darker_london | Even when things are gross, they are love (Joe, Jordan)

Joe had spent an unrestful night watching his son writhe about in obvious pain and discomfort. He hadn't so much said words as made horrible sounds that were somewhat akin to begging, though who Julian was begging, Joe had no idea. He had an idea what Julian was begging for though. And every so often, Joe would catch an 'it itches make it stop' or a soft 'it hurts' but mostly...it was just meaningful nonsense.

And then Julian had needed very much to vomit up the big nothing in his stomach. The nurse had barely let him off the bed when Julian vomited across the room. Then he rushed into the bathroom where he slammed the door and Joe really didn't want to hear what was going on on the other side of it. He was just content knowing that there was absolutely nothing Julian could hurt himself with in there, though he had a feeling Julian was going to be otherwise occupied anyway...

Jordan's arms slipped around her husband's neck and he turned to smile tiredly at her. He couldn't not smile at her, no matter the circumstances. "Hello, Love." He murmured, kissing her hand and gently pulling her around so he could see her.

"Where...where's Julian?!"

"He's uhm..." Joe pointed to the door of the toilet. "Getting rid of some excess baggage?"

"Oh, Joseph!" Jordan said, smacking Joe's shoulder as Joe let out a laugh. Inside, Jordan was just glad that Joe was making poo jokes again. It meant he was feeling more like himself, even if he wasn't quite looking like himself again yet. And he would be, now that he didn't have to lie awake at night, wondering if his son was alive or not. "You really are so very charming."

"That's why you married me, remember." Joe winked.

"You looked wrecked." Jordan said, running her fingers through his hair.

"I promised Julian I wouldn't leave. He said he was afraid of...something. But once I said I'd stay, he calmed down. About that at least. Apparently I'm still a ratbastard because I won't give him anything."

"Yeah, you're a harsh man, Joe Littleton." Jordan kissed Joe's lips, lingering there for a moment until a rather disgusting sound made it's way to their ears from the bathroom and she pulled away roughly. "Oh Christ. Remind me never to do drugs, okay?"

"If I have to remind you, there's a problem..." Joe muttered. He glanced towards the bathroom and he furrowed his brow. "He's been in there for like two hours. And it's not like he's had a lot to...you think he'd be empty now, you know."

"Ew, stop it! Or I'll be morning sick all over you."

"It's 5:16 pm..."

"Fine, evening sick." Jordan took Joe's hand in hers. "You're really not going to leave here, are you?"

Joe shook his head. "I don't....I don't want him to be afraid."

"I understand. I'll wait with you." Jordan pulled up a chair and she leaned against her husband."

"Oh but..Jordan, the baby needs rest and so do you."

"But not yet." She kissed Joe's cheek and she smiled at him. "And I'm getting you dinner in an hour and you're eating if even if you have to do so in the hallway." Poo noises weren't very appetising. "You need to eat." Joe had been eating less and less since Julian's disappearance, and it was obvious. He didn't look as healthy as he once was. He looked pale and drawn and exhausted all the time. But he smiled and that made a lot of difference.

"Alright. It's a deal." He kissed her hair and he wrapped his arms around her, and they waited.

And Julian stayed right where he was, worried that if he moved an inch, the whole disgusting process would just start right over again.

Coming down was a bitch.