TW: soft caretaking, vulnerability, regression (non-sexual), rainy night setting, emotional comfort, clinginess, light angst
Not the kind he complains about out loudโbut the kind you can see all over him if youโre paying attention.
Elvis had been dealing with people since the morning. Calls, press, numbers, the guys needing things, bills stacked up, decisions that never seemed to end. By the time night came around, his voice was rough and his patience was thin.
You stayed steady the whole time.
You didnโt cling. Didnโt interrupt. You helped where you couldโkept things organized, handled small things before they became big ones. You knew he didnโt need softness in that moment.
No complaints. No โlook at me.โ Justโฆ there.
By the time he finally stopped, it wasnโt even late for himโbut he looked exhausted in a way that doesnโt go away with just one night of sleep.
โCโmon, babyโฆ Iโm done,โ he muttered, already halfway out of it.
No pacing. No TV. No staying up until sunrise.
Mostly because you missed him, even though heโd been right there all day.
The room was dark, quiet except for the rain hitting the windows.
You stayed awake a little longer than him, just watching.
He looked different when he slept.
His arm was around you, heavy and warm, like he didnโt even think about it.
Eventually, you fell asleep too.
When you woke up, it felt off.
Not scary. Justโฆ something wasnโt right.
The room was still dark, rain still going, everything quiet in that deep, middle-of-the-night way.
His arm was still around you.
You turned your head a little to look at him.
Elvis was completely out. Breathing slow, face relaxed. No tension in his jaw, no crease in his forehead. He looked younger like that.
You didnโt want to wake him.
So you slowly slipped out from under his arm, careful not to move too much.
Downstairs, the kitchen felt cold.
You didnโt turn the lights on. Just opened the fridge.
The light from it was enough.
But your hands werenโt really cooperating the way they should.
You poured too fast. A little spilled. You stared at it for a second, then justโฆ didnโt fix it.
Your focus kept drifting.
There were sweets in there too.
You knew you werenโt supposed to be eating that this late.
You knew heโd say something about it.
But it didnโt really matter right then.
Everything felt smaller. Simpler. You just wanted something that felt good.
Eating a little, drinking a little, making a bit of a mess without really noticing.
Upstairs, something woke him up.
Elvis opened his eyes immediately.
He didnโt wake up slowlyโhe never did.
First thing he noticed was the bed.
โโฆbaby?โ he called, voice rough.
Then he heard something downstairs. Faint, but enough.
He was up before he even thought about it.
When he got to the kitchen, he stopped in the doorway.
You were on the floor, fridge wide open, light spilling out around you. Milk in your hand, something sweet in the other.
For a second, he just watched.
โHeyโฆ whatโre you doinโ, huh?โ he said, voice low but not harsh.
โKinda late for this,โ he added, crouching down in front of you. โYou shouldnโt be eatinโ all that right nowโฆโ
It came out automatic at first.
But then he really looked at you.
The way your eyes were a little unfocused.
The way your hands were moving slower.
The way you didnโt really react like you normally would.
His tone changed right away.
โโฆhey,โ he said softer.
He reached out, taking the food from your hand gently, setting it aside.
โLook at me a second.โ
His hand came up to your cheek, not forcefulโjust enough to get your attention.
โWhereโd you go, huh?โ
Didnโt really know how.
He exhaled quietly, shaking his head just a little.
His hand slid down to yours, thumb rubbing lightly over your fingers, grounding.
โYou been holdinโ everything in all day,โ he said. โTryinโ to help me out.โ
โYou donโt gotta do that,โ he added, softer now. โNot like that.โ
He looked at the mess, then back at youโbut there was no frustration in it anymore.
โCโmon,โ he said, standing up and pulling you up with him. โFloorโs too cold.โ
You leaned into him without thinking.
And he didnโt hesitateโjust wrapped an arm around you, steady, solid, guiding you back upstairs.
Back in the bedroom, he didnโt let go right away.
He sat down first, pulling you with him, letting you settle against his chest.
His hand went straight to your hair, smoothing it down slowly.
โThere you goโฆโ he murmured.
His voice was quieter now. Sleepy, but focused on you.
He stayed like that for a bit.
After a while, he shifted, pulling you back under the covers with him.
This time, his arm wrapped around you tighter.
His hand stayed in your hair, moving slowly, over and over.
โYou wake me up next time,โ he said quietly. โI donโt care what time it is.โ
His voice dropped a little more.
โAinโt gotta take care of me like thatโฆ I got you too.โ
The rain kept going outside.
And this time, when you fell asleepโ
he didnโt let you drift far at all.
Tags ๐ท๏ธ: @jhoneybees @i-r-i-n-a-a @gyratingpresley @kxnnxy @iloveelvisss @buglass @rjmartin11 @atleastpleasetelephone
