Chapter Text
“You son of a bitch.”
Joe cursed at Adam as he picked up the limp weight of Kaoru, the deadweight was heavier than when he picked up Kaoru as a joke. His brain went to the conversation he and Kaoru had had earlier that day, He told Kaoru not to get hurt. He could just feel something was going to go wrong. His thoughts were only solidified when Adam picked up that skateboard and smacked Kaoru across the face. He watched on in horror as he fell to the ground, the people around his had turned away but he had been glued to the screen. Now he was putting his boyfriend into the backseat of Shadow’s small car so they could go to the hospital. He couldn't think of anything else, he felt like he couldn't breathe like the air had been squeezed out of him. He sat in the back seat cradling Kaoru on his lap, he pulled the ripped mask off of him and held him tightly. He still couldn't believe Adam had stooped this low. He softly pushed the pink hair out of Kaoru’s face as they drove, he looked up as he felt the car begin to slow.
“Were her-” Shadow began.
“Thanks,” Joe said as he pulled Kaoru out of the car and into the emergency room. He set Kaoru down in a chair and went to reception, It was a few minutes before they called them back. Joe carried him until he was offered a stretcher and a question; What’s your relation to the patient? Kojiro was not sure how to answer, Kaoru was always quiet like the two were a secret. They had been dating almost three years now but Kaoru was still nervous.
“Frie- Boyfriend, he’s my boyfriend.”
The nurse nodded and the transporter said nothing, just beginning to push the stretcher containing the pink-haired man down the hall to a room.
“We need to run some tests but you can stay in the room if you like.” The nurse said and Kojiro nodded softly. He turned on the tv and watched, waiting.
*A few hours and a few tests later*
Kaoru was starting to wake up from the mild sedation they had given him to fix his shoulder, he began to look around the room, his eyes falling on the mess of green hair sitting on his good side. His hand was warm from being held tightly. Kojiro rested his head on the bed near Kaoru’s legs watching the small television, his Breathing was soft and steady. Kaoru figured he was probably asleep. He began to move his hand and Kojiro sparked to life quickly.
“Kaoru I was so worried,” Joe said, his voice soft and fluttery as he spoke. It was obvious he had been stressed.
“A thought Adam-” He started again but closed his mouth like a fish out of water.
Kaoru watched him with the cold eyes he always did, Kojiro noticed them soften just briefly.
“You’re staring.”
“You’re hurt I’m worried.”
“It’s just a scratch and I’m not an infant.”
“Says the mummy crawling out of the crypt.”
Kaoru went silent for a moment and looked away, “Thank you.”
“What did you say?”
“Thank you,” Kaoru said slightly louder.
“One more time.”
“Forget it.”
“Anyway Kaoru, I’m glad you’re okay. Now say I was right.”
“No.”
“Say it.”
“Definitely not.”
“Fine but you’ll have to cook for yourself then.”
“I’m injured, you idiot!”
“And I care why?”
"You're my boyfriend, you Buffon." Kaoru crossed his arms and looked out the window. “You were right.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard now, was it.”
Kaoru looked back and Kojiro put his head back again, Kaoru wiggled his hand from Joe’s tight grasp, another thing the muscle was useful for. He found his glasses on the table next to him and pushed them on, he realized that he hadn’t been wearing them at S.
“Where did you-?”
“When we were in high school you lost them when you wore your contacts, so I carry them with me when we’re together,” Kojiro said as he raised his head when Kaoru spoke, he knew the concept was a bit embarrassing but he was always a bit worried.
Kaoru thought about it for a moment, the concept was kind of sweet. He could not see a downside to them being carried.
“Do you always?”
“Since high school, and you always left an extra pair at my place anyway.”
Kaoru nodded not exactly sure what to respond, Joe put his head back down on the bed.
“Get off of my leg you doppy gorilla.”
“Seems like your feeling better,” Joe smirked at Kaoru as he was visibly angry. Joe rose from the seat and put on his jacket.
“I’m leaving, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Kaoru did not respond, simply turned his head away. Once the door shut behind Kojiro he decided to sneak out of the hospital.
*skipping the escape*
Back at Sia La Luce Kojiro was cooking, well when was he not? He heard the door chime.
“Hey sorry, we’re closed for the night.” He said making his way to the front from the kitchen.
“Who sneaks out of a hospital?!” Kojiro said, but he knew the reasoning, Kaoru was nervous, he always was. The atmosphere made him anxious and uptight. To be honest, he had expected this, he even moved the bar stools aside to make a spot for him.
Kojiro sighed and touched his forehead, “Well let’s eat at least.”
Kaoru made his way to the spot in the bar in his Carla wheelchair. Soon the food was placed in front of him and water. Kaoru picked up the wine glass Kojiro had been drinking, he finished the final sip. Kojiro watched, he knew Kaoru was not supposed to drink as they had given him pain medication in the hospital.
“There’s nothing left in here.”
“That’s because it’s BYOB now.”
“I’m injured you soulless pig.”
“And I’m supposed to care.” Kojiro rolled his eyes and went to do dishes, he was worried about Kaoru. He grabbed a bottle of white wine and two glasses. He carried the bottle towards where Kaoru was.
“Is a white okay?” He asked before he noticed Kaoru asleep in his chair and sighed, sitting down next to him.
“Adam is currently skating all by himself you know? He’s very talented and entertaining on a deck. But I can tell, he’s not happy right now. That’s why his matches end in violence and pettiness. At least we’ve got this, we’re not alone. Know what I mean, Kaoru?”
Kojiro said as he swigged his wine, he stood up and kissed Kaoru’s cheek. He picked up Kaoru from his wheelchair, carrying him upstairs to his bedroom and tucking him in. “At least we’ve got this,” He repeated to himself and stroked his boyfriend’s hair from his face. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and began to play Kaoru’s usual lullaby. He walked downstairs and locked the door, washed the wine glasses, and turned off the lights. He walked back upstairs, he pulled off his clothes leaving himself in just his boxers. Climbing into the queen bed next to Kaoru, he snaked his hand to hold Kaoru and watched him for a minute before turning off the light.
“Good night Kaoru.” He said softly as he followed the pink-haired boy into the darkness of sleep, the lullaby played softly as he drifted off leaving the room full of even breathing, and the sound of the lullaby.