He ran his hand through Chad’s brown hair, then stroked the back of his fingers against his cheek.His skin, although pale, held the heat of fever.Chad didn’t wake, but he did let out a deep sigh at the touch.
“You keep him company,” Romeo said, patting the sofa for Mercutio.“While I cut the beef.”
Mercutio clambered up and settled behind Chad’s bent knees with his chin on Chad’s thigh.He watched Romeo in the kitchen, licking his lips every so often like he assumed the beef was for him, and him alone.
Chad stirred a short while later, groaning as he rubbed his fingers into his eyes.
He paused and looked over to Romeo.Chad’s eyes were vacant, lost for a moment, then he threw himself upright.
“Shit,” he said, slapping his palm to his forehead.“I was supposed to shake the potatoes.”
Romeo smiled softly at him.“It’s okay, a few crunchy edges but it should be fine.”
“Damn it,” Chad pushed to his feet.He swayed slightly but quickly found his balance.“I’m sorry, Romeo.”
“It’s fine.”
Chad padded closer.His eyes were red, and when he spoke, his voice seemed extra nasally.
“I can’t believe you managed to get a cold out here.”
“Ally’s got one,” Chad grunted.“Must’ve got it from her before we left.”
“You hungry?”
Chad hesitated.“A little.”
Romeo nodded.Chad wasn’t off his food as such—he still ate, but there were more and more leftovers for Mercutio each day.Before they’d set off for the cottage, Chad had thought ahead and gone to the pharmacy to buy some cold and flu capsules at the first hint of illness.Romeo had hoped he’d get better by the time they had to return home, but it had lingered in Chad’s system until the last day.
“It smells amazing.”Chad said, coming up behind Romeo and slipping his arms around his middle.
Romeo snorted.“And byitdo you mean me?”
“I mean your delicious beef.”
“Still talking about me, right?”
Chad groaned as he pressed his face between Romeo’s shoulder blades.He exhaled, and Romeo felt the warm puff of air through his t-shirt.“I’m sorry I forgot about the potatoes.”
“I said it was fine.”
“But I shouldn’t have—”
“Chad.You’re ill.You’re exhausted.The only way I’d be mad is if you left them so long, they burned the place down and I had to battle through fire to save you.”
Chad smirked.“You would, though.”
“I would.”Romeo put the knife down then turned in Chad’s arms.He knocked his knuckles to Chad’s chin.“Damn right I would, but I’d be angry.”
Chad hummed.“Angry Romeo is hot Romeo.”
“Am I not hot all the time?”
“Of course, but the added angry edge does things to me.”Chad lifted onto tiptoes to press his lips to Romeo’s.Romeo didn’t reciprocate.He could’ve easily kissed him back and they would’ve ended up in the bedroom, but he didn’t.
Chad pouted in disappointment.
“You’re ill.”
