Sincerely, Yours

25. Can things go back to normal?

Luan stirred and he felt arms tighten around him. He looked up and saw Thoma sleeping above him and tried to recall where he was or if he was still dreaming. He slipped out of Thoma's grasp and stretched his aching back. Hospital beds were so uncomfortable. 

He turned his phone on and the time read 5 am. 

"I can't believe I fell asleep. I didn't even finish my homework," Luan internally groaned and went to the bathroom. On the counter was a spare toothbrush and he used it. When he returned to the room he tried to quietly pack up his stuff but he heard rustling, "Luan, are you leaving?" Thoma asked with his sleepy voice.

"Damn his voice sounds so nice."

"Umm, yeah I have a class at 9:30 and wanted to get some more rest back at Charlies'," Luan whispered and he waited for Thoma to say something but he figured he must've fallen back to sleep.

Luan began to leave but quickly turned around and came back to Thoma's side.

"I'll come by after class tomorrow, promise," he whispered and kissed Thoma lightly on his lips. 

The nurses nodded to him as he left and he felt like hiding his face. They definitely saw him sleeping in Thoma's arms. Whatever, just like Thoma had said, Luan didn't feel ashamed. 

Luan hopped on his bike and hurried back to Charlies house but he felt so cold he could barely stay on his bike. He tried to be as quiet as possible as he returned to his room and he stripped down to his underwear, set an alarm for 8 am, and fell into bed.

------

True to his word Luan went back the hospital after his classes were over. He'd picked up some sandwiches for Thoma and him to eat since hospital food was terrible.

His steps slowed when he approached Thoma's room and he peered in to see a few people in suits standing around Thoma's bed. He didn't want to eavesdrop so he slipped back out of the room and waited till everyone left.

All the people in suits left in a group and nodded to Thoma as they passed him. One woman in particular seemed to stare at him and Luan had half a mind to ask if she needed something but she simply gave him a half-assed smile before leaving.

She gave him an uncomfortable feeling like she knew something about him but he shrugged off his uncertainty and walked into Thoma's room.

"Luan!" Thoma called to him and he dropped his bags and ran over to him to hug him. Thoma held him tightly with his uncasted arm and nuzzled into his neck. "You smell good," He sighed into him and his breath tickled Luan who giggled.

"How was your day?" Thoma said and held onto his waist while looking into his eyes.

"It was good. I just had a history and science class today. How was...laying in bed..?" Luan teased  and Thoma pulled him into a kiss. Luan smiled against his lips and pulled away from him but Thoma refused to stop hugging him.

"What did all those people want with you?" Luan asked and tried to pat down the loose strands of Thoma's hair. He usually had it styled nicely with gel, but now his natural curls were falling onto his forehead and tangling into each other. It made him look so much younger. 

"Oh, those were just my coworkers, they came to visit on their lunch break. They brought that," Thoma nodded towards a basket filled with cookies, muffins and assorted candies.

"Do you know when you can go back home?" 

Thoma nodded. "They said I could go back home this weekend but I'll need to use a wheelchair and have a caretaker. I was gonna ask Charlie so fingers crossed he can help." Thoma said with a grin and kissed Luan's chin and collar bone.

Luan knew it was crazy to even suggest this to Thoma since they'd only just admitted their feelings for each other, but Charlie had enough on his plate. Worse than that, Luan knew that Charlie would still help Thoma despite his already busy schedule.

"I could stay and help you..." Luan said, nonchalantly.

 Thoma shook his head, surprising him. "No, I don't want that. I don't mean to say that I don't appreciate the offer but, Lu, you have enough going on. Just focus on your work and studies and let me worry about getting around."

Now it was Luan's turn to refuse, "No, please let me. You got hurt because of me and being able to help you in some way would ease my mind. Plus your apartment is close to my campus and work, it wouldn't be a bother at all. If it really bothers you, I could ask Charlie if we can take turns taking care of you. I want to be able to be there for you. Please?"

Thoma seemed conflicted. "What if you don't like me anymore after having to care for me?" Thoma asked shyly and Luan tried to cover his laugh with a cough.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Thoma, I saw the worst parts of your personality when we first met and I still like you. How could you belittle my feelings like that?" Luan asked kindly but he wanted to convince Thoma he was serious. 

"There's just no winning against you I guess." Thoma sighed but he was smiling. 

They spent the rest of the afternoon cuddling and watching tv. Luan took Thoma for a stroll around the hospital in his wheelchair. Eventually they came back and ate the forgotten sandwiches Luan had packed. 

Before Luan left for the night he kissed Thoma for what felt like the hundredth time. "I won't be able to come visit again until this weekend." Thoma frowned and started to pout but another kiss from Luan seemed to ease his mood. 

"That's okay. Guess I can just snack on the goodies from that basket and gain a bunch of weight. You'll still like me then?" Thoma asked and Luan pretended to think deeply about his question.

"How much weight are we talking? You know I only like you for your looks," he teased and Thoma laughed. 

"Well that can't possibly be true."

With one last kiss Luan said goodnight and went back to Charlie's apartment. He found Charlie on the couch watching some detective show and after grabbing a drink from the fridge, Luan sat beside him.

"How was your day, Luan? You spend it with Tommy?" Charlie asked and Luan didn't know how much Charlie knew but he nodded. If he could tell anyone about him and Thoma, he felt like it was Charlie.

"I don't know if you're aware but umm... I like Thoma, a lot. And he said he.. l-likes me too." Luan said and pulled at the tab on his bottle. 

"Oh, yeah. I guess I should've let you know but Tommy already told me. I kinda figured it out on my own.." Charlie admitted and Luan turned to him in shock.

"Were we so obvious? Could everyone else tell to... so maybe those rumors weren't baseless."

Luan began to worry about returning to play practice when he felt that everyone was aware of a very personal truth about him and now Thoma. Could they continue on like nothing happened?

"If you worried about other people catching on you shouldn't be. I was only sure about Tommy's feelings because we've been friends forever. I wasn't sure about yours until you just told me. So you can relax. I probably would talk to Tommy though about keeping your relationship a secret till the play is over." 

"Oh, we're not dating yet..." Luan said quietly and Charlie turned to him in shock. 

"That bastard hasn't asked you out yet?!"