Requested. Warning for describing sickness? Idk it's not too bad but just in case. I'm so sorry for not having this done sooner, I know I'm on a break but I still wanted to get this out and then I got really busy. I hope you enjoy it!!

The sound of quiet beeping made Patton jump, realizing how close he had been to falling asleep standing up. He took the thermometer from his mouth, looking down at the numbers that showed his temperature. Yeah, he was definitely sick.

Sighing, Patton cleaned the thermometer and put it back up, pausing afterwards to lean against the counter. He closed his eyes, taking a moment to think. It wasn't that bad, right? Sure, he was exhausted, his muscles ached, and his head was killing him, but he had other things to worry about. The others might worry, but Patton was a pretty good actor. Maybe no one would notice?

Patton nodded to himself, pushing off the counter sluggishly so he could start on breakfast for everyone. He would be alright, he told himself. His family came first. He could rest later.

Throughout most of the day, Patton was able to hide his sickness very well. He made sure to act as normal as possible, although there were a few times he had to blame his weird actions on simply being tired. At one point with all of the others around Patton had completely zoned out, almost as thought he had fallen asleep standing. Roman had been the one to ask if he was okay, and when he had told them he was just tired Logan he asked why he didn't go and rest.

"Well, I've got so much to get done! I'll rest later," he told them dismissively, turning back to whatever it was he was doing before he zoned out in the first place. The other three shared a look behind him, but the subject was dropped a moment later when one of the sides asked a question about something else. Patton was glad for the distraction, and tried to be sure he didn't zone out like that again.

****

Patton took a deep breath, trying to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Every step he took made his stomach twist, his skin felt like ice and yet somehow he was sweating. He wanted nothing more than to lay down and sleep for the next week, but he had to carry on. Right? So what if he was sick; he had other things to take care of, and he came second to the others. Always.

Though, the pain in his head wasn't going away, and he felt like if he tried to take another step he might just collapse from exhaustion. He took a glance to the couch, considering for a moment before slowly making his way over to it. After collapsing in the seat Patton did his best to take deep breaths, closing his eyes. He didn't hear anyone walk into the room, jumping when someone spoke to him.

"Are you alright, Pat?" Virgil asked him, looking concerned. Patton mustered the best smile he could, nodding his head.

"I'm good! Just sitting down for a minute, feeling a little tired. Did you need something?" He asked, and Virgil quietly shook his head.

"I'm okay. I'll be right back, alright? Stay here." Virgil instructed, standing up and watching Patton for a second before hurrying down the hall. Patton frowned, wondering what exactly Virgil was doing. Only a few minutes later he returned, Logan and Roman by his side as well.

"Hey..! What's... what's going on, guys?" Patton asked, trying not to grip his head when it began to hurt worse than before. Unfortunately he hadn't been able to hide his wince, and the other three shared a glance.

"Patton, what is wrong?" Logan questioned, stepping closer to him. Patton frowned, shaking his head.

"Nothings wrong!" He insisted, knowing how unconvincing he sounded. As expected, none of the others believed him.

"Patton, please tell us what is going on." Roman pleaded, reaching out to take one of Patton's hands. Patton looked around at each of them, looking down and sighing.

"I might be... a little sick, but I'm okay. Really!" He continued to lie, smiling brightly even when the others still looked unconvinced. Virgil frowned, leaning forward and touching a hand to Patton's forehead. Patton had to stop from leaning in to the cool touch, pulling back and continuing to insist he was fine.

"You're burning up! Someone go get the thermometer." Virgil instructed, Roman running off to do so while he and Logan sat beside of Patton. They continued to ask him what was wrong, finally getting Patton to admit to them that he had the flu. Roman returned with the thermometer soon, and Patton's temperature was definitely a lot higher than he had read before.

Only a few minutes later Patton found himself laying in his bedroom, the other three sides all standing around his bed and worrying over him. By now they had given him some medicine, also making sure that he had eaten at some point during the day, and were fast to get him anything else he needed. Patton felt bad for causing so much trouble for them, and tried to apologize multiple tiles. However, none of the others would listen to his apologies.

"Patton," Logan began, cutting him off from another apology. "You do not need to apologize for being sick. It is normal, and out of your control."

"But I-" he began, only to be cut off by Virgil this time.

"No buts. If you don't feel well then it's important to look after yourself, Pat. You're just as important as the rest of us."

"Even more important!" Roman butted in. "Without you I don't know how we'd survive; which is why it's so important for you to take care of yourself! Everyone needs a day off every once in a while."

Patton smiled, wiping away tears from his eyes. "I love you all so much. Thank you-I promise to do better."

The other three returned his watery smile, each of them moving to sit on the edge of the bed so they could hug Patton. Patton did his best to wrap his arms around all three of them, causing them all to laugh quietly. "We love you too, Patton," Virgil muttered back to him, Roman and Logan nodding in agreement.

Patton looked around at his family, smile so wide it almost hurt. He loved them very much; and he knew how much he was loved in return.

Ahhh I hope you liked this!!! I'm still on a break so unless I can get my other request done soon I probably won't update again for a while(aside from maybe a vent fic tonight bc its been a bad day), please don't give me any more requests or ask for updates!!! Again though, I'm very very sorry for this takin me so long-I wanted to finish it last weekend, but we ended up going on vacation and I've been pretty busy all week. I really hope this is okay..!

While today has been...... not great, for many reasons, I've actually had a pretty good week. I feel like I've been dressing a lot more how I want and I've actually gotten out of the house and hung out with family, and it's been nice. So here, enjoy some pictures from this last week.

This puppy is literally the cutest puppy I've ever seen in my life, I love him and I want to steal him. He's got a little white spot on his nose, and his ears! Look at him! He's cute and he was so fluffy and he just let me hold him and love him and ahhhh I want him!!!

Anyways, that's plenty about my life lol. I think I am gonna make a ramble book even tho no one asked for it just bc I get bored very easily and it's nice to write thoughts down. Idk. Even if no ones interested I'll probably make it lol, so I'll probably work on that tomorrow.

Well, thanks for reading this. I hope your week has gone well. *

* (I don't think I used that one yet??) Take care of yourselves. Just so you know, even if you make a mistake and go back to old habits you're still loved, and it doesn't mean you can't get past this. You just gotta keep trying, and don't beat yourself up for things too much! You can get past this, I promise. I love you all very much. Bye!-Bob