Shiroka looked concerned now, and when he saw how pale Oliver had gotten he was even more worried. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?” he asked gently, going to raise a hand to check the other’s temperature but stopping at the last second
wrong side of heaven//one on one (closed)
Oliver shook his head, wrapping an arm round his stomach and sitting cross legged, “N-No,” He muttered, taking and releasing a breath, “I just..l’m not hungry and the thought of eating doesn’t sit well…”
Shiroka nodded in understanding, lips pursed. He hated that Oliver got this way about food, but he supposed it couldn’t be helped. “Well, I could bring you something small? Maybe to try and ease into a little something instead of going completely without?” he suggested gently
Oliver bit his lip, fiddling with a loose thread on his jumper as he thought. He swallowed, knowing he should eat even though he didn’t want too, “O-Okay… but only something small…”
Shiroka all but lit up at that. “In that case, I’ll be back shortly,” he said, grinning as he slipped out from beneath the blanket to pull his sandals on. He went off to the mess hall now, for once forgetting about always being ready to fight, or to be on his guard
Oliver watched him go before he turned back to the pond with a soft sigh. He watched the fish, fiddling with his sweater out of nervous habit.
About ten minutes later, Shiroka returned with their food. He had gotten a bagel and different spreads for both of them, and a small bowl of cottage cheese for himself. He had brought some strawberries as well, with glasses of milk for each
Oliver looked up at Shiroka then back at the food and swallowed, “Thank-you.” He said quietly, though he didn’t make a move to eat anything yet.
“Of course,” Shiroka said, smiling softly as he set everything down. He pushed a bagel towards Oliver, as well as a glass of milk. “There are strawberries if you decide you don’t want the bagel, too,” he said
Oliver nodded a little and picked up the milk taking a small sip before placing it back down. He'd try a tiny bit of the bagel, but knew he might end up sticking with the strawberries. He put a little butter on the bagel before taking a small bite.
Shiroka was almost always hungry, so he was already taking a bite out of his cream cheese-covered bagel. He then took a sip of milk, hunger winning out a little over manners
Oliver nibbled on the bagel for a while, only managing a quarter maybe less before he placed it down. He took his cup, holding it with both and just staring down at it.
Shiroka quickly finished his bagel, and when he looked over at Oliver he felt something sad in him at how little he had eaten. “Would you like some strawberries?” he asked, hoping to encourage him to eat more
Oliver shook his head, taking a tiny sip of the milk wordlessly. Even though it had barely been anything, he felt like he'd eaten a ton. A part of him wished he could eat more, and another was so reluctant to the idea of food there was always an internal struggle about it.
Shiroka wanted to pout, but he knew that would just make Oliver upset. So instead, he opted for positive reinforcement. "It's good that you ate that much for breakfast, though. Something is certainly better than nothing," he said with a sweet smile
Ollie nodded. A smile tugged at his lips for a second before it faded. He looked down at his lap, breathing in deep before releasing it, "I… I just want everything to go back to the way it was…" He whispered.
Shiroka’s smile fell, and he glanced off to the side. “I…I understand that,” he said softly. He may have been the prince’s retainer, but Oliver had been far closer to him. So who was he to complain?
Oliver bit his lip hard, holding back his tears. He wouldn't cry in front of another person. He couldn't. And yet still a couple tears dripped and Oliver couldn't be bothered to wipe them away, he just let them fall.
Shiroka’s eyes widened when he turned and saw that Oliver had started crying. “Oliver…” he said gently, reaching over instinctively to wrap his arms around him. “It’s okay, let it out. I’m here,” he soothed
Oliver whimpered, followed by a sob. He held onto Shiroka tightly, hiding his face in the crook of his neck. He felt so pathetic but he couldn't hold them back anymore.
Shiroka only held Oliver closer, holding him in a snug, comforting embrace. He kept his arms firmly around the smaller boy, a hand reaching up a little so he could soothingly rub the other's back. "It's okay. I'm here," he murmured
Oliver tried his hardest to calm himself down, to stop crying and excuse himself so Shiroka didn’t have to deal with him anymore. But even though he tried, he still sobbed and shook.
Shiroka did his best to keep Oliver close, murmuring soft assurances to him as he cried. He hated to see others so distraught like this, especially poor Oliver. In a way, he could feel his heart breaking for the other
Eventually, Oliver's sob's turned into sniffles, the shaking slowing down but not really stopping yet. He didn't let go of Shiroka but he did loosen his grip slightly, through that might be because he had expect so much energy crying.
Shiroka kept quiet now, just soothingly holding Oliver as they sat there. He gently pulled the other closer, adjusting them so he could more securely keep his arms wrapped around the other
Oliver snuggled into Shiroka, still sniffling and trying to calm himself down. Being held by the other was comforting, and he was glad Shiroka was here.
Shiroka gently carded his fingers through Oliver’s hair, rubbing his back with his other hand. He kept him close, gentle and comforting
Oliver leaned into his touches, a small purr escaping as Shiroka played his hair. He let himself relax further, sniffling now almost at a halt.
Shiroka couldn’t help but smile sweetly at how Oliver purred ever so softly. “There you go…” he murmured softly, happy the other was feeling better
Oliver hummed quietly in response, not forming a worded reply. He was completely calm now, no more tears or shaking and content in Shiroka’s embrace.