Milkshake Hearts

Chapter 89: Headache

"You doing okay?" Shayne asks, gently, when Courtney grumbles about nothing in particular on the Friday morning, as they flit around the apartment between waking up and heading to work.

"Kinda got a pretty bad headache, not feeling great," she admits, sighing lightly, "might be dehydrated or something, hopefully it'll pass."

"That sucks, baby, but yeah, it might just be something like that. You up to work or wanna stay home?" he queries.

"I'll work. We got that house inspection straight after, anyway, so..." she trails off.

"I could come home and pick you up for that if you want to stay home, no issue, but if you're sure..." he offers, but Courtney shakes her head, wincing as she does in regret at the rapid movement.

"Thank you, but work is fine."

She manages with few issues through the first part of the day. They film an anime-themed Eat It Or Yeet It early in the morning, which she hosts with ease, especially given the food is a little less gross than it can be on that show. Their second shoot of the day is much more involved, a sketch that she is directing by herself, and while it's nice to not have to be on camera as her head continues pounding uncomfortably, the constant sips of water she's been taking aren't helping quite like she had hoped.

"You doing okay Court Bourt?" Ian asks as they all move between sets partway through the shoot, evidently noticing her discomfort.

"Meh. Just a headache," she answers, shrugging a little as she tries to brush it off.

"You want painkillers or something? There's some in the kitchen," he reminds her, Courtney reluctantly nodding.

"Wouldn't hate an Advil."

"I'll go get one for you," Shayne speaks up, from just behind them, although she can feel his concerned gaze on her, given how uncharacteristic it is for her to ask for medication.

"Thanks, baby," she turns as she speaks to him, eyes meeting his. His gaze is full of worry, but she tries to reassure him with a soft smile that she knows ends up being more forced than genuine. He looks sceptically at her, before nodding and slipping out of the studio towards the kitchen.

The pounding in her head continues to worsen, somehow, and she feels nausea starting to creep into her stomach as they push through the next scene. Shayne returns just as the scene finishes, standing in front of her as he hands over and watches her take the pills with a caring gaze.

"If directing is too much everyone would be okay if we had to put it off," he reminds her, voice low enough that only she can hear.

"It's fine. Just two more scenes, get it over with and it's the last day before break. And the pills might help," she mumbles back, although he looks unconvinced.

"Okay, just... please look after yourself?" he requests, hand brushing against hers for a moment. She takes the opportunity, grabbing his fingers and squeezing lightly for a moment before they both turn back to their work.

Much to her appreciation, the final two scenes they have to shoot move quickly, and she is able to convey her directorial demands in few words and few movements. She knows everyone else has picked up that she's feeling off, too, so she gives in and lets herself rub gently at pressure points on her head and neck to try and relieve some of the tension in her head.

"Okay, cool, that's a wrap," she projects her voice as much as she can when they finish, although doing so sends a wave of nausea crashing over. She pauses in place, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment as she feels everyone around her packing up and shifting out of the studio.