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For days, it had been persistent. A sudden cough, a sudden aching in his body, it was unfamiliar to Gillion. He was able to hide it, for the most part, but his lack of sleep was starting to show, and Chip was the first one to bring it up. “Are you doing okay?” He said, “You look tired.” Gillion laughed. “Of course! Why wouldn’t I be okay—” he choked on his words, releasing a string of awfully sounding coughs. He cleared his throat and said, “See? I’m okay.” Chip raised an eyebrow and brought his palm up to Gillion’s forehead. “Gill, you’re burning up.”
“No, Chip. In fact, I am moister than usual.”
“Yeah, ‘cause you’re sweating.”
Gillion kept his head high, and his demeanor even higher. He’d been exhausted for far too long, and if it weren’t for others being around, he would’ve collapse into Chip’s arms right then and there. Gillion knew he wasn’t alright. The way the water in his barrel would match his body temperature at night was proof enough. “Come with me,” Chip said, taking Gillion’s hand, and leading him below deck—into the captain’s quarters. The moment Chip closed the door, Gillion rested his forehead on his shoulder. “I mustn’t let anyone see me like this.”
“Sit down.” Chip guided Gillion towards the bed. “How long have you been sick?”
“Three days.”
“And you didn’t tell me? Or Jay? Anyone?”
Gillion shook his head, pouting.
“Okay.” Chip sighed. “On a scale from one to ten, how bad is it right now?”
“I don’t know. It’s pretty bad, but it’s not that bad. Does that make sense?”
Chip blinked. “No.”
Gillion coughed, grasping at his throat. He swallowed, but it did nothing to soothe the soreness. “I’ll tell Earl to make some soup,” Chip said, “I’ll be back.” And with that, he left.
Some time later, Chip came back with a tray. Gillion was just waking up from his small shuteye. He smiled and watched as Chip readied everything. “Do you want to eat first?” Chip asked.
“I don’t think I can.” Gillion’s voice sounded hoarse.
Chip nodded. “Alright.”
Gillion wasn’t sure when he allowed himself to be vulnerable around Chip. He had no memory of that wall ever coming down. Either way, he was glad to have done so. To have someone, especially Chip, take care of him was all he could ever ask for.
Gillion sat up, and Chip placed an additional pillow behind him. “I’ve heard Jay say tea and honey helps with your throat.” He handed Gillion a cup of tea mixed with honey. “I know you might have a loss of appetite, or the pain might be too much to eat right now, but we could try starting with just the broth?”
Gillion smiled. “I’ll have the tea first, thanks.”
“I actually forgot something, so I’ll be right back—”
“—Don’t.” Gillion reached for Chip’s wrist. He sounded desperate, an unfamiliar craving or desire settling within him. “Please stay.”
Being alone was the last thing he wanted. “Alright,” Chip squeezed Gillion’s hand before letting go, “I’ll stay.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and watched as Gillion took a sip of tea. He grimaced first, then swallowed, and let out a big sigh of relief. “Not good, but it helps.”
“I actually expected you to like tea.”
“It reminds me too much of dirty water.”
“Dirty water? Oh my gods, don’t let Jay hear you. She’ll kill you.”
“It’s not dirty, it’s just sitting uncomfortably in between its components. It tastes like water with peppermint, not water and peppermint.”
“I still don’t get what the problem is.”
Gillion chugged the rest down and placed the cup on the tray. “You were supposed to drink it slowly,” Chip murmured, “but whatever.”
“Chip, aren’t you worried you’ll get sick being with me?” Gillion asked.
“I don’t mind. If anything, it must be your first time getting sick, right?”
Gillion thought about it for a second. “Yeah, it is.”
Gillion woke up shivering in the lukewarm waters of his barrel, his head pounding, and his body aching. He made his way out of his barrel carefully, as to not wake the sleeping frogtopus. He shook off the excess water and made his way to Chip’s bed. “Chip…” Gillion whimpered, the pounding in his head making it impossible to open his eyes.
“Gill?” Chip rubbed his eyes open, “what’s wrong?”
“I’m cold,” Gillion let out a shaky breath, “may I…join you?”
Gillion felt it was a stupid request, but something inside him urged him to ask. That craving, the desire—no, the need. He needed Chip.
“Sure.” Chip shifted to the side and made space for Gillion in his bed. He got ahold of his shaking body and gasped. “Gillion, you’re really hot.”
Gillion plopped down on the bed and said, “This isn’t the time for compliments, Chip.”
“No, I meant…your fever’s worse. Which is good, because it means your body’s fighting back, but it’s just more pain for you.”
Gillion settled into the bed, burying his face into Chip’s shoulder.
“Well, I’m definitely getting sick now.” Chip chuckled, pulling the covers over Gillion. “But I don’t mind. Right now, all I care about is you.”
Gillion was so focused on the pain that he almost missed his heart skip a beat. His body shivered for a while, and only calmed down when Chip placed a kiss on his forehead. Tears welled up in his eyes, Gillion hadn’t felt warmth like Chip’s in a while. Maybe he could afford to let the wall down more often, and not just when he’s feeling under the weather.
“You’ll feel better soon,” Chip whispered, “I’ll make sure of it.”
A thought popped up in Gillion’s mind. “And what if I need you?”
“You call for me.” Chip ran a hand through Gillion’s curls. “You say my name.”
“Chip?”
“Mhm?”
Gillion swallowed. His heart knocked against his chest, asking—begging to spill those words. “I need you.”
Chip smiled, rubbing and drawing circles on Gillion’s back. “I’m here.”