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Eddie was curled up in the fetal position in his and Chris’s bed. He had just gotten home, his boyfriend yet to join him, even though he could really use the other’s warmth. He couldn’t really put his finger on what the issue was; Eddie was just so tired, drained, didn’t know what to do. He felt like he was on the edge of tears but also nowhere near showing any emotion, like his life was sucked out of him in some way. His fingers found their way to his short hair, tugging on it.
Not that long, maybe an hour later, the familiar sound of their apartment door opening and being closed came through the walls of their bedroom. Eddie listened but didn’t react to the footsteps he heard, trying to make out where Chris lingered in the space, creaky floors made it easy.
The older out of the two looked around their shared apartment for his boyfriend, knowing Eddie was home. He wasn’t in his usual spot on the couch and no greeting was in sight. He decided to make his way to the bedroom, slowly opening the door in case the other was asleep. And there he was.
“Eddie?” Chris whispered, seeing the curls sprawled out around one of the pillows and a lump in their bedsheets. He made his way over to crouch where he could see Eddie’s face, lightly taking a hand to tuck some hair behind his ear.
They both greeted each other with their eyes, just Eddie’s looked more… sad. Chris couldn’t put his finger on why.
“Hey there… what’s wrong?” The taller whispered, the hand that had tucked his hair back still lingering on Eddie.
“I don’t— I don’t know Chris.” The other replied, sniffling before trying to pull Chris over, holding in the tears that were now threatening to spill over.
“Hey, hey.” Chris’s voice dropped as quiet as he could, scooting Eddie over to shuffle his way under the covers, arms snaked around his lover’s waist, one rubbing back and forth as he listened to the soft sobs. Oh how his heart hurt that he didn’t have the answers as to what was wrong, but he knew the best he could do was just wait until Eddie came back down.
Chris listened to his other half and continued to rub Eddie’s back until only the occasional sniff or sob left his mouth, finally feeling like he could pull back to look up at Chris.
“I’m sorry.” The shorter croaked out, voice a little weak. Chris shook his head and kissed Eddie’s forehead. “You did nothing, don’t apologize.” He paused, taking a breath before continuing. “May I ask what’s wrong? Anything I can do for you love?” The concerned tone in his voice shown through, his cheek resting gently on the top of Eddie’s head as he pulled him back in tight.
“I don’t know really, just had a day. Think it’s stress, a buildup of it.” The other responded with, inhaling the familiar scent of his boyfriend.
“You need to come to me Ed, don’t want you feeling like shit.”
“I gotta work on that.” He replied with, shifting so he could listen to Chris’s heartbeat, the consistent thump grounding him. “That you do. You and I both.” The other murmured, his voice keeping a quiet volume. “You wanna just stay here ‘till we get hungry? Don’t think we’ll be doing much and I think we’re both tired.” Chris proposed, feeling a nod from Eddie and more feeling the vibrations of a “Sounds good.” Then hearing it.
“Great. I love you Eddie.”
“I love you too.”