Colton heard sniffling, then, “Hey, why don’t you go get yourself a drink? Yeah? Okay, go grab something and come back.”
Aiden trotted toward Colton a few moments later, wiping his eyes, and grabbed a carton of chocolate milk from the fridge before running back to Dean.
They cut the lesson short when Aiden continued to get frustrated, and Dean played with Aiden at the pool table until his car arrived. At the door, Aiden threw his arms around Dean before muttering quietly, “Thanks, Dean. I love you.”
Dean hugged the back of Aiden’s head and Colton could see a little stutter in Dean’s chest. He was going to cry, and that made Colton’s heart melt.
“I love you too, Aiden.” He kissed the top of his head. “I’ll see you in a few days. If you need anything, you call or text me, Okay?” Dean waved at Aiden as he left, then made his way over to Colton.
“You’re really good with him. You’ll make a great dad one day,” Colton said as Dean walked over.
“I fucking love that kid! I would adopt him in a heartbeat.” Dean plopped onto the sofa a few feet from Colton and threw his feet on the coffee table. “But I don’t know if I’m ready for children yet. I like my life just the way it is!”
“I hear ya.” Colton nodded. “I want kids one day, but I can’t imagine having one right now.”
Dean turned to Colton. “You know how bad my parents were, and I know I could do a much better job raising a kid than they did, but with my busy lifestyle, the last thing I’d want is to have a child that ends up dumped off with some nanny while I’m traveling the world. When I have a kid, I’m going to actively participate in their life.”
Colton smiled and gently punched his shoulder. “Andthat'swhy you’re going to be a great dad!”
Dean grabbed the thermometer, sat next to Colton, and touched his forehead. Colton felt a shiver down his neck, into his spine. A shiver that he was pretty sure wasn’t related to his fever or illness.
“Alright, let’s see…down to ninety-nine degrees! Are you feeling better?”
“Better than two days ago, that’s for sure.” Colton smiled then started to cough.
Dean stood and started walking toward the kitchen. “I’m gonna make you some tea for that cough. Keep it up, and you’ll be released from my prison any day now!”
Colton laughed. “This is the nicest prison I’ve ever seen.”
While convalescing at the loft, Colton noticed something about Dean. He sang whatever he was doing, as if musically narrating his day.
If he was going to get water from the kitchen, he’d sing:“Going to get some waaater.”
If he went to the studio to work on music, he’d sing:“Time to make some muuusic.”
Colton thought it was probably the most adorable thing he’d ever seen or heard.
A little after midnight that same night, Colton walked to get a drink from the kitchen. There was a full moon which bathed the entire loft in a soft blue light.
From the corner of the kitchen, Colton could see Dean sleeping face down in his bed across the loft, with one arm draped over a pillow. He had kicked the sheets halfway off, revealing the right side of his body. The right side of his very naked body. Colton glimpsed the curves of Dean’s strong shoulder, into his bicep. He noticed the thick musculature ofDean’s thigh and his firm, round, muscled butt. He looked more like a pro athlete than a musician.
Colton realized with a rush of embarrassment that he was leaning against the wall, staring at Dean’s naked body in the middle of the night while he was sleeping.
Okay, this isn’t weird at all,Colton thought. He shook the thought from his head and got his drink from the kitchen.
Over time, Colton’s opinion of Dean had slowly shifted. At first, he'd kept Dean at arm’s length. Cynically, he'd been secretly afraid that Dean was only being nice to try to get into his pants. But he had learned that Dean was actually genuinely kind, caring, loyal, and trustworthy. Colton recognized, gay or straight, Dean was the kind of person he needed as a friend.
By the time Colton had fully recovered from his flu and was packing his bag in the spare bedroom, he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to leave.
Dean appeared at the door. “Ready to be sprung from this joint?”
Colton smiled. “I think so? It's only been a week and the real world kinda sucks my balls, but I miss it a bit.” He turned, putting his hand on Dean’s shoulder. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I’ll pay you back one day, I promise.”
Dean’s eyes danced with an evil grin. “Well, I just emailed you your bill. I expect prompt payment.” He laughed and Colton punched him in the chest.
“No, but seriously. It was my pleasure. Happy to help.” Dean shifted, leaning against the door frame. “I’m not a religious person, by any means, but I live by the saying ‘Do unto others, as you would have done unto you.’ So yeah, maybe one day you’ll take care of me when I’m sick.”
“More people should live by that mantra.” Colton said as he threw his bag over his shoulder. “The world would be a much better place.”
