#prideclave

💙 If Lawrence is sick

— Bellini takes care of him

1. Temperature — through the forehead. Aldo doesn't trust thermometers. He touches Lawrence's forehead with the back of his hand, then presses his lips to it — that's more accurate. "You're burning," he says, "but it's not too bad. I'm here."

2. Monastic aromatherapy. Aldo Bellini lights a small lavender candle (which he dried himself in summer) and places it by the bedside. He knows Thomas Lawrence doesn't like strong scents, but lavender soothes even his restless mind.

3. Tea with honey and no questions. Bellini serves tea in Thomas's favourite mug — the one with a small crack on the rim. He stirs the honey slowly so there are no lumps. He doesn't ask "how are you?"; he just sits beside him and reads aloud — not Lawrence's books, but his own poetry, the kind Lawrence would never pick up himself.

4. A damp cloth on the forehead. Bellini silently places a cool cloth on Lawrence's forehead. He runs his finger along the edge, checking if it's dried out. When Thomas tries to remove it, Bellini gently holds his hand: "Lie still. I'm here."

5. Tucking the blanket up to the chin. Bellini tucks the blanket in on all sides so no draft can get in. Lawrence grumbles that he's "being treated like a child," but Bellini just smiles: "You are my child. As long as you're sick."

6. Silence instead of words. When Thomas falls asleep, Aldo doesn't leave. He sits on the floor beside the bed, leans his head against the mattress and closes his eyes. Sometimes he puts his hand on the edge of the blanket — just to feel that Thomas is near. And he breathes in time with him.

💙 If Bellini is sick

— Lawrence takes care of him

1. Book chaos as medicine. Thomas brings from the library every book Aldo has ever mentioned — and even those he hasn't, just in case. They pile up on the nightstand, on the floor, on the windowsill. Bellini smiles weakly: "This isn't medicine, it's an avalanche."

2. Soup that doesn't look like soup. Thomas tries to make broth. It turns out to be murky water with floating vegetables. Aldo struggles to swallow but says, "It's delicious." Lawrence knows it's a lie, and the next day he orders soup from a restaurant.

3. Reading aloud with mistakes. Lawrence reads Bellini's favourite Italian poetry but stumbles over every other word. Aldo corrects him in a whisper. Lawrence blushes but continues. Aldo falls asleep to his faltering voice.

4. Adjusting pillows endlessly. Thomas keeps adjusting the pillow under Aldo's head — lifting it, lowering it, moving it away. Bellini groans: "Thomas, if you touch that pillow one more time, I'll crawl out the window." Lawrence pretends not to hear and wraps him in a blanket.

5. Attempts to speak quietly. Lawrence can't speak quietly, so he just whispers. Bellini laughs: "You sound like a conspirator." Lawrence gets offended and stays silent for five whole minutes — that's a record.

6. Night vigil. When Bellini falls asleep, Lawrence stays sitting beside him, staring into the darkness. He strokes Bellini's arm to make sure he's still breathing. And every time he sighs with relief. "Sleep," he whispers, "I'll be here. I'll always be here."

💡 Bonus fact for both scenarios· Shared ritual: No matter who is sick, the other always leaves a small wooden figurine (a bird or an elephant) on the nightstand — as a talisman. Bellini carved it himself; Lawrence brought it from a trip. It's their sign: "You're not alone.

The Ao3 collection will stay open!

We are thankful to everyone who participated, be it by writing, or drawing, or commenting or sharing headcanons!

It's hot outside, and when I went to the beach today I made this.

I wanted to post this sooner but life said no.

New work for Prideclave!

Ship: Sabbadin 🩵 Lawrence

My humble entry for Prideclave day 2!

Ship: Tremblay/Lawrence