Chapter 18

"Come on, Nick, please! Don't be a baby! You heard what the doctor said!" Kevin pleaded trying to force Nick's mouth open.

"I don't like the taste of liquid medicine. And the dork already gave me some!"

"Nick, the guy was trying to be nice. He saw how raw your throat was didn't want you to swallow pills. But he had to give you something to try to lower your fever."

"So, I don't want to be nice."

"Nick....Okay, if you don't take it I'll take you back to the meeting with Lou. Would that be better?"

"You taste the nasty stuff and see how you feel."

"Fine!" Kevin dipped his finger into the pink liquid scraping it across his tongue. "Holy shit!" He clutched the water he had given Nick gulping it quickly. "That shit is nasty!"

Nick crossed his arms. "And you called me a baby?"

"Look, I'm sorry. And I know you feel horrible, but if you just take it I'll leave you alone."

"I don't want to be alone."

"Not physically alone. I'll stop bugging you."

The blonde stared at the goog lying on the spoon. "I really don't think it's worth it."

"Please?!"

"You promise not to make me eat your grilled cheese? Or laugh at me because my voice squeaks?"

"How could I make grilled cheese in a hotel room?"

"So, that's a promise?"

"Promise."

Nick opened his mouth forcing his eyes closed.

Kevin cringed as he spooned the nasty flavor into his mouth.

Nick's eyes sprang open gazing at Kevin in agony.

Kevin whimpered knowing his pain. "I'm sorry, buddy, but you have to swallow."

Nick gulped. Kevin pushed the water to his lips as he started gagging. "Just take it easy. It's over. And as long as your fever stays lower you won't have to take it."

"It wasn't that damn high to begin with," Nick whispered clutching his throat.

Kevin sighed. "102. Isn't is actually great."

"Yeah, but it wasn't that high now."

"Still, 100.3 isn't good either."

Nick fell back against the covers shivering. "I miss being taken care of."

"Nick, I know I'm not very good at this and Brian normally takes care of you when you get like this. But don't worry he'll be back soon and maybe you'll feel better."

He shook his head. "It's not that. I wish I had my mom. She rubs my back, makes me soup....I sound like a whimp, don't I?"

"Nah. I miss my mom all the time and I'm older than you."

"Oh."

"Why don't you tell me what she does?"

"She would always put a warm rag over my throat."

Kevin stood. "I can do that."

"You don't have to."

"It's no problem."

Nick attempted to tuck himself in while Kevin ran the water in the bathroom. "Okay," the older man announced returning wash cloth in hand. "Let's see if this helps." He stared at Nick's struggling form. "What in the world are you doing?"

"Attempting to tuck myself in."

Kevin smirked. "Tucked in?"

"I knew you'd laugh!"

"I'm not laughing." He laid the warm cloth over Nick's swollen glands. "Lye back, I'll tuck you in."

Nick moaned attempting to be comfortable as Kevin brought the covers up to his neck. "You want an extra blanket or anything?"

"Nah."

Kevin took a seat. "Thank you, Nicky."

"For what?"

"Helping me. Taking care of me and the others while we were really sick. You really aren't the brat I claim you are."

"I'm not a brat."

"Sure you're not."

Nick cocked an eyebrow. "Do you have a fever?"

"No. Why?"

"You must be delirious. You're being really nice to me."

"I'm always nice to you."

"I plead the fifth."

Kevin patted his head. "Damn, being ill messes with your mind, kid. You sound smarter than Howie."

"I thought you were suppose to be making me feel better?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry...I'm just not good at this stuff."

The younger singer rolled this eyes. "What stuff?"

"Being...being" He grimaced. "Sensitive."

"Oh. Well, Superman wasn't really sensitive either. Don't feel bad."

"I am not Superman!"

"Then, don't act like youre better than the rest of us!"

"I do not!"

"The hell you don't! OW!" Nick winced grabbing his throat.

Kevin frowned rubbing the boy's forehead. "I'm sorry, Nick. Just calm down. I didn't mean to make you feel worse."

"It's okay. Don't be so angry, Kev. There's a bright side to this."

"Bright side? Where in the heck did you come on with that?"

He shrugged. "Simple. Everyone was already sick, so, I'm the last one to get it. Once I'm better it should all be done with it."

"Good point."

"You don't think we could all pass around a bug like this again? Could we, Kev?"

"No. The odds of that happening are slim to none. This is a one time thing."

"Good."

"You need anything?"

"Could I have some more water? And watch tv?"

"Sure." He grabbed the teen's glass tossing him the remote. "Watch anything you want."

"Anything I want?"

Kevin entered the restroom refilling the glass. "Sure."

Nick smiled pressing the buttons. "Channel 69!" His jaw dropped. "Yo, Kev, this chick looks like Kristin!"

"What chick?" Kevin fumed staring at the TV. "NICK!!!! YOUR ASS IS GRASS!!!!!!!"

THE END