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The first thing that Avery noticed is that he had woken up, in…bed? Huh? Didn't he pass out in the hallway? The next thing he noticed was the pounding in his head. He groaned aloud. “Eugh…” Avery felt like death. It still kinda hurt to breathe as his chest pain had not fully eased away.. He could taste the sour aftertaste of his puke. Then he started to think about how he got in bed!? Who changed his clothes!? Who bathed him!? His train of confused thoughts was stopped by the sound of the door opening. Avery couldn't sit up, but he turned his head to look at the door to see who had opened it. Derek! Oh geez, Avery felt a little slow for not realizing it sooner. Of course it would be Derek! He lived with the guy for christ sake! “Avery! You're awake. I'm glad, but I was quite worried. I came home and found you passed out in your vomit. Don't worry though I cleaned it up, and bathed you, plus gave you a change of clothing.” Derek said informingly, though Avery wasn't really listening. Derek's words sounded jumbled up at times, so Avery didn't catch everything he said. But Avery felt bad enough for making Derek clean up after him, he didn’t want to inconvenience Derek more by asking him to repeat himself. “Thank you, Derek. I'm sorry about making you clean up after me, I appreciate it though!” Avery exclaimed, trying his best to sound positive even though it made his chest ache quite a bit. Avery smiled through the pain, he wanted Derek to think he was alright. “I can take care of myself now though, don’t sweat it!” Derek frowned at that sentence, he was worried for Avery, he could tell Avery was not getting better. “Avery, I care about you. I can tell you aren’t getting better, you’ve just been getting sicker. I was planning on just watching you closely, but I can't bear to see you in such pain. So please, my dear flower, let me take care of you.” Derek said, his face filled with worry as he suddenly grabbed Avery’s hand placing it gently into his own. Avery felt his face burn at Derek’s concern. He wasn’t expecting Derek’s warm, calloused hand on his, their fingers intertwining. Avery was left speechless by that nickname too. ‘My dear flower’ oh… Avery could listen to Derek call him that all day. Avery was star struck. So much that he didn’t notice Derek calling his name, until about the 6th time.. “H-huh? Oh uhm! As I was saying, seriously Derek, it is fine. I'm fine. I don’t need you to take care of me. Trust me? Please.” Avery pleaded, not wanting to burden Derek. Even though it was obvious Derek wanted to help Avery. Avery just really didn’t want to bother or burden Derek. He didn’t deserve Derek’s kindness. There was someone out there more deserving of Derek's care, kindness, and love. Avery just wasn’t that person. No matter how hard Avery ever tried, he was never enough. Avery loved Derek. He really did. But Derek would never love Avery like that. Right? It didn't matter. As long as Avery got to see that absolutely breathtaking face, hear that resonant voice, he could live with just that. Even if Derek never saw Avery the way he did. It didn't matter. Avery was brought back out of his thoughts by the sudden feeling of a hand on his cheek. Avery focused his gaze on Derek, he was quite surprised by what he saw. Derek was crouched down to Avery's height, his dark hazel eyes were filled with tears. One of his hands outstretched holding Avery's cheek. “Please, my dear.. Let me care for you.” Derek’s voice cracked halfway through his sentence, on the verge of crying. “Do you remember back when you first found me? You took me to the hospital. You're the only reason I'm still standing today. You helped nurse me back to health, you helped me when I was struggling. So now let me do the same and care for you. I'm doing this because I want to. My dear flower, you are so important to me, and so is your health.” Derek sounded very voluble, and determined to make Avery let Derek take care of him. Avery was left temporarily astounded and speechless by Derek's speech. Avery quickly recovered from that shock though. “Well I guess it wouldn't hurt. But I don't need you neglecting anything you need to take care of me.” Derek smiled softly at Avery's words, pleased with that. “Alright then. Now promise to tell me if anything is bothering you next time?” Derek questioned. Avery smiled back, happy that he was able to put a smile on Derek's face. “Promise.” Avery quietly responded.