Sickening

Chapter 7

Elias has been working a lot more.

After living with him for a month and a half, I've figured out and got down his work schedule. But recently he's been getting called in a lot more, taking shifts for his co-workers because apparently a cold is going to around. The hospital is short of staff and they needed him, is what he told me.

The shift in routine was really putting me off. I didn't know what to do while he was gone, and I realized how incompetent of a person I was when he wasn't around. I also really missed him. The empty house made me emotional, and I hated how attached I was.

When he did come home, I clung to him like a koala, no matter how tired he was. We often fell asleep on the couch on late nights, cuddled up together on the small sofa with the TV blaring. Dinner hasn't happened in probably four days and I knew how sorry Elias was about that. I really didn't mind since I felt better not eating, but he insisted that I should have a healthy eating routine. I knew he was just caring for me.

One particular night, it was getting really late and Elias wasn't home. I was starting to get so worried that I was checking the window at every passing car. It was almost three in the morning, and there was no sign of him. I couldn't call him because of my lack in a phone, and my anxiety was eating me alive slowly.

Finally, his small SUV pulled into the driveway and I hopped off the couch, immediately running for the front door. I opened the door and met him halfway on the porch, crushing him in a hug. "Fuck you, I was so worried.." I whispered, burying myself in his neck. He chuckled tiredly, hugging me back around my waist. "I guess it is late, isn't it?" He winced. I pulled back and shot him a glare, dragging him into the house.

"You look so tired.." I observed, my hand cupping his cheek. He smiled, dark eye bags creasing his under eyes. "What are they doing to you, over there?" I asked, mostly joking. He laughed halfheartedly, pulling me into him. "They're draining you.." I mumbled against his chest. "I'm fine, Theo," He insisted. "Just need some rest."

"Gladly," I huffed, crouching down to yank his shoes off. He laughed, letting me shed his shoes and coat before dragging him towards the hallway. I did stop to turn off the TV, though. Finally we were in his room and he immediately started shedding his clothes. I couldn't help but let my eyes linger. His shoulders were wide but his body thinned at his waist, just faint outlines of muscles carved in his abdomen. Everything about him was dateable.

My eyes snapped away before he caught me looking and I crawled into his bed, settling in his covers. He changed quickly and basically fell into bed, his arms lazily grabbing my hips and pulling me towards him. He held me gently, already softly snoring in my ear. I couldn't help but lean into his warmth, a small smile on my lips.

***

I opened my eyes drowsily, closing them again and nuzzling further into the pillows. I didn't want to get up yet, it felt too early. I turned over and felt around the large bed, but I found no bodies. My eyes opened to see an empty spot beside me and I immediately sat up, looking around for Elias.

I heard commotion in the kitchen so I hopped onto my feet, a bit dizzy from getting up so fast. I kind of maybe fell into a wall before I got into the hallway, hurrying to the kitchen with urgency for some reason. I mentally relaxed when I saw Elias cooking in the kitchen, and my eyes flickered down to the pink apron covering his front.

I dragged my feet towards Elias, annoyed that I ran away from the bed so fast. I snaked my arms around him, huffing out a deep breath. "Well, good morning," He hummed, his hands busy tending to the eggs. I hummed in response, closing my eyes in contention. "What's with the getup?" I murmured, peeking open one eye to look up at him. He smiled, flipping some eggs while giggling like a high schooler. "I went out this morning, and I saw this apron for sale and it came in a set so I couldn't just leave it there. I got you one too," He explained with a giddy smile.