Andrew looked up from his book to check on Neil on the couch. Neil had been unusually quiet while watching the exy game on tv. Neil was spaced out tracing his fingers on his arm bands in figure eights and circles.
“Yes or no?” Andrew asked as he bookmarked his page and stood up. Neil blinked as he came back to reality. “Yes or no?” Andrew repeated once Neil was focused on him.
“Yes.” Neil said as Andrew nodded to himself as he ducked into their room. Neil stayed on the couch waiting to see what Andrew would grab. When Andrew came back out he had the box with coloring supplies. “What are you going to do with those?” Neil asked with a tilt of his head.
Andrew opened up the case revealing the markers. “You’re tracing the scars again. I thought maybe coloring them might relieve some tension. These markers are water based so they’ll wash off.” Andrew explained as he drew a squiggle on his knuckle. “So, yes or no?”
Neil hummed and tilted his head as he looked at the markers. “Okay, yes, let’s try it out.” Neil decided with a nod and began rolling down one of the arm bands. He put the arm band on the coffee table. He plopped his bare arm between Andrew and him. “Is there a grey?”
“You and your grey!” Andrew rolled his eyes as he handed Neil the grey marker he already had ready. “Do you want any particular design?”
“Paw prints?” Neil suggested as he opened his marker and began making tracks. Andrew pulled out an orange and followed Neil’s lead. By the time the exy game was almost finished Neil’s arm looked like he had tiny creatures running around his body.
“Do you feel less tense?” Andrew asked as he captured his marker.
Neil smiled. “Yes, I hadn’t even realized.” He traced one set that Andrew had colored. Neil glanced at the tv. “Are you kidding me?! How could you miss that!” Neil said to the tv as the losing team made a spectacular fumble.
Andrew smirked as his Junkie returned to his normal self. Andrew moved the marker case to the coffee table and curled up next to Neil enjoying the restoration of life in his eyes.
