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Engineering was busy. People rushing and racing to prepare for Black Alert. Stamets, of course, was among them. He raced from station to station seemingly doing everyone’s jobs for them, though the rush didn’t break.
He just made it into the spore cube as Michael called the jump. And immediately he felt overwhelming pain. A searing fire dredging its way up his arms, through his core, up behind his eyes. It overwhelmed him. He and Culber had minimised the effects for a while. He even let himself think it was permanent. He should have known better.
The pain, for the most part, subsided as the jump concluded. He dragged himself out of the cube, glaring at anyone who dare show him concern as he hobbled out of the room. They would all shrug it off as his usual ire.
He opened the door to his quarters, relieved that his husband was still at work in sickbay. He didn’t have the energy to mask his exhaustion today. He collapsed onto the couch just as the after effects began aching through his body. He felt lightheaded, completely drained as he laid his head on the arm of the couch and curled up into ball.
He wasn’t sure how long he stayed like that. He didn’t really care, but the pain was just as strong. He was there a while longer, until he heard the swift glide of the door openning.
“Darling, I’m home.” The familiar, usually comforting voice of his dear husband pounded in his head and he couldn’t help but wince from the pain. “How did your research go-“ Hugh’s eyes landed on the shaking mycologist on their couch and his mind flooded with worry. “Paul, what’s going on!” He said as he hurried over with his med kit, tricorder in hand. “Did something happen in the spore cube again?!”
Paul could do nothing but groan, he couldn’t hide it from Hugh. His mind began to fog, it felt like the darkness outside was closing in. And he could see the stars, beautiful stabs in his vision. And Hugh was there. And then it was black.
***
He awoke to the bright, fluorescent lights of sick bay. Drifting back into consciousness as his mind surfaced above the subsiding pain. Hugh was there, taking notes on his pad as he assessed Paul’s bioscans, worry plagued his handsome face. Damn. Paul should never have let him see his pain, it was most likely only a one-time flare up and now his beautiful and overcommitted husband was anxious for him.
Hugh noticed him staring and placed his pad down to rush over. “You should have called me.” There was no anger in his voice, only concern… and hurt. “Did you think I would judge you, think you were weak??”
Paul didn’t know what to say. He slowly took a breath in, praying the words would come to him.
“I thought you would worry. You council every single member of this crew, worrying about others is your job. I thought that I could at least give you a space at home where you wouldn’t have to.”
Now it was Hugh’s turn to be speechless. Paul couldn’t read his expression. He was trying to hide his hurt, his disappointment. “Paul.” Hugh started. The one words filled with so much love and care, Paul wondered what he did to deserve this man. Hugh then continued “Talk to me. Please. Tell me when you’re hurt. I am your husband and we will work through this, together.” Hugh just stood their, valiantly, holding his gaze hopefully and beseechingly.
Together. Before Hugh, Paul never had anyone to work with together, everyone kept their distance from the grumpy mushroom scientist. But Hugh didn’t. He kept popping by the academy lab to bring him some new data or a coffee or some company. He depended on Hugh whether he liked it or not, and needed to relearn how to live his life… together with him.
“Okay,” Paul said “I’ll try.”
Hugh took a moment, reconciling his thoughts. Then nodded. “Well then, if you’re not in pain anymore…?”
Paul nodded to confirm.
“Then we can get you home.” Hugh wrapped his arm around his waist and held his hand tight, guiding Paul to his feet. Paul felt a little light-headed as he stood, legs shaking slightly as he put his weight down. The artificial gravity was really working against him today.
***
It was slow-going, but they eventually made it back to their quarters and into bed. As soon as Hugh was close enough, Paul grabbed on tight and pulled Hugh into a hug bigger than the ship. “Thank you, dear doctor.” Paul rested his head on his husband’s chest. “When we next go on shaw leave, I’m can taking you to whatever Kasseelian opera you want.” He cling tightly to Hugh’s torso as he listened to the continuous rhythm of his husband’s heartbeat, and marvelled that that heart beat for him.
“You better with all you put me through.” Hugh laughs, teasing his wonderfully stubborn scientist, who was already drifting off.
They both fell asleep within minutes, held tight in each other’s arms and love. Safe in the knowledge that nothing in the entire galaxy could stop them. As long as they were together.