Eiryk grinned. It went without saying that he preferred having Alex here too. The hospital just wasn't comfortable or welcoming. He'd also harbored the fear that he'd fall asleep and the hospital staff wouldn't be able to wake him. That would have been beyond awkward, it could have been dangerous.
"I didn't like it that much myself. That and I think one of the nurses had a thing for you, I didn't appreciate that at all.â€
Not that he'd had much to worry about. The nurse in question had been a woman. A number of women in Alex' yoga classes had crushes on him and Eiryk knew that his fiancee hadn't been tempted by any of those flexible vixens.
He rubbed Alex' shoulders. It was odd how quickly he'd gotten used to that. For all his enthusiasm Eiryk wasn't an overly clingy person. Being with Alex, however, had changed that almost immediately. From that first night Eiryk had accepted and loved the feel of his partner right there, holding him all night.
"I think Thora has slept on top of me once or twice but it isn't the same.â€
He agreed, lightly kissing the top of Alex' head when he curled up as much as possible and half dozed. They could stay like this all night, and all day as far as he was concerned. Really this was all he needed. To the point that he almost snarled at Rue and Cris when they returned interrupting that quiet moment.
There was absolutely nothing that would suggest that Cris and Rue had screwed around. Eiryk, however, was more than a little certain they had. It didn't take a genius to put two and two together and get four. Although, in this case it was two plus x equaled four. Still, solving for x was simple. He shoved his jealousy aside, crammed it into a small dark place and did his best to be positive and reassure himself it wouldn't be long before he and Alex could sneak away for some fun themselves.
"Fudge brownies? I thought doctors wanted to serve jello with every meal?â€
He took the offered mug from Cris with quiet thanks. It smelled good and felt comfortable to wrap his hands around. It was a great seasonal treat, one he didn't often indulge in himself.
"I wouldn't have thought you'd have time to make anything.â€
He needled his friend gently. It would be a simple matter for Cris to ignore, side step or just deflect the teasing. Eiryk wasn't trying to corner or trap either Cris or Rowan but he could give them a bit of hell, that's what friends were for.
"But is there butter on it?â€
Eiryk wasn't very hungry. He hadn't eaten anything since Alex had been in the hospital. He'd fed when he had to but hadn't ingested any food. That was something he shared with his fiancee and he simply didn't have any desire to indulge without Alex.
Almost Home (invite only)
Alex groaned as one of the monitors he was hooked up to began to chime. He sheepishly lowered the device in his hand and called out the door, "It's okay! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! They were eating my brain!"
There was a laugh outside the room and a little blond head poked in. "Can I watch?"
Alex frowned. "Watch me play, or watch as your mom tears me a new one?"
"Tears you a new what?"
"Later, Jamie. I'll explain it later."
Alex groaned again as he heard Becky's voice right behind Jamie. She entered the room and smiled at Alex, crossing her arms and shaking her head. "You're corrupting my child," she said lightly.
Normally such a statement would have had Alex running for the hills, in fear of some kind of homophobic retribution. There were several problems with that, though, not the least of which was that he was hooked up to an IV and several monitors. Also, his knee was all fucked up from his surgery just two days ago. Also, he happened to know damn well that Becky wasn't the type, working for Rue as she did, and that she was referring to his use of the 'tearing him a new one' phrase that she would now have to explain to her 11-year-old.
"Sorry, sorry," he said. "You don't understand though, there were zombies. Everywhere."
Becky chuckled. "I'm going to take your Kindle away if you don't stop setting alarms off every time you get stressed out by Plants Vs Zombies."
Alex clutched the device to his chest and shook his head fervently, guarding it as Becky entered the room fully and reset the monitor. "How come I still have to be hooked up to all this, anyway? Can't I go home? I feel fine."
She rolled her eyes at him. "Of course you feel fine. You're on painkillers. You had a chunk of bone removed. Believe me, if we stop the drugs you're going to be feeling it."
"What I'm feeling is fat and lazy," Alex said, aiming for pitiful and suspecting he only managed whiny. "I'm gaining pounds with every minute I lay here. Shouldn't I be up and moving around and getting my leg strong again?"
He thought he had a decent argument until Becky ruffled his hair like he were Jamie's older and stupider brother. "Yes, sweetheart. That's exactly what you should be doing... about four days from now. I'm going to change the bandage on your knee, okay?"
"All right." Alex sighed softly.
Becky worked quietly, and Alex winced at the strange feeling of swollen, too-tight flesh as she unwound the white gauze from the site of his surgery. "It's awfully red," she said. "I think I'll ask Dr. Rowan to look at it again."
"Don't wake him up," Alex cautioned. "It can wait, can't it?"
Becky glanced up at him and smiled. "Yes, he'll be here in a few hours. I think it can wait until then. Is there any pressure or discomfort?"
For the next couple of minutes she gently poked and prodded his knee and he shook his head. He felt some discomfort, but it was tempered by the drugs, he was sure.
He'd been in the infirmary at Liefde for only a day; the hospital had kept him for two and then discharged him into Rowan's continued care. Ordinarily he'd have worried about being here but it was actually pretty home-y. Not like being in the hospital. The infirmary here at Liefde was equipped with two exam rooms and two long-term rooms, one of which he now occupied. The bed was nice and normal, not a narrow plastic mattress but a real one with a raising and lowering head and foot. Incredibly comfortable. No noise and bustle of a hospital ward around him, a small bathroom, a television, a closet in which Eiryk had thoughtfully hung some changes of clothing for him. All the comforts of home, with hospital equipment and a constant staff that checked in on him regularly.
It was the nicest mix of hospitalization and home care Alex could possibly envision. Rowan had said he just wanted to keep Alex here for another day or two, then he could get all unhooked and go back to his own apartment. There would be physical therapy, another round of chemo in a few weeks, and he would be (hopefully) all better.
Alex wasn't looking forward to the chemo but maybe, just maybe, he thought guiltily, Eiryk would help him through it. It was hard to see his friends, feeling this heavy weight on his shoulders. He had sipped at Eiryk's blood several times and he didn't like to admit the fact but he wanted to do it again. So badly. His hands shook as they held his Kindle.
"Everything all right? Did that hurt?" Becky asked.
Alex shook his head. "Nope, I'm fine," he answered.
Becky smiled, finished re-wrapping his knee, and checked his leash - er, IV line - again. "Need anything?"
Alex looked around. Kindle, check. TV remote, check. Eiryk's blanket was at his feet and his fiance would likely arrive soon to keep him company and bring him something to eat. He shook his head at Becky. "I'm good. Jamie can come play with me if he wants."
"He has homework to finish first," Becky said, slightly louder than necessary, and they both grinned at the responding moan from the hallway.
"Mom, it's math. I hate math."
"Need some help?" Alex asked.
Jamie poked his head into the doorway again. "Can you do Algebra?"
"Aren't you young for Algebra?" Alex was surprised.
"Accelerated learning," Becky said.
Jamie nodded glumly, not looking too thrilled about accelerated learning. "Yeah, I can help you with it."
If I remember it, Alex thought. Jamie bounded into the room and Becky restrained him. "Gently, Jamie."
"Right." Jamie tiptoed in and wheeled the table-tray over carefully, positioning it so they could both reach it and see what Jamie was working on. Before too long they were bent over pictures of triangles.
Eiryk
11 years ago
Rowan Murphy
11 years ago
The snacks were received enthusiastically. Rowan smiled at Alex and said, "Okay. Let me know if it changes," when his friend said what they'd brought was perfect. "It's our job to spoil you for a little while, yeah?"
That made Alex blush; or, well, something made Alex blush. Which was charming, really. Rowan turned his grin on Eiryk when he mentioned Jello, held up his cuffed wrists, shook his head so his hoops dangled and clicked together a bit. "Not exactly your average conventional doctor, remember? This boy needs a fudge brownie."
Rowan eyed the brownies, which were rich, gooey, and delicious. "Maybe with some vanilla ice cream."
He nodded wisely. Alex definitely needed calories, and Rowan knew that Alex usually spurned high-calorie foods. So far his patient had been obedient about eating what he was told but Rowan knew how damn stubborn Alex could be. If he began to feel like he was getting soft or fat, he would dig his heels in and go back to a far more rigid way of eating, and while that wouldn't hurt him, it wouldn't help too much at this point. Rowan didn't want him to start downing greasy burgers at every meal, but he thought they should be able to tempt Alex with little indulgences here and there, one or two each day, and that wouldn't push him too far into 'red alert' status.
He smiled at the purple mug set aside for him by his husband, and gave a soft, happy little hum when he caught Cris's own soft smile directed his way. He loved that look. Well, he loved all of Cris's looks but most especially the ones that just seemed to come out for him mostly, like that personal little smile.
At the idea that Cris might even come close to cutting off his circulation, though, Rowan drew his brows together and gave his partner a mock scowl. He looked down at his muscular thighs, flexed them experimentally beneath his scrubs, making the fabric ripple a little. "Sweetheart, the day I can't hold you on my lap for any length of time, no matter how long, is the day I give up and go sunbathing."
He arched an eyebrow at Cris, but went to the closet where there was an extra chair. He pulled it out and set it next to his own, looking at it with disapproval. Then, muttering under his breath a little, he took the chair closest to Alex just in case he was needed, and flopped down on it in an obvious sulk. He hammed it up just a little bit for entertainment value, because it wasn't an issue with him at all even though he would very much prefer to hold his husband some more. Cris knew that though; Rowan didn't have to say any more than that.
Sniffing theatrically he reached out, took his purple mug in both hands, childlike, and sipped at it with a good pout in place. It would be worth the dramatics to get a laugh out of Alex.
That made Alex blush; or, well, something made Alex blush. Which was charming, really. Rowan turned his grin on Eiryk when he mentioned Jello, held up his cuffed wrists, shook his head so his hoops dangled and clicked together a bit. "Not exactly your average conventional doctor, remember? This boy needs a fudge brownie."
Rowan eyed the brownies, which were rich, gooey, and delicious. "Maybe with some vanilla ice cream."
He nodded wisely. Alex definitely needed calories, and Rowan knew that Alex usually spurned high-calorie foods. So far his patient had been obedient about eating what he was told but Rowan knew how damn stubborn Alex could be. If he began to feel like he was getting soft or fat, he would dig his heels in and go back to a far more rigid way of eating, and while that wouldn't hurt him, it wouldn't help too much at this point. Rowan didn't want him to start downing greasy burgers at every meal, but he thought they should be able to tempt Alex with little indulgences here and there, one or two each day, and that wouldn't push him too far into 'red alert' status.
He smiled at the purple mug set aside for him by his husband, and gave a soft, happy little hum when he caught Cris's own soft smile directed his way. He loved that look. Well, he loved all of Cris's looks but most especially the ones that just seemed to come out for him mostly, like that personal little smile.
At the idea that Cris might even come close to cutting off his circulation, though, Rowan drew his brows together and gave his partner a mock scowl. He looked down at his muscular thighs, flexed them experimentally beneath his scrubs, making the fabric ripple a little. "Sweetheart, the day I can't hold you on my lap for any length of time, no matter how long, is the day I give up and go sunbathing."
He arched an eyebrow at Cris, but went to the closet where there was an extra chair. He pulled it out and set it next to his own, looking at it with disapproval. Then, muttering under his breath a little, he took the chair closest to Alex just in case he was needed, and flopped down on it in an obvious sulk. He hammed it up just a little bit for entertainment value, because it wasn't an issue with him at all even though he would very much prefer to hold his husband some more. Cris knew that though; Rowan didn't have to say any more than that.
Sniffing theatrically he reached out, took his purple mug in both hands, childlike, and sipped at it with a good pout in place. It would be worth the dramatics to get a laugh out of Alex.
Alex Aristos
11 years ago
Cris sent to him, and immediately put Alex's mind at ease. [Oh, that smells great,] he responded. The cider smelled homey, a little spicy, the sort of tug-at-your-heart scent that immediately made snowfalls and evergreens come to mind, at least for Alex. The added reassurance was just what he wanted, too. [Okay,] he answered. [We just thought... I mean, expected...] he was blushing now, which fortunately coincided with Rowan's sweet comment. Alex nodded to Rowan with a little smile and then added to Cris, [You just look so damn put together. I was sort of hoping you guys would take time... you know.] He moved on. [We're... we're good. We miss each other. I want to be back home in my own bed getting better but this is a damn good alternative.]
Rowan suggested ice cream to go with the brownies and Alex groaned. "That actually sounds delicious," he said. "Maybe in a little bit."
For the time being he reached out for a little plate and arranged himself an assortment of cheese, crackers, and fruit. Not too much; he was still a little leery of the new antibiotics so he'd eat a little now and make sure everything settled properly before attempting more.
The first bite of tangy sharp cheese on a salty cracker, though, made him smile and let his eyelids flutter closed. "Oh. That's good," he said. He balanced it with a little slice of sweet watermelon, enjoying the cool juice with a little sigh. "Everything tastes better at home."
He couldn't ditch his soft smile; this was so nice. How many patients could claim this sort of experience? "Remind me to cook you guys dinner when I'm up and around again."
That would be nice too, getting back in his own kitchen and doing something he enjoyed. He knew it was going to be some time before he could do yoga again, so he was already planning on buying a couple new cook books and trying out some new techniques and new flavors.
"That popcorn smells good too. You guys are going to make me fat."
He looked down at his lean, flat stomach. "I mean. Maybe in a few months or something."
Alex didn't think he could pull off 'fat' in a fat suit right now. Chemo had murdered any stores hi body had had, and to his eyes he pretty much looked like a concentration camp survivor. He was just fine with brownies and buttered popcorn for now. He knew his friends were going to push food on him and he took his cues heavily from Rowan. Alex could certainly think for himself but Rue really was a good doctor, and if he was all in favor of butter and ice cream and brownies, Alex wasn't going to lose sleep over it. Not at the moment.
Rowan suggested ice cream to go with the brownies and Alex groaned. "That actually sounds delicious," he said. "Maybe in a little bit."
For the time being he reached out for a little plate and arranged himself an assortment of cheese, crackers, and fruit. Not too much; he was still a little leery of the new antibiotics so he'd eat a little now and make sure everything settled properly before attempting more.
The first bite of tangy sharp cheese on a salty cracker, though, made him smile and let his eyelids flutter closed. "Oh. That's good," he said. He balanced it with a little slice of sweet watermelon, enjoying the cool juice with a little sigh. "Everything tastes better at home."
He couldn't ditch his soft smile; this was so nice. How many patients could claim this sort of experience? "Remind me to cook you guys dinner when I'm up and around again."
That would be nice too, getting back in his own kitchen and doing something he enjoyed. He knew it was going to be some time before he could do yoga again, so he was already planning on buying a couple new cook books and trying out some new techniques and new flavors.
"That popcorn smells good too. You guys are going to make me fat."
He looked down at his lean, flat stomach. "I mean. Maybe in a few months or something."
Alex didn't think he could pull off 'fat' in a fat suit right now. Chemo had murdered any stores hi body had had, and to his eyes he pretty much looked like a concentration camp survivor. He was just fine with brownies and buttered popcorn for now. He knew his friends were going to push food on him and he took his cues heavily from Rowan. Alex could certainly think for himself but Rue really was a good doctor, and if he was all in favor of butter and ice cream and brownies, Alex wasn't going to lose sleep over it. Not at the moment.
Christian Bern
11 years ago
Cris was glad that Alex wanted the cider. It seemed like a good mix of something warm and wonderful and something almost good for you. The other part of the mental conversation made him smile. [We can occasionally just snuggle, you know...] His grin became a little mischievous. [We did not this time but we could. He does make it very difficult, being irresistible and such, but I am sure you understand my problem.]
Raising his eyebrows at Eiryk, he shrugged. "The point was to get snacks. I did change clothes but that does not require twenty minutes." Certainly not for him and definitely not into jeans and a sweater. Other things did not require twenty minutes either but that wasn't going to be mentioned out loud and they were trying to keep their private life out of the faces of their friends. Newly wedded bliss was normally a very open and sugary sweet state of being that was obnoxiously easy for everyone to see but they were doing their very best to make everything business as usual here to save the feelings of their friends.
Cris watched Rowan flex his legs and a different appreciative smile crossed his face for a moment. Returning his expression to neutral, he arched an eyebrow at his husband. "I was thinking of your comfort. I am slight, I know, but not insubstantial."
He smiled softly at the adorable pout and turned pleading eyes to Alex. With a feigned sigh of long suffering, he moved Rowan's mug out of the way and settled himself down into his partner's lap.
Handing the purple mug back to his husband, he said. "Happy? We can swap places after the first couple of episodes." If Rowan sat across his lap somewhat sideways then he could still see the television, otherwise his view would be of Rowan's back. Which, while lovely to look at, would only distract him from the show.
Fetching a couple of cheese and crackers, Cris fed one to Rowan and then popped the other into his mouth. "So, let's get this party started. MARI, could you please que up the television episodes of the new show Sleepy Hollow."
"Yes, Christian. Did you want me to begin the pilot on the television now?"
"That would be appreciated, Thank you."
Raising his eyebrows at Eiryk, he shrugged. "The point was to get snacks. I did change clothes but that does not require twenty minutes." Certainly not for him and definitely not into jeans and a sweater. Other things did not require twenty minutes either but that wasn't going to be mentioned out loud and they were trying to keep their private life out of the faces of their friends. Newly wedded bliss was normally a very open and sugary sweet state of being that was obnoxiously easy for everyone to see but they were doing their very best to make everything business as usual here to save the feelings of their friends.
Cris watched Rowan flex his legs and a different appreciative smile crossed his face for a moment. Returning his expression to neutral, he arched an eyebrow at his husband. "I was thinking of your comfort. I am slight, I know, but not insubstantial."
He smiled softly at the adorable pout and turned pleading eyes to Alex. With a feigned sigh of long suffering, he moved Rowan's mug out of the way and settled himself down into his partner's lap.
Handing the purple mug back to his husband, he said. "Happy? We can swap places after the first couple of episodes." If Rowan sat across his lap somewhat sideways then he could still see the television, otherwise his view would be of Rowan's back. Which, while lovely to look at, would only distract him from the show.
Fetching a couple of cheese and crackers, Cris fed one to Rowan and then popped the other into his mouth. "So, let's get this party started. MARI, could you please que up the television episodes of the new show Sleepy Hollow."
"Yes, Christian. Did you want me to begin the pilot on the television now?"
"That would be appreciated, Thank you."
Eiryk
11 years ago
Eiryk just grinned and didn't say anything further. If Rue hadn't said something when they first came in it meant that their friends were trying to be discreet about things and although Eiryk wasn't exactly shy about sex, love and romance he also wasn't out to have it flaunted at him while Alex was recovering. So he respected their efforts not to put things right out on the open and appricated them trying to be a bit circumspect. It was hard having to be apart while Alex recovered from surgery and less than ideal having to relegate themselves to the few days the chemo and meds hadn't killed Alex' labido. Not that Eiryk was really complaining, a relationship was a great deal more than sex and they still had those things. That, however, hadn't cooled his desire for Alex and being together was something he dearly missed.
"Good. Those traditional kind are no fun and they tend to frown on you sharing a patient's bed."
He watched the romantic play between Cris and Rue as they settled in without a word, holding on to Alex with his one free hand. They were quite cute together and he wished them every happiness in the world, but in spite of his growing confidence that Alex would recover, he was still worried and there was no doubt he'd loose Alex some day no matter how good of a doctor Rue was. The thought nagged at him off and on and occasionally made it hard for him to see things with his usual good humor.
"I don't think it is possible for you to get fat love." He reassured Alex. "But once we're home you're welcome to eat chocolate off me every day for a month and try."
Not in the mood to eat Eiryk kept himself occupied ensuring that Alex' plate had a few good things on it and feeding him the occasional bit of cheese, cracker or fruit.
MARI helpfully pulled up the show and he marbled. One of the most sophisticated computers he'd ever encountered and she was acting as a DVR. Astounding. On the upside, that probably meant they wouldn't have to deal with commercials.
Although he'd not intended to spend the evening watching TV and did have things to do it suddenly seemed more important to spend the time with friends and holding Alex than anything else. In fact, everyone seemed pleased with this rather I promptu plan.
((Ooc... Everyone out unless someone wants to add :-) ))
"Good. Those traditional kind are no fun and they tend to frown on you sharing a patient's bed."
He watched the romantic play between Cris and Rue as they settled in without a word, holding on to Alex with his one free hand. They were quite cute together and he wished them every happiness in the world, but in spite of his growing confidence that Alex would recover, he was still worried and there was no doubt he'd loose Alex some day no matter how good of a doctor Rue was. The thought nagged at him off and on and occasionally made it hard for him to see things with his usual good humor.
"I don't think it is possible for you to get fat love." He reassured Alex. "But once we're home you're welcome to eat chocolate off me every day for a month and try."
Not in the mood to eat Eiryk kept himself occupied ensuring that Alex' plate had a few good things on it and feeding him the occasional bit of cheese, cracker or fruit.
MARI helpfully pulled up the show and he marbled. One of the most sophisticated computers he'd ever encountered and she was acting as a DVR. Astounding. On the upside, that probably meant they wouldn't have to deal with commercials.
Although he'd not intended to spend the evening watching TV and did have things to do it suddenly seemed more important to spend the time with friends and holding Alex than anything else. In fact, everyone seemed pleased with this rather I promptu plan.
((Ooc... Everyone out unless someone wants to add :-) ))