I made Alan have a bath as soon as we got home, even though it was past midnight. I insisted on washing him, and I know I must have hurt him quite a bit but he didn't so much as squeak, an absent look still in his eyes.
I sat with him on my lap in the armchair once we were in our nightclothes. I couldn't ask him exactly what had happened and how – I could tell he just wanted to forget it. I kissed his forehead and he nuzzled into me, clutching tight to my dressing gown.
"D'ya want me t' get ya a drink o' somethin' t' eat?" No answer. "Al?"
Tears spurted down his cheeks. All of a sudden he shifted position, straddling me and throwing his glasses aside as a sob escaped him – the first proper sound he'd made since the scream in the tower. He buried his head in my chest, starting to cry properly. I cradled him, leaning forwards and jogging him gently as though he were a baby.
"Hey, it's a'ight, don't cry. Ya safe now. Safe an' sound an' safe from harm, kay?"
He was holding me tight enough to hurt but I ignored it, knowing his need was more than mine. Hell, he'd had a properly traumatic experience. If he wanted to dig his nails into my arms as he cried, I sure as hell weren't going to stop him.
"Well, I know I ain't gonna let ya out there on ya own again, I hope ya know 'at" I said, joking a little to try to lighten the mood.
He pulled his head back a bit, covering his mouth with one hand.
"I-I'm s-s-sorry... I w-was on m-my way but – but – I, and I couldn't, escape, and – and-"
"Shhh, sh sh sh. Shh, calm down, sweetheart. None of this was your fault. Please calm down… My triple chocolate brownie"
He buried his head back in my chest but calmed down a little soon after. I sat back, still jogging him gently, relieved to see him starting to settle.
"Tha's it babe. Ya can stop cryin' now"
Not too long after, he did. He reached out for his glasses and then cuddled against me, still a little trembly but a lot better now.
"Ya got a bit o' colour back in ya cheeks. 'At's a good sign"
"…I'm sorry I missed out date" he mumbled.
"Hey, hey, hey, d'nay worry 'bout that. We can go on a date any time. If ya up t' it, we can go tomorrow. We got a day off now, a'er all"
"To that nice pizza place? I know it's expensive but… I like it there" he said, his grip on my loosening.
"Ain't that expensive there, 'specially not wit' jus' the two o' us" I said, tipping his chin up and kissing his lips. "We'll go there tomorrow af'ernoon, alright?"
"Yes. I think I need a good long lie in in the morning, don't you?"
"Couldn't agree more, my dear" I kissed him again. "Love you, m' Alan"
"Love you too, meric" he said softly, pressing for another kiss.
"Ya gon be the death o' me: can never resist ya, s' its jus' as well we've got each other, yeah?"
He nodded, nuzzling my neck.
"Take me to bed" he mumbled. "I don't want to end up falling asleep in the restaurant tomorrow afternoon"