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Steve’s body hurt, he might not be able to tell much, but that’s for sure. It’s like he can feel the pain shooting up through his feet into the rest of his body. Things like this happened every so often; he had a base level of pain, but feeling this bad wasn’t as common for him.
Thankfully for him, Eddie could always tell when something was going on. It was like he was psychologically connected to Steve. Eddie could tell somehow and it always shocked Steve how easy it was for him to sense that something was wrong with him. It might also have something to do with the fact that this was the one time Steve allowed himself to lay on bed longer. He was usually up before Eddie, but never on days like this. In fact he spent most of the days like this in bed. Even the thought of moving was exhausting, so staying in bed was always the plan.
So when Steve finally actually woke up he could hear Eddie messing with something in the kitchen. Based on the smell, he was making breakfast. Steve couldn’t tell if the thought of eating sounded good or like he might vomit. It was always a toss up on days like today, and Eddie knew that. It was likely that Eddie had made him a few different options based on what he would be able to stomach. The rest would be kept until later when he could eat it.
Steve took this time, sprawled out on his back, to listen to his boyfriend and think about how lucky he was to have him. To have someone who cared so much about him that they were more than willing to make multiple breakfasts just in case. It made him tear up to think about; he was always more emotional when he was in this much pain.
The pain wasn’t always there. At some point after all the upsidedown stuff happened he started to feel different joints hurt. He thought nothing of it, he played sports and then fought for his life multiple times, that was bound to do some damage, but he thought that with time it would straighten itself out. It didn’t, it got worse and didn’t stop at a few joints, it was all of them now.
Steve laid there, trying to stretch and relax some of his joints to make it easier to move. After a few moments he attempted to sit up. He ended up scooching up the bed to the headboard, a pillow safely tucked between his back and the headboard to give him some support.
Days like this were always hard on him mentally too. His self-worth was usually lined up with how much he was needed, or how much he could do for other people. Steve knew that it was a problem but he didn’t care enough to fix it. It was how he was raised so how big of a problem could it be.
Steve could feel himself starting to get overwhelmed, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. He was thankfully able to calm himself quite a bit before Eddie came back into the room with breakfast for them both.
“Here you are, sweetheart.” Eddie said as he handed Steve his plate with a variety of different breakfast items on it. Toast with butter, fruit, pancakes with the perfect amount of syrup on them.
Steve’s eyes started to well up at the thoughtfulness of his partner. He really can’t believe he got so lucky.
Eddie sat down at the foot of the bed with his own plate of food in hand. He crossed his legs and got comfortable facing Steve, “How bad is it today, darling?” Eddie asked.
“Can’t tell yet, but it certainly isn’t good.” Steve replied.
Eddie gave a small nod. They made small talk until they finished their breakfasts. Eddie got up and took both their plates downstairs, probably setting them in the sink for one of them to clean later.
Eddie came back up a few minutes later with a water bottle, which he set on the bedside table for Steve.
“Would you like to try and move downstairs, to the couch?” Eddie asked, giving Steve a different option, knowing that neither of them loved laying in bed all day. Even if they can’t do much, it’s easier to be downstairs where everything is easily accessible.
Steve nodded, “Can you help me to the bathroom too?” Steve gave Eddie puppy dog eyes, even though he knew he didn’t have to do that to get Eddie to help.
“Absolutely, big boy.” Eddie replied.
Eddie helped Steve up, slow and gentle. They made their way downstairs and Eddie helped Steve get to the bathroom safely and then to the couch, getting him comfortable. Pillows within reach, in case something needed support. He also made sure that Steve had his water bottle and the TV remote within arms reach.
“Thank you.” Steve said with full sincerity. Gazing up at Eddie.
Eddie gave him a peck on the lips, “If you need anything, just give me a shout. I’ll be around, darling.”
Steve settled in, turning on some random show, only half paying attention. He wasn’t so much in his thoughts now, he was mostly just tired. Everything tired him on days like this. It sucked but that's how it was.
Steve half listened to Eddie putter around, and half listened to the TV. It was as nice as it could be with his joints throbbing when he moved even in the slightest amount.
After a while - Steve lost track of the time - Eddie came back and sat down with him. Bringing his medicine with him. Handing Steve his medicine and his water.
“Later, would you like to smoke? I know it helps sometimes.” Eddie asked.
Steve looked at him with those same puppy dog eyes, “Can we do it now?” He asked.
“Sure Stevie.” Eddie said, leaving to go get his stuff.
Eddie ground and rolled a joint for them both, he brought more in case this wasn’t enough to help Steve relax, but wanting to start small.
They sat there for a while, watching the show that was on, neither of them were super interested in it but it was stupid enough to keep their attention. It brought some of the giggles out and Steve could see Eddie relax when he started laughing.
Steve knew that Eddie worried, though he never realized just how much. Even on his own bad days, Eddie is looking out for Steve, even though Steve tells him to get some rest and not worry about him that he’ll be fine taking care of himself and Eddie. Eddie always tells him that he shouldn’t overdo it and to lay down with him so they can both relax and nobody gets a stress flare up.
Steve cuddled up real close to Eddie, giving Eddie a little peck on the neck, trying to get as close to Eddie as possible, wanting to be absorbed into Eddie's skin if he could. The comfort he got from Eddie was so wonderful after not receiving any in his childhood. He craved the comfort and Eddie gave it to him in spades, and when he was high it was hard to say that with words so he wanted to express that physically.
Eddie wrapped his arm around Steve, knowing that he got like this sometimes, and what to follow was only helped with Eddie nearby. Steve tended to get weepy when he was high when he was in pain. Like every good emotion was coming out in full force. The relief from the pain made him so grateful for everything and he was so grateful for Eddie.
Eddie rubbed his back, quietly whispering that he was here and he was going to stay with Steve forever. “I love you, baby.” At that Steve started crying, a little weepy.
Steve crawled into Eddie’s lap, wrapping himself and limbs around Eddie. He tucked his face into Eddie’s neck, and Eddie kept running his hands over Steve’s back.
“I love you.” Steve said, voice cracking into Eddie’s neck. Steve sniffled, “I just love you so much.”
“I know, and I love you, Stevie baby,” Eddie pulled him tighter to him. “You’re okay, love, you’re okay.”
They stayed there for a while longer, Eddie not wanting to disturb Steve and Steve not wanting to be apart from Eddie for any longer than a second.
Once Steve had calmed down more, “Would you like to have something to eat and then maybe take another nap? I’ll have another joint for you ready once you wake up.”
“Yes please, Ed?” Steve looked up at Eddie with puppy dog eyes, like Eddie would ever say no to him.
“Okay, baby. Do you want to come with me or stay here?”
“You.” Steve said determinedly, almost like a stubborn child.
“Alright, silly.” Eddie chuckled.
Eddie took Steve’s hand, Steve holding on tightly, like he was afraid that Eddie would leave if he let go. They walked to the kitchen, Eddie leading Steve while Steve stared at their joined hands. He was elated that he got to hold Eddie’s hand, even though they’ve been together for quite a while now, but Eddie didn’t seem to care much, just happy that his boyfriend was happy.
“What would you like to eat?” Eddie asked.
Steve shrugged. Eddie started to look around the kitchen, seeing what they had. One of the cupboards he opened had boxed mac and cheese and Steve gasped in excitement. “Mac and cheese then, baby?”
Steve nodded. As Eddie started prepping, Steve sat up on the counter, kicking his feet and watching as Eddie worked.
Once Eddie was done and had dished the food, they took it back to the living room to watch the TV. They sat down and Steve swung his legs over Eddie’s, staying close.
They ate in a peaceful quiet with the TV playing in the background. Steve laying his head on Eddie’s shoulder.
Steve felt like he couldn’t talk, which wasn’t abnormal for him while he was high but it always made him feel bad when he was with other people, knowing that they probably want to talk. Though Eddie never seemed to mind, he seemed to understand that Steve didn’t mean anything by his silence. It was just hard for him to speak sometimes and it just means that he’s comfortable and content.
Steve hummed, letting Eddie know that he was happy, that he was taken care of. The start of the had been rough but with the help of Eddie and a little weed things felt better. That’s all that Steve could think of as he slowly fell asleep for the second time with Eddie right there next to him, knowing he was safe and taken care of.