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 Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 5:37 pm
Priam glanced between Sterling and Yu, and then to Karone, and then back to Yu.
"Yu," he said softly, gently. "Please. You both have spent so much time and effort fussing over me. Let me fuss over you." There was a tenderness lacing the sincere concern. "Pizza will never be as good as anything you make, but if Sterling thinks you're coming down with a cold, I know he'd be more worried about such a thing than you would be. If something happened to you, I don't know what I'd do. I'd probably worry so much that I got sick too. I don't know if Jarvis told you, but I'm positively dreadful when I'm trapped in bed, sick."
Jarvis had, of course, because he'd spent a lot of time with Sterling and Yu and it seemed like his idea of easing away the awkward silence of new acquaintances had been to talk about what they shared in common. Only, Jarvis had never said a bad thing about Priam, only that Priam had always had health issues and been particularly susceptible to catching whatever sickness was going around, especially during the colder months.
Priam continued, "The more stressed out you are, the weaker your immune system is. I know mine is shot already, and you're probably stronger than I am but I don't want you getting sick either. I know I ask for a lot, Yu. But please. Let's go take it easy, relax, bundle up, and take care of ourselves. We'll have more time to spend with Karone if you don't have to cook, and we can always invite her over for garlic chicken another night. I'd love to have her over more often if she's important to you."
He looked to Sterling, like he was politely requesting some sort of support in this.
...Honestly, he just wanted to go sit down on the couch with them, himself. He was dizzy first with fear for their well-being, and then the immediate sling-shot into relief that they were fine. He didn't want to lose Yu to the kitchen no matter how good his food was.
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 6:03 pm
Karone narrowed her eyes slightly, looking up through the fur on Oreo’s belly. She was quiet for a moment and then sighed, getting up and giving the cat a kiss on her nose before walking over to where the three stood. “I’ll come back another night, thank you for having me as long as you did, I think you should get Yu on the couch, wrapped in a blanket now, I’ll still order the pizza, I’m very good at that, and put on a nice movie. Maybe...something Christmasy or something...it’ll be good for you.”
She took Yu by the shoulders and glided him over to the couch, snatching the quilt from the back and wrapping him in it so that he no longer had the use of his arms, and placed a kiss right on his forehead. “You are going to listen to me, you hear? Enjoy your pizza. Enjoy your boyfriends. Enjoy your movie. Cuddle. Kiss. Use protection, whatever you want to do.”
Keeping her eyes on him, Karone placed another kiss on the top of his head. “I’ll see you soon. Invite me for garlic chicken. Feel better. Let them pamper you, okay?” She wore a soft smile and made her way to the door, glancing back at Yu for a moment. “...You are loved, little brother. A hell of a lot.”
And with that, she nodded to both Priam and Sterling and slipped out of the house, making the pizza order when she was outside, sending a text to Yu that it would be there in about half an hour.
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 6:04 pm
Sterling hesitated and when the door had closed, he made his way over towards the kitchen. “I'm making you soup. And making all of us hot chocolate. You have no choice in the matter...Yu...I’ll tie you up if I have to, so be good.” He flashed a quick look at Priam, and hurried into the kitchen. He wanted to cry. Wanted a moment alone with his thoughts.
Wanted to really make sure that the dogs were okay.
He was glad that Karone had left...glad that...now they could just be alone. Provided he didn’t ruin everything with a stupid panic attack. He could feel it rising, threatening to completely overtake him. But. He could fight it off. Everything…
Everything was fine.
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 6:20 pm
Something inside him broke a little, even if it was because they cared, it felt like he was ushered out, quietly, softly from the duties that made him useful to them. And then Karone said ‘use protection’, and he thought hew as going to -die-. “Karone!!” He protested. But … she was leaving too with the chicken removed from the equation. His heart clenched. And then Sterling was heading to the kitchen and… His phone buzzed and he glanced down at it to swallow. Pizza, half an hour. He sent her back thanks, and a quick ‘someone tagged me at the park if you catch my meaning. He rubbed his eyes, trying so hard not to cry. He half wanted to just retreat to his own and burry under the blankets. He didn’t… deserve… “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare anyone.” He whispered. “I… I can’t even….explain, someone, tapped my shoulder at the park, and the next thing I knew… I was on a bench, and they were gone.” He had to try and explain. “I … I didn’t….” He lost words. He was supposed to be stronger than this.
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 6:40 pm
Use protection.
Oh, right. That's what people in relationships did, probably, reasonably. Priam was ready to climb into a grave, and Karone was gone before he could have even tried to poorly utter a response--even if it had been, 'It was nice to meet you, thank you so much for bringing my dogs home and saving my boyfriends from themselves.'
He'd have to get her number from Yu and send her flowers or something, at the very least.
Karone had dragged Yu to the couch and bundled him up, which on one hand made it easy for Priam to join him on the couch, but on the other hand he was worried about jostling him, about frustrating or smothering him.
And Sterling was gone and Priam wanted to go take care of him.
He could hear the sound of tails thumping in the kitchen; Odie and Penny each were eagerly lapping at his hands and bumping against him.
"Yu," he said softly, fingers gently playing in his hair, trying to soothe him in some way. "You didn't do anything wrong. I love you. Please don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone made it home. Things like this happen. I once lost my dog for nearly a full week. You've been under so much stress, I know this hasn't been easy. Whatever happened, I don't blame you. I'm just worried about you, I want to make sure you aren't going to pass out and get hurt. I'm a doctor, and your boyfriend, and that just means I worry doubly, so I just want to hold you until you're okay. If you need more than that, tell me what I can do for you. But you and Sterling have done so much for me, and I care so much for the both of you. I want you two to be okay, so let me help you get there, please."
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 7:23 pm
“Yeah but…it’s winter. Dogs can’t put sweaters on by themselves, they can’t put on boots or…” He Sighed unable to express himself again, tripping over the words. He turned to look at Priam, reading the worry in his face. The… bit of ‘Doctor’ there that he knew he’d give in to, if only because there was the boyfriend angle. He hadn’t wrecked that yet and sighed. “She adopted me for garlic chicken you know.” He offered to try and bring a smile. Not that it wasn’t true… but, from the outside, it was sort of funny at least. “What… can I do to prove I’m okay.” He offered. “I'm just tired a bit, it’s really not bad I promise. But if it will make you feel better.” He swallowed hard. To be fussed over by Priam, who was still hearing. He really was trouble.
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 8:13 pm
"Dogs can't put on sweaters or boots themselves, and a month ago, neither could I," he said, smoothing his hair again. "...If we're being completely honest, as soon as she brought the dogs back, I was afraid something had happened to you two. To be honest, I just want to hold you for a moment so I know I'm not dreaming. I wish Sterling were here too, but he's worried. I suppose we all worry in different ways. Sometimes things intersect, sometimes we just need a bit to process things ourselves. I'm sorry if I'm smothering you."
It was a bit selfish, if Yu wanted space, to keep drawing him so close.
And yet, Priam didn't know if Yu was drawing away because it was what he needed, or what he was used to.
"If you're just tired, then rest with me. I'm not going to drag you off to some physician or nag at you. Besides. I'd take better care of you than any of them, if something was wrong. I just want you to know that it's not your fault. And I'll tell Sterling the same as soon as I don't have to shout it. Thank you for looking so hard for them. I can tell you wore yourselves out. If I need to get them into obedience school, I will. I'm so sorry for all of this trouble. I'm just--I'm just so happy you're all okay. Recently, I've started to expect the worst of everything. But you all chase those fears away. I just need to hold you for a moment until I feel better, if that's all right?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 8:26 pm
“Yeah… no, of course, it’s alright.” He assured. He wasn’t going to argue leaning into that touch. “You’re not smothering.” He offered. Yes, he wanted to hide but he also wanted to savor them. He wanted to make things better, and safe, and calm… he wanted to protect them from all the things that went bump in the night, and he couldn’t. He leaned in, resting his head on Priam’s shoulder, breathing deep and just letting his shoulders try and relax. He was still…so tired. The energy drain, because that was what it had been - had taken a hell of a lot out of him. So ironic to have it done in broad daylight, and to wake up as he had placed people, on a park bench. “I love your dumb horses, I love.. you, I love Sterling.” He murmured, closing his eyes. “I love… cooking for you too… it’s nice. Soothing …. that’s all.” “The horses don’t need to go anywhere, I just… need to be more careful.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 8:48 pm
Priam always relaxed when Yu responded to him, and he breathed a little sigh of relief when Yu's head rested on his shoulder. "I love your cooking too."
Oh, he wanted to protest. He wanted to keep him on the couch, wanted to wrap him in a blanket and hold him.
...But Priam's comfort was something they could obtain at any time. Yu's comfort came in the kitchen.
He held him for a moment, relaxed, and then said, "Let's go kick Sterling out of the kitchen. He and I can cheer you on while we make sure you don't work too hard. And then we'll all go rest. Would that make you feel a little better?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 8:56 pm
There was a snort from the kitchen doorway and Sterling carefully walked in carrying three cups of hot chocolate, towered with both marshmallow cream and whipped cream, and even some festive sprinkles. “You don’t have to chase anyone out of anywhere. The soup is simmering for a little bit, we had some leftover chicken that Yu cooked the other night and it’ll do fine. It’s not going to be great soup though.”
The words were soft, almost a playful warning, but he just felt tired.
He put the cocoa down on the table and sighed, falling onto the couch next to Priam and curling against him, reaching across to grab hold of Yu’s shirt. “...We’re out of any kind of decent soup noodle. So...it’ll be chicken spaghetti soup. It’ll taste awful I bet. Compared to what you can make but...I...It’s still chicken broth. It’ll chase away your cold, I hope. That’s all I want.”
His eyes were a little red rimmed, and his cheeks were just a bit blotchy. “I love you two.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:06 pm
He gave a small breathless laugh as he opened his eyes. “Chicken and spaghetti soup, I never told you my favorite.” He murmured. “I love you too….” He whispered, the half-broken edge to it, the tired weight of the day, the month… “That is some, stunning looking hot coco too, praying to those Eldrich Sugar gods again I see, and, you … probably don’t give yourself enough credit in the kitchen.” He whispered. "I'm sorry... if I made you cry."
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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:25 pm
Priam breathed a little sigh of relief when Sterling returned; he smiled softly, even if his heart hurt to see him looking so upset.
"Chase you out of the kitchen and right into our arms," he murmured. The idea of chicken and spaghetti soup seemed a little frightening, but he smiled all the same.
"Both of you, please. You did nothing wrong. It's not like you were negligent, it's not like you were trying to get rid of the dogs. Let's just relax and destress, however you need. You deserve it. I think you scared yourselves more than enough for all of us. But it's okay, I promise."
He placed a gentle hand on Sterling's knee and squeezed. "You two always try so hard. I wouldn't trade either of you for anything in the world. Thank you for being so amazing. And for letting me be a part of your relationship."
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Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 12:25 pm
Sterling gave a laugh that seemed to tremble, and his hands tightened on Yu's shirt. “You didn’t make me cry...I...I’m so glad that the dogs are here. And I promise...it won’t be bad! I did break the spaghetti up before I put it in...it’ll just be...noodles, not...I’m not that stupid in the kitchen...I swear.”
The laugh that came out this time was tinged with a sniffle, and the male wiped at his eyes. “...I swear. But...I love you both too. Very much. Thank you for joining our relationship, Praim...You’re like...you’re the toppings on our sundae...we...Yu and I...we were ice cream and a bowl without you, and people like ice cream and...ah. Bowls but…”
This was making less than no sense and he sighed. “...I like sundaes a lot. And...my...um. My bowl can hold the both of you easily...I’m a big bowl…” Sterling hesitated and gave a sigh of frustration, pressing his face against Priam’s chest. “...Love you both so much…”
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Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 12:49 pm
“This… this seems like a hug it out moment.” Yu suggested, The trembling, the tears. He lifted his arms to let everyone closer. “I’m sure the soup is good, its noodles, its just a… basketball player kind of noodle.” “And… you make a pretty damn good spoon too.” He teased. Wait…does that mean the …horses are, fudge or something? Because they are pretty hot when they lay on top of you?”
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Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 1:08 pm
Priam laughed softly and rested closer against Yu. There was a part of him that was reminded that they had been a strong couple before him, and briefly he wondered how much he was intruding. Ice cream didn't need toppings, and Priam had always sort of found himself preferring his ice cream without, but now really wasn't the time for an existential crisis about their relationship.
He could do that later.
Sterling was being reassuring, trying to tell him that he improved their relationship. He hadn't had any intention of crying; he was happy that the dogs were home and he was happy that they were home. He could worry about how fundamentally useless he was another time, or angst about being an additional feature later.
He closed his eyes and relaxed his face, because being close to them did relax him.
He stroked Sterling's hair as he pressed close. "I'm sure they'd be delighted to be included in the equation. At least Oreo makes it easy to figure out what she'd be."
His emotions couldn't really figure out where they wanted to be, but 'safe' was a good place to settle, and he breathed a little easier.
Everyone was home. They'd be okay. He could work with this.
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