Work Text:
Johnny couldn’t get warm.
He was piled under blankets, hiding in Dally’s bed while his partner went to get changed yet he was still cold.
It was never this cold at Buck’s place, not in the back of the house, and especially not in April.
His teeth kept chattering and he kept pulling the dirty sheets around himself more and more.
Johnny Cade had a good immune system, the last time he was sick was forever ago, but he’d been knocked out for days during it. When he got sick he got sick hard.
The door opened and Dally walked in, he smiled a little and sat next to johnny. The latter wasn’t able to see his boyfriend from underneath the pillows.
“You gonna let me get in bed?” Dallas brushed through Johnnys hair, chuckling at how it made him squirm. He liked that he knew what made johnny react.
Johnny thought for a moment before wordlessly lifting up the blanket for Dally to crawl in.
“Thanks Doll,” He mumbled, pressing a kiss to Johnnys temple, “Jesus kid, you’re really warm. You sick?”
There was a weak groan from Johnny and he buried himself in Dally’s chest, “no, i don’t get sick, and ‘m real cold Dal.”
Dallas made the decision to ignore it, hoping Johnny could sleep it off or something. He was a tough kid. He’d be fine.
Johnny fell asleep not long after, but Daley stayed awake, just making sure Johnny didn’t have a nightmare.
It was around 11 when he felt Johnny start to shiver. They came at random, some more violent and lasting longer than others. He could faintly hear the boys teeth chattering.
Dallas brushed back johnnys hair again, “johnny, baby, you gotta wake up now.”
He was warm, too warm. Dammit Winston. Poor kid was overheating.
Johnny let out a pained whine in response, clinging to Dally again, “it’s so cold Dal. I can’t get warm.”
Dally kissed his face, holding him closer, “Darling you’re too hot, you gotta cool down. I don’t want you feeling any worse.”
Dallas started to push the blankets off his lover, making him whimper in protest.
“Shhh, you gotta cool off my love. I’m gonna get a cold rag ok? i’ll be right back.” A hospital was too expensive, and the Curtis boys weren’t gonna be awake for another 9 hours. Looks like Dallas was in for it.
He came back a couple minutes later, a rag in one hand and a bowl of cold water in the other.
He gently rolled johnny onto his back, pressing the rag onto his forehead.
Johnny pulled away, eyes still not opening, “Dally it’s too cold..”
His voice was so hoarse it made Dally’s throat hurt, “i know hun, but you’ll feel better soon. Just relax.”
Johnny squirmed, squeezing his eyes shut, but he let it happen. He didn’t want Dally to get angry and hurt him.
Dallas smiled softly, helping Johnny sit up, “Let’s get you out of your shirt baby, you’re all sweaty.”
Johnny did as told, still keeping his eyes closed. He flopped back down once Dally was done.
They sat there for a while, about an hour, Dally changing the rag out every now and then and Johnny making small noises of discomfort.
Dally held Johnnys hand, kissing his knuckles softly, “you’re ok johnnycake, i’m right here.”
“It’s too cold Dal,” He was shaking again, the shivers racking his small frame with the little energy he still had, “it’s so cold.”
“i know it’s cold, but you’re gonna be ok,” Dallas smiled when Johnny finally opened his eyes, “there’s my beautiful boy.”
Johnny hummed a little and let them close again, he looked so weak like this. So vulnerable, like he’d break if Dallas wasn’t careful.
Then Johnnys started to whine and clutch his stomach.
“Dal, Dal ‘m gonna be sick-“ he covered his mouth to suppress a gag. Dally was right there with the spare bucket he always kept under his bed, “i gotcha kiddo, just try not to spill over.”
He helped johnny sit up, rubbed his back while the poor kid emptied his stomach. It made his heart break.
“You done?” Dally brushed his bangs away from his eyes, humming when he got a positive response from Johnny.
He laid his partner back down, disposed of the bucket, and then got in bed with him.
Johnny whined and pushed him
back, “You’ll get sick Dal..”
Dally only pulled him closer, “Johnny, the chances that i don’t have what you have are impossibly close to zero. And i ain’t a math guy. I’ll either be sick tomorrow or it won’t be a big deal, either way i’m gonna hold you.”
He relished in the way Johnny relaxed against him, heaving a sigh out at how good being this close felt.
“Love you Dal.”
“Love you to JohnnyCake, please get better.”