As always, leave a comment below or email me if you liked the story, or have any feedback! Follow me on twitter @QuesadillaNFrys for previews and depictions of my stories! If you have a story idea you'd like me to write, check my profile for instructions and email me at [email protected]!
Thank you, and enjoy!
Things were looking up for Rafael and Wyatt at work. After the successful business trip, both of them had received recognition for their hard work. It wasn’t just the accolades that came with the success of the trip—Rafael was thrilled when his boss informed him that he’d be getting his own office. Wyatt got the same news on his end. The firm, seeking to expand, had gotten a bigger office space downtown, and they were among the first on the list for their own offices. They’d come a long way from sharing cramped workspaces and huddling around the same desk for meetings. Now, each of them had their own space, their own domain, a recognition of how much they’d accomplished together.
It was a month later now, and Rafael couldn’t quite understand it, but there was a distance between him and Wyatt now. It wasn’t just that they hadn’t had much time to catch up; it was more than that. Wyatt wouldn't respond to his texts, they hadn’t spent any time together outside of work, and he'd barely spoken to Rafael since the trip. Wyatt always seemed busy with new projects, meetings, or catching up on emails. When they did pass each other in the hallway or in the office kitchen, there was a polite nod or a brief greeting, but nothing more. Wyatt was clearly trying to avoid him, and Rafael had no idea what he might've done to piss him off.
Rafael tried to shake it off as he sat down at his new desk, looking out at the view of the skyline. He didn’t want to dwell on it. Work was good, and that was enough for now. He had a lot to focus on—the new clients, the reports, the presentations. But something gnawed at him, and he found his thoughts drifting back to Wyatt.
His phone buzzed, snapping him from his thoughts. It was a message from his boss, asking for an update on the project proposal he’d been working on. Rafael quickly typed a reply, shifting his focus back to work, but his mind kept wandering back to the one thing that had been bothering him all week. Wyatt.
Later that afternoon, Rafael ran into Wyatt in the hallway. Wyatt was carrying a stack of files, his brow furrowed as he glanced down at his phone. Wyatt looked up, his expression softening as he met Rafael’s gaze. For a moment, Rafael thought he saw something flicker in Wyatt’s eyes—something he couldn’t quite identify. But just as quickly, Wyatt started walking away, not even acknowledging him.
Rafael stood there, watching him walk away, the familiar ache in his chest growing. What had happened to them? They’d been closer than this before. They’d shared jokes, drinks, even small personal details about their lives. Now, it felt like a wall had gone up between them, one that neither of them was acknowledging. Rafael had tried reaching out, but it was as if Wyatt had become a different person, someone distant and hard to read.
When some coworkers invited Rafael out to drinks, he agreed. Normally he didn't drink much, but he felt like he could use a beer tonight.
***
Rafael sat at the bar, swirling his beer slowly, his thoughts still tangled with Wyatt. He tried to focus on the conversation happening around him—colleagues talking about the latest project, discussing weekend plans, trading work gossip—but it all felt distant.
"Hey, you good, man?" one of his coworkers, Tyler, asked, his voice pulling Rafael back to the present.
Rafael blinked and gave a small smile. "Yeah, just thinking. It's been a long day."
Tyler raised an eyebrow but didn’t push it. “You know, you’re always welcome to join us for the weekend hike. It’ll be good to get out of the office. Clear your head.”
Rafael appreciated the offer, but his mind wasn’t really in the mood for a hike. “Maybe next time. I’ve got some things I need to sort out.”
Just then, the door to the bar opened, and in walked Wyatt. Rafael’s heart skipped at the sight of him. Wyatt’s broad shoulders filled the doorway before he made his way to the bar, scanning the room for a moment. When their eyes met, Rafael felt a sharp jolt in his chest—something between surprise and something else he couldn’t quite identify. Wyatt looked as good as ever, a sharp shirt clinging to his frame, his face a little more serious than usual. Wyatt quickly broke his gaze, walking over to some other coworkers.
Rafael couldn’t help it. His stomach twisted. Seeing Wyatt standing there, so close but so far, was almost too much to handle in this moment. It was like their distance had suddenly grown too wide for him to bridge.
He cleared his throat, trying to focus. “Hey, can I get a couple more beers, please?” His voice came out rougher than he intended, an edge of frustration he couldn’t hide. The bartender gave him a nod before sliding two fresh bottles of beer in his direction.
***
Rafael's head throbbed with an intensity that made him wish he could just close his eyes and fall back asleep. But he was aware enough to realize that something was wrong. The sterile scent of the hospital room mixed with the faint beep of machines in the background, grounding him in the uncomfortable reality of the situation. His mouth was dry, and when he tried to sit up, a wave of dizziness hit him, forcing him to lie back down.
"Oh good, you're awake," a familiar voice said, soft yet firm. Rafael blinked, turning his head to see Wyatt sitting in the chair beside the bed, his face weary, as though he hadn't moved in hours. "Easy there," he said.
Rafael’s throat was dry, his voice a rasp when he finally managed to speak. “Wyatt?” His brow furrowed, fragments of last night’s events swirling in his mind like pieces of a broken puzzle. “What…what happened?”
"You got drunk at the bar last night, and hit your head," he responded.
"And what are you doing here?" Rafael asked. "You haven't said five words to me since we got back last month."
"Because I fucking care about you, you idiot!" Wyatt shot back at him. "More than those drunk idiots at the bar do, anyway. Someone had to make sure you were okay. Why were you drinking so much last night, anyway? I thought you didn't drink much."
Rafael hesitated, his heart pounding in a way that had nothing to do with his hangover. “Because you were there,” he admitted, his voice cracking slightly. “I couldn’t deal with being around you then. I figured getting drunk was better than leaving.”
Wyatt raised an eyebrow. "Why not?" he asked.
"Because I love you, idiot!" Rafael finally shot at him. The words burst out before Rafael could stop them, his frustration and pain spilling over like an overfilled dam. For once, Wyatt was speechless. For a moment, Rafael thought he might have made a terrible mistake, but he pressed on, the words tumbling out now that the floodgates had opened. "When you started ghosting me, it hurt like hell," Rafael continued. "I couldn't stop thinking about you for the whole month, ever since we got back."
Wyatt finally spoke, his voice hesitant. “But…what about that girl?
"What girl?" Rafael asked, genuinely puzzled.
Wyatt’s voice was quieter now, almost sheepish. “I overheard you talking to your mom on the phone. You said you met this amazing girl. It sounded like you were really into her.”
Suddenly it all made sense to Rafael. Rafael groaned and facepalmed his forehead, which only made him yelp out in pain. It quickly turned into a strained laugh. “Oh my god, Wyatt,” he said, shaking his head carefully. “I was talking about you, dumbass!”
Wyatt's eyes lit up. "What?!"
"Did you really think I was gonna tell my old-school catholic parents that their handsome, successful, eligible bachelor son is in love with a dude? Get real!" he smirked. "I wanted so badly to tell them about you, but I figured it would be better to break the news more slowly, so I told them a lie about your gender. Besides, I figured there was no reason to upset them when I didn't even know if you—" Suddenly, his sentence was cut off by Wyatt leaning forward, his lips pressed against Rafael's.
"I love you too," Wyatt finally said, breaking the kiss. His voice was soft but steady. "This whole month has been hell! When I overheard that phone call, I thought you didn't feel the same way, and I felt crushed."
"Oh, man. I'm so sorry I caused that," Rafael said.
"No dude, I'm sorry," Wyatt apologized. "I should've just talked to you about it instead of cutting you out! It just hurt so much, It hurt so much I didn’t know how to deal with it. I was a fucking wreck. Haven't even been with anyone since."
"Neither have I," Rafael confirmed.
"Well," Wyatt said, smirking. "I guess that means you've got a question for me?"
Rafael grinned. "Will you go out with me, Wyatt?"
"Yes!" Wyatt had never answered anything so fast in his life.
Unfortunately, the tender moment between Rafael and Wyatt was abruptly interrupted by a polite knock at the door, followed by the entrance of a woman in a white coat. She carried a clipboard in one hand, her expression professional yet warm.
“Great to see you’re awake, Rafael!” she said with a bright smile as she approached the bed. “I’m Dr. Chen. How are you feeling?”
Rafael blinked up at her, still somewhat disoriented. “Uh, like I’ve been hit by a truck,” he muttered, his voice scratchy from the combination of sleep, dehydration, and last night’s drinks.
Dr. Chen chuckled lightly, adjusting the stethoscope around her neck. “That’s not uncommon after a night like the one you had,” she said, glancing at the clipboard in her hand. “You were pretty intoxicated when you came in, and you took a nasty fall, hitting your head in the process. Fortunately, the initial scans didn’t show anything alarming, but now that you’re awake, we’ll need to do some checks for any signs of a concussion.”
Rafael groaned softly, leaning his head back against the pillow. “Great. Just what I needed.”
Wyatt, still standing by Rafael’s side, gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Hey, at least you’re in one piece,” he said, his voice light but edged with concern. “Let the doc do her thing. She’s just making sure you’re okay.”
As Dr. Chen began her examination, she had Rafael follow her finger with his eyes, recite a few simple sequences backward, and grip her hands to test his strength. Throughout it all, Wyatt stayed nearby, his eyes never leaving Rafael. Occasionally, he’d crack a joke to lighten the mood, causing pained laughs from Rafael.
“Everything’s looking good so far,” Dr. Chen finally said, jotting down notes on her clipboard. “No signs of a serious concussion, which is a relief. But you’ll still need to take it easy for the next few days. No heavy lifting, no strenuous activities, and absolutely no alcohol until you’re fully recovered.”
Rafael rolled his eyes but nodded. “Got it. No fun allowed.”
Dr. Chen smirked. “I wouldn’t say that. Just try to make smarter choices for a little while. Your body will thank you.” She paused, her gaze flickering to Wyatt. "You know, you're pretty lucky to have a friend like Wyatt here. He hasn't left your side since you got here. He even spent the night!"
"Boyfriend," Rafael corrected her. Wyatt’s face lit up at the word, his grin wide enough to rival the sun.
“Of course! My apologies—I should have figured,” she smiled and turned towards Wyatt. "I'm sure you'll see to it that he follows Doctor's orders, then?"
Wyatt straightened up, grinning. “You can count on me, Doc. He’s not getting away with any nonsense on my watch.”
Dr. Chen chuckled, closing her clipboard. "Glad to hear it. I'll have a nurse get you some aspirin for the hangover. We're going to keep you under observation for a few more hours, but assuming there aren't any new developments, we'll have your discharge paperwork processed by tonight!" She smiled and turned towards Wyatt. "I assume you'll be driving your boyfriend home tonight?"
"He'd have to try and stop me," Wyatt grinned.
“Perfect. Glad we’ve got that all squared away.” Dr. Chen’s smile widened as she stepped back toward the door. “Let the nurses know if you need anything in the meantime. I’ll be back later this evening for one last checkup before we let you go.” With that, she gave them one final nod and disappeared out the door, leaving the two men alone.
Rafael exhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a moment. “Man, that was humiliating,” he muttered.
Wyatt scooted his chair closer, his voice dropping into a teasing lilt. “Humiliating? Nah. You just handed me the perfect excuse to take care of you.”
Rafael cracked open one eye, the corner of his mouth tugging into a faint smirk. “Yeah, well, don’t get used to it. I’ll be healed up soon enough."
Wyatt smirked, brushing a stray hair from Rafael’s forehead. “Too late.” His touch was gentle, lingering just long enough to make Rafael’s pulse quicken.
Rafael let out a short laugh, the sound a little rough but genuine. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
Wyatt shrugged, his grin never wavering. “And you love me for it!”
***
Wyatt didn’t leave Rafael’s side for the rest of the day. As the hours ticked by, the hospital room, initially sterile and impersonal, began to feel a little less oppressive.
At first, they talked about light topics—work gossip, embarrassing stories from their younger years, and the ridiculous antics of their coworkers. Wyatt made Rafael laugh so hard recounting a story about a disastrous team-building retreat that he momentarily forgot about his throbbing head.
"Wait," Rafael said between chuckles. "You’re telling me you actually fell into the lake twice during that kayak race?!"
Wyatt grinned sheepishly. “What can I say? I didn’t have my sea legs. Or arms, apparently.”
When Rafael winced from laughing too hard, Wyatt immediately softened. “Sorry, sorry! Here,” he said, helping adjust the pillow behind Rafael’s head with a gentleness that made Rafael’s chest tighten in a different way.
A nurse came in to check on Rafael a few times, returning in the afternoon with two sandwiches from the cafeteria. They ate together, the quiet sound of chewing occasionally broken by Wyatt’s muttered complaints about how hospitals never seasoned their food properly. Wyatt gestured dramatically at his sandwich. “This is a crime against humanity.”
Rafael smirked, taking a bite of his own. “If you hate it so much, maybe you should try cooking me something edible when we’re out of here.”
Wyatt paused mid-chew, his eyes lighting up. “Deal,” he said, swallowing quickly. After lunch, Wyatt disappeared briefly, this time returning with a small box of playing cards he’d borrowed from the nurses’ station.
“Thought we could use some entertainment,” Wyatt said, shuffling the deck with surprising skill.
“You sure you want to challenge me?” Rafael asked, raising an eyebrow. “I’m pretty competitive, in case you forgot.”
Wyatt leaned forward, smirking. “Bring it on.”
What started as a casual game of Go Fish quickly turned into a spirited competition. Rafael’s eyebrow twitched when Wyatt smugly won for the fifth time in a row. Rafael retaliated by crushing Wyatt in a quick round of War, slapping his winning cards onto the bed tray with speed.
“You’re ruthless,” Wyatt said, shaking his head in mock dismay.
“Don’t start what you can’t finish,” Rafael shot back, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
The playful relationship flowed easily, neither of them keeping track of time. For Rafael, the headache that had been weighing him down all day seemed to fade into the background. For Wyatt, every moment spent with Rafael was a reminder of how deeply he’d missed this closeness—missed him.
By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow through the hospital window, the tension that had once lingered between them felt like a distant memory.
As they shuffled cards, there was an unspoken question lingering in Rafael’s mind, one that finally bubbled to the surface. “So,” Rafael started, his voice slightly hesitant. “Does this, like, make us gay now? Or are we just two straight guys who’re in love with each other?”
Wyatt froze for a beat before bursting into a giggle that seemed too boyish for someone his size. He turned to look at Rafael, his eyes sparkling. “Man, I don’t know,” he replied, leaning back in his chair. “All I know is, I don’t wanna be with anyone else. Man, woman, doesn’t matter. Just you, Raf.”
Rafael felt his cheeks grow warm, the sincerity in Wyatt’s voice making his chest tighten in the best way. He set his cards down, unable to resist the pull of the moment. “You’re such a sap,” he murmured, though his voice betrayed the affection laced in the words.
He leaned forward, grabbing Wyatt's shirt and pulling him into a kiss. Wyatt responded immediately, his lips soft and warm against Rafael’s. The kiss deepened, the cards forgotten as Wyatt leaned closer, nearly falling out of his chair. The moment was interrupted by a light knock at the door.
“Uh, excuse me,” came Dr. Chen’s voice, clearly trying to stifle an amused giggle.
They broke apart in an instant, Wyatt scrambling to straighten his chair and smooth his shirt while Rafael sat back, both their faces a deep shade of red.
Dr. Chen stepped into the room, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said.
Rafael cleared his throat, sitting up straighter, though the redness in his cheeks made it clear he wasn’t fooling anyone. “Uh, no worries, Doc.”
Wyatt coughed into his hand, his voice coming out slightly higher-pitched than usual. “Yeah, uh, we were just—uh…” He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoided eye contact.
Dr. Chen stepped further into the room, her smirk widening just a fraction. “Well,” she said, “I’m here to do one final exam. If everything checks out, you’ll be good to head home.”
Rafael coughed awkwardly, trying to regain his composure. “Right. Of course, Doc. Go ahead.”
Wyatt, still blushing, stood up and moved aside to give her space. Dr. Chen approached Rafael with her usual professional demeanor, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.
Dr. Chen performed a thorough but efficient exam, checking Rafael’s vitals and testing his reflexes. After a few minutes, she straightened up, satisfied.
“Everything looks good,” she said. “No signs of a concussion, and your vitals are stable. We’ll get your discharge papers ready, and you’ll be free to go in no time.”
“Good to hear.” Dr. Chen made a note on her clipboard and gave them both a warm smile. “Take it easy for the next few days, Rafael. You've got another appointment with me in a week—until then, I want you to stay at home and rest. Working from home is fine, but nothing too strenuous. And you,” she added, looking at Wyatt, “make sure he actually listens to my advice.”
“Absolutely,” Wyatt said without hesitation. “I’ll take good care of him.”
As she left the room, Wyatt turned back to Rafael, who was still flushed but smiling.
“Well,” Wyatt said, pulling his chair back up to the bedside. “Looks like you’re stuck with me for the foreseeable future.”
Rafael smirked, leaning back against the pillows. “Could be worse, I guess.”
Wyatt leaned in close again, his voice low. “Trust me, it’s about to get a whole lot better.”
Rafael laughed softly, the tension of the past few days melting away as he reached for Wyatt’s hand. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”
***
Wyatt carefully guided Rafael into the apartment, one arm securely around his waist as they navigated through the door and into the cozy living space. Rafael sighed dramatically as Wyatt steered him toward the bedroom, but there was a trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
They’d made a quick stop at Wyatt’s place earlier so he could throw together an overnight bag—a task that Wyatt had insisted on with no room for argument. They also picked up some groceries on the way to Rafael's.
“Is this all really necessary?” Rafael asked, his voice laced with mock exasperation as he lowered himself onto the edge of the bed.
“Yes,” Wyatt replied firmly. “You heard the doctor. I know you too well, Raf—if you were left to your own devices, you'd have driven straight to the office from the hospital."
Rafael chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m not that bad.”
Wyatt raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Oh, really? You’re telling me you wouldn’t have already tried to convince HR you’re well enough to take that meeting with the new clients on Thursday?”
Rafael opened his mouth to retort but faltered, his guilty expression betraying him.
“Exactly,” Wyatt said with a grin, leaning down to press a light kiss to Rafael’s lips. His stubble grazed Rafael’s skin, sending a pleasant shiver down his spine. He loved the way Wyatt's stubble tickled his skin. “Besides,” Wyatt continued, his voice softer now, “a break will be good for you. And for us. You still owe me a month’s worth of lost time to catch up on,” Wyatt grinned.
Rafael rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the blush creeping up his cheeks. “You’re really milking this, huh?”
“Absolutely,” Wyatt said with a wink.
Rafael leaned back on his elbows, looking up at him. “But what about work? We can’t both be out for a week. It’ll look bad.”
Wyatt knelt in front of him, taking his hands in his own. “Raf, you can take sick leave. That’s what it’s there for. And I’ve got plenty of PTO saved up—I never take vacations either. This is important. You’re important.”
Rafael hesitated, glancing away. “But what if they need us?”
Wyatt squeezed his hands gently, drawing Rafael’s gaze back to him. “Trust me, they’ll survive without us for a few days. What YOU need is to heal, mister.”
Rafael sighed, finally relenting. “Yessir,” he said with a small smirk, saluting Wyatt playfully.
Wyatt chuckled, standing up and ruffling Rafael’s hair affectionately. “Good. Now, lie back and relax. Watch some TV. I’ll make us something to eat.”
Rafael watched as Wyatt disappeared into the kitchen, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. He’d always been fiercely independent, used to handling things on his own. But having Wyatt there—caring for him, standing by him—made him realize just how much he’d been missing.
As the sound of Wyatt humming softly reached his ears, Rafael smiled to himself. For once, he was content to let someone else take the reins.
***
Rafael and Wyatt were cozied up in bed, sitting over the covers, their backs propped against a mound of pillows as they balanced plates of Wyatt's homemade pasta on their laps. The rich aroma of garlic and fresh herbs filled the room, the sound of "Modern Family" playing on the TV mounted on the wall. They both realized it was their favorite show. Though they'd seen this episode plenty of times, and they agreed it wasn't one of the better ones, it was the comfort of being together that made the moment special.
Wyatt took a sip of his drink before glancing over at Rafael. He grinned, watching as Rafael’s laughter bubbled up. The sound was warm, unrestrained, and infectious. It sent a flutter through Wyatt’s chest every time.
“You’ve got a really adorable laugh, you know that?” Wyatt said, his voice soft yet teasing.
Rafael paused mid-bite, a curious smile tugging at his lips. “Adorable, huh? Don’t think anyone’s ever called it that before.”
“Yeah, well, they should’ve,” Wyatt replied, leaning his head against the headboard as he looked at Rafael. “It’s one of my favorite sounds.”
Rafael flushed, his eyes darting to the screen. “Most of my exes never really liked it,” he admitted with a shrug. “Said it was too loud or that it didn’t ‘fit me.’” He put air quotes around the last two words, rolling his eyes at the memory.
Wyatt’s brow furrowed slightly before his expression softened. “Well, that’s dumb,” he said firmly. “Your laugh is perfect.” He grinned, nudging Rafael’s shoulder. "I guess I've got no choice but to make you laugh more!"
Rafael smirked, setting his plate aside on the nightstand before turning to Wyatt. “I guess you do,” he said, his voice low and playful.“But you might have your work cut out for you. I don’t laugh at just anything.”
Wyatt laughed softly, his arm wrapping around Rafael’s shoulders to pull him closer. “Challenge accepted,” he said, pressing a kiss to Rafael’s temple.
When the episode ended, Wyatt stretched and stood up, glancing over at Rafael. “Alright, let’s take care of those bandages before we call it a night,” he said, his voice gentle but firm.
Rafael nodded, sitting up carefully. Wyatt grabbed the medical supplies the doctor had given them, and pulled up a chair beside the bed. His hands moved carefully, unwrapping the old bandages and checking Rafael’s wound.
“Looks like it’s already healing pretty well,” Wyatt remarked, a soft smile on his face as he applied fresh gauze and tape. “Dr. Chen would be proud.”
“Thanks, Nurse Wyatt,” Rafael teased, earning an exaggerated eye-roll from Wyatt.
“Hey, someone’s gotta keep you in one piece,” Wyatt quipped, finishing up with a final pat on Rafael’s arm. “Alright, you’re all set. Let’s get into something more comfortable.”
Rafael changed into his favorite worn-out pajama pants and a loose T-shirt, while Wyatt rummaged through his overnight bag, pulling out a pair of plaid flannel pants and a simple tank top. By the time they were both ready for bed, Rafael had settled back under the covers, looking more relaxed than he had all day.
Wyatt stood at the foot of the bed, hands on his hips. “Hey, Raf. Do you need anything before we crash for the night?” He grinned playfully.
Rafael chuckled softly. “No, I think I’m good. Thanks, though.”
“Alright,” Wyatt said, heading toward the door. “I’ll be on the couch in the living room if you need anything. Just holler.”
Wyatt was about to step out when Rafael hesitated, his voice stopping him in his tracks. “Actually,” he began, a little shyly, “could you…sleep in here? With me?”
“Of course, man,” Wyatt said immediately, his voice warm and sincere. He closed the door behind him and walked back to the bed, pulling back the covers and sliding in beside Rafael.
The bed felt smaller now with both of them in it, but neither of them minded. Wyatt turned toward Rafael, his hand brushing against Rafael’s as he got comfortable. “Good night, babe,” he said softly, leaning in to press a tender kiss to Rafael’s lips.
Rafael’s breath hitched for just a moment before he smiled, his heart fluttering. “Good night,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
For a while, they lay there in the dark, the quiet hum of the city outside the only sound between them. Rafael could feel the steady warmth of Wyatt’s presence beside him, the comforting rhythm of his breathing. It was a kind of closeness Rafael hadn’t realized how much he’d needed until now.
As they drifted off, Rafael’s last thought was how right it felt to have Wyatt there with him. For Wyatt, the soft smile on Rafael’s face as he fell asleep was enough to ease every worry he’d carried since they got back from their business trip.
