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[braveoff]

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[braveoff]

[ Drake nods, reaching up to grip Sharkface's shoulder and steady himself. It's an effort to get up and he sways once he's on his feet, but doesn't fall again. ]

I'm sorry.

[ The other man didn't sign on to babysit. But with Sharkface's support, he gets into the shower, still in his underwear. He doesn't dare pull them off first. It's not that he's shy, it's that he 1) doesn't want to fall again and 2) doesn't want to make Sharkface uncomfortable with his nudity. His head feels clearer while they're touching, but sparks an entirely different kind of heat. And on top of that he doesn't expect the other man to hang around while he bathes. ]

I think if I sit it'll be okay. You don't have to stay.

[requiemshark]

I got you.

[ He's committed now. This is what they're doing. Sharkface keeps his footing as they go, mindful of where he steps. Last thing they need is to both go crashing to the ground. He steps into the shower, heedless of the water and how it's soaking into his clothes.

This needs to be done, so he's doing it. He holds Drake steady. ]

It's okay.

[braveoff]

[ At least it's clean water, and they're already doing laundry. Still, Drake's surprised when Sharkface steps in with him to hold him up. He nods gratefully, reaching a shaky hand for the soap. ]

I owe you a really nice dinner after this.

[requiemshark]

[ Sharkface exhales, shifting to press his head against Drake's. A small offer of comfort. He's careful with how he holds Drake, so he won't leave bruises but still keeps him steady. It's not the first time he's done this for someone. Only the last time was with Rodriguez, when his brother was drunk off his ass, so far gone he couldn't see straight and walked straight into a door. But that was what they did for each other. Family. They took care of each other. ]

I'm easy. I'll eat anything.

[braveoff]

[ Drake starts scrubbing himself, trusting Sharkface to keep him from falling again. The contact helps, and he tips his head back a little to keep their heads together. It's steadying emotionally as much as Sharkface's grip is physically, and he's endlessly grateful for it. ]

Stir fry. Over noodles. I think we've got all the stuff.

[requiemshark]

[ Sharkface closes his good eye, breathing out slow. He's got a decent grip on Drake, he can do this for a while.

They'll be okay. ]

Stir fry's great.

[ He holds steady, listening to the water and Drake's breathing. ]

It helping any?

[braveoff]

It's not getting worse anymore.

[ Which means that it will get better. Drake keeps scrubbing, his free hand over one of Sharkface's where it's holding him steady. Another quiet thank you.

It does improve by the time he's fully washed, though, some of the throbbing, uncomfortable heat abated. His head a little clearer. And then he just lets the hot water pound on him a moment before he reaches to turn it off and leans back against Sharkface, resting his head on the other man's shoulder and grinning sheepishly. ]

Not how I envisioned our first shower together.

[ It's a weak joke, but clearly a joke. ]

Thanks. Really.

[requiemshark]

[ Sharkface huffs, bumping his head against Drake’s. They’re both soaked now. ]

I’ve had worse. And weirder. Least you weren’t hallucinating. That’s really not fun on tile.

[braveoff]

That sounds awful. Did that happen to you?

[ They're both soaked, but at least the water is clean. Drake finally pulls back from Sharkface's embrace carefully, but finds he's steady enough that they can get out of the shower. ]

Come on, let's put on dry clothes... and then I think I need to lie down while this wears off the rest of the way.

[requiemshark]

Yeah. Got a puncture in my rig during a chem attack. Wasn’t fun. Dane held me up while I was ranting about seeing wolves in my corners.

[ A bad night all around. Sharkface steps back, watching Drake carefully the whole time. ]

All right. You want me to get you some more water?

[braveoff]

[ Drake makes a soft, sympathetic 'oof' sound, shedding his soaked boxers and wrapping a towel around his waist. It's nothing Sharkface hasn't seen before, after all. Then he's carefully making his way out of the bathroom, headed for clothes. He's ready to be dry and warm.

He smiles a little at the offer, nodding. ]

That'd be great, yeah.

[requiemshark]

[ Sharkface nods and heads back into the kitchen for a glass. Who knows what the long term affects of this stuff will end up being? Best thing is to keep Drake hydrated for now.

He pads back in and sets the glass on the nightstand. ]

You good? Not seeing double or anything?

[braveoff]

[ Drake has dried off and pulled on some pajama pants, and set out fresh clothes for Sharkface. He takes the glass gratefully and gestures to them. ]

Not anymore. I'm still dizzy, though. It's kind of like being super high past the point of it being fun.

[ He leans back against the headboard tiredly, sipping his water. ]

I might fall asleep while you're painting. If you hear the laundry singing can you put stuff in the dryer?

[requiemshark]

[ Hey, dry clothes. Sharkface nods in thanks and starts stripping out of his wet ones. Whatever issues he has with touch, he's not body shy. Not really, not at the end of the day. Modesty was the first thing the instructors killed in training. ]

Yeah, I can do that. I'll keep an eye on you.

[ They'll be okay. ]

[braveoff]

[ Drake watches Sharkface change -- not leering, just admiring as he finishes his water. ]

Sorry you have to babysit me. I know this isn't what you signed up for when you said you'd stay.

[requiemshark]

[ He shrugs, pulling on a fresh pair of pants. He doesn't bother with socks this time. ]

's all right. You've looked after me plenty.

[ Drake didn't have to go back to the Down with him. But he did. And so, here they are. ]

Just rest.

[braveoff]

Don't let me sleep past dinner. I promised.

[ He does settle down, though, lying facing the blank wall so he can watch Sharkface paint while he's trying to nod off. ]

[requiemshark]

Deal.

[ He flashes Drake a faint smile. He's looking forward to that food. And then he starts his work, humming a little under his breath as he goes. It's detail work, it takes focus. He could use that right now.

Bit by bit, he finds a rhythm. Bit by bit, he settles. ]

[braveoff]

[ Drake watches for awhile, until the lines appearing on the wall are so blurry he has to close his eyes. And then he naps to the familiar sound of Sharkface humming while he paints. It's comforting.

He doesn't wake up on his own, please wake him. ]

[requiemshark]

[ The work carries him through for a while. Sharkface works quietly, putting lines up on the wall. Blocking for the project to follow. He likes to lay things out first, figure out how the elements will interact. And for a while, he loses himself in the process.

He keeps track of time, though, and he sets his pencils and ruler down when it comes around time for dinner. He steps over to Drake's side and reaches out to touch his arm, gentle. ]

Hey.

[braveoff]

[ Drake stirs blearily, opening his eyes to see that familiar face filling his field of vision. For a moment he's confused -- this isn't their room -- but then it comes back to him. Luckily before he could reach up and playfully tumble his partner back into bed for cuddles. Instead he reaches up and rubs at his eyes like a sleepy child. ]

Hey. Dinnertime?

[requiemshark]

[ His expression softens briefly. Drake looks calm. At peace. ]

Hey. Yeah, figured it was that time.

[braveoff]

[ Whenever Sharkface's expression softens like that at him, Drake wants to kiss him. It's a problem. He smiles back quietly instead, pushing himself up to sitting.

He feels better. Clearer, if still a little overwarm even though he fell asleep without the blanket. Good that the drugs are flushing out. ]

I'll get things started. You wanna hang out with me, or keep painting?

[requiemshark]

I'll hang with you. You mind if I watch you cook?

[ Might as well get some idea of how it goes. He wants to learn, anyway. ]

[braveoff]

I'd love that. I can explain what I'm doing, but it's all pretty easy. You'll see.

[ He gets up, detouring briefly to pull on a t-shirt, and leads Sharkface back to the kitchen. ]

Okay so this is really just throwing whatever you've got in the pan, the secret to it's the order you cook things in, and the sauce. Some vegetables cook faster than others.