i turned around just in time to see caspar bolting away. i groaned.
I set Joe up in a position so that if he threw up he wouldn't choke, and placed his garbage can next to his pillow. I began undressing him, taking off his shoes, pants and belt, leaving him in his boxers and t shirt. I walked down the hall to the bathroom, emptied the toothbrushes out of a glass and filled it with water. i placed it on the nightstand beside him for when he woke up.
I mopped up the water and glass that caspar had spilled onto the floor, gathered it up in a dustpan and began climbing the stairs.
When I reached the top, I instantly spotted caspar sitting on the couch, shoulders slumped over, and face in his palms. I felt a little piece of my heart break for him. I emptied the broken glass into the wastebin, washed my hands, and filled two glasses with water. Carrying them into the living room, i set them down on the coffee table and sat myself next to Caspar.
I didn't say anything, I just put my hand on his back and began drawing little circles down his spine. eventually, his breathing steadied.
he looked up at me, tears brinking in the corner of his eyes.
"thanks," he murmmered. "that feels nice."
I gave him a reassuring smile.
"it's just a little trick I learned from someone who's pretty amazing."
~
I woke up suddenly, surrounded my darkness. I lifted my head up off of caspar's shoulder, realizing we must've fallen asleep. i squinted, checking the clock on the stove. 5:42 am.
Yawning, i slowly stood up, cautiously, to ensure I didn't wake up the cute, sleeping South African.
I pulled a blanket off of the arm of the chair and placed it over his body. i descended the stairs to check on Joe.
He was sprawled across his bed, blankets tossed onto the floor. Sighing, I picked them up, wrapped myself in them, and flopped into bed next to my cousin. i laid there for what seemed like ages, and I was just about to doze off when joe began to stir. I sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I looked over at him. his eyes were open, squinting.
"alright, cuz" he mumbled, and then groaned. "erg, my head"
i stifled a laugh. "Check your bedside, I've got a glass of water waiting there for you." i said.
"thanks rei." he said gratefully between slurps.
"'course." i replied.
