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Sarad shook his head. it hurt, by the gods it hurt, but he would live with it. he didn't want to make Dale get up if he didn't want to. Sarad would just live with it for now, he could do that much at least. especially when Dale was kind enough to sleep next to Sarad and not complain about being used as a pillow, "I should be fine until then." he was mostly off of Dale now, but there was a light sheen of sweat across his forehead from the effort, "maybe a little warm." he grinned a little and finally got off. "Sorry. maybe that will help me cool down. sorry, again. good night."

Sarad watched Dale get up and move around, but felt close to tears when he saw him getting the medicine as well. "thank you," he said fervently as he took out two and swallowed them dry. he was going to have to keep the bottle near his bed for the time being. "sleep well." Sarad closed his eyes and waited for the medicine to kick in. it took a while, but he was finally able to move a little after a little over an hour. he sighed and slipped off the bed, stretching as much as he could to loosen things up. he decided to take a bath and try to use the heat to finish the job. it was early sunday morning so the bathroom should be free. he took his clothes and towel with him before undressing in the bathroom behind a safely locked door. it was heaven and hell to sink into the hot water, his back and thighs protesting but his muscles sighing with relief. he soaked for as long as he could before getting out and dressing. he didn't need the bandages anymore, his wounds were scabbed over enough to not risk tearing open and bleeding. he returned to their room and lay on his stomach on the floor with a book, reading while Dale slept.

Sarad glanced up when Dale woke, "nothing important. i just picked it up at the library-" he frowned when Dale suddenly started apologizing and brought his knees to his chin. "why-" but he saw it before Dale closed his legs completely. he was aroused and embarrassed. he smiled a little as slowly sat up, "it's ok. it's only natural, i'm a guy, too, you know. it happens to me now and then, nothing to be embarrassed about." he stood up just as slowly, a bit stiff from laying on the floor for so long, "don't worry about it. go take care of things and we'll get some brunch, ok?"

Sarad used the time that Dale was gone to walk around and stretch a little, warming up his muscles and making them work again. the second pain pill of the day was taken and he sat down on his bed, waiting. the knock had him up and opening the door, shaking his head a little, "you could have draped the towel over your head, you know." but he was teasing and held the door for Dale as he got out of the way, "ready to go when you are." he wasn't really hungry, but he knew that not eating would make Dale worry and he didn't want that.

Sarad shook his head, "it wasn't your fault. you were still on your half, i was tthe one that moved over." he walked out, "sorry, again. i really didn't mean to do that. i must have gotten cold and gravitated towards the warmth." he pushed his hair behind his ear, "but i slept just fine, thank you. and-thank you for staying with me last night," he lowered his eyes, "i hope i didn't disturb you at all." he was worried his nightmares had woken Dale.

So he had woken Dale. Sarad felt guilty for disturbing his sleep, even if he said ti was only a little. "sorry. i'll try to be quieter," he promised, not sure how he would do so, but willing to research on ways to try. they reached the cafeteria and Sarad decided to get the french toast breakfast with bacon and orange juice. after going through the line, he found a spot that was free and sat, moving his juice to the other chair so that he could save it for Dale. as soon as his friend sat down, he pulled it back, "hungry?" he asked, lifting an eyebrow as he looked over the pile of food that was his roommate's breakfast.

Sarad grinned and shook his head, "i'm not that hungry, so this should be fine. thank you though." he started to eat, but kept an eye on Dale, "if you finish all of that, i'm going to be impressed. you ate quite a bit at dinner last night as well. guess working as hard as you did means you have to build up your energies." he shrugged and took a drink of orange juice before deciding he wanted something hot to drink as well. "i'll be right back." he stood up to get himself a cup of coffee, hoping that the caffeine would help dull some of the pain as well.

Tami saw that Dale had a seat open next to him and walked over, "Hey!" she sat down without asking, knowing that Dale wouldn't mind. they ran together in track, though in different heats thanks to gender differences. "you did awesome in the meet yesterday, keep it up and you might be able to catch me." she smirked as she dug into her pudding, "sleep in, like i did? i was exhausted after yesterday!"

Sarad returned with the cup and saucer in hand and paused when he saw someone had joined them at their table. he shook himself slightly and sat back down, keeping his eyes firmly on the table. he thought he recognized her from the meet, she had run a little bit before Dale in the hurtles, so maybe they were friends.

"Oh, hey!" she smiled when they were joined by a beauty, "sorry, were you eating with your girlfriend? i can leave, don't want to get in the way." she'd seen Dale walking away with some weird haired girl after the meet, so this was her, huh? "so you go for the beautiful ones, huh?"

Sarad chocked on his coffee when she asked if he was Dale's girlfriend. he coughed, trying to get the hot liquid out of his wind pipe. "What?" he gasped from behind his hand.

"What?" Tami gasped, "a boy? no way!" she got up and walked around the small table before lifting Sarad's chin and looking him over. "i don't believe you. strip."

Sarad turned red, "I-no" he looked at Dale, horrified. who was this woman?

Tami laughed and slapped him on the back, sending him forward over the table, "i'm just kidding. i won't make you strip. damn, you're a pretty boy." she chuckled as she sat back down, "lucky Dale, getting to see that pretty face every day." she laughed and shook her head, taking a bite of food, "You should join the track team. i bet you'd be popular, you should get him to join, Dale. he looks like he could be fast."

Sarad was still bent over the table, white with pain from the slap. he couldn't keep up with her, she was just too much.