Work Text:
Eric doesn't have meltdowns very often. Wilford makes sure the manor is kept sensory-friendly and trigger-free, with no bright lights or yelling or uncomfortably textured blankets. He always has access to stim toys. He even has noise-cancelling headphones for when noise overwhelms him.
But "not often" doesn't mean "never."
Eric still has meltdowns sometimes. Not as often as he did when he lived with his dad, but he still has meltdowns either way. Sometimes, everything overwhelms him. His headphones can't shut out the noise in his brain. Sunglasses block out light but touch his face. It's so uncomfortable, all of it, and it hurts, and he just wants to rest...
And then, 10-15 minutes later, it's over. And Wilford can comfort him without worrying about adding to his overstimulation. Just like now.
Wilford sits next to Eric on the couch. The poor boy looks wrecked.
"Are you alright?" Wilford asks.
"M'okay..." Eric says.
"Good, good. Do you have your towel?"
"Mhm."
"Then I'll get you some water. You can watch TV if you'd like, the remote is just there. And if you happen to, uh, NEED anything, I'll be in the kitchen for just a minute."
He only nods in response. God, Wilford feels bad. He does all he can do to keep Eric from having meltdowns, but he can't always prevent them. It's something he has to remind himself of often; Eric will have meltdowns no matter what Wilford does. All he can do is care.
He gets a cup and fills it with water. Eric hurts himself when he has meltdowns, and this one was worse than usual. Wilford knows not to make a big deal of it. He just has to help Eric calm himself. It's simple, really; get him some water, a blanket if he wants it, and dim the lights until he's alright again.
When Wilford comes back into the living room, Eric is watching a nature documentary. He gives the cup of water to Eric and sits down next to him.
"Are you hurt at all?" Wilford asks. Eric takes a few seconds to process the question.
"I, uh, I- I think I bruised my hips? I kept hitting them and now they really hurt."
"Do you want ice?"
"I don't know," he gets closer to Wilf, "just please sit with me. If that's okay."
"It's perfectly okay."