict instructions to rest. The only down side to this was that Mark was also given instructions to keep an eye on Seb when he could. They were placed in rooms next to each other, so when Mark had the time, he’d pop in and make sure Seb hadn’t completely given out and kicked the bucket.
“Oh my god I think I’m dying,” bemoaned Seb.
“You’ve been saying that for the past half hour so can you hurry up and do it already?”
“So rude.”
“Do you have to make everything so hard?”
Mark was standing across the room and Seb wasn’t in much of a state to get up so doing the next best thing, he picked up a pillow and weakly threw it.
“You’re such a child.”
“I’m awesome.”
“Sure. Keep telling yourself that, mate.”
For as much as Seb was bickering with Mark and putting up a stubborn front, he really did feel awful. A deep ache had settled in his chest and he had what seemed to be a constant headache. Though, he’d never admit that to Mark.
“Alright. I think you’re settled for tonight so am I free to leave or?”
“Yeah I’m good. Night Mark.”
“Night, Sebastian.”
With that, Mark shut the hotel door behind him and Seb was once again left alone.
For some reason Seb couldn’t explain, he almost felt worse when he was on his own. Trying to ignore that feeling, Sebastian switched on the TV to see if there was anything to take his mind off of his little predicament.
Nearly an hour had passed and Seb had settled on some National Geographic programme about animals. It seemed to do the trick of distracting him, but as the segment closed up, the loneliness crept back in. He wasn’t a clingy person, especially not with his teammate, but something about feeling so poorly made him want to have someone by his side. He’d been an ass to Mark for the past two days when all he’d been doing was taking care of him. What was his problem?
Seb went to reach for his phone to text Mark, but he figured he shouldn’t bother him any more than he had been recently. Mark didn’t owe anything to him and Seb had no right to ask for his help.
Sebastian had stayed sitting up for a good ten minutes internally debating with himself whether he should possibly disturb Mark while he was sleeping or if he should suck it up and deal with it like a grown up. Sebastian was an adult, he could take care of himself. But he didn’t want to. He wanted Mark there with him.
Blowing out an annoyed sigh, Sebastian finally opened his phone and scrolled to Mark’s contact.
SEBASTIAN: Mark?
He’d stared at his phone biting his nail for a minute before he’d received a reply.
MARK: Yep?
Sebastian wasn’t actually sure what he was going to ask Mark. He knew what he wanted to say, but Seb was sure that Mark would laugh at him for it. Honestly, how was he meant to tell him ‘I need you’?
SEBASTIAN: Are you in bed yet?
MARK: Just about to be, why? Don’t tell me you’re actually about to die this time.
SEBASTIAN: Ha ha.
MARK: Just messing with you mate. What’s up?
SEBASTIAN: Do you think you could
SEBASTIAN: Stay here
SEBASTIAN: With me for a bit maybe?
Mark stared at his phone wondering if Seb was seriously asking him that or if he was just pulling his leg.
MARK: Are you okay?
SEBASTIAN: I’m as okay as I can be :)
MARK: You know what I meant.
SEBASTIAN: Yes, I’m fine.
MARK: I mean, if you want me to, I can.
SEBASTIAN: Could you?
MARK: Yep. Be over in a few.
SEBASTIAN: Thank you.
Mark sat up and rubbed his face. In truth, he had been in bed. In fact, he’d nearly fallen asleep and was only awoken by the ping from his phone. Sebastian was his teammate, but he was also a friend. They’d not had the easiest relationship over the past few years, but they’d reached a point in their partnership where they could genuinely hang out without completely wanting to strangle the other. While that may seem like the bare minimum to others, it really was big for them.
Mark lazily put on his trainers and grabbed some spare melatonin he’d had lying around before he went next door. Since he didn’t want Seb to get up more than necessary, Mark had asked for an extra key to his room.
Hearing the quiet buzz of the door, Mark pulled it open and slipped into the room.
“Hey.”
“Hi.”
Before going over to Sebastian’s side, Mark kneeled at the fridge and grabbed a water bottle.
That done, Mark made his way to Seb and sat at the edge of the bed and passed him the melatonin with the bottle.
“Figured you needed some help sleeping. I picked some up at the pharmacy when we got here Wednesday.”
“Thanks, Mark. You didn’t have to.”
“Nah I don’t mind.”
As much of a pain Seb was to Mark, he didn’t hate him, especially not now. Though he was a bit peeved when Christian had first approached him about watching over Seb, Mark did feel bad.
Not wanting to sit there like an idiot, Mark glanced at the controller next to Seb.
“You mind if I?”
Seb followed his gaze.
“Oh yeah. Go ahead.”
Mark grabbed the controller before moving to the other side of the bed. If he was going to hang around, he was at least going to be comfortable.
He flipped through half a dozen channels before pausing on some old looking film.
“Have you ever seen this one?”
“I didn’t watch many movies growing up.”
“In that case, we’re definitely watching it.”
“Fine by me.”
We’re. Seb liked that we’re was a them.
Not even an hour into the movie, Sebastian had started floating in and out of sleep. Mark had noticed, and was tempted to push off and leave him to rest, but he felt bad leaving him when Seb had clearly asked for him to stay.
It took a few more minutes the back and forth before Seb was fully out for the count. It was at this point that Mark would’ve left had it not been for one problem. That problem was the fact that because Seb had been sitting up when he’d fallen asleep, he’d wound up tilting and leaning his head against Mark’s shoulder.
Aside from complaining about not being able to breathe properly, Seb had also mentioned trouble falling asleep, so now that he was not only asleep but also softly snoring, Mark felt that it was wrong for him to get up and possibly wake him.
Mark shifted ever so slightly down more so he could at least be somewhat laying down. Seb had stirred a bit and he cursed himself internally. Mark paused to see if he would wake, but he seemed to be in the clear.
Mark sighed wondering how he’d wound up in this position. No time to question it really. Shutting off the TV, Mark set his alarm for tomorrow. He needed to be at the track at an ungodly hour, and if he stayed up any longer, lord knows he wasn’t going to wake up at the time he was meant to. Thankfully, it didn’t take much longer for Mark to follow Seb.
Something had woken Mark up before his alarm. His chest felt heavy, and for a second he was confused. Mark reluctantly opened his eyes, only to be met with the sight of a tuft of golden hair.
Oh. Seb.
At some point when they’d both fallen asleep, Seb had shifted to completely lay himself across Mark’s chest. His arm was fully wrapped around Mark’s middle, and in return, Mark’s arm was holding Seb in. Jeez.
Mark angled his head to the side to get a better look at him.
Sebastian looked pretty like this. His already soft features seemed all the more delicate. His hair was a mess, but in a cute way. A small part of Mark felt wrong for thinking this, but how could he not when Seb was quite literally in his face.
Mark was pulled out of his thoughts when Seb took a deep breath.
Shit.
Sebastian furrowed his brow before lifting his free to rub at his eyes.
Mark held his breath waiting for him to realise.
Seb started to yawn and paused mid way when his brain finally caught up.
At a speed that Mark was sure would give any normal person whiplash, Sebastian sat up wide eyed.
“Mark.”
All he did was make a ‘Mhh’ noise. Mark wasn’t sure what to say. What do you even say in a situation like this? How often is it that you accidentally fall asleep on your teammate and then wake up to you two accidentally cuddling?
Sebastian on the other hand was very visibly freaking out.
“I’m sorry. Oh god I’m gonna get you sick. I’m sorry, Mark.”
“Seb, it’s fine.”
“What?”
“It’s okay, Seb. I didn’t mind.”
Sebastian had gone from panicking to looking confused.
“You’re sure?”
“When do I ever say something I don’t mean?”
Sebastian chuckled and then pulled a face when he was quickly reminded how much it hurt his lungs to do that.
Mark turned his head to read the clock. It was just barely past two, he didn’t need to be awake for at least another four hours.
“I don’t have to be up for a good bit, do you mind if I stay here?”
Sebastian didn’t think he’d ever said anything better.
“Please?”
Mark smiled and beckoned for Seb to lie back down on him. Sebastian hesitated, but quickly gave in. There was something so comforting for Seb to be wrapped up in Mark’s warm embrace.
It didn’t take very long for Seb’s exhaustion to take over again. He was safe and secure with Mark. How was he meant to feel anything else while he was resting against Mark’s chest with his arms holding Seb in place.
“If you wake up with a cold, don’t say it was my fault.”
“Yeah, yeah. Just go back to sleep.” Mark whispered.
Mark reached a hand up and stroked Sebastian’s hair.
Neither of them knew what this meant. They had just become friends the past season, but they both knew that this wasn’t something friends do.
They were both tired and would talk in the morning, but right now, they were more than happy to just lie with one another.
“Goodnight, Seb.”
“Goodnight Mark.”