Alex glanced up at the sound of footsteps - and his heart leapt when Rick stepped into view. Pale or no, he managed to smile without wincing at the joke - even just a little one.
"Yeah, but I needed to practise with dollars. They're weird," he explained jokingly, trying to get up from his seat to say hello.
He did try. But pain flashed and he grimaced, falling back into the chair as he hugged his stomach. Fuck.
It didn't matter too much, when Rick came to him instead. And they were both shaking; it almost made him smile, brushing his fingertips through his boyfriend's hair. Silky and dark and gorgeous, just like always...The hug made him melt. It hurt, and he was afraid Rick might feel his ribs, even through the shirt and jumper, but...He'd missed it so much.
"I look like crap," he corrected, trying to make it a joke - trying to make it ok. Just as quiet. "You don't, though." Teasing, a back-handed compliment. "How are you?"