He waves me off. “It was a long time ago, but yeah. I’m gonna straighten up some. You two good?”
I nod. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Perfect.”
He flashes me a smile, then gets up and starts gathering all the used tissues from the table, along with the empty bottle of pills and the packaging he just opened. I’m probably destined for hell because even with a sick, sleeping Parker in my arms, I’m dying to kiss him again. I don’t regret waiting—Parker is worth it—but fuck, I want them both so much.
“They’ll probably feel better in bed,” Landon says as he stands up. “Once I finish cleaning up, do you wanna help me get them in there?”
I nod dumbly, struck by how perfect and selfless Landon is. “Definitely.”
He throws away the trash, then takes a few minutes to straighten up the kitchen. I run my fingers absently through Parker’s hair while I watch Landon move around the apartment.
“How old were you when your mom was sick?”
He puts a couple of cups in the sink from the counter, then turns to face me. “Six.”
God, he was just a baby.
I continue watching him as he works on putting the kitchen back in order then as he pours a fresh glass of water. “They’re gonna need to stay hydrated,” he says, placing the glass on the table and grabbing the old one.
I’m awed by him. This is a brand new side to him, but no matter what new things I learn or what sides I see, I can’t help but want to know more. I can’t help but fall faster. The two most perfect humans in existence, and I get to make both of them mine.
I wake up to a muffled groan and realize I’m soaking wet.
“Ew. What the actualfuck?” Parker says, voice hoarse.
Good question.
I fumble around in the dark, looking for the switch on the lamp Parker has beside their bed. When I find it, warm light floods the room, and I sit up, rubbing my eyes. Everything is wet. The sheets, the blanket on top of us. My boxers. All of it.
“Landon,” Parker croaks, weak and so small and vulnerable that my heart nearly splits in two.
Landon shifts, then sits up. “Oh shit.”
Glancing around the room, I find the thermometer, then help Parker sit up and put it in their mouth. I cradle the side of their head, and they lean into my touch, eyes falling shut.
When it beeps, I pull it out and look at it. “Fever’s broken.”
Landon laughs softly. “Yeah, the puddle we woke up in is proof of that.”
Parker groans. “Ugh. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, Cotton Candy. It’s not your fault.”
“How are you feeling?” Landon asks softly.
Parker shifts toward him, then lets their head fall back against his arm. “Already told you. Black and gray.” Their nose scrunches up. “Kinda green too. Not jealous green, though. Different one.”
My heart skips a beat at the pure adorableness of that as Landon chuckles lightly. “No, Lovebug. I meant your body.”
Parker’s eyes pop open, and they look at Landon. “Oh. Better. Not great, but better.”
Landon nods. “Okay. Go shower off the sweat and tell us where we can find sheets and blankets to remake the bed.”
After pointing us to the closet, Parker shuffles out of the room and into the bathroom to shower. “I’ll go grab our extra clothes.”
When I get back with our bags, Landon has the bed stripped and is working on changing pillowcases, so I drop the bags on the floor and help him get a fresh sheet on.
