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"We have fully stocked the kitchen for you, khun Earth. Mako will bring you fresh produce; I've texted him to contact you. Oh, and someone will come every other day to clean."
"Once a week is fine." Earth smiled. "We want some privacy. Thank you for letting me book the whole resort for an entire month."
"Oh it's my pleasure." The woman waved her hand. "You have been our patron for many years, and now that it's off-season the business is a bit slow, so...you are a great help."
"And my request...?" Earth briefly glanced towards Mix who continued eating his ice cream.
"All the alcohol has been removed, even the cooking wine." She nodded before handing over the master key card and leaving.
"Come on baby." Earth beckoned Mix, pushing the trolley they loaded their luggages onto towards one of the huts. He chose the largest, as Mix always liked the view from its terrace, and the tall couples swing hanging from a nearby tree.
"I'm hungry." Mix grumbled. "I want to eat something."
"Here." Earth placed a loaded sandwich into his lap. "Eat this; I'll go cook something for you. Can you unpack in the meantime?"
"Sure." Mix glanced at the large suitcases. Why did they always packed so much? He already knew his month long private vacation wardrobe will only consist of bath robe and maybe some shorts. "Can I have the car keys? I forgot something."
Earth raised an eyebrow. "I already threw out all the hidden flasks. I know why you borrowed my car yesterday."
He left Mix in the room, pouting, and headed to the resort's kitchen to quickly cook some dinner. After eight hour long drive Earth wasn't particularly keen on making an elaborate meal, and something simple such as seafood pasta seemed more appropriate.
"Let's eat outside." Earth peeked inside the hut, finding Mix playing some game on his phone. Evening air was pleasantly warm, and the sounds of ocean waves brought out a nice ambience to their dinner, even though Mix sulked through most of it.
"I'm going to sleep, my head hurts." Mix grunted as he finished the meal and pushed away the empty plate, knocking over his half empty glass of water until it dribbled over onto Earth's thigh.
He turned tail without so much as an apology, and Earth began wiping his splashed leg with a napkin, a sad expression on his face. He knew this was going to be a long four weeks, and he knew it wouldn't be easy, but he hadn't anticipated just how hard it would be.
It was barely a full twelve hours from Mix's last drink, but he already felt the withdrawal symptoms creeping in, knowing, and fearing, that they would get only stronger with time.
Headache and anxiety caused him to toss and turn all night as insomnia settled in, his fingers trembling slightly. Behind the windows, dawn has began already breaking slowly, but the sun was still hidden.
"It's going to be fine..." He mumbled to himself as he rummaged through Earth's things, trying to find his cigars. "It's going to be okay..."
"What's going on?" The bedside lamp lit up as Earth woke up and rushed towards the figure crouched on the floor, meddling with his jacket.
"I just...wanted..." Mix sniffled, throwing away the jacket angrily.
"Baby-"
"Shut up!" Mix raised his voice. He knelt on the floor, drenched in sweat. His body trembled, muscles in his hands and legs twitching involuntarily, his stomach turning as another wave of nausea hit him.
"Mix, my love-" Earth reached out, only to have his hand slapped away. But that didn't deter him from trying again, this time touching Mix's cheek. It pained him seeing the man he loved, usually so mischievous and bubbly, to be contorted in pain and fear. He scooped him up from the floor with ease, laying him on the bed again, even though Mix's clothes were now soaked in sweat. "I'll get you some water."
But water hasn't soothed his stomach at all, and when Mix hastily drank half the glass, it only took a couple of second for him to bend over the edge of their bed and let it all out, half digested dinner mixed with water splashing onto the floor as earth went to refill his glass.
"Shh..." Earth carefully stepped over the nasty puddle, and placed a damp cold towel onto Mix's forehead. He waited for Mix to stop heaving before wiping his mouth and offering the water again, this time holding the glass himself and monitoring as Mix took small, shaky sips.
"Will you be okay for a bit while I clean this up?" Earth soothed, brushing a damp lock of hair from Mix's forehead.
Mix nodded weakly, though he couldn't help the tears that slipped down his temple, seeping into his sweat soaked hair.
