trilogy [one-shots and poems]

IX

NINE:
Sick
(3/28/18)

"I can't fucking believe I'm sick."

Caden sat saltily on the couch, mindlessly skipping through TV channels, unsure of what show he was looking for, and rather anything he found familiar. His boyfriend just sarcastically chuckled from his spot in the kitchen, and Caden didn't have to turn around to see his smirk. "I can"

"It's not funny. I'm gonna die." Caden complained, and finally landed on a show he recognized, stopping his half-hearted channel surfing. This will have to do.

"Caden, you get a cold every winter. Suck it up. I'm even making you dinner." Pete grumbled. Caden's face lit up at the reminder. "Huh, yeah, and I love you for it"

"Such a conveniently timed confession."

"No! It's true! I love you!" He draped himself on the couch and cooed dramatically, hearing a sizzle coming from the kitchen. Pete paused.

"What are you watching?" Another pause. "Wizards of Waverly Place, seriously?"

"Come on, it was the only thing on!" Caden whined loudly, hugging his pillow as Pete erupted into chuckles in the kitchen. Ugh. Caden hated being sick. He felt like chucking the pillow at him. Yikes, Pete would get pissed though, so nevermind.

"Why can't you watch adult shows? Like, I don't know, the news?" Caden rolled his eyes, lifting his head up to eye his boyfriend across the room.

"Me? Watch the news?" He blinked. Pete matched his gaze and grinned. "Yeah, I forgot you're too dumb to follow it"

"W — BABE —"

"I'm joking, I know you're smart." Pete rolled his eyes and dumped something into the pan. Caden's eyes lit up at the praise and he grinned, shoving his face in his hands and propping his elbows on the couch arm. "What are you making, anyway?"

"Pasta." Pete shrugged, turning to face him. He was slouched and seemed incredibly tired, his hair strung all over his face and not bothered to put in a ponytail. Caden sneezed, and Pete sighed.

"Cover your face when you sneeze, Caden."

"I d—"

"I get it you don't want to subconsciously dab, but I really don't care." Wow, he knew him too well.

"I hate you." Caden grumbled.

"Fully aware." Pete opened the fridge. Caden groaned and got up, shuffling irritably over to the kitchen where he sat down at the table. Pete walked over and ruffled his hair softly.

"Ew, it's greasy, when did you last shower?" Pete pulled away immediately, giving him a face of disgust. Caden grinned amusedly back. "Like two days ago"

"But you brush your teeth?"

"Yeah, that's so I can kiss you."

"You're so fucking nasty, Caden." Pete scowled, and Caden just laughed at that, watching Pete walk tiredly back over to whatever he was doing. He was glad Pete could cook, because it just turned into full Hell once Caden turned on the oven.

Caden sneezed, and then coughed for a few seconds, and then groaned loudly. Pete stifled chuckles while Caden rubbed his eyes, sprawling his arms across the table.

"I'm gonna ddiiieeeeee." Caden whined.

"I'm pretty sure you've been in more dire situations." Pete walked back over, pressing a cool hand to his forehead. "Oh, your forehead is hot, though —"

"That's because I have pneumonia." Caden tilted his head back in despair.

"I'm also pretty sure that's not the case at all, but alright." Pete grinned, rubbing his thumb over his forehead. Caden pouted dramatically. "You can take medicine after you eat, and then go to bed"

"Will you sleep too?"

"Most likely no." Pete smiled sadly, ignoring Caden's frown as he turned back to the stove. Caden abruptly stood up from his seat and slouched over, wrapping his arms around his waist from behind, shoving his cheek against his shoulder.

Pete paused, then sighed — continuing what he was doing. "If I get sick too, it's your fault"

"We can be sick together." Caden mumbled, closing his eyes. He let his eyelashes brush as he held on tighter. "I'll use your shirt as a tissue"

"God, please no." Pete went to grab his wrist but Caden twitched in response, kicking Pete's leg softly from behind with his sock. "I'm joking, stupid head, 'm comfortable." He muttered. He felt Pete barely twist and plant a soft kiss on his head.

"Well, dinner's done." Pete twisted back around, to his dismay, and finished putting the pasta on the plate. Caden smiled. "Yaaayy"

He coughed. Pete groaned. "On my shirt? I fucking hate you sometimes"

"But you loveeeeeeeeeeeeee me." Caden emphasized, moving his arms from Pete's torso, grabbing the plate slowly, leaning close and pecking his lips. Pete stood unmoving, before his face finally broke and he grinned.

"I would do something affectionate, but I'm afraid of touching grease." Pete teased, Caden scoffing and shoving him irritably.

"You can at least kiss me." Caden grinned up at him.

"That I can do."