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“TK! Come on, baby. It’s time to get up.” Carlos called out to TK from the doorway of their bedroom.
TK groaned and rolled over, not ready to get up. As he rolled to his stomach, his lungs let out a cough and he slipped his arm under his pillow, getting a bit more comfortable.
Carlos had gone back to the kitchen to finish making breakfast. Scrambled eggs with jalapenos and cheese. While they cooked, he buttered the four pieces of toast, cut them into triangles, and placed four on each plate. Back to the eggs, he pushed them around a bit to scramble them further, then turned off the fire and divided them evenly among each plate. Grabbing an avocado, he cut it in half, opening it, and cut out six slices. Three went to top his eggs while the other three topped TK’s. He finished them off with a sprinkling of salt, pepper, and parsley.
Fruit was next. He cut up some strawberries, placing three pieces on each plate. Sliced grapes and kiwi were also added to the plate. Carlos took a step back to admire his work and grinned. Picking up each plate, he carried them over to the table and set them down before grabbing their glasses of orange juice and placing them at the head of the plates. Once more, he stepped back and admired his work. It wasn’t anything fancy, but he enjoyed cooking and making a presentation of it all.
Realizing TK still hadn’t joined him, he walked back to the bedroom to find his fiancée still hugging his pillow. The snoring sound told him that TK was not even close to waking up. Carlos let out a huff before approaching the bed. “TK,” he spoke at a normal volume, “baby. Come on, get up.” He said and shook him gently.
TK responded with a groan and a small cough.
“I made breakfast. It’s getting cold. Come on, up.” He ordered as he yanked the covers back.
TK groaned again and curled his body into a fetal position to stay warm. “No.”
“Are you gonna make me splash you with ice water again?”
Another groan escaped TK as he unfolded and stretched his limbs. Mid-stretch, and he had to turn to cover a cough. “Fine. Fine. I’m getting up.” He croaked and sat up slowly.
“I promise it’ll be worth it.” Carlos said with a smile and took TK’s hand to help him to his feet.
On his feet, TK wobbled a little as he tried to steady himself. “Whoa. You good?” Carlos asked as he braced TK’s back with his arm.
“Yeah. Just… morning wobbles.” He croaked out as he stretched his arms above his head.
Carlos placed a tender kiss on his temple, his hand taking hold of TK’s as he led him out of the room. “Come on, sleepy head. Your eggs are getting cold.”
-
“Bless you.”
“Thanks,” TK muttered, sneezing again for what felt like the hundredth time in the last five minutes.
Nancy’s brow furrowed. “TK… seriously, what’s going on? I’ve never seen you sneeze like this, not once. Let alone non-stop like now.” Her hands paused over the supplies she’d been counting as she studied him closely.
“It’s nothing. Allergies or something,” TK said quickly, trying to brush off her concern.
“Since when do you have allergies?” Her voice softened, but there was an edge of worry. She leaned a little closer, eyes scanning him like she was trying to read every sign of how he was feeling.
“I’m fine, Nance.”
“You don’t sound fine,” she countered gently, tilting her head. “And you’re looking… a little pale. Tired, too.”
TK waved her off, being stubborn.
Nancy sighed softly, her concern growing. “Maybe you should go home, rest for a bit. Just… take care of yourself.”
“Oh please. If it’s anything more than allergies, it’s just a minor cold. I’m fine.”
Nancy gave him a look that mixed exasperation and worry, shaking her head. “Mm-hm… okay. But if you start feeling worse, I’m sending you home.”
He couldn’t help but smile weakly, knowing she meant it.
-
“Ahchoo! Ahchoo! Ahchoo! Ugh.” The sneezes were followed by a cough that seemed to just deepen as the day pressed on. Sniffles seemed to occur after every sneeze as well and now TK was burdened with blowing his nose after almost every sneeze.
Hearing the chain of sneezes, coughing, sniffling and now nose blowing, Owen approached his son and rested a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder. “TK. Go home.”
“What? Why?”
“Because you’re sick and you should be in bed,” Owen said, his voice softer than his usual commanding tone.
“I am not sick!” TK insisted, grabbing a tissue and sneezing into it before blowing his nose. “I’m fined.”
Owen’s mouth tightened as he winced. “Hm, okay. Well, you’re not fine, kiddo. And as your boss, I’m ordering you to go home and get some rest.”
“But you’re not my boss. Tommy is my boss and she has not said anything to me abou.. ah.. ahchoo.. going home.”
Owen sighed, his expression caught between irritation and worry as he gave TK’s shoulder a squeeze. “TK, I know you don’t get sick often, so maybe you don’t recognize it. But this is what it’s like to have a cold. Sneezing, coughing, blowing your nose. Your body is trying to tell you to slow down.” His voice dipped, quiet but earnest. “And I need you to listen to it. I can’t just stand here and watch you run yourself into the ground.”
He paused, catching his son’s glassy eyes, his tone softening more. “You can’t take care of anyone else if you don’t take care of yourself first. I’m not just saying this as your captain. I’m saying this as your dad.”
“Dad, I’m fined.”
“You’re not fine. And as your boss,” Tommy chimed in as she strolled over to the two men, “I am telling you to go home.” She pointed the thermometer gun at TK’s forehead, the corner of her mouth quirking like she already knew what it would say. “Regulations state that if you have a fever, you cannot work.” She flipped the gun around for TK to see the numbers read 99.9.
“That is barely a fever,” TK protested.
“But it is a fever. Therefore, you need to go home.”
“But,”
“Ah ah,” Tommy held up her hand to cut him off, her eyes softening even as her tone stayed firm. “TK, you’ve been sneezing and coughing all morning. I’m not going to let you run yourself ragged. You take care of everyone else every single day. Now let someone take care of you.” She tilted her head, voice dropping to a gentler tone. “Besides, we’ve got this covered. What I need is for you to rest and actually get better.”
TK groaned, tossing the tissue into the trash. “Ugh, fined.”
“Good.” Tommy smiled warmly, patting his arm before stepping back. “I’ve already called Carlos to let him know you’re coming home.” Her eyes softened knowingly. “He’ll make sure you rest, and I’ll feel a whole lot better knowing you’re in good hands.
“Seriously?! Dad!”
Owen held up his hands and shook his head. “Uh uh, don’t pull me into it. I know better than to go against a strong woman.”
“Oh do you? I bet mom would disagree.”
“That…,” they were interrupted by the bells and Owen was already jogging off to the truck. “Go home, son.”
-
After getting the call from Tommy, Carlos went ahead and started to prepare for his sick fiancée to come home. Luckily, he had the day off so he would be able to care for him.
By the time TK got home, Carlos had already made a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. It was still simmering on the stove, the smell of garlic and herbs filling the apartment with a warmth that Carlos hoped would greet TK before he even stepped inside.
“Hey, baby,” Carlos greeted softly as TK shuffled in, shoulders slumped, looking like he was using the last of his energy just to stay upright. Carlos’s chest tightened at the sight, and he was at his side in an instant, slipping an arm around him and pressing a kiss to his hairline. “You look wiped out. Come on.”
He guided TK gently toward the couch, not giving him a chance to argue. “I’ve got everything ready for you. Your favorite blanket, your favorite movie queued up, and some hot lemon, honey, and ginger tea.” Once TK was settled, Carlos tucked the blanket around his shoulders and slid in beside him, pulling him close until TK’s head rested over his chest. With a small grin, he added, “And, of course, your favorite pillow. Me.”
TK let out a weary sigh as he sank into the cushions, but there was a small, reluctant smile tugging at his lips. “You’re so sweet.” He sat up just enough to meet Carlos’s eyes. “But I’m okay. Really.”
“Mhm.” Carlos brushed his knuckles lightly over TK’s cheek, catching how warm his skin felt. “You don’t feel okay. Humor me and have the tea.”
TK rolled his eyes, but the fight was already gone. He reached for the mug and took a sip, a soft hum escaping him at how soothing it felt against his throat. Not that he was about to admit that.
“Mmm, that is so delicious. Thank you, baby.” He smiled faintly, took another sip, then set it down before burrowing into his favorite pillow.
Carlos immediately pulled him close again, adjusting the blanket around him as though making a cocoon. He pressed another kiss to TK’s temple and let his hand rest over his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breaths.
-
The movie had ended, and the loft had fallen into a cozy silence. TK scrolled absentmindedly through Instagram while Carlos, glasses perched on his nose, read his book. Every few minutes though, Carlos’s focus would break at the sound of a cough, a sniffle, or a sneeze. Each time, he’d glance up over the edge of his pages, heart tugging tighter. TK was stubborn, refusing to budge even after Carlos had suggested bed more than once.
“One more sneeze and you’re going to bed,” Carlos finally said, trying to keep his tone light though his eyes stayed fixed on the words in his book.
Two minutes later, TK sneezed.
With a resigned sigh, Carlos slipped his bookmark into place and closed the book with a quiet snap. He got to his feet and held out his hand. “Alright, let’s go.”
“Babe, I’m fined,” TK protested.
Carlos arched a brow. “You just put a D at the end of fine. You are not fine.”
“I don’t… ahchoo.. ahchoo.” His protest dissolved into sneezes, followed by a cough and a long sniffle. He blew his nose miserably. “I’ll be okay.”
“Yes, you will,” Carlos said gently, crouching a little so his eyes caught TK’s. “But not if you sit here pretending nothing’s wrong. You’ll be okay after some rest. Now get up.”
“Babe, you’re making a big deal out of nothing.”
Carlos’s mouth tugged into a lopsided smile. “Okay then. I’ll carry you.”
“No, you will not! I am not an invalid.”
“Then get up and walk to the bed.” When TK just stared at him with watery and puffy eyes and a red nose, Carlos sighed. “Alright. Here we go.”
TK yelped in shock as Carlos scooped him up with ease. “Seriously!? This is ridiculous!”
“You’re right,” Carlos said as he carried him toward their bedroom, voice firm but threaded with affection. “It is ridiculous. Ridiculous that you’re fighting me on letting me take care of you.”
“No, you’re being ridiculously overdrama.. ah.. ah.. ahchoo.. ugh.. dramatic!”
“Says the man who can’t finish a sentence without sneezing.”
TK rolled his eyes, but Carlos just chuckled, setting him gently down on the bed as though he were something fragile. He smoothed TK’s hair back from his forehead, his expression softening. “Get under the covers, mi amor. Please. For me.”
Carlos slipped away to the kitchen, returning moments later with a tray that carried a steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup, crackers, orange juice, and a spoon. He set it carefully over TK’s lap.
“Babe, you’re doing too much. I’m,”
Carlos held up his hand, firm but kind. “Do not say you’re fine. You’re not.” He pointed the thermometer gun at TK’s head and showed him the display. “For someone who thinks he’s fine, your temperature has climbed to 100.5.”
TK tried for another protest, but Carlos was already draping a big fleece blanket around his shoulders. “Oh!” TK breathed, his tone softening as warmth spread over him. “Wow, I didn’t realize I was so cold.”
Carlos leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to TK’s hair before settling on the edge of the bed. His voice gentled, almost a whisper. “I know you hate feeling helpless, but you’re not alone in this. Let me take care of you, baby. That’s all I want.”
TK’s eyes softened, his shoulders finally sagging as he finally accepted that he was not well. He nodded at Carlos’s words as he picked up the spoon. “Okay. But you have to stay with me. I’ll need my pillow.” He smirked as he dipped his spoon into the soup and took his first bite.
Carlos smiled, brushing his thumb along TK’s jaw before standing. “I will be sure to stay by your side as much as possible. Right now, you eat your soup. I’m gonna clean up and I’ll be back.”
-
TK groaned as he turned over. He was shivering even though he was under a mound of blankets. He was in and out of sleep, unable to stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time. He had no idea how long he’d been in bed. Hours? Days? He had no sense of time.
Carlos was with him most of the time. But the next day came and he had to work. Since TK was in and out of sleep, he called his mom to come stay with him. Of course, Andrea jumped at the chance to care for TK. Caring for others was something she truly enjoyed and with all her kids now grown, she didn’t get to do that too often anymore.
When Carlos returned home, he stepped inside, immediately spotting Andrea straightening up the loft. “Hey, Mamá,” he said as he approached her and placed a sweet kiss on her temple. “You don’t have to clean up.”
“Oh nonsense. I enjoy helping you out, mijo.”
“How is he?”
“He’s been asking for you,” Andrea said softly as she looked up. “Every time he woke up or felt uncomfortable, the first thing he said was ‘Carlos.’ I stayed with him most of the time, but he kept looking for you.”
Carlos’s chest tightened, a smile tugging at his lips. “He did?”
Andrea nodded. “He drank a little water, ate some soup, and rested under the blanket, but… he wanted you. I’m sure he’ll relax now that you’re here.”
Carlos gave a grateful exhale and looked toward the bedroom door. “Thank you for taking care of him while I was gone. I really appreciate it.”
Andrea smiled gently. “Of course, mijo. I’m always here if you need anything. Anything at all.” She said with a warm smile. She pulled her son in for a tender hug and kissed his cheek. “You call if you need anything else, yes?”
“I promise. Thank you, Mamá.”
-
“He’s not going to take anything for the fever,” Carlos admitted, pacing the kitchen as his eyes darted toward the bedroom. “Is there anything more natural I can give him to help break it?” Carlos had called Tommy for some advice as TK’s fever had climbed to 102.3.
Tommy listed off several remedies, steady and reassuring on the other end.
“Got it. Thanks, Tommy,” Carlos said, though his voice was tight with worry. He was grateful that they had people like Tommy and Nancy in their lives. Nancy had called a few times to check in on TK, making sure he was okay.
After hanging up, he filled a large bowl with cool water, tossed in a clean rag, and grabbed a bottle of coconut water from the fridge. On his way back, he lowered the thermostat in the loft, anything to give TK’s fever a little less room to climb.
When he returned, TK was curled up under the covers, cheeks flushed, his breaths uneven and shallow. The sight made Carlos’s heart ache. Setting the bowl on the nightstand, he eased down on the bed and twisted open the coconut water.
“Here, baby,” he murmured. “Sit up for me, just for a minute.”
TK groaned. “Too cold.”
“I know,” Carlos slipped an arm behind his back to help him rise. “But you need to drink something. Please, for me.”
TK slowly sat up, still clinging to the blankets. He took a few sips before pushing the bottle away. “Too achy. I need to lay down.”
“Alright, alright,” Carlos soothed, guiding him back down with careful hands, as though TK might break. He set the drink aside, then wrung out the rag and placed it tenderly on TK’s forehead. TK’s face relaxed slightly at the cool touch.
He sat there for a long moment, just watching him. His strong, stubborn fiancée, reduced to shivers and flushed cheeks. He smoothed his hand over TK’s chest, feeling the rise and fall beneath his palm, grounding himself in the rhythm. “I hate this,” he whispered, his voice thick. “I hate seeing you like this and not being able to just fix it.” He bent down and pressed a lingering kiss to TK’s forehead. “But I’m not going anywhere. I’ll do whatever it takes to get you through this, mi amor.”
TK reached for Carlos, his grip loose as he had so little strength. “Lay with me. Please.”
Carlos smiled tenderly and positioned himself into a half laying and half sitting up position. TK curled into him, clinging to him and holding him like Carlos was the cure to everything.
Carlos ran his hand through TK’s hair, while he began to hum a Spanish lullaby to help ease him. He could feel the tension in TK’s form start to ease and Carlos wrapped his arms around his love, continuing to hum the lullaby.
-
Day three and TK was starting to feel better. The worst seemed to be behind him, though his body still carried the weight of exhaustion. He managed to drag himself into the shower, letting the hot spray ease the ache in his muscles. But by the time he was done, he was trembling from the effort, his strength gone. He crawled right back into bed, curling under the covers like he’d run a marathon.
Not long after, Carlos padded in quietly with a steaming mug of chicken broth. He coaxed TK into drinking a little, brushing his fingers gently through TK’s damp hair. TK felt warmth spread through his chest that had nothing to do with the fever. Minutes later, his eyes fluttered shut, sleep dragging him down again while Carlos sat nearby, keeping watch.
Day four, his fever had finally broken. Relief lit Carlos’s features when the thermometer confirmed it, reading 98.6. TK still wasn’t at a hundred percent, but he was steadier on his feet, even staying awake long enough to join Carlos on the couch. They put on a movie, and somewhere halfway through, TK’s head found Carlos’s lap. His breathing evened out, and Carlos smiled to himself, letting his arm rest atop of TK’s chest, keeping them connected. For the first time in days, it felt like they were settling back into normal.
By day five, the shift was undeniable. TK practically bounded out of bed, a grin on his face and energy sparking through him again. Hunger gnawed at him for the first time in days, and he raided the kitchen like a man starved. The irony wasn’t lost on him that today, when he finally felt alive again and ready to work, was his scheduled day off. He shook his head at the universe’s sense of humor and decided he wouldn’t waste it.
After a quick shower, TK noticed Carlos was still curled under the blankets, his dark hair messy, his face turned toward the pillow. A fond smile touched TK’s lips. After everything Carlos had done for him over the last several days, patiently cooking, coaxing, sitting up with him when he couldn’t sleep, TK decided his fiancé deserved the chance to rest. He let him sleep in, quietly puttering around the loft and feeling lighter with every passing minute.
But when two more hours slipped by and Carlos hadn’t stirred, unease nudged at him. TK padded back into the bedroom, easing onto the mattress beside him. He leaned in, snuggling up close and pressing a kiss to Carlos’s shoulder.
“Baby,” TK whispered, his voice gentle.
It was only then that he noticed it. Carlos’s skin was too warm beneath his lips. His brow furrowed, the worry rising instantly. “Carlos?”
A muffled groan answered him, followed by a rough sneeze. “Ahchoo… what?” Carlos rasped, sounding miserable.
TK’s heart sank, guilt flooding in like a wave. His hand hovered over Carlos’s cheek, brushing back his dark curls. “Oh no,” he whispered, worry etched into every syllable. “Did I get you sick?”