Work Text:
(Y/N = "Your Name")
Chris' P.O.V.
There's no doubt in his mind that Chris loves his occupation.
He couldn't imagine himself doing any other job, being anything else than an actor.
And still, still there are days when he would rather do anything else than stand on that red carpet and present his newest movie. When he is begging for someone - anyone - to get him out of this situation, to make it all disappear.
Today had been one of those days.
The Grey Man premiere in Los Angeles had drained every last bit of his energy and left him feeling like a wrung-out sponge, like he couldn't possibly go through it again tomorrow. The screaming was bad, but the lights were worse. At least the constant yelling reminded him of all the love and adoration that was coming his way, of all the fans that were going out of their way to support him. But the loud headlights and blinding cameras snapping pictures left and right were nothing but painful. He could still hear the paparazzi screaming at him to turn left and right, to smile brighter, to take a different pose, and usually when he was wearing his sunglasses he could at least bear the flashing lights long enough before they started hurting his eyes.
But of course, the beloved accessory had broken the second he had arrived at the premiere. One uncareful move and they'd shattered to the ground. And just like that, there was nothing protecting his eyes from the lights.
With a heavy sigh, he got out of the car, thanked the driver, and rubbed the bridge of his nose with one hand. The pounding in his head had worsened by the second until he could barely take all the flashing cameras anymore. He'd wanted to crumble to the ground, to lay down in a fetal position and scream at someone to make it stop, but he had to keep up his facade and smile. Cause it was his job to smile.
With every step he took towards his house, his facade crumbled piece by piece and left him raw and vulnerable.
He just couldn't take the pain in his eyes anymore.
With shaking hands Chris tried to get the key into the lock. He could hear Dodger trotting down the hallway towards the door, a clear sign that not only his dog was still awake, but that (Y/N) was also up still. Usually, Chris loved getting greeted by his two favorites, he loved the warmth that spread in his chest whenever he came home, he loved being excited to get home to someone, but not today.
Today he just couldn't take any more feelings, because the excruciating pain took over his whole body.
While trying for a third time to get the key into the hole, the door opened and his tired hurting eyes locked with those he adored so much.
He was finally home.
Your P.O.V.
When your eyes locked with Chris' you could immediately tell he was in pain. Usually, he was good at hiding any and all discomfort, but this was the certain kind of pain he just couldn't push aside. The sort of pain that radiated from his bright blue eyes to every part of his skull, the sort of pain that left him feeling dazed and overwhelmed, on the edge of being overstimulated.
Without another word you carefully pulled him through the doorway, flicking off the lights at the same time. Dodger let out an excited bark, but you shushed him softly and closed the door.
"Bedtime.", you whispered to Dodger as well as Chris and helped the latter to walk to your shared bedroom. You slung both arms around Chris, doing your best to support his staggering steps.
"I got you, love."
You gently sat him down on his side of the bed and let your hand run through his thick hair.
"Do you need the eye drops?", you asked in a low voice, your hand cradling the back of his head. Chris meekly nodded and closed his eyes.
"I'll be right back."
With a faint kiss on his forehead, you pulled down the blinds in the master bedroom and went to the bathroom to retrieve the small bottle.
The first time it had happened was mere weeks after you had moved in with Chris.
Even today you could still feel the sheer panic and confusion that had coursed through your body when it had happened.
Your boyfriend, sitting in the darkened bedroom, desperately rubbing his eyes and whimpering from the pain he was in.
Your boyfriend who was always so strong, pushing through his anxiety and his doubts, reduced to nothing but quiet sobs.
"Chris please tell me what is wrong.", you had begged, kneeling in front of him. "What is hurting?"
"Eye drops please.", he had whimpered, pressing the palms of his hands against his throbbing eyes.
Compared to the pain he had been in that evening, tonight seemed to be even worse.
He usually carried his sunglasses to stop the pain from getting too overwhelming. It only got this bad when he didn't have them with him. With a concerned face, you grabbed the small bottle from the bathroom cabinet and walked back. Your heart skipped a beat when you saw the man you loved laying on the bed in a fetal position, desperately trying to shield his eyes.
"God, it hurts so much, (Y/N).", he choked in a small voice, still trying to keep his composure.
"I know...", you said and sat down next to him, your hand running through his hair again. "can you sit up love?"
You helped him to a sitting position and gently pried his hands away.
"Open your eyes please."
Chris obeyed and opened his eyes and even though the room was only lit by the light from the hallway he still felt like they were on fire. In one swift motion, you gave him the eye drops and stroked the stray tears away with your thumb.
"It'll be better soon.", you tried soothing him.
Chris closed his eyes again and hid his face in the crook of your neck. You carefully pulled him into your arms and continued stroking his hair.
While touch usually set him even more on edge or triggered overstimulation, your hand in his hair, your arms around his broad shoulders, was the only thing keeping him grounded. So you held him securely, watching Dodger who got ready for bed too. Normally the eye drops would take off the edge and stop the burning pain behind his eyelids, allowing him to drift off to sleep, but today they didn't achieve the effect you were hoping for.
Tears kept streaming down Chris' hot cheeks, his face a mask of discomfort. You could feel the raw energy coursing through his body. Like he would snap at any second and try clawing out his eyes to get rid of the excruciating pain.
"(Y/N), please.", he begged, not knowing what for.
For something to happen maybe, for something to take away the hurt.
"Shhh...I got you.", you cooed. "What happened to your sunglasses baby?"
"Broke.", he answered against your neck.
"Okay.", you nodded and kissed his head. "We'll get you new ones tomorrow. Just try to sleep. I'm here."
"My head hurts.", he whispered and for a second you thought the restlessness in his body would increase, but instead it died down ever so slightly as he slumped against you, knowing you were there, knowing you held him safe and secure.
"I know baby...I know."
It took another half an hour before Chris could finally take a deep breath and fully relax. He sighed in relief when the pain finally ebbed away and was gradually replaced by the comforting feeling of your hand in his hair, the faint smell of your shampoo in his nose, and the soothing warmth of your body.
"I love you.", he mumbled and fell asleep in your arms.
"I love you too, love.", you replied, holding him safe and sound.