m e d i c i n e.

“no, no. it’s fine.” preston assured them. it was just crackers after all, and he was going to do whatever he could to make sure that he could at least keep the soup down. and it was just crackers after all, he’d manage to survive. preston laughed some and said, “look, i’ve got a trash bin right beside the bed, so if all else fails all i gotta do is roll over. you’re safe, and so are your precious lil jack skellington pants.” he teased. preston was glad that dexter agreed to staying there with him, he could use the company if he were being honest, the only person he could really feel himself wanting to be around was dexter. hearing their comment, preston made a mock gasp and said, “wow, i really am getting the royal treatment huh?” he asked as he felt himself being pulled to dexter’s chest. presston relaxed easily in their touch, and even closed his eyes for a moment because he’d felt shit all day, and just having the other’s arms around him and being held by them made him feel a lot better. “what about meet the fockers? it’s a good one, right?”

“just give me a warning if you do so i can run out because i hate the sound of puking, it’s enough to make me wanna gag,” dexter admitted, wrinkling their nose at the very thought. they’d always had a pretty weak stomach and even thinking about it was making it turn. the younger reached for a lighter blanket, gently tugging it up to cover the pair of them as they nestled down against the pillows. “well, nobody should be on their own when they feel like shit and i know you’d do the same for me,” dexter said softly, because he knew it were true. it could be the middle of the night but if he called preston and told him he needed him, he didn’t doubt that the other man would be over in minutes. “you gonna fockerize me?” they asked with a grin, lightly running their palm along preston’s arm soothingly. “i’ve not seen that in forever-- y’know, i think the first time i actually ever watched it was over skype with you. now we get to actually watch it properly together.” dexter gave the man the smallest of squeezes, mindful to be as gentle as possible. “there’s a lot of movies we’re gonna need to rewatch together now we can.”

“crackers.” preston replied and chuckled softly. “but thank you, i appreciate all of it.” he then added because he was thankful that dexter had gone out and bought him everything that he wanted – minus the crackers. preston rolled his eyes hearing the “compliment” from dexter, because of course they weren’t going to let him get away with looking like shit. “well, thank you dexter. i can’t say the same because you look really nice. i dig the pants.” he said and lightly poked at the other’s knee. and preston wasn’t just saying that, he really did think that dexter looked good. the kiss made up for the comment though, and preston even mustered a soft smile. when dexter asked if he needed anything else, preston said, “well, are you feeling nice enough to watch a movie or something with me?” it was a bold move given he looked and felt like death made over, but preston really wanted their company. and it wasn’t like they hadn’t fallen asleep together already, and half-ass slept together. what was laying in bed watching movies, right?

“oh shit, it’s not that important though right? i mean, i can go back out if you want me to.” dexter added with a small shrug, though they hoped that after trekking there and back that they might not have to. “that’s because i always look good,” they teased with a playful wink, outstretching a leg to show off the material, “they’re super cute, right! so i mean it, you better not vom on me or i’ll fight you even if you are sick.” they warned, though a small smirk remained on their lips. at preston’s request however, dexter’s features softened and they gave a nod, “i think i might be able to do that, handsome.” the younger gave preston a gentle nudge to scoot him over some, being sure to place all the groceries onto the bedside table before climbing atop the duvet and snuggling close to the man. food poisoning wasn’t contagious anyway, so it wasn’t like dexter had anything to worry about it. “i’ll watch whatever you want, i’m feeling that nice,” they said as they looked to preston, looping their arms around the elder’s shoulders to hold him close to their chest. “just don’t expect this treatment all the time,” dexter murmured, pressing another small kiss to the man’s head, “you just so happened to catch me on a good day.”

preston: i mean, yeah, it's nice buying food but 9 times outta 10 i ALWAYS forget something that i need and it's always last minute when i realize it

preston: like i decided i was gonna do pasta, yeah, pasta

preston: and i had everything i needed except for the sauce

preston: look

preston: i'm just gonna ask you nicely not to pick on the sick and feeble

preston: but if you gotta, well, i'll just have to puke on your new pants :)

dexter: you can make sauce really easy from scratch! no wonder you don't like pasta that much if you're using store bought sauces

dexter: honestly HOW were we engaged for so long

dexter: i'm going to try my hardest but you know it's gonna be a struggle :(

preston: i mean if you'd like i'm not gonna say no grocery shopping is actually the WORST

preston: that right?

preston: we'll just see about that then

dexter: omg no i love grocery shopping, like you're buying food how can you not like it??

dexter: either that or i'll be the most annoying nurse ever and you'll want to get rid of me but you won't be able to because you're sick so you're stuck

preston: yes?

preston: well it is nearly halloween so go tf off sis

preston: uh

preston: maybe some gatorade?

preston: and some soup or something easy to take down

dexter: wow do u want me to buy the whole shop for you

dexter: i'm kidding, that's fine

preston: !!

preston: some people have that on hand in their homes

preston: i should have known better though, huh?

preston: i wanna say no because i'm just being lazy and won't go to the store myself

preston: but also i'm kind of curious to see these new pants

dexter: do i look like i drink ginger ale?

dexter: well if you're sick though then you shouldn't force yourself out, you gotta rest up

dexter: they're pretty great, they're black with faint grey pinstripes so i'm living out my jack skellington fantasy

preston: you haven't by change got some crackers and ginger ale on hand do you?

preston: i really do not wanna go to the store rn

preston: i think i got food poisoning from the tacos 😩

dexter: ah yes because i always have those on hand all the time

dexter: i can go out and get you some though?

if preston had known just how stressful food was going to be he would’t haver volunteered to help the council with planning this whole block party thing. it was a great idea, a way to get the community to come together and work together – but god if he had to stare at that food allergy list any longer he was going to actually scream. preston felt good today. his balance hadn’t been off, he hadn’t felt too queasy and he could actually get out of bed without wanting to crawl right back into it. so he was taking this day to spend it with dexter as they offered up their services. preston made his way down to the coffee shop, and upon entering and seeing dex, he smiled and joined them at the table. “i’m not whining!” he fought, but a laugh fell from his lips. “this is just so fucking hard, you got the easiest job out of everyone!” he said and shook his head. “so far i’ve written down burrito bar because your sister had that idea. like a chipotle style thing.” he said and shrugged. “and your dumb pasta idea, but who the fuck wants to eat pasta in the heat? the only person i know is michael gary scott. so.” he said and shrugged. “won’t catch me spewing up alfredo on the sidewalk.”

“easy?!” dexter scoffed, “it isn’t! i mean alcohol is the biggest thing that people want and i’m having to find huge ass amounts all on my own. my partner’s gone fucking awol so i’ve given up with that but i’m just praying my connections at the bars pull through and i can take some of their shit.” they chuckled knowing that catie had put in her ideas because at least they weren’t the only one, “oh you’re telling me, i’ve gotta get shit to make pina coladas because her and nathalie have decided on a beach theme! so now i’ve gotta make a cocktail list and make sure we have enough to cover it.” they shook their head with a sigh; it would at least all be worth it in the end. “stop talking shit about pasta! you are literally the only person who thinks that, i’m telling you.” dexter grinned, “but look, keep to the burrito bar idea and then for the rest of it just have snacks. any type of cold buffet stuff, things people can pick at in between drinking. that’s all they’ll care for.”

“I will let him eat YOU before you are able to eat him,” she joked as she kept her eyes on the road. “He’s actually on one of the best diets around. He has some top-notch ferret food because I only want the best for him. So actually he probably tastes super delicious,” she bragged. As they went onto explain how they felt about seeing mom she gave them a soft smile and reached over and patted their back with one hand.  “I’m going to tell you something that I should have told you. Mom does love you, you know. She just feels like she’s not the mom we deserve. Especially since everything that happened between her and dad when we were younger. Your picture is everywhere. Oh and god– the dreaded family Christmas photos she had me and you do every year when we were little are still hanging up in the house,” she laughed remembering. “I’m not her favorite either. Especially since I can argue with her now. God–we had some really bad arguments the first year we moved out there Dex. Like scary fights,” she added. “We’ll get through this stay together. Maybe her new boyfriend will be there and we can embarrass her,” she laughed. 

preston: WELL HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW

preston: you worded it weird shut up 😂

preston: i don't HATE it but it's definitely not my first meal of choice

preston: it's just cooked dough and sauce with garlic all over it

preston: a two year old could make that

dexter: i didn't word it weird! you're just jealous

dexter: but don't worry, i'm not dating anyone and i don't plan on it either so stop worrying

dexter: i honestly don't even think i know who you are anymore

catie: idk how not to be dramatic

catie: decorations bc obviously they noticed i'm talented

catie: me and nathalie are going for a possible beach/summer vibe ~

catie: make sure you get stuff for pina coladas

catie: bc what if we all get caught in the rain

catie: see what i did there

catie: which brings me to my next favor

catie: help me find a small hat for oswald

catie: i can't have him getting sunburned

dexter: you learnt from the best after all

dexter: wtf you got such a sweet deal that's not fair

dexter: oooo i like the sound of that! i think that could be fucking rad, i mean we don't have a beach nearby so bring it to us, right?

dexter: i'll keep it in mind and i'm ignoring what you did there

dexter: catie! where tf are you gonna find a tiny ass rat hat?

catie: you know i can fight

catie: i will end him DEX

catie: i thought you loVED ME

dexter: oh my god catie stop being dramatic!!

dexter: what have you gotta do for this party anyway?

preston: yeah i could, there is fake meat and all that

preston: this is going down in the notes -- the thousands and thousands of fucking notes lol

preston: gf? you got a gf?

preston: yeah, but pasta isn't something that EVERYONE likes

preston: and by everyone i mean me because no

preston: it's just a lot going on for no reason at all

dexter: you did not just ask me if i have a fucking girlfriend

dexter: yeah, make a seperate pasta pot for my GIRLFRIEND

dexter: gf = gluten free you fucking idiot omg i'm literally crying

catie: preston is trying to kill me by bringing avocados to the party

catie: 👀 👀 👀 👀

dexter: he's trying to bump you off to get closer to me i bet

preston: of all people to put in charge of food they put the carpenter in charge of it

preston: if it were up to me we'd just be having a taco spread but not everyone can eat tacos

preston: this is so dumb, why can't people just not be allergic to things? this would make my job SO much easier

preston: nibbly stuff ok

preston: that helps a lot cuz me and ezra were gonna go full out but god

preston: i forgot what catering the vegans was like -- it's almost like i never left cali

dexter: oh man, tacos would be SO good. you could still do that?! just let people choose what they want to put in it

dexter: yeah if you go full out it'll just get wasted tbh because people really only go to the block party to get drunk

dexter: it ain't even that bad! hell, you could have a table just of oreos because they're vegan. or omg you could have a pasta stand? people help themselves to a huge ass pot of pasta (and a seperate one for gf) and then they can choose what they want on it