“Thank you…”
Gath smiled as he watched Retvik prod at a bowl of food. Retvik clearly wasn’t very hungry, but he was trying to eat something. He needed to eat since he’d just swallowed a good number of tablets and didn’t want to have an empty stomach.
“As always, you are welcome, Retvik. You do not need to constantly say thank you.”
“Yes I do…”
Retvik finally managed to persuade himself to force a spoon full of mash into his mouth. The nausea in his stomach and the stabbing headache felt unending, but he needed to do something, anything, to keep himself distracted.
“You do not. I love you, Retvik, I want you to be well and happy.”
“That should not come with a cost to your own happiness and well-being…”
Gath tutted, then stretched himself out. The bed was rather messy and really only made for one Rethan, but that didn’t bother Gath. He and Retvik had slept in smaller spaces. Frankly, he was somewhat surprised that the guards outside had just let Gath walk in, carrying a basket of food, massage oil and protection.
“Trust me, dear, me coming here is beneficial to the both of us. I would never allow myself to not make sure you were well before going back on duty. I have plenty of time anyway, my troops are all moving back in three waves in Dekem and all the plans have been arranged for the takeover in Genar. The only issue is that you will not be serving with me.”
Retvik sighed, swallowing some of the mash. Now that he had actually managed to eat something, the rest of his meal looked less daunting. The second spoonful wasn’t nearly as bad as the first.
“Unfortunately I have… a long recovery ahead of me. Medics doubt I’ll ever have arm-plating again. The mental therapy has helped me sleep at night, but you being here…” Retvik sniffed, suddenly feeling overly emotional. “I need you far more than I would like to admit.”
“Then admit it. You have been in an abnormally horrible situation and it is only natural to want to be held by your partner.”
“I feel like I am a burden.”
Gath grunted to himself. Retvik’s words reminded him of the early days of their relationship, when Gath had been falsely accused of all sorts of things. Back then, he had believed he had been a burden on Retvik. With another grunt, Gath sat up and shuffled over next to Retvik, putting a massive arm around his side.
“Retvik, never consider yourself a burden. There are times when you need help, when you need a hug, when you need looking after. That is all perfectly natural. But never, ever call yourself a burden.”
“Why?”
“Because you are not a burden.”
Retvik sighed, then leaned on Gath’s shoulder.
“There is a lot I wish to talk about. About our future.”
“Now is not the time for that, Retvik. You are not well. Your arm is still broken, your wounds are still fresh, your mind is still tattered. We cannot talk as equals until you believe yourself to be an equal once more.”
“Yes, you are correct… as always…”
Gath smiled, then pulled Retvik back, taking the bowl of cold food from his hands and laying Retvik down on the bed. He then reached for a small bag of massage oils, pouring some into one hand.
“Now, my dear, let me help you relax.”
Retvik smiled, just a little, as he awkwardly removed his stomach wrap.
“Yes, please, help me relax…”