"Wanna go… t' your house…" Michael mumbled pathetically.
"Okay, we'll go hang out at my house for a while." Edwardo leaned in to kiss Michael's forehead. "Let's get you buckled in, okay? And here, let's put the seat back a little so you can relax."
Michael didn't fight any of it, letting Edwardo move him around like a ragdoll. After getting Michael situated, Edwardo caressed his boyfriend's face affectionately before removing his coat to drape it over Michael's body. Only once Michael was situated to his satisfaction did he close the door and get in on the driver's side.
"Alright, off to my place we go!" Edwardo said cheerfully. "Just leave everything to me!"
Michael curled around in the seat so he was facing Edwardo. His head was all muddled and fuzzy, and exhaustion pulled greedily at his consciousness. After the car got moving, Edwardo offered him his hand to hold, and Michael took it like a lifeline. It was so much easier to focus on the sensation of Edwardo's thumb rubbing the back of his hand than it was to focus on the myriad of other stimuli in the car.
"Don't force yourself to stay awake." Edwardo said. "Those things burn a ton of energy. And if you're feeling nauseous, try burping. You end up swallowing a lot of air when you hyperventilate like you did. It'll make you feel better to get that pressure out."
All Edwardo got in response was a very quiet burp. He kept caressing Michael's hand as he drove, occasionally stealing glances at his boyfriend to see how he was doing. Michael's eyes stayed peeked open the whole drive, even though Edwardo had encouraged him to get some sleep. Oh well. Edwardo had a feeling once he'd been able to get Michael set up in a soft bed with a warm drink, and maybe a snack if he was interested, Sleep would come for Michael whether he wanted it or not.
Edwardo finally pulled into his neighborhood, and in no time was in his driveway, then further on into his garage.
"Ready to go inside?" Edwardo asked, noticing Michael was still awake.
Michael nodded, letting Edwardo have his hand back before sitting the seat up and opening the car door. He'd barely managed to get out of the car before Edwardo was right there next to him. Next thing he knew he was in the air, and then being situated on Edwardo's hip.
"Hey-! Put me down…! I'm feeling okay now…"
Edwardo gently pressed Michael's head down on his shoulder. "You know once Essie sees you're here, she'll be all over you. I don't want her to knock you over. Just let me spoil you a little, okay?"
Michael grumbled his complaint, but it was easy enough to relax against Edwardo's shoulder. His head hurt, and even though he tried to follow Edwardo's advice in the car with the burping thing, he was still a little nauseous. He snuggled into Edwardo's neck, finding comfort in his boyfriend's smell. It'd been a while since he thought about it, but Edwardo was really strong. His entire weight was being supported by a single arm under him. He was so tired… Edwardo's heartbeat sounded clearly in his ear. If Edwardo kept holding him like this, maybe he could keep his nightmares away long enough to get some real rest. If anything, they were worse now than they were after Ryan's attack. Why'd they have to get so vivid…
Edwardo couldn't help the massive shot of endorphins he'd gotten when he felt Michael nuzzle into his neck. He hadn't been able to pinpoint what it was Michael was so worried about, but Michael's panic attack earlier was overwhelming evidence his boyfriend was under way too much stress. Maybe it was everything? If that was the case, then a huge part of the blame fell on him, too. That thought alone was enough to sober him up to the severity of the situation. He rubbed Michael's back and gave him a little squeeze before going to the door and finally carrying Michael inside.
Sure enough, Ms. Princessa Bonita Esperanza was waiting for them just beyond the door, and was quick to try and jump up to check on Michael and find out what was wrong. Edwardo quickly turned so Michael wouldn't get scratched on accident, and patted Essie's head, assuring her that Michael was okay, just a little tired. She jumped down, but that didn't stop her from making worried little crying noises and thoroughly sniffing Michael's dangling legs as Edwardo carried him through the house.
"Do you want to shower first, or do you want to go ahead and lay down?" Edwardo asked, rubbing Michael's back affectionately as he carried him to the master bedroom.
"Shower…" Michael mumbled.
"Alright, shower it is then!"
The master bathroom was just off the master bedroom. Michael hadn't seen it before, but it was just as fancy as the rest of Edwardo's house. Marble floors, marble walls, marble sinks, an actual chandelier… it was easily the size of his parent's living room. There was an oversized whirlpool tub in one corner, and an equally oversized walk-in shower in the other. The toilet was tucked away into its own recessed space, and there was even a live fern hanging in front of a high-set frosted window. Did Edwardo have a thing for plants? Michael remembered he had a few in his atrium too…
Michael was set down on a wooden bench near the tub, and Edwardo crouched down so he was eye level. Of course, Essie had followed them in here as well, and was very insistently trying to get her head under one of Michael's hands for pats.
"Wait here a second while I get you something to change into, okay?" Edwardo caressed Michael's cheek. "You can either take a shower, or I can draw you a bath, whichever you prefer."
Much as Michael would normally be all over a chance to sit in a jacuzzi tub, he knew there was a good chance it would put him to sleep. Bad as things were, he wasn't keen on the idea of drowning. Besides, he could see from here that Edwardo's shower was just as fancy. There were jets built into the wall, with what looked to be a control panel to operate the whole thing. That was bound to feel just as good, with less chance of, you know, dying.
"Shower's better… I think…"
Edwardo leaned in to kiss Michael's forehead. "Shower it is then. I'll go get you that change of clothes, plus a towel and a washcloth. You're welcome to use any thing or any product in here you want. You don't even have to wash if you don't feel like it. Just standing under the water for a few minutes will help."
Michael nodded his understanding, and was left alone with Essie while Edwardo went off to fetch stuff. He absentmindedly scratched behind the dog's ears. At least he wasn't left by himself too long. Edwardo came back in with a stack of things, putting them on the counter nearby.
"Okay so, please don't think this is weird, but I'd bought some things I thought you might need on the off chance you ended up staying over again, and I realize none of it might be the style you're used to, but I got a couple packs of different sizes and styles, and I think these pajamas should fit but if you don't like them I also brought my clothes you wore last time so…"
Michael got up to investigate, finding that most of what Edwardo brought were packs of underwear, varying in styles, sized small and extra small. Not a pattern or bright color among any of them, but it was easy to tell Edwardo was a little embarrassed by it.
Michael picked up the pack of boxer briefs in his size. "These will work... This is really thoughtful of you… The pajamas are cute too…"
The pajamas were exactly something Michael would wear, being a soft lavender with fluffy white clouds. Michael ran his had across it, enjoying the smoothness of the fabric. He noticed the tag said they were silk, and the size should fit him too.
Edwardo cleared his throat. "Okay, let me just show you how to work the shower, and I'll leave you to it! I'll come check on you in a bit, or if you decide you're done before then you can find me in the kitchen, okay?"
--------------------
Edwardo closed the bathroom door gently behind him after pulling Essie out. There was no doubt she'd stay there until Michael was done, but Edwardo wanted to make sure Michael had something hot to eat if he decided he was hungry. Besides, Edwardo himself was most definitely hungry. This was a good opportunity to get a snack in.
The most obvious choice was a soup, Edwardo thought as he made his way to the kitchen to raid his pantry. He needed something that would be ready quick, and wouldn't be too spicy. He knew Michael didn't like food that was too spicy. He grabbed a can of stock, an onion, and some pasta before going to his fridge for the rest of it. With a few more vegetables he knew would go, and a pack of steaks he was planning to cook this week anyway, he got to work.
Soon enough there were pans sizzling and water boiling, and the steady sound of vegetables being chopped into easy to eat bite sized pieces. Edwardo didn't mind cooking. It wasn't like he had to worry about the cost of eating out every day, but there was something satisfying about making your own food every now and then. In no time, all but the noodles were in the soup pot. That was a trick he'd learned, if you wanted noodles in your soup it was best to keep them separate until you were ready to eat. It stored better that way, since pasta tended to get soggy and unappetizing the longer it sat in the broth.
He was thinking it was just about time to go check on Michael, when he picked up the distinct sound of pawed feet clicking against his hard floors. Sure enough, in walked Michael, with Essie right behind him. He was adorable in the pajamas, just like Edwardo knew he would be. At least he looked a little better after the shower, though his hair was still a little damp. Before Edwardo could even ask if he was hungry, a very loud and insistent gurgling noise sounded through the kitchen.
Edwardo smiled fondly at the way Michael very obviously sniffed the air. "Come have a seat, Mi Dolcito. You can eat while I finish drying your hair."
Michael didn't even offer a response, he just shuffled over and plopped himself into one of the seats at the kitchen's bar. Instantly, a steaming bowl of beef soup was set in front of him, complete with spoon and a piece of buttered bread.
Edwardo got a clean dish towel and made good on his promise as Michael tucked in to the food. He knew enough to figure Michael probably didn't have any energy left for talking, so he didn't try to start any conversations. Michael's first portion was gone about the time his hair was dry, and Michael held his empty bowl up to Edwardo.
"More?" Edwardo asked.
Michael nodded, indicating he wanted a smaller amount.
"Half a bowl?"
Michael nodded again.
"More bread?"
Michael shook his head. Edwardo served him the requested portion, and started putting food away while he ate, leaving the soup to simmer on low heat since he knew that was the kind of thing to get better with time.
It didn't take Michael long at all to finish his second portion, and he indicated he was full when Edwardo asked him if he wanted more. Instead, after Edwardo had taken the bowl and put it in the sink, Michael held his arms out, making grabbing motions with his hands.
Edwardo picked up on that cue loud and clear, scooping Michael up to cradle him gently.
"Ready to go lay down?"