21 21- Fevered

In short order, Scott had an overnight bag packed, thanks to direction from Ryan, who lay curled up in his blanket on the bed. It gave Scott a chance to explore the tiny place. Ryan really didn't have much, a few clothes in the tiny closet, and practically no clutter to speak of. He wanted to check the fridge and cabinets too, partly out of curiosity and partly out of concern, but for the time being he decided it was best not to pry too much. Scott found Ryan's collar on the floor in the bathroom, figuring that once Ryan was feeling better, he'd want to wear it again. His suppressant meds were by the sink.

"Okay, I've got your stuff together. Hairbrush, toothbrush, everything. You'll need to put on pants. Would these pajama bottoms I found be okay?" Scott pulled a shabby pair of plaid pants out of the closet and held them up for approval.

"Yeah..." Ryan sat up and held out his hand. Scott tossed them over. Ryan wiggled them on without even getting out of bed. "Need socks too..."

Scott tossed over a pair of socks, then retrieved Ryan's shoes from near the door before helping him get them on.

"All set to go?"

Ryan nodded.

"Want to take your blanket?"

Ryan nodded again, and weakly stood up from the bed, making sure his blanket was secure around his shoulders.

"Want me to carry you?"

Ryan shook his head. "I'cn walk..."

"You sure? I don't mind."

"I'm 'kay..."

To prove his point, Ryan shuffled over to the door and held it open for his boyfriend. Scott sighed and grabbed the bag with Ryan's clothes and half-finished drink. They made their way out of the building and into the parking lot, Scott keeping his hand around Ryan's waist to keep him steady. There weren't any building security checks for leaving.

Scott opened the passenger side door of his car and helped Ryan in, tucking the blanket around him and reclining the seat a bit before buckling him in. He put Ryan's clothing in the trunk and retrieved the spare bags he'd bummed from the cashier.

"Okay, ready to go?" Scott asked as he swung into the driver's seat.

Ryan murmured assent. Scott opened one of the bags and passed it over. "Just in case. It's about twenty minutes to my place through the city, and there won't be anywhere I can pull over. I've got your drink in the center console if you need it."

Ryan breathed out something akin to "okay" and took the bag in a white-knuckled grip. His eyes were unfocused. His head listed against the door. Scott momentarily considered if maybe a hospital would be a better destination, then decided he was going to do everything he could, first. There was no reason to make Ryan sit in a waiting room for hours when there were actions Scott could take right now. He cracked the windows, and turned the AC on full blast, pointing all the vents at his boyfriend.

"Let me know if you get too cold, okay?"

Ryan nodded silently. Soon, they were off. From the way he was sitting, Ryan could see the tops of the buildings and occasional tree they drove by. The air blowing on him was cold, but it felt nice. Why did he wait so long to ask for help? Everything would be okay now, right? And Scott wasn't mad... Scott didn't berate him for being weak... Scott didn't call him gross... Scott left work early to take care of him... But, Scott's driving wasn't helping his stomach at all. He reached for his Gatorade and took a few sips. He was NOT going to throw up in his boyfriend's car.

Scott reached over and patted Ryan's knee. "Don't worry Hot Stuff, we're almost there. About another block."

Ryan closed his eyes and focused on the cold air blowing from the vents. The world spun. He could feel the car slow, hear the click of the turn signal... The force of the car turning... Darkness as they entered the parking garage... The speed bump jarred him, he squeezed his eyes tighter. The car went up, turned sharp, went up again... Another speed bump. He gripped his bag tight. The car turned one last time and stopped gently. Ryan had tried so hard, but he couldn't fight it anymore. He sat bolt upright, buried his face in the bag, and promptly emptied what little he had in him.

Scott rubbed Ryan's back as he heaved. "It's okay. Let it all out. You're okay, you're okay," his voice was soft and soothing. He made soft shushing noises as he moved his hand in small circles.

Ryan couldn't help it, despite the ministrations, he was mortified. He really just puked in Scott's car, the evidence was right in front of him. His head was pounding. His hands were shaky. If anything, he felt worse for it.

"All done?"

Ryan nodded dumbly.

"Okay, I'm coming over to your side. Stay put."

Ryan barely registered Scott leaving the car. Next thing he knew, the passenger door was open. Scott took the bag from Ryan's trembling hands, tied it closed, and set it on the ground out of the way. He then undid the belt buckle and took a moment to feel Ryan's forehead.

"Babe, I'm going to carry you."

Ryan shook his head slightly, which his headache didn't appreciate. "Uh..n.." was all he could get out. Why were the lights so bright in here?

"Come on, if you get on my back, it'll be easier to get my keys out." Scott flashed a winning smile. "It's a long walk up to my place." Inside, he was fretting a little. It's different being a caretaker when you have feelings for the patient, that's for sure.

Ryan seemed to consider it for a moment. "I'm heavy..."

"You're not too heavy for me. I promise."

"Ya'sure...?"

"I'm positive."

".....'kay."

"Alright, here we go then," Scott helped Ryan out of the car, then crouched down so Ryan could get on his back. Ryan all but collapsed against Scott's broad shoulders, his too-warm body radiating heat. Scott hooked Ryan's legs with his arms, and shut the car door with his foot. He could come back to unload the car later.

Ryan buried his face in Scott's neck as they made their way to the main building. Weird as it sounded, his boyfriend's scent was a huge comfort. He was so tired... His head was pounding... He nuzzled his face deeper. So tired...

"Hey, no sleeping yet, okay?"

"Shmell... gud..."

"I smell good?"

"M-hm..."

Scott chuckled a little, despite how worryingly incoherent Ryan was. The elevator ride seemed to take forever. Scott lived near the top of the building, and it stopped twice for other residents. An older lady gave them a once-over out of the corner of her eye. "Aww, poor thing," she commented. Her tone was condescending.

Finally, they reached Scott's floor. Scott fished out his keys and opened the door, but didn't put Ryan down. He carried him to the bathroom and set him on the toilet. He then started running the shower, checking the temperature carefully.

When he was satisfied, he turned back to Ryan. "Okay, let's get you stripped."

"Huh...?"

"It's the fastest way to get a fever down outside of using icepacks. And yours is way too high."

"Oh..." Ryan didn't really get it, but he guessed Scott should know what he's talking about... The lights in the bathroom were brighter than in the parking garage.

Scott helped Ryan with his sweat-damp shirt, and his hair tie. Then his shoes, his socks, his pants... He hesitated at the underwear. He hadn't seen Ryan fully naked before. Of course, he knew what a dick looked like, and it was literally his job to look at other people's junk, but Ryan had not consented to being seen nude. And, there was no way he was in the right mind TO consent. Should he approach this as a partner, or as a professional caretaker?

Ryan made that decision for him. He finished stripping, giving Scott an eyeful, and shuffled his way to the shower. Scott helped him in and propped him up on a bench built into the wall, making sure the lukewarm water was hitting him. Scott resisted the urge to stare. He did have to say that Ryan had a particularly glorious ass, though the visibility of his ribs didn't ease his concerns.

"Okay Hot Stuff, stay in here while I go unload the car. Don't change the temperature. And don't fall asleep, okay?"

"Yeah..."

"Promise?"

"Promise..."

"Okay, I'll be back soon." Scott closed the frosted shower door and dried his arms real quick. Ryan could hear the apartment door open and shut when he left.

The water was definitely helping, though it was slightly unpleasant. He never did like cold showers. Still, since it was getting his headache to ease off, he guessed he could deal with it. "Don' fall 'sleep..." He repeated to himself. He couldn't tell how long he was in there for. He could feel the goosebumps rising on his skin.

The apartment door opened again. It sounded like Scott was dealing with something heavy. "I'm back!" he called. He poked his head in the bathroom. "Doing okay in there?"

"Cold..." Came the reply.

"I know it's cold, I'm sorry. Bear with it a little longer. I'm going to get your change of clothes."

Ryan could make out the odd misshapen blob that was Scott through the shower glass leave, then come back. He was rustling something. "Hey Hot Stuff," he asked, "can I open the shower door?"

"S'okay..."

Scott slid the door open and handed over a thermometer. Ryan dutifully put it under his tongue. When it beeped, Scott breathed a small sigh of relief at the readout and turned off the water.

"Worked...?"

"You're out of the triple digits, but not out of the woods. Feeling any better?"

"Lil' bit, yeah..."

Scott helped him out of the shower and dried him off with a big fluffy towel before helping him into a clean pair of boxers and his "Omega-Gay" t-shirt, very careful about where he looked. Still, it was hard not to notice that Ryan was uncircumcised...

Ryan swayed where he stood. He was so tired... Scott led him back to the toilet to sit. He had a dose of Pepto and Tylenol waiting.

"But... I already took some...?"

"Yes, and it's currently in the parking garage's trashcan."

"Oh... Yeah, guess so..."

Ryan took the meds without further complaint. Scott had put a straw in his Gatorade. He sipped slowly. He wasn't thirsty, but he knew he needed to drink. Scott worked the towel through Ryan's wet hair. Being pampered like this, it felt nice. When it was mostly dry, Scott gently brushed it out and braided it back.

"Hmm... That feels good..."

"Really? Good." Scott kissed Ryan's forehead, then applied an adhesive cold compress. "I've got the couch set up for you, want to go lay down?"

"Yes please..."