Chapter 243: Feeling sick

Lucas coughed weakly, breathing hard between each wave of nausea.

"I... I don't know what's wrong with me" He gagged again.

“I suspect it could be from whatever he soaked that handkie he made me inhale.”

Alex's worry deepened. The doctor said he would be fine but needed to run some tests.

Alex brushed the damp hair away from Lucas's forehead.

"Baby..." His thumb gently wiped the tears that had gathered in the corners of Lucas's eyes.

"Are you okay?" Lucas rested his forehead against the cool edge of the toilet for a moment, trying to steady his breathing. "I don't know."

He closed his eyes. "My stomach keeps turning. I feel like..."

Another dry heave interrupted him.

Alex's heart clenched. He hated seeing Lucas suffer like this.

Once the retching eased, Alex picked up a glass, filled it with water, and handed it to him. "Rinse your mouth."

Lucas obeyed with trembling hands.

Afterward, Alex helped him sit against the bathroom wall. He crouched in front of him, searching his face anxiously.

"We're going to the hospital."

Lucas immediately shook his head.

"No."

"Lucas..."

"I'm tired, Alex, please." His voice was barely above a whisper.

"I don't want another examination tonight."

Alex hesitated. He understood.

After everything Lucas had endured, another trip to the emergency room was the last thing he wanted. Still, the concern in his eyes remained.

He gently cupped Lucas's face.

"If this happens again..." His tone left no room for argument. "...I'm taking you to the hospital."

Lucas looked into his eyes for a long moment before giving a small nod. "Okay."

Alex smiled faintly. "Good."

Then he slipped an arm around Lucas and slowly helped him to his feet. "Come on. My shower can wait. I think what you really need is to lie down while I take care of you."

He kissed Lucas's forehead tenderly. Lucas leaned heavily against him, allowing Alex to support nearly all his weight.

For the first time that night, Alex silently prayed that the nausea was nothing more than the lingering effects of the drug Zenith had used.

However, deep inside, a small seed of worry had already begun to grow.

Alex carefully helped Lucas onto the bed, making sure he was comfortable before pulling the duvet over him.

"You need to rest," Alex said softly, tucking the blanket around his shoulders.

Lucas caught his hand before he could step away. “You go and take your shower too. You've been stressed a lot today.”

Alex looked at him with concern.

"You've just been sick. I need to watch you first."

"I know but I'm alright now." Lucas offered him a tired smile. A warm bath will also make you feel better." He squeezed Alex's fingers gently.

"I'll sleep better... I promise."

Alex hesitated. Every instinct told him to say no. But the hopeful look in Lucas's eyes slowly melted his resolve. "Alright."

He smiled faintly. “Alright, I won't stay in there too long."

Lucas leaned up just enough to brush a quick kiss against Alex's cheek.

Alex chuckled softly. "You really know how to get your way."

Lucas grinned before Alex disappeared into the closet. Coming out with a towel tied around his waist.

Then his phone buzzed. It was Derby. He picked up.

“Hello Derby.”

“Alex, thank you very much for saving Lucas. I heard he is staying in your family house.”

“Yes, he is.”

“How is he feeling? Hope he is alright?”

“ Feeling a bit sick but will be alright.”

“I'm coming back tomorrow but can I talk to him?”

“He is asleep already.” Alex lied.

“Oh, okay. Goodnight then.”

“Good night Derby.”

The call ended.

Alex dropped the phone and headed towards the bathroom.

Lucas remained on the bed, listening carefully. The steady sound of running water eased some of the worry in his chest.

A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened. Warm steam drifted into the bedroom.

Alex stepped out wearing soft pajamas, his damp hair clinging slightly to his forehead while he dried it with the towel.

The color had returned to his face, and although he still looked tired, he seemed much more relaxed.

Alex smiled the moment he saw him still waiting.

"You look better." Lucas smiled at him.

"I feel better too." Alex walked over slowly. He lay beside him. Then pulled back the blanket over his body.

He quietly switched off the main light, leaving only the bedside lamp glowing softly.

As soon as Alex relax, Lucas instinctively moved closer. Without a word, he slipped into Alex's embrace.

His head rested comfortably against Alex's chest.

Alex wrapped an arm around him, holding him as though he never intended to let go again.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

They simply listened to each other's heartbeat.

It was steady, comforting, and very real.

Lucas breathed in deeply. A faint smile curved his lips. "You smell nice..." His voice was barely above a whisper. "My Alex."

Alex's heart warmed at the words.

He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on Lucas's cheek. Then another on his forehead.

His fingers slipped into Lucas's soft hair, combing through it with slow, soothing strokes.

"I've missed you badly. I felt like my air was being squeezed out of me when I saw you taken at the parking lot" Alex murmured.

Lucas closed his eyes. “I'm so glad you love me." His hand found Alex's and intertwined their fingers beneath the blanket.

“Everything is alright now. There are no more masks, fear or running away from the unknown. It's just us, free and safe."

Alex felt his throat tighten at his words. He kissed the top of Lucas's head.

“Yeah baby, just us."

Lucas smiled sleepily. "I love the sound of that."

Alex rested his cheek lightly against Lucas's hair. "So do I."

Silence settled over the room, peaceful and comforting.

Outside, the night stretched on.

Inside, wrapped safely in each other's arms, they finally allowed themselves to believe the worst was behind them.

Within minutes, Lucas's breathing became slow and even. He had fallen asleep.

Alex watched him for a little while longer, gently brushing his thumb across Lucas's hand.

His heart overflowed with gratitude.

He silently thanked God for bringing Lucas back to him. Only then did he close his own eyes.

Holding the man he loved close against his heart, Alex slowly drifted into a peaceful sleep beside him.

Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, bathing the bedroom in a warm golden glow.

Downstairs, the Benson household had already come to life. Breakfast had been prepared. Voices drifted faintly from the dining room.

Yet upstairs, Alex and Lucas remained asleep, wrapped in each other's embrace as though the outside world no longer existed.

It was almost another hour before Lucas's eyes slowly fluttered open.

He blinked sleepily, then smiled.

Alex was still fast asleep.

For once, the worry lines on his face had disappeared. Lucas reached up and gently brushed a strand of hair away from Alex's forehead.

"Sleep a little longer, my Alex," he thought. "You've earned it."

Carefully, he untangled himself from Alex's arms. He had barely taken two steps toward the bathroom when his stomach lurched violently.

His face turned pale.

"Oh..." He clamped a hand over his mouth. The nausea came too fast.

He stumbled into the bathroom just as another wave hit him.

"Urgh…"

The sound jolted Alex awake instantly.

"Lucas!" He jumped out of bed and rushed after him.