"What should I do while I rest?"
The question made me pause in my chopping. Pip was asking permission for how to spend his time. Asking for structure even in this.
"Watch something on TV," I said. "Nothing that requires thinking. Something mindless and easy."
"Okay." The sound of the TV turning on filtered into the kitchen, followed by the opening theme of the cooking show I noticed he always enjoyed watching.
I finished preparing dinner, plating it carefully before bringing both servings to the living room. I sat beside Pip on the couch and we ate together.
"The meeting went well?" Pip asked between bites.
"Yes. Dario agreed Ricardo's expansion with my modifications made sense."
"That's good." Pip leaned against my shoulder. "You're good at your job."
"So are you."
"Speaking of which." Pip set his empty plate on the coffee table. "How long am I supposed to stay in recovery mode? When can I get back to work? I need blood in my life or I get restless."
"When your fever's been gone for twenty-four hours and you can make it through a day without needing a nap."
"That's very specific."
"Because you'll try to rush it otherwise." I turned to face him. "You follow orders well when you're not sick. I need you to follow this one. Rest until you're actually recovered."
Pip studied my face for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. If you say so."
The easy acceptance made my heart do a strange flip. This was what we'd been building. This trust, this surrender, this perfect balance of give and take.
"Good," I said, and pulled Pip closer. "Now finish watching your show. We'll go to bed early tonight."
"What time is early?"
"Nine o'clock."
"That's really early."
"You need sleep to heal." I used the voice, the one that made Pip pay attention. "Nine o'clock, baby. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Pip murmured.
We sat together on the couch, Pip's head on my shoulder, the cooking show playing quietly. And I felt a contentment settle over me that had nothing to do with successful business meetings or approved expansions.
This was what mattered. This person beside me, trusting me with decisions big and small. Letting me take the lead, giving him instruction, and following through without hesitation.
Pip had offered himself completely, and I was finally learning how to accept it.
At nine o'clock exactly, I turned off the TV. "Bedtime."
Pip didn't argue, just stood when I did and followed me to the bedroom. We got ready together, him asking me to pull out his favorite pajamas, the ones that would be comfortable against his still-sensitive skin.
In bed, Pip curled into his usual position against my chest.
"Thank you for taking care of me," Pip said quietly.
"Always," I replied, and meant it. "That's what I'm here for."
"To boss me around?"
