Painsomnia

[M4F][Script Offer][Chronic Illness]Late night painsomnia[Pain][Reassurance][Comfort][Affirmation][L-Bomb][BFE][Cuddles][It’s OK to be sick][Relationship reassurance][Friendship reassurance][Short]

******

Description: The listener has a chronic illness with/or chronic pain, and can’t sleep due to being in pain. She and the performer are in a serious relationship. The performer wakes up in the middle of the night and is in the process of figuring out what’s going on.  There’s nothing super gender-specific here, so you could genderflip it if you wish.

This script comes from my experience of being in a relationship with someone with chronic pain for several years. I’m riffing on a number of similar interactions I’ve had, except this is an idealized version of myself: not exhausted, not resentful, empathetic, etc. If I could go back in time, this is how I would’ve been in the moment.

[direction]
(action)
*emphasis*

Any sound effects are optional.

*****

(Sleepy grumbling)

Hmmm?  You up?

Can’t sleep?

[gentle]Hurting?

How bad?

[wincing]Yikes.

[compassionately]Where is it hurting?

All over? Did you take meds? Sorry, this is a lot of questions, isn’t it.

You didn’t want to wake me up?  Oh hon.  I’d rather you wake me up than lie there hurting all night. Let me get your meds.

(bed rustles, performer gets up, comes back with meds)

Here. Down the hatch.

(listener takes the pain meds)

Now. Let me see what I can do while we wait for it to kick in.

Hm?

Really, it’s okay. I’m awake now, and I’ll feel better if I can at least do something to help.

Or even if I can’t and just wind up keeping you company.  What were you up to?

Real Housewives of Dallas?  *Niiice*. I’m down.

If we’re up late, we’re up late.  It’s okay.  Want a back rub?

Ok, turn to your side and scootch your shoulders up a little.

(pause, then sound of performer’s hands rubbing fabric slowly)

Hm? You’re feeling bad about tomorrow?

I think they’ll understand if we reschedule. It’s just brunch.  Even if it wasn’t just brunch, it’d be okay.

Yeah. I know. You’re tired of having to always reschedule.

(listener starts crying)

Hey, hey...

(performer makes soothing noises)

Come here, c’mere.

(performer puts arms around listener)

Oh, sweetie.  You’re not a bad friend for needing to reschedule. If anything, you’re a good friend for showing up as often as you do, given how bad it is some times.

No no no hey - they’re not like that. They *will* understand. They know you’re sick. I’m sorry you had to go through that, but they weren’t really your friends anyway if that’s how they handled you not being able to see them as much. Not that that makes it hurt any less.

What?

Oh, baby... I’m *definitely* not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me. (laughs)

Heyyy hey hey. I’m with you for *you*. What we do together doesn’t define how I feel about you. I’m happy anywhere so long as it’s with you.

Yes, that means even if we just chill out on the couch watching shitty Hallmark movies.

Yes... ok fine.  I’ll say it: yes, I actually *like* shitty Hallmark movies.

Hey, why are you laughing?? You can’t judge, you’re the one who got me into them!

Seriously, though. I’m happy wherever you are. No matter what we’re doing.

I’m not just saying that!  I love you. (kisses listener’s forehead)

[gently] Now close your eyes, let me get your tears.

(sound of tissues being pulled out of the box)

There.

Pain meds kick in?

Mm. You sure about that?  Because I see some eyelids drooping and your shoulders relaxing.

Good.  Sleepy time for you now.

Scootch back over here, I’ll spoon you.

Does that feel good? You comfy?

Sleep well, sweetheart.

I love you. Always.

(optional quiet breathing to close out audio)