Work Text:
With the sun beating down on the ship, it’s no surprise that the crew are sweating tremendously. Half of the crew have sought refuge in the cold, dark corners of the ship, while the other half have taken to stripping of clothes to deal with the heat.
Of course, the First Mate is an exception.
His discomfort with being nude, or even semi-nude, is not a secret. The reasons for it are, but it’s no secret that he would much prefer to keep the layers on. Even Lucius doesn’t know why.
Lucius has always been concerned about him, especially with heat like this. He’s been almost dazed for the last few minutes, eyes glazed and unfocused.
Lucius stands up, deciding to approach the First Mate. Perhaps Lucius could persuade him to go back to bed.
As he stands up, he hears a thud. Looking over, his eyes widen, and he quickly jogs over to the First Mate, now spasming and twitching on the floor.
Lucius tries to steady Izzy’s head; the man’s eyes are rolling. Lucius is used to seeing Izzy rolling his eyes, but not like this, not to the back of his head.
Stede appears at his side, “What do we do?”
Lucius shrugs, “I don’t know. I don’t think there’s anything we can do. A damp cloth, maybe?”
Stede nods and jogs away, returning a few moments later with a damp cloth that he pats over Izzy’s forehead.
Lucius lightly strokes his hands through Izzy’s hair, mostly calming himself.
“Can we undress him? It may cool him do-” Stede starts, abruptly cut off when Lucius almost shouts, “No!”
Stede glances over at Lucius with confusion etched onto his face.
“I promised him, Captain” Lucius says, quieter. He becomes aware of the eyes on him, the weight of his crewmates’ stare, “Made a promise to him a long time ago, and I keep my promises.”
Stede nods, “Okay.”
Lucius nods and looks down at his partner again.
He’s no longer seizing, though he’s not doing anything, and Lucius doesn’t know whether to be concerned.
He looks over at Stede, “can you help me carry him down to his quarters?”
Before Stede can respond, the First Mate is surging up, vomiting over the railing and into the sea. Lucius looks over and slowly stands up, groaning quietly as he makes his way over.
“Iz, babe, are you okay?” he asks, lightly rubbing the other man’s back.
The only response he gets is a quiet groan.
There’s a bursting of laughter from across the deck, and then Roach’s voice breaks the tense silence, “Ha! Always Izzy the Spewer.”
An undeniable and overwhelming rage hits Lucius but before he can make a comment, Jim punches him in the stomach.
“Bad timing, Roach” Stede says and brings his attention to the First Mate, who’s resting his head against the railing and groaning.
“Hey, shall we go downstairs?” Lucius whispers, “At least somewhere out of the heat and the sun. And away from the others.”
Izzy nods, lightly rubbing the back of his head.
“What happened?” he asks, his voice ever so slightly slurred.
“I don’t know,” Lucius admits, and squeezes the other man’s hand, “You collapsed, spasming and seizing. And then, you threw up...”
Izzy nods and lets Lucius lead him inside and down towards the First Mate’s quarters.
“I dunno what it’s called... the falling sickness...” Izzy starts, holding onto the walls as much as he’s holding onto Lucius.
He’s never felt so unsteady in his life.
Lucius squeezes his hand, hoping to reassure the other man.
“Had it a few times, not a lot that doctors could do for me, not unless I wanted them to cut my head open – that ain’t happening...”
Lucius nods and squeezes Izzy’s waist.
“Thought I had it under control, clearly fuckin’ not...”
Lucius carefully opens the door and helps Izzy inside, “You’re okay. Roach’s comment was unnecessary - I think Jim’s reaction showed that.”
Izzy nods in response.
“Do you know what caused it?” Lucius asks, finally removing his own shirt and tossing it aside.
Izzy shakes his head, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Lucius sits beside him, lightly rubbing Izzy’s side. After a moment, he lays on his side and pulls Izzy close against him.
“Stede wanted to undress you out there...” Lucius murmurs, lazily stroking his hand over Izzy’s stomach, “I wouldn’t let him...”
“Thanks kid...” Izzy mumbles.
Lucius lightly kisses his neck.
“Promise not to stare?” Izzy asks, his voice barely a whisper.
“Promise,” Lucius responds, and watches as Izzy slowly sits upright and begins unbuttoning his waistcoat and then shirt, easing both off. He lets them land on the floor before lying back on his side, back against Lucius’ chest.
“You’re beautiful...” Lucius whispers, kissing Izzy’s neck.
“’m not...” Izzy responds and squeezes Lucius’ hand, “But thanks for lying kid...”
“I’m not lying, babe...” Lucius responds, “I love you .”
Izzy shrugs, but squeezes Lucius’ hand again, “Love you too kid...”
Lucius doesn’t pull the blanket up like he normally would. His bed partner is warm enough to heat him more than the blanket could ever. Instead, he pulls Izzy closer and kisses the top of his head again.
“If you feel ill, or... I don’t know, anything... just let me know...” Lucius says.
The reality of what happened is starting to dawn on him.
He lets out a shuddery breath, unaware of the tears already streaming down his cheeks. With careful movements, the First Mate rolls over and lightly caresses Lucius’ cheek.
“I’m okay, bud...” Izzy promises, “I am now – thanks to you .”
Lucius nods.
“Not just a pretty face to see when I came ‘round either,” Izzy smiles, “Stopped me from breakin’ my neck or something stupid like that.”
Lucius chuckles slightly, “Still terrified me though... your eyes... they were so far back they were only white...”
Izzy nods, stroking his thumb along Lucius’ jaw.
“I thought you were dead...” Lucius admits, burying his face against Izzy’s neck as he cries, silent sobs that rock his body.
Izzy lightly strokes his hand down Lucius’ back, “It’s okay, kid. I’m okay, a little sore but I'm okay. And you are too, you did good kid.”
Lucius nods, letting out a ragged breath as he wipes his eyes, parting the hug for long enough to look at the man, to see that he is okay, and so that he can believe it.
“I’m okay,” Izzy promises, “And so are you.”
Lucius nods slightly, blinking as more tears fall, all swiped away by his lover’s thumb.
“Love you.”
“Love you too."