Joey nodded weakly, still holding his breath to try and keep himself from throwing up. "I… I-I'm sorry, Sol… I swear I'm trying…"
@Skylark // Private Roleplay
“I know, sweetheart, you’re doing so well,” Sol encouraged, helping Joey to get up. “It’s okay, Joey, I’ve got you.” He led him to the guest bathroom just down the hall.
Joey followed Sol closely, his face paling more. Once he was in the bathroom, he staggered over to the toilet to throw up, shaking violently as he hugged his stomach. "I can't do this…" He whispered weakly. "I-I can't do this… please…"
Sol knelt beside Joey and gently rubbed his back. “It’s okay, sweetheart, you’ll be okay,” he murmured, reaching over to grab a towel. “You don’t have to do anymore, it’s okay.”
Tears stung Joey's eyes and he rubbed at his throat with one hand, wincing a bit. It felt like it was burning. "It h-hurts… I'm… I'm sorry… I'm sorry, Sol…" He whispered, his voice quavering and breaking.
Sol pressed a kiss to Joey’s temple, still gently rubbing his back. “It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize, sweetheart. Let’s get you some water, yeah?”
Joey nodded weakly, although he made no attempt to get to his feet. He just stayed where he was, knelt in front of the toilet with his arms wrapped tightly around himself.
Sol quickly went to get a water bottle and came back, kneeling next to Joey again. “Here you go, estello,” he murmured. “Drink some and then you can go lay down if you want, okay?”
"O-Okay…" Joey accepted the bottle with trembling hands and, after a bit of struggling, managed to open it to take a drink. He gulped down half the bottle in one go, panting softly when he pulled away.
Sol just stayed next to him quietly, rubbing his back. His wings were a bit cramped, this bathroom was smaller than his own, but he didn’t make any moves to get up.
Joey wrapped his own wings around himself to feel a bit more secure, only attempting to get up after another few minutes. He was unsteady, and wobbled dangerously once he was up, but he used the counter to keep himself upright.
Sol rose with Joey and held out an arm to help him, if he wanted it. “Couch or bed, estello?”
"Mm… bed, I guess… probably more comfortable…" Joey mumbled in reply, clearly a bit out of it. He leaned into Sol, pressing the base of his palm against his forehead with a soft groan.
Sol carefully put an arm around Joey’s waist to support him, slowly leading him back to the bedroom. “Can I get you anything, sweetheart?” he asked softly. “I have ice packs and heating pads, if that would feel good.”
"Mm… maybe… I-I dunno what would help." Joey sighed softly, curling up on the bed once he reached it. He let his wings just sprawl out behind him, too tired to do much of anything with them.
Sol carefully covered Joey with a fluffy blanket. “I’ll get both, and you can use them if you want.” He quickly went to grab the items and came back, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Joey looked so small and helpless, curled up in Sol’s hoodie and in his bed. He wanted to protect him, but he didn’t know how.
Joey looked up at Sol weakly from the bed, looking drained and stressed. He fidgeted a bit with the sleeves of his hoodie, pushing them up so that his hands were actually visible. He held his arms up to Sol after a few seconds of hesitation.
Sol’s face softened and he carefully laid down next to Joey, before gently pulling him close. “Hello, estello,” he murmured, rubbing the small angel’s back.
Joey tucked his head under Sol's chin and huddled close to him, adjusting his wings so they wouldn't be in the way. "I'm sorry for asking so much of you…" He said softly.
“I willingly offered myself, estello, you have asked for nothing,” Sol replied, squeezing him in a gentle hug. “And even if you had, I would gladly stand beside you.”
"Mmm…" Joey buried his face in Sol's chest, drawing his arms up to his chest and fluttering his wings a bit. "I feel like I'm being a problem, though…" He said softly.
Sol nuzzled Joey’s hair, inhaling his scent. “Not in the least, sweetheart,” he murmured, arching a wing to cover them both protectively. “I like you so much, probably more than I should for having just met, and I am so happy to spend time with and support you.”
Joey flushed a bit and looked up at Sol, obviously a bit taken aback. "R-Really? You… you want to spend time with me even if we're both miserable the whole time? I can't imagine it's fun to deal with me right now…"
“For one thing, I’m not miserable. I’m sad that you’re hurting, but I am relieved that I am able to be here for you,” Sol replied, gazing into Joey’s eyes with a soft smile. “Caring about someone means you’re there in the bad times, too.”
"Mm… hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow, anyway. I'll try to remember to drink enough in the morning." Joey huddled closer and closed his eyes, sighing shakily.
One arm wrapped around Joey’s slight waist, Sol used his free hand to gently stroke his wing. “I hope so, too, sweetheart,” Sol murmured. “And I’ll remind you to drink some water, don’t worry.”
Joey nodded a bit. "Y-Yeah… you can text me to remind me, if you'd like. Tomorrow should be a better day. I won't go into work if it makes you feel better."
“I will,” Sol confirmed softly. “Do what makes you feel better, you don’t have to cater to me. Be careful not to push yourself too much, but go in to work if you want to and feel up to it.” He gently nuzzled Joey’s hair again, closing his eyes.
"Okay… I'll see how I'm feeling tomorrow morning." Joey sighed softly, shifting to be a bit closer. "If I don't feel well, I'll have someone cover my shift. How's that?"
“Sounds like a good plan, sweetheart,” Sol replied, adjusting his wings. “You’re welcome to hang out here tomorrow if you don’t go in, but I have some errands to run.”