underwhelms | ( bootycall )

[ HE'S NOT ACTUALLY DYING he's just a drama queen ]

you can wear one

[He shan't even answer that.

He's just gonna head on over to JJ's place. Maybe he's extra-unbothered because Allura had been infected and he's been unaffected thus far. Maybe he's just too lazy to fish out his handkerchief from wherever.

Or maybe he thinks it's just in bad form? Maybe he's just made a habit out off nettling JJ over inconsequential things. The point is that he's at his door sans any protection ;), though he doesn't knock immediately...

Maybe he should've brought soup? Medicine? He's sure there's some of that healing potion back in the bathroom cupboard, but it's..oldish.

Alright, he's knocking. Rhythmically. Three or so times. Being a caretaker is already hard.]

[ He shows up, and doesn't even bring medicine or soup. How does Keith even plan to help JJ? With his adorable smile?

Regardless, the jury remains out on what kind of caretaker Keith is going to be, though JJ seems happy enough to see him when he answers the door. There's a smile on his lips, the only part of him that doesn't look monstrous: all sweaty hair, stuffed nose, blotchy red skin. He's got his blanket wrapped around him, through his bare legs are visible. He'd been oscillating between too hot and too cold, and found the easiest way to deal with the fluctuating temperature was to pile blankets on while keeping nude aside from his boxers.

It doesn't matter, he's sick and he's allowed to be a slob if he wants.

Too bad for Keith, when JJ perks up upon seeing him and responds by drawing him into a too warm hug, blanket and all. ]

Hey.

[ His voice is a little lower, a little rougher when he speaks, drawing away soon enough to shuffle back into his apartment and head straight back to bed. Just the journey from his room to the door was enough to tire him. ]

C'mon in.

[He's doing his best...

Furthemore, he's having trouble reciprocating that hug. Not because he's sick and mushy (and nakedish?!), but because he's got a blanket cocooned around him and it presents a challenge.

His hands just hang limply at his sides.]

Are you-- [Getting ahead of himself.] Hey.

Are you that cold?

[He's got a pre-loaded response for whatever response that reaps. He'll step in in the meantime, properly, close the door behind him. Hesitantly trek after him...]

Yeah, sometimes hot, sometimes cold.

[ He doesn't bother with manners, slumping back onto his bed, though he doesn't lie down again. Instead, he sits there cross legged, the blanket still wrapped around him as he fixes Keith with a curious look. ]

Did you bring something to eat?

[ He doesn't necessarily have much of an appetite, but he probably could use some protein. ]

Doesn't that mean you have a fever?

[This is the second time he's forced the role of Medic onto himself; at least he's had a fever and can sort of...connect the dots? His voice sounds uncertain.

He'll linger in the doorway himself.]

No, but I can make something.

[Taking for granted JJ has anything available for him to cook; he can always leave and come back with an order.........]

[ The way that JJ is burritoing himself in bed might be kind of rude, especially given that there's no where for Keith to sit, but he doesn't really pay it any mind.

He's still facing Keith from inside his blanket cocoon anyway. ]

Yeah, it's the flu.

[ At least, that's what it feels like. He hasn't had the flu in years...

But Keith's words earn a curious stare. ]

No, that's okay. But if you didn't bring soup... [ He narrows his eyes, a teasing smile on his lips. ] Did you just want to keep me company? Missed me?

Then you shouldn't be doing that.

[A wide gesture follows, indicating...JJ, as a whole. The blanket. It's a problem.]

You should be taking a cold shower...I think. I think it'd help.

[Alas, he's already losing focus. A narrow finds his brow.]

That's -- I was checking in on you! I thought you would have soup and just didn't feel like making it yourself! Do you have any?!

[He's borderline yelling, unconsciously too. Pls stay in his comfort lane.]

[ Keith, please stop yelling...

JJ's expression flatlines somewhat, head throbbing slightly to remind him of the ever present threat of a headache, but he doesn't stay unimpressed for long. The truth is that he really does appreciate this visit; he'd always expected attention and affection back home, but he'd learned that it wasn't as easy to come by here, in Olympia. ]

There probably is some.

[ He admits, since Yusuke had routinely been dropping by with soup, and Roman, though they weren't close, wasn't cruel enough to leave no food in the apartment for JJ.

He sighs, grimacing at his cough-ridden breath. ]

I don't want to take a cold shower... Then I'll be cold.

[ And also, people die if they are killed. ]

[He'll actually move into the room with that, and once he's closer to JJ, he'll...

set a heavy hand atop his head.]

If you take a cold shower, you'll wake up.

[Shake off that grogginess, peel back the rust...whatever.]

I'll make you soup in the meantime.

[If you're a good patient, the doctor'll give you a lollipop at the end.]

You don't have to stay in for long, but you're just making it worse by doing this.

[The condescending bit of weight atop his head slides forward eventually, resting on his forehead -- like he'd really be able to garner anything from the motion besides: yep, feels warm. That's all he really needs to cement, anyway. He doesn't feel dangerously warm or anything, but it's a concerning heat for sure.]

You don't wanna end up at the clinic, do you?

[ The hand on his head doesn't bother him much, though it does make him wish he'd taken a shower earlier—he did jump in a day ago, but he hadn't bothered shampoo his hair.

But when Keith presses the issue, JJ reconsiders. He is hot and sweaty, eyelids drooping when Keith checks his forehead, and while his blanket is comfortable, he feels like there's a layer of sickness on him, and a shower would at least clear some of that away. ]

Okay.

[ He shoves his blanket off, shivering but persevering as he shuffles off the bed, fatigue heavy in his muscles. ]

You need me to show you where everything is?

[ For someone who could barely make anything beyond cereal, JJ's actually learned how to navigate the kitchen. ]

[Good, that was fairly easy. His hand returns to his side, there's a glance tossed over his shoulder.]

I'll figure it out. [Read as: you look like ur gonna pass out, maybe just focus on washing up. If he were an actual chef, he may inquire about allergies, likes and dislikes...but...he's really just heating up some canned soup. Just like living in the cabin all by his lonesome. Canned food is the one thing he can cook without error.] Do you..need help getting into the bathroom?

[It's bizarre, being nice. Caring.]

[ It is kind of weird to see Keith being so attentive, when every other time they had met the other teen was mostly preoccupied with getting away as soon as possible. But JJ isn't complaining; he likes the attention.

He shakes his head at the offer, smiling slyly. ]

I think I can shower on my own, sorry to disappoint.

[ Even though that's not what Keith had offered, he can't help but tease.

But karma gets him right back at least, when dizziness and disorientation causes him to stumble as he heads out the door. ]

[JJ is...insufferable...]

That's not what I meant?!

[Why does this always happen with him? Why's he so horny? He can't proceed to ridicule him because he very nearly eats shit in the doorway, prompting him to shut up and hurry to his side -- err, to his back..because the doorway's only so wide.]

Hold on, take it slow.

[Not that he was even moving quickly to begin with.]

A bath's probably gonna be better...

[An ice bath.]

[ JJ just huffs in response to Keith's concern, not at all pleased that he wasn't able to make a Cool and Dramatic exit. Being sick sucks. Why is it so hard to walk straight?? He can land a quadruple Lutz on the ice!! ]

No, I'll take a shower. It's fine... I was just distracted.

[ By daydreaming about how cool his exit must've looked. Damn it, his hubris really caught up with him.

Closing his eyes for a second, to combat the new wave of dizziness that came with his near tumble, he tries to focus on just how gross and sticky he feels, letting that motivate him to get to the bathroom. He does feel better after taking a second to reorient himself, smiling at Keith and squeezing his arm in thanks. ]

Okay! I'm gonna shower, so have some soup ready for me.

[ Keith being so attentive is pretty novel, and he has to admit that if not for the fact that he feels like crap, it would be a pretty sweet deal. ]

[On a good day, probably, when he hasn't been almost-exploded...Keith would gladly take his word for it...

His aid ends when he's more or less dismissed. He really should escort him directly to the tub, but if Keith were in his shoes, he'd be super pissed. Of course, he and the skater are nothing alike but he'll hang back anyway, glance toward the kitchen...]

Take a bath!

[With a light pat to his back -- emphasis. He'll slowly make his way to the kitchenry area, just waiting to hear a giant thud.]

[ There is no thud!! He's okay!!

Sort of. Getting into the bathtub, JJ turns on the shower, hissing when the cold water hits his overheated skin, jerking enough that he bumps against the wall but—thankfully—doesn't actually fall. It takes a few minutes of fidgeting in discomfort until his tensed muscles relax, just slightly, and he sets about washing his hair.

That, it turns out, ends up being his undoing. The exercise sapping all of his energy, until he spends the rest of the shower seated in the bathtub, letting the water wash away the soapsuds because he can't be bothered to lift his arms.

Turning the water off with a few uncoordinated jabs of his foot, JJ considers calling for help but... that's a little too pathetic, even for him.

He grabs the towel by the shower to afford himself some modesty, and then just... sits there... Either he'll muster the energy to get climb out of the tub, or Keith will assume he's drowned and hopefully come to bury his body. ]

[In the meantime, it takes Keith all of two minutes to locate a can of soup. The first one he finds is the one he's going with; it's a noodly concoction with your usual veggies, bits of mystery alien meat...should be fine. He prys the lid off with his knife -- not even sparing a moment to look for a more modern method of can-opening...

A pot comes next, soup meets pot, pot meets stove, stove's turned on. It's a matter of it all just warming up now...occasionally stirring. It's a thankfully quiet process, you know, just in case JJ decides to pass out.

When the water stops, he'll wait fifteen seconds before calling out:]

Need help?!

[JJ's probably gonna make a joke about how Keith just wants to see his balls...it's fine...whatever.]

[ JJ's about to give in just answer with a 'yes!', but something stops him. He hasn't had the flu in years, and what he remembers of it as a child was mostly sitting in bed for a week. But he'd been able to get up and walk around just fine, hadn't he? He should be able to at least do this much as an adult. He'd climbed up the side of a building a few weeks back!

The side of the tub feels like everest at the moment, but JJ grits his teeth and sets his hands on the lip to haul himself over, startled by the lack of strength in his limbs. Maybe he should be ingesting protein powder instead of tomato soup. ]

Fine! I'm in the bedroom!

[ He's not, but he will be soon, after scrambling out of the tub and getting to his feel, feeling better now that he has a little success to motivate him. Shuffling out of the bathroom, he secures the towel around his waist like it even MATTERS since they're both guys. ]

Are you done?

[Hm...ok. He didn't hear a door open, but he doesn't know the layout of this place. He'll just stir the soup, turn the fire up a bit higher to speed the process. If he's in the bedroom, he'll be out soon.

Thoough, when he emerges, it doesn't look like he was in his bedroom at all?! Don't let him rush you, guy.]

Just about. [Stirring still; there's lots of steam emerging from the pot.] Are you feeling any different?

Tired.

[ Torn between heading back to his bed and the kitchen, JJ just walks straight ahead instead, resting his forehead on the wall of the hallway and letting that support his weight. He kind of looks like a zombie from a horror film, the kind that just stand in one spot before snapping and going wild.

Well, maybe this is a zombie plague! ]

Not hot anymore though.

[ Instead, his body seems a little confused about whether to feel hot or cold, leaving him in an odd state of discomfort, but at least he's not sweaty and gross. ]

[

you ok? Keith's gonna pretend that's completely normal behavior. For JJ, combined with the disease he's contracted....it probably is. At least he's up and about! Able to support his own weight and such.]

Are you going to sit in here?

[Would he prefer the couch? His room? He's going through the cabinets like a raccoon, looking for an appropriate soup bowl...]

[ Yeah, basically.

He just furrows his brows at Keith's question, not in much of a mood to make any decisions. ]

Uh.

[ Thinking about his bed feels gross, so that means his options are limited, and he just stumbles over to the couch, climbing onto it so that he can lie down.

This works. ]

Yeah.

[ He has no idea what kind of state Keith is leaving the kitchen in but it's fine... thanks for your help bro...... ]

[Keith isn't 100% sure how JJ's gonna eat da soup lying down but ok...he'll make a big deal of it when it's Time.

Incidentally, he's in the process of pouring some soup directly into the necessary bowl. Damn near had to serve it to him in the pot with a giant spoon. He's polite enough to wait for the soup to cool some before bringing it over, paper towel and Smol Spoon for consumption purposes too.]

...Are you really in the mood to eat?

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