Don lets out a sharp whimper as the cold ice pack first touches his ankle. It stings, just like he’d expected it to, cold against the heat of his inflamed injury. He clings to Marvelous’s shirt, and Marvelous holds him steady with a hand at the back of his neck. Marvelous is being gentle, as he’d promised, lowering the ice pack slowly and carefully so that Don won’t be startled from having all that coldness put on him at once. He’s making comforting noises, too, which is helping to soothe Don’s nerves, and reminds him of what Marvelous had said a moment ago.

It will be alright. Be brave.

Don holds his breath as Marvelous continues to lower the ice pack onto his ankle, so that he won’t end up whimpering again. It hurts, but not so badly that he can’t bear it, and Marvelous being here to comfort him makes it much easier. He believes in Marvelous’s words; Marvelous has always done everything he possibly could to take care of Don from the moment they met, not out of any sense of obligation but because he genuinely wants Don to be comfortable and happy, and Don loves him for it.

He clings to Marvelous for a moment longer, feeling the cold of the ice starting to ease the pain in his ankle as the initial sting fades, before realizing that he can feel both of Marvelous’s hands on him now. Don lifts his head and peers up at Marvelous. “I-Is it over already?”