“Nonsense! You have a high fever. What if something happens and you need help? You’re coming here. I insist.”
Another coughing fit.
“Fine,” Colton grumbled. “I’ll see you in a few.”
A short while later, Dean answered the door to a pale, sickly looking Colton. “Man, you look likecompleteshit!”
“Thank you. You're a dick.” Colton stumbled inside.
“Come on, I’ve got the guest suite ready for you.” Dean led Colton around the corner to the guest suite behind the kitchen.
There was a king bed with luxurious, cozy looking bedding in light and dark blue. Side tables stood on each side of the bed,framed by massive windows with spectacular views of the bay. A large wall-mount TV sat opposite the bed and a small sitting area and reading nook, all bathed in tones of blue, cream, and gold, rounded out the space. Dean gave Colton a quick tour of the bathroom and led him back to the bed.
“Okay…” Dean pulled back the bedding. “Let’s get you into bed. Do you need to change clothes?”
“No.” Colton dropped his bag, groaned, and collapsed onto the bed.
Dean gasped at the sight of Colton’s ass, on full display in front of him. So close, yet so far. He clenched his fists to keep from reaching out and grabbing a handful.
Dear God, what a glorious sight!
Colton rolled over and wriggled under the covers, pulling the comforter up to his chin with an adorable pout.
Dean put his hand on Colton’s forehead. “Christ! You’re burning up.” He grabbed the digital thermometer he'd pulled out of the medicine cabinet and quickly swiped it over his forehead. “102.3. Did you take any medicine?”
Colton shook his head.
Dean rushed into the bathroom and returned fumbling with the cap of a small bottle. “Here, take this.” He shoved a cup of medicine into Colton’s mouth.
“Geez, you’re bossy! But I am sorry to inconvenience you.” Colton pouted.
“Shut up. You’re not an inconvenience. I’m working on some new music and I'm starting to plan my world tour next summer, and I do all that from right here at home. So, don’t worry. Now, get comfortable and get some rest. There’s water and juice here on the side table. I’ll come back to check on you a little later. Yell if you need anything.” Dean pulled the blanket back to its position under Colton’s chin and slipped out of the room.
***
Colton
Colton sniffed the clean, fresh scent of the bedding and snuggled under the warm blanket. It felt nice, but Colton wasn’t sure it was the best idea.
On the one hand, he felt like dogshit, and he just wanted to go home and go to bed. The idea of someone —Dean— taking care of him while he was sick was an alluring thought.
On the other hand, his strange feelings and actions around Dean lately had his mind doing backflips. Should Colton be around Dean in his sick, diminished state, especially if he’s going to be drugged up on medication? Could he trust himself not to say or do something stupid or inappropriate?
Another intense coughing attack answered the question for him. He was in no state to care for himself. He needed Dean to nurse him back to health. And in spite of how shitty he felt right then, that thought produced a smile as the medicine took effect and he drifted off to sleep.
He recalled Dean checking on him several times, touching his forehead and tracking his fever, but he had been in and out of consciousness and couldn't be sure just how often it had been.
Once again, Dean entered and sat on the bed. Colton slowly opened his eyes.
“Morning, sunshine. How you feelin’?” Dean asked with an intolerably perky grin.
“Not good.” Colton moaned quietly as he slid up to sit against the headboard.
“Still warm.” Dean put his hand on his forehead and grabbed the thermometer. “101.1. Okay, that’s a little better. Are you hungry?”
“Yeah, I could eat something.”
“I made you some homemade chicken soup.” Dean smiled proudly. “Would you like some?”
