Making sure not to spill a drop, Randy carefully poured the hot liquid into the heavy ceramic mug he had set on the counter. Craning his neck just slightly, he cast yet another anxious glance into the living room.

Stretched out on the couch, scowling darkly and pretending not to be sick, Chris Jericho tried unsuccessfully to hold in another wracking cough.

Randy was determined to wipe the concerned look from his face as he walked back into the other room. But only because he knew how much it would annoy his lover. In truth, he was looking at someone who seemed immune to every germ known to man. So seeing him actually lying down and giving in to an illness was enough to make him shift into caregiver mode.

Something he knew Chris hated.

As he sat on the edge of the cushion he offered a smile as he held out the steaming mug.

"This should help. I added extra lemon like my mom used to do. She says it works great."

Chris wrinkled his nose. He wasn't terribly interested in Randy's mother's cure for the common cold. And he was hesitant to taste anything that promised certain relief.

After all, he wasn't known as the backstage cynic for nothing.

He shifted his eyes from the mug in Randy's hands to the tender eyes trained on him.

"You know I hate to be coddled," he rasped.

Randy visibly winced at the sound of his voice, made scratchy and weak by the cold.

"Yeah..I know. But it's only tea. Besides...it really will make you feel better."

Chris raised the cup to his lips, letting the warming steam fill his nostrils. It really did smell inviting. And he knew he was in need of something. Although he wasn't about to admit that to Randy.

And not because he didn't care for the man.

But years of bad relationships and moments of hope that had been cruelly dashed had left him somewhat jaded when it came to opening his heart to anyone.

But no matter how cranky or cantankerous his mood, Randy was always the picture of welcoming good humor.

Chris chalked it up to the innocence of youth.

Randy had yet to experience the pain of having someone use him as a way to get back at someone else. He hadn't been tossed aside by someone who collected romantic conquests the same way he collected title belts. And if was lucky he never would be.

But Chris had. And it was those memories that always kept him from reaching out and accepting the willing, loving hand offered to him.

The past had left Chris wary and suspicious of everyone. But thankfully not completely immune to the charms of the dark haired man sitting next to him.

Still, he often wondered why Randy even bothered.

The man in question reached out to straighten the blanket that covered Chris. He knew he'd get yet another glare for his trouble...but he didn't care.

Hell...Chris was too weak to argue much anyway.

"Can I get you something to eat?"

Chris paused. Then he swallowed the biting response that almost automatically came to his lips. "Yeah.....ok. That would be nice."

Randy grinned in triumph. "I'll be right back."

And before Chris could say or do something to stop him, he leaned forward and kissed him gently.

Chris shook his head as Randy jumped to his feet. "You shouldn't have done that. Now you'll probably catch what I have."

But the prospect of getting sick didn't seem to phase Randy. He continued to smile as he headed for the kitchen as he tossed what could have been an offhand comment over his shoulder.

Offhand...but more true than anything he'd ever said to Chris before.

"That's ok. You're pretty much in my blood anyway."

He never bothered to turn and see what Chris' reaction was...which was really too bad.

Because he would have seen the first contented smile Chris had given anyone in ages.

Read the sequel TLC 2