eighttimeshandy | (no subject)

Herbert found him on the floor in the corner of the bathroom, skinny knees pulled up to his chest and arms wrapped tightly around them. He couldn't see his face, but he could hear the shudder of his breath, and see his shoulders quiver.

"Eriq," he began, moving towards his roommate, voice calm and steady. "Are you alright?"
A shake of the head, and Herbert crouched down beside him, lips pursed and brow furrowed. Of course he knew that, it was plain as day, but Eriq always seemed to do better when they went through all the steps. Steps and routine always helped put his dear lab assistant back into step.

The next step was technically optional, but Herbert never skipped it, because optional or not, it had become part of the routine.

"Are you okay with being touched?" he asked, and when he received a confirming nod, he settled down on the floor next to Eriq, and placed a hand on the small of his back.

A shudder raced up his prominent spine, and Herbert heard a sound like a small explosion escaping from his lips. With the way Eriq was gulping in air, he had to have been holding his breath - or rather, holding back tears, but some of the tension left his posture.

Herbert leaned over to press a kiss to his temple.

"Are you verbal?"

Eriq shook his head again, his body quaking with the force of it, then he croaked out, "I can't," his voice breaking half-way through.

"So don't. You just indicated you were non-verbal, so you don't need to try." Herbert didn't need an explanation for... whatever it was that pushed Eriq into this. At least, he didn't need one immediately. Once Eriq was feeling more himself, perhaps, but it wasn't necessary.

"I'm sorry," Eriq whimpered, and Herbert pressed his fingers into his back.

"It's fine."