I'll Be There For You

Picking Up The Pieces

Mew sighed as he entered his condo.  It seemed like Tul didn't leave the guest room at all.  It had been more than 24 hours now.  Mew had taken today off as well, he thought the reception was going to last until the morning and planned ahead.  Since that didn't happen, he went out and ran errands.  He stopped by Tul's favorite place and picked up dinner.  

Mew took the containers out of the bag, thinking of what to do.  It's not like he could ask anyone for advice, he didn't know anyone who had been through a similar situation.   

Mew knocked on Tul's door, "I'm coming in." 

He waited several seconds before opening the door.  The light from the kitchen was the only light source in the pitch black room.  Tul's back was to the door so Mew couldn't tell if he was awake or not.  He walked around to the other side of the bed.  It appeared as though he was still sleeping.  Frowning, Mew looked around the room.  It seemed like Tul didn't get out of bed at all.  He was still in his suit despite having his belongings.  Mew had called Tul's sister and asked her to bring his suitcase.  It was packed with clothing and toiletries for the honeymoon, but clearly had not been used.

"Tullie," Mew whispered as he gently shook his shoulder. 

Tul groaned but didn't open his eyes.  Mew placed the back of his hand on Tul's forehead.  It was a little warm.  Mew went to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water and some pain medicine.  Back in the room, he turned the closet light on.

"Tul, it's time to get up," Mew said as he lifted Tul into a sitting position.

"I'm awake," Tul mumbled with his eyes still closed.  "I have a horrible headache."

Mew opened the bottle and put a pill in Tul's hand.  He unscrewed the water bottle top and helped Tul take a sip.

"Thanks".

"Stay here, I'll go fix a plate for you," Mew replied.  

A few minutes later, he came back in with a tray with two plates of food.  They ate in comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

"You know with your previous health issue, you have to take care of yourself," Mew admonished Tul.

" I know, I know.  I just wanted some time to wallow in my hurt and anger.  I'm glad Pei can live in her truth, but she should have handled it differently.  This will be the first thing people think of in connection with me, forever."

Mew inclined his head in silent agreement.  Time and other celebrity scandals would help remove this incident from the forefront, but it would always be thought of whenever Tul was mentioned.

Mew leaned against the doorframe after returning the tray back to the kitchen.  "I don't know how to tell you this, bro," his voice trailed off.

Tul looked up from his phone, one eyebrow raised in question.

"You need to take a shower, you stink," Mew finished, throwing his head back in laughter.

Tul threw a pillow at him.  "I thought is was something serious."

"That odor is serious.  While you shower, I'll change the bedding."

Tul put his phone down and swung his legs over the side of the bed.  When he went to stand up, his legs buckled, causing him to fall back on the bed.

Mew rushed to his side.  "What's wrong?"

"Nothing.  I just need to use the bathroom."

"How would needing to use the bathroom cause you to not be able to stand?"

"I just felt a sharp pain in my bladder that took my be surprise.  I promise I'm okay."

"Hmm."  Mew picked Tul up and his arms, striding out the door.

"I can walk, you know."

"This is quicker.  I think it's better if you take a bath instead of a shower.  I'll get the water going.  Yell if you need anything."

Before Tul could respond, Mew was already out the door.  He knew it was pointless to argue with Mew when he got this way.  While washing his hands, Tul looked at himself in the mirror.  He looked awful, but had a slight smile on his face.  Only one hour talking with Mew and he was already starting to feel better.  He sent a quick thank you to the goddess for having someone like Mew in his life.