Before he goes to bed, Logan gets a text from Carlos. "Sup braaaaa" is all it says. Logan writes back, "Not much. James is sick. I'm bored. Where r u?"
"Around," Carlos texts back. Logan rolls his eyes. Only Carlos, he thinks. Then his phone pings again. "Take care of James ;)"
Logan wonders about that text. Why did he put a winking face? Well, it is Carlos after all, so he probably is just being a jerk. But doesn't it seem sort of funny? Logan chooses not to write back. Instead, he plugs his phone into the charger and goes to get ready for bed in the bathroom. The fluorescent lights flicks on and floods the room. Logan takes his toothbrush from a cup on the sink and begins to brush. While he looks in the mirror, the door opens and James stumbles in.
"Oh hey," says Logan, flipping around real quick.
"I gotta pee, get out," James grumps and flails his arms around. Logan spits a foam of toothpaste into the sink and rinses real quick. As he pops out he hears James sniffing and coughing. The toilet flushes and Logan comes back inside. "How are you doing?"
"Eh. Shitty." His voice is very dry sounding. He washes his hands halfheartedly and dries off on a hand towel. He looks at himself in the mirror briefly and screams. "I look horrible!" he screams.
"You look alright," Logan mumbles. Even though he has dark bags under his eyes and his nose is red, he does look alright. In fact he's more than alright. James looks at Logan briefly and smiles, but it soon fades. "What's wrong?" Logan asks.
"My nose is all raw 'cause I've been blowing my nose too much," James complains. He goes to walk out of the bathroom but Logan awkwardly stands in the way, not trying to block the doorway but he does anyway. "Sorry," Logan says. He tries to move but James moves in the same direction, still clocking the exit. They both giggle, but James coughs, too. "Sorry, sorry," Logan says once more. He slides off to the side and lets James pass. He covers his mouth and keeps coughing as he walks back to bed.
Logan opens up the vanity mirror and looks around. A jar of Vaseline. Perfect. Also a tub of vapor rub. He holds them in one hand and goes over to James's bedroom.
"Here, this will help," Logan says. He goes over to the bed where James is already laying back down. "What is it?" James asks.
"Put this one on your nose where it's raw," Logan clacks the cap off of the Vaseline and holds it out for him. James apprehensively sticks his finger into it and grabs a big dollop. He spreads it over his nose, sniffing.
"It won't help right away," Logan says. "But keep applying it and the soreness will improve soon."
"Okay. Thanks." A big tired grin stretches across his face. He smears the Vaseline around a little more. "And what's that?"
"Vapor rub." The shorter boy sets the Vaseline down and takes up the vapor rub now. He uncaps it and shows it to James. "You put it on your chest. It will ease your congestion and help you sleep."
"My chest? I have to smear it on my chest?"
"Yes, why?"
"It'll mess up my shirt."
"Then just um, take it off," Logan says shyly.
"But then it'll mess up my sheets," James whines. Logan sighs.
"You'll feel better!"
"Okay," James finally gives in. He sits up and takes his tank top off. Logan can't help but stare. James's body sparkles in the lamplight. "But, uh, maybe you can put it on for me?"
"Oh," Logan gasps. He swallows hard. "S-sure."'
James lays back and folds his arms behind his head. "I'm not really…cough…sure where to put it."
"Y-yeah, no problem," Logan tries to sound calm but inside he's nervous. He dips two fingers into the jar of vapor rub and slowly moves it out towards James's body. As he steadies his breathing, he touches down on James's sternum and smears it around. The cool sensation sends shivers down James's spine. It feels great. He sighs contently but his nose is still so congested that it makes a lot of noise.
"It'll help," Logan says. A tiny smile appears on James's face.
"You're good at this," James says.
"Huh?" Logan asks. He rubs the cream into James's smooth shaven chest and takes his hand away.
"Taking care of me."
"I thought you didn't want me to help."
"Yeah, well. Maybe sometimes we don't want to admit what we need."
Logan peers at James and smiles. "You'll feel better tomorrow," he says.
"I'm gonna be up all night," James whines.
"How come?"
"It's always something," James continues. He turns on his side and bunches the sheets up to his chest, probably feeling a bit cold now. "My nose hurts, I need to pee, then whatever happens. Ugh. Always something. Like I need help all night."
Logan clears his throat quietly. "Always helps to have um, somebody help. I guess."
"Could you?"
"Could I what?"
James looks embarrassed and speaks softly. "Stay all night?"
At once, Logan's body locks up and he gasps to himself. "Like, in here? All night?" he asks very, very quickly.
"Uh huh," James answers rather casually, but inside he is clearly nervous as well. "Like, you think of stuff I need but I don't know about. Errr…this stuff on my chest? And things like that."
"Basic cold medicine," Logan says quietly. He looks down at his hands, still slightly greasy from the vapor rub.
"Yeaaah, but I don't think of…cough…that stuff. It works better if someone does stuff for me."
"Okay, so you want me to sleep in here. In the…"
"Bed," James snips quickly. "That's easier for helping out I guess. Right?"
"Right," Logan agrees in a gentle voice.
Even as little boys, he had never slept in the same bed as James; they always had sleeping bags or separate sofas. He's nervous but he shouldn't be. James is sick, after all. It's nothing so romantic. Either way, Logan's heart beats fast as he pulls back the sheets. James's long, thin body is stretched out across the bed, clad only in a snug pair of boxer briefs.
"What's wrong?" James asks between sniff. "I'm not gonna bite you or anything."
"I know," is Logan's answer, which he realizes was probably too short. He stiffly lies down on the mattress and pulls the sheets over his and James's bodies. It's very warm. Logan leans over and feels the back of James's forehead once more. "I think the fever has subsided."
"Ooo yay!" James cheers. "You're so smart at this junk."
"You could say that."
Logan's body is like a dead fish. He's suddenly terrified that he'll touch James and get turned on. To be honest with himself, his friend has a gorgeous body and despite being somewhat arrogant, a kind heart. He has admired James from a far and not so far, but now that he has asked him to stay in his bed, there is a reality check taking place.
Without notice, James slips an arm around Logan's waist, pulling his back up his chest in a spooning position. Logan's eyes widen instinctively. "Ummm," he peeps.
"Helps me sleep better if my arms are around something," James says quickly. "Ughh my nose hurts so bad."
Logan reaches out and snatches the Vaseline from the side of the bed. He turns around, now facing James awkwardly, and takes a tiny smear of jelly on his index finger. He looks up at James with big eyes. Somehow they managed to create a sweet and romantic moment, despite having a platonic relationship. Right?
"Let me just put a little," Logan whispers. James looks up so that Logan has a better view of his nose, and he dabs the jelly very gently around his nostrils and upper lip. It is very raw. "How's that?" Logan asks.
"It feels funny but I guess it helps," James says. He can't help but smile.
"You're still super congested, huh?"
"Yeah. Do I sound okay?"
"Kind of funny," Logan giggles. "But it's alright."
"Thank you for taking care of me," James says out of the blue. He moves a little closer to him and Logan blushes. Logan wonders what James is thinking. Part of him wants to know his motive, but another part has no interest. He likes the surprise. But it makes him very nervous.
"Y-you're welcome," Logan whispers. James keeps eye contact focused on Logan, just a tiny smile on his perfect pink lips. "Uh, well, I'm going to go to sleep now," Logan says. He flips around, showing James his back again, and pretends to try and sleep. His eyes are wide open though. James puts his arm around his waist again and snuggles very close. Even though he's sick, Logan can't help but enjoy the feeling. He's never been "in someone's arms" like that, but he's dreamt of James doing this for a long time. Now Logan wonders if James is just desperate and sick, or is there something happening? He giggles to himself and closes his eyes.