The next little while was just as hectic as it was in the hospital, even with Cailen's time off.
There was so much to deal with, and because Asher was injured, it was all left up to Cailen, though he could tell Asher felt bad about that.
If Cailen wasn't getting Ezekiel ready or taking him to school, he was waiting on Asher, changing his bandages, and making sure he took his medication.
If he wasn't doing that, he was cleaning the flat, going grocery shopping and taking Loki on walks.
And when he wasn't doing that, he was taking care of the legal aspect of Asher's accident.
It was pretty straightforward, he got injured on the job and wasn't able to work, and with his leg the way it was now, he wouldn't be able to return as a firefighter because the risk was too great.
Asher was getting compensated at the moment, getting regular cheques as if he were still working, and he would be getting them until he was healed and was working again.
They just didn't know when that would be or what he would do.
The only break Cailen really got was when Asher was in Physio.
Cailen would bring him down to the hospital on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the evening for Asher to go through an hour of Physio.
Sometimes he would stay and watch but Asher said he didn't like that, he said that it was too much pressure having Cailen watching him, so Cailen would often slip away and go have some tea or even go home again to spend time with Ezekiel and whoever had offered to watch him at the time.
Then he would go and get Asher again, bring him home, clean him up as best as he could, and change his bandages, again.
Cailen didn't mind doing all of this, it needed to be done and no one else could do it, it just seemed never ending.
Of course he always had offered help from his friends, his Mom and Dad, Asher's Mom and Dad, Arabella, even a few of Asher's firefighter friends, but there was only so much they could do.
Cailen kind of had to do the rest. It's not like Asher would be exactly comfortable with Jeremy from the firehouse giving him a sponge bath or that William could sign off on the legal documents.
No, sometimes it just had to be Cailen and he was okay with that. Yes, he was exhausted but he knew he would get his break once Asher was feeling better.
Along with a hectic schedule came a hectic visiting schedule.
There was constantly people stopping by to see Asher, always bringing something they thought would be helpful or sweet but really just ended up in a pile with the rest of the gifts.
It was a sweet gesture, one Cailen always made sure to thank them for, but their flat was becoming quite cramped with flowers and chocolates that nobody ate because Asher said he couldn't eat them because he couldn't work out and needed to stay healthy.
Cailen didn't want Ezekiel having too many, and Cailen was growing sick of them. He just didn't know what to do with them all, and throwing them out seemed rude.
But all in all, Cailen thought he was managing fairly well, even if some days he just didn't want to even get up.
*****
"You can't make me!" Cailen declared from where he was slouched on the couch, nearly falling over on his side from how slanted he was sitting.
He was just so tired, he didn't want to get up. He was whining at William who had told him it was time to pick Asher up from Physio but he had just gotten comfy and surely an hour hasn't passed already.
"Come on, Cai, you have to go get him." William said for what was probably the hundredth time, reaching for Cailen's hand and pulling on him to get him to stand.
But Cailen wasn't being helpful in the least and William just ended up dropping him again, successfully knocking him over so he was lying on the couch now in a very uncomfortable position.
"I'll take a nap." Cailen declared, but in all honesty, he was just toying with William.
"You’ll be late." William said, his tone serious and strict.
"Alright, alright." Cailen said, pushing himself up and standing on his feet, grabbing his keys and opening the door.
"Bye, Zeke! Be good for William!" Cailen called out into the flat to the little boy playing in his room.
"Bye, Papa!" Ezekiel called back and then Cailen was slipping out the door and down to his car to head back to the hospital.
*****
When Cailen pulled into his parking spot at the hospital, he made his way inside, smiling at familiar faces and making his way down to the Physiotherapy Room.
He was running a little late due to his little tantrum on the couch so Cailen was kind of expecting Asher to be waiting for him, probably a little annoyed that Cailen was late and made him wait because Asher was always a little frustrated in himself after therapy.
It was hard to see him beat himself up like this. No one was expecting Asher to just magically be able to walk normally again, no one except Asher and everyday that he came out of these classes and couldn't walk without the stupid cane, it really got to him.
Cailen tried assuring him that it was fine, but he wouldn't listen. He'd often just waved Cailen off and asked about how his day had been, not letting Cailen continue.
So when Cailen walked into the familiar room, seeing the weight machines and other workout machines lining the wall along with walking bars and other rehabilitation devices
And saw Asher limping towards him with a bright smile on his face, Cailen was shocked.
He was not holding his cane, he didn't have a crutch or anything to help him along, it was just Asher and his legs moving him towards Cailen.
Sure, he was limping and it was taking longer than necessary but this was progress and Cailen couldn't have been happier.
"Well, well, well, look at you go." Cailen grinned, stopping his steps and allowing Asher to walk to him, taking in Asher's obvious exhaustion and sweatiness from working so hard but also taking in the pure smile on his face.
It's been a while since Cailen saw him smile like that, a true smile that reached his eyes, crinkling them at the corners.
"Maybe now you can get your own water." Cailen teased but Asher ignored him as he drew near and just wrapped Cailen up in his arms, squeezing him tight and not letting go.
Cailen chuckled and wrapped his available arm around Asher, his other being squished between his and the sweaty body pressed against him.
"No more cane." Asher mumbled into Cailen's head, swinging him back and forth slightly before pulling away and pressing his lips to Cailen's.
Cailen allowed it, kissing him back and wiggling his arm out from between them.
"Maybe keep it around in case you get sore." Cailen suggested but Asher shook his head.
"I'm done with that thing. I hate it." Asher said, not leaving room for discussion so Cailen nodded.
He would keep it in the closet just in case though.
"Alright then, Speedy McWalkerton, let's get going." Cailen smiled, linking his hand with Asher's and leading him out of the room.
Asher followed, obviously trying to pick up his pace but Cailen didn't want him pushing himself so he slowed down and tugged on Asher's hand when he tried to go faster.
Asher smiled sheepishly at his husband and slowed his pace, walking beside him down the hall of the hospital and out to his car for the first time without any help in a long time.