Love You Through It
After a week in the hospital, Jackson was getting antsy. They had put a cast on his leg after the swelling had finally gone down. That was yesterday.
Now, here was just waiting. Though he was never really alone for long. Zhenya had stayed with him the first day and tried to stay longer, but Jackson insisted he go home, go to practice. He obviously wasn’t going anywhere quick.
The rest of the team had been to visit as well in between practices and games, and the families stopped in as well. Celeste had brought him some of her home cooking, which he honestly may have teared up at. Hospital food is not the best.
But today! Today, Jackson was going home. The doctor had just signed off on his discharge papers, given him his crutches and now he just had to wait for Zhenya. Unable to stand in the shower just yet, he had washed himself up as much as he could before pulling his hospital gown back on.
Just before he was about to check his phone, there was a gentle knock on the door, Zhenya’s head peeking in. Jackson knew it was cheesy, but he could feel the tension leave his body as he saw his boyfriend’s face.
“котенок, ready to go? I bring you clean clothes.” Zhenya said, carrying a bag over his shoulder as he made his way over to Jackson, pressing a kiss to his forehead. The taller man opened the bag up, started pulling out different clothes. “I not know what you want, so I bring options.”
Jackson watched as Zhenya pulled out multiple pairs of sweats, boxers, a couple t-shirts, as well as a hoodie that appeared to be Zhenya’s. A soft smile spread on his face as Zhenya looked up at him, “Good choices?” He asked.
“Great choices, babe. Will you.. Will you help me? My ribs are still sore so it’s hard to-”
Zhenya cut him off with a quick kiss, smiling into it, “Cute when you ramble. I help.”
Getting dressed was a bit harder than he expected, his body aching after he got the t-shirt on. He had to lay back on the bed to catch his breath, his vision going a bit blurry.
“Jackson? You okay? Should I get doctor?” Zhenya asked, his worried face filling Jackson’s vision.
Shaking his head carefully, Jackson slowly sat up again, “No, no doctor. I’m good. Just needed a minute.” He muttered, being careful not to bother his ribs too much.
Zhenya nodded, starting to zip up the bag before a hand stopped him. He glanced up at Jackson, eyebrows furrowed, “What? What’s wrong?” He asked.
Cheeks flushed at his dramatic reaction, Jackson carefully pulled the hoodie out. He recognized it as one of Zhenya’s favorites, a gray one with the Gryffindor logo on the front. It smelled like him. Jackson held it to his chest, eyes flickering up to meeting his boyfriend’s, “Will you help me with this too?”
“Of course, moi sladkiy.” Zhenya said with a smile. Jackson always tried to play it so tough, but anyone close to him knew he was just a big softie. He gently pulled the hoodie over the smaller man’s head, helping him to get it on.
Jackson smiled as soon as the hoodie was on, the sleeves falling past his fingertips, “Thanks, Zhenya.” He murmured. Zhenya pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead before grabbing the crutches and bringing them over.
“Let’s get you home then.”
The walk to the car was slow, but Zhenya was fine with that. He knew despite the brave face his boyfriend was putting on that he was really hurting. So if he needed extra time to get to the car, Zhenya was fine with that.
After putting the bag in the backseat, Zhenya helped Jackson into the passenger seat and set the crutches in the backseat, “Now we get you home.” He said as he intertwined their fingers together across the center console.
Jackson must’ve fallen asleep during the ride because the next time he woke up, he was being carried bridal style into their home, Zhenya’s arms wrapped gently around him.
“I could’ve walked.” He mumbled, though the way he curled closer to Zhenya’s chest said otherwise.
Smiling, Zhenya carried him into their room, setting him on the bed, “Yes, Yes I know. Very strong hockey player man. Can walk so far. But I wanted to carry you.” He said, pulling off his one shoe and getting the broken leg propped up on some pillows. “Now you stay here. I go get crutches and bag, you take meds then we cuddle.”
Jackson leaned back on the headboard with a tired smile, “Yeah, cuddles. Cuddles sound good.”
“Be right back.” Zhenya smiled, giving Jackson a kiss before he was out of the room.
As he waited for his boyfriend to return, Jackson turned on Disney+ and flipped through the movies. He decided on Thor Ragnarok, it was one of his favorites.
Zhenya came back in a few minutes later, handing him his meds and water bottle before setting down everything else, “Take those, okay?” He insisted before getting changed into some comfy clothes of his own. Jackson quickly swallowed the pills before watching as Zhenya pulled his shirt over his head.
“You’re a tease.” Jackson said, watching him with a pout.
Zhenya laughed, glancing over to him as he put on a pair of joggers, “Me? Tease? No.” He said, crawling onto his side of the bed.
As soon as he was laying down, Jackson moved closer to him, his head resting on Zhenya’s arm, “Thank you for taking care of me. Don’t know how I got so lucky.”
Smiling, Zhenya brushed the long hair from his boyfriend’s face, “We both lucky, I think.”
Jackson’s eyes began to droop as the medicine as well as the craziness of the day hit him all at once, “Love you, Zhenya.”
“I love you too, dorogoi. Sleep now, I got you.”