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Bob knew there was no time to be sick in the Navy, everyone knew this. It didn’t matter how you were feeling you showed up and dealt with it like everyone else. So Bob knew that he had to show up to work, even though he felt terrible when he woke up. He went through his morning routine (minus eating) but added some anti-nausea medication and painkillers before heading out. Bob knew he probably looked like a mess when he entered the classroom and sat down. All eyes turned toward him when he slumped down in his seat beside Phoenix.
“You look terrible.” Phoenix said, looking at her backseater.
“Thanks, you’re really making me feel better.” Bob snapped. Phoenix was taken aback, Bob has never snapped at her before.
She decided to leave him be as he was clearly not up for conversation this morning. She looked around the room first making eye contact with Rooster, then Hangman. Her eyes darted between the three, hoping maybe they knew something about Bob’s attitude this morning. She knew the three of them were dating or whatever they were calling it. But from the shoulder shrugs she got back they didn’t know anything either.
Bob was struggling. His stomach was hurting and even though he could feel the sweat rolling down his face he was so cold he was sure he was shivering. But he was fine, and he was going to get through today and everything would be fine. Bob kept telling himself that but it wasn’t really working. He knew at some point Maverick entered the room and started talking but he was absorbing nothing that was being said. He was doing everything in his power not to vomit everywhere. His eyes were fighting to stay open when he heard chairs scuffing and snapped out of it, seeing everyone getting up and leaving the room. Phoenix was still sitting beside him, clearly waiting for him to move.
“What’s up, Bob? I’ve never seen you so distracted.”
“I’m good. Let’s just go.” When Bob stood up he was a little lightheaded but refused to let anyone know. So he carried on, walking out of the room a little off-balanced behind his pilot. Hangman and Rooster were waiting outside the door for the two to leave, clearly waiting for Bob. Phoenix nodded at the two and kept walking, the two falling in step beside Bob. Bob was hoping to avoid these two if at all possible because he knew if he couldn’t lie to anyone it would be them, they knew too much about Bob.
“What’s wrong?” Jake asked linking his arm with Bob’s.
“Nothing, I’m fine.” Bob tried shaking his arm out of Jake’s hold but Jake was stronger on a normal day let alone today when Bob wasn’t feeling well.
“We all know you’re lying. You might as well tell us what’s wrong and maybe we can help you.” Bradley said from Bob’s other side. Bob huffed knowing he wasn’t getting out of this.
“I’m not feeling too good but I’m fine. I just have to get through today and I’ll be fine. So stop worrying about me.” Bob tried reassuring the other two but it clearly didn’t work. They looked just as concerned as they did before; clearly, Bob’s words did nothing to soothe their worries.
“Are you sure? I’m sure I could talk to Mav and get you out of training today.” Bradley said, rubbing Bob’s arm. The three had stopped walking, now just standing in the middle of the hallway.
“No, please. I don’t want special treatment. I’m fine promise.” Bob walked away, making his way to the tarmac to do the pre-flight checks with Phoenix. Bob could hear the other two behind him and chose to ignore them, walking toward where Phoenix was waiting by their plane. He didn’t say anything to her, just started through his mental checklist. Phoenix looked like she wanted to say something but didn’t, the two silently moving around the plane as they normally did.
Bob was feeling worse, much worse. He was using the back of his hand to wipe sweat off his forehead to stop it from dripping into his eyes. Bob had no idea how he was supposed to get into a plane and do anything. Just the thought of flying was making his stomach clench, forcing vomit back down his throat. Bob has only thrown up once in a plane, during one of his first days in a plane and wasn’t about to make today number two.
“Bob you ready?” Phoenix called out, breaking Bob out of his thoughts.
“What? Yeah.” Bob shakingly climbed into the plane, ready to get this all over with.
That was the worst flight of Bob’s life. He somehow made it through without vomiting in the plane. How he wasn’t sure. He knew he was next to no help to Phoenix but because she was the best she didn’t say anything. It was during landing that Bob started to get nervous, the swooping at the lost altitude was making his stomach roll; feeling like it was in his throat with each swoop. Bob was trying his best not to gag, as that would alert everyone that something was wrong. Bob was sweating and tears were pooling in his eyes; he knew he didn’t have long. His mouth was filling with saliva and he was just hoping to make it outside the plane before he threw up. Phoenix landed perfectly and Bob was unfastening as quickly as he could but it wasn’t enough, he just got his mask off before he was throwing up all over his lap.
“Fuck.” Phoenix cursed, hearing the gagging from the backseat. She didn’t need to turn around to see what was happening. Even when Bob was done he didn’t move, just stared down at his lap covered in vomit through teary eyes. He didn’t hear Phoenix exit get out of the plane and the commotion happening all around him, it wasn’t until there was a hand on his shoulder that he lifted his head. Jake was there, smiling at him.
“I’m sorry.” Bob whispered, thinking that everyone was upset with him.
“You’re alright. Let’s get you out of here and get you home.” Jake said. It took a lot of manoeuvring to get Bob out without getting vomit everywhere. Bob has managed to keep it contained to his lap with none on his controls and Jake wasn’t about to get the covered now. Once Bob was on solid ground and looked down at his vomit-covered flight suit he started gagging again. Bradley rushed over from where he was standing just steps away, him and Jake gently lowered Bob so he was kneeling on the ground. Jake and Bradley supported him as he threw up onto the ground.
“Are you done, honey?” Bradley asked, rubbing Bob’s back.
“Yeah, sorry.” Bob mumbled.
“You’re fine baby. Let’s get you home.” Jake said. Between the two they got Bob up and into the building. Bob was falling asleep as the two helped Bob get cleaned up and changed into clean clothes. The two got Bob out and into Bradley’s car and back to his house. Bob fell asleep before they got back, head slumped against the window. They both agreed not to wake Bob and the two got him inside and into bed without him waking up.
Bob slept for the rest of the night. Jake and Bradley barely slept, one of them always awake in case Bob needed something or woke up. Both were worried about their boyfriends, none of them had seen Bob sick before and weren’t sure how to help him but as long as he was sleeping they were okay. They'll figure out more when he wakes up.