Chapter Text
Is it normal to feel so dizzy, that black dots start to fill your vision?
Is it normal to feel so unsteady, that you might collapse to the ground?
Yeah, Win didn’t think so either.
He had known from the second he had woken up this morning that something was a little off, dull headache welcoming itself early on into his day. Of course though, Win had brushed it off, thinking it would pass after doing a few laps at the university pool.
Because everyone knows working out when you feel sick is the perfect solution.
Yet, here he is now, sitting on the edge of the pool, breathless and no longer able to act as if things are alright.
His palms are pressed against his goosebump covered thighs as he tries to regulate his breathing in vain. He tries squeezing his eyes shut, praying that it is somehow going to slow down his thoughts, but sadly, that doesn’t offer him any comfort either.
He is extremely thankful when he feels someone’s hand press against his shoulder, alerting him of their presence.
"Win, we need to get you home."
He hears his best friend Dean whisper to him.
Usually, Win would have been the first to insist that he is fine and that the whole situation is being blown out of proportions, but today, he is in no mood to fight it.
In all honesty, he would do anything to be lying down in bed right now.
That’s just how horrible he feels.
Dean must feel alerted by his lack of reaction and debating, because Win is suddenly being scooped up into two pairs of strong arms and dragged onto a bench a little further away from the pool.
"Please go get Team. I think he’s still getting changed in the locker room." Dean commands to Pruk, concern obvious in his tone.
Yes, Team. Please go get my Team, Win allows himself to think.
Win attempts to open his eyes, but quickly realises that it is not a good idea. He feels as if he could fall onto rough concrete ground if he did so.
He can’t remember the last time he had felt this poorly.
"Hia…"
Team appears in the frame, very slowly sitting next to Win on the wooden bench.
The softness of Team’s voice rips Win further away from his efforts of staying calm and composed, suddenly wanting nothing more than to be weak in the younger boys’ arms.
"Dean said you weren’t feeling well…Why did you not tell me something was wrong when we woke up this morning Hia? We could have just stayed home…" Team asks, worry printed all over his face. He gently raises his hand to press his warm palm against Win’s cheek, holding it there protectively until the blonde gains enough courage to flutter his eyes open.
It confirms Win’s suspicions.
The world really is spinning out of control.
"I-It was just a little headache…I-I thought it would go away…" Win admits in shame, blinking a few times to shake the wooziness away.
"And you thought the right way to deal with your pain was to come workout at five in the morning for two hours…?" Dean asks a little ironically, shaking his head with discouragement. "You know…A simple, I don’t feel well, text would have been enough for me to understand. "
Win’s frown deepens.
He doesn’t have much to say in response to his friend’s statement.
He is thankful for Team’s hand that is delicately stroking his back.
"I know Dean…It’s just…It never gets this bad. "
He swallows a few times, saliva abruptly seeming thick in his mouth.
Team exhales, looking at Dean with a soft gaze. He knows the captain is just worried for Win, but he can’t help himself from wishing that he would stop sounding so harsh. Team gently runs the tip of his thumb against Win’s cheekbone, sensing how out of it he is.
"Well, clearly it has gotten bad this time mhm? " Dean questions with a sigh, already knowing the answer. He approaches both boys, holding a damp cloth in his left hand. He starts kneeling by his best friend’s side, pressing the cold water compress onto Win’s feverish forehead.
Team carefully brushes Win’s blond bangs out of the way with his fingers, wanting the compress to be applied directly to his burning skin. Team notices how Win is struggling to keep his head up, the pain banging against his skull becoming more and more unbearable.
"Shh…You’re going to be okay Hia... " Team reassures, eyes glued to his boyfriend.
Dean smiles softly at the amount of love radiating from Team’s eyes, but Win only manages to let out a small whine as a response to his heartfelt words.
"He used to get those pretty bad migraines when we were kids. My mom would have to call his mom to come pick him up when he came to play at my house sometimes. I didn’t know he still got them today…" Dean explains to Team with a frown, still holding the cloth protectively against Win’s forehead, carefully keeping an eye on the boys’ scrunched figure. "I know they got pretty ugly, because he would skip school for a few days from time to time. "
Team nods in acknowledgement.
"I should really get him to his room then. " Team states, continuously rubbing Win’s back with his free hand.
Dean immediately agrees, slowly removing the cloth from Win’s skin before standing up again.
"Do you need help getting him to the car? Please tell me he didn’t take the bike today? " Pruk asks, joining the three boy’s side just in case they would need his help with something.
Team slowly shakes his head.
"Thankfully no. We actually came here together with my car. " Team admits, really glad Win hadn’t insisted on taking his bike this morning.
In fact, thinking about it, Team realises that it should of have been his first sign of noticing something was off with his boyfriend.
He always wants to take that stupid motorcycle.
"Good. " Dean states, feeling reassured.
"Can you stand Hia…?" Team asks in the softest tone he can produce.
Win takes a deep breath before nodding.
The simple fact of moving his head from up and down makes him want to moan in pain.
Dean, Team and Pruk all exchange a glance, not quite convinced.
Team keeps a steady hand on Win’s back, carefully standing up with him, following his movement.
For a few seconds, things seem alright and they are all impressed.
Win is on his feet and he is taking a few stable steps in the vehicle’s direction.
Unfortunately, their hopefulness is quickly replaced with worry as Win loses balance, legs buckling out under him.
Team is the first one to catch him, keeping him from hitting the ground.
Dean and Pruk quickly follow, both holding their hands under Win’s armpits to stabilize him.
What sounds like a small whimper escapes the blondes’ lips.
"I’m…I’m so sorry…" Win wails, feeling extremely ashamed.
"Shut up. " Dean shakes his head.
Team is about to throw hands at Dean’s attitude, but before he says something, the captain of the swimming club is speaking again.
"Seriously. We love you and we are worried…We don’t care that you need help standing right now, we all need someone to keep us on the right path from time to time. So please, stop apologising for something that is out of your control. " Dean speaks with a firm, yet extremely caring tone.
Surprisingly enough, Team couldn’t agree more.
"He’s right Hia. It doesn’t matter. All we care about, is knowing that you are alright. " Team adds to the statement, knowing how hard Win always is on himself.
Win’s chin quivers as a response to all the love he is receiving, trying to hold onto the tears that are threatening him to fall.
He is not used to being on the receiving end.
"Now, can you please let us carry you? " Dean asks seriously.
Team catches Win look around them, a little worried at all the other students around.
"Seriously Hia, no one cares. They are all too busy monitoring their lap times. " Team promises, offering him a small smile of encouragement.
"And if they do say something about us carrying our sick friend, they are just really dumb people. " Pruk says to clear the air.
Win hesitates a little more before letting his guard down, but he eventually does.
He wishes for nothing more than to be in his dorm room with Team, away from all the judgemental eyes and away from the light.
The brightness of the sun is really doing nothing to help his throbbing temples.
"A-Alright…You…You can carry me. " Win agrees, now fully letting his guard down.
Win’s eyes are wet and Team is pretty sure he will break down in tears as soon as they will be alone.
He knows him too well by now.
Dean doesn’t have to be told twice to get into action. He scoops Win up into his arms as if he weighs a feather. The sick boy lets his head fall against his friends’ shoulder, figuring he had already lost all his dignity by now anyway.
Win wobbles around in his arms as they walk towards the car and it intensifies his already present nausea.
Team makes sure to stay very close to Win at all times, wanting to always be in his boyfriend’s sight.
He knows that he is Win’s safe space, just as much as Win is his.
Pruk is also close by their side, ready to switch places with Dean if ever Win becomes too heavy for him to carry.
When they finally reach Team’s car, he is quick to unlock his doors.
Dean carefully places Win in the passenger’s seat, bending down a little to ruffle his hair.
"Please take care of yourself…And only come back to the club when you feel completely better. " Dean warns him before closing the door. He gives Team a sad look, slowly shaking his head. "I know I don’t have to tell you this, but please take good care of him. I hate seeing him so…unwell. " Dean adds, worry written all over his face.
Team nods firmly.
"You can count on it. I won’t leave his side. "
"We know you won’t. " Pruk smiles lightly. "Please call us if you need anything, and let us know how he is, okay? "
Team promises that he will keep them updated before getting into his car, watching both boys as they make their way back to the club. He sighs in relief at how he and Win are finally alone, slowly turning his head to give Win a glance.
Win’s knees are tucked into his chest as he lays in what seems to be a very uncomfortable position. As soon as he see’s that Team is looking at him, his bottom lip starts to shake, emotion filling his chest and threatening him to explode.
He really hates feeling like this.
Team sighs, relieved that they are finally alone. He reaches out for his boyfriend’s hand and squeezes it tightly.
"Baby…I’m taking you home. "