Every Shade by Nora Phoenix

7

How the fuck was Matthew supposed to keep breathing after a statement like that? As he inhaled a little too deep, his lungs rattled ominously, the next coughing fit only one wrong exhale away.

“You need to leave,” he said.

Jace flinched. “Why?”

The poor kid must think it was because Matthew judged him for his sex remarks. Little did he know. Matthew sighed and pointed at his cock, which was showing his enthusiasm for the whole conversation. “Because I need to pee, and this conversation makes that impossible.”

Jace’s cheeks grew even redder, which was so adorable Matthew cursed his sick body. “O-okay. I’ll be outside.” Then he recovered. “And once you’re done, we’ll put on your pajama pants. No more walking around naked.”

“You afraid you’re gonna jump me? Too hot to resist?” Matthew couldn’t help teasing, even though he knew it couldn’t be further from the truth. No matter what Jace said, he clearly wasn’t interested in Matthew. Not that Matthew wanted him to be despite the dreams and fantasies he’d had of him and Jace. It would be awkward. Inappropriate even.

“You wish,” Jace said, but the words held little force.

“You have no idea,” Matthew muttered as Jace walked out.

It took him a few minutes to be able to pee, his treacherous cock preferring to reminisce over visions of Jace on his knees, naked, catering to Matthew’s every whim. The fantasy was fueled by the still slightly delirious state of his brain, and he embraced it with all he had. He could be mortified later.

He washed his hands, sweat pearling on his forehead from the exertion. When he opened the door, Jace stood waiting for him, concern painted all over his face. “You okay?”

“Yeah. But about to collapse, so let’s get moving.”

“You need to put on your…” Jace pointed at the floor, where Matthew’s pajama pants still lay.

“I’m pretty sure that if I even try to stand on one leg right now, I’d keel over, so the risk is on you.”

Jace sighed. “Whatever. Let’s go.”

“What’s that heavenly smell?” Matthew asked, desperate for a change of subject.

Jace’s hands were cool on his skin as the boy steadied him. He leaned on him just a little more than he had to. “I’m making chicken soup.”

“You mean heating up chicken soup.”

Jace chuckled. “No, making it from scratch.”

“You can make soup from scratch? Marry me?”

It slipped right out, and for a second, he feared he’d gone too far, that Jace would be offended. But instead, Jace giggled. “You’re that easy, huh? All you need is someone to cook for you.”

Matthew grunted as his body protested against the slow trek back to his bedroom. “I basically need a handler, but yes.”

“I thought I already was your handler.”

It sounded like a joke, and yet the simple remark hit deep with Matthew. Jace wasn’t lying. He quickly had become indispensable to Matthew, making his life so much easier in every way. Ever since Jace had become his PA, Matthew had never forgotten an important deadline, had never had to stress because he’d lost overview of what he had to do. His social media accounts were updated regularly, which made his fans happy, and his sales had even increased because his marketing was so much better.

But Jace showing up here because he’d been worried about Matthew topped it all. Matthew might not have told Jace he’d become his best friend—and Matthew had no intention of telling him because how pathetic would that be?—but he clearly meant something to Jace as well. Otherwise, the kid wouldn’t have driven nine hours just to make sure he was okay. That went far beyond dedication.

“Remind me to give you a raise after this is over,” Matthew said.

Jace made a sound of protest. “I’m not doing this for money.”

“I know. That’s not what I meant. I just… It was my poor attempt at acknowledging what you’ve done for me.”

“You already said thank you. That’s enough for me.”

“Oh.”

Matthew let that sink in as his lungs hurt with every breath he took. Had he unintentionally offended Jace? It had been an offhand remark on his side, something he’d said to… Why had he said it? Jace was right. Matthew had already thanked him, so why had he felt the need to offer him money? Was he that uncomfortable with accepting help? The thought was sobering.

By the time he was back in bed, he was shivering again, his teeth chattering. “Fever’s back,” he said.

“Hold on one sec. I’ve got a thermometer.”

Jace rushed out and came back a short while later, still removing the thermometer from its packaging. He made it beep, put a plastic cap on the tip, then put it in Matthew’s right ear. “Hold still.”

Warmth spread through Matthew’s insides. Not the kind of warmth that made the chills stop, but the kind that soothed his heart and made the aches in his body a little easier to bear. How long had it been since someone had taken care of him like that? Years. Many, many years.

“A hundred and two. Yeah, you still have a fever. Let’s load you up with more Tylenol.”

Matthew nodded weakly. “When can I have some of the soup?”

“After you’ve slept. This was quite the exertion, so rest for a bit while I finish the soup. It’ll be waiting for you when you wake up.”

Matthew’s eyes drifted shut as Jace walked around in his bedroom, doing god knew what. A cool washcloth was placed on his forehead, and he sighed in relief. “I’m just gonna wash your face,” Jace said softly. “You’ve been sweating quite a bit, and I don’t want it to irritate your skin.”

He must stink by now, having spent at least two days without washing or showering. Maybe more? He was still fuzzy on the timeline. “I’m sorry I smell.”

“You don’t smell.”

“You’re a bad liar.”

His voice was weak as sleep was pulling at him. The cool cloth was wonderful, but even that couldn’t keep his eyes open. He’d all but drifted asleep when soft lips touched his forehead. “Sleep well, baby. Get better.”