Chapter Text
“No. Scarlett, Im coming to pick you up, that’s final.” You said sternly as you ended the ongoing call, shoving your phone into your back-pocket as you began to search for your keys.
You berated yourself for not insisting harder that Scarlett should’ve stayed home today but as always, she had been stubborn.
You paced around your kitchen, searching in all your drawers for your keys before finally finding them nestled at the side of your fruit bowl. You were about to leave when you noticed the box of on the countertop. You paused for a second before grabbing them and tucking them under your arm as you walked to the door.
Locking the door to your house behind you, you headed to your car, setting the tissue box on the backside behind you. You sighed, shaking your head as you turned on the ignition as you pulled out of your driveway, setting off on the journey to the Outset office.
Luckily it was only a thirty minute drive to the office meaning it didn’t take you long to get there. You managed to park just outside the main doors, and you headed inside, receiving brief ‘hellos’ and understanding nods as you entered and made your way up towards Scarlett’s office.
As you stepped into the office you immediately noticed the unusual darkness. The blinds had been drawn and the main light had been turned off, meaning you had to squint to be able to make out the outline of your wife. Scarlett was sitting on the floor, her back leaning against a small sofa with her laptop set ontop of her legs, the dim screen being the only source of illumination in the room.
You flicked the light-switch and immediately regretted your action; seeing Scarlett wince at the shining brightness.
“Sorry baby.” You said quietly as came to sit on the sofa she was leaning on, sitting behind her.
“That was turned off for a reason.” Scarlett grumbled, her voice hoarse and broken. Rubbing her wrist under her nose, she sniffed loudly before turning to look at you, “I told you not to come.”
“And I said I was going too anyway; you shouldn’t have come in today.” You said as you ran your hand through her hair, gently massaging her scalp. As your eyes adjusted to the darkness, you noticed the tissues scattered around Scarlett, the empty box sitting off to the side.
“You ready to go home?” You asked, your tone taking on a sympathetic edge hearing Scarlett muffle a raspy cough into her elbow.
She huffed, turning to you with an annoyed expression, “I can’t just go home Y/N, have you seen how much I need to do? The whole office is swamped-“She only paused to clear her throat, wincing as she trailed her fingers down the outside of her neck, “ Im too busy to have a cold right now!” Her last point almost came out in a sob, and she let the back of her head fall back against your knee.
You sighed. Her business chaotic at the moment so her point wasn’t entirely untrue. With the rapid approach of Christmas, the business had taken on a heavy marketing strategy, one which meant Scarlett was required to come in at the office more and more, meaning her already crammed schedule only getting busier by the day.
“I know you’re busy baby, but it’s nothing your team can’t handle, you have sick days for a reason. You’re sick.” You paused, softening your tone, not wanting to irritate her headache any further, “You could even work from home if you’re feeling up to it but you should really be in bed.” You said, offering her a compromise.
Truthfully you disliked the thought of her going home just to work remotely. All you wanted her to do was rest so she could sleep off whatever bug she’d come down with. But at this point you would’ve said anything if it would improve your chances of convincing Scarlett to come home.
Scarlett seemed to mull your decision over, rubbing at her heavy eyes with the sleeves of her baggy cardigan. She must’ve irritated her nose somehow, as moments later Scarlett sneezed twice down into her elbow.
“Hh’itshhiew! HhH-tshhh!” She blindly reached over for the tissue box, groaning she realised the box was empty.
“Bless you, theres some tissues in the car.” You cooed, standing up and offering your hand out to her as you gently encouraged her, “Come on, we both know you’ll feel way better if you let me take you back home sweetie.”
She sighed heavily she nodded, quickly scooping up the tissues surrounding her. With a content look on your face, you reached over and grabbed the small trashcan from under her desk, holding it out so she could throw them away. Scarlett sniffed but gave you a small grateful smile before closing the lid of her laptop and accepting your hand offered hand.
You helped her up, pulling her into a hug as she got to her feet, “Come on sweetie, you’ll be home soon, I promise.” You murmured softly before she turned away to dampen the sound of another painful cough into her sleeve.
She turned back to you, her eyes slightly watery now and her fingers interlocked with yours as you lead her from the room, and you couldn’t stop yourself from turning your head to the side to kiss her cheek.
“Thank you for coming to get me.” She whispered quietly as she returned the gesture.
“Anytime my love.”