"Stop messing around."
Baldur Morgan suddenly grabbed the hand that was poking and touching his face, brought it to his lips for a kiss, and slowly opened his eyes.
"All better?"
Cohen Phillips lay on top of him, pressing his forehead against Baldur's.
"All better."
Fevers and colds were common occurrences for him; they came quickly and left just as fast.
Baldur Morgan wrapped an arm around his waist, pulled him off, tucked him back under the covers, and reached for the digital thermometer on the nightstand.
"Let's check your temperature."
His eyes shone.
"Baldur, I like you so much."
Baldur Morgan glanced at the normal reading and felt completely relieved.
He pinched Cohen's cheek.
"Do you have any idea how difficult you are to take care of?"
Cohen blinked.
"Not really, am I?"
Baldur Morgan chuckled and pinched him again before getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom.
By the time he finished washing up, Cohen Phillips was sitting on the edge of the bed, rolling up the overly long sleeves.
Baldur Morgan walked over, crouched down, and helped him roll up the pant legs.
Cohen looked down, warmth overflowing in his heart.
"Baldur."
"Hmm?"
"I want to kiss you."
After finishing with the pant legs, Baldur Morgan stood up, pinched Cohen's chin, and teased with a smile, "Who was it that told me to be more restrained, yet is the one frantically speeding things up now? Cohen, you're truly strict with others and lenient with yourself."
Cohen Phillips grabbed the hem of his shirt and admitted frankly, "That's because you scared me. I thought you didn't have any feelings for me at all."
Baldur's fingertips stroked the soft lips, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.
"How could I not be moved."
Cohen Phillips caught his finger.
"But outside, you still need to be more restrained."
Baldur leaned down, rubbing against Cohen's lower lip.
"So at home, you won't ask me to hold back, is that it?"
Cohen Phillips said softly, "I like hugging and kissing you, but outside... I get shy... Mmm..."
Baldur Morgan directly captured his lips in a kiss.
Cohen's eyelashes fluttered as he closed his eyes.
When the kiss ended, Baldur Morgan held him firmly in his arms.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The knocking sound shattered the intimate warmth filling the room.
Baldur Morgan let go, turned to the wardrobe, pulled out a black knit cardigan, and helped Cohen Phillips into it.
"I'll have someone bring clothes over later. Let's go down for breakfast first."
"Oh..."
Cohen Phillips hooked his finger with Baldur's, letting him lead the way.
A slight smile touched Baldur's lips as he tightened his grip.
Nico Taft, who had just finished knocking, was in the middle of a yawn when the door opened and the young couple emerged hand-in-hand.
"Baldur, Baldur's little boyfriend, good morning."
After greeting them, he asked, "Still have a fever? Any discomfort anywhere?"
Cohen Phillips shook his head.
"No, I'm all better."
"Ah, recovered really fast. Baldur, then I can go back and rest, right? Remember the triple fee."
Baldur Morgan nodded.
"Mhm. Thanks for the trouble."
"Haha, no trouble at all."
Baldur Morgan took Cohen Phillips downstairs.
The kind-faced housekeeper emerged from the kitchen.
Her eyes lit up when she saw the person he was leading.
"My, this young man is really exquisite!"
Baldur Morgan guided Cohen Phillips into a chair at the dining table.
"Kewa, get him some breakfast."
"Right away! Heard you were sick, is that right? I'll get it now."
Baldur Morgan sat down beside him.
"She's my nanny who raised me since I was little. Her name is Kewa Morgan."
"Mhm, got it."
As the two ate breakfast, Nico Taft came down with his medical bag, not in a hurry to leave.
"Baldur, mind if I grab some breakfast before heading back?"
"Sit down."
"Good morning, Doctor."
Kewa Morgan said cheerfully, "I'll get you a portion."
Nico Taft put down his bag and made a heart shape with his hands.
"Thanks! Love you, love you!"
She waved a hand.
"Oh, I really can't handle you young people and your ways..."
After sitting down, Nico Taft propped his chin in his hands and stared at Cohen Phillips.
Cohen Phillips looked up.
"Good morning, Doctor. Sorry for the trouble."
"No trouble, no trouble at all."
He looked Cohen up and down.
"Baldur's little boyfriend..."
"His name is Cohen Phillips."
Baldur Morgan interjected calmly.
Nico Taft nodded vigorously.
"I'm Nico Taft. Cohen, uh..."
"Eat up, then head back."
"..."
He put on a fake smile and started eating.
Can't I even be a little curious?
After quickly finishing breakfast, Nico Taft shouldered his medical bag and gave his professional reminders.
"Student Cohen, remember to keep warm. Drink plenty of hot soup usually."
Cohen Phillips, also finished eating, put down his spoon.
"Understood. Thank you, Doctor."
"Alright, I'll be off then. Baldur, call me if anything comes up. As long as the payment's there, I'm at your service."
Baldur Morgan rolled his eyes at him.
"Get going."
"Bye."
After he left, Kewa Morgan cleared the bowls and spoons and said, "Young Master, I'm heading back to the old house to prepare tonics for the Old Master. If you and Young Master Cohen are staying home, I'll come back around noon to cook for you."
"No need to make the trip back and forth. I'll take him to the company later; we won't be back for lunch."
"Alright."
Kewa Morgan slung her small bag over her shoulder, took a few more glances at Cohen Phillips before leaving, and closed the door with a smile.
Baldur Morgan brought Cohen Phillips back to the bedroom and took clothes from the wardrobe.
Cohen Phillips sat on the edge of the bed watching him.
"What should I wear?"
"Your clothes will be delivered soon."
"You're taking me to your company?"
"I have a meeting at 10:30. I won't feel at ease leaving you home alone."
The corners of Cohen Phillips's mouth lifted slightly.
He picked up his phone from the nightstand.
As soon as he turned it on, it beeped incessantly.
There were several missed calls, all from his brother, and a bunch of WeChat message notifications.
Baldur Morgan leaned over to look and ruffled his hair.
"Call your brother back."
"Oh..."
He sent a voice call request.
Kerry Phillips answered instantly, yelling, "Cohen Phillips! You've got some nerve, huh?"
Cohen Phillips held the phone slightly away.
"Bro, nothing happened. Don't be so aggressive."
"Then why did you hang up last night?And turn your phone off?"
He avoided the main point.
"I had a fever."
Kerry Phillips took a deep breath.
"How are you now?"
"Better."
"Send me your address. I'll come pick you up."
He was reluctant.
"No need. I'll come back tonight."
"Send me the address!"
Kerry Phillips was insistent.
"We have to go to the law firm to sign documents this afternoon."
"Fine..."
Cohen Phillips had no choice about this.
After ending the call, he sent his location.
He looked up at Baldur Morgan and said, "My brother is coming to get me. There's something I need to do."
Baldur Morgan, now changed into his suit and tie, said, "Alright."
Unhappy, Cohen lightly kicked Baldur Morgan's calf.
Baldur Morgan pulled him up, holding him close, and rubbed his nose affectionately against Cohen's.
"So eager to stay with me, huh?"
Cohen Phillips wrapped his arms around the man's neck, his lips slightly puckered, asking for a kiss.
Baldur Morgan pressed his hand against the small of Cohen's back.
As their lips and tongues met, he murmured soothingly, "Wait for me to come find you after I get off work."
"Mmm..."