Ciel's stay in the medical ward was "unpleasant," to say the very least. The first few days were marked with staying in bed nonstop and having people come in and change his clothes and wash him with cloths. Later, when he actually could get up with his injury, he still required assistance in bathing himself, which required his husband being taught how to help him in addition to the blonde and their butler being instructed as to how to properly change his bandages and such. The worst were the times when Alois was physically forced to leave the premises in order to go home and get things like clothes, but also when he was instructed to stay in another, proper room at the estate, but that didn't last long. Instead, Alois would sneak out and slip into Ciel's room to stay with him, doing so enough times that the staff simply gave up on keeping him there. Alois could not be kept away and it made Ciel happier to have him there, so it was decided that this was for the best.
It was a much-needed relief to the Watchdog to have Alois there with him. Ciel was no longer a master of his environment. In his weakened state, he was very much at the mercy of others. He had to bathe under the supervision of others and when they dictated for him to do so. He could not leave his room until someone else gave him permission and supervision to do so. Even the fact that Ciel felt like he couldn't defend himself if he needed sort of got to him. All of this made him feel absolutely powerless and disheartened. The menace aided with this by simply being there with him and talking to him. Alois addressed him like usual, cracking jokes and making noise like always. Ciel absolutely preferred it when Alois was able to help him on his own, as he very much didn't like strangers seeing him like this.
Finally going home was a breath of fresh air to Ciel. Familiar surroundings and his castle greeted him upon stepping out of the car. He was starting to feel claustrophobic in that hospital, but even here, he wasn't granted all of the freedom that he wanted. He was still very much dictated to take it easy, but that often called for him to do nothing but sit around while either staring into space, or staring at a television set. It wasn't very fun, as he had grown accustomed to doing so with Alois, but the menace had to make up for work missed while at the medical ward. That said, the menace was more than happy to indulge the bluenette instead. It was helpful, but Ciel knew he couldn't take up his husband's attention for the majority of the time, as much as he now craved it.
He was needy. It annoyed him. Being so clingy and demanding of attention pained Ciel, as it bruised his already roughed-up ego even further. The sling over his shoulder holding his arm in place seemed like an insult to the prideful Phantomhive despite its necessity. It felt humiliating. In short, his pride took a hit and he felt powerless. There really wasn't much that could cure that, unfortunately.
"C'mon, you're still a big, scary, demon." the menace said, standing behind his husband while rubbing the man's shoulders. Ciel, however, simply sat there in his chair with a downright sour expression.
"Is that why you keep treating me with kid gloves?" huffed the Watchdog, causing Alois to roll his eyes at his passive aggression.
"I'm treating you like a bloke whose been injured. Badly." Alois answered. "But, if there's something I can do to help make you feel better, do tell me."
"I don't want to just sit here and stare into space. I've been to all of my regular websites, I have no new books to read, I haven't the slightest idea what is on television, but that's all I can do, apparently."
"Well, you can help me answer emails and phonecalls, if you like. Typing might be tricky, but you can work the phones."
"And what if they want to talk to you and not me?"
"Then I suppose you'll have to hand me the phone."
"So I'll be your secretary..."
"It's something. Unless you can think of something else."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Sit there and be huffy?" suggested the menace, taking Ciel aback as he got the hint.
"I'm sorry..." the Watchdog apologised with a sigh. "It's not your fault..."
"No harm done. You're frustrated. I get that. You're bored and you feel small. That will upset a man."
Reaching up with his good hand, Ciel placed it over the blonde's on his shoulder. "I don't feel confident at all… I feel like I'm thoroughly useless… What good am I to you in this state?"
"Lots. I didn't fall in love with your arm, you know. I fell in love with a smart, grumpy, but sweet man who is also extremely cute."
"Am I still cute?"
"Very." the blonde said with a small smile, bending down to wrap his arms around his husband's shoulders and peck him on the cheek.
"You're a lot more handsy than usual." Ciel noted. "I was wondering if it was because I'm being babied, or something."
"Well… To be honest- and don't take this the wrong way, but it's mostly for my sake, I think." somewhat bashfully admitted the menace. "It's sort of a 'he's okay and is still here' sort of thing? I don't know how to explain it..."
"You were that worried?"
"I thought you were dying… Like, I get now that realistically, you were always pretty likely of surviving that, but seeing you get hit by a train and everything else that happened kind of freaked me out." Pausing, he shook his head and closed his eyes before nuzzling Ciel's shoulder. "I have dreams about it..."
"Oh, Jim..." cooed the bluenette while wearing a concerned face. Turning his his head, he maneuvered himself so that he could kiss the side of his beau's head. "Here I am, moping about some sort of… perceived emasculation or some nonsense, and here you are, scared that I won't still be here..."
"No, don't look at it that way. It's not like you didn't undergo some trauma. You lost your bloody arm! And had it reattached! That's something that takes recovering from, and not just physically."
"Same with witnessing a loved one get seriously hurt." the Watchdog said. "I'll help you through it, just like you're helping me. We do this together. We're a team."
Slightly, Alois smiled. "The best team." he added. "But you need to accept help when you're offered. And you need to put some focus on getting better. You're not redundant, you're just injured. You can work when you're better."
"You're working right now, though. Shouldn't you do the same?"
"Very smart. I have a city to take care of as well, though. I can't ignore them, either. I already took off a lot of time already." Pausing Alois took a moment to think. "Or do you just want attention?"
"Guilty as charged." Ciel said, putting his good hand up in the air. "I'm sorry I'm in your way."
"You're not." insisted the menace.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm certain."
"Really?"
"You're very anxious, aren't you?" Alois noted, arching an eyebrow in his spouse's direction. Taking a step back, he gestured for Ciel to stand. "C'mon, get up."
"What? Why?"
"You need out of this house. We're going for a walk. Do you want to just walk through the garden, or..?"
"The garden sounds lovely..." the blue Phantomhive said, standing up carefully.
"Well, then come and escort me, good sir. Or are you too pitiful and frail?"
"Well, if you're going to be rude about it..."
