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Hugh didn’t usually return home so late. There had been a lot of extra patients today because of the virus that had been making its rounds on the ship. Hugh couldn’t just leave Tracy to deal with that, no matter how much she tried to affectionately shoo him away. And it wasn’t out of the ordinary to come home to empty quarters, but it certainly was a bit disappointing. What he wanted more than anything right now was to curl up in bed with Paul and sleep.
As Hugh walked into their quarters, he noticed that the bathroom light was on. Had one of them left it on this morning? He went to turn it off, and was met with an odd sight; there was Paul, lying on the ground of the bathroom.
“Paul?” he asked, crouching down and laying a hand on his partner’s shoulder.
Paul stirred and squinted up at Hugh. “Hmm?”
“Love, why are you sleeping on the bathroom floor?”
“I must’ve fallen asleep,” Paul mumbled. He attempted to sit up and let Hugh help him. “I don’t feel well.”
Ah. He had probably caught the virus that was going around and decided to tough it out at home. Better at home than in his lab… that had happened on more than one occasion before.
Hugh reached out to lay a hand on Paul’s forehead. “Oh, you’re burning up sweetheart,” he said softly, moving his hand to cup Paul’s fever-flushed cheek. “Why didn’t you come to sickbay?”
Paul shook his head, then closed his eyes with a soft groan for a moment before speaking. “I didn’t want you to worry.”
Hugh sighed. Paul could be so stubborn and self-destructive.
Paul swayed in his position and leaned heavily on Hugh. “M’so dizzy.”
“When was the last time you ate or drank anything?”
Paul weakly waved him off. “Stop doctoring. I’m fine.”
Hugh huffed. “I’ll doctor all I want while you’re sick. Now answer the question.” He didn’t like being so firm with Paul, but Paul was a notoriously stubborn person when he was sick.
Paul hesitated in a silent protest for a moment before giving in. “I haven’t been able to keep anything down since this morning.” He looked queasy just talking about it.
“No wonder you’re so dizzy,” Hugh sighed with exasperation. “You could have at least commed me,” he added in a gentler tone.
“I told you, I didn’t want you to worry. Really, I’m fine,” Paul insisted, attempting to stand up to prove it. His knees buckled beneath him as he saw black spots in his vision. Hugh easily caught him and gently lowered him back to the ground.
“I love you, but you’re terrible at pretending you’re not sick.”
Paul smiled weakly. “I know.”
“I want you to stay right here. I’m gonna get some tea and crackers for you, and grab a hypospray. Don’t move, okay?” Paul nodded.
Hugh tried to be as quick as he could, not wanting Paul to be alone any longer than he could help. When Hugh returned, he luckily found Paul in the same spot leaned against the wall for support. He had his eyes closed and was taking in deep, measured breaths, but didn’t appear to be asleep.
“I’m back,” Hugh said quietly, sitting down on the floor across from Paul.
Paul opened his eyes and grimaced at the sight of food. “Please don’t make me eat anything,” he said pitifully. “I’m so nauseous.”
Hugh leaned forward and brushed a few strands of sweat-dampened hair from where it was plastered to Paul’s forehead. “I know. But you need to get something in your system.”
Paul didn’t say anything, silently pleading with Hugh. Hugh sighed and relented. He could only be so firm with Paul when Paul was feeling miserable. “Okay, I won’t make you eat anything yet. But I do want you to drink some tea. Just a few sips is all I’m asking.”
Paul was silent, still trying to use his puppy eyes on Hugh. Hugh gave him a stern look. He would only give in so far. “You need to get your strength back sweetheart.”
Paul sighed and nodded, accepting the mug of tea from Hugh and taking a tentative sip. Hugh also injected a hypospray into Paul’s neck. “This’ll help with your symptoms.”
“Thank you,” said Paul softly. “You can go sleep though. I can see how tired you are.”
Hugh was extremely tired from his day and desperately wanted to sleep, but he wasn’t going to. “Looking after you is more important. I’ll be fine.”
“You need to look after yourself too,” Paul said, setting his tea down and sitting up. Hugh steadied him when he swayed again.
“Hey. I promise I’ll be okay. You just worry about getting better, alright?” Paul was too exhausted to argue with Hugh, so he leaned forward and let his forehead land on Hugh’s shoulder. Hugh smiled and pulled his husband into a warm embrace.
“Why don’t we get you into bed,” he said after a few minutes.
Paul grumbled something incoherent, but it definitely didn’t sound like he wanted to move.
“It’s probably much comfier than the cold bathroom floor,” Hugh tried.
“I like it here,” Paul mumbled into Hugh’s shoulder. “Too much effort to move.”
Hugh laughed softly. “You are one stubborn man.” He decided to switch tactics. “Well I’m tired, and I’d rather not sleep on the bathroom floor.”
Paul sat up and met Hugh’s eyes, a slightly hurt expression on his face. “What if I’m sick again and need to sleep in here? Are you going to leave me?”
Hugh sighed. Paul was very clingy and adorable when he was sick. “No. I won’t leave you alone. But maybe we try sleeping in bed together first, and go from there?”
Paul’s expression softened. “Okay.” He leaned back into Hugh’s embrace. “You’re gonna have to carry me though,” he said, voice muffled.
Hugh laughed again. “Okay darling. I’ll carry you.”
He picked up his shivering partner and carefully carried him to bed, depositing him underneath a bundle of blankets. Then he laid down next to Paul. “Do you want cuddles?” he asked.
“I don’t want to get you sick,” Paul said in a hushed voice.
“I already hugged you,” Hugh pointed out. “If you want to cuddle, we can cuddle.”
Paul was still for a moment, then he maneuvered his way closer to Hugh. Hugh pulled him close, and smiled at the content sigh Paul let out. “Feel better,” Hugh said quietly, kissing the top of Paul’s head. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Paul mumbled right before drifting off.