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The ship’s floor rocked under Steve as he compulsively swallowed over the toilet. His mouth tasted like his breakfast in reverse and he groaned with annoyance as the rocking of the ship did nothing to help him feel better.
Steve hated himself. He was the one that convinced Eddie that going on a couple’s cruise would be fun and a chance to finally, truly, relax. And it’d made sense. They both had summers off since school was out; it had all lined up perfectly.
Steve didn’t count on being seasick.
His stomach flipped and Steve hiccupped and brought up more of his breakfast. It tasted sour and burned his throat. Shakily, he reached one hand over to flush.
A knock came on the door but Steve was thankful when the door handle didn’t jiggle.
“Steve?”
Eddie’s voice came from the room and Steve grimaced. He’d hoped Eddie would stay down at the buffet-style breakfast and just let him grab something from the room really quick. He’d used that excuse last night and came back with nothing, so he could only blame himself that Eddie had seen right through his excuse.
“Jus’ a minute,” Steve called.
“You okay?” Eddie’s voice floated through the door with a note of worry.
“Yeah, be out in a sec,” Steve called. He willed his voice not to shake.
Steve slowly stood, using one hand against the wall for support. He leaned against the sink and with one cupped hand, rinsed out his mouth before exiting the bathroom. Eddie at his side in seconds for support.
Eddie wore his burnt orange swimsuit trunks that Steve had laughed at and told him to get, and it was unfair that he looked that sexy in them with his sleeveless gray tee.
“Steve?” Confused, Eddie pressed a hand against Steve’s forehead. “Are you feeling okay?” He tried to help Steve to walk but Steve shook his head.
Eddie’s brow knitted in concern. “Are you sick?”
“Just…” Steve searched for a lame excuse, still wanting to preserve this vacation that he’d convinced Eddie on, but his shoulders sagged in defeat. “Seasick, I think,” he finally confessed.
“Seasick? We’ve been at sea since last night…” Eddie protested before his face opened to one of shocked realization.
“I didn’t want to ruin anything,” Steve admitted quietly. “I…I pushed for this cruise and now I just…can’t even handle being on it.”
“Hey, look at me,” Eddie murmured, tilting Steve’s pale face to meet his own. “Seasickness happens,” Eddie replied easily before planting a kiss on Steve’s forehead. “And you couldn’t ruin this vacation if you tried.”
Steve gave him a weary smile as Eddie stroked his cheek.
Eddie patted Steve’s shoulder and turned to root through his suitcase. “Besides, Wayne packed us some ginger candies in case we got sick. Man swears by them.”
Steve watched Eddie grab a handful of the candies and then reach for the water bottle by the bed.
“Let’s get you feeling better, Stevie,” Eddie smiled.