Lovesick

Lovesick

Posted: April 13, 2007
Title: Lovesick
Author: Decadence and Sileya
Fandom: Real Person Fiction
Type: RPS
Characters : Craig/Karl
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: We don’t know them, and we don’t claim to. We just like their faces and names.
Beta: Sileya

Summary: Two friends care for each other in sickness and health.

*****

Craig trudged into the trailer, curling into a ball on the sofa. "I don't feel good," he whined, turning his head to look at his trailermate.

Receiving no response, he raised his voice a bit. "I ache..."

Karl turned a patently disbelieving gaze toward the elf from where he sat reading through his lines.

"What?" Craig asked, seeing Karl's uncaring look. "I do! I feel cold..."

Raising an eyebrow, Karl looked pointedly at Craig's bare legs - he was wearing shorts under his tunic since they'd only been filming head shots today.

Reaching across to take Karl's half-finished soda, Craig gulped thirstily at the liquid. "‘s all your fault. I caught this damned cold from you."

Karl snickered, half shrugged, and stuck his tongue out as he snatched his soda back.

"You'll be sick again," Craig warned. Thinking about it for a moment, he asked, "Why can't we get sick in fun ways? Why is it always from something boring? I mean - it's not like I stuck my tongue down your throat or anything."

Karl blinked and raised both brows in surprise. He looked down at the can that had been his, and with a sigh, held it back out to Craig.

Craig took the can back, draining it before crushing it and tossing it aside. Tugging a quilt from the back of the sofa, he wrapped himself in it. "I do feel bad," he murmured.

The next glance from Karl was softer, even a little bittersweet as he looked at his longtime friend. And he couldn't even say anything to make him feel better – thanks to the cold that made him lose his voice. He stood up and went to sit near Craig. He lifted a hand to his forehead.

Craig turned into the gentle touch, opening sallow eyes to glance up at Karl. "Damn you." He covered Karl's hand with his own, appreciating the warmth that zinged through him.

Karl turned his hand to run the backs of his fingers along Craig's cheek. For weeks...months now, they'd coasted closer and closer to being more than friends. One or the either of them kept pulling back for different reasons - the latest, Karl being so sick that PJ banned him from the set for a week. Shaking his head again, Karl just lightly caressed.

The soft touch sent shivers all over Craig's already chilled body. He shook beneath Karl's hand, pushed away any reservations he had and pled, "Warm me up."

Brow furrowing a little, Karl reached to pull the afghan closer about Craig and covered cool hands with his own.

"No," Craig shook his head, lifting the corner of the afghan for Karl. "Next to me."

Karl scooted closer, wrapping the afghan around them both and sliding his arm around Craig's back. With his other hand, he gathered the blanket in front of them.

Craig huddled against Karl's heat, humming at the security of it all. He nuzzled his face into Karl's neck, inhaling the other man's scent, a mixture of menthol and soap.

Sighing, Karl leaned back into the couch, glad he'd already taken the armor off. PJ had settled for scene shots today since his voice was still practically gone. So he'd sat on a horse for three hours until being sent back here to rest. So the remainder of his costume, mostly leather, kept him warm. A costume Craig didn't have. He pulled his friend closer into the crook of his arm.

Still shivering in Karl's arms, Craig asked, "Does it get better? I'm cold still..."

Karl nodded, squeezing Craig close. Without thought, he turned his head to press a kiss to the other man's temple.

Craig's eyes fluttered closed at the soft caress. For some reason, it made him feel loved...cared for. His hands delved beneath the top of Karl's costume, flattening on the warm skin beneath. "Better," he sighed.

Gasping at the touch of Craig's chilly fingers, Karl covered them with one hand, trying to stop them from moving. Craig lay as still as possible for as long as possible...before the chills set in again.

Karl shook his head when Craig started to shiver again, despite his holding him close. Finally he shifted - and despite his friend's objection - he stood, shucked the rest of the costume, got dressed in his own clothes, and walked back to the table. He grabbed his car keys, then turned and jangled them in front of Craig, tilting his head toward the door.

Craig rose shakily, following Karl, trailing the afghan behind him. He followed willingly, climbing into Karl's vehicle with no protest at all. He trusted Karl. He trusted him with his life.

Making sure Craig was settled, Karl drove them back to Craig's bungalow on the beach. He parked and held out his hand, obviously asking for Craig's keys.

Craig dug into his short pockets, finally coming up with the single key on a braided band. He placed it dutifully in Karl's hand and trudged toward his front door. He watched Karl's figure, loving the feeling of protectiveness his friend always offered him.

Leading the way, Karl unlocked and opened the door, waiting for Craig to walk inside. He pointed to the couch, his face brooking no argument.

Craig led the way, not stopping until he was seated on his infinitely-more-comfortable-than-the-trailer’s sofa. "Beer in the fridge if you're so inclined," he offered, covering a cough.

Rattling around in the kitchen, Karl put the kettle on and got two mugs ready for tea. Then he headed to the bathroom, rooting around for something for Craig's fever and aches. He filled a glass on the sink with water, then thought better of it. He took the pills and glass back to the kitchen. He pulled a clean cup from the cabinet and filled it with water before heading out to Craig.

Having reclined back on the couch, Craig opened his eyes as Karl nudged his knee. He took the pills and offered water, struggling to force it down. Lowering his head, he reached out for Karl's hand, grasping it and pulling it close to his face, holding it against his cheek. "Thanks, mate."

The corner of Karl's mouth quirked into a wry smile. After all, Craig was probably right - he most likely caught the cold from Karl in the first place. He stood there for a long moment as Craig held his hand, until the kettle started to whistle.

Craig shivered as Karl pulled away, but hearing the annoying scream of the kettle, he realized why the other man had left him. He leaned heavily on the arm of the sofa, too weak to do much but wait for Karl to come back. As the younger Kiwi came back into the room, Craig glanced up at him, wondering if a fever was making Karl seem to glow. He grinned, feeling a bit delirious. "My angel," he chuckled.

Karl raised a brow and looked at Craig, shaking his head. It was obviously he was out of his mind with fever. He sat down the two mugs and scooted onto the couch next to Craig, pulling a quilt off the arm and spreading it over both of them. Then he took up the mugs and offered one to his friend.

Sipping gratefully at the hot tea, Craig sighed before setting the mug on the coffee table and leaning against Karl's chest. "If you're not careful, I'll get the impression that you love me or somethin' - takin' care of me like this." His voice was thick with weariness and gratitude.

If Craig had been looking, he'd have seen the emotion flare in Karl's eyes. Carefully, he slid his arm around Craig, gathering him close as he leaned them both into the corner of the couch. He sipped at his own tea for a long minute before setting the mug down, and his hand went straight to Craig's hair, petting softly. He did love Craig. Had for some time. As colleagues, then as friends, and he had begun to hope recently that they could love as lovers, as well. He lowered his chin to kiss the crown of Craig's head.

Craig chose that moment to look up, the kiss catching him on the forehead. His eyes fluttered closed, and he sighed, happy in the moment in spite of being sick. "You make me feel better," he shared in a whisper.

Karl nodded, his chin rubbing in Craig's hair. Craig did the same for him - but at moments like this, Karl hurt because Craig hurt. It was what first tipped him off to his changing feelings for his friend. Karl kissed his forehead gently again, his fingers moving to rub Craig's chest soothingly.

Craig buried his face in Karl's neck again, what was fast becoming his favorite position with Karl. As the other man petted him, he pressed a kiss to the soft skin he nuzzled.

Letting out a long sigh, Karl held Craig close as he felt himself drowsing. Drawing a breath, he whispered his first words in over a week. "Do love you."

Nearly asleep against Karl's chest, Craig's eyes popped open at Karl's words. Closing them once more, he snuggled closer, a broad grin splitting his face. "You too," he whispered just before drifting off.

*****

THE END

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