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Leo is always comforted by two things, his beloved partner, Max, and his beloved little blue blanket. The one he’s had ever since he was a baby. Without it, Leo doesn’t know how he could function if he didn’t have it. He loves his blue blanket and he loves Max but his blue blanket is more comforting for him.
Now Max knew about Leo’s blue blanket. When he first met Leo, he became very hysterical when he took his blue blanket for the first time. Max thought it was a handkerchief at first when Leo had pulled it out of his suit pocket that day but Max earned his fair share when he understood that it was not, in fact, a handkerchief. Not at all. Leo had explained to Max how he gets whenever someone touched his blue blanket. Yeah. Max has seen it, never attempted to do it again. Ever.
Max did feel bad for Leo though. His Leo. He doesn’t like it when he’s in distress or discomfort. It makes him unhappy himself. He can understand that Leo’s blue blanket is like his own little comfort zone when he needs it but he has noticed something though. A huge change in Leo. He’s become more outgoing and confident ever since they’ve met each other. Hell, even their own friends, Roger and Carmen have noticed it too. They’re surprised that Leo has come this far with himself and Max is quite proud. At first, Leo was like a lost little lamb. Leo would always self doubt himself and call himself names. His boss, Mr. Marks, for years, has told him words that broke him down. I guess that might explain why Leo has such bad anxiety and nervous breakdowns. Either way, Max tries his best to comfort his partner whenever his attacks do happen.
But tonight. Tonight was different.
~~~~~
The moon glowed and had shone into the bedroom of the apartment. Max was already in the bed, ready to sleep. Now he just had to wait for Leo but it took Leo longer to come to bed than Max anticipated. A few minutes went by and there still was no sight of Leo. Max groaned. He didn't want to get out of bed but not seeing Leo was a huge concern. Max wraps his red robe around him, heads out the bedroom and into the living room, where he sees Leo on the floor, rummaging through all sorts of things. The bookshelf, the chest, the drawers. Everything.
He was in distress. Oh how Max hated that. He didn't want Leo in any shape or form of distress or discomfort whatsoever.
"Leo, darling, what's wrong?" Max asks, in a calm voice, trying not to scare him.
"My blanket. I can't find my blue blanket." Leo replies in a panic. "I'm sorry it's taking me so long to come to bed Max but I can't go to sleep without my blanket." Leo stands up from where he's at on the floor and goes to the couch, looking for his blanket to see if it's under there.
Max didn't want to ask the question that's been in his head for a while now because he already knows the answer but he asks anyway, "Leo, I hate to say this but, do you really need your blue blanket? 'Yes', is going to be Leo's answer.
Leo stands up quickly, "Yes! Yes I do! I love that blanket. I've had it ever since I was a baby. I can't go to sleep without it!"
Max goes over to Leo and puts both of his hands on his shoulders, "Yes, yes, I know. I'm sorry for asking. I know you can't sleep without it."
"Don't get me wrong Max, I love you too and the way you comfort me but-"
"Yes, yes. I understand." Max interrupts but he smiles, "I'll help you find it and then we can get some shut eye, eh?"
Leo smiles back. The two of them are in search of the blanket. Seconds turn into minutes and minutes turn into hours. Still no sight of the little blue blanket.
"Ugh! Where could it be?" Leo cries.
"Now, now, calm yourself Leo. Where was the last time you had your blanket?" Max asks.
"I-I don't remember. My mind is so foggy and I can't exactly re-trace my steps." Leo says, "I think I had it here in the living room? No. Or, in our bedroom? No. Um, maybe the office? Ugh! I don't know!" Leo could sense panic rising in his chest.
Max can tell that Leo's on the verge of a nervous breakdown, "Hey, hey, wait a minute Leo, calm down. Don't panic."
"I can't calm down." Leo replies, with slight irritation in his voice. "I don't have my blanket. I don't know where it could be. I don't remember where I was when I had it last. I-." His breathing begins to quicken and his heart beat was rapid.
Max knew this would happen but he had to calm him down one way or another. So he said, “Leo, how about we go to bed. It’ll clear your mind and then you’ll be able to remember where you last saw your blanket.”
”You mean I have wait until morning? No, no, no, no. I can’t wait for that long, I need my blanket now Max.”
”Yes I know but it’s no use if you can’t remember where you had it last. Trust me, when I lose something, I either take a nap or clear my head of all the things and then I remember where I had my things last.”
And those sad brown eyes… they looked at Max with worry but Max assured Leo that everything was going to be okay. Leo sighed but smiled and said, “Okay, I’ll give it try.”
The two of them headed to their bedroom and got in the bed.
Well, only Max got into the bed. He looked at Leo, who was looking down at his feet and twirling his index fingers around.
“Are you going to get in bed with me?” Max asks. Leo doesn’t respond and Max has an idea why. “Leo, come on. I promise, we will find your blanket tomorrow. I won’t stop until I do.”
”But-“
”I know, you’ve had that blanket ever since you were a baby. We’ll find it tomorrow. I promise.” Max replies.
Leo had no other choice but to get in the bed with Max and that’s what he did. Though Leo did not snuggle closer to Max, he bundled up by himself.
Max shook his head, he moved closer to Leo and wrapped his arms around him, holding him, never letting him go which put Leo at ease.
”You smell good.” Leo commented and then it dawned on him. Leo quickly sits up in bed, “I know where my blanket is!”
”You do?” Max asked.
”Yes, give me a minute Max. I’ll be right back.” Leo gets out of bed and rushes out of the room.
Max sat there surprised but smiled when Leo returned asking, “Where was your blanket?”
”In the laundry room. I forgot that I was in there doing laundry today.” Leo blushed.
‘’Max laughs, “You’re so adorable, you know that?”
“Stop it.” Leo smiles back.
He hops back in bed with his beloved Max and cuddles with him and his beloved little blue blanket.