[OPEN] it hurts to remember.

[deacon reid rudman]

Bandit look up sleepily at him, reaching up to mimic his action and brush his hair back. She smiled, then snuggled close again, pulling the blankets up higher. She was dizzy from being shaken. "Food." She complained, reaching up to pull the ponytail out of her hair. "Daddy, I hungry."

"You guys up?" Deacon asked, standing in the door way. Bandit threw her ponytail at him, the band not going far.

"Go WAY!" She screamed, snuggling close to Connor again. She looked over at him, daring him to come closer.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor smiled at her. "S-silly," He murmured. "I c-can't get you anything... You gotta ask Deac-con..."
He looked up at him, smiled faintly until Bandit screamed at him. He hugged her close. "Sh-shh baby... He's n-not gonna hurt you..." He kissed the top of her head, nuzzled her gently.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon bit his lip, watching the two of him. She watched him warily before she held out her hand. "Food." She said, then paused a second before she added 'peas'. He nodded, walking out of the room. He came back with her a few snacks, figuring he could get her something real to eat later. He handed her the food, and she shooed him away. He handed Connor his water and snack before taking a seat on the other side of the bed.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor smiled when she at least spoke to him. He watched Deacon go and return, and helped Bandit open up one of her snacks, handing it back to her before setting his own aside. He had no appetite, twisted the cap off his water and took a swallow before reaching to take Deacon's hand, arm aching where it was bandaged from ripping the needles out.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon took his hand gently, leaning over to kiss his arm where it was bandaged. He leaned back in his chair, watching the two of them. Bandit reached carefully into her bag, her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth as she produced a cookie. She took a bite out of it, looking over at Connor.

"She's the cleanest kid I've ever met." Deacon said with a shake of the head.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor tilted his head to watch him kiss his ark, reaching up to play with his hair for a moment before holding his hand tightly. He smiled at Deacon's words, nodding as he watched Bandit eat.

[deacon reid rudman]

Bandit ate her cookies carefully, trying not to get any crumbs on her or the bed. She looked up when she was done, handing the empty bag to Deacon. He took it and threw it away, handing her her chocolate milk. He took Connor's hand again, holding it tightly. He knew he was okay, but that didn't take away the feeling that he might disappear at any second.

"I love you, baby." He said, leaning over to kiss his forehead gently.

[connor crayze sykes]

"I-I love you too.." Connor breathed, looking up at him longingly. The next week was going to be miserable stuck at home. He rested his head back against the pillow with a gusty breath, aware that thelat fait stomach cramp was there like always, that he still didn't feel good, but felt far better than before.

[deacon reid rudman]

"I'm sorry you have to be so sick, baby.." He said quietly, reaching over to run his fingers through his hair. He looked over at Bandit, curled up on her side with her milk. She was slowly drifting back asleep, keeping as close to Connor as she could get. "If I could take it all away, I would.. In a heart beat. I'd rather it be me than you.. At least it can't kill me.." He leaned over, kissing him gently before he pulled back, afraid to hurt him.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor's jaw trembled. "I know y-you would.." He rasped, meeting the kiss soft and slow. The problem was that it wasn't killing him. Sometimes he felt like an animal that an owner refused to put out of its misery just because they loved it. But at the same time, he didn't want to leave.
"I j-just want us to be happy again..." He whispered. "Like we were w-when we met, Deacon..."
He reached over, pulling up texts and chat messages, every single one still saved on his phone between him and Deacon, held it out before yawning. "I m-made a mess of everything.."