Deep, steady breaths. It was all Ansel could do to keep himself relatively calm. How he had managed to (mostly) ignore the pain while he was comforting Lucio was completely lost on him as the awful sensations now seemed to be flooding his entire body. Although Lucio wasn't gone for long, the seconds seemed to stretch into infinity as Ansel lay there, waiting for his darling to return to him. Thoughts floated through his mind, covered in a dull haze that was difficult for Ansel to penetrate. Lucio's kick had been swift and firm, but the chances of him having done any permanent damage were relatively low. Throbbing that continued to emanate from Ansel's groin whispered threats of testicular torsion, but even in such a vulnerable state, Ansel knew that torsion resulting from blunt force injuries were rare. Possible, sure, but rare. With some tender care, Ansel hoped that the discomfort and nausea would subside within the hour.<br/><br/>How long had Lucio been away? Ansel was beginning to worry, but his anxiety dissolved the moment Lucio came rushing through the bedroom door. An exaggerated groan escaped Ansel's mouth as Lucio helped him onto the bed. He hadn't wanted to get up, but lying on the floor for the next hour didn't seem like a reasonable option. Settling against the headboard was easy enough, albeit a bit awkward as Lucio could only help so much, being of such slight frame. His lips responded eagerly as Lucio gave him the cup of water, sucking up gulp after refreshing gulp. His tumbling stomach seemed to settle just a bit in response.<br/><br/>"Three," he demanded, holding out his palm to receive the medication. When Lucio acquiesced and gave him the requested pill, Ansel tossed them into his mouth like pieces of candy and took another long drink from the cup. "Thank you," he said softly, head resting back against the headboard, his eyes halfway closed and looking dazed. It was better than writhing around in pain, so that was a minor improvement. On the bedside table was the ice pack Lucio had also acquired, close to Ansel's fingers and spreading a calming chill across the polished wood. The professor took the pack, holding it against his crotch without directly pressing against the still sensitive organs. His boxers created a decent barrier between the pack and his genitals, but his hands burned as he held the pack. "Darling, would you be so kind as to grab me a hand towel from the bathroom? Anything to wrap the pack in."<br/><br/>Another deep breath. The pulsing was growing gentler as the minutes dragged on. This was a good sign. As long as the pain continued to weaken and Ansel didn't develop a fever or swelling, he figured he'd have nothing to worry about. He did decide he would have to be careful about how he slept with Lucio from now on, however. Perhaps spooning would be for the best.