#ethobeef

There weren't that many people inside but still far more than Etho would ever be comfortable with when alone. He somehow, by some in no way small miracle, managed to grab their order and leave the shop. Getting back home was not something Etho saw himself as able to do. Even getting to the nearest, completely empty bench and taking it all to himself with the help of his bag of sandwiches and a tray of coffee cups was a big thing right now. And he even didn't curl up. And managed to pull out his phone and pick Beef's number on the first try.

"Hi E, how..." Beef's voice did not make him feel better on its own.

“Can you come and get me right now . . . please?” Etho managed to choke out as his hands started to shake. His brain was catching up to that he was out. Alone. And nowhere close to anyone he was familiar with.

"Should I stay on call?" Beef asked, gentle and kind as he always was. Patient despite all the mess Etho was, and all the trouble and interruptions he caused... "E? Love?" slamming of doors and jingling of keys broke Etho from his spiral. 

"I should be fine... I'll call if it gets worse?" Etho managed to say while squeezing his thigh with his free hand. To stop himself from curling up. To distract himself from his brain telling him people were staring. They had better things to do than stare at him, he reminded himself what Beef always said whenever Etho got worried about that.

Beef did not hang up and chatted to Etho about wallpaper patterns and tiles of all things. They weren't even planning to put wallpaper on any of their walls and they were leaving all the tiling as it was for now. But, as random as the topic was, it managed to distract Etho's brain until Beef cut through the crowd. Overalls half undone, covered in lavender paint. There was some on his beard too but Etho was too busy trying to not break down right then and there.

"I'm here," Beef gentle, kind, stable. The only thing keeping Etho from crumbling down in all ways and senses. "Let's get you home?" he wasted no time grabbing the bags and offering Etho an arm to hold on to. "We can go as slow or fast as you need," he assured the moment he saw how unsteady Etho was.

"I'm sorry..." Etho mumbled, he tried to walk on his own but almost instantly had to rely on Beef to stay upright. "I'm a nui..."

"How about we order pizza for dinner?"

Etho just nodded, putting all the endurance he had left into at least walking. Being carried all the way back would be the worst. "'Love'ya Beefers..."