Chapter Text
The sun was burning mercilessly on his head. Casey took his cap off to wipe the sweat from his forehead. The bright light was hurting in his eyes, and he squinted, putting the cap back on quickly. Not for the first time he cursed that he’d forgotten his sunglasses.
It was stupid to work on a rooftop in this kind of weather anyway. He hadn’t planned to, being fully aware that with this level of heat, it was rather dangerous. But because it was a friend of Gabby’s, and Gabby still wasn’t shy about asking him for favours, and he still couldn’t say no to Gabby, he was on a rooftop in the godforsaken afternoon heat, sun burning down on his head, shirt wet from sweat and glued unpleasantly to his back, and did repairs that could have been done weeks ago. But now, a bad weather front was at the doorstep of Chicago, and it had to happen today so Gabby’s friends wouldn’t get their heads wet. Never mind the headache he was in for.
But it was his own fault for not saying no, and so he could as well stop complaining and get finished. With a sigh, Casey grabbed for another tile and placed it.
The sun was slowly sinking by the time he was done and climbed down the ladder. He grabbed for his water bottle and emptied it with one long swig. It wasn’t nearly enough to compensate for what he’d lost in sweat. Gabby’s friend, Caroline, had provided him with sandwiches and lemonade throughout the day, and she put a fresh cool glass in his hand now, smiling apologetically. “Thank you so much. I feel bad for having you do this on such a hot day… should have taken care of it weeks ago, but you know how it is, always something else on your mind, and it’s so hard to get a good constructor.”
He took the cold drink gratefully, smiling. “It’s fine, I’m happy to help if I can.” He probably gulped the lemonade down a bit too fast, since his stomach didn’t agree much to the cold fluid, spasming unpleasantly. He handed the empty glass back and wiped over his forehead with the back of his hand, feeling a bit dizzy. “Thanks for the food. I’ll get packed up, can’t wait to get under the shower to be honest.”
“Of course. Thank you, again. And please, don’t set the bill too low. I know it’s hard work, especially with conditions like today.”
He smiled and nodded. Caroline was nice, and he was happy that he could help out. Even though he began to feel he had been too long in the sun. But nothing a long shower and a cool beer couldn’t heal.
But when he finally got home, he didn’t feel like drinking the beer he’d been looking forward to anymore. He was a bit nauseous, and the headache had hit him fully by now, pounding behind his eyes. He stepped under the shower, and when the water hit the skin of his neck, he swore. That felt like one hell of a sunburn. Looking at his arms, he figured they weren’t off much better. Suncream exists for a reason, you know, he berated himself. Too late for that thought though. He would have to live through it now.
Returning to the living area, his legs and arms felt like Jello. He managed to drag himself to the kitchen and fetch a bottle of Gatorade and some aspirin before he collapsed on the couch. The Gatorade made his stomach turn even more, and he put it aside, curling in on his side and closing his eyes. It felt like the couch was moving.
He must have drifted off into a light slumber as the banging of the door made him jerk up. His head was spinning, and his stomach churning, and he heaved, not able to control it, vomit splattering all over the couch table.
“Jesus, Casey, are you sick?”
He just groaned, pressing his eyes tightly shut. His head was throbbing like someone held a sledgehammer against it.
A cool hand was pressed to his forehead, and Severide’s voice was closer now. “Holy shit, you’re cooked. You didn’t work outside today, did you?”
All he could muster was another incoherent groan, and another wave of bile made its way up his throat, and he pressed a hand over his mouth in a desperate attempt to keep it in.
“Dammit”, Severide mumbled, stepping away, only to return shortly after with a bucket he held under his chin. “Come on, let it out.” A cold cloth was pressed against his neck and Casey heaved, emptying the last contents of his stomach into the bucket. “S-sorry”, he stammered, squinting against the light.
“Don’t worry about it.” Severide wiped the cloth over his face. He grabbed for his chin and tilted his head, inspecting his face. “I think you are suffering from heat stroke. Come on, we need to lie you down.” He wrapped a strong arm under Casey’s shoulders and hauled him up, and the truck lieutenant didn’t fight it, leaning against the other man while he led him to his bedroom. Severide helped him settle down on the mattress, and he let out a low whine when he brushed the skin of his lower arms in the process. “Ow.”
Severide just shook his head, mumbling, “You really topped it off today, dumbass.”
Shortly after, something pricked his arm, but he was too out of it to care and just buried his head into the pillow, relaxing as he knew Severide was watching over him.
When he woke the next time, his headache had dulled considerably, and he didn’t feel nauseous anymore. His limbs were still heavy as lead though, and he was tired. Something touched his arm, and it burned, and he jerked it away, letting out a small cry. Eyes wide open, he glared accusingly at Severide.
“What are you doing?!”
“Taking care of you. Give that arm back.”
“No, it fucking hurts.”
Severide rolled his eyes. “Yes, because you got one hell of a sunburn. Now, let me apply the salve, or it’s going to hurt much longer.”
Casey took a careful look at his arm. Yeah, that was one hell of a sunburn. From the feels of it, his neck wouldn’t look much better. He sighed, a little embarrassed. “Alright.” A glance at his other arm revealed not only a light bandage, but an IV line as well, and he frowned. “Did you give me an IV?”
“I did. You were dehydrated, suffering from heat stroke, and I figured you wouldn’t speak to me ever again if I dragged your sorry ass to the hospital, so, since luckily for you I’m EMT certified, I made use of the special Casey caring kit I keep in my room.”
His words made Casey chuckle, and at the same time, tears pricked at his eyes, and he lightly brushed his fingers over Severide’s hand. “Thanks, Sev.”
The squad lieutanant smiled. “Anytime. Now, sit up so I can take care of your neck.”
He did with the other man’s help, closing his eyes and enjoying the gentle touch against his burning skin. Maybe all the hassle had been good for something after all.