Flu at Midnight (A short story)

"Philip!" a hoarse, barely audible voice reached the sleepy disciple's ears. Philip knew the voice. He groggily sad up on his mat and rose, leaving his tent.

"What is it this time, Nathanael?" Philip replied, stepping into the 'doorway' of the other man's tent.

"My nose is going to explode." Nathanael whimpered, sucking in air through his congested nostrils.

"So dramatic..." Philip rolled his eyes and sat down in front of Nathanael. Reaching out, he felt the other man's hot forehead, "I'll get you some water."

Philip stepped carefully over Nathanael and left the tent, his eyes searching for his water canteen. As soon as he spotted it and picked it up, he went back inside the tent.

"Here." He held the canteen out to Nathanael, who took it, opened it, and brought it to his lips, taking deep gulps of water.

Nathanael wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and set his canteen in a corner of the tent. As he lay down again, he faced Philip.

"What is it?" Philip's eyebrows arched as he braced himself on his left arm "Are you alright?"

"Let me sleep...?" Nathanael's voice was low and feverish, matching his glazed eyes.

Philip had his brain invaded by a memory of when they were teenagers and went camping alone. Nathanael had been stricken with a high fever, but they couldn't go back as it was too dark and dangerous. Philip cared for Nathanael with the little knowledge he had and let young Nathanael sleep with his head resting on his chest, helping him breathe. Since then, the phrase "Let me sleep?" was heard every time they were together and Nathanael got sick.

Philip let out an amused snort at the memory and turned on the mat so that he was on his back. Pulling Nathanael closer to him, he cradled the other man's head on his chest, burying his hand in his curly hair and tangling his finger in his sweaty, messy curls.

"You're going to make me sick." Philip chuckled, touching Nathanael's hot forehead.

"Better. Then we both can sleep." Nathanael replied, eyes closed, voice still fevered.

Philip laughed again and pulled a blanket over Nathanael.

Needless to say, the next day both Philip and Nathanael woke up feverish and unwilling, having to receive help from Mother Mary.