"Alright. Now how're we gonna get you out of this car?"

"Please dear god not the same way you got me in." Otis whimpered.

"I know. I'm sorry I hurt you...I didn't mean to."

"I know..." He fidgeted in his seat.

"Alright. Just...Can you slide out?"

"I think..." Otis cringed as he moved, carefully shifting his weight. Cutter grabbed him, picking him up and pulling him against his chest, kissing him.

"Mmm...I needed that so bad." He released Otis on the ground, letting him curl into his chest. Otis wrapped his arms around him, nuzzling into his shoulder. Cutter wrapped him in a protective embrace, kissing his head. "I love you."

Otis mumbled, cuddling into him further.

"Come on. Let's get you inside and settled in bed, huh?"

Otis nodded, hobbling alongside Cutter on his singular crutch.

"You got yourself?" He asked, gently placing an arm on Otis's shoulder.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

He lead Otis to the guest bedroom and helped him settle on the bed, sighing as he cringed. "You hurtin'?"

"Yeah...Just movin' around on it is makin' it hurt is all."

"Okay. Where's your pain pills?"

"Don't need 'em."

"Otis-"

"I said I don't need them." He grumbled.

"Alright. Alright. I hear ya." Cutter gently stroked Otis's hair, trailing down to his cheek. Otis leaned in to his touches. "I hated not being able to see you...You really needed me...And I couldn't be there for you."

"I mean..." Otis shrugged. "It would have been nice having you there, but it's not like I was pissed you weren't. I understood."

"I saw your face when Eve said she missed me yesterday."

Otis began to blush. "Oh...Yeah."

"I know you love me. You just have a hard time saying it."

Otis nodded. "I do...A-and...I know now that...You really do, too..."

Cutter smiled. "Good. That doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying to be better for you...I know I made a lot of mistakes."

Otis snorted, smiling. "Yeah. And loving me was one of them."

"Otis, stop it. I know you think you're fooling people by playing it off like you're joking when you say shit like that but you're not fooling anyone."

He looked down at his hands, fiddling with his thumbs.

"You are more than worth loving. So stop it."

Otis nodded. "O..Okay..."

Cutter leaned closely, gently and sweetly kissing Otis, resting his hand on the hip opposite of his injured one.

The kiss lasted longer than either of them realized. Slow, passionate and caring. Laden with emotion, their lips moved together.

Cutter finally broke away. "Get some rest. I'm right here if you need anything."

"I'm fine. I-..."

Cutter cocked his head. "What were you going to say?"

He hesitated, biting his lip. "...I missed you."

He smiled softly, taking Otis's hand in his larger, bear paw like grip. "I missed you too, little angel. But I'll be right here. You need to rest a little bit. That was a lot on you, I know. We can talk later."

Otis's face turned a subtle red as he nodded.

"What's wrong?"

"Uhm...You..You won't lay with me?"

The clown laughed. "Don't even try to hide it from me you want me to hold you." He guffawed as Otis's face turned a bright red. "Awww..." He kissed Otis lightly. "Don't be so bashful about it. I'm glad you want that from me...But not right now. I'm not gonna risk hurting you, okay?"

"Mm...Alright." He conceded, settling into the bed that Cutter had carefully and lovingly fluffed and prepared for him, just the way he liked it.

"I'll be out in the living room if you need me, okay?"

"Yeah...Alright." He muttered, already drifting into sleep. Cutter settled on the sofa to rest himself.

He wasn't sure how long he was asleep, but when he sat up, he saw a sight he hadn't been prepared for- Otis hobbling his way to the kitchen.

"What in the fuck are you doing up?!"

Otis startled, then cringed. "Aaaah...I just needed a drink..."

"Why didn't you ask me?!"

"Because I can get it myself!"

"You're recovering from surgery!"

"I can get myself a damned glass of water!"

"Otis." Cutter stood, placing a hand on either of his shoulders. "You are supposed to be resting, and keeping off of that hip. Are you doing either one of those things?"

"Yes!"

"You're standing in front of me after hobbling to the kitchen." He stated flatly.

"Well not right this second!"

"Let me take care of you. Please. I want to take care of you."

"I can take care of myself!"

He sighed. "I know. I know. But you don't have to take care of yourself. You don't have to go this alone."

"I've had much worse than this without anyone helpin' me."

"I know. But you don't have to do this alone, like I said. Why won't you let me help you?"

"Because I can do this myself!"

"I know you can. I know. I know. I know. But you don't have to, goddammit let me help because I love you! I WANT to take care of you. Please. You...I know you always wanted people to care for you and love you. So let me."

He sighed. "Fine. Fine...And you're right..."

"I know I am." Cutter smiled, stroking Otis's hair behind his ear. "It's okay." He kissed him gently, tipping his chin up. "Get back in bed."

"I needed to walk around a little bit my ass was asleep!"

"Mmm. Wish I could do something to make it wake up." He smirked.

"Why can't ya?"

"Because you just had surgery on your hip and I'm not about to hurt you."

"Mmmm...Fine..."

"Go lay back down. I'll get you some water."

Otis obeyed and Cutter poured him a glass of water, sitting beside him on the bed and wrapping his arm around him. Otis tried to hide a smile at the contact, but when Cutter kissed his cheek, he couldn't help but chuckle, turning his head to the side and stealing a kiss.

Cutter laughed. "You little thief." He kissed Otis's head. "I'm so glad you're okay."

He chuckled. "Thanks."

"I was so worried about you."

"I've had so, so much worse John...You have no idea."

"I know...But I don't have any idea, so I was worried and wanted you to be okay."

Otis settled on Cutter's shoulder, sighing contentedly. "Thank you..."

"For what?"

"For...For everything..."

Cutter smiled. He knew exactly what Otis meant.