When you walked into the house that night you knew something wasn't right. Everything was quiet and dark. You knew Niall was home but it almost seemed like the house was empty. You kicked off your shoes and walked through the house.
"Niall?" you called. There was no answer. He wasn't in the living room, which is where you usually found him when you got home. He wasn't downstairs at all. You walked up the stairs and into your bedroom. It was dark and quiet. You were about to call out for Niall when you saw him move in bed. You walked over to the bed and found him wrapped out in the blankets with only his blonde hair sticking out. "Ni," you whispered softly. He pulled the blankets down off his face to look at you. He was very pale and he had dark circles under his eyes. His eyes were red and glassy. He looked up at you sadly. You started to run your fingers through his hair when you felt how warm he was. You pulled back your hand quickly not expecting him to be so warm.
"I've got a fever," he groaned. You put your hand back on his head feeling just how warm he was.
"I'm gonna take your temperature Niall. How long have you been home?" You asked.
"I came home a little after one. I couldn't focus at the studio," he explained. You walked quickly into the bathroom and grabbed the thermometer from the cabinet. You brought it back sticking it in Niall's mouth before you sat down next to him. He laid his head on you and you ran your fingers through his hair. When the thermometer beeped you took it out of Niall's mouth and read the numbers "103.1"
"This is really high Niall," you sighed. "What hurts?"
"It started with my head. I thought I was getting a migraine because my stomach started to get upset. Then I got really cold and the boys thought I had a fever. Now my whole body hurts and I'm sick to my stomach."
"Wasn't Louis sick last week?" you asked. Niall nodded. "Hang tight Niall I'll be back." You went back into the bathroom and put the thermometer away and soaked down a rag in cold water. You poured some medicine for Niall's stomach out and brought both back into him. You handed him the cup of the pink minty liquid which he took happily. Then you put the rag on his head hoping to bring his fever down a bit. "What do you need Niall?" you asked. He shrugged a little. "Do you think you might throw up?"
"I don't know. Not right now I guess," he answered sadly. You nodded. "Will you just lay with me?" he asked sadly.
"Sure Nialler," you changed into something more comfortable and got in bed with Niall. "Try to rest Niall," you whispered. He hummed and shut his eyes. You were a little worried about him. His fever was pretty high and he didn't often get sick like this. You sighed a little and let your eyes shut. You laid there quietly with him until you both were asleep.
The next time you woke up it was around midnight. You looked over at Niall but he wasn't there. You sat up quickly and looked around for him. There was no sign of him. You stood up and walked downstairs and found him in the kitchen with a bottle of water. He was leaning on the counter with his head in his hands. You walked down next to him and put your hand on his back.
"Ni." He turned and looked at you. "What are you doing up buddy?" You asked.
"My stomach is really upset. Thought maybe if I drank some water it would help."
"Did it help?" He shook his head sadly. "Let go back to bed bud." You took his hand and led him back up the stairs and into the bedroom. He sat his water down on the nightstand then put his hand on his stomach. "You alright Niall?" you asked. He put his fist to his mouth and burped a little.
"Oh God." He rushed into the bathroom and you followed quickly behind him. He dropped down to his knees gripping the sides of the toilet bowl breathing heavy over it. You knelt down next to him and put your hand on his back. You could feel his fever radiating off his body. You stood back up and got the rag you had early and put it on the back of Niall's neck. His whole body shook. He had his eyes closed tightly as he continued to breathe heavy over the basin.
"It's alright Niall," you whispered in his ear. He gagged and spit into the water. "That's it Niall. You've got to get it out." He groaned and gagged again.
"Y/N," he whimpered.
"I'm right here buddy," you reassured him. His stomach convulsed painfully as it sent up everything Niall had eaten. You rubbed large circles on his back in an attempt to comfort him. He coughed and retched hard as he brought up more of the foul liquid. Your heart broke for him.
"This is horrid," he groaned before heaving again.
"I know buddy I know. You're doing great," you encouraged him. You sat there with him for several minutes before he was done. He coughed a few times spitting the remaining bile out of his mouth. "You all done Ni?" you asked taking the rag off his neck. He flushed the toilet and nodded.
"I think so," he replied hoarsely.
"Here, come one. Let's rinse you mouth out then we can go back to bed." You helped him to his feet and over to the sink where he rinsed out the foul taste in his mouth. You then led him back into the bedroom where he laid back down in bed groaned and holding his still sour stomach. You crawled into bed with him and he cuddled in close to you. "I'm sorry you don't feel well Nialler," you told him softly. He coughed and groaned putting his head on your chest.
"Me too," he muttered. You ran your hand up and down his back. He shivered from the fever and he would whimper softly but eventually his breathing evened out and you both fell back to sleep.
***
"You're doing great baby," You whispered to Niall. This was the third time that night he had woken up needing to throw up. You rubbed his back as he gagged over the bowl yet again. "Almost done sweetheart," you reassured him. He whimpered a little as tears streamed down his cheeks. He coughed and retched hard which caused his whole body to shake.
"Fuck," he groaned.
"What's got you so sick baby?" you asked. It was more just a question to yourself. You hadn't seen Niall this sick in a long time.
"If you can figure that out let me know," he groaned. He caught his breath and flushed the toilet.
"Think you're ok to go back to bed buddy?" you asked.
"I think so." He stood up slowly but his legs shook under him. He put his arm around you for support and you brought him back to bed.
"I'm going to get you some more water Niall. I'll be back, hang tight." He nodded and you left the bedroom going down to the kitchen and grabbing another bottle of water. You were worried he was going to get dehydrated from throwing up so much. You looked at the clock on the oven and it read 4:23. You sighed. Neither one of you had gotten much sleep that night. He was not going to be able to go to work in the morning. But you knew you couldn't call off. Slowly, you walked back up the stairs and into the bedroom. You handed Niall the bottle of water and he sipped it slowly.
"Thanks Y/N." He voice was raw and he was exhausted. You got back into bed holding him close in your arms. His body relaxed and he was asleep quickly. You soon followed him.
You groaned when your alarm went off at 6:30. You shut it off quickly and rubbed your eyes. You got out of bed slowly trying to not wake up Niall. He was already awake when you got up.
"Y/N," he called out weakly.
"Hey buddy." You felt his head and he was still really warm. "I'm going to call over to the studio. You need to stay home."
"What about you?"
"I'm sorry buddy I've got to go in." He looked down sadly. You wanted to stay with him. You really didn't want him alone. "I'm going to try to get off early and come home. You call me if you need anything alright?" He nodded. You kissed his head and went to get in the shower. As you were finishing doing your hair Niall burst in the bathroom to empty his stomach once more. He sobbed in pain as his stomach sent up what was left in it. "Aww Ni." You knelt down beside him as he gagged and retched over and over. When his stomach had nothing left in it he was left dry heaving over the bowl.
"It fucking hurts!" he sobbed. You didn't know what else to do for you. Your heart broke seeing him so weak and in so much pain.
"You poor baby," you whispered. "Try to take some deep breaths Niall. You've got to calm down." You managed to get him calmed down and back in bed. "I'm not leaving you alone. I'm going to call one of the boys." Niall nodded as his eyes shut. He was so tired and weak. You grabbed your phone and walked out of the room. You weren't sure which one to call so you went with the first name that came to mind. Liam. You dialed his number knowing full well that he was still in bed. The phone rang three times before he answered.
"Hello?" Liam's groggy voice came over the phone.
"Liam, I know it's early I'm so sorry."
"Y/N? What is it? What's going on?" he asked a little more coherent.
"Niall is really sick. He's been up all night throwing up. He just threw up again. I have to go to work and I really don't want him here by himself." Liam got quiet but you could hear him moving around.
"I'll be there in ten minutes." He hung up the phone and you sighed with relief. When you went back into the bedroom Niall was sound asleep. You kissed his warm temple and went to wait for Liam. When he got there you hugged him tightly.
"Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Don't worry about it. I'm happy to stay with Nialler. I hope he's alright." You sighed.
"I haven't seen him this sick in a long time. I just really don't want him here alone." Liam nodded.
"I totally understand love. Get to work. I'll look after him." You hugged him again.
"Thank you so much Liam." You left shortly after that. Liam walked into your bedroom and found Niall curled up in a ball shivering. Liam felt his head and felt him burn with a fever. He walked into your bathroom and soaked another rag down in cold water. He walked back into the bedroom and place the rag gently on his head. He groaned a little in his sleep. Liam shushed him and stroked his hair gently. Niall seemed to relax after that. Liam felt bad looking down at his friend. He was very pale except for his cheeks which were flushed with his fever and he was visibly shaking. He pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed. He sat there for a while before Niall started to whimper. Liam looked up from his phone and over at his friend. Niall's face twisted in pain. Liam feared for the worst. Thinking quickly he grabbed the trash can in the corner of the bedroom. He got back to the bed when Niall sat up gagging into his hand. Liam held the bin under Niall chin catching the first round of stomach acid that made its way up Niall's throat. Liam sat down next to Niall on the bed and put his free hand on Niall's back. Niall looked over at Liam his eyes red and sad.
"You're alright mate," Liam whispered. Niall gagged again bringing up only stomach acid and water. "Aww mate." There was nothing left in poor Niall's stomach so he started dry heaving. Tears fell down his face. "Shh, shh, Nialler it's alright. You're alright mate, relax." Liam helped Niall catch his breath and relax. "You've got nothing in your stomach buddy. Hang tight." Liam took the trash from Niall's hands and put it in the bathroom to clean. He went downstairs and grabbed a sleeve for crackers for Niall to try to eat. He walked back up the stairs and handed them to Niall. "Here mate, try to eat a few of these. It might help." Liam walked into the bathroom and cleaned out the trash can and brought it back it Niall.
"Thanks Liam." His voice was so raw it was almost a whispered.
"Don't talk Ni, just relax." Niall nodded. He ate a few crackers but immediately felt them slosh around in his stomach. He pushed the rest away. "No good?" Niall shook his head. "You want to try a bit of toast?" Niall thought for a moment then nodded. "Alright mate." Liam went back downstairs and put some bread in the toaster. He checked the time and it was almost 10:00. He texted Harry and Louis to tell them what was going on. He put his phone back in his pocket and grabbed the toast that just popped up. He walked back up and handed the plate to Niall. "Here mate try this." Niall took the plate and smiled slightly at Liam. He ate the first piece but refused the other one. "Alright?" Niall shrugged and put his hand on his bloated belly. He looked at Liam sadly and patted the bed next to him. "You want me to lay with you?" Niall nodded. Liam got into bed with Niall and wrapped his storm arms around him. He started gently rubbing circles on Niall sore belly hoping to comfort him. Niall sighed contently and his body relaxed. He fell asleep quickly after that. Liam began to worry. He had seen Niall sick plenty of times but never like this. He held him close as he slept. He hoped that he would start to feel better after eating. Liam quickly realized that wasn't going to be the case.
***
"It's alright mate, just relax," Liam whispered. He sat with Niall in the bathroom as he brought up what little was left in his stomach. This was twice now that Liam had sat in here with him. He couldn't keep anything down. Not even the water. I thought about calling you and taking Niall to the hospital. He really wasn't sure what to do. Niall cried as more stomach acid burned his throat. When he was done he was too weak to lift his head. Liam leaned forward and flushed the toilet for him. Niall eyes started to shut. "Hey, hey mate. Stay with me. Come one now," Liam encouraged him. Niall could keep his eyes open. Liam's heart was beating so hard he was sure Niall could hear it. "I'm taking you to the doctor Niall. Let's go." He got Niall to his feet and scooped him up in his arms and carried him out to his car. As he drove to the hospital he dialed your number.
"Liam? Is everything alright?" you asked in a panic as you answered the phone.
"He's really not doing well. He can't even keep water down anymore. I think his fever has gone up too. I'm taking him to the hospital." You tried to speak but the words got caught in your throat. Tears sprang to your eyes. "Y/N?" You got yourself together and answered him.
"I'll meet you there." You hung up the phone and rushed out of your office. Liam got Niall into the hospital where he was immediately taken back and hooked up to IV's. He was severally dehydrated and very weak. You came in shortly after that. You hugged Liam with tears in your eyes looking down at Niall.
"I didn't know what else to do love," he explained sadly. You shook your head.
"I'm glad you did." You sat down next to Niall who was so exhausted he was in and out of consciousness. You didn't leave his side. Liam stayed with you as well. Harry and Louis came at one point and sat with you guys. When Niall woke up you were all sitting there with him.
"Y/N," he groaned weakly.
"Hey baby."
"What happened?"
"You were pretty sick mate. Scared us all a bit," Liam told him softly.
"How you feel mate?" Louis asked.
"I'm alright I guess," Niall shrugged.
"You're alright now buddy. Just rest. You need it." Niall was released later in the even where you took him home and cared for him. After a few days of rest he was back on his feet and good as new.
'~