"Okay, we're home," Alex opened the door to the hotel room. Nick promptly stumbled to the bathroom to vomit.
After getting changed, Alex stood in the doorway, seeing his dejected guitarist on the cold, tile floor.
"Aw, Nick," Alex helped him up and walked him to his bed, "Are you alright?"
"C-Can I have some water?" Nick looked up at Alex.
"Yeah, of course," Alex helped Nick wiggle into a t-shirt and sweatpants. He then went to get a glass of water for him.
Nick sank back into the pillows on the bed. They felt warm, like the perfect comfort he needed after such a long night.
"What happened to you?" Alex asked as he handed the glass to Nick.
"Must have eaten something icky," Nick sighed, pulling the blanket around his face.
Alex sat down next to Nick. "How was the party otherwise?"
"I felt kind of like an outsider, to be completely honest with you."
"Why's that?"
"I never feel cool or important enough to be around all of your artsy friends. You know that."
"I didn't know it was that bad."
Nick sighed and sank further back.
"Aw, you pretty boy..."
"That's it. That's all I am."
"No, don't say that," Alex laughed softly and stroked Nick's sweaty hair, trying to comfort him.
"I'm just a pretty face, aren't I?"
"You're so much more than—"
"Look into my eyes. I swear you can't see a thing behind them."
"Nick—"
"Do it."
Alex looked into Nick's sad, sunken blue eyes. "There's something in there. A lot in there, actually."
"Something!"
"Yeah, something," Alex laughed, "Can I check if you have a fever?"
Nick nodded, his eyes teary, bright blue against the dim yellow light of the room.
"Okay..." Alex kissed Nick's forehead, "wow, you're hot. Might need to get you one of those sticky ice packs like they had in Japan."
"Those worked like a dream," Nick smiled. Nick's amalgamated accent came out in moments like this.
"Those art people don't know a thing about you," Alex laughed, flopping down next to Nick.
"It feels like they can see into my soul sometimes."
"Well, if they can do that, they don't always see the truth. What they don't get out of what you say is in here," Alex pointed to Nick's chest.
"Thanks, but..." Nick sighed, "I just wish I didn't stumble so much every time I try to speak."
"That's fine! It happens to everyone."
"Not as much as it happens to me. Even right now, I'm—"
"It doesn't make any difference in the world to me, Nick," Alex stroked Nick's hair, laying on his side next to him.
"Those friends of yours always notice. They make it a point to leave me out of whatever intellectual discussions they're having. I'm just a pretty boy with a pretty face."
"Hey, if that's how you feel—" Alex scooted closer to Nick, "you're my pretty boy with a pretty face and a good brain whose mouth doesn't agree with it sometimes."
"You can put it that way," Nick rolled onto his side.
"Aw, come on," Alex sat Nick up and kissed his forehead again, "you're lovely, okay?"
A deep pink blush spread across Nick's cheeks, "Alex..."
"It's New Year's Eve, Nick. Let's go enjoy it."
"I'll throw up on you if you even think about moving me."
"Oh, come on. Just to the window."
Nick slowly got up and wobbled to the window, Alex's arm around him for support. He sat down on the windowsill and Alex joined him after getting a fresh glass of water.
"Here," Alex held the glass out to Nick, who accepted it.
"T-Thanks," Nick held the glass in his tight, shaking hands.
"Are you alright?"
Nick nodded, but he didn't look alright.
"Hey," Alex tried to comfort him, "look at how beautiful the city looks at night..."
Nick smiled softly, "yeah. It's nice," he leaned on Alex, relaxing a bit.
"The lights look so lovely..."
Nick nodded, falling asleep.
"I love you, my Nickie."
Nick opened his bright blue eyes and smiled, reaching up to kiss Alex...
"Nick, what are you— you might be contagious!!"
Nick laughed and kissed him anyway.
"Ah, whatever."
