Work Text:
One night, when the birds were quiet and the wind was howling, Chris was sitting in his office, signing paperwork, coming up with new challenges, editing the newest episode and what not.
Though he didn't really want to admit it, he was getting really tired. Chris hadn't slept properly for the last week, and he didn't think he'd sleep well today either.
"Ugh... This is gonna kill me, isn't it?" He mumbled while sipping on his third cup of coffee.
Hosting wasn't easy, but it's the only thing that was successful. Chris had tried acting, a boy band.. Hell, even a cooking show! Nothing really worked out. He wondered what he'd do with himself if he hadn't decided on this. He probably wouldn't have known what to do with his life.
"Jeez. I'm not supposed to be reminiscing.. Get it together, Chris!" He sighed, as he continued signing the countless paper work stacked on his desk.
Meanwhile, Chef was making himself a little midnight snack, if you can call it that. Well, it was actually just an apple and some water, but who cares? He sat down on the sofa that was located in the cabin he and Chris shared. Speaking of Chris, where was he? He hadn't seen the host for a while.
All of a sudden, there was a thud coming from upstairs. Chef immediately stood up, startled. He quickly went upstairs to check where the noise came from.
Soon, he stood in front of Chris's office.
"Chris? I heard somethin'.."
But he was only left with silence.
"It ain't funny Chris!"
Nothing.
Chef tried opening the door, but as usual it was locked. Thankfully he remembered there was an extra key Chris gave him when there was an emergency.
He quickly rushed to his room to get it, then ran back to Chris's office. He unlocked the door, to be met with Chris, lying on the table face first. Had he fallen asleep?
Chef walked over to him. He tried shaking Chris, to see if he was really asleep. No answer. He's just.. out cold.
Chef sighs, as he slowly picks up Chris, only to notice that he's really hot.
"Damn it."
As he walks to his bedroom with Chris on his shoulder, he thinks about the massive amount of paper work on Chris's desk.
"... I'll get it done for you, don't worry." He whispered quietly.
As he arrived in his bedroom, he slowly set Chris down on his bed, putting a blanket over him.
People are supposed to look peaceful while sleeping.
As Chef exited the bedroom, he turned to Chris one more time and couldn't help but frown.
How long has this been going on?
Countless thoughts ran through his mind, as he walked back to Chris's office to fill out the rest of the paper work.
Why didn't he tell me anything?
Is everything okay?
He should've told me.
As time went by, Chef got finished with the paper work. He stood up, and went downstairs, falling asleep on the couch.
The next morning, Chris wakes up, drenched in sweat. His head was hurting, and he couldn't quite remember how he fell asleep. Slowly, he realized he wasn't in the office.
"..Huh?"
Someone knocked on the door, shortly after opening it. It was Chef.
"Mornin'."
"Hey.. "
"Well, looks like you overworked yourself. Again."
Chris rolled his eyes.
"No I didn't!-"
"No talkin' back! You quite literally passed out from exhaustion. You've got eye bags deeper than the Mariana trench."
For once, Chris stayed silent.
"That's what I thought. Is everything alright? I made breakfast."
"Yeah, yeah. Everything's fine.. It's just that my head hurts a bit."
"I thought so. You should get some extra rest."
"No, it's fine, really. I can-"
"No buts. You're getting rest, whether you like it or not."
Chris chuckled weakly, as he fell down on the bed again.
Chef walked to the bed, and sat down next to Chris. There was a sweet moment of silence, before Chris began to tear up.
".. It just became too much.. I don't know.. I feel like shit."
"Hey.. We all feel like shit every once in a while."
Chris chuckled again, wiping away his tears.
"Yeah, I guess we do."
Chef took Chris's hand in his own.
"I love you."
Chris smiled.
"I love you too."