statement_ends (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
statement_ends) wrote2021-04-14 06:44 pm
statement_ends) wrote2021-04-14 06:44 pm
Entry tags:
Reprise
It hadn't exactly shocked John when Martin had prepackaged his commentary about feeling a little under the weather with some determination to make it into work the following day. He knows that Martin would haul himself into the Archive so long as he was capable, regardless of whether it was particularly wise or not. Christ knows he's done it before.
But things are different, now, which is to say that John is now free to nip that sort of nonsense in the bud. If Martin's ill enough for it to be noticeable at bedtime, then there's no need for the pageantry of setting the alarm, getting up early, and butting heads over whether one or both of them ought to go in. Instead, John silences his own alarm — more of a reminder to let Kat, Eliot, and Daisy know that neither of them will be in today than a signal to get out of bed — and lets Martin sleep.
And sleep Martin does (with a bit of congested snoring, which is both adorable and all the validation John requires), until John gets a bit bored of just sitting up in bed and rises to make himself some tea. That accomplished, he engages in some quiet puttering: pulling out a fresh box of kleenex, gathering all the assorted cold medications he can find for easy access, and clearing the coffee table so it can be used as a staging ground for whatever Martin needs. He finds himself smiling as he works, small but genuine. He's not glad that Martin's taken ill, of course, but he'd be lying if he claimed not to enjoy doting on him, and a mild illness provides an excellent excuse.
And unlike last time, there's no need for miserably polite restraint. He's going to spoil Martin rotten, so help him.
For the moment, that just means making a few simple preparations while trying not to wake him. But he leaves the kettle on low, for whenever Martin should decide to join him.
But things are different, now, which is to say that John is now free to nip that sort of nonsense in the bud. If Martin's ill enough for it to be noticeable at bedtime, then there's no need for the pageantry of setting the alarm, getting up early, and butting heads over whether one or both of them ought to go in. Instead, John silences his own alarm — more of a reminder to let Kat, Eliot, and Daisy know that neither of them will be in today than a signal to get out of bed — and lets Martin sleep.
And sleep Martin does (with a bit of congested snoring, which is both adorable and all the validation John requires), until John gets a bit bored of just sitting up in bed and rises to make himself some tea. That accomplished, he engages in some quiet puttering: pulling out a fresh box of kleenex, gathering all the assorted cold medications he can find for easy access, and clearing the coffee table so it can be used as a staging ground for whatever Martin needs. He finds himself smiling as he works, small but genuine. He's not glad that Martin's taken ill, of course, but he'd be lying if he claimed not to enjoy doting on him, and a mild illness provides an excellent excuse.
And unlike last time, there's no need for miserably polite restraint. He's going to spoil Martin rotten, so help him.
For the moment, that just means making a few simple preparations while trying not to wake him. But he leaves the kettle on low, for whenever Martin should decide to join him.
no subject
He almost catches himself, a little embarrassment seeping through the cracks in the coziness, but he stifles them stubbornly. "Maybe you could read more," he suggests in a sheepish little voice. "If you wouldn't mind."
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Martin hasn't requested anything specific, but as far as book choices go, the answer seems rather obvious. John hasn't actually picked up Watership Down since the last time Martin was ill — not because he wasn't curious to know what happened next, but because carrying on without Martin's involvement hadn't... well, it hadn't felt right, or held much appeal. He probably could have suggested they continue the read-along for no other reason than the enjoyment of it, but it never felt important enough to outweigh the embarrassment of making such a belated request in the first place.
But now, with Martin both making the suggestion and providing such an excellent excuse, it's easy to just look forward to it. "Let's get you settled," he says, keeping an arm curled around him for both comfort and support as he guides him back into the bedroom. Once Martin's comfortably situated on the bed, John doubles back to the living room, where he plucks Watership Down off the shelf. Then he returns to Martin's side, settling himself in bed and then lifting his arm in invitation. "Come on, then," he coaxes with a warm, easy smile.
no subject
John starts to read, and Martin starts to drift along with the pleasant rumble of his deep voice. He doubts he'll be able to keep awake for long, but there won't be any nightmares this time.