Chapter Text
Sykkuno woke up as the morning sun hit his eyes. Groaning, he sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. He must’ve been too tired and had forgotten to close the blinds last night. He yawned and stretched before reaching for his phone to check the time.
He had woken up earlier than usual, even before his alarm went off. He shuffled over to his bathroom to freshen up for the day.
After a quick shower and towel drying his hair, Sykkuno got dressed for the day in a teal long sleeve shirt and dark navy skinny jeans. He made sure he had his bag ready for the day and even remembered to pack a simple lunch and had a quick granola bar for breakfast.
He had put on a jacket and was trying his shoelaces ready to head out before he went back into the kitchen to grab another granola bar. Sliding it in his coat pocket, he made sure he had his bag and keys before locking up the apartment.
It was a nice day outside, birds chirping with blue skies and sunshine. There was a light breeze that blew by. Sykkuno made his way down his usual path to the bus stop, planning on stopping by the alleyway again.
When he got there, Sykkuno noticed the guy was awake, the chocolate bar he had left not in sight. He paused, giving a stutter when the guy noticed him and stared.
“U-u-uh…” Sykkuno inched forward, offering him the granola bar he had. “H-here you go.”
He watched as the other boy reached a hand out, noticing black chipped nail polish, before squinting suspiciously and asked in a rough voice.
“Why.” It was phrased not as a question.
“U-um, E-er, I mean…” Sykkuno felt himself beginning to blush, embarrassed by his stuttering. “I just wanted to help.”
The guy’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not a pity case.” He said in a low tone.
“No, no!” Sykkuno cried out. “I just…” He took a deep breath. “Hi, I’m Sykkuno.” He tried again, awkwardly offering his hand out for a handshake. After a moment of silence, he retracted his hand and ended up doing an awkward half wave.
The other guy didn’t offer up his name, but nodded slowly. Sykkuno took that as a sign to press on.
“I just thought, granola bars are healthy for you…and um…these are nice and crunchy..uh…chocolate chip and peanut butter…yup…good for your health!” Sykkuno blabbered on, and hid his face behind his hands. Oh Jesus, why couldn’t he hold a simple conversation.
Hearing a small chuckle, he peeked up. The guy had his hood still up, covering the lower half of his face, but Sykkuno saw his shoulders move as he giggled. That sound…Sykkuno felt his heart thumping, wanting to hear it more. It made him want to do anything, say anything to get a proper laugh.
“Thanks man.” The guy took the granola bar from Sykkuno. “It’s been rough.”
Sykkuno gave a sympathetic hum. “You’re welcome….uh….oh I’m so sorry, I didn’t even ask for your name!”
The man shook his head before replying. “It’s okay…I…I don’t really use my name. Bad memories y’know?”
Sykkuno’s eyes widened with empathy. He must’ve gone through a lot.
“Call me whatever you want, I don’t particularly care.” The man shrugged.
Sykkuno thought for a bit.
“Corpse.” He suggested. “Y’know…cuz you look half dead…like a corpse?” He giggled nervously. “Oh man, I did NOT mean it that way. I swear, it sounded less…offensive in my head!”
The guy let out another low chuckle. “Sure, Corpse.” He agreed easily.
Sykkuno beamed. “Nice to meet you Corpse!” He smiled behind his head. “Enjoy the breakfast, I gotta run to catch my class!”
With a wave, Sykkuno left in high spirits. He got a conversation and a name! And a few laughs!
Corpse watched him leave, slowly unwrapping the granola bar given to him and taking a small bite. Even he had to admit, it was a pretty good start to the day. In fact, Sykkuno was the highlight of what had been chalking up to a pretty shitty month.
Sykkuno, Corpse thought, taking a moment to repeat that name in his head. A strange name, but it suited him. I guess he was a bit quirky, after naming Corpse…Corpse.
Corpse got up, dusting his pants. Alright, another day of job hunting. He could do this.
—
The days passed quickly. It became a routine in Sykkuno’s life to stop by the alleyway before and after his classes. Corpse’s alleyway, his mind had dubbed it. Sometimes the man wasn’t there, but majority of the time, he was hunched in the corner.
Sykkuno always left him with something to eat and drink. He couldn’t help but feel worry flood him every time he noticed how thin Corpse was starting to look, underneath his padded hoodie.
Corpse had gotten used to being rejected over and over again at places. He felt the frustration and pain building up, but also looked forward to his short meetings with Sykkuno. Hearing the other man’s voice was soothing and calmed him down.
In the past few days, Corpse felt his urge to cough steadily building up, breaking off his sentences to cough quietly in his arm. Sykkuno had asked if he was okay with a worrying look, but Corpse had shrugged it off. Sykkuno was already bringing him food and drinks, he couldn’t ask for more.
Besides, he looked like a struggling college student and Corpse still had his pride.
It all fell apart a few days later.
Sykkuno’s classes had started to pick up, along with his thesis, and he was struggling to juggle everything. It became more and more common for him to stay late onto campus, catching the last bus back into the city, such as today, as he ran down the street, trying to shield his head from the down pouring rain.
He hadn’t checked his phone for the weather before he had left this morning, and he definitely hadn’t packed an umbrella. He ran faster, praying that his stuff would still be dry in his backpack. The last thing he needed to do was to try and decipher wet lecture notes. At least it was the end of the week. A silver lining, he supposed. He was looking forward to recharge and spend the weekend relaxing with some League.
As he sprinted down the road to home, Sykkuno suddenly thought about Corpse.
I hope he found somewhere dry. Sykunno thought as he ducked into the now familiar alleyway to look and gasped.
Corpse had definitely not found somewhere more dry. In fact, he wasn’t moving at all.
“Corpse? Corpse?!” Sykkuno crouched down, soaking his jeans on the ground. “Corpse! Are you okay?”
There was a faint groan, and Sykkuno was close enough to see Corpse’s eyelashes flutter in the dim street lights.
“Corpse?” Sykkuno called, gently brushing away wet curls of hair matted from the rain and placing a hand on his wet forehead. He was burning up.
“O-o-oh my god Corpse!” Sykkuno said panicking. He looked up; the rain was showing no sign of stopping soon.
“Corpse, Corpse!” He shook Corpse’s shoulder gently and Corpse gave a groan in response. “Corpse, can you stand?”
Corpse made another noncommittal voice that Sykkuno took as a yes. He moved to Corpse’s side, helping him stand and lean on for support.
“Okay Corpse,” Sykkuno said in an even tone, trying to stay calm. “I live pretty close to here. We can take it slow. We’re gonna walk…okay?”
—
After a grueling 10 minutes, Sykkuno panted completed out of breath, finally coming to a stop in front of his apartment. Both he and Corpse were dripping wet, and Sykkuno inwardly cursed at the apartment complex being so old it didn’t have an elevator. Climbing up 3 flights of stairs with a half conscious person heavier than him was not something he wanted to do again.
Still breathing hard, Sykkuno dug around his now very wet backpack for his keys. He pushed the door open, slowly leading Corpse in and sat him down on the kitchen door.
Sykkuno toed off his sneakers and wet socks and ran to the bathroom for a couple of towels. He slung one around his neck and hurried back to Corpse, gently drying his hair. Corpse slouched in the chair, still out of it.
Sykkuno worriedly pressed a hand against his forehead again, feeling how hot Corpse was. He went into the kitchen and opened a cabinet door, standing on his tip toes. He knew he had a stash of medicine somewhere saved for emergencies. He grabbed a box of Ny-quil and a cup of water before rushing back to Corpse.
“Here Corpse,” he said gently, placing the pills in Corpse’s hand. “Take it, you’ll feel better.” He handed Corpse the cup of water as well, rubbing his back reassuringly as Corpse swallowed the pills in one go. He gulped down the rest of the water as well.
Sykkuno handed the towel to Corpse, trying to dry off the rest of Corpse’s hair. He looked worriedly at his wet clothes.
“Hang on,” Sykkuno called, turning to go to his bedroom. “Let me see if I have clothes that fit.”
Once in his room, Sykkuno dug around in his closet, finding a pair of sweats and an extra large T-shirt that was free from a college event. It was way too big for him, but maybe it’ll fit Corpse. Sykkuno also stripped out of his own wet clothes, changing quickly into a worn shirt and his comfy cactus pajama pants.
Walking out, he handed the clothes to Corpse before helping him stand and walk to the bathroom.
“This way.” Sykkuno said, guiding him. “I hope these fit.”
Corpse wobbled into the bathroom before slumping on the toilet. Sykkuno followed him in, concerned. “Corpse?”
He nudged the other’s shoulder. “C-Corpse? You gotta get out of your wet clothes.”
Not getting a response, Sykkuno hesitated for a few seconds before asking, “Do you want me to help?”
Corpse gave a small nod, still burning up.
Sykkuno took a deep breath before grasping the hoodie’s zipper and pulling it down gently. He helped Corpse get his arms out of the sleeves and tugged the black T-shirt Corpse was wearing over his head. Blushing, he tried not to stare at Corpse’s body.
Taking the towel, he dried Corpse’s body off before helping Corpse into the dry shirt. Luckily it fit, even if it was an ugly orange color. Hopefully Corpse wouldn’t mind. Sykkuno hooked his fingers on the belt loops of Corpse’s wet jeans, hand shaking as he undid the zipper.
Struggling to tug the wet jeans off the other boy, Sykkuno felt his face flush red. Corpse helped him by squirming a little, and Sykkuno tossed the pair of boxers he grabbed to Corpse. He looked dutifully away to give Corpse a little privacy, but helped tug the dry pair of sweats on.
He helped Corpse stand up again, shuffling him to his bedroom and laid him on his bed, tucking him in his comforter.
He smiled fondly at the view of Corpse, with his curly mussed up hair, and sleepy eyes.
“Goodnight Corpse.” He murmured. “Hope you feel better.” He reached out and brushed a hand across Corpse’s cheek. Corpse caught his hand and squeezed it gently. Sykkuno squeezed back.
He got up quietly, shut off the lights, and closed the door gently. He shuffled in the small apartment, hanging up the wet clothes and towels in the bathroom, microwaving a hot dog for dinner, and checked his bag for water damage. Luckily, only a few notes suffered, and he left them out to dry.
He was setting up the couch with a thin extra blanket he had before quietly going back to his room and setting a bottle of Advil and water on his bedside table for Corpse the next morning.
Waddling, he made his way back to the couch and fell asleep almost instantly as soon as his head hit the couch pillow.