ruinsrebuilt:

requested by anon & @desired-love- <33

• When Gene has a bad day, he isn’t one to call attention to it. He’s never understood how people can openly wallow in their bad day, although whenever someone does he has nothing but sympathy for them; it’s just never been something Gene could bring himself to do, even when he really needs the support and attention which that sort of wallowing brings. 
• Thankfully, he doesn’t ever have to call attention to his need for comfort, because Ron see’s right through him, and knows just what to do. Ron has always been good at reading what people need emotionally. It’s a gift of his, and he’s never been more grateful for it than when he met Eugene Roe, because he knows for a fact that he would never have even an inkling of what’s going on in Gene’s head otherwise. 
• Most of the time Ron knows Gene’s had a bad day before he even walks in the door, courtesy of their customary phone call at the end of Gene’s shift, which gives Ron enough of a head start that by the time Gene gets home he has everything ready and waiting. 
• For the most part Ron keeps it simple. Gene has never been one for over-the-top surprises but with the help of a little soft New Orleans jazz and their very large cat Puddles (who looks like a puddle when he lays on the floor), Ron turns the apartment into a haven tailor-made for his cajun partner. 
• When Gene walks into the apartment, he knows before he even has a chance to take it all in – Ron is at it again. He sheds his coat and walks into the living room where the curtains are drawn and the record player is crooning soft jazz in the corner. Gene’s favorite blanket is folded neatly over the arm of the couch. There’s a note, just like always, taped to the coffee table. ‘Come to the bathroom.’ 
• When Gene appears in the doorway, Ron is waiting beside the already-full tub, wrapped in a dark blue robe. He smiles and motions for Gene to come stand in front of him, helping him shed his day-old scrubs and step into the gloriously scalding water. Then he sheds his robe and steps in too, settling down behind Gene and pulling him back until he’s resting comfortably against his chest. He listens to Gene as he talks about his day, rambling about little things that shouldn’t be important, but are, and while he listens he lathers a soft washcloth and tenderly rubs it across Gene’s torso, cleaning him of the sweat and stress the day has left behind. 
• Once Gene is clean and nearly purring, Ron dries him off and dresses him in his softest sweatpants and sweater, toweling his hair until its sticking up in all directions, and placing soft kisses to his forehead. Then he leads him back out into the living room and deposits him on the couch, the jazz still playing softly. He grabs the blanket off the couch arm and lays it over them both, and Puddles is there too, ready to pounce into Gene’s lap as soon as the blanket settles. 
• Feeling clean and warm, Gene lays his head on Ron’s shoulder and rubs lazy circles into Puddles’ fur, letting the sensations of the peaceful room soothe him. The sound of Puddles’ purring and the vocalist singing softly in french. The feeling of clean skin against clean wool and Ron’s shoulder moving up and down as he breathes. The scent of the candles flickering in the corner. Gene closes his eyes and lets himself drift. 
• After awhile the doorbell rings and when Ron reappears he is clutching a large pizza box and two sweet iced teas. Gene pats Ron’s still-warm spot next to him and they set the box on their laps, feet propped on the coffee table. Ron hands Gene the remote, letting him flip through netflix until he finds something soothing to watch – usually one of his go-to shows from when he was growing up. 
• Then, once they have finished the pizza, and Puddles has long abandoned them in favor of their kingsized bed, Ron clears the dishes and leads Gene to their bedroom, where the covers are turned down and waiting for them. Gene sinks into them with a contented sigh and allows himself to be cocooned in the comforter, Ron pressing a tender kiss to his temple before climbing in and wrapping his arms around him. 
• And even though his bad day is still fresh in his mind, and probably will be for days to come, Gene safe and loved, and that makes sleeping just a little bit easier.