Work Text:
There was no denial about the fact that work on the farm was hard, but in the hot summer months it was almost impossible. Henry had been out in the field for hours when nausea came. He did his best to swallow it down, but then the cramps started. He felt miserable. His clothes were soaked in sweat, but his skin was dry. He could feel his own heartbeat. He wasn't even sure what happened after that. He must have passed out, as when he opened his eyes again, the sun was above him. It hadn't been like that before. It was so hot, but the hand that touched him felt cool.
“Welcome back.” Patrick mused as he knelt next to Henry and touched his face, not missing how he leaned into his touch with a sense of desperation. “I thought I lost you for a moment there.”
“Patrick?” Henry questioned with a mixture of confusion and overall exhaustion, sitting up slowly with Patrick's assistance. “What happened?”
“Someone decided to work out in the heat instead of spending the afternoon indoors where there's shit like air conditioning to keep you from overheating.” Patrick responded as he fixed Henry's hair for him, letting out a small sigh as he helped him onto his feet. “Come on.. Let's get you inside before Butch sees you like this. I think we both know how that'll end.”
The nausea hit Henry like a train the second he made it to his feet. He had no doubt if it wasn't for Patrick, he would have collapsed again. He had no idea why Patrick was even here, but he tried not to think about that as Patrick led him into the house. Patrick sat him down on the couch before he headed into the kitchen. In all truth Henry wasn't sure how much time had passed, but the next time Patrick was at his side, he was met with a cool washcloth on his face. It felt nice. It was what he needed. He melted into Patrick's touch. He started to feel better.
“When did you come over?” Henry asked as Patrick handed him some cold water to drink, downing about half of it before he tried to speak again. “I thought your parents had you at some kind of church event.”
“It ended about an hour before I arrived.” Patrick responded as he seated himself next to Henry on the couch, not missing the look he received in return, which prompted him to continue. “There was an accident that involved the priest and his collar being found with some little boys' clothes in the church basement.”
“Do I want to know if you were involved?” Henry questioned as he continued to stare at Patrick, taking the smile that spread across his face as enough of an answer. “I'll take that as a no.”
“I'll run a bath for you.” Patrick responded as he moved to his feet, unable to miss how Henry's eyes followed him with an accusatory look on his face. “I went to church today. I deserve a little sin.”
“You're a freak, Hockstetter.” Henry muttered as he rested his head back against the couch, allowing his eyes to flutter shut. “A real freak.”
“I think the fact that I saved you from a heatstroke evens that out.” Patrick reasoned with an overall sense of dismissal, heading off to the bathroom as he spoke. “Give me five minutes.”
Henry continued to rest until Patrick came back to collect him. He never liked cold baths or showers, but in his current state, he was thankful for it. Patrick remained at his side the entire time. He wasn't sure if this counted as a good deed or not, but as nice as it felt, it must have been sinful on some level. Neither of them ever discussed what went down that day after that, but Henry knew that he could always count on Patrick to be there for him when it mattered. Perhaps he was right about who was real and who wasn't, or at least in the sense that he wasn't a fake fuck like the rest of them. He was there for him. He took care of him.