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“Is he asleep?” Mack heard faintly, though it sounded hazy as he blinked his eyes open slowly, realizing he had started to doze off on the Toffoli’s couch. He let his eyes slip shut again when he felt fingers card through his hair. Definitely Will’s.
“M’awake” Mack mumbled out, though his eyes stayed shut, enjoying the feeling of Will’s hand going through his hair. He’d had a lingering headache most of the day. Nothing enough to complain about, just an annoyance in the back of his mind and he’d clearly started slipping from exhaustion, head tilting down to rest in Will’s lap while they watched some hockey rerun after practice.
Toff had invited them over for dinner with him and Cat and the young sharks weren’t ones to say no to a home cooked meal from their “team parents.”
“Cat wants to know what we want for dinner- any requests?” Will asked, continuing to run his hand through the hair at the back of Mack’s head, massaging down his neck with each pass. Mack had his head tucked in towards Will’s stomach, body curled up on his side.
He looked small like this. Curled up in Will’s lap, all 6 foot 190 pounds of him tucked impossibly close to the man he loved. Toff had smiled at the sight of them. He would’ve never thought a year ago that these silly boys would fall head over heels for each other but here they were.
Not wanting to disturb the quiet peace that surrounded a sleepy Mack and doting Will, Toff went to follow Cat into the kitchen telling them to just let them know if they thought of anything.
“Whatever you want is fine.” Mack had finally mumbled out in response to dinner requests and Will had to strain to hear him over his voice muffling against where Mack had tucked his head.
This had Will already furrowing his brows. Mack was the pickiest person he’d ever met, he never didn’t have dinner requests.
“What's wrong with you?” Will was asking and he was trying to push on Mack’s shoulder to get him to look up at him. The question wasn’t meant in a rude way, and Mack wouldn’t take it wrong either. There was obviously something bothering him if he was letting Will pick what they ate.
Mack let himself be pushed away from being tucked in Will’s stomach and opened his eyes to blink up into his boyfriends concerned eyes, ”What? Nothing?” He furrowed his own eyebrows back at Will.
“You are so picky Mack, you pick what’s for dinner.” Will chuckled softly reaching down to pinch at his side, earning a swat at his hand from Mack.
He did it again, just to make Mack keep giggling as he swatted at his hands some more before Will surrendered to a stop. He let his arm hang over Mack’s waist, other hand brushing the hair off his forehead where it fell into his eyes.
Mack curled back into his position, tucking his arms around his stomach as he spoke, “I’m not very hungry, my head hurts and my tummies upset, so you pick what you want. I probably won’t eat much.” He looked back up into Will’s eyes, brow scrunched, a small pout on his lips.
“Really baby?” Will’s eyes glazed with concern as he reached to slip his hand under Mack’s, his own warm fingers rubbing his stomach over his sweatshirt, “just now? Do you want to go back home?” Will asked, knowing sometimes Mack was nervous to say no to things even when he didn’t want to go and maybe he hadn’t wanted to come tonight for dinner but felt bad saying no.
“No, no m’fine I promise, wanna make Toff have to babysit us.” Mack chuckled at his own jokes and it got a laugh out of Will as well.
“Okay okay maybe we can see if Cat can make soup or something. It will be light on your stomach, you’ve gotta eat something baby. It’s been a long day.” And it really had been. They had a workout that morning, followed by practice. Mack knew he needed to eat after all that, it just sucked his head hurt and he had no appetite, stomach feeling off.
“Noooo no don’t make her make soup.” Mack whined out burying his head back into Will’s stomach, hating to feel fretted over while being a guest in someone else’s home.
“Don’t make me what?” Cat had conveniently walked in hearing Mack groan at being caught, knowing what Will was going to say next.
“Mack’s sick, can you make soup for dinner?” Mack felt heat rush up his neck. He did not want everyone catering to him. With Will, it was fine. He was used to his fussing, enjoyed it really, but he still felt the need to hide weakness from others.
“Will stoooop” Mack grumbled, forcing himself to sit up and look at Cat, who looked like a worried mother. Toff walked in next, “who’s sick?” And Mack could only groan as he slapped a hand to his forehead.
“I am not sick, oh my gosh, Will is making a big deal out of nothing.” His eyes bounced between Cat and Toff, “I am fine.” He tried to protest.
Will turned to them, “he just said his head and stomach hurt.” He argued and then turned back to Mack, “baby it’s fine, no one is mad. We just want to help you.” He knew how Mack got. He didn’t mean to throw Mack under the bus but he needed to understand that admitting to not feeling well was okay. It was okay to let people in and do nice things for him, especially people he considered family.
Cat seemed to realize Mack was feeling uncomfortable in the situation, “I make these bread bowls with chicken noodle soup that Tyler loves! We make them all the time, I’ll get started.” And with that she walked past them, hand stopping to linger on Mack’s shoulder with a gentle squeeze before heading back into the kitchen.
Toff went to walk to the kitchen with her but stopped to watch the two boys. Will looked pleased that he had won as he pulled Mack back down to lay across his lap and Mack grumbled like a child.
“Celly, just let Will and Cat fuss over you, trust me I learned a long time ago to just let them fuss. Remember you’re not a machine.” Toff spoke like a dad and maybe Mack needed the reminder that he wasn’t perfect, unfortunately. It was okay to let others take the reins and he could sit back and let them.
Really it’s probably why he didn’t feel well in the first place. Taking on too much at such a young age, the weight of an entire franchise felt like it was on his shoulders. It wasn’t, but that was just the type of player Mack was. A leader, hard headed, and unwilling at times to accept help or let himself be cared for. He’d try this time.
Mack and Will laid in comfortable silence for a while, Will rubbing his back, Mack’s head turned to face the tv now. Will had flipped the game to a romcom they both liked to get his head off hockey. Mack needed to think about anything other than hockey.
Will must’ve dozed off himself because he startled slightly when he felt a hand touch his shoulder, “shit, sorry” his voice came out rough as he cleared his throat, rubbing his hand over his face. Clearly both of them had been exhausted.
“You’re good, food’s ready if you wanna get him up.” Toff motioned to Mack and they both chuckled at his open mouth, a drool spot on Will’s sweatpants.
Will smiled at the sleeping boy. He needed the rest and even like this he looked beautiful to Will, flushed on his cheeks from sleep, hair a mess, drool and all. This was the Mack that only he got to see (and the Toffoli’s now), not Macklin Celebrini hockey prodigy. Just Mack, so at ease, so relaxed surrounded by love. He’d never stop falling more in love with him.
Will ran a hand up and down Mack’s arm to rouse him, “wakey wakey” he leaned down to whisper close to his ear, “dinners ready.” He continued when he saw Mack’s eyes fluttering open.
Mack reached a hand up, rubbing his sleeve against his mouth, stretching like a cat in Will’s lap. It was all very endearing, and Will just watched him in awe of how lucky he was.
“Let’s go eat, and then we’ll head home so you can sleep, okay?” Will patted at Mack’s side, urging him to sit up. Mack went willingly, pushing to sit up so that Will wasn’t trapped beneath him anymore. His head pulsed with the new position and he ducked his head to fall into his hands as he braced his elbows against his thighs.
He let out a small groan, trying to massage his forehead where it hurt the most, “my head is killing me, Willy.” He spoke softly but it came out tense and Will wrapped a hand around his nape, rubbing at the tense muscle under his fingertips.
Mack hadn’t really complained about headaches much during their relationship so far, so this was weird, and definitely new for Mack as well. He didn’t cope well with pain and he couldn’t remember ever experiencing a headache like this before.
He could tell Mack was uncomfortable and he felt bad and didn’t know what to do to help him except be there for him. Will got headaches on occasion and knew they sucked, but Mack seemed to be taking it hard.
“I know baby, I think some food will help, okay?” And Mack agreed. Will was right more often than not, but the thought of sitting up and eating made his stomach turn threateningly. He still let Will drag him to the table, eyes squinting as the boys joined the Toffoli’s at the table.
“Here, you’ve got to try and eat a bit with them though.” And Mack looked up from where he had propped his head in his hand again, Cat shaking out pills from a bottle. He vaguely recalls Toff mentioning her getting migraines sometimes so these must be to help with that. He holds out his hand with a whispered thanks and throws them back with a sip of water.
Toff and Cat both look concerned for their youngest player. He was like a son to them, it sucked to see him in pain. As everyone dived into their food, Mack took deep breaths, and tried not to breathe through his nose as he brought a small spoonful to his mouth.
His previous upset stomach had turned nauseous at the sight and smell of the food. Don’t get him wrong, it looked and smelled amazing, but whatever migraine or sickness had struck him was coiling his stomach in a way he knew he couldn’t eat without being sick.
After one bite he forced himself to take he turned his head into his elbow, laying his head down against the table, weakly pushing his plate away. Will, who had been thoroughly enjoying his own meal, turned when he saw Mack collapsing head down to the table, hand already reaching for his back.
“Baby..” he spoke softly as he leaned over trying to get Mack’s attention. Toff and Cat exchanged worried looks, Mack was pale. Way too pale to be normal and whatever was hitting him had clearly hit him like a truck.
“I can’t, I- I’m sorry” a choked sob broke his sentence and Will was already standing up on edge, slipping to his other side to kneel down so he could be level with Mack.
Mack spoke again before Will could, “feel like I’m gonna throw up.” He whimpered out and Will’s heart broke for him. He quickly glanced up at the other couple hoping they could do something. He didn’t know what he needed them to do, maybe just be there as a comforting presence.
Toff was already up and across the kitchen, bringing over the tall kitchen trash can to place next to Will, and Will brought it closer to Mack’s side though he didn’t know if he’d actually throw up. Mack hated an audience when he was sick, he’d do everything to hold it back until he was alone or just Will was around.
Mack felt the trash can brush against his leg, and it made his stomach roll again. He continued to breathe, not daring to open his eyes knowing the pulsing inside his head would only intensify with the lights.
“W’nna go home.” He groaned out in one breath before clamping his mouth shut not wanting more than words to come spilling out. He really just wanted to leave. He thought he would be fine to get through the night but clearly whatever migraine had hit him was adamant he suffered so now he just wanted to go home.
“Okay. Okay, can you make it to the car?” Will was asking as he stood already trying to map out how he was gonna get Mack out of here in one piece. Cat was standing from the table waiting to see if she was needed and Toff stood nearby waiting for directions.
Mack just nodded and lifted his head up, pushing back his chair from the table slightly so he could get up. Will grabbed his arm and when he stood Mack quickly had to brace his hand on the table, head tucking down toward the trash can below his feet. Oh fuck he might not make it.
His breaths were shaky and Toff was saying something like “it’s okay buddy” while Will rubbed a soothing hand on his back but it really wasn’t okay. He felt like shit. He did not want to throw up right here at the Toffoli’s dinner table. How embarrassing.
Mack straightened up when the nausea ebbed a fraction and turned toward Will with a short nod that he was good. Will didn’t hesitate to start leading him to the door, Toff on his other side a steady presence in case he was needed. Cat had disappeared but as Mack got guided into the passenger seat of Will’s car she was pushing a target bag into his hands for the ride home.
He clutched it tightly in his fist, as Will reclined his seat back a bit and he curled up on his side. He could hear Will’s muffled talking to them quickly when he closed the door and Mack shivered against a chill. Maybe he had a fever and that’s why he felt so bad. He tried to put a hand to his own forehead but he couldn’t tell. Everything felt too hot to him.
Will was sliding into the driver's seat in the next moment, flipping the car on as he got a hand in Mack’s hair, fingers scratching at his scalp, “you okay?” He asked even though Mack was very obviously not okay but it still felt right to ask.
Mack just shook his head with a whine and curled up even further until his head hit the center console. He knew it was about a 10 minute drive so he just hoped he could hold out throwing up in that time. He wasn’t feeling good about it as the car started toward their place and his stomach swooshed and turned with every pulse in his head and every turn of the car.
He didn’t know how close they were but the shaky breathing and trying to think of anything else but throwing up was working until it wasn’t. He felt the familiar sticky saliva starting to fill his mouth and it was making him want to gag and he had no choice but to shakily open the bag and get the opening close to his mouth.
Will looked over hearing the crinkle, and took his hand out of his hair to run over his back, “almost there babe.” He whispered sadly, knowing how much this had to suck for his boy.
Mack’s stomach squeezed and he let out a shallow gag as the saliva got too thick in his throat. Nothing came of it but when he went to spit out the saliva that he couldn’t bear to swallow, it stringily stuck to his lips and dripped down into the bag in a way that turned his stomach just enough to force another gag up.
He wasn’t as lucky and bile flooded over his tongue forcing him to sit up, bag pulled to his chin, as it fell into the bag. Will sat up straighter in his seat, eyes darting from the road and back to Mack every few seconds.
He winced as Mack leaned over his legs slightly, head ducking into the bag, as everything he’d eaten that day came up horribly. Mack’s brain was just a blinding noise as the horrible headache intensified with each gag. Each time he tried to stop and breathe his brain felt like it was being squeezed in a vice and he retched again.
It was a horrible, never ending cycle and by the end of it he realized they had made it home and Will was right outside his door holding him steady and whispering soothingly to him as he rubbed his back. He didn’t know how long they’d been home but he’d never been more thankful to go get in their bed.
Will was reaching to take the bag from him and wrapping an arm around his waist, “let’s get inside, get you comfortable.” And his voice was so soothing even during the worst headache he’d ever experienced so Mack just did as he was told, letting himself be guided inside.
As soon as their door was open Mack’s body worked on autopilot as he stumbled toward the bathroom in the hall. He didn't dare turn on the lights and thankfully Will didn’t either as he walked in right behind him.
Mack crumpled to the floor next to the toilet, feeling on edge, not sure if he would be sick again. He curled up, arms pillowing his head on the seat, Will squatting down to rub a hand up and down his back.
“You gonna be sick again?” Will asked but Mack just shrugged in response. Mack’s natural instinct was to camp out here just in case, so he was already planning to fall asleep on the floor, praying the headache eased enough for him to sleep all this off.
Will pressed a kiss to Mack’s shoulder as he went to stand up. He left the bathroom briefly to grab an ice pack, wrapping a towel around it, bringing it back. He was gonna have to force Mack to leave this bathroom somehow, he needed to actually rest, not sit here for hours.
“C’mon babe, let’s lay down on the couch okay?” Will pressed the ice to the back of Mack’s neck. He knew from his own headaches that ice would help and Mack had been sweating through his shirt when he was rubbing his back so hopefully this would help.
“No, no, I’ll get sick again.” Was groaning afraid of moving or making a mess, not able to make it back in time if he needed to.
“I’ll bring you a bowl, you need to lay down and rest. You’re not feeling well baby, please come with me.” And Will had crouched down again to hug up against Mack to whisper softly to him. He’d win in the end if he pressed enough.
Mack sighed and lifted his head up, seemingly taking stock of his body and debating this move. He whispered “okay” softly in the end, letting Will pull him up and guide him to their living room.
Will gently pushed Mack down, adjusting pillows and maneuvering their sectional pieces. The different footrests could be adjusted to create a massive couch that could pass as a bed if needed. They spent many nights falling asleep here in the past, movies playing in the background.
Mack curled up in a ball, burying his head into a pillow as Will pulled a blanket over him. He reached to pull the blankets higher to cover his head, closing his eyes. Mack reached his hand out of the blanket, reaching for Will. He could feel him moving around on the couch still, doing who knows what.
“Baby” Mack called out softly, fingers wiggling and Will’s hand found his, squeezing softly.
“I’m here. Just getting everything set up then I’ll lay with you.” Will replied as he pulled his hand back to get everything set up. He got a towel laid out next to Mack, placed a bowl down and brought water bottles and Gatorade over.
When Will went to slide under the blanket behind Mack, he felt Mack move to adjust against him. Mack turned over to curl up against Will’s chest, head still pulsing steadily in tune with his heart. Will grabbed the abandoned ice pack, pressing it against his neck again.
“Comfortable?” Will asked when Mack finally stopped moving and Mack just let out a small noise of appreciation. He let out a soft sigh, body already easing, having him close.
No words were spoken in the time that followed. Everything fell into comfortable silence as Will’s hand dragged through his hair pausing to massage his temples every few minutes. Mack leaned into the touch further, breaths eventually evening out as sleep took over. Will stayed awake for a while, wanting to keep comforting the boy in his arms.
Will’s own body started to give in to sleep feeling the warmth of his love in his arms, where he was always supposed to be. Hoping that the migraine would be gone by morning, he pressed a kiss to his head with a whispered I love you, sleep pulling him under.