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Klavier pulled a sour face, leaning forward to rest his forehead on the table.
“Are you okay, Klav?” Apollo asked, peering at him in worry.
Klavier let out a quiet groan in response. “I’m okay,” he said quietly, and Apollo didn’t need his bracelet to hear the pain in his voice, see the tension in his body.
Apollo frowned, rubbing his wrists together, hands full. Klavier eventually raised his head, once more picking up his cutlery to continue eating their lunch.
Several minutes in, and it was clear he was simply moving his food around his plate instead of actually eating.
“Does it taste bad?” he said, and Klavier startled.
“Nein, nein,” he said, eyes wide, “it’s as wonderful as ever, Hase.”
Apollo rubbed at his wrist again. Klavier’s gaze darted down to the movement, and his expression fell further, if that were possible.
“That’s not what I meant,” he said, and Apollo set down his cutlery to listen to his explanation, folding his hands together under the table and out of sight.
Klavier winced a little, shifting in his seat.
Apollo tried to ignore the downturn of Klavier’s lips, the tightness of his jaw. He fixed his gaze on the seasonings in the middle of the table.
Klavier made a tiny gagging noise, fighting against his expression souring again.
“What’s wrong?” Apollo asked, more direct this time.
“Reflux,” he mumbled with a grimace. Apollo immediately softened.
“Oh…” he reached across the table to grab Klavier’s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. Klavier gave him a weak smile in return, pushing his plate away from himself. “Unfortunately, your usual spiciness for our meals is, ah, not agreeing with me today.”
Apollo squeezed his hand again, not sure what else to do.
“Excuse me,” Klavier stood abruptly, turning on his heel and leaving the room. Apollo got to his feet with no hesitation, following.
Klavier was already hunched over the toilet when he got to the bathroom, eyes clenched shut as he tried to take a few steadying breaths. Apollo silently moved to his side, pulling his long hair out of the way.
“D-danke–” Klavier got out, voice wavering. Apollo brushed more hair from his face, making sure to hold it all out of the way.
After a couple minutes more, Klavier sat back against the bathtub’s side, letting his head fall back against it weakly. Apollo hit the flush before he sat down next to him.
“Sit here for a bit,” he said softly, pressing their thighs together. Klavier offered him another tired smile, leaning in to rest his head against Apollo’s shoulder instead.
Eventually, Apollo nudged for him to move. “Brush your teeth,” he instructed, reaching between them to brush a stray lock of Klavier’s fringe away from his face, “you’ll feel a lot better when you get rid of the taste.”
Klavier nodded, inching himself up to stand, bracing against the sink. He brushed his teeth quickly, rinsing a few times before turning back to Apollo. He already looked better than he had before, a little colour returning to his face, and Apollo threaded their hands together, leading him gently out of the bathroom.
“Let’s try eating again,” he said, and Klavier’s hand tensed in his grip. Apollo huffed out an awkward laugh. “I - uh, sorry, I meant–” he broke off, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. “I meant something plain. Bread, or–”
“Bread sounds fine,” Klavier cut in, and Apollo nodded, letting go of his hand to grab their half-eaten meal and transfer it to containers, tucking them away in the fridge. Klavier slipped into his chair again, pillowing his head on his folded arms.
Apollo pulled out the bread and butter, spreading a thin layer over a couple slices before sliding the plate across the table to bump into Klavier’s elbow. “Hopefully this will stay down,” Apollo said, as Klavier lifted his head, reaching for the salt shaker.
“Hopefully,” he replied, salting his bread.
“Do you need anything else?” Apollo asked, and Klavier took a small bite, chewing slowly and swallowing before he responded.
“Ah, just some water if you wouldn’t mind.”
Apollo nodded, moving to the fridge to pull out their chilled bottle. He grabbed a glass, pouring it before setting both down on the table by Klavier, who nodded thanks.
“You feeling any better?” he said, setting his hand on Klavier’s cheek, resting it there for a moment before he moved it up, brushing Klavier’s hair behind his ear.
“Much,” he replied, leaning into Apollo’s touch.
Apollo slowly carded his fingers through Klavier’s hair as the other man ate, occasionally pausing between bites to sip at his water.
“Danke sehr,” Klavier said quietly, leaning back in his chair as Apollo continued his movements, slowly twisting his hair into a loose braid, catching any stray hairs and pulling them back, “you are wonderful, mein Hase.”
“I’m your partner,” Apollo replied, holding his hand out for the hair tie Klavier kept on his wrist. He finished tying the braid off, dropping it and leaning forward to press a kiss to the crown of his head. “I’m always going to look out for you.”