Here is chapter 4...
Hope you enjoy :)
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Thursday night
The sound of heavy footsteps becomes louder as Dean approaches the living room. A shivering yet more refreshed looking Dean with towel-dried hair emerges from the doorway.
Ben looks up briefly from his game to glance at the pale figure hovering over the sofa who is wearing a confused expression.
"Hey" Ben's attention is back to his game but he shuffles slightly allowing enough room for Dean to join him on the sofa.
"Hey. What you playing?" The discomfort is obvious on Dean's face as he slowly and painfully lowers himself onto the couch like an old man.
Ben chooses to pretend he had not witnessed Dean's outcry.
"Some crime game where you get to fly a plane..or or steal a car and sometimes a boat and…" Ben's eyes light up as he describes the game to Dean. Dean doesn't really care nor is he paying much attention, he just wants a distraction from his aches and pains.
"You wanna play?" Ben holds out the free game's console towards Dean. Ben can sense Dean's slight disorientation by the way his eyes are shifting across the room and the pained smile he keeps forcing.
"Sure. But go easy on me, I'm not at my best haha"
"Ok." Ben proceeds with the game and gives a running commentary of every detail that occurs. He isn't really directing it at Dean just more of a way to bring the game to life. Ben feels helpless as he knows there is nothing he can really do to help Dean feel better but at least he can help distract him and try and cheer him up. The game is going well, Dean is even laughing a bit at Ben's comments.
The screen, its fuzzy, like looking through frosted glass. Dean isn't sure what exactly he is doing within the game, maybe flying a plane? He is not entirely sure. The flashing lights and fast movements are contributing to his increasing headache. The blurry screen is beginning to move itself, Dean can feel his hands begin to shake uncontrollably. An extreme case of vertigo is slowly taking over his body and he is having difficulty pretending to play the game.
Ben who is staring at the TV notices Dean's player doing crazy turns as if a child had taken hold of the consol. When it is apparent that Dean is not able to keep his player in a straight line Ben steals a glance in his direction to assess the situation. Dean's eyes are squinting as he struggles to concentrate on the game. Ben watches as Dean's body slightly rocks involuntarily with his pale face fighting to stay upright.
Dean finally crashes his plane with a large bang that fills the room forcing Dean to squeeze his eyes shut and try and block out the noise.
"Dean?...Dean?... You ok?"
Dean drops his console as he doubles over clutching his bloated stomach but still attempting to remain his composure in front of Ben.
"Yeh, its just…" Dean concentrates on gaining control over his body again. After a few moments of silence Dean tries to speak again.
"…making me a little dizzy" Dean swallows hard and smiles slightly in Ben's direction hoping that Ben would stop staring at him with those worried puppy eyes.
"That's ok. I was bored of it anyway. Wanna watch some TV?"
"Mmm yeh. That would be better. Sorry Ben I know how much you enjoy that game"
"Don't worry about it, we will play another time. Oh hey I was thinking for this weekend my friend was telling me about this cool car place we can go…"
"Ben I Don't….."
"Boys supper is ready!" Lisa's shouting from the kitchen interrupts Dean mid sentence.
Lisa was cooking dinner when she heard the boys playing on the TV. She smiled to herself when she overheard her son's ridiculous commentary. Her concern grew when she heard a thump and a worried pitch to her son's voice. She peaked round to get a better view and saw Ben comforting a dizzy looking Dean. She couldn't help but feel proud for the way he is looking after Dean.
Lisa hands Dean the medicine she had bought before he sits down at the table. She places a bottle of Gatorade in front of him along with a bowl of chicken soup and crackers.
"Eat as much as you like, I'm not forcing you" Lisa reassures when she notices the worry on Dean's face.
All Dean had energy for was to look up and smile at her before lifting his shaky hand and began drinking the soup.
He half listened to Lisa and Ben's conversation, trying to answer when he was spoken to but his abdomen was irritating him. The soup sat heavy in his stomach and it felt as though it was churning faster and faster the more he ate. He tried to relax, put on a brave face and slowly sipped on the Gatorade. He was also pretty sure that the hot soup had contributed to his fever. His skin felt sticky and tight again.
Lisa could sense something was wrong. She knew when he was trying to hide something and recognized that expression he wore, pain and discomfort. Dean suddenly gags and quickly covers his mouth with his eyes growing wide. He looks more horrified than Lisa and Ben are.
Dean moans with this hand still clamped around his mouth and proceeds by laying his head on his arm. Partly out of embarrassment and partly because he really didn't feel good.
"Hey, Ben why don't you go and start on your maths homework. I will be with you in a moment" Ben nods knowing his mum just wants to get rid of him and he quickly retreats to his bedroom.
Lisa and Dean just sit at the table. Dean's head in his arms resting on the table with Lisa gently stroking his back in comforting circles and humming a peaceful tune.
When Dean looks more relaxed and not about to explode Lisa finally speeks up breaking the silence. "You want to go to the toilet?"
Dean slightly shakes his head. "No. Puking doesn't help alleviate the nausea"
"Why don't you go lie down and wait for the medicine to kick in". Lisa aids Dean to his feet and waits for him to gain composure.
"Ok"
"You need help?"
"No thanks"
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Dean is lying in the fetal position on top of the covers. He didn't have the energy to actually get inside plus he is pretty sure he would fry alive if he entered under the thick layers judging by the pool of sweat that is quickly growing beneath his head. He is too weak to walk around but too restless to go to sleep so he just closes his eyes rocking his body slightly in a form of comfort. Through the heat and pain Dean hears the door screech open followed by light steps meeting carpet. A little hand softly taps his shoulder bringing his mind back to reality.
Lisa told Ben that Dean was probably resting and wouldn't want to join them in watching a film. Ben knows all too well what it is like to be sick with an overbearing Lisa looking after him and decides to ask Dean anyway. He tries to be as quiet as possible just in case Dean was really asleep but considering the way Dean is shaking he is definitely not in a peaceful slumber.
"Hey Dean" Ben whispers.
Need to answer back, but so much effort "…..Hey"
"Are u sleeping?"
"Mmm no" Uh so hot, everything is so hot.
"Do you want to watch a film with me and mum"
Cough "Sure"
Ben is good at these distractions. Anything, anything to take his mind off his aching belly, nausea that won't budge and now his head has joined in the fun.
Dean doesn't care what film they watch. In fact they are half way through and he still doesn't know what movie it is. Through his unfocused and hazy eyes it just looks like a bunch of people running around. He doesn't try too hard to make out what is happening on the bright screen as it just makes his head worse.
Dean is lying stretched out on the sofa with his head resting on a towel that Lisa placed on her lap. A bucket sits next to the sofa 'just in case', Lisa had argued. He tries not to look at it as it causes his stomach contents to churn.
Lisa can feel Dean's hot body shivering, she assumes that when he shakes more vigorously it is due to the pain intensifying which causes the whole couch to rock. Ben positioned himself on the single coach next to them and glances at his mum whenever Dean lets out strangled whimpers. Other than that Dean is comfortable lying on his girlfriend as she strokes his forehead and plays with his hair.
Maybe an action film wasn't the best idea considering Dean's fragile state. He feels his mouth quickly collect saliva at an alarming rate. He should jump up and run to the toilet but he is too comfortable and he doesn't have the energy. He attempts to swallow it down but that only intensifies the sensation and ultimately it becomes too much.
Hearing Dean's thick swallows Lisa helps Dean lean over and expel all he was able to eat and more into the bucket. Dean painfully heaves into the bucket again and again whilst Lisa wordlessly rubs his back. Ben pauses the film straight away when he sees Dean's distress. He gets up to fetch Dean a drink instead of watching the man he respects and looks up to fall apart.
By the time Ben comes back in Dean has slowed down and is only letting out a dry heave once in a while. Once that dies down Ben hands Lisa the glass of water who holds it so Dean could wash his mouth out. He tentatively sips the water and when it doesn't reappear Lisa stands up.
"Are you done? Can I wash this out?"
Dean coughs harshly but is done throwing up. For now. "Yep"
"You need anything?" Lisa picks up the filled bucket as if it was nothing she hasn't seen before.
"N…no" Dean is trying to focus on his breathing and not the sharp pain in his abdomen.
"Let Ben know if you do" Lisa nods towards Ben silently letting him know to look after Dean whilst she goes to wash out the bucket.
Dean leans back and rests his head on the coach sitting up this time, he doesn't trust himself to lie down just yet. After a few minutes of silence Dean just has to let something off his chest, "I'm sorry for ruining our weekend together. Don't think I'm gonna be much fun"
"Don't be sorry. I don't care. There will be other weekends. I am just sorry that you're so sick and there is nothing I can do about it"
"Ha that is where your wrong…." Dean couldn't finish the sentence as he is overwhelmed by his cramping stomach and resorts to putting his aching head between his knees. He couldn't stop himself from groaning out loud probably scaring Ben. His abdomen twitches aggressively. He knows what that means.
Dean jumps up from his seated position and runs to the downstairs toilet leaving Ben helplessly calling his name wearing a concerned expression in the other room. He heaves into the bowl a few times before the rest of his dinner evacuates. He feels a smaller yet equally comforting hand on his back and Ben calling for his mum.
Lisa literally left them for a few minutes before she heard painful heaves and her son calling her name. She sighs feeling great sympathy for her suffering boyfriend and follows the sounds of him puking until her hand takes over her sons and messages Dean's back.
Dean rests his head against the rim once he finishes and clutches tightly onto his upset stomach. Lisa can feel the heat rising within him and decides to cool him down.
"Be right back" Lisa leaves the bathroom with Ben awkwardly standing in the corner.
It is so hot, everything aches, just puked in front of the two people I care about and still feel sick. Everything is becoming too much, he wants to jump into a frozen pool to numb his body. Dean still keeps it together so that he doesn't completely crumble and look vulnerable and pathetic in front of Ben and Lisa. He blocks out the world and turns away so no one can see the raw emotion that has slipped past his collapsing walls.
Dean is brought back to reality with a jump when he feels something being placed onto his neck. He instantly melts as the ice cold press cools his body down.
Lisa and Ben glance at each other using that unspoken agreement between child and mother. Something is extremely wrong.
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Let me know what you guys think.
Reviews and suggestions are always welcome :)