Cute, Cozy, Queer Stories

Part 9: Leon and Than

"That's a lot of food." As Aranya slid the box, towering with plastic soup containers and Styrofoam boxes, across the counter, she raised an eyebrow at Leon. "Are you guys having a party?"

"No." Leon took out his credit card and passed it to her. "It's for Than. Don't tell your mom and dad, but he's not feeling well. I'm going to be working late the next couple days and I wanted to get some things for him." He raised the reusable shopping bag he held, filled with boxes of tissues, cough drops, Vaporub and tea.

A small smile broke through Aranya's usually cool visage. "That's really nice of you. I wish I had somebody to take care of me when I'm sick." She scanned his card.

Leon chuckled. "What about all those boys your mom is always setting you up with?"

Her smile faded, turning into a glare. "Don't you dare start."

He raised a hand in submission. "Hey, I'm on your side."

She shook her head as the receipt printed. "Church boys. Ugh." She handed the paper to him.

Leon glanced at the paper and then glanced again. "Aranya, is this right?"

She waved a hand. "I gave you a discount. Payment for taking care of Than's lazy ass."

"Thanks. I appreciate it. Tell your mom and dad I said hi. Than too." He paused. "Don't tell them he's sick. You know how they are."

She laughed. "Tch, don't I. Wish they were like that when I was sick. They just tell me to suck it up and come into work."

Zipping up his coat and sliding his reusable shopping bag down his wrist, Leon took the box in both hands. "It's just 'cause he moved out. They'll do it to you, too, in a few years."

"Yeah, right. It's because he's their darling boy."

He passed her a smile as he headed for the door. "And you're our darling girl. Come over soon. Once he's better."

She laughed. "I will. See you, Leon."

Stepping out of the restaurant, Leon balanced the box of Thai food in one hand for a moment as he pulled up the hood of his parka. Snowflakes fluttered to the ground between the creeping traffic and bustling passersby. Gusts picked up, making the people passing by hug their shoulders inward.

Leon headed for the subway. The soup would be cold by the time he got home, but it would still be good microwaved.

The food scents mingled just under Leon's nose as he made his way home; coriander, lemongrass, chili peppers, garlic, lime, mint, beef, shrimp and chicken. The fresh, spicy, savory blend made his stomach growl on the subway home, and through the dim streets towards the apartment. His arms were tired by the time he reached the apartment door, but he was excited to see Than, even with his runny nose.

Juggling his keys, grocery store bag and box of takeout food, Leon struggled with the door for a moment. He unlocked the deadbolt and tried to get to the knob when the door opened.

His light brown face was drained, his nose reddened, but Than smiled when he saw Leon. "Hey, you brought food." He smiled tiredly. His voice was thick. "Let me help." He took the box before Leon could protest. "Ooh, you went to the restaurant."

Leon closed the door behind him. "You can smell it?" He set the grocery bag down on the couch near a crumpled up blanket and pillow. Than's computer was set up there, next to a few bits of toast on a plate and a bottle of ibuprofen.

Than brought the food into the kitchen. "You got a lot." He started opening bags and containers. "Oh, my favorite."

Turning, Leon saw Than lean towards the open soup container and take a deep breath. Leon joined him in the kitchen and took plates and bowls out of the cabinet.

"I can do that." Than reached for the bowl. "You've done enough."

Smiling, Leon took him gently by both shoulders and turned him. "Than. You're sick. Go and lay down. Please."

"I know, but..."

Pulling Than into his arms, Leon held him against his chest. Than sighed gently against his shoulders, his body sagging, as if melting in Leon's arms. "Let me take care of you," Leon said against Than's neck.

Than reluctantly returned to the living room, pulling the blanket around him.

Leon warmed up spicy, creamy soup for each of them, tofu pad thai for himself, rich and spicy beef nam tok for Than, sweet-salty cucumber salad and crispy spring rolls for both of them. Than was about to help him bring the plates and bowls into the living room, but Leon gestured him down.

"Nope. You rest."

"Leon, I'm not helpless," Than protested.

"You are right now." He brought the rest of the plates out, then a fruit smoothie and cup of hot tea for each of them. Than watched, visibly resisting the urge to help.

Finally, Leon handed a plate and tea cup to Than, then took his own. He slipped under the soft blanket and snuggled close to Than.

"What are we watching?" Carefully balancing his plates against his chest, he pulled the computer close. "Is this your work stuff? Than, you took the day off, didn't you?"

"I did, but..."

Leon sighed and minimized the window.

"Hey, that's—" Than started.

"I just minimized it. You can take a break. Let's watch Chopped." Scanning the bookmarks, he found the one he wanted and started the show. Then he leaned back, taking a forkful of pad thai, and nestled against Than.

"You should probably keep your distance or you're gonna get sick," Than advised.

Giggling, Leon snuggled into his neck and kissed him furiously.

"Ah! You're making me spill soup," Than said, laughing and coughing.

Pulling the far edge of the blanket, Leon dabbed Than's wet shirt. Than slipped his arm around him, combing his fingers languidly through Leon's short, curly hair. Than kissed his forehead. "Thanks for taking care of me. I know I can be difficult."

"You just don't like being helpless." Leon kissed him back. "I know. I get it. But you don't have to do everything yourself all the time."

"Does that mean I get to take care of you?"

Leon chuckled. "I'll probably get sick too. So, you'd better."

Than squeezed him, pulled the blanket up to Leon's chest, and drank his tea. Leon rested against him, taking a deep breath of savory smells and Than's shampoo, and released a deep, contended sigh.  

... 

Author's note: 

Just a nice lil cozy evening with some souuuuup :) 

Nobody likes to get sick but snuggling under a blanket with some soup and a loving partner sounds pretty flippin great. 

Pop in again next Monday for a new cute, cozy, queer story !