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Vörjeans had returned to their hotel after their halftime show at KAJ on Ice. They'd had the time of their lives; every single member of the band, but no one more than Tommy Tall. To treat themselves they'd been to check out the hotel's sauna and were now nice and relaxed, almost drowsy. Tommy was strangely quiet as they got out of the elevator and walked down the corridor towards their rooms. He was most likely coming down from the high he'd experienced during the three songs they'd performed. Tommy had always lived for the praise and appreciation, it kept him going and pushed him to be even better.. almost as much as Määnin who was his greatest inspiration. Big enough for Tommy to confess his love on stage, in front of everyone. Freppa had seen the elated smile on Tommy's face right after. He loved his bandmates, but at least that time Freppa was happy that he had a room just for himself because he was certain that Tommy and Määnin needed to be by themselves.
"Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow for breakfast,"
Freppa said as they'd reached the room Tommy and Määnin were staying in. His room was just a little further down the corridor.
"Great show today, both of you."
"You too, Freps.."
Tommy finally said, his voice quiet. Määnin gave Freppa a thumbs up and then opened the door, letting Tommy go in first.
After the door closed behind them, Tommy remained where he stood, somewhere halfway between the door and the bed. He swayed on his feet just a little. This was something he barely even noticed himself. Määnin had gone to the adjacent bathroom, and Tommy was still rooted in place by the time he returned.
"You okay, Toms?"
he asked, face in subtle frown as Tommy seemed really out of it.
"Huh..? Oh, yeah.. Yeah, I am.."
Tommy said automatically, but didn't even seem to be very sure of his words.
"My head hurts a little.."
he then admitted when Määnin already walked up to him.
"I'm not sure if that sauna did me any good.."
"Tommy.. Why didn't you say anything?"
Määnin sighed as he took Tommy's hand and led him to the bed. His touch was gentle.
"I didn't want to ruin the fun for the rest of you.."
Tommy gave a weak smile when he was guided to sit down on the side of the bed. Maybe the sauna had helped him come down from the euphoric high and the adrenaline, but also replaced it with near debilitating exhaustion.
"I just want to lie down.."
Tommy added, seeming to be almost completely out of it.
"Hold on, Tommy,"
Määnin said as he searched through the things Tommy had half-assedly packed for the trip.
"I know they are here somewhere.."
"What.. What are you looking for?"
Tommy asked with a frown and then immediately regretted it as his head protested without missing a beat.
"These.. right here,"
Määnin soon announced victoriously as he stood back up, showing Tommy the painkillers Freppa had luckily given to them right before they'd left Vörå. Määnin placed one on Tommy's hand and hurried back into the bathroom. Tommy remained sitting up and listened to the sound of running water. Only a few short moments after a flimsy, clear mug was given to him.
"There you go, Toms. Take the pill so you can go lie down,"
Määnin instructed almost like he was a kid. Tommy didn't have the energy or the will to argue with Määnin, so he put the painkiller in his mouth and washed it down with water. After emptying the mug he handed it back to Määnin and collapsed on the bed wearing nothing but his underwear.
A little but genuine smile sneaked up onto Määnin's face as he stood there, looking at Tommy sprawled out on the bed. He seemed to be almost asleep already, his eyes closing after his eyelids had grown too heavy. Määnin was just about certain about Tommy having dozed off when he heard a barely audible voice:
"Mään..?"
Tommy's eyes were still closed, but his hand seemed to blindly search for Määnin on the bed despite him not even being near it.
"What is it, Toms?"
"Come to bed with me, please.."
The pleading tone was clear in Tommy's voice despite him whispering. Määnin smiled at the sight and the request. Tommy always got clingy and wanted to be close to Määnin, to feel some comfort when he wasn't feeling alright.
"Okay, Tommy, just hang on.."
Määnin turned off the lights and then approached the bed and his best friend/boyfriend, sitting on the bed and lying down on his back. Almost right away he could feel Tommy's fingertips brush against his arm. Määnin turned on his side to face Tommy and took his hand, brushing the back of Tommy's hand with his thumb. Määnin couldn't see it, but a weary smile touched Tommy's lips.
"Thanks.. I love you, Mään.."
he mumbled, clearly only barely holding onto his consciousness and somehow managing to scoot a little closer. Määnin gave Tommy's fingers a little squeeze in return.
A few minutes passed by. Tommy had gone quiet and his breathing was calm. Certainly he was asleep by now.
"I want to be the first one to die.."
His voice suddenly broke the silence. Määnin wasn't sure if Tommy had indeed been asleep and suddenly woken up again, or if he'd just been thinking.
"What?"
Määnin just had to ask.
"Of us. Whenever it happens. Because I can't.. I don't want to imagine my life without you in it. I'm.. I'm scared that one day it'll be just me. And I don't want that."
Tommy's voice sounded clearer now, like he was more awake. Määnin didn't know what he was supposed to say to that. So, instead he just pulled Tommy closer and held onto him until they both eventually fell asleep, with Tommy being the first one to do so.