Ollie
19
Dating a nobleman
Infantry Soldier
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Post by Zander Brogthamon on Jan 15, 2021 5:33:58 GMT -5
Zander resisted the urge to hug him any tighter afraid he might hurt him. Though he was comforted by Pearce squeezing him a little more. Ignoring the dull pain raidiating from his bruises. He took a deep breath to collect himself. Letting out a more honest chuckle as the marquis poked his side. "Alright, alright I'll try getting some sleep tonight." He relented before pressing a longer, sweeter kiss against Pearces lips.
"First you need your tea." The redhead reluctantly pulled himself from his boyfriends grasp and tugged on his pants. He left the room for a moment to find a staff member and ask them for Pearces tea before coming back in the room. "The doctor said two cups a day. So if you drink one now you don't have to drink again until dinner." Zander stated as he pulled on his shirt and adjusted his hair in the mirror. Okay, maybe he did look like hell.
The paler color to his skin, the dark circles under his eyes, even his lips looked off. He needed sleep. "If you're feeling up to it later tonight we can try and take that bath again." He suggested before there was a soft knock at the door. Zander grabbed the tea and brought it to Pearce with a soft smile. "I have to go wake up Briella then I'll be back for a kiss before I go to work." He teased.
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Orion
35
Unmarried
Marquis | Tutor
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Post by Pearce Lockheed on Jan 15, 2021 11:27:24 GMT -5
"Good," he mumbled into the kiss.
Pearce grimaced as he watched Zander half dress, not at all pleased about the tea but unwilling and unable to fight about it since he had every reason to drink it and no valid reasons not to. It was only upon Zander's return and continued daily preparation that Pearce realized what that all meant. His stomach twisted into a knot and dropped to the floor.
Despite all that talk, he didn't want to be alone. Not yet.
He wasn't sure when it happened, but he suddenly found himself biting his lip and holding a cup of tea as if it might jump out of his hands at any minute. Zander had just asked him something and for the life of him the marquis had no idea what it was. He blinked at the redhead and supplied another awkward smile. "Mmmmaybe," he said non-committaly, too embarrassed and overwhelmed to ask. Pearce let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and quickly and quietly downed the tea and set the cup on the bedside table.
The marquis supplied another less convincing smile as Zander mentioned work directly. As long as he could handle his anxiety and stomach until the young man left, he'd be fine.
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Ollie
19
Dating a nobleman
Infantry Soldier
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Post by Zander Brogthamon on Jan 15, 2021 20:14:43 GMT -5
Something was wrong. Well, a different kind of wrong. Zander furrowed his brow in confusion and worry. "Pearce?" He questioned softly as he move to stand next to the marquis. He didn't want to leave the man home alone either but he was in no condition to join him at the training yard and the redhead couldn't just miss another day. Perhaps he might be able to come home early though.
"Tell me what's going on." He insisted softly as he ran his fingers gently through his hair. Of course he was aware of how hard it was going to be for him to focus as it was. Between not sleeping and the deep anxiety running through him. It wasn't going to be easy but he had to believe Pearce would be okay at least until he got back.
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Orion
35
Unmarried
Marquis | Tutor
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Post by Pearce Lockheed on Jan 15, 2021 20:40:28 GMT -5
Pearce tensed at little and sunk in on himself as Zander said his name like that. He felt more than a little called out.
"I-I-I'm sorry, Zander. You...what did you say b-before? I...it's difficult to p-pay attention." He was red with embarrassment all over again. Clearly he struggled to relax even when he was tired and knew better and it was just a simple question. "I look forward to seeing you later," he added earnestly as explanation to his anxiety.
In the meantime, he'd read, write a few letters, take a nap after writing one because it was exhausting. Pearce found he could move about in the bed alright but standing for any amount of time, even with help made him feel sick. Not as immediately as yesterday but it was not a pleasant feeling.
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Ollie
19
Dating a nobleman
Infantry Soldier
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Post by Zander Brogthamon on Jan 16, 2021 2:44:44 GMT -5
Zander grit his teeth in a bit of frustration. Torn between needing and wanting to go to work and wanting to stay home with his boyfriend. If just to spend more time with him and make sure he was okay. The second wasn't an option however. He needed to get to work. "Just...take care of yourself until I get home." There was a twinge of worry in his voice as he forced a sweet smile.
He pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before pulling himself away to go wake up his sister. Pearce wasn't the only person who needed his attention after all. After getting her up and making sure she ate Zander decided to skip breakfast though requested someone send breakfast up to Pearce before he left.
As he expected work was hell. Between getting his ass handed to him in training and dealing with people on his routes Zander was in fact sent home a bit earlier than usual. When he arrived back to the manor he found Briella sitting at the bottom of the stairs with Whisky. "What...what are you doing here?" He asked with a confused chuckle. The girl looked up at him before sighing softly.
"Whisky is worried about Mr. Lockheed. Says he smells wrong. I'm worried to." Zander hadn't even told Briella what happened to Pearce yet. The way she spoke made his chest feel tight. "Well I'm going to go check on him now and I'll let you know how he's feeling. Why don't you go play in the blue room." With a hesitant nod she wandered off though as the redhead climbed the stairs to the room Whisky followed closely after him. As he opened the door the pup slipped past him into the room. Zander walked in with a bite of his lip. "I'm home."
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Orion
35
Unmarried
Marquis | Tutor
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Post by Pearce Lockheed on Jan 16, 2021 3:31:29 GMT -5
He promised he would take care of himself and he meant it. The kiss made him feel a little better, that sort of happy warm and fuzzy feeling that he was desperate to hold on to.
Breakfast was picked at, so of course he was brought lots of smaller snacks throughout the day. He tried with renewed effort at each, if only because he knew Zander would worry and ask after how he had been eating.
It had been an entire day. He felt...better, if still cautious and far more tired than normal. The thing that frustrated him the most was the dizziness and vertigo from standing and he desperately wanted to be able to complete basic human functions without help. So he was trying to work through it. When Zander returned, the marquis had gotten himself propped up against the side of the bed, feet on the floor, hands dug into the blanket over the side of the bed, eyes fixed across the room, forcing slow breaths through his nose. He was a little shaky but he was pretry sure that was the vertigo and not his legs.
Seeing Whisky enter the room first made him start in surprise and then he shifted his gaze to Zander. "Welcome home," he said. "I...um..." he blushed. He wasn't wearing any pants. Easier that way, considering he wasn't walking around at the moment. The dresser had actually been his goal, at least if he ever managed to move. He felt...not so nervous as usual, at least. "How was work?"
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Ollie
19
Dating a nobleman
Infantry Soldier
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Post by Zander Brogthamon on Jan 16, 2021 19:45:02 GMT -5
Seeing Pearces current position instantly made Zander want to rush over to find out what was wrong. Though as the man spoke he stayed where he was. Instead choosing to fold his arms over his chest. "Work was..." Hell. His back hurt, there where bandaged cuts along his right bicep, he had new bruises along his thighs, his whole body was sore. Though he thought better than to say that outloud.
"Work was alright. The captain said I looked tired so I got to leave a little early." It wasn't overtly a lie but he wasn't telling the whole truth. A small, playful smile crossed his lips as he eyed Pearce up and down. "Love the new look. You should dress like this more often." He teased while holding back a snicker. Still, that wasn't entirely answering what the man was doing half way out of bed.
"Did you need something, love? I could-" he cut himself off before he could finish the sentence. Zander knew Pearce didn't like people fussing over him and he probably hadn't enjoyed being more or less forced to stay in bed all day. "I could help you get it. Think you can walk mostly on your own?" If the marquis was feeling up to it the redhead could at least hold his hand and help him move where ever it was he wanted to go. That way if he fell he could catch him.
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Orion
35
Unmarried
Marquis | Tutor
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Post by Pearce Lockheed on Jan 16, 2021 20:15:44 GMT -5
The marquis raised an eyebrow at the hesitation. He wanted to be concerned but he knew the redhead would prefer he not be and honestly he had enough problems at the moment. "Well, I am glad to see you," he said, regardless of what had the young man home early.
"No," he said firmly shaking his head. Zander might love it and he wasn't all that ashamed for his boyfriend to see him in such a state but anyone else...and if he wanted to go anywhere outside his bedroom he needed to be properly clothed. Strictly speaking, he didn't need anything he would just feel a lot better. And he did want to have dinner downstairs if he could. Pearce figured attempting to get and put on his own pants would be a good test run.
It wasn't going so well.
Each new question eclipsed the last in his head, leaving him with the daunting one of whether he could walk. While normally he didn't like bothering people, he honestly wasn't sure. "I...haven't gotten that far yet," he informed Zander. "I don't know. I...just want some pants." He glanced from the dresser to Zander with a sheepish expression. He probably wasn't supposed to be walking but he did intend to try.
"I would ap-p-preciate some help," he concluded. That wasn't a promise that he would not get dizzy and/or vomit but he really really wanted pants.
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Ollie
19
Dating a nobleman
Infantry Soldier
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Post by Zander Brogthamon on Jan 17, 2021 3:26:51 GMT -5
Zander looked from the dresser back to his boyfriend and nodded. He walked over and pulled out a pair of trousers then set them on top before walking back to the bed. "How about this," he started as he held out his hands for Pearce. "I'll wrap my arm around you and we see how well you can do on your own. If you start to fall or get too dizzy I can hold you up." As he gently helped Pearce out of the bed he turned him slowly so that he could wrap one arm around his waist.
"You feeling okay?" He kept them still for the moment to allow Pearce to get a semblance of balance. Only willing to move once the marquis gave the okay. "Once we get the pants you have to sit back down to get dressed." It wasn't that he was against Pearce trying to walk it just worried him. It had only been a day and he wasn't sure how much movement the man should be doing. He was pretty sure Heather had set up the leech appointment but he'd have to ask her for when.
"Do you want to take the bath after dinner?"
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Orion
35
Unmarried
Marquis | Tutor
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Post by Pearce Lockheed on Jan 17, 2021 3:43:47 GMT -5
He frowned slightly, watching Zander halfway retrieve his trousers only to put them out of arms reach. But then his suggestion made sense. He nodded slowly.
One hand in Zander's, the other switching between holding Zander's arm or flailing, he took a sharp breath in as the young man got him standing. He leaned against the redhead at first and then slowly seemed to trust himself and the fact that he didn't immediately feel the need tp vomit. He was a little dizzy but nothing like before.
The marquis nodded and swallowed. "Okay. I will..." he breathed faintly. His pounding heartbeat and uneven breathing likely gave away how intense it really was but Pearce didn't have the vigor or willpower to push forward if he couldn't. Nor was he going to lie about it.
They made it to the dresser slowly but easily, and for the most part the marquis moved himself, his balance and equilibrium were still clearly put of sync so the guidance was necessary to keep him feeling sturdy. "Can..you carry those?" He asked about the pants once they were stopped. Yes okay, him walking here was entirely pointless and Zander could have just brought them over but he was glad to know he could, in fact, walk. Kinda.
Pearce smiled at the mention of a bath. Thay was right, they had been interrupted before. He nodded excitedly and realized he should have waited to be sitting down. He felt a renewed wave of vertigo crash through him and he leaned against Zander and threw up in his mouth with a wince.
"I'm okay," he mumbled against the taste in his mouth. "I'll sit..."
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Ollie
19
Dating a nobleman
Infantry Soldier
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Post by Zander Brogthamon on Jan 17, 2021 4:04:33 GMT -5
Pearce hadn't even had to ask Zander cto carry the pants for him before he was already reaching out for them. It was nice to know that he didn't need to more or less carry the man like he had the day before. Even small progress was still progress right? As he slowly got them back to the bed he noticed the wince and frowned quickly.
"Don't get too excited, love." While he tried to sound mostly playful there still a heavy twinge of worry. Zander eased Pearce back onto the bed and helped get the trousers mostly on before realizing it would be easier to pull them up the rest of the way if he stood up. "Hold onto my shoulders." He instructed as he helped the marquis up to pull them up the rest of the way.
Once Pearce was more dressed Zander wrapped his arm back around his waist. "Ready to try going downstairs?" That would be a much harder feat than just walking across a room. Still he would be there to help him down. He moved the both of them slowly as soon as Pearce said he was ready. As they reached the top of the stairs the redhead waited for the marquis to move first before helping him down.
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Orion
35
Unmarried
Marquis | Tutor
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Post by Pearce Lockheed on Jan 17, 2021 11:37:29 GMT -5
The marquis was learning is was more than a little difficult to keep from worrying the young man. There wasn't a whole lot he could do about the walking to make that better. And he clearly wasn't very good at hiding anything else that was going on that avoiding talking about any of it was ending up an exercise in futility. He knew Zander's playful tone, the easy going and honest one, and what he was hearing wasn't it. Of course, he supposed his own attempts at a reassuring tone weren't anywhere near how he normally sounded either.
As much as the process to get pants had not been very graceful or empowering, he decided to take the win for walking as what it was and not worry about it any longer. He was more than capable of finding a bit of humor in the moment, strangely enough. "You know what else you could d-d-do while I hold onto you?" He smiled for a moment and then a bit more seriously added. "I feel mmmuch better. A b-bath with you later would be lovely," he confirmed.
He was not sure he was ready for stairs, but he wanted to try, for himself and for Zander, and having the redhead with him was the best way he could think to practice. Standing at the top of the stairs and looking down proved...a bad idea. He gripped the railing with both hands, panting a little and grateful for Zander's arm around him. "Never...had a problem with heights before. Don't want to now," he mumbled, attempting to joke about himself to take his mind off of the stairs swimming in front of him. Pearce took the first few steps one at a time, trying to focus on the front windows opposite the stairs instead of looking down. That helped, enough that he managed to almost take the last ten steps normally.
"Nap time is...before dinner, right?" he teased once they were at the bottom. He wasn't entirely wiped out, but...clearly the whole exercise took a lot more out of him that it should have. He leaned his head against Zander's as they stood there for a moment. Tired as he was, he didn't feel like he was about to fall over...just that he might not get up for a while once he sat down.
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Ollie
19
Dating a nobleman
Infantry Soldier
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Post by Zander Brogthamon on Jan 17, 2021 17:59:09 GMT -5
It was in fact an exercise in futility to try and not worry the redhead. The more Pearce tried to hide from him the more stressed Zander became. Until the marquis was better and things returned to some semblance of normal he wouldn't relax. The question on something he could do while the marquis was holding onto him did work to make him smile a small bit. "What's that?" He purred.
He was happy to patiently help Pearce down the stairs. Taking one step at a time for as long as he needed and letting him take the lead. Just getting down the stairs with him at all felt like more progress than he'd thought they'd get to. Whisky followed after them slowly. Pausing a few steps back to give the men room to move. As they reached the bottom he bolted past Zander to the blue room to retrieve his small human girl.
The mention of a nap before dinner made him chuckle and shake his head. "How about having your tea first?" To avoid the fiasco of yesterday Zander thought it might be best for Pearce to drink his tea before they all sat down together. The sound of footsteps made the redhead turn to find another blonde he hadn't wanted to see.
Percival walked past the both of them and paused for a moment. Seeing the two men together made his face turn bright red before he quickly turned his attention to the floor and continuing to walk.
Zander let out a soft sigh as his grip on Pearce tightened a bit. Of course he was aware Pearce would need to talk to his cousin. If he could get Perci to eat dinner with them that might be less stressful? "Why don't you sit in the blue room with Briella before we have dinner?"
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Orion
35
Unmarried
Marquis | Tutor
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Post by Pearce Lockheed on Jan 17, 2021 18:17:44 GMT -5
Pearce only gave Zander a smile in response. He wasn't really in the mood for anything but he hadn't been able to resist implying something. Maybe it was a bit more like taunting inadvertently.
The Marquis could not begin to fathom ever going back up the stairs later, but that was a different problem for future Pearce. Right now, he took a moment to steady himself and not let the dizzy feeling overwhelm him or his stomach.
Percival's passing didn't earn much of a reaction from his cousin. Pearce was tired and entirely too content to lean on his boyfriend that even Percival could not interrupt his enjoyment of the small moment. If not for Zander tensing up beside him, he wouldn't have bothered to say anything about it. "I'm sure...after some t-tea, I'll feel better. Enough to...talk to him." Hopefully. Pearce nodded meekly at the suggestion he sit, not at all concerned about where that might be.
He accepted Zander's help to the room, glad to see there was still enough light spilling in through the windows to give the place a soft sort of glow. He settled into one of the arm chairs and almost immediately a servant deposited his tea on the side table. Pearce smiled a quiet thank you and did his best to drink instead of take a nap. Of course after he was finished, he only felt more tired.
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Post by Percival Lockheed on Jan 17, 2021 18:49:57 GMT -5
Percival had a lot of very confusing and embarrassing thoughts and feelings swirling around him. He hadn't even been back to the library since yesterday and he wasn't sure he ever would again. How could he? While he hadn't seen much what he had still kept playing in his head. He wasn't even sure he could handle sitting with the two of them at dinner.
As he was walking away the sound of a familiar voice made him freeze in his tracks. "Percival, wait." The blonde turned to see the familiar soldier but quickly looked at the ground. "I don't want to speak to you." He tried to sound firm and commanding but it came out more sheepish than he intended. Percival could practically hear the redhead roll his eyes at him but he didn't care. The last person he wanted to deal with right now was the brute.
"Fine don't speak to me. I couldn't care less. Your cousin needs to talk to you." The idea of talking with Pearce made his face feel hot all over again as he shook his head quickly. "You can either join us for dinner peacefully or I can track you down like an animal. Your choice." Neither choice was preferred but he didn't doubt the soldier would actually hunt him down if he didn't join. "Fine! Fine...I'll be at dinner."
Zander sighed softly with a small smile. "Good." He stated simply before walking away. Finally alone again Percival let out a small whine before continuing where he was going.
Once he was called for dinner Percival reluctantly sat down at the table. The little blonde girl looked up at him curiously as she swung her legs from her chair.
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