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[thephix]

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[bumbles]

( He stands, hesitates, hangs on the edges of taking a step. )

N-no.

( Of course not. The last thing he wants to do, but simply because he does or does not want to do something doesn't make it right or wrong. It doesn't really have any bearing, when there are so many things he wants that are downright impossible, twisting around on some level. )

That d-doesn't-- p-people w-want the wrong things, sometimes. And-- m-me loving you messes things up.

( But did he ever not adore her? Was it like this from the beginning, some infatuation, or was there some merit to it? )

W-what do you w-want?

[thephix]

[She wishes he wouldn't say it, as if someone not hearing the words will make it less real, less like something that could drown her. It's hard to look at him, hard to be so close, but she knows that move away would seem like a retreat or a suggestion that she does want him gone, which is the opposite of true.]

I want you here.

[Even if it hurts sometimes, even if she knows that being around Donny's anxiety so much is making her more tense, she can't imagine him leaving. The apartment would feel empty without him.]

[bumbles]

( Why is this difficult and why are they chasing themselves around in circles? Or is it just him, dragging her into this over and over?

What he wants to do is lean against her and wrap her up in a hug, but that wouldn't help the situation. )

Really?

( Or just because she thinks it's what he wants to hear? To spare his feelings, to keep herself from being compromised. )

[thephix]

[She forces herself to look at him, hoping that he'll see the honesty in her expression. It would be easier if he'd never learned how much she lies in the first place, but Asteria had made it too easy for him to see all her secrets.

Now he won't even believe her when she's telling the truth.]

I feel better around you.

[She hadn't known how to say it back to him before, but it fits now.]

[bumbles]

( Carefully, gently, he lets the back of his fingers brush against her wrist. )

I'd-- I w-want t-to stay.

( She makes him feel so, so much better. )

[thephix]

[Her eyes close briefly at the touch, relief written in every line of her body, before she looks at him again.]

Then stay.

[It doesn't matter that him being around makes things more complicated, that sometimes it makes everything more painful; it'd be worse without him.]

[bumbles]

( His breath shudders, and he rests his forehead against hers. )

Okay.

( Somehow he feels like he's failed at something, but this is so much a relief, at the same time. Leaning against her he shouldn't do, but God he misses her whenever they aren't in contact. )

[thephix]

[Carefully, she wraps an arm around his waist, anchoring herself against him. Maybe she should have let him go, as if he might've found some relief without her, instead of letting them keep hurting each other.

But she knows he would've just been as lonely as her, but they would've both been too stubborn to fix things. It's better that he never left; she's not sure she would've been able to ask him to come back.]

[bumbles]

( Gently, his arms wrap around her, as well, holding at her waist before he's simply holding her close against him.

This is so difficult, but he feels so relieved, even if pressing his palms to her back seems like it's a failure.

He really wants to kiss her; maybe it's for the best his nose is broken. )

I m-might lie d-down?

[thephix]

[She nods, holding him tighter for a brief moment before she lets go, so that he can actually do that.]

You should get some rest if you can, that's going to keep hurting.

[His nose, because she's had hers broken before, and it's never a fun process.]

[bumbles]

Yep.

( He scoffs a little, laughing at himself and how ridiculous this is. He almost kisses he cheek as he pulls back; somehow, he reminds himself not to, taking a step back. )

Just-- g-gotta um, k-keep my head elevated. That'll help.

[thephix]

I'll make sure you don't roll over in your sleep.

[And she'll ban Maurice from the bed for a little while, to make sure that he doesn't accidentally jostle Donny and hurt him.

The ban starts now, apparently, because she's moving over to the bed and quietly telling Maurice to hop down, petting him once he's on the ground to let him know that he's not in trouble.

She still has a lot of work to do for the day, but right now she just wants to forget all that and curl up with Donny for a little while, as if that might undo the tangled mess they've gotten themselves in.]

[bumbles]

Thank you.

( But he wants to change into pyjamas, and he's groaning a little as he tries to tug the training skins off over his head, biting his lip as it knocks his nose. Thank God for his trained silence. Eventually he manages to get the thing off, grabs a singlet to draw on instead. )

I'm so t-tired.

( He's still not able to sleep well. It feels so against the grain. )

[thephix]

[She watches him with a frown, wishing he wouldn't be so stubborn about getting help, about just taking some damn painkillers. He always gets angry at her about how she takes care of herself, but she's just forgetful, while he's actively not looking after himself.

There's no point arguing about it, not when everything else is so fragile.]

I know.

[Just like she is, even if it's for different reasons.

She wishes she could help, but while she knows what she'd do for herself (sleeping pills) she knows he won't accept the same thing.]

[bumbles]

( He tugs off the rest of the skins until he's down to his boxers, just clambering into bed and arranging pillows to prop himself up a little. It feels like so much effort, movements a little sluggish before he twists around to settle down.

Painkillers are so tempting, sometimes, but that's not a good idea. It makes him so tense, the idea of not being in control and aware of his body, picking the ice back up from the bedside table and pressing it on his face. )

[thephix]

[Max takes a moment to firmly tell Maurice no, just to make sure he won't try to clamber onto the bed when she's not paying attention, and the slips into bed beside Donny.

She doesn't want to think about everything they've talked about, so she just presses a light kiss to his shoulder, tucking herself against his side with an arm over his chest.]

[bumbles]

( Without really thinking, he wraps one of his arms around her shoulders, drawing her a little closer. This is comforting, the contact makes him feel so much relief. )

Are you c-cold?

( He can be warmer. That's okay, right? )

[thephix]

I'm alright, and you don't want to melt the ice.

[Or spend too much energy focusing on his temperature when he should just be trying to get some sleep. She's dressed warmly enough, and even though the bed doesn't have half as many blankets and quilts as it would if she wasn't living with Donny, there are enough that she can keep warm if she needs it.

He needs to stop fussing over her so much.]

[bumbles]

( He wants to kiss her forehead; he resists the urge, eyes drifting shut and sinking against her and the cushions.

Instead, he gently squeezes her shoulder, and wills sleep to come. It's evasive, but maybe if he deliberately slows her breath and reminds himself Max is there, she's warm and they can protect each other, he'll get there. )