Making Space in one's life.

After arriving safely, Ayan jumped with happiness as he held his teacher's hand."Does the teacher stay with this stranger?" Ayan asked, memorizing the room number."How many times should I tell you, little angel, I'm not a stranger?" Sabastian spat, holding a smile, while his eyebrows twitched with anger. He is not an angel. He is a carbon copy of Satan."He's Uncle Sabastian; he works with me." Roman supported Sebastian while Ayan made a face of realization. "Alright, rest well," Roman said, looking at them both and holding the hand of his pouty boy."Take care," Sabastian replied while opening the door. Roman smiled at Dean and took a step back.Dean looks at Roman, getting the urge to tell him the truth. Although something is stopping him, which he does not understand, he tried his best to act normally, not feeling pain in his chest, becoming uneasy, and avoiding looking at anyone. He refrained from crying again. His fist tightened, and he followed Sabastian on his heels.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　Roman sits on the single bed. His eyes felt warm. He could feel his breath becoming warm as well. He pressed his palm over his neck and forehead, and it felt normal. He shook his head and sat down on the bed to rest; he'll be fine by evening."Papa!" Ayan stepped out of the bathroom. "I washed my face and hands." Ayan showed his hand.Roman sat up, throwing the duvet away, and opened Ayan's suitcase. "Let's work on math, dear," Roman said, searching for a math workbook."Papa, tomorrow." Ayan sat in front of his father and rested his face in his palm, making a cute face. "Please," he said, blinking his eyes shut."What will you do now?" Roman asked, keeping the books back in their place. If this tiny fellow is not ready to study now, then his dad will never force him."Uh?" Ayan made a thinking face. "I won't give my phone. You have used more than enough for today." Roman said it before Ayan could ask for it. The boy pouted, nodding with dejection."What's there to think when uncle Liam is here?" Liam stepped toward the duo with a wide grin. He keeps the laptop away."Where were you? The room is big enough to hold you and your laptop." Roman asked, zipping the bag."Just wanted to grab a coffee and thought to finish meeting there," Liam replied, picking up the boy in his arm."I met a chick," Liam smirks, showing his phone, which has a new contact added.Roman rolled his eyes while shaking his head."Let's go, champ. We'll go to the arcade. Your dad is boring." Liam pressed on with the last words, which earned a giggle from Ayan."Make sure to return before evening. He needs to finish his homework and revise.""Ok, ok. He'll be here by 5." Liam quickly marched out of the room with Ayan, who waved at his dad.Roman rubbed his forehead and sat on the bed to finally rest. He closed his eyes, pulling the duvet closer. He hugged a pillow to his chest.As said, Ayan and Liam arrived before five. The boy with balloons and another hand holding a waffle pack. He sure has a sweet tooth."Shush, your dad's sleeping," Liam whispered, placing the boy on the edge of his bed. He crawled to the center of the bed and carefully opened the pack without making any noise.Liam's phone rings; he quickly accepts it and steps out of the room. Ayan looks at his dad's back with longing. He can't stay away from his dad without clinging to him. He jumped from Liam's bed and climbed onto Roman's bed."Sorry, Ayan. Can you stay here like a good boy?" Liam asked, startling the boy who was going to touch his dad. Ayan nodded his head. "Uncle has an urgent meeting with the team. So, inform your dad of the same, alright?" Ayan nodded again.Liam stepped out while making sure to lock the door. Ayan keeps the waffle aside and hugs his dad from behind. He narrowed his eyes while hugging his dad. "Papa, you are warm." He whispered, tucking himself into the duvet too. He pulled the duvet to his dad's chest and patted his head.He widens his eyes, pressing his palm over his dad's forehead. It's not a normal temperature. "Papa? Papa, are you not well?" Ayan asked, shaking Roman.Roman groans, not having the strength to open his eyes. He forced himself to sit up and immediately felt lighter."I should have taken medicine." Roman mumbles, looking at his son. "Nothing happened, alright? Papa is just sick. I'll take medicine, and everything will be ok." Roman whispered, wishing to hug his son. However, he stopped himself because Ayan might get infected too."Baby, you know the medicine box, right?" Roman asked, leaning against the header board. Ayan nodded, he remembers the white box."It's in Papa's suitcase, in the second zip. Can you get it for me?" Roman requested, closing his eyes. He is feeling light, and sweat is sticking to his shirt like a second skin. He didn't realize it would become awful. He thought resting would be best.Ayan pushed the bag down and opened the zip. He fumbled between clothes, but he didn't find it. His eyes were watering. The tiny angel is panicking. He has rarely seen his father sick, and he's not liking it one bit. He threw all the clothes out and fumbled in other places too. Just then, he realized his mischief. His father did keep it. However, Ayan whined to zip the bag, which Roman allowed. Ayan didn't feel first aid was needed and kept it back in the drawer when Roman went to the bathroom to get toothbrushes."I'm sorry, papa," Ayan whispered, looking down with guilt. His papa knows the best. Why did he use his brain and keep it away? He did wrong, and Papa will suffer now. Ayan whimpered, shutting his eyes tightly.Roman just closed his eyes after hearing the words. Those words have already answered that it is not present. However, he did keep one, not for himself but rather for Ayan. "Where is Uncle?"Ayan looks at his dad. "Uncle has a meeting with the team." Roman nodded, taking his phone."Don't worry. I'll text Uncle; he'll get it." Roman said, lying on the bed now. With each minute, his temperature is soaring.Ayan looks down, feeling ashamed of himself. He thinks his uncle will take time to reach here. He looks at his dad, who is typing on the phone."Teacher... teacher will help," Ayan said quietly, his eyes widening.He looks at the door and grabs a nearby stool. Roman narrowed his eyes, not liking the noise of the stool. "Where're you going? Come back." Roman asked, pushing the duvet aside. He sits back. He doesn't like anything and tears well up in his eyes. He doesn't like getting sick. It makes him feel guilty."One second, papa." Ayan opened the door and ran out of the room without informing his worried father. Roman wanted to follow the boy. But his light body was seeking rest.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　Ayan searches through the room numbers for his teacher's room. He ran to the other end of the corridor with bare feet. People look at the boy with amusement.A staff recognized Ayan. "What happened, Ayan?" Ayan did not stop. His destination is his teacher."Teacher! Teacher!" Ayan bangs on the door. Within seconds, Dean opened the door."What happened? Everything ok?" Dean asked, kneeling. Ayan falls into his arms while sobbing profusely.Dean shared a confused gaze with Sabastian, who was also worried, no matter how much the boy annoys him. He still adores Ayan."Papa," Ayan whispered between his sobs while fisting Dean's shirt.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

[PAST]

"When will you grow up?" Amelia murmured as she fed the grownup man who doesn't know how to care for himself.Roman gave a timid smile to his wife, who was getting angry at his carelessness. The man fell sick because of the drenching rain."Sometimes, I don't know what to do with you." She grumbled, shoving the spoon into his mouth with a glare."Love me," Roman replied with a smile. For a second, Amelia blushed. However, she brought her angry face back.She narrowed her eyes. "They're beautiful as always." Roman tried coaxing the woman. However, she was having none of that."When you feel, you don't have your usual energy. You should inform me. Every time, it's me who has to understand by seeing your face. Next time, return home when you realize you're sick." She takes a glass of water. "Don't work overtime." She angrily spoke, getting upset that her husband is sick and, on top of that, he worked overtime too.Roman chuckled, taking the medicine. "Now, sleep." Amelia pulls the duvet over Roman's chest and pats his head. slowly sweeping into slumber."Who will take care of you in my absence?" Roman heard Amelia's voice. However, couldn't open his eyes and nor got the power to say anything as sleep enveloped him.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　Roman's temperature reached above 105 °F. His whole body turned hot, and his face turned red. His dizzy mind is worried about his son. However, he's unable to move from the bed. Warm tears stream down his cheeks as he feels helpless. He wants to see his son safe.He heard the door open. "Ay-Ayan," he whispered."He's with me and completely fine." He heard a reply."Papa," his son said as relief coursed through his veins. Ayan is here and safe."Tian, can you get water? It'll be better if you soak a towel too." Dean instructs, seeing Roman almost unconscious. Sabastian nodded, stepping inside the bathroom.Dean keeps his medic box aside while filling a glass of water. "Sir," he whispered, holding Roman's head and supporting him.Roman looks at him with hazy eyes. "Take medicine; you'll feel better." He could barely catch the words. However, he felt a tablet on his lips. He gulped a little water with the medicine."Sir, drink more water. It'll help." Dean whispered, bringing Roman to his chest and tilting the glass carefully, helping the man swallow it."Dean!" Sabastian brought the towel and a bucket of water from the bathroom."When will the doctor arrive?" Dean asked, pressing the towel over Roman's forehead and wiping his face in an attempt to reduce the temperature.Roman looked keenly at Dean and his actions. He didn't say anything and let the man take care of him. He closed his eyes, feeling them droopy."I'm not sure. Liam sir is bringing the doctor," Sabastian said, sitting on the edge of the bed."Will Papa get better?" Ayan asked between his sniffles. In this chaos, they forgot about the worried boy."Yes, he'll be fine soon. Don't worry," Dean replied, passing his soaked kerchief to Ayan."Help me with wiping your dad's hands," Dean spoke, gesturing for the boy to follow his action.The boy nodded, taking his father's hand. Sabastian was going to ask about the action until he heard a notification on his phone. He quickly checked it, reading the message from Dean.I asked Ayan to keep him occupied. If he continues to cry, he'll fall sick too.Sabastian nodded at Dean, keeping the phone aside. His eyes focused on Dean and how he was taking care of the man as though he were related to him as if he knew him very well. I chose the right person to pursue, a caring individual who is rare in this world.Dean's eyes turned blurry as he remembered Roman coughing, and he didn't give much thought to it. He feels a certain responsibility for Amelia's family. He should have asked about his health. Then again, he doesn't have a valid reason to show his concern. He feels a type of responsibility for Amelia's family. He understands his concern because Roman is his donor's husband. But how will he explain his worry without telling the truth? He's still afraid to see the bitterness in Ayan's eyes.The little boy thought of him. He's the first person the boy reached out to. It shows how much Ayan trusts him. Will the boy hold the same emotions after knowing the truth?"Doctor, that's the patient." A panicked Liam stepped inside with a doctor. Sabastian stepped aside."I gave him paracetamol, doc," Dean responds quickly. The doctor nodded, opening his suitcase and taking a thermometer."Papa is very sick," Ayan exclaimed, starting to sob. His mind knows that doctors visit only when someone is facing extreme health issues. Moreover, he isn't fond of doctors in the first place.Dean picks Ayan up in his arms and pats his back, trying to calm him. "I did this!" Ayan exclaimed between his hiccups. "I kept the box away because I don't like it." He continued, his eyes welling up with tears as he looked at Dean."No, you didn't know about this," Dean whispered, wiping the boy's tears."He has a very high fever, 108°F." The doctor showed the thermometer to Liam. Dean heard it as he stepped out of the room and stood on the balcony with Ayan in his arms."You didn't know your papa would get a fever." Dean continued while wiping the tears from the boy's cheek. The boy hugged his teacher tightly, afraid something would go wrong."Papa will be fine by morning," Dean whispered, rubbing the boy's back. His eyes look at the vast sky, where the sun is planning to take a rest. He hugged the boy back, whispering, "You know the sky sometimes looks bright, sometimes becomes dark, sometimes holds gloominess, sometimes thunders, sometimes showers." Ayan looks at his teacher with confusion."Ayan, your papa is like the sky. He's trying his best to be a warm sky for you. You know, Papa is working hard for that, so he needs some rest. Papa should take a rest, right?" Ayan nodded with a sniffle. Dean smiled, holding the boy's hand."Let's pray for Papa to get better, alright?" Ayan nodded again with a small smile."Papa will get better. I wish papa to be happy." Ayan whispered, something he does while visiting the holy place.Dean couldn't hold back his urge to kiss the boy's cheek. "You are the cutest." He whispered, noticing the redness spreading on Ayan's face, who tried to show he was not affected by the affection."Let's check on Papa and," Dean wiped the excess tears from Ayan's cheek. "Ayan will be strong for Papa, right?" Ayan nodded, looking at his teacher.Dean steps back into the room. "I've given the injection. The fever will be gone by night, so get this medicine." The doctor spoke while giving the prescription to Liam."Thank you, doctor," Liam whispered, gesturing for the doctor to step forward."I'll get the medicines. Meanwhile, please stay with Ayan." Liam requested, glancing at a sleeping Roman."Don't worry, we'll be here with him," Sabastian assured him along with Dean. Liam nodded, stepping out.Ayan looks at his dad and then back at his suitcase. "Teacher, put me down." Dean lands the boy on his feet.Ayan quickly opened his bag, taking his workbooks with pencils and crayons."Papa will be proud when he sees my finished homework," Ayan whispers, keeping his bag aside and sitting on Liam's bed, spreading his books."Homework?" Dean narrowed his eyes, trying to remember. "I didn't give any—yeah, Daniel is handling you all now."He smiled and sat next to Ayan. "Come here, we'll work together." Ayan beams a smile and shows his work.Sabastian smiled and sat on the left side of Ayan. He picks up a book and looks through the scribbles.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　Roman closed his eyes tightly and turned around. A frown struck his forehead."Two eights are sixteen. Two nines are eighteen."Slowly blinking his eyes, he looks at his son, who is sitting on the bed and counting. He blinks again, closing his eyes."Five plus four equals," another voice said.Ayan starts counting. "1,2,...,9!""Alright, homework is done." Dean pats the boy's head as Ayan keeps his books inside the bag."Ayan," Roman whispered, startling people with his voice. He sits upright, noticing Sabastian and Dean. Sweat sticks to his skin like glue, making Roman scrunch his nose."Papa!" Ayan jumped from the bed and climbed onto Roman's bed."Papa!" Ayan threw himself on his father and hugged him tightly.Roman smiled, caressing his son's hair."I'm sweaty," Roman whispered, trying to push the boy. However, Ayan continued to cling to him."No problem," Ayan whispered, hugging his dad's waist and resting his head on his chest. Roman didn't say anything and continued to caress his head."How are you now?" Roman heard a whisper and felt a palm placed on his forehead. He was startled for a second and looked at the person, leaning towards them."The temperature is normal," Dean mumbled to himself while planting his other hand on his forehead with a frown.Roman looks at the man without saying anything. He remembers Dean helping him. He is more than grateful for that. Also, his son uses his brain on time. Even Roman didn't think about seeking others' help."Drink some water," Dean said with a smile, handing the man a glass of water."How are you, sir?" Sabastian asked, noticing Ayan snuggling in his father's arms. He really loves his dad.Somehow this situation reminded him of his father too, who is far away from him, probably between clouds now."I'm feeling better," Roman replied with a polite smile."Thank you all for being there." Roman slightly bowed his head in gratitude."No issues, sir. We are like a family now." Sabastian replied, gaining nods from his colleagues and smiling."And this tiny kid is my friend now." Sabastian further added, smiling at the boy, who looks happy now."I don't know why this stranger followed us," Ayan said, looking away as though he didn't know him. Here comes the devil. I take back everything I said and thought about him."Hey, how long will you be mean to me?" Sabastian asked, pulling the boy's hand playfully, and Ayan laughed while pushing the man."What would you like to eat, sir? I'll order it," Dean said, stepping aside to use the intercom."Order for everyone. It's my token of gratitude." Roman replied, hugging his son close to his chest.Dean simply smiled and nodded. After all, he knows Roman is a man who either returns someone's kindness in some way or shows his gratitude."I'll sit with Papa." Ayan was quick to sit on his dad's lap as Roman freshened up, feeling refreshed and better. Having ill health surely takes all the energy and leaves tiredness behind.Roman nodded, caressing the boy's hair. "Where's Liam?" Roman asked, looking at Sabastian."Uh, he said he'd return. But I don't know now." Sabastian whispered, looking at the door.Soon they heard, "Room service," followed by a knock.The white plates are filled with food. "For Ayan," Dean gave a plate filled with more food than a child could eat.Roman noticed it and looked at Dean with questioning eyes. "It's too much; Ayan will not--""Papa!" Ayan interrupts Roman, who returns his gaze to his son. Ayan smiled, bringing a spoonful of rice mixed with plain curry to his father's mouth, who looked stunned."Papa feeds me when I'm sick. Today I'll feed Papa." Ayan says, gesturing for his dad to open his mouth.Roman's eyes flicker from the spoon to Ayan's face. Unknowingly, his eyes fill with tears. While blinking his eyes, he chewed the food, watching the bright smile on Ayan's face as he mixed more rice.It's been a long time since someone has cared for him. He didn't expect his little angel to be the one. His eyes blurred as Ayan continued to feed him and wipe his mouth, even helping him drink water."You should eat too," Roman whispered to the boy, who nodded but continued in his mission to empty the plate.Sabastian and Dean smiled, watching them with adoration. The father and son are truly special. The father can't live without his son, and the son becomes restless without his father.With his eyes focusing back on the food, Dean remembers the conversation. Your papa takes care of you all the time, right? So, at least help your papa with eating. He'll be so happy that he'll recover quickly.The adorable boy agreed without wasting a second. Dean smiled to himself, feeling happy somewhere within his heart. That reminded him of the medicines."What're you thinking?" Sabastian asked, noticing Dean was in a daze. This question got the duo's attention too."I was remembering to take my medicine," Dean mumbled without realizing it. His wide eyes met Sabastian's confused gaze."Are you unwell?" Sabastian asked, quickly pressing his backhand over Dean's forehead."Did you get infected by me?" Roman asked, looking at him with concern."Teacher, even you..." Gloominess surrounded the boy as his lips wobbled.Dean shook his head and said, "No, no. Of course not. I'm completely fine." He clarifies, panicking with all the questions thrown at him."Then, why do you need medicine?" Roman asked, getting nods from others.Instead of dropping a bomb, it's better to spill the truth little by little, right? Dean looks at the father and son while forcing himself to smile."Four years ago, I had surgery. So, I need to take medicine to make sure my body functions properly." He casually replied, digging into the food.Others wanted to know more. However, they stopped, thinking Dean was not comfortable sharing with them. Although Ayan parted his lips to ask questions. But Roman shook his head and held his hand. The boy nodded, parting his lips to eat as his father continued to feed him.Dean sighed, feeling the awkwardness in the air now. He excused himself and stood up to leave because his work was finished."Teacher, stay." The cute voice of Ayan stopped Dean. Soon he heard pitter-patter followed by a tiny hand tugging at him.___________________________________