Colton was normally handled, catered to, coddled. He’d always been a star athlete, even early on. And he’d always been treated like a star, the center of the universe. He’d never once had the urge to care for someone else. But with Dean, the script had flipped. The only thought in his mind right then was caring for, attending to, and catering to his every need. He felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility. He had to take care of Dean.
“Look, I’ve had several of these. So don’t worry. I got you.” Colton gently reached up and cupped Dean’s cheek.
“Oh, that’s right. People get paid to beat you up,” Dean joked with a groggy giggle, leaning into Colton’s touch.
Dean placed his hand on Colton’s knee. “Thank you for checking on me.” His voice shook and his bottom lip trembled. “I really appreciate it.”
“Would you like me to stay with you?” Colton asked quietly, barely above a whisper.
Dean pushed out his bottom lip, still trembling, and nodded.
“If it’s not too much trouble. I really don’t want to be alone right now.”
And with that admission, Dean’s tears began to flow.
Colton, feeling his own emotions beginning to bubble over, reached out and pulled him into his chest. “It’s okay, Dean, I’m here. Everything’s going to be ok.”
“It was so fucking scary,” Dean whimpered. “I couldn’t see for about ten seconds.”
“Oh, that’s nothing.” Colton gently chuckled, rubbing small circles on his back. “One time I couldn’t see for almost a minute.”
“Okay, you win.”
Colton held him close, his nose grazing Dean’s earlobe, sending shivers up and down his spine.
He slowly placed Dean back into position on the bed. “Okay, I’m gonna get us some drinks and snacks, then you're gonna rest.” Dean nodded and burrowed deeper into his pillows.
Colton headed to the kitchen. At this point, he fully knew his way around the loft. He loaded up a tray of food and drinks and took it back to Dean. For the rest of the night, they ate, talked and took light walks around the loft.
Colton squinted his eyes, wincing from the bright morning sun as he woke. As his world came into focus, he found Dean sleeping next to him, on his side, face to face.
His stomach fluttered.
Waking up next to Dean had him…feeling things.
Dean was sleeping peacefully. Colton could see some stubble on his normally clean-shaven jaw and chin. He thought it was a good look for Dean, very sexy.
He reached over and brushed his hair away from his forehead and the bandages.
Dean stirred and slowly woke with a breathy “Hi.”
“Hi.” Colton smiled, resisting the urge to hug him tightly and comfort him some more.
“Did you sleep here?”
Colton contorted his body in a lazy stretch. “Yeah, I must have fallen asleep while watching TV. Your bed is super comfortable.”
Dean smiled and rolled onto his back with a groan, “God my head is fucking throbbing!”
“Yeah, you’re gonna have a nasty headache for at least one more day.” Colton gently rubbed the top of his head.
Dean turned to Colton. “How many of these have you had?”
Colton tilted his head in thought. “In my career I’ve had three…so far.”
“Even with the helmets?”
“The helmets are padded inside, so they definitely help, but when you’re thrown to the ground with such force, sometimes even the helmet can’t protect you. That’s why the league has made all those rule changes around tackling, to minimize the chances of concussions.”
