stumble 'til you crawl;

❝i was spinning free, with a little sweet and simple numbing me.❞

[ohbrett]

'Course. I do that anyway. Even, like - when you haven't been here, I've been carrying my big white blanket to your bed. I cocoon myself in it and sleep there 'cos that's my bed, too, now.

[maxiblevins]

You're fucking precious. You really are. Hey -- Brett?

I love ya. I'm going to try to sleep. Talk to you tomorrow. 

[ohbrett]

Yeah, alright. It’s just - I didn’t expect that is all. I reacted badly. Do you - um, do you want me to do anything? I’ll do anything for you - maybe, possibly, depends what it is, actually.

[maxiblevins]

It's okay. I'm sorry, anyways. Um... I don't know. I just want to lie in my own bed, honestly. With you. Make it comfortable for when I come home, I guess. And stay with me for a little while. 'Least 'Til I fall asleep.

[ohbrett]

Whatever.

Why, then? Why are you even doing it to yourself? It’s not going to help anything. If you’re looking to be whatever you consider perfect, you’re not going to achieve it until you’re on the verge of death and bed ridden. And by then, it’ll be too late to even save you.

[maxiblevins]

I couldn't explain it to you if I tried. I told you, I'm working on it. You think I didn't get that same lecture from the doctors?  It's not -- like, that easy, to just, up and fix. It takes time, and I need time. And I need help. And you being a little bitch about it isn't helping jack shit, either.

[ohbrett]

Nope. I don’t remember being asked to do something. You told and you didn’t even say please.

Good. I hope you feel like fucking shit, then. Maybe eat a bit every day so you don’t have to go through it again. And to go through something this serious alone? How do you even do it? Don’t you ever need someone to be there for you? Oh wait, never mind - Cameron, right? I bet he’s the best guardian fucking angel for everyone here.

[maxiblevins]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.

You shut the fuck up about him. It's not about him. And, yes, I'm telling you that. I haven't even spoken to him in over a week. It's been alone, up until now. It's been hell. 

[ohbrett]

Eh, I would prefer it if you wouldn’t tell me what the fuck to do.

Whatever. All you’re doing is killing yourself, mate. Your choice. I just don’t see why you’d want to suffer slowly. Must be the worst part, yeah? How does getting your stomach pumped feel?

[maxiblevins]

I would prefer it if you didn't do things I asked you not to do.

I'm working on it, okay? I know. I know. It feels like fucking shit. 

[ohbrett]

But I just did.

I - fuck, Maxi.

[maxiblevins]

Then don't do it again, genius.

Just, don't worry about it, alright? 

[cammyprice]

Beanie, got it. Do you want my big sweatshirt? The blue one?

[maxiblevins]

Nothing would please me more. Also, warm pants. And maybe some undies. Not your undies. My undies. I need undies.

[ohbrett]

Yeah, yeah. Eh.

Tell me now, Maxi. Do you purposefully not eat? Is that why you’re in the hospital?

[maxiblevins]

Don't Eh at me. 

What difference would it make if I said yes?

[ohbrett]

Cameron?

Why don’t you eat very much for a while?

[maxiblevins]

Um. Yes? My best friend? Earth to Brett. 

Doesn't matter. 

[ohbrett]

So what? They can still let you out. Aren’t doctors there at two in the morning? What kind of shit is that making you wait? Can’t you like - sue or something? I would. I’d be throwing a fit if I was there when I didn’t need to be.

Then it has to be bad. Just tell me what it is, man. M’gonna be up all night awaiting your return anyway and I’d rather not wait in suspense. I find it hard to sleep without you stealing my blankets.

[maxiblevins]

They wanted me to get rest. It's fine, seriously. Cam's gonna come and sit with me and I'll be up and running tomorrow. And, no more disappearances. Hopefully.

Okay. Well... you know when someone doesn't eat very much for a while, their stomach shrinks. It can't handle a whole lot of food at once -- and, I kind of really over-ate this week. They had to pump the stomach. 

[ohbrett]

Like, what?

And why do you have to wait ‘til morning to come back?

[maxiblevins]

Because it's, like, one in the morning. Almost two. They have to do some tests in the morning to make sure I'm good to go; just routine stuff. 

I don't want to say what exactly until I see you in person. 

[ohbrett]

What - Is it bad? Are you okay? Why?

[maxiblevins]

It was. Not anymore, though. I'm fine. Stomach issues. 

[ohbrett]

Y’know, I thought we were getting somewhere. Slowly, given the fact that I’m an idiot sometimes, but I genuinely - I don’t even know. If you’re really not into me, mate, quit ducking out and ignoring me for days straight and just let me know instead of stringing me along and leaving me to wonder.

I’m a big boy, you know. I can take it if you’re, like, not.

[maxiblevins]

-- I'm in the hospital, getting out in the morning. I got sick. I'm sorry. 

S'got nothing to do with you. I promise. 

[ohbrett]

Hi.

[maxiblevins]

I -- uh, how ya been?

[cammyprice]

Yeah, bud. You got it. Anything else?

[maxiblevins]

A hat for my head, please. Warm beanie one. Yours, though, not mine. Mine is squishy.

[maxiblevins]

No. I want to. I don’t want you there all by yourself.

[maxiblevins]

Alright. Just -- um. Can you bring me some of my feets? They are cold. 

[cammyprice]

What….what happened? And hold on, I’m looking up directions. What are visiting hours? Does it matter? I can go and sit with you can’t I?

[maxiblevins]

Cam, you don't have to -- don't worry about it, okay? I'll see you in the morning. I mean, I think you can, if you really want to. I see other visitors around.