#touch sensitivity

----

"Ari...Ari, you aren't making sense...what do you need? Babe please I don't know what to do - "

Arinn is hardly aware he's mumbling and even less aware of Alex's frantic words. He's flushed head to toe, burning up with a fever of 108°. The type of fever that would send a human to the hospital or worse.

But he can't go to a hospital and even if he could, the treatment he needs is only found in the demon communities he has distanced himself from. Which leaves it to Alex to tend to him the best he can, and Arinn too delirious to talk him through it.

Arinn's clothes are already gone, and now he squirms and kicks at the sheets until they fall off the bed, even shoves the pillow aside until he lies panting on the bare mattress and he's still. too. hot. He whimpers and throws his arm over his eyes to block out the ceiling light. In this state it's like the sun itself bearing down on him, scorching him alive, and he cries -

"It's okay - it's okay baby, I'm here."

Alex places his hand on Arinn's chest - a touch that would be soothing, welcome, longed for any other day. But Arinn's skin is too raw, too sensitive for even the gentlest touch. He recoils.

Now Alex is beyond lost. His first instinct, always, is giving Arinn strength through touch, giving him what his body needs to heal itself. Loving him better.

Without that he feels useless, but there isn't time to wallow in it. Alex pulls himself together and talks himself through the basics. He turns the ceiling fan on and the lights off, closes the curtains.

Arinn is still writhing, still pleading. Alex runs to the bathroom and fills a bucket with cool water. He quickly returns and soaks some washcloths. He places one on Arinn's forehead, one on his chest, and one over each ankle.

It seems to help enough, at least, for Arinn to settle. When Alex lifts his head and holds a cup to his lips he doesn't recoil from the touch. He drinks eagerly until he has to stop to breathe.

By the time Alex resoaks and reapplies the washcloths, Arinn seems as close to sleep as he's able to be. His eyes are closed, his breathing even, and when Alex takes his temperature he's relieved to find it two degrees lower.

Better than nothing.

Alex glances at the time. He can reach the pharmacy before they close if he leaves now. If he's too late, the closest open grocery store is twice as far and has half the selection.

"I need to get some things," he tells Arinn, whether he can hear Alex or not. He kisses his warm cheek. "I'll be back soon, I promise."

Arinn only groans. Alex hurries out before he can change his mind.

-

“Mmm...”

Arinn rolls onto his side, the damp washcloths slipping off of him. He feels around on the other side of the large bed.

“Al...Al - lex - “

He forces his eyes open and blinks several times until his vision clears enough to be sure - Alex isn’t there.

Need him.

Arinn is achy all over, his limbs heavy, but he manages to prop himself to sit at the edge of the bed. His head lolls forward. He nearly falls back onto the mattress.

Up...up...

He stands too quickly and drops like a stone; he’s lucky to land in the pile of bedding he shoved aside earlier.

Arinn lies sprawled there a moment while his head spins.

Alex. Where is Alex.

Groaning, he pushes himself back up, limbs shaking as he holds onto the bed to get to his feet. This time he is able to remain standing.

The fever has subsided for the moment; Arinn shivers but doesn’t want to try pulling on clothes lest he fall again. Instead he takes one slow, wobbly step after another towards the living room.

Alex isn’t there. From here Arinn can see into the bathroom and kitchen, both empty. And Alex’s shoes are gone.

Fear twists his stomach.

Without thinking he rushes for the door.

Arinn gets two steps before his shin slams into the corner of the coffee table. His breath catches in his throat and he sways once, twice...

A key rattles in the doorknob. The door flies open.

Arinn’s lashes flutter shut before he can see Alex enter. His legs give out. He topples forward, landing heavily on the coffee table with a slam!