[Goliath Returns] Respite

[still_michael]

He borrowed a car to drive them home-- the Foundation kept a decent motor pool, and he didn't want to ask Kitt to shapechange, not now. Tomorrow, they would coordinate with the LAPD, tomorrow they would start on Garthe's trail... because they had to find him before he found them

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[always_k_i_t_t]

He stood in the bathroom, brushing his teeth for the third time. The taste of vomit was finally ebbing, for all he thought he could probably throw up again with very little provocation. His stomach wouldn't stop roiling. The stress was tangible, but he would have to live through it. Giving up now, he told himself, wouldn't help anyone.

So he changed clothes at last, into one of his oversized T-shirts and a particularly baggy pair of cotton pants that he had to tie around his waist. Somehow, the loose clothes helped.

But once he was dressed, he still couldn't quite comprehend moving away from his closet. He stood there, his mind off in space, subconsciously seeking some possibilty that everything he heard was false.

[still_michael]

Kitt looked pale enough that Michael didn't quite want to suggest food-- the morning would come, and fuel stayed where it was supposed to, unlike food. But he offered Kitt a glass of ice water anyway, having changed to sweatpants himself.

Comfort helped.

Contact helped.

And sometimes, something cold to drink helped, too. "Don't want you getting dehydrated," he said, in a tone that meant I'm worried about you but I suspect hearing that I'm worried won't help. Besides, if Kitt did throw up again, having something easy to void in his stomach wouldn't feel quite as bad as dry-heaving.

[always_k_i_t_t]

The coming-back-to-earth was as simple as a few blinks. But he did accept the ice water with a soft, "Thank you."

The words went for far more than just the water, though.

For once, Kitt wasn't shy about the contact he needed. After a drink of the ice water, he stepped close to Michael and rested his head against his partner's shoulder. Michael. Who was holding it together while he couldn't.

[still_michael]

Michael wrapped his arms around Kitt, mindful of the water. He was holding it together-- he had to, for Kitt's sake. "Welcome," he murmured, smoothing a hand over Kitt's braid.