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It was a normal day just like any other, shit. The world was burning, visitors were everywhere, life sucked. But in a few houses were some semblance of peace. That being the man with the blue sweater’s house. The living room, to be specific.
On the plaid couch was Yesenin, a 7’5” man in sandals and off-white button-up, and Coat Guy, an eternally freezing man with blue-ish skin and thick layers of wool and denim, sat quietly on the couch. It was a peaceful quiet, though, as the two had come to faintly enjoy the mutual company. Yesenin kept Coat Guy warm and Coat made sure the lanky man stayed cool during the scorching days.
Today Yesenin was sat staring at his corner of the ceiling and his sandaled foot tapped idly against the hardwood floor. Coat Guy had gotten up around an hour ago from the couch and out of the room. Yesenin didn't worry. It was a small house and during the day, where would he even go?
That's when Coat came back into the room and Yesenin glanced over at him, a fraction of hidden relief coming to him upon seeing his odd companion back with him. Coat sat down in his normal space next to the lanky man, hunching over as per usual and staring at the ground. He seemed nervous. That's when he finally broke the silence…
“I-I, um…” Coat started, his voice just as shaky and raspy as ever. Though, it was quieter now “I… i-i found some- s-some bandaids… i-i put th-them on my f-fingers…”
Coat then held out his hand to show he'd put bandaids over his bloodied nail beds. He had a habit of tearing off his fingernails to feel some semblance of warmth from the pain. But now he was actively covering them up to let them heal. It was something Yesenin recommended a while ago but didn't wanna push too hard on and scare Coat off.
Yesenin looked down in surprise, his expression neutral as he gently took Coat's freezing hand in his. Just as told, there were little brown bandaids soaking up the caked on blood. It brought a gentle smile to Yesenin’s face.
“You did… good job…” Yesenin spoke gruffly but with that same gentleness he only could muster with Coat. Then the lengthy man brought the hand up to his mouth and pressed a little kiss on each bandaid as a silent form of praise.
Yesenin truly was proud of Coat for taking his advice. Sure, Yesenin was usually a cold and neutral man who didn't care about much besides beer and a place to stay, but the cute little weirdo was his exception.
Coat Guy’s cheeks twinged a light purple at the kisses to his fingers, so light they didn't even irritate the injuries. He'd been so afraid of failing and relapsing into his old habit that he avoided even trying to heal. But now Yesenin was praising him just for starting, for trying even a bit. It made him feel less anxious, like maybe he could truly wait for his nails to grow back…
“Th-thank you… i-i really want- wanted t-to try… for yo-you…” Coat murmured, a little solemn from the fear of relapsing. But he also felt a sense of determination, like seeing Yesenin so proud made him wanna try his best to heal.
“I… i-i also, um… h-have been- b-been trying n-not to bite m-my lip…” Coat admitted, looking down at the floor as Yesenin stared at him.
Coat had a similar habit of biting the skin off his bottom lip so feel some warmth from the stinging pain. But now there was a noticeable scab on it. A sign that he'd been trying to let it heal and ignore his habits. He was trying so hard for Yesenin…
Yesenin’s dull eyes seemed to light up just a fraction at the revelation, his free hand coming to Coat's icy cheek as he ran his thumb gently over the scabbed over lip. He was careful, almost reverent with his movements so as not to break open the scab. But there was an undeniable tiny hint of pride in his expression.
“Oh, look at you…” Yesenin smiled a slight, crooked grin as he let go of Coat's hand and draped a lanky arm around the ivory-hair's waist to hold him close. Yesenin didn't exactly do gentle, but he wanted to. He still had a mostly neutral expression but pride and relief seeped through each second.
“You've been doing all this..? I'm proud, хорошенькая…” Yesenin cooed slightly.
Yesenin then smoothed back Coat's bangs with his palm and gently kissed his forehead, his lips lingering before pulling back. Coat rested his cheek to the tall man's shoulder and shut his eyes at the kiss, his face scrunching up a little like a little cat as he did. Shivering arms wrapped around Yesenin’s torso to keep warm as slender fingers rubbed idle circles into his back. Such peace the two found here…
“I-i wanted to- t-to try and h-heal now that yo-you are k-keeping me w-warmer… i-i don't need th-the pain…” Coat murmured into Yesenin’s shoulder, his black eyes fluttering close. Coat then mumbled more, dejection seeping into his tone. “I-im afraid i-ill fail and- a-and relapse…”
Yesenin frowned softly at the admission, his gangly arms looping around Coat to warm up the cute little weirdo. His cheek pressed to the ivory hair as the tips of his fingers traced Coat's spine through the layers of cloth.
“It's alright if you fail… I've known a lot of men who relapse, most do… but trying is the first step…” Yesenin spoke in a monotone voice, but he still had a drunken sense of care in it. He'd seen many men who said they'd never drink again walk back into a bar less than a week later, men who would scream about painkillers being poison and yet go straight back to the pharmacy. Relapse was hard and he'd seen it break men.
Yet Yesenin didn't care, if Coat failed, then he'd still be here. He'd never found anyone he could tolerate, let alone enjoy like Coat. He'd be damned if he let his only companion think that his pain defined him. Starting is all that's expected at first and healing isn't a straight line. The downs may be bad, but they'll come back up. It just takes the right time and resources…
Coat hummed and shut his eyes once more, not wanting to speak more on his own self-destruction. But he didn't start to feel a sense of comfort at the knowledge that his lanky man would support him through it all. Freezing was hard, being a visitor made it worse, but at least he had Yesenin who made the world seem tolerable.
Soon, bandaged fingers intertwined with slender ones and scabbed lips found human ones. It was a soft touch so as not to break open any scabs or injuries, an unspoken carefulness between the two that brought a sense of peace between the men…
Goodness, how lovely it was for Coat to have such support from his favorite person this god awful world had blessed him with…