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Solar’s eyes are heavy with grogginess when they flutter open, adjusting to the harsh light streaming in through his curtains. His throat is an inferno, raw and sore from the assault of acid reflux that had flared up during the night. One wrong move and it feels like razorblades have been slashed against his esophagus, and breathing brought a rise and fall of acid bubbling in his chest. It’s uncomfortable and makes a deep breath painful and nauseating.
With one arm clutching his uneasy tummy, he swings his legs over the side of his bed with a soft groan - not too loud, he didn’t want to draw attention in case someone was walking by his door. Solar gingerly moves to his feet, his spine cracking audibly and his stomach giving a violent jerk. A wave of nausea nearly knocks him over, or at least back onto his bed—he sways in place uneasily. The sensation of burning acid flooding his esophagus is so horrible he considers trying to vomit, if only for the sake of relief. That seems tedious and not worth the effort at all - not to mention, it would worry Gempa, and Gempa becomes overbearing when worried. Solar didn’t want to be fretted over right now.
He can't stop grimacing—it's like a reflex, almost involuntary. Constantly clearing his throat or swallowing instinctively. It doesn’t help with the symptoms or discomfort, but it gives him the feeling of control over his body. He takes cautious steps, slow and steady as his stomach rolls and saliva builds up under his tongue and the back of his throat. It makes him feel somehow more queasy if that was even possible.
Water. Water is what I need. Solar thinks. Despite the queasiness, the bloating, the acid splashing against the back of his throat, he walked to his door. The smell of pancakes and eggs fills his nostrils the moment he opens his door, and there’s the distinct sound of chatter and bickering downstairs. Each step down the stairs jostles Solar’s stomach, making the nausea impossibly worse. He grimaces, keeping his mouth closed tightly as he finally pats down the last step. The aroma, albeit pleasant, makes a wave of warmth crawl up his throat and coat the roof of his mouth—the sensation is hot and sour, raising goosebumps over his clammy skin. He stands at the foot of the stairs, trembling and breathless, one hand braced on the wall, the other resting on his sternum. The others knew about his GERD, Gempa would always give Solar his medication dose before meals, and he even started altering his cooking to make it easier for him to digest. Gempa would make him separate meals, even if it took extra time and effort.
There’s a strange mix of a soft warmth in his stomach and the churning of an overproduction of acid. Facing his brothers feels impossible, but his socked feet pad into the crowded kitchen. Solar feels the weight of their stares, their eyes on his shaking frame. They've seen him at his worst; it shouldn't be that big of a deal. But he's the youngest brother - he wants to show his brothers how strong he is. He's supposed to be cool for them.
"Solar's awake," Duri chirps, the first to break the uncomfortable silence that has settled over them. "Come join us for breakfast! Gempa made pancakes and eggs!” Solar doesn’t reply, just slinking down into his chair at the table. The discomfort from standing and moving fades into a dull ache in his upper stomach, and the acid settles enough for him to take a deep breath. Solar doesn’t have to say anything, Gempa slides a paper cup in front of Solar. The paper cup has the acid reflux medication his doctor had prescribed him.
Solar murmurs out a quiet ‘thanks’, taking a sip of the water that Ice offered before popping the small pill into his mouth. It tastes medicinal and weird, but he knows it will help. He doesn't make eye contact with his brothers as he slowly drinks. Every gulp is painful and difficult. He doesn't have much of an appetite, but his stomach feels so painfully empty - with the exception of the acid sloshing around. As he pulls the glass away from his mouth, he can feel the water disrupt what little calm that had settled into his stomach and his mouth floods with thick saliva. He swallows thickly, placing the glass down with a soft clink. He can feel eyes on him, specifically Gempa’s which are practically staring holes into the back of his head, watching his every movement.
“Solar?" His stomach contracts like a hand around his spine.
"Are you okay?" It's Duri’s voice this time, laced with a gentle warmth. Everything is too much. The nausea, the burning in his chest and throat, Blaze is tapping his foot too loudly, Taufan’s humming is piercing right through his head, Duri’s soft touch against his shoulder feels like he’s being burnt. His eyes are squeezed shut to hold back the tears but also his stomach contents.
"S-Shh," he slurs softly, his face pale, "You’re all too loud."
The silence that fills the room is deafening - almost. It’s like a soothing balm to Solar’s overstimulated mind. Blaze stops his tapping, Taufan stops his humming, but Duri keeps his hand on his shoulder gently like a grounding anchor. Solar doesn’t have it in him to swat his hand away, and he secretly enjoys the comfort. Solar clears his throat, eyes flicking up across the table at his other brothers.
“I’m sorry. My acid reflux is bad this morning. It must be something I ate yesterday.” He manages to say. The acid is thick in his throat through each word, and the brothers can hear the nausea in his voice.
Halilintar moves to get up from the table, and Solar can faintly hear the sound of their youngest brother scrambling around the kitchen. He returns with a hot cup of chamomile tea, the steam wafting from the surface. Duri removes his hand from Solar's shoulder as Halilintar gently places the mug in front of Solar.
"Tea. It’s supposed to help with stomach issues," Halilintar offers, sitting back in his chair. "I think.”
Solar stares down at the tea, his reflection staring back at the murky brown liquid. He wraps his hands around the warm mug, the steam tickling his nose.
“.. Thank you.” He takes a tentative sip from the mug. The warmth of the tea flows down his throat and into his upset stomach, but he knows he has to be careful not to gulp it down, the feeling of a full stomach makes the nausea much worse. His other brothers are watching him with a mixture of worry and sympathy. It's awkward and he wishes he could disappear. As he’s distracted with the tea and swallowing down the excess saliva forming in his mouth, he feels a hand slip against his sweatshirt directly above his sweater. He nearly chokes on his saliva, glancing over. Of course it’s Duri’s gentle hand over his stomach, he was always overly touchy - Solar would complain, but he really didn’t hate it, he loved it.
“What are you doing?” Solar manages. Duri shrugs innocently, hand pressing down a bit.
“Whenever I have a tummy ache, Gempa rubs it for me. It makes it feel better. Maybe it will make you feel better too.” Duri smiles, hand making gentle circles against his sweater. Solar doesn’t reply, taking another small sip of the tea. He doesn’t want to admit it, but Duri’s hand soothes the uneasy ache that was making the acid somehow worse. Duri can feel Solar relax beneath his hand, his breathing evening out as he seems to slump deeper in the chair.
“See?” Duri asks with a smile. “Tummy rubs always help.” Solar can’t help but nod.
The nausea had died down, the queasy rolling of his stomach was calmed by Duri’s warm hand, his mind quiet and dulled by the company of his brothers.