25. Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

T here should have been some jealousy, especially with the way Todd looked at Ulises with tenderness. Izzy was contented for the first time in his life. He wasn't running.

The fear was still there but he had control of the part of himself that said everyone would leave him. The difference was he wasn't willing to leave them first.

What he was willing to do was make sure Ulises got better. He wanted to figure out how to cure Ulises of the flu or whatever he had, and also the tumor.

He watched as Todd washed his hands and then sat beside him. He laid his head on Izzy's shoulder and began rubbing Ulises' back. "The soup can be ready whenever he wants some."

"You like to feed people, don't you?" Izzy was starting to understand Todd a little better. One of the first things he'd learned was how much Todd liked to cook.

"I like to take care of the people who matter to me and cooking is my only skill."

"Not your only skill. You're one of the best kissers on the planet."

Todd chuckled.

"You should know. You've kissed a lot of boys," Ulises whispered and then he sneezed. It was as though his nose exploded.

Todd scrambled up and grabbed a tissue, handing it to Ulises.

Izzy hadn't realized Ulises was awake. His breathing hadn't changed, and he hadn't moved before the moment he spoke. When he did all hell broke loose inside his little body. Poor baby was a snot bomb.

Ulises wiped his face off and then blew his nose. "Oh gods, I'm so gross."

"No, you're snot." Todd covered his mouth as he laughed.

Izzy knew one of them had to be serious, but it was difficult with Todd laughing at his own joke and Ulises blushing though all the other things his face was doing. He really did seem as though he would explode again, especially with his cheeks a pretty pink.

He glared at Todd.

Todd grabbed a couple more tissues and handed them to Ulises. "You're really not gross. I promise."

Ulises sighed. "I feel gross."

"You don't look it." Todd ran a hand down Ulises’ back. "You're kinda cute with your nose all red and your hair all mussed. And you have cute jammies."

"Now I know you're lying." But Ulises smiled.

And who knew Todd could be a little charmer. He hadn't been with Izzy. If anything, Izzy was the one trying to woo him. But Todd had been on board with the idea of dating Ulises right from the start. In fact, he'd advocated for it. And he hadn't batted an eye when Izzy had spoken of loving Ulises.

Izzy got it. He didn't feel anything but hopeful the three of them could work out. Part of it was the way Todd was with Ulises.

Ulises lay his head on Izzy's chest again and shut his eyes. "I feel terrible."

"I'm going to call Easton and ask him what you can take."

Todd kissed Ulises temple. "I'll make lemon and honey water. Are you hungry yet?"

Ulises nodded. "I don't know."

Poor baby didn't know how he felt. Izzy made the decision for him. "How about a small bowl of soup?"

Ulises shrugged.

Izzy met Todd's gaze and winked. "He'll try to eat."

Izzy called Easton. The conversation was quick. Easton told him he could give Ulises anything. He doesn't have restrictions. And then Easton said, "Just so you know. Ulises is my best friend and if you hurt him again I'm going to sic my big, strong dragon shifter Alpha mate on you. It's not a threat, Izzy. It's a promise."

Izzy should have threatened the little shit for saying that but all he said was, "Just fucking fix him. Do that and I'll owe you."

Easton sucked in a breath. "A Dragon Skull owing me something…that's not your usual thing."

Dragon Skulls didn't like being in someone else's debt. It gave another person too much power over them. If it was anyone else, Izzy would have thought twice. But Ulises getting better was more important than his ego.

"Make him better." Izzy hung up.

"I heard the whole conversation." Given Ulises’ proximity to him, it didn't come as a surprise.

"I wasn't trying to hide anything from you." Izzy put his phone on the end table and tightened his hold. "I won't hurt you again, baby. I promise."

Ulises shrugged as if he didn't believe him, but he did snuggle into Izzy. "Can I have pain meds now?"

Izzy stood and laid Ulises on the couch. He made sure he was comfortable with his pillow under his head and tucked the blanket around him before finding the painkillers Todd had bought.

Todd met his gaze. "I bought a decongestant too."

From the couch, Ulises sneezed again and then blew his nose. "Gods, there's so much of it coming out of me. Eww."

Izzy chuckled. He never would have guessed he would find humor in someone he loved being sick. Izzy wished Ulises was healthy and he didn't like Ulises suffering, but he was funny.

Izzy brought the medication to Ulises along with a bottle of water. He sat on the side of the couch and helped Ulises sit up so he could take the meds. When Ulises laid down again, Izzy cupped his cheek. "You're gonna get better."

"Is that a demand?"

"Yes. From your Daddy."

Ulises averted his gaze. "I don't know, Izzy."

Izzy knew what Ulises wasn't sure about. He wasn't ready to trust Izzy with his heart. All it meant was Izzy had to earn it. He would prove himself. It didn't matter what it took.