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It started with someone bring in food at harbor. Most the time Tommy would go in if someone was getting something delivered there. Since he’d started dating Evan he’d either get something his boyfriend made or Bobby had made and sent extras for him. That had been the one thing he’d missed after transferring out the family dinners. Bobby’s cooking was great, but Evan’s was awesome. He could cook sure, but not like his boyfriend could or former captain. Though Tommy was kind of wishing he’d remembered to grab the container in the fridge when he’d left that morning. It would have saved him from the way he was feeling right now.
Everyone that had eaten the food brought in had gotten sick in under an hour, but he hadn’t, right off. It thankfully wasn’t laced with drugs like Evan had told him happened years back at the 118. He had thought he was okay at first, didn’t get sick at first. He’d laid down with his stomach feeling yucky. When he’d woken back up an hour later he’d barely made it to the bathroom. Everything had come back up after ten minutes.
His stomach had felt like someone pulled it out of his body, took a hammer to it, then put it back in upside down, backwards, and inside out. He’d tried the go to for when his stomach was upset which was toast and peanut butter. He’d gotten sick all over again before he even finished the food. He’d made it outside because there had been no way to make it to the bathroom. Outside was closer so he’d gone there.
It was bad when a relief shift had to be called in because everyone was sick. Since he’d thought he was fine he’d stayed when most the shift had left. He’d been the one that called in the relief shift the hour or so before when the first ones started getting sick. Their captain had been the first one and it was like a chain reaction after that. Once he’d managed to not feel like he was going hurl and could get up he’d gone in finding the relief shift captain. He’d told her he was sick after all, and she’d sent him home.
Tommy wasn’t even sure how long ago that was. He’d crashed on the bed when he got to his house. His stomach and head hurt like that one time he’d had the stomach flu. He rolled over groaning feeling the nausea building. He kept swallowing over and over because he hated throwing up. He only got shitfaced drunk a few times in his life bad enough to throw up. Most the time he could handle it, but right now felt like one of those times he hadn’t. He hadn’t eaten anything after the half-eaten toast. His stomach had to be empty, but he still felt it. He’d drank a ginger ale on the way home. Maybe that was what was trying to come back up. He reached over grabbing the trash can near the wall because the fast swallowing wasn’t helping. He wasn’t going be able make it to the bathroom either.
He could feel the muscles in his stomach trying to rebel from the amount of times he’d puked and dry heaved. He laid there half on and half off the bed with his eyes shut after everything was out. He could taste the ginger ale that had come back up and the lingering of peanut butter in his mouth from earlier. He knew he needed to at least drink something so he didn’t get dehydrated, but the will power to move was not there.
He just hoped to god he didn’t have to go to the bathroom. Which he was regretting thinking because he should have known just thinking that would be like mentioning the q word on shift. You never said the q word when things were slow. Of course everything couldn’t have come out when he’d puked he thought. He laid there for another minute before forcing himself up. This wasn’t going to be fun at all.
~BT BT BT BT~
Buck had tried calling multiple times, but Tommy wasn’t answering the phone. Everyone kept telling him he was probably out on a call at first. Then Lucy had text him she’d had to do something first half the shift so hadn’t been there when the food poisoning had happened. She’d said that Tommy had left, but he’d just looked a little pale according to the captain. Buck had been worried after that. It had gotten to the point that he couldn’t just stay there anymore. He’d thought about all the things that could happen. What if Tommy had gotten worse driving home or what if he’d had to go to the hospital.
He’d been spinning out. The problem had been that he didn’t have his Jeep there. It was sitting in Tommy’s garage waiting for his boyfriend to work on it. Tommy or Eddie had been taking him to work after the motor had given out in the Jeep. He’d refused to give it up though. It meant too much to him which Tommy knew. He’d tried fixing it himself, but it needed a complete overhaul done to it. He’d paid for all the parts to get it fixed since Tommy got how much it meant to him. So he hadn’t been able to just take off in the Jeep.
Bobby had let Eddie, keeping a radio with him, drive him to Tommy’s place. If a call came out Eddie would just meet them on scene. He had a key to Tommy’s place just like he’d given him one to his. He had it in his hand with Eddie standing beside him. They’d seen Tommy’s vehicle, so he was home, but he was still slightly shaking. The key didn’t want to go in the lock. It was the first time that either of them had been sick or injured.
What if Tommy was okay and he was overreacting. He didn’t want his boyfriend thinking he was going to lose it all the time. Tommy knew him though, knew he clung because he was scared of being abandoned. They’d established he didn’t just have daddy issues, he had mommy ones too. There was a whole arms length of issues he had, the top of the list was losing someone he loved. Tommy was tied for the top spot on that list.
Buck found the key taken from his hand and Eddie was putting it into the lock. The key chain had a helicopter on it that he’d found. He’d had the keychain before he had the key to put it on. It had only made sense to put his pilot boyfriend’s house key on the keychain. He was inside the house calling Tommy’s name out. Eddie was going in the other direction while he went towards the bedroom. He got there and was relieved to find Tommy on the bed. He was half dressed laying across the bed crossways, not the normal way one would lay on the bed.
He also had a pillow under his stomach that Buck could see. Though another one was in the floor like he’d knocked it off. Tommy’s head was hanging part way off the bed too. If he wasn’t concerned, Buck would probably find it cute. He’d also find it hot watching Tommy sleep, especially with only a pair of boxer briefs on. He wasn’t sure if he was comfortable or not, but Buck didn’t want to bother him. He moved back out of the doorway meeting Eddie as he was coming towards the room.
“He’s out, I didn’t turn on the light, but he looks kind of pale.” Buck said. “Lucy said it was either bad sliced meat or the chicken salad. They couldn’t be sure. Though someone said Tommy had gotten some toast and got sick again.” He remembered the conversation because he’d been pumping Lucy for information. She hadn’t been there and only learned it second hand though. Tommy had been gone by the time she got on shift.
“You saw him and he’s here alive. I’ll stay for a little bit before I go back. I got the radio on me.” Eddie said adjusting it around his shoulder. “I’ll call Cap let them know. We’ve all had food poisoning before. It’s horrible, but we survived. At least they didn’t get dosed because that would have sucked. Especially if he’d been flying after he ate.” Eddie said not wanting to think how badly that could have gone.
“I know you’re right, but I love him and don’t like that he’s feeling bad.” Buck said. “Thanks for bringing me, but you can head back. I am a pro at taking care of sick people.”
He gave slight smile thinking about all times he had helped over last six years take care of Eddie and Christopher when they were sick. Eddie was worse than Chris when sick. Last year he’d also helped when Maddie and Chimney were both sick and Jee stayed with him because she wasn’t. Everyone hovered if he got sick so wasn’t like he was only one did it. The lighting strike had been last injury outside busted lip when bridge collapsed, he’d gotten. They all rallied when one of them were sick.
When Chimney and Maddie had gotten married they’d all searched like crazy for him. He wondered if Tommy had anyone before to take care of him. Sure he was an adult, but they hadn’t talked about this really. Their scars and near-death experiences yes, but from the times they had talked about those he had gotten the feeling that Tommy had been alone for most part. He’d had to take care of himself, which sucked. So he was going to be here now even if it was bad food that had Tommy feeling horrible.
“Tell him to feel better. I’ll text later to check in.” Eddie said giving Buck’s shoulder a squeeze.
“I will.” Buck said with a smile.
He felt better being here and seeing that Tommy wasn’t dead. He went back in the bedroom sitting on the floor watching Tommy sleep. He wanted to know the second he woke up and needed him. The mornings that he woke up first he’d do this. Watch Tommy sleep because it made him feel safe. He hadn’t felt that before and some had found it creepy.
He had woken up to the same thing before. Tommy watching him sleep, it was a comforting feeling. It was nothing like the one woman from years ago while he’d been in the fire academy that had been chanting when he'd woken up. He’d ended that fast and had been glad she didn’t know where he lived. He’d only slept with her that one night and he could have sworn she’d been trying to sacrifice him to something. He wanted to get in the bed with Tommy, he just wasn’t sure if it would make things better or worse. He could sit there for a little longer then he’d make a decision.
~BT BT BT BT BT~
Tommy felt himself waking up, but he didn’t open his eyes at first. He didn’t feel like it. He also was hoping if he could trick his mind into thinking he was still not awake his stomach wouldn’t start hurting again. He’d taken something to hopefully settle his stomach before he’d fallen asleep. After a moment he could feel the daggers in his stomach starting back up. He’d thought laying on the pillow would feel better than the direct bed. His stomach had started spasming from the throwing up which had been hell. So he’d laid on the bed hoping that if he put some pressure on his stomach it would stop. Even though it made it hurt more laying on it.
He went to roll over even if he didn’t want to but realized that he wasn’t moving. He couldn’t because he had something on top of him or rather someone. There were two people that had a key to his place, but only one that would crawl into bed with him. He had to smile even though he felt like crap. He should have known that Evan would be there. He just hadn’t realized he’d slept all day and night.
“Evan, baby, need to roll over.” Tommy said. He had to get off his stomach because it was sore as hell. “Evan, wake up.” He said again a little louder. He loved Evan’s weight on top of him usually, but right now wasn’t one of them, at least not with it pushing him farther into the bed. He didn’t have the energy to push his boyfriend off of him, so he tried again which finally got Evan’s attention.
Buck sat up in a hurry when he heard Tommy’s voice. “You okay? Do you need anything, food, something to drink, I can make this thing that Bobby taught me, works miracles for upset stomach, and hangovers too.” He said watching Tommy slowly roll over onto his back. “I can rub your stomach, that has been known to help. Just tell me what you need and I will.” He said moving his hand towards Tommy’s stomach wanting to make him feel better.
“I love you, Evan, but please let’s wait a while before you try touching that area.” Tommy said taking hold of Evan’s hand before he could put it there. He laced their fingers together though. “Thank you for the offer. If I didn’t hurt so much I’d kiss you for being sweet.”
He knew that Evan was going to do anything to be here. He’d picked that up when they’d first started dating. He’d also been told by their friends that multiple times. If you ever get hurt or sick be prepared for your boyfriend to hover. He’ll worry you at times to the point wanting to strangle him, but only because he cares and loves you. Tommy had no urge to in anyway hurt Evan. He hadn’t had someone that stayed when he’d been sick or injured before. There had been the one time an ex sent him food, but they hadn’t shown up. The most he’d had done was back when he’d still been at the 118.
He’d gotten pneumonia and he’d thought it was nothing at first. Hen and Howie had made him go to the ER. The two of them had camped out at his place for two days til they had to go back on shift. He’d been feeling somewhat better by then, but they had called him every hour making sure he wasn’t dead. Karen had come over bringing him food as well which he hadn’t expected when he’d woken up to find her in the apartment. She’d gotten the emergency key before coming over.
He’d been mostly out of it that time with the meds and being sick. He hadn’t answered the phone and she’d come over making sure he was alive. Hen and Howie had insisted. He’d been stubborn as hell on going figuring was only a cold. He’d pushed through those plenty of times. He hadn’t made that mistake again. He highly doubted he was going to eat anything someone brought in that wasn’t from Evan or Bobby. He’d learned the lesson the hard way.
“Okay, is there anything else I can do for you? I can get you some crackers or apple sauce. Apple sauce helps coat the stomach when it’s on fire. I’ve done it before and I don’t think you’re at the level of force feeding you it, but I can spoon it to you if you don’t want to try sitting up.” Buck said moving his thumb over the back of Tommy’s hand. “Could I kiss it? Would that be too much of a touch?” He asked wanting to do something that would help.
“If I didn’t think it would hurt, I’d laugh right now since I know who you had to force feed before.” Tommy said with slight smile.
Christopher had told him all about the story of Evan and Eddie the last time Eddie had been sick and refused to eat. There was also a picture that he had, he saw it on Christopher’s phone. Evan had been sitting beside Eddie trying make him eat when he’d refused the food. Eddie swore he was going destroy the evidence, but there was also a copy in one of the many photo albums that Evan had. He’d refused eating even though he’d had to take an antibiotic after he ate. He definitely wasn’t going to have that problem because he knew one had to eat something to start feeling better even if it was crackers or pretzels. The idea of food at the moment wasn’t appealing though. He told Evan that too, he’d try something in a little, just not right then.
“No laughing, even if I love the sound of you laughing.” Buck said before he leaned down placing a kiss on Tommy’s stomach making sure his lips didn’t press to hard down. “Kissing it better has been known to help. It didn’t hurt right, cause I don’t want you to hurt more. I won’t even touch you if hurts.”
“It didn’t hurt, even if did, I wouldn’t have minded that little bit pain.” Tommy said. “I didn’t mean sleep all day and night. I would have called, but not sure where my phone’s at.” They’d both had a twenty-four-hour shift. When they had down time they texted or even videoed to pass the time. He knew that Evan wasn’t insecure if he didn’t message, he wasn’t either, but if someone had told about what happened then he knew Evan would have worried some. He would have done the same thing.
“I’ll find your phone later, don’t worry about it. Also, I kind of did worry a lot since you didn’t answer after Lucy called saying you had left sick like most the shift had. I should have made sure you packed lunch so you wouldn’t have gotten sick. We were both in a hurry because were running late. It’s my fault, I wanted to wake you up in the fun way because I can’t resist you. You were looking all hot and there was already pre-cum. I couldn’t let it go to waste.” Buck said.
“You are not blaming yourself. I don’t blame the guy brought it in, stuff happens. It’s not like we can get a call from the future warning us of this.” Tommy said. “When I feel better, I’ll show you how much I don’t blame you for this. That blow job yesterday morning was perfect wake up call. Having my boyfriend holding me down and fucking me was damn good too once I was awake.” He smiled.
“It wasn’t yesterday, was this morning, it’s only six pm. You didn’t answer and I thought you might have gotten hurt or was worse than Lucy thought so Eddie brought me here. I couldn’t let you be sick all alone. That is a horrible experience, and you could have gotten hurt. Maybe cracked your head open hugging the toilet while puking.” Buck said biting his bottom lip. “You deserve someone taking care of you. That’s my job as your boyfriend.”
“First, I have never hugged any toilet while throwing up at any time. Second, thank you.” Tommy said and he fell more in love with Evan with that if it was even possible. “I’ll do the same, but let’s hope it not soon. I prefer you in one piece.”
“I prefer that too and you not sick.” Buck said placing a few more gentle kisses on Tommy’s stomach. They were a barely there feel he hoped. He knew this could lead other places if Tommy wasn’t sick, but that was the farthest thing from his mind. “You want to go back sleep?”
“Tell me how the rest of your shift went. I’m not really sleepy anymore. I just don’t feel that great. I’d rather listen to you talk than go back to dream world.” Tommy said. He could listen to Evan talk for hours and not get tired of it. “Got any new interesting facts?”
Buck’s face lite up and he laid down beside Tommy making sure he didn’t brush the side of his stomach. He took hold of his boyfriend’s hand again, he’d let go to reposition. He started talking about some things he’d found on his phone earlier. He’d been waiting to tell Tommy in person about a couple things that he’d looked up since the last time they’d been together in person. He finally had someone that didn’t get driven nuts with all the things he found interesting.
He hadn’t even grossed Tommy out on some of them he knew. Christopher was only other one that found them fascinating because there might have been a few times that Eddie had begged him to stop when he’d started on something. It might have been the last time Eddie had been sick so he got why, but still he’d wanted him to know what would happen if he didn’t eat. Ones body eating itself didn’t sound too horrible to him.
~The End~