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Kaoru woke up alone in bed, groggy and feeling heavy. Until he broke into a coughing fit. It stung his already aching chest and throat. Brought tears to his eyes as he hacked away. Kojiro wandered into the room, looking worried. In his hands, a platter, well balanced as he sat in front of him, containing soup, water, ginger ale and some ibuprofen. When he stopped coughing, Kojiro rested the tray in Kaoru’s lap.
“Are you hungry?” Kojiro asked, a pout on his lips as he sat close. He didn’t care if he got sick, he hated seeing Kaoru ill. He was used to grumpy, bratty behavior but sick Kaoru was worse. It was now day three of this, and his fever was close to being broken. He’d gotten sick out of nowhere, but thankfully, he had a lovesick idiot to take care of him. Kaoru nodded his head, taking the water. He drank, greedily. Letting it soothe what felt like a fire in his throat. Kojiro picked the ibuprofen up, resting it in his palm. Silently telling Kaoru to take it. Which he of course did. The ginger ale would come later.
“Is that-?” Kaoru pointed at the full bowl, the soup looked familiar, but Kojiro had never made it before.
“Mama’s famous veggie and egg soup,” Kojiro said with a smile. Kaoru’s mom had always made it when he was sick growing up. With extra broth, lots of veggies, and when he had an appetite, some noodles inside it. Mrs. Sakurayashiki had given Kojiro her recipe immediately when he told her Kaoru was sick, thankful someone was there to take care of him, “it’s not as good as hers, but it’s still made with lots of love.”
“Gross.” Kaoru’s voice was beyond hoarse, barely above a whisper as he picked up the spoon. His appetite wasn’t huge, but it seemed to awaken when he brought the spoon to his lips. He put the spoon in his mouth, eyes shutting as he enjoyed the meal. “Thank you, Koko. It’s really good.”
“I’ll have to thank Mom, she always made the best food.” Kojiro stood up, kissing Kaoru’s forehead (yes, he called Kaoru’s mom, mom, he practically lived at her house from the time he was 6 and up). “You’re so sweaty.”
“I’ll take a bath then.”
“Want me to wash your hair for you? It’s been a couple days.” Kaoru’s eyes welled up, and he looked at Kojiro. He didn’t deserve this treatment. He knew he didn’t. He was a spoiled brat, and Kojiro an angel sent to keep him in line. “Do you want me to wash your hair honey?”
“Yes please,” Kaoru put another spoonful in his mouth, “please Kojiro.” He kept eating. Debating texting his mother to thank her for giving Kojiro the recipe. Kojiro must’ve called her and begged for it not that she didn’t always give Kojiro whatever he asked for, she adored him.
Kojiro got up, giving Kaoru another kiss on the forehead before going to the bathroom to get a bath ready for him. He knew even sick Kaoru would down that bowl in no time. For someone so refined, Kaoru ate like he didn’t know when his next meal would be when they were alone. By the time he was done, the water was starting to fill. And in shuffled a very bundled up Kaoru. In Kojiro’s hoodie, Kojiro’s sweatpants, most likely one of Kojiro’s shirts underneath it, almost everything he was wearing was Kojiro’s. It was all massive on him, making him look absolutely tiny.
“I could’ve come and gotten you.” Kojiro grumbled, going to the shower to get shampoo, conditioner, and Kaoru’s hairbrush.
“I can walk, Koko, but thank you.” Kaoru looked at the water, already knowing he’d be shivering the second a layer of warmth was peeled away. But he started stripping anyways, and sure enough, when unclothed skin met with the cool air around him, he began to shake.
Kojiro took his hand, helping him step into the bath. His face was paler than usual, yet his cheeks were flushed pink. When his foot touched the water, Kaoru gained a sliver of confidence. He settled into the bath, looking up with weary eyes at Kojiro. The shivering stopped after a few seconds, the bath water was beautifully hot. Kojiro felt like it was too hot, but it may tip the balance and finally break that damn fever.
“Aren’t you getting in, Koko?” Kaoru usually preferred being alone for a bath, as it was a wind-down time for him. Some nights he made Kojiro get in with him, using him like a pillow in the cramped bath. Whenever Kojiro got in, it basically became a make-out session, and he was not in the mood to make-out with Kaoru right now (for once).
“Not this time honey, I figured I’d wash your hair and you’d go back to bed.” Kojiro didn’t want to get in right now, he wanted Kaoru to relax and sleep as much as possible. He looked so little when he was sick.
“…Okay.” Kaoru pouted. Gently, Kojiro had him lean back into the water. So he could wash his face and hair. When that silky pink hair was submerged, it looked like tendrils searching in the water. But when he came up, it was straight down his back. Kaoru’s hair had gotten long, longer than normal. It fell just above the small of his back now. He’d worn it long their whole lives, only once or twice threatening to cut it off. Each time, Kojiro would wonder what Kaoru would even do without his long hair. His mom had cut it short when they were little, but once Kaoru was around 8, she stopped. Instead he let it grow, and she taught him how to take care of it. It’d never been shorter than his shoulders since.
Kojiro took a healthy amount of shampoo, running it through Kaoru’s beautiful hair. It lathered easily, and Kaoru gave a loud groan as Kojiro’s fingers massaged his scalp. Those hands were so soothing, and Kaoru knew he’d fall asleep if Kojiro kept going. He shut his eyes, focusing on those big strong hands. How skillfully Kojiro raked his fingers through his hair, returning to his scalp, it was heaven.
But then, Kojiro stopped.
“Okay, baby, we need to wash the shampoo out. Lean back for me.” He readjusted so he was on his knees, getting a big more leverage to wash the shampoo out. Continuing the massage. He could see Kaoru’s face, saw his heavy lidded eyes, how exhausted he looked. The poor man was practically melting at Kojiro’s touch. Kojiro also took note that Kaoru hadn’t coughed in awhile, hoping it was a bit of progress.
He let Kaoru stay low like that, allowing him to rest in the water until he felt ready to come back up. He conditioned his hair as gently as he had shampooed it. This time taking the weird ‘detangling’ brush Kaoru used and began combing through it. The bristles touching his scalp made him shiver despite being more familiar than a scalp massage.
“Do you want me to braid it? So it’s off your neck?” Kojiro asked, setting the brush down.
“Kojiro,” Kaoru looked at him, “how did I ever come to deserve you?”
“Huh?” Kojiro stopped dead, confused. “What do you mean?”
“You could have anyone in the world, and yet here you are, crouched by a bath tub, brushing my hair.”
“It was always you, dork.”
“Don’t joke Koko, I’m being serious.”
“I am being serious honey. It just took us way too long to understand that. Believe me, I meant it when I said I’d marry you.”
“We were 9!” Kaoru also remembered that Kojiro had also been sleeping around for years before they got together. And it stung, despite it all, it sort of always would. “If you wanted to be with me, why didn’t you say anything Kojiro?”
“Well when I came back from Italy, you seemed pretty happy with the guy you were talking to at the time. I didn’t want to step on toes-“
“What guy was I talking to?” Kaoru had no recollection of this. He hadn’t been with anybody seriously after Adam, and after all, Kojiro had been his first. And only. They had one night where Kaoru had encouraged him. Hadn’t told him no. It was the first time either of them had sex, and until Kojiro became his, the last time Kaoru had let another person touch him that way. Anybody’s hands that weren’t Kojiro on his body made him feel disgusting. “Kojiro the only man I was talking to at the time was you. Almost literally.” Clients didn’t count.
“You said a-“ Kojiro suddenly deadpanned. He was the one Kaoru had meant? Fuck. “I’m an idiot.”
“We both know that.” Now that he thought about it again, Kaoru had left hints. So many hints. ‘Oh he’s tall and handsome and returning from abroad soon. Doubt you know him though.’ Being the most glaringly obvious example that Kojiro quite literally had not recognized.
“I made you wait years-years! Because I didn’t know!”
“It’s okay.” Kojiro felt guilty suddenly, and it was apparent on his face too. His brows were knit together, his shoulders suddenly slumped.
“Kaoru,” He said softly, cut off by a sudden coughing fit. Kojiro rubbed his back, not removing it when Kaoru was done, “I’m sorry I didn’t know.”
“Well, as long as all the people you fucked had my face when you closed your eyes, all’s forgiven.” He managed to choke out. Kaoru leaned down to wash the conditioner out from his hair. It was a quick dunk compared to earlier, and when he looked at Kojiro, his face was all red. “What gorilla?”
“They did.”
“They did, what?” Kojiro couldn’t meet his eyes. For a man of his exploits, he was surprisingly shy sometimes.
“They had your face.”
“Kojiro, don’t lie.”
“Why would I lie about that? What would I gain? Kaoru they’ve always been you.”
“What about the girls you actually dated?”
“They thought I was cheating on them with you. Because we were so close and spent so much time together. When they realized nothing was happening, I broke it off. I can’t be with someone who thinks I’d do that.” He took a breath. “And yes, I’ve had many one night stands but those were because after that one time before I left, I thought you didn’t want me to touch you like that again.”
“Oh Kojiro,” Kaoru reached a hand out to his face. Both ignored the water cascading down Kaoru’s arm and dripping all over Kojiro, “you big, beautiful idiot.”
“Don’t ruin the moment.”
“If I wasn’t sick I’d give you a kiss.”
“Or you could just give me a kiss anyways.”
“On your forehead then.”
“Lips.”
“Forehead.” Kojiro pouted, but relented. Getting a tender kiss on the forehead. Kaoru gave him a tired smile before unplugging the tub drain. Kojiro grabbed one the smaller towels for Kaoru’s hair, and one of the larger for his body (he had made that mistake a few times and been fussed out for it). Kaoru stood up, drying his face and putting his pink locks in the towel. With the second, he stepped out and dried himself off. Kojiro stood up finally, getting a hair tie from the second drawer in the bathroom. Kaoru kept everything organized, it was why, after Kojiro moved in, he organized his clothes for him. After that of course, Kojiro was on his own for it. If Kaoru saw that it was messy, he’d almost compulsively have to fix it. So Kojiro did his best to keep it tidy. Save for the sock and underwear drawer, that one being a ‘shove it in and hope it closes’ kind of drawer.
“Still want me to braid your hair?”
“Yes please.” Kojiro easily took the hair in his hands when Kaoru freed it from the towel, sectioning it delicately, and braiding it in record time. He’d had years of practice, considering Kaoru used to complain about his long hair constantly in highschool until Kojiro braided it. Then he’d be sweet and polite for awhile… until he was hungry. It was a loop of bratty behavior that Kojiro was the only solution for.
“How’s that feel?” Kojiro set the braid over Kaoru’s shoulder, a slender hand came up to touch it. Admiring the work.
“Perfect.”
“Good,” Kojiro moved it aside, kissing the back of Kaoru’s neck, “now go put some clothes on and get back into bed.”
“Are you going to lay down with me?” Kaoru asked, stepping slowly out of the bathroom. He was still warm from the bath and wrapped in a towel. He went to the dresser, gathering up some clean clothes. He still mostly grabbed Kojiro’s clothes, snuggling back into bed once he was finally dressed.
“In a bit, I have to finish getting the menu for a large party done.”
“I can help.”
“No honey, you need to rest.” Kojiro grabbed the tray he’d brought for Kaoru, getting it off the bed. He set the ginger ale down on the nightstand, making sure he saw Kaoru finally stop wriggling around before he left the room. Normally, the larger man was rather passive with Kaoru, letting him do as he pleased. Not when Kaoru was sick though, he had a firm hand about getting rest and getting better.
*****
Kojiro finally joined Kaoru a couple hours later. His menu was done, and he’d eaten some of the leftover soup too. Kaoru didn’t stir at all as Kojiro got himself ready for bed, nor when he finally laid down.
He gave him a kiss on the cheek, touching his forehead, to finally find it cool. His fever was finally broken. From the other room he could hear coughing every so often, until Kaoru finally fell asleep.
~Momma: How’s he doing?
~Kojiro: Sleeping soundly.
It was late for her to be texting him. But she was worried about her son, it only made sense. Kojiro had been trying to be good about sending her updates at night or in the morning. Some days were better than others.
~Kojiro: He nearly cried when he saw the soup.
~Momma: Poor thing.
~Momma: He used to beg for that when he was little.
~Kojiro: Thank you for sharing the recipe with me.
~Momma: Thank you for taking care of him, Kojiro. You’re a good man.
~Kojiro: Thanks mom. I'll let you know how he's doing in the morning.
~Momma: Night Kojiro, love you.
~Kojiro: Love you too.
Kojiro plugged his phone in, laying on his back. Kaoru raised his head, eyes barely able to focus. If Kojiro wasn't used to how fucking weird Kaoru was at night, it might've scared him. But since he was used to it, Kojiro just rolled over, giving a bleary Kaoru a kiss on the cheek. Apparently what he was seeking, Kaoru shuffled back down into the blankets and promptly started snoring. The funniest part is Kaoru would most likely had no recollection of that. Or he'd deny it vehemently. Either way, it was moments like that, that made Kojiro smile like a fool.
He was down bad, and he knew it. Sooner than later he was going to propose, he'd made all the arrangements. But then Kaoru went and got sick from one of his students. Ruining all the plans. Which, Kaoru may love grand gestures, but he liked surprises too. Kojiro had it all planned. They were going to go out to a nice dinner, a treat from working so hard, and Kojiro would propose while they went on a nice stroll afterwards. If he had it his way, he'd have proposed while he was washing Kaoru's hair a few hours ago. A key thing he'd learned from their relationship was that intimacy wasn't just sex. That part was just easier. But intimacy was washing Kaoru's hair, spooning in bed, Kaoru stealing his sweatshirts, and even (which always made poor Kojiro pink in the face) holding hands when they went to the grocery store.
*******
In the morning, Kaoru woke up nice and late. Having slept rather hard for the first time since he'd gotten sick. Only twice had he woken up to cough, but beyond that, he slept fine. Much to his surprise, Kojiro was still sitting in bed, emailing the menu to the person who had planned this private meal. It was a few days away, but the sooner he started prepping the better.
"Oh hey honey," Kojiro said when Kaoru started stretching, "how're you feeling?"
"I'm-" Kaoru cleared his throat, "feeling okay." He slid closer to Kojiro, so he could see his face better, and maybe rest his head on Kojiro's chest (the best pillow in the house for the Princess of course). His voice was hoarse, still rough from coughing.
"Glad you're feeling alright then. I'll have to let momma know."
"What did mom call you last night or something?"
"She asked how you were."
"I'll have to call her today."
"When you wake up a bit more, sure. I'm gonna go to the gym for a few hours with Hiromi, you want me to get or make you anything before I go?"
"I can manage, it's okay."
"Do you want me to pick anything up on my way home then?"
"Kojiro, I'll be okay, go workout and enjoy yourself. If I need anything I'll text you." Kojiro gave a slight pout, but did get up to get ready. Kaoru rolled over onto his side, looking at his phone. He'd have to get some work done today, but it'd mean he would have to pace himself to get it done. Otherwise Kojiro would find him slumped over in his office, passed out. It'd happened a couple times before, and Kaoru would wake up in his bed, tucked in. Kaoru listened to Kojiro as he gathered his gym bag. "Don't forget your headband, Koko, under your sink." Kaoru called when he heard a couple drawers shut.
"Thank you!" Kojiro yelled back. He popped his head out of the bathroom, hair slicked back -save for a rogue curl- by a thin black headband. "Wouldn't have found it in there."
"Well put it with the hair products on the shelf or something then, or leave it in your gym bag."
"Too easy. Gotta put shit where it doesn't go, you know that."
"Mn." Kojiro finished brushing his teeth, making sure to pack his deodorant in his bag. He hadn't pulled clothes on yet, and Kaoru sat up a little better to watch. Kojiro traded out his black boxers for a pair of red boxer-briefs, a pair of grey sweatpants being pulled on swiftly after. The last step, was his socks and shirt. When he was wearing a shirt that wasn't too small, he didn't look as massive as he was. "It's called a pump cover, babe. That way when I take my shirt off, everyone's impressed." He'd said while explaining why the gym was the one place he wore clothing that was too big.
"Okay babe," Kojiro shouldered his gym bag, his shoes were near the front door, so those were his last step, "are you sure you don't want anything before I go?"
"I'm sure. Go be a gorilla for a few hours."
"Love you." Kojiro waved back at Kaoru, a tired smile on his face.
"Love you too." Kaoru listened to him walk down the stairs, and heard the front door shut. He didn't want to move. So he didn't. He simply grabbed Kojiro's pillow, nuzzling into it. He knew he was starting to mend because he just faintly could get a whiff of Kojiro's conditioner. He scrolled on his phone before he gave up and put a show on. Needing some noise to sleep soundly. He was warm, had the bed to himself (which he didn't love but sometimes it was nice), and Kojiro was finally getting a break. How Kojiro had this much energy was beyond him, the man was a saint practically. Save for his body count of course.
*******
"I thought Kaoru was sick," Hiromi stood in the mirror next to Kojiro as he shamelessly took a picture, "why bother with the picture if he's gonna be too damn tired to appreciate it?"
"Because I'm an attention whore, Hiromi, that's why." Kojiro had given up on his shirt, finally pushing it over his head so it emphasized his chest. "And Kaoru may complain about my muscles in front of everyone else, but he sure doesn't when it's just him and I."
"You're fucking gross man."
"If I'm so gross," Kojiro smiled as his phone buzzed. Kaoru had sent a response back relatively fast, asking for more pictures, "then he's worse than me. You're just jealous 'cause your manager has a boyfriend."
"I am not!" Hiromi shouted, gaining a few looks from any person who's music wasn't loud enough or they were close enough to the vicinity. He stepped closer to Kojiro, and with a quieter voice said, "Besides, I've moved on. She's taken, and I have to respect that."
"For the 'Anti-Hero of S' you're a very stand-up man." Hiromi rolled his eyes. "I'll meet you in the locker room in a minute, I still have to wipe down my equipment and put my weights away."
"Sounds good." Hiromi walked away, taking a big drink of water. The two of them were absolutely covered in sweat. The hair on Kojiro's neck was sopping wet with it. Dutifully, he picked up his weights, setting them on their rack for the next person to use, then wiped them down. Not a long process, nor a rather tedious one. Kojiro was no germaphobe, but hey, have respect the equipment. He gathered his water, wandering towards the locker room, greeting people he knew on his way. When he rounded the corner, he found Hiromi with his shirt lifted, taking a picture.
"You motherfucker!" Kojiro yelled, chasing it with a booming laugh. "I just called you a good man and here you are-" Hiromi's face burned red as he put his phone away in his shorts pocket. With both hands he covered his face. "They're not for your manager, are they?" Wordlessly the redhead shook his head, face still perfectly covered. "Who?"
"Don't-" Kojiro pulled his phone from his pocket, hitting the call button for Kaoru. "Babe you're on speaker. Hiromi's got something to tell us."
"How the-"
"Spill. Now." And poor Hiromi, blubbered for a few minutes about how after Langa's beef, and his off-hand rejection at the unknowing hands of his manager, how he and Oka (Reki and Langa's boss) had started talking. Kojiro had stars in his eyes. Enthralled by this turn of events. He occasionally went into Dope Sketch, mostly to replace his wheels after S, never would he have suspected that Oka and Hiromi were into each other. Ever. It was exciting. Kaoru would never agree to go on a double-date, but he was one of the nosiest men he knew, he just might in order to learn more about it. When they walked out of the gym, poor Hiromi was still red in the face. Kojiro clapped him on the back.
"Did you have to call Kaoru?" Hiromi groaned.
"Yes! We're both excited for you, clearly."
"Funny way of showing it Joe."
"You'll be fine. Come on, let's go get a beer. You earned one."
*******
By the time Kojiro returned home, it was around three in the afternoon. He slid his gym shoes off, coming up the stairs. He'd gotten Kaoru food from the restaurant he and Hiromi had gone to, since he knew Kaoru most likely hadn't eaten anything.
"Hey babe!" He went to the kitchen first, setting the food down on the counter near Kaoru's favorite barstool. There was quiet in the house, which, always worried him a bit just because of how Kaoru can be. So he walked into the bedroom. The sheets were ruffled, but the bed was empty. Kojiro set his bag down, starting to worry. He checked the office next, finding some work had been done, but still no sign of Kaoru. "Babe!" Kojiro yelled through the house. He checked everywhere before finally opening the door to the tiny backyard Kaoru had.
He was sitting there, resting in the sun. Asleep despite being curled up into a ball. Kojiro walked over, sitting in the chair next to Kaoru. He looked him over; Kaoru must've showered, hair still in the braid but he'd put on different clothes that were actually his own for the first time in days. That yellow sweater than Kojiro had bought him forever ago that was now one of his favorite clothing items, was wrapped loosely around him. His hand was wrapped around something, clutching it tightly. Kojiro gave Kaoru's arm the tiniest rub, enough to wake but not startle. Kaoru woke with a deep breath in, looking over at Kojiro.
"Hey honey, since when do you sit out here?"
"Since we live in a sick house." Kaoru clipped back. "When did you get home?"
"A few minutes ago, I couldn't find you anywhere."
"Well," Kaoru finally showed the box he was holding, "I think you might want this back." He handed Kojiro the box. It was the ring box. A cheesy, pink velveteen box to match Kaoru's hair and Carla.
"Where'd you-"
"I was going to wear some of your sweatpants, and felt the box when I went to reach for a certain pair." Kaoru's cheeks were pink. "You had something planned, I take it?"
"Well... yes." Kojiro opened the box, the ring was silver, to match Kaoru's glasses (that and because gold and silver didn't often go, the lady at the jewelry store had told him that), with a tiny pink diamond surrounded by two green ones.
"What was the plan then?" Kaoru asked after a brief silence. Kojiro looked ready to cry as he looked at the ring. When he looked up at Kaoru, there was a soft smile.
"But-"
"Koko," Kaoru untucked himself in his chair, sitting more properly. A pale hand rested on Kojiro's forearm, ignoring that he was clammy to touch, "I want to know. Please tell me?"
"Well, I was going to take you to a nice restaurant, that new one you mentioned, had a reservation and everything. Have a really nice meal, and dessert, and we were going to go on a stroll... and find a nice spot, and I'd propose. Your mom was going to be hidden somewhere to record it...." Kojiro's bottom lip quivered. "I've been planning for months on the perfect way to ask."
"Kojiro," Kaoru moved closer, giving him a kiss on the cheek, "you can just ask." Kojiro looked stunned, somehow, this big brute of a man looked like the boy Kaoru knew in high school. He got out of the chair, getting on both his knees in front of Kaoru, trembling hands held up the box. Kaoru cradled Kojiro's hands, resting his forehead on Kojiro's.
"Sakurayashiki Kaoru, my four-eyed princess," He let out a laugh, choking on tears, "will you marry me?"
"Of course, you ape." Kojiro gave him a kiss on the lips, still not caring about getting sick. They slid the ring onto Kaoru's finger, both were crying now. Kojiro pulled Kaoru into a hug, letting out a sigh of relief. "Now go shower, you smell horrible."
"Love you too, Kaoru."
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Tiny addition based off some art I saw:
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Kaoru sat next to Miya at Sia La Luce. The boy was playing on his Nintendo, focused on whatever silly game he was playing. Kaoru was trying to read over some information regarding a new clients idea for their piece, but the game was frankly more entertaining. He looked at Miya, his tongue sticking out from his lips as his eyes scanned the screen.
"Miya," Kaoru said softly, even though the restaurant was empty and Kojiro was too busy singing while he cleaned. Miya paused his game and looked up at Kaoru, "if I tell you something, will you keep it a secret? No telling Reki or Langa. Don't even tell the ape you know." Miya nodded his head in response, setting his Nintendo down. Suddenly serious looking. For a thirteen year old, he was more serious than the two older boys. Kaoru lifted his hand, showing Miya the ring. "He proposed."
Miya stood up, gasping. Green eyes sparkling as he looked at the ring.
"Ssh!" Kaoru made him sit back down.
"When did he propose?" Miya whispered.
"Two weeks ago."
"WHAT?!"