[ no this definitely won't cause further problems.
but thorns closes his eyes and focuses simply on elysium's breathing, using it as a makeshift song to lull him to sleep. it is so much easier to forget any problems when the world consists of only the two of them, and the thought helps him eventually drift back to sleep.
[ they're in love and they have each other. they aren't asking for anything more than that, nor is it asking for much to begin with. comparatively, they aren't being that greedy? it's fine.
elysium doesn't fall asleep for a long while after thorns drifts off, not because he's struggling to, but because he wants to be certain thorns rests easy. every so often, he cranes his neck to catch a glimpse of his expression just to be sure.
this sort of smothering and paranoia won't come back to bite him in the ass, either. he's just being a supportive partner? no one should punish him for that. but he will eventually drift off himself… snzz… at least his own nightmares had only risen when they were apart. ]
[ he's sore all over and running on maybe two, three hours of sleep at best. it could be better, it could be worse; he could have none at all, or be in the absolute worst-case scenario, be thornsless.
because he prioritises thorns' comfort, he stirs constantly through the night. again, it could be worse. but he's probably the one to wake first, so when thorns finally stirs, it's to elysium's hand combing gently through his hair and massaging his scalp.
it is a new day and he is once again filled with adoration. ]
[ see? everything works out. elysium subtly watches thorns' face for any aftereffects of the night prior. ]
Morning, sleepy. [ he kisses thorns back. there's a better way to get thorns off of him and to make sure his mind doesn't immediately wander elsewhere, he thinks. and that is—
[ he shakes his head and pokes elysium on the cheek. ]
No... Go and wash up.
[ thorns doesn't know if elysium will start doing skincare and it would be a punishment to have to sit there waiting for elysium to apply ten different creams to his face. ]
elysium isn't dragging anyone anywhere, but thorns will still get up and dutifully follow after him even though he will be useless here. he hovers at the doorway. ]
[ he lines up various bottles on the counter. he washes his face. he wants to go back to bed so bad. getting up was a mistake but now he's up and committed (this is stupid) ]
... We can spend time here. We spent a while traveling.
[ is this an excuse to let elysium rest up? absolutely. but there really isn't anywhere they can go at the moment; it's not like thorns can easily carry both elysium and groceries. they truly need to get a cart asap. ]
[ why does he have violent urges in both threads at the same time
he tells himself to relax… this is the love of his life… his grip turns into a vice grip. ]
Self-care is meant to be taken slow. And no—toner's to help your skin's absorption, so it has to sit under everything else…
[ how does thorns understand aftercare but not this. he guides thorns into his arms, head canted to the side. he is taking matters into his own hands. HE IS GOING FIRST!!!! ]
[ thorns can experience the joy of living with another person when his 3-in-1s keep going missing. there is only shampoo, conditioner, and cleanser all in their separate bottles. likelier is thorns only bothering to use shampoo and forgoing everything else while elysium keeps wondering why the shampoo keeps running out well before the others, but that's a future problem! ]
Maybe. But you don't put your chemicals in all at once when you're experimenting, do you? There's an order to these things. One reaction leads to another—skincare is as much a science as anything else…
[ funny, elysium could say the same about intimacy. the moment thorns is in his arms, he's immediately mollified and wonders why he was even angry to begin with? this is a good excuse to keep thorns in one place and touch him. wow.
he gently slaps thorns' cheeks with toner. plap. ]
[ elysium should have tried this explanation on thorns ages ago because it suddenly clicks into place for him. does that mean he will suddenly be good at applying anything? no. but he immediately understands why there is an order to things.
[ he is truly struggling to imagine himself as an assistant because his patience is below the ground on these matters, but he will try to do it for elysium.... he supposes he is one in certain aspects. ]
[ reaches for the low-hanging fruit. annoying. but next up is moisturiser… yippee. in the form of little dots on every part of thorns' face. watches as thorns learns nothing from this and just plaps a giant blob on one cheek and smears it around. ]
Should I find one to put on for you? We don't have to work the profession to have fun.
[ he is already forgetting they're broke. also, he has so many stupid things on his list already he'll never have money again… ]
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but thorns closes his eyes and focuses simply on elysium's breathing, using it as a makeshift song to lull him to sleep. it is so much easier to forget any problems when the world consists of only the two of them, and the thought helps him eventually drift back to sleep.
again, this is healthy. ]
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elysium doesn't fall asleep for a long while after thorns drifts off, not because he's struggling to, but because he wants to be certain thorns rests easy. every so often, he cranes his neck to catch a glimpse of his expression just to be sure.
this sort of smothering and paranoia won't come back to bite him in the ass, either. he's just being a supportive partner? no one should punish him for that. but he will eventually drift off himself… snzz… at least his own nightmares had only risen when they were apart. ]
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thorns will, at least, sleep normally until morning hits. elysium probably now has a sore front and a sore back. why did he do this.
but it is a new day. ]
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because he prioritises thorns' comfort, he stirs constantly through the night. again, it could be worse. but he's probably the one to wake first, so when thorns finally stirs, it's to elysium's hand combing gently through his hair and massaging his scalp.
it is a new day and he is once again filled with adoration. ]
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he leans in and kisses his face. ]
Morning...
[ should he roll off of him... does elysium need to pee... ]
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Morning, sleepy. [ he kisses thorns back. there's a better way to get thorns off of him and to make sure his mind doesn't immediately wander elsewhere, he thinks. and that is—
pinching his nose. ] Your breath stinks.
[ thank you for your heart eyes, thorns. ]
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however, he is still in the just woke up stupor so he just rolls off of him like a lump. ]
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Did you want to sleep in? I can stay here with you.
[ until he falls asleep… he does need to use the washroom… ]
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No... Go and wash up.
[ thorns doesn't know if elysium will start doing skincare and it would be a punishment to have to sit there waiting for elysium to apply ten different creams to his face. ]
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You said you'd help me. You have ten minutes before I drag you by the scruff of your neck.
[ sadly he does not have his ten different creams. only the bare minimum of what he takes to travel, so… two. three if you count sunscreen.
he gets up, almost falls. … he doesn't say anything and just waddles the rest of the way to the bathroom.
]
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elysium isn't dragging anyone anywhere, but thorns will still get up and dutifully follow after him even though he will be useless here. he hovers at the doorway. ]
Should I carry you?
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No…
[ maybe. ]
What did you want to do today?
[ he lines up various bottles on the counter. he washes his face. he wants to go back to bed so bad. getting up was a mistake but now he's up and committed (this is stupid) ]
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[ is this an excuse to let elysium rest up? absolutely. but there really isn't anywhere they can go at the moment; it's not like thorns can easily carry both elysium and groceries. they truly need to get a cart asap. ]
Maybe we can stop by a shop later.
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[ more importantly?? he taps a bottle, then the next. he slaps his cheeks with his hands and looks at thorns imploringly. ]
Toner, then moisturiser. Even applications of both. You can remember that much, right?
[ he sounds so doubtful ]
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he should probably ask this but it's fine. he takes the bottles... ]
Yeah. Easy.
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elysium has a bad feeling about this and gingerly places a hand on thorns'. this can't be how their relationship explodes again… ]
Wait. I can do you first.
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[ yes, thorns, that's the problem.
he looks at the items. ]
Can I just mix it into one container?
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he tells himself to relax… this is the love of his life… his grip turns into a vice grip. ]
Self-care is meant to be taken slow. And no—toner's to help your skin's absorption, so it has to sit under everything else…
[ how does thorns understand aftercare but not this. he guides thorns into his arms, head canted to the side. he is taking matters into his own hands. HE IS GOING FIRST!!!! ]
Here.
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but he allows elysium to manhandle him, not because he thinks he needs to learn anything but simply because he enjoys elysium touching him. ]
This feels overcomplicated.
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Maybe. But you don't put your chemicals in all at once when you're experimenting, do you? There's an order to these things. One reaction leads to another—skincare is as much a science as anything else…
[ funny, elysium could say the same about intimacy. the moment thorns is in his arms, he's immediately mollified and wonders why he was even angry to begin with? this is a good excuse to keep thorns in one place and touch him. wow.
he gently slaps thorns' cheeks with toner. plap. ]
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plap plap. ]
Maybe you're a scientist in another life.
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Only if you're an assistant in that same life. Can you imagine?
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You'd look good in a lab coat.
[ thorns doesn't wear those. ]
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[ reaches for the low-hanging fruit. annoying. but next up is moisturiser… yippee. in the form of little dots on every part of thorns' face. watches as thorns learns nothing from this and just plaps a giant blob on one cheek and smears it around. ]
Should I find one to put on for you? We don't have to work the profession to have fun.
[ he is already forgetting they're broke. also, he has so many stupid things on his list already he'll never have money again… ]
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thorns reaches over to flick elysium on the nose. he is not paying any mind to how elysium is applying this. ]
I don't need one.
[ BUT ELYSIUM DOES? ]
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