Living

Chapter 23: Race's Sleepover

Spot walked into Race's room with a sandwich. "Hey."

"Hi", Race muttered, miserably. "You can just... leave the sandwich there. I'll eat it. Maybe."

Spot sighed and walked further in, going to sit beside Race on his bed. The younger was laying down and facing away from him, mostly likely with his eyes closed as he tried to forget his thoughts.

"Bad day?"

"No. Week."

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

Spot knew exactly how to comfort him, but he wasn't sure the younger was up for it. When Race's mind started attacking him, Spot would usually sing a song to cheer him up, but the blonde may also have a headache, and Spot just wants to make him feel better.

"You okay?"

"No."

"Okay."

"You love me, right?"

"With everythin' and then all I've got."

"Okay."

"Do you believe that?" Spot looked at Race expectantly, waiting patiently for an answer. He got a sigh. "Alright."

Race turned over and placed his head in Spot's lap. "Hair."

Spot placed a hand in his hair, stroking it comfortingly. He saw as the blonde relaxed and he smiled, knowing the love of his life was at least somewhat comfortable.

"Thank you."

Spot smiled sadly, leaning down to his his boyfriend's head. "Always."

——————

"Hey."

"Hi", Les answers happily, seeing as Books was on the phone. "You okay?"

"Kinda, yeah."

Les' brows furrowed. "What's wrong?"

There was silence on the other line before Books whispered, "Race isn't feelin' well. He ain't gettin' out of bed."

Les became worried. Maybe it was his older brother projecting through him, but he felt some kind of need to be there for Race and Books. Race needed to be taken care of and Books needs reassurance. "Maybe I could-"

"Don't come over", Books says suddenly.

"Um, why?"

"I...I think he needs space right now. He usually does when this happens."

Les nods. "Oh. Does this happen a lot?"

"Not since Spot and him started datin'."

"Well, why are you over there?" Les remembered that Books lives with Albert.

"Albert had to get somethin' from the store, and Spot is comfortin' Race", Books sighed. "I, I have to make sure no one tries to come and kill us, or whatever."

"Yeah." Les understood that. He wasn't sure if anyone in his family had been in Race's condition, but there were times when he had to hold the fort down. Davey can't do it all, you know. "Is he okay?"

"Race? Yeah, yeah, he's...fine", Books' voice wavered, and Les knew he might be lying. "Did you eat today?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm supposed to do that."

"Les", Books chuckled. "How do you always forget to eat?"

"I don't forget to eat", Les answers, walking to his kitchen. "I forget to eat larger meals."