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Healer had noticed the empty feeling in his stomach throughout the day, yet he chose to ignore it. After all, he wasn’t a stranger to going hungry. He could last for a while. He was planning to eat when he wasn’t busy.
…He didn't have a chance to.
By now, the sun had fallen under the horizon, shrouding the environment in the silvery darkness of night.
Healer was exhausted. He decided to go to bed first, then he'd eat in the morning. He'd be fine either way.
He fell into his and Fount’s bed as the door opened behind him with a creak.
“Orchid?”
Healer perked up, turning to the sound of Fount’s voice.
“...oh. Hello, my Fount,” he said, smiling as best he could.
Fount hopped up beside him on the bed, running his hand through Healer’s hair.
“Are you alright?”
Healer moved to curl up against him, “I’m fine,” he muttered.
“Are you su—” Fount stopped, along with the hand in his hair, “Did you have anything to eat today?”
Healer didn’t reply, grabbing tighter onto Fount.
Fount grabbed Healer’s hand, flowing off the bed with Healer following shakily.
“Alright, we’re getting you some food,” Fount said, gently pulling Healer along.
Healer slipped out of Fount’s grip, “Fount, truly, it’s fi—”
“No, it’s not,” Fount’s voice was stern, yet laced with concern, though it softened as he continued, placing his hands on Healer’s shoulders, “C’mon, I’ll make you something.”
“...Okay.”
Fount’s hand slipped down to Healer’s while the other one nudged the door open, keeping Healer from stumbling as they moved to the kitchen.
Fount threw the door to the pantry open, yanking a pack of jellies out and shoving it into Healer’s hands.
“Eat it.”
Healer paused, “Are you alright? You seem… tense.”
“Stop worrying about me. You’re the one who needs to eat.”
Healer grabbed the pack, opening it carefully. He already felt nauseous just looking at it, forcing himself to chew it and swallow it down.
Immediately he turned to steady himself against the counter, biting his tongue to keep from throwing up.
Why didn’t he just eat earlier?! He could’ve avoided this if he just— acted normal! And now he was about to throw up over a small bite like an idiot, and he very well could’ve avoided all this and it was all his fault.
“...orchid,” Fount put his hands over Healer’s, “sit down. You look like you’re about to puke.”
Healer nearly fell without Fount helping him stay steady as he sat. Fount shifted from his front to his side, rubbing his back.
“Don’t throw up. You can nibble on it, or…whatever, as long as you don’t throw up,” Fount muttered.
“I know…” Healer whined, nestling into Fount’s shoulder, “I’m sorry, I should’ve eaten something earlier.”
“It wasn’t just today you haven’t eaten, right?”
Healer nodded, his hand grabbing the hand Fount didn’t have on his back.
He grabbed another jelly, gnawing on its edges. Every time he felt sick, he turned back to Fount’s embrace, letting him hold him as he tried not to throw up. It took around an hour for Healer to finish it.
“You able to get up?” Fount asked, gently grabbing Healer’s hand as he stood up.
Healer returned the hold, “I think so.”
He allowed Fount to pull him up, tailing behind him as they went back up the stairs, listening to the creak of the steps. Fount’s grip repeatedly tightened, making sure Healer didn’t stumble until they reached the door.
Healer slid into bed before Fount, wrapping himself up in the blankets, a comfort after sitting on the tile for so long. Fount followed, wrapping his arms around Healer, kissing him on the cheek. Healer felt Fount's hair wrap around him, almost like a second blanket. He didn't do that often, though Healer gladly accepted it when he did. It was the softest thing he'd ever felt.
Healer noticed that Fount was shaking slightly, trying to hold onto him.
“I… know you told me not to worry about you, but are you sure you’re alright?” Healer asked.
Fount hesitated, his grip tightening around Healer, then sighed, “I just— it scares me. When you don’t take care of yourself, and— I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I’m sorry,” Healer muttered.
Fount replied, “Just try to take care of yourself more, okay…?”
“I will. I promise.”