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The June sun beat down as Nick made his way back to the beach house he and Charlie had rented. Despite being under a heat advisory, they had ventured out at noon armed with water bottles to try to spot dolphins again. The sand fluctuated from firm and easy to walk on to mushy, causing Nick to feel like he was trudging through snow most of the walk. Charlie hadn't seemed bothered, though, when Nick mentioned the sand being difficult to walk in.
They had walked for about half an hour before Charlie spotted a baby dolphin jumping out of the water.
"Oh, Nick, did you see that?!" Charlie had excitedly started pointing to the water. Nick, too busy trying to stay upright, had missed it. They watched for a few minutes, only seeing dorsal fins and backs, before Nick started getting a headache and felt nauseous.
"Char, I'm going to head back."
Charlie, eyes still trained on the ocean, squeezed his hand, "Are you sure? You were so excited to see them the other day."
Nick had been excited today as well until nature decided to work against him at every turn. How was Charlie perfectly fine and Nick felt like he was dying?
"Yeah, it's just really hot. You don't have to go with me, you can stay longer… just be careful, yeah?"
Charlie peeled his eyes away to give Nick a quick kiss. "I'm going to stay a little bit longer. And I've still got water. Text me when you get back, ok?"
Nick had agreed and turned back towards the beach access point. Even walking in the water didn't seem to cool him off enough or help his legs. By the time he made it back to the boardwalk his legs were more sore than he could ever remember and he was sure he was going to faceplant going up the steps.
Now, reaching their beach house, Nick considers going up to take a cool shower but catches sight of the pool and changes course. The pool should feel like bath water already, having soaked up heat all morning. That will help the soreness in my legs, Nick thinks, opening the gate, then I'll take a cool shower. He pulls his t-shirt off, wipes the sweat off his face, and enters the pool using the steps. He pulls several pool noodles off the deck and tucks them under his chest for support. He rests his hands on the edge of the pool and his legs finally relax.
. . . . . .
"-ick! Nick!"
Nick slowly blinks his eyes open. He's still floating in the pool with three pool noodles supporting his upper body. And Charlie's back. He's so beautiful, Nick thinks.
"Oh thank God," Charlie says from where he's crouched next to the pool, worry creasing his face.
"Hi, Char," Nick says dazedly as Charlie pulls him towards the steps of the pool.
"What the actual fuck were you thinking?" Charlie pulls the pool noodles out from under Nick's arms and tosses them on the pool deck. Keeping a firm grip on Nick's arm with one hand and the railing with the other, Charlie guides them out of the pool.
"Don't you know falling asleep in the pool is incredibly dangerous? You couldn't have waited for me to get back? You didn't even text!"
Nick closes his eyes and leans his forehead on Charlie's shoulder. "I'm sorry, its just... Char, I'm so tired."
"So you decided to take a nap in the pool?" Nick rarely hears Charlie angry but he can hear the genuine worry behind the sharp words.
"My legs hurt, so I..." Nick trails off as his stomach lurches and he stumbles a bit as Charlie walks them towards the beach house. "...the warm water…but I don't feel good, Charlie."
"It's ok, I've got you," Charlie's voice has changed to fully worried and he lets Nick cling to him as they ascend the wooden stairs leading to the front door. "Nick, tell me exactly how you feel."
Why is it so hard to think? "My legs hurt." Fuck, you already said that. "Um, my stomach's upset, I have a headache, I'm a little dizzy…I'm really tired, Char, can I lay down? I feel like I'm burning up."
"I'm working on it…" Nick can tell Charlie is trying to stay calm. Charlie helps Nick inside and onto the couch. "Ok, don't move."
Nick watches his boyfriend fiddle with the thermostat, grab a bottle of water from the fridge, look at something on his phone, then disappear into the bathroom. As the ceiling fan stirs the air above him Nick thinks, I should be cold sitting here wet and shirtless. But he just continues sweating, occasionally lifting a hand to wipe his face. Charlie returns with the first aid kit muttering "Fuck, fuck, fuck," under his breath.
Nick reaches a hand over and tries to clasp Charlie's wrist. "Can I have some water?"
Charlie's frown deepens, "Um, let me check…" He looks at his phone again and puts a hand on Nick's forehead.
"I need to make sure you don't have heat stroke first. Most of your symptoms line up with both heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Good news is your skin isn't red and hot- it's kinda clammy," Charlie rambles as he digs through the kit, " which points to heat exhaustion but I want to check your temp to make sure because if you have heat stroke I have to call 911. And I can't give you water." He pulls out the thermometer, turns it on, and puts it in Nick's armpit. Nick can see his resolve wavering and leans over to put his head on Charlie's shoulder. Charlie gently runs his fingers through Nick's hair. With his other hand Charlie puts two fingers on the pulse point in Nick's neck.
"Your weak pulse also points to heat exhaustion instead of stroke," Charlie says in a softly trembling voice. "Which isn't good, but we can manage that here."
Nick tries to respond but just ends up nodding against Charlie's shoulder. The thermometer beeps and Charlie removes it. He lets out a sigh of relief, "Ok, you've got a low grade fever and you don't have any other heat stroke symptoms so we're going to get you in a cool bath and get your temp down."
Charlie stands up and Nick tries to follow but is gently pushed back into the couch. "You wait here, I'll go start the bath." Charlie opens the water bottle and hands it to Nick, "Small sips, ok?"
A few minutes later Charlie returns with a washcloth and a straw, placing the cloth on Nick's forehead before sitting next to him.
"Here, babe, this'll be easier," Charlie says as he places the reusable straw in the bottle. Nick takes a few small sips while Charlie rubs his back. The washcloth is ice cold and brings some added relief.
When the tub is about halfway full Charlie helps Nick into the bath, keeping a firm grip on both arms since Nick's legs are still weak . As Nick sinks into the cool water he notices some ice floating in it. Charlie smooths his hair as he settles, trying not to slosh water. Nick sips from his water bottle with one hand and grips Charlie's hand weakly with the other.
The cool water soothes his too hot body and his eyes slip closed.Occasionally he hears more ice plop into the water and Charlie continues stroking his hair. Some time later an alarm goes off.
"Nick?" Charlie's voice wobbles.
"Hm?"
"How are you feeling?"
"Mmm…" Nick tries to focus and shivers a bit, "I feel better. Head still kinda hurts and I'm still really tired."
"Ok. Well, you've stopped sweating. I think we can get you dried off and take your temperature again. And I'll get you a pain reliever."
Nick squeezes his hand. "Thanks, Char. I'm so so-"
Charlie puts a cold finger on his lips, "It's ok. Come on, let's get you up."
Charlie drains the bathtub and helps Nick stand and dry off. His legs are still wobbly but less sore. Charlie roots through Nick's suitcase for a pair of boxers and Nick continues to lean on him, towel around his shoulders and water still dripping from his swim shorts. After handing him a pair, Charlie starts to move away but Nick catches his wrist.
"Help me?"
Charlie furrows his brow before understanding dawns. He guides Nick so he can steady himself on the dresser before peeling the wet shorts off his boyfriend. Charlie quickly towels him off before picking up the boxers. "Right leg up," he directs. Nick obeys, feeling like a little kid. Charlie helps make sure his foot doesn't get tangled. "Left leg up." Charlie places a kiss on each thigh before standing and pulling Nick towards the bed and helping him up.
Finally Nick is laying in bed with the thermometer under his armpit again, Charlie puttering around and fussing while they wait. Nick chuckles when Charlie throws on a sweatshirt, joggers, and fuzzy socks.
The thermometer beeps and Charlie nearly trips over himself getting to Nick's side. Examining the reading, Charlie does a little happy dance and kisses Nick's forehead.
"Woohoo! It's normal!"
Nick smiles as Charlie continues dancing. "Can I take a nap now?"
Charlie stops and his face falls. He pulls his sleeves over his hands and tucks them around his waist. "Yeah, do you want me to go or-"
"Please stay," Nick reaches for Charlie. Charlie gives him a small smile and climbs onto the bed, pulling a blanket over himself since he brought the room temperature down to 65 degrees. He pokes his hand out of the blanket and takes Nick's. He gives it a kiss and says, "Sweet dreams," as sleep takes over Nick.
. . . . . . . .
Nick wakes to the sound of someone crying quietly. He opens his sandpaper eyes and blinks against the light of the room. He rolls over towards the sound and is met with his boyfriend trying to wipe tears away even as they continue falling. He reaches out a hand to cup Charlie's cheek and his eyes fly open, red and puffy.
"Char, what's wrong?"
A sob wracks his body as he clings to Nick's arm. "You could have died," he chokes out in between sobs.
"I'm alright though, I'm alright." Nick tries to sooth Charlie, running a thumb over his cheekbone. Charlie only cries harder and Nick pulls him into his arms.
"My headache and nausea are gone and I'm actually freezing now-" Nick breaks off as he tries to get under Charlie's blanket too. That earns him a small laugh and Charlie burrows into him.
"We weren't even out there for very long- how did you- I didn't even know you felt ill." Charlie's voice is muffled against Nick's chest. Guilt washes over Nick.
"I should have told you I didn't feel well. I just," Nick pauses, "It's hard sometimes for me to admit I can't do things. And seeing you have no problem out there I felt like I was overreacting."
Charlie tightens his grip on Nick. "It's always ok to tell me if you're not feeling well. Please don't hide that from me."
Nick can hear the fear in Charlie's voice. "I promise to tell you from now on." He presses a kiss to Charlie's curls. "It must have been scary to find me in the pool like that. I got in because I thought the warm water would soothe my sore legs but then I was just so tired."
Charlie nods and says, "I was terrified. And you forgot to text. I just saw the gate open." Nick kisses his head again and they lay quietly for a few minutes just holding each other. They both shiver at the same time
"Fuck, it's freezing in here!" Nick finally breaks the silence.
"Oi! You were literally burning up earlier!" Charlie exclaims, sitting up. Nick pulls him back down and captures his lips in a kiss.
"Thank you," another kiss, "I love you, Char."
"I love you too."