Page 42 of Should the Sky Fall

“Oh.” Dawson laughs, the sound so sudden and refreshing Cal misses a step and has to brace himself against the wall.

Dawson’s hands are on him in an instant, winding around his back and grabbing his waist.

“Shit. Are you okay?” He keeps his grip light, like he’s afraid he might hurt him.

Oh, he’s fine. Just embarrassed. “Wasn’t looking.”

Dawson heaves a sigh, looking a little shaken. “Almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Good thing we’re at the hospital, then,” Cal says, finding his footing.

Letting out a small, breathy laugh, Dawson keeps a hand on Cal’s arm as they move forward. “True.”

Cal spends more time focusing on the sensation of Dawson’s hands on him than where he’s going. The place he touches him feels hotter than the rest of his body, like a brand. It feels right, so perfectly right, and he wants more of it. He’s tempted to pretend to trip again just so Dawson will touch him more.

He doesn't realize how far he's walked until Dawson stops. “Are you okay? You’re shaking.”

Looking up, he can see he’s walked all the way to the waiting area. There’s no way he can go back without a short break.

“I’m fine. Just need to sit down for a bit.” He finds the nearest chair and sits with Dawson’s help. He doesn’t really need it but he won’t tell him that.

“Are you guys okay?” calls the lady behind the desk, watching them cautiously.

Dawson waves her off. “We’re fine. Just taking a break.” He takes the chair next to Cal, his expression disapproving. “Jesus, I told you.”

“Yes, yes, I know.” Smiling, Cal rolls his eyes. “We’ve already established I’m stubborn.”

Dawson huffs, sounding both annoyed and amused. “What am I gonna do with you?”

Whatever you want,Cal’s pining brain supplies unhelpfully. “I guess you’ll have to keep an eye on me.”

Dawson’s reaction isn’t what he’d expected. His smile disappears and his shoulders tense up. “Guess so.”

The silence that follows is heavy and leaves Cal feeling cold and wrong. He wants to say something, but Dawson seems to be putting major effort into keeping his eyes averted.

Cal studies his profile, the slightly upturned slope of his nose and high, prominent cheekbones. His golden-brown hair curls at his temples, making Cal want to reach over and brush it to the side, just to see if it’s as silky as it looks.

He wouldn’t stop there. He’d touch Dawson everywhere, trace the contours of his face with his fingertips, memorizing it. Making sure he’d never forget again. Never again.

“Are you ready to go back?” Dawson asks, pulling him out of his daydream.

Calming his racing heart, Cal nods.

The walk back is even slower, and Dawson doesn’t touch him this time. He stays close in case something happens, but to Cal the small distance between them is like a chasm. It only grows wider when they finally reach Cal’s room, and Dawson doesn’t waste time in putting more space between them.

But at least he doesn’t leave. He watches as Cal wobbles to the bed and climbs into it like an old man.

Once settled in the least uncomfortable position he could find, Cal looks at Dawson. Despite wanting, so badly, to spend more time together, he’s about to tell him he doesn’t have to stay, that he’s already done enough, but Dawson speaks first.

“You really don’t remember, do you?”

The question catches him off guard. Has Dawson been hoping Cal would start remembering by now?

“You are…familiar,” he says, choosing his words carefully. “IknowI know you. It’s all just…very hazy. I’m sorry.”

For a split second, he thinks it’s relief that passes across Dawson’s face. But then he blinks, and it’s gone. He must’ve imagined it.

Dawson hesitates before sitting down in the chair. “No, it’s…it’s okay. Just weird.”