Nov(emeto)ber (in April) Day 26: Concussion
Warnings: brief mention of vomiting
Will was sure he’d look back at this later and laugh.
“So, let me get this straight: you were mopping the floor,” he said, “and tripped over the cat.”
“I’m okay,” Nico grumbled. “Thanks for asking.”
Will had to bite his lip to keep from chuckling. “I’m sorry,” he said earnestly. “Let me see. Did you get hurt?”
Nico held out his arms to Will to look at. He distinctly remembered falling on his hip and already that was a little sore.
Will checked him over quickly, looking for any scrapes or bruises. “Anything hurt?” he asked when he didn’t find anything.
“Just my pride,” Nico retorted, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands.
Will kissed his temple. “I’m sorry, love. What do you say I help you up and we can cuddle together on the couch? I’ll even order us some pizza.”
Nico nodded. That sounded so much better than sitting on the cold tile floor. “Can you turn the lights off first?”
“I guess, but why?” Will asked, confused. He knew the recess lighting in their kitchen was a little bright at times, but it didn’t really make any sense to turn it off.
“Too bright. It’s giving me a headache.”
Now Will looked worried. He put his hand on Nico’s head and tilted back. He was trying to check Nico’s eyes.
Nico recoiled away from the light.
“I know, I know, I’m sorry,” Will apologized. “Did you hit your head at all when you fell?”
“I don’t think so…” Will blinked, taken aback. Nico didn’t remember?
Frantically Will started probing along Nico’s scalp, feeling for any indication of injury. What he found was a large very tender area on the back of Nico’s head.
“What’s wrong?” Nico asked. He looked to be feeling more and more uncomfortable with each passing minute.
“Do you feel dizzy at all?” Will asked. “Nauseous, blurred vision, anything like that?”
Nico pawed at his eyes again, which gave Will his answer to that question.
“I’m going to help you up slowly, okay? I think you hurt yourself a lot harder than you realize.” Nico looked unconvinced, going so far as to roll his eyes.
Will hooked his arm under Nico’s armpit, going as slow as possible to help get him on his feet. Nico looked a little unsteady. Even with Will holding on to him, he reached for the countertop to check his balance.
“Feeling okay?” Will asked.
Nico squeezed his eyes shut. “Feel nauseous,” he muttered. “Oh god, I’m gonna puke…”
“Okay, okay…” Will guided him over to the sink. He sounded a lot calmer than he felt. “The sink’s right in front of you, baby,” he said, rubbing his back gently.
Nico leaned forward, eyes still shut, and retched, a dribble of spit dropping into the sink basin. A few seconds later he heaved, vomit spraying from his lips.
He whimpered, retching loudly. As soon as Nico was finished, Will was rushing him to the hospital. He needed evaluated for a possible concussion.
“Shhh, it’s okay. I’ve got you. I’ll take care of you.”