Dew who needs regular medical care after his transition to fire ghoul, but his skin is so raw, still burning and so sensitive from the process that he can hardly stand having his bandages changed. Any contact is too much, too intense for him to handle - so much so that he has to ban Aether from the task after the first dressing comes off. Doesn't want to be seen in that state by his mate. It's not the kind of pain he ever wants to broadcast.
It takes longer than he expects for things to improve, and while Dew isn't the touchiest ghoul at baseline he finds the inability to even stroke Aether's arm while he naps at his bedside intolerable.
He set up shop in Dew's room in the infirmary day one, hasn't left except to take a leak or grab food, and yet no matter how much they talk and keep company Aether feels a million miles away. His hand sits on the mattress while the TV drones on in the background, Aether distracted by a text from Mountain, and Dew so badly wants to touch him. It's been over a week he's been confined to this bed, this room, to his own skin with no sensory input besides pain, pain, so much pain -
He can't stop himself. Has to lift a trembling hand, one with skin too tight, too hot, too tender, and covered in gauze and tape to keep his IV in place. Has to hold his breath when he settles his palm against the back of Aether's hand, so large and strong and familiar and -
"Dew?" Aether's looking at him with enormous, shocked eyes when Dew drags his gaze from their hands. He manages the smallest ghost of a smile, though not without a wince, and the look on Aether's face breaks his heart. "What's wro-"
"I miss you,'' he croaks, voice as raw as the rest of him. "I...I miss you so fuckin' much Aeth."
His tears fall against his will, burn in more ways than one, and Dew has to close his eyes before he has to watch Aether cry too. There's barely a foot between them with how close Aether pulled his chair to Dew's bedside, but it might as well be a canyon.
The pain in his hand becomes too much too fast, he knows he needs to move, but he can't manage it. Finds himself completely unwilling to break that tiny point of contact, despite the way his arm has started to scream.
"I miss you too, droplet." Aether whispers then, and the single sob that escapes Dew's throat hurts more than anything else.
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