Richard whined softly as he opened his eyes. Pain assaulted his senses the moment he tried to move. His upper arms, abs, back, and legs ached like he'd ridden a hundred miles! He could feel muscles he didn't even realise he had! His lower back was the worst. Even the smallest movement made him gasp and whimper. His back wasn't the only thing. His ass stung like a bitch. He dreaded the moment he'd need to use the bathroom. Fuck-fuck-fuck-Never again! He almost glared as he turned his head to find Hank sleeping peacefully, without a care in the world. He kicked him, whining at the ache that shot through his body with the effort.
"Mm-wha-uh?" Hank barely lifted his face from the pillow with a startled grumble, blinking blearily in the dark grey of morning. Breathing deeply, he gave Richard a sleepy smile of greeting, which slowly dropped as he focused in on his glaring face. "What happened? Are you alright?" He was more alert in an instant, pushing himself up enough to turn on the bedside lamp. A dim glow filled the room, making both of them wince for a few seconds.
"Hurts…Everything fucking hurts!" There were tears in his eyes already as Hank reached over to rub circles on his aching stomach. His hand withdrew as Richard hissed. It was too tender to touch. Hank frowned as he tossed the duvet back and reached for his pants, though Richard couldn't enjoy the view. He was too busy squeezing his eyes shut and breathing through the pain. It was worse than breaking a bone. At least when he broke a bone, it was usually only one! He couldn't even turn over it hurt so much!
"When you say everywhere…" Richard's expression was murderous as he glared at him. He was seriously thinking about how accessible his ass was at a time like this? He'd just told him he was in pain! It was fucking agony! "Alright-alright, I'll get you some Ibuprofen." Ibuprofen? He seriously expected that to be enough? "Muscle pain is always worst when you first wake up. It should go down in a while." His real concern was the pain in his ass. He didn't think he'd torn anything, but he'd have to convince Richard to turn over at some point and let him see. Maybe he's just a little tender from overuse…He couldn't help feeling guilty as he reminded himself whose fault it was that he was overused. Luckily, he'd bought some soothing cream a few weeks back in case of such an emergency.
Richard whined and whimpered helplessly as Hank helped him sit up, stacking pillows behind his back so he could lean against the metal bedframe. He cursed under his breath as he accepted the glass and pills, hoping they were at least strong ones as he swallowed them. Despite knowing they wouldn't actually kick in for about thirty minutes, his body already felt a little better now he'd moved. Hank was suitably apologetic as he sat beside him and took the half empty glass as he finished drinking. The kiss on his temple didn't grant him forgiveness, but it was a nice start. Hank groaned as he looked at the clock. They were on Richard's schedule again. It was too early.
"Oh, I'm so sorry my agonising pain woke you up!" Hank would have pointed out that it was the kick on his shin that woke him, but he didn't want to sour Richard's mood further. That was one thing he'd learned about Richard. Pain and boredom put him in a foul temper, made him really snappy and waspish. Folding his arms, Richard grunted and glared at the curtained window. Lounging sideways, Hank leaned his chin on one hand and gazed at the man beside him. He really was quite cute when he was angry, like a hissing ferret. He could almost imagine how his brown ears would twitch and his tail would swish.
"You know I didn't mean anything by it. Do you want some breakfast? French toast? Pancakes?" Hank smirked at the way Richard's lips thinned. He wasn't one for cooking and eating himself, but having watched him all these months, Hank knew for a fact that his pancakes were Richard's favourite and they soothed his poor temper every time. He also knew he would never ask for them or admit he wanted them himself. "Thin or fluffy?" It was always thin. "With lemon and sugar?" Of course with lemon and sugar. It was sort of endearing how his feet twitched in anticipation as Hank got to his feet. "And a pot of tea." He knew Richard's insides had turned to mush at the words.
Hank chuckled as he headed downstairs and greeted Sumo and Connor with pets and ruffles, immediately herding them to the back door to let them out. With loud snuffles and excited whines, they were off, racing across the porch and off through the yard to the dewy morning grass. Hank chuckled and shook his head as he headed through to the kitchen to get their breakfast ready. Connor was on hard kibble, something to keep his teeth clean and his coat glossy. Being older, Sumo had shifted to a softer diet. His kibble was easier to chew, with all the nutrients an older dog needed. By the time he'd refilled their water, the dogs had returned with wagging tails and eager barks. Connor hopped on his hind legs to get a look at the counter, confirming his food was there.
"Go on now, away with you!" Hank ordered as he grabbed the bowls and made his way to the back door. Sumo and Connor both followed, doing their best to walk alongside him without tripping him, their eyes fixed on the heavy china dishes. "Sit. Stay." Sumo and Connor instantly did as they were told, each sitting at the opposite end of the porch. Hank started with Sumo's bowl first, telling him to eat the moment he set it down. It was always better to give the older dog a head start, so he was done before Connor finished. Connor licked his chops and pawed the decking as Hank approached, dark eyes straying to Sumo almost resentfully. "Good boy, Con…Here you are." Putting the bowl down, Hank let him tuck in and gave his ears a parting ruffle.
Now the dogs were sorted, it was time to clean up and get started on Richard. He whistled happily as he set out everything he needed and started the kettle. He'd made pancakes often enough to eyeball the measurements, and was soon whisking a nice runny batter. Starting the burner, he got the pan nice and hot with a healthy knob of butter before tipping in the first one. Most people would call these crepes, but his family had always called them pancakes. To him, crepes were usually just a bit thinner, and much larger. To keep the cooked pancakes warm, he turned on the oven and put two plates inside.
The kitchen was soon hot and smoky as he tipped and flipped, getting each pancake nice and brown on both sides before putting them on the plates in the oven. Six each should be enough. If Richard didn't finish, he'd help him out later. Leaving the plates in the oven, Hank sliced two lemons, grabbed the sugar bowl and readied the tea set. Shooing Sumo and Connor out of the way, he managed to navigate the hall and get upstairs, where he left Richard to pour out the tea with his usual precision. It probably wasn't as good as Richard's tea, coming from tea bags, but he didn't complain.
Back in the kitchen, Hank jammed the door open so Connor and Sumo could come and go as they pleased and carried a second tray upstairs laden down with pancakes. Unable to resist the whining and big brown eyes, Hank reluctantly parted with one pancake, ripping it in half and dividing it between the dogs. How they could be hungry when they'd just eaten, he had no idea, but there was nothing that would hurt them in the plain pancake. It was also a lot easier to escape once they were happily snuffling the scraps off the floor.
"Feeling better?" Hank teased as he kicked the door shut and sorted out the plates. Richard gave him a small frown, which Hank took as a yes. He always felt better once he had a cup of tea cradled in his hands. Removing the teapot and other items from the first tray, Hank set it across Richard's lap and put his plate on it, along with the sugar bowl and one of the lemons. Soon, they were both sitting with trays over their laps, happily munching away on pancakes and sipping their morning tea.
Predictably, once he was more awake and his stomach was full, Richard's mood settled. His body still ached like hell, but shuffling about in the bed was no longer torture as it had been before. Hank was also much more awake now, awake enough to head out on his rounds. He could tell Richard was a little put out by this. It wasn't exactly fun being stuck in bed, and he would be stuck in bed that day. His body ached too much to even think of heading back to his place. Not that Hank was complaining. He sort of enjoyed having Richard stuck in his bed.
Before he left, Hank helped him through to the bathroom and brought him a random book to read. A crime novel. Hank didn't read much himself, but he was pretty sure it would keep Richard occupied until he got back for lunch. He hoped to make it an early lunch. All he had to do was check in and feed the animals that day, so he could afford to take a little time off. The thought of what he'd do to Richard when he got back almost had him smirking as he settled him into bed and made sure he had everything he needed within reach, including the half-full teapot.
"I'll be fine," Richard grumbled as he hunkered down in the bed with his book and disappeared behind it, though he was a lot less grumpy now. Hank chuckled and left him with a parting kiss on the forehead, enjoying the way Richard's feet twitched at the attention. Richard secretly watched around the edge of his book as Hank left, leaving the door open as he thudded down the stairs. With a call of Connor's name and a whistle, he was gone. He didn't shut the back door, but Richard could hear Connor barking in the yard, which signalled their departure. Something like disappointment settled in his chest as he lowered the book.
He was being silly. Hank was a farmer. The animals needed him. It wasn't like he could just take a day off whenever he felt like it. They needed to be fed and their stalls needed to be cleaned. Despite that, he couldn't help feeling a little wounded, being left by himself with his aching muscles. I'm being stupid and selfish. Dismissing the thought with a determined huff, Richard lifted his cup and took a sip. It was cooling rapidly, and the pot would too. With that in mind, he drained his small cup and poured himself another. It wouldn't do to waste good tea, even if it did come from tea bags.
Sighing, he turned his attention to the book Hank had left him. It was a battered old crime novel, probably something that had been lying about the house for years. He didn't mind crime dramas; they were at least interesting. With that in mind, he began reading in earnest, and soon lost himself in the grim, serial murder case alongside the detective. He was so engaged that he didn't notice the quiet scratch of paws on the stairs, nor the laboured huffs as Sumo padded into the room. He did, however, notice the dip of the bed as his large front paws landed on Hank's side.
"W-what are you doing?" Richard asked in alarm as he pushed himself up. His heart thudded loudly, bashing his ribcage in a mixture of surprise and alarm. Hank had assured him the dogs didn't come upstairs, that he wouldn't be disturbed. Sumo shuffled a little further onto the bed and rested his chin on the fresh cotton with a low whine. "I-is this what you do when Hank's not here? Sneak up to use the bed?" The sneeze-like snuffle on the sheets was almost like an agreement. Sumo continued to gaze up at him, tail swishing slowly as if waiting for permission. "No…No-no-no, you just…stay there!" Richard hurriedly disappeared behind his book to escape the dark, pleading eyes.
Unfortunately, Sumo didn't take the hint. His front paws remained on the bed. In fact, he slowly edged closer, as if he didn't expect Richard to notice. Lowering the book, Richard shot Sumo a small glare, silently demanding he stay where he was. Knowing he'd been spotted, Sumo froze, but his tail was still wagging as he let out a low, pleading whine. Richard scoffed in disbelief. He really expected him to let him up on the bed where he and Hank slept? To let him get his fleas and dirty paws all over the white sheets? He probably doesn't have fleas. Hank would surely take care of that. And his paws probably aren't that dirty…Another whine reached his ears and Sumo nudged even closer. He was more than halfway onto the bed at this point!
"Y-you shouldn't be up here!" His voice was less than authoritative. Sumo started panting, tail wagging faster as he lifted his chin. He almost looked like he was smiling. "Sumo!" The smallest of boofs slipped out, dark eyes glittering up at him. "Fine! Just…stay on that side." The bed dipped as Sumo heaved his hind legs onto the bed and stretched out beside him. Despite how his heart was racing, Richard couldn't help smiling behind his book as he listened to the happy snuffling beside him and felt the bed rock. Looking around his book, he found Sumo lying on his back, his tail wagging a mile a minute as he rolled from side to side, rubbing himself all over the sheets. "You're ridiculous!"
Sumo paused at the light chuckle, head tilting as if weighing his options. Apparently deciding he didn't have much to lose, he rolled sideways until he was almost resting against Richard's side. Richard almost yelped as soft fur tickled his bare arm and pressed himself further back into the pillows. This is good. This is fine. Nothing to worry about…Just a hundred and fifty pound beast with sharp teeth huddling against your side…No problem. Swallowing, Richard looked down, watching warily as one large paw reached up to nudge his side.
"Y-you want something?" The second nudge was almost confirmation. Richard was reluctant as he slowly reached out to rest a hand on his fluffy neck. Sumo panted happily as Richard's fingers started scratching back and forth, only pausing as he rolled onto his back. "Really? You expect me to touch you there?" Another snuffle shortly followed, and the paw on his arm pushed his hand lower. Richard swallowed nervously, tensing as he settled his hand on Sumo's fluffy stomach and started rubbing gentle circles. Since Sumo's mouth remained a respectable distance from his arm, Richard slowly relaxed and stroked a little harder.
His fur really was quite soft, and though he had claws and teeth, he didn't seem inclined to use them. Sumo eventually seemed to have enough and rolled over to take a nap on Hank's side of the bed. Taking that as a sign to stop, Richard finished his tea and settled down to read again. However, it wasn't long before a cold nose brushed his elbow as Sumo rolled over to face him. Richard had no idea what he wanted as he gazed up at him and did his best to ignore him until that enormous head started nudging closer. Feeling that cold nose on his chest, Richard yelped and pulled the duvet higher, as if to give himself some modesty.
"Hey! I'm naked under here you know!" It seemed Sumo didn't understand his indignation as he tilted his head and wormed his way under his arm. Setting the book aside, Richard nestled into against the pillows, now with Sumo's head against his hastily covered chest. It seemed he wouldn't be getting any more reading done as he set about teasing Sumo's floppy ears and neck. The bed rocked slightly with the happy wags of Sumo's tail. He was almost half lying on him at this point. Richard closed his eyes with a sigh, hoping that Hank would return to rescue him soon.