Liz Gillies Requests

One Of Those Days (Liz&Michael)

Eighteen hours. Eighteen hours on a set in clothes that weren't hers, reciting lines she couldn't understand, listening to orders from stressed producers.

You chose this.

Was all that played in her mind in the Uber on the drive home. No amount of her current fixation song on loop could comfort her today. Everything was building inside her body and it was too much.

By the time she unlocked the front door and stepped inside, Liz felt numb. The dogs running to her excitedly brought her little joy, even as she crouched to fuss them. Her body complained as she stood up again; muscles aching and belly empty.

She walked further inside to the living room where she could smell the vanilla candle Michael had lit. That was his daily ritual that he knew she loved. But today it wasn't the same.

As she dropped her coat to the back of the couch, she stayed still for a moment, taking a deep breath. It did little to calm her and only spurred on the frustration already red hot beneath her skin. Groaning, she rubbed her eyes viciously and frowned.

"Hey, babe. You're home." Michael said softly as he walked in from the laundry room.

"Yeah, I'm home." She gave him a tired smile but didn't move an inch.

"Are you okay?" He asked, setting the basket of clean sheets down on the coffee table and walking towards her.

"I'm fine. Just tired." Liz nodded, letting him hug her.

She didn't even feel it. She couldn't register the contact or even connect properly. And that was terrifying.

"What do you want to do first? Food? Shower? Lie down?" Michael asked, stepping back and holding her shoulders.

"I'm gonna shower. I feel kinda gross. Sorry." Liz said apologetically.

"Don't be sorry. Go get comfy. And then we can get you some food."

Off she headed to the bathroom. And it was only as she was getting ready to shower that she realised all day she'd been to the bathroom once at work. Once. So she sorted herself out and got showered.

The water was scolding hot but it didn't soothe her. She wanted to be out of her own body. The steam wasn't right, the lights were too harsh, the tiles were too damp.

Even once she was wearing a cozy two piece lounge set with a fresh face of skincare, she wasn't okay. Her hair was in a messy bun on top of her head, false eyelashes glued on with such precision that morning that she didn't even attempt to remove them. She wouldn't sleep tonight anyway.

When she returned to the living room, Michael had folded the laundry and put everything away, except her favourite blanket that now smelt just like delicate fabric conditioner. He held it out to her like a peace offering.

"You wanna just sit while I make food?" He asked as she took the blanket.

"Umm.. No. I mean, yeah I do. But not right now." Liz rambled, setting the blanket down on the couch. "I need a drink."

"Let's get you some water." Michael smiled softly and took her hand, giving it a squeeze as he led her to the kitchen.

"I can do it." Liz insisted quietly, reaching for a glass in the cabinet.

"I know you can." Michael said, stepping back to give her space. "What would you like to eat?"

"I don't know."

"Nuggets with honey mustard? Some veggies? You need some protein after a long day. Do you want some pasta too?" He asked whilst opening the fridge to scan for ingredients.