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Suou Tsukasa does not get sick.
The only memory he has of ever being under the weather is when he was little, but that’s to be expected of a five-year-old. Ever since then, he’s managed to remain unaffected by the harsh winters and his classmates’ sniffly noses in spring. It is a fact he carries with pride; being sick isn’t something to be ashamed of, but it is a hindrance to one’s daily life, especially when one is an idol.
Which is why, when Tsukasa awakens one Monday morning feeling much warmer than usual, he chalks it up to someone leaving the heating on by mistake overnight. Even when he climbs out of bed and finds that he’s unsteady on his feet, he doesn’t think too much of it. He’s probably just dehydrated—he spent more time than usual rehearsing yesterday, and when he gets wrapped up in something he has the unfortunate habit of forgetting basic things like food and water.
A quick look around tells him that Souma and Shinobu have already left. Ah, yes. They mentioned something yesterday about an Oceans meetup early this morning. Good. If they were present, they would most likely insist that Tsukasa is ill (which he is not) and urge him back to bed.
He manages to make it to the bathroom, wincing when he sees the state of his face in the mirror. He spares a glance at the shower, deciding against it after considering how badly his head is pounding and not wanting to pass out. Instead he simply splashes some cold water onto his face, hoping it’ll help cool him off as well, then brushes his teeth.
Even though he doesn’t really need to because he isn’t sick, he checks the cabinets for any pills or medicine that may be lying around. They seem to be out, however, something he will have to remember to fix later. His headache persists as he gets dressed, and it’s only then that he catches sight of the clock beside his bed: it’s 8:45. He should be in class by now. Shoot.
Trying not to panic too much, Tsukasa makes sure his tie is done properly before grabbing his bag and keys and hurrying out of his dorm. He should probably eat something, but there isn’t any time for that. He’ll survive until lunch. Even if he has to grip the handrail for dear life as he makes his way down the stairs.
He makes it to the classroom just before it turns nine o’clock, turning heads as he slides the door open. Feeling his face burn more than it already was, he mumbles an apology to the teacher and quickly takes his seat. God, what an awful start to the day. Suou Tsukasa is never late to class.
Someone taps him on the shoulder from behind. “Tsuka-chan?” Sora whispers. “Are you okay?”
“I’m quite alright, Harukawa-kun. I was simply up late last night practicing, and slept through my alarm,” Tsukasa says. It isn’t entirely a lie, he just chose to leave out some crucial information. “No need to worry.”
Sora doesn’t look like he believes him, but the teacher clears her throat at the front of the class, forcing him to sit properly in his seat. Tsukasa can feel the stares of his other classmates, attempting to ignore them as he reaches for his stationery from his bag.
First and second period pass by like a breeze, Tsukasa unintentionally nodding off a few times throughout. The classroom is awfully hot, and his headache has become so painful that he’s hardly been able to focus. He’s fairly certain that Tetora and Tori have been sneaking glances at him for a while now, and while he’s tried his best to come up with a reason for his uncharacteristic behaviour, he cannot think of anything good enough.
Finally the bell signalling their break rings, and Tsukasa allows himself to rest his head on the cool desk. There is the tiny, minuscule possibility that he may be sick. Which is just absurd, because his immune system is fantastic and it isn’t as if there’s anyone ill around him to catch something from.
“Hey, Tsukasa. What’s up with you?” Here comes worrier number one. Tsukasa rolls his head to the side, meeting the gaze of a concerned/annoyed Tori. “You’re never late for class, and you look feverish. Are you sick?”
“I don’t get sick.” Tsukasa’s sentence is punctuated with a cough, just to add insult to injury. “I’m just fine, thank you very much. I have a headache, but it’ll pass soon.”
Without warning, someone places their hand on his forehead—it’s Shinobu, hovering nervously by his desk. “You’re burning up, de gozaru! This most definitely is not just a headache.”
“If you don’t feel well, Suou-kun, it’s okay to just say so,” Midori says, Sora nodding from beside her.
“You have a lot on your shoulders now that you’re the leader of Knights, and if you were up late rehearsing last night, you’re probably overworked. If there’s anything Sora can do to help, just tell him.”
Tsukasa feels a little touched, to be honest. What Sora said makes sense, but it’s also exactly why he can’t let something like this hold him back. He sits up, beginning to pack his things away. “I appreciate your worries, but I will be okay. A drink of water may help, though. I think I shall go and fetch one now.”
Tori rolls his eyes. “C’mon, Tsukasa. There’s no way we’re letting you go anywhere like this.”
Tsukasa wants to protest, but it’s then that Tetora rejoins the group, phone in hand. “Just stay put, Suou-kun. We wouldn’t be worthy of calling ourselves your friends if we let you wander around in this state.”
They’re then startled by the door slamming open, a familiar grey-haired senpai standing in the doorway. He’s clearly out of breath, so one can only assume he ran here. “Where is he?”
Tsukasa’s classmates step back, leaving enough space for Koga to march right up to his desk and gently grab Tsukasa’s chin to tilt his head up.
“O-Oogami-senpai? What are you doing here?”
Koga lets his chin go, moving his hand up to his forehead. “Tetsu-kun called me and said ya seems outta sorts, that ya might be sick. Seems he was right.”
Tsukasa bats Koga’s hand away. “I’m not—”
“Kasa,” Koga says sternly, placing his hands on Tsukasa’s shoulders. “Ya don’t have to pretend yer fine for me.”
If Tsukasa’s face was hot before, it’s practically on fire now. On the surface, Koga doesn’t seem like a very romantic person, all piercings and studs and belts and such. But after six months of dating him, Tsukasa has come to learn that beneath everything, Koga is a very sweet, attentive partner, blah blah blah.
“…Alright. I’m sorry, Oogami-senpai,” Tsukasa says, finally allowing himself to relax a little. “I do feel rather unwell.”
Koga exhales through his nose, gaze fond. “Ya don’t gotta apologise. Let’s just getcha back to yer dorm, ‘kay?”
Tsukasa nods, reaching down to grab his bag before pushing out his chair. But the moment he stands up, a wave of dizziness washes over him and he finds himself unsteady on his feet the same way he was this morning. The last thing he remembers is someone calling his name as he sways forward before darkness envelopes the world.
•••
Upon regaining consciousness, the first thing Tsukasa registers is that he is not at school anymore, instead finding himself tucked neatly into his bed.
He rubs his eyes as he sits up, which was clearly the wrong thing to do because the blood all rushes to his head and he feels as though he may faint again.
“Oi, what are ya doin’?” Koga is at his side in an instant, gently lowering him so he’s lying down again; Tsukasa didn’t even realise he was there. My“Seriously, I take my eyes off ya for one minute…”
“Oogami-senpai,” Tsukasa murmurs. “What happened?”
“Ya passed out, that’s what. Scared the shit outta yer classmates. And me.” Koga scowls, taking a seat on the table beside Tsukasa’s bed. “So I carried ya back here. I guess I could’ve just taken ya to the infirmary, but then that asshole would’ve made me go back to class. And there ain’t no way in hell I’m leavin’ ya alone with a fever like this.”
Tsukasa can feel the guilt settling in on his chest. He understands where Koga is coming from; a couple of months ago, Koga sprained his ankle. Tsukasa remembers sitting at the foot of Koga’s bed, his heart clouded with worry despite Koga insisting that he was going to be fine. At least he didn’t have to witness it, but Koga did.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it.” Ouch, that stings. “How much sleep didja get last night?”
“Um, around four hours, maybe?”
“And the night before?”
“…Probably the same.”
Koga sighs, running a hand down his face. “Ritchii told me how much you’ve been pushin’ yerself with practice lately too. This was bound to happen sooner or later. How many times do I gotta remind ya to take better care of yerself?”
“I truly am sorry, Oogami-senpai,” Tsukasa says, sniffling a little. “We have a live coming up, and it is the first without our senpai in a while. As the leader, I must make sure everything is perfect, even if it means sacrificing my sleep.”
“You…” Koga softens a little, reaching out and stroking his knuckles along Tsukasa’s cheek. Tsukasa leans into the touch, Koga’s hand refreshingly cold against his warm skin. “Want me to call up those senpai of yours? Whaddya think they’d say ‘bout this?”
As always, he’s right. Tsukasa can just imagine the scolding he’d get from Izumi as Leo runs around in an attempt to coddle him. “No, that won’t be necessary. I don’t want to worry them when they’re so busy.”
“Ya worried me, though.”
“I didn’t mean to—”
“I know, I know, ‘m just teasin’.” Koga ruffles his hair affectionately. “But do ya get what I’m sayin’? Yer lives are important, sure, but you will always be more important. I learnt that the hard way too.”
“Yes, Oogami-senpai. Again, I’m sorry for the hassle. You shouldn’t have to be spending your time looking after me.”
Koga looks at him as if he’s grown a second head. “Are ya nuts? That’s exactly the kinda thing I should be doin’. Don’t think I’d deserve to call myself yer boyfriend otherwise.”
“I… suppose you’re right.” Tsukasa pulls the duvet up to cover his smile. “Thank you.”
“Don’t sweat it. And the next time ya feel like this, ya come to me first, ‘kay?” His anger appears to have disappeared, replaced with a mixture of worry and love in his gaze. “I’m gonna go get some medicine and stuff. You stay right there, ya hear me?”
It seems this fever has completely demolished his brain-to-mouth filter, because as Koga stands up Tsukasa reaches out to grab the hem of his blazer. “Don’t go.”
Koga hesitates, carefully taking Tsukasa’s hand and moving it back to rest on his chest. “C’mon, don’t make that face. I won’t even be ten minutes, promise.”
Tsukasa detests how weak and ill he feels, but at the same time he doesn’t mind getting to see this soft, concerned side of Koga. It is nice to be taken care of from time to time, he supposes. “Alright. No longer than that, okay?”
…is what Tsukasa said, but by the time Koga returns with a plastic bag and wearing a face mask, he realises he doesn’t even know how long it took. His head is rather foggy; his getting the time muddled up shouldn’t be too surprising.
“I’m back,” Koga calls, voice slightly muffled. “Good. Ya stayed put.”
Tsukasa coughs. “How could I go anywhere in this condition?”
“You were walkin’ around just fine this mornin’, were ya not? Though I guess the adrenaline must’ve worn off by now.” Koga places the bag on the bedside table, kicking his shoes off before sitting next to it.
“Have ya eaten anything today?” He asks, beginning to unpack the plastic bag. Tsukasa remains quiet, the remorse from earlier returning. He’s a little afraid Koga will be mad at him again, but when he looks over at him, he doesn’t even seem surprised. “Thought so. Good thing I brought this.”
And so Koga helps Tsukasa eat something—a bento he must’ve made this morning, Tsukasa thinks. It’s delicious, as Koga’s cooking always is. He even has the little octopus sausages, like he usually does when he plans on sharing with Tsukasa. God, Tsukasa loves him so much.
A part of him wants to tell Koga that he feels strong enough to feed himself, but he enjoys being pampered by him like this, quite frankly. It’s embarrassing when it’s anyone else, but this is Koga. One of the earliest memories from when they’ve known each other is Tsukasa crying like a child in front of him. Plus, he is his boyfriend. Hehe.
“Ya feelin’ any better now?” Koga asks, placing the lid back onto the bento and tossing it onto the couch.
“Yes. Thank you very much. Oogami-senpai’s bentos are always the best.”
“Of course they are. Lemme getcha a drink. And some medicine.”
The medicine is bitter and gross, but if it helps, then so be it. Feeling much better than he has all day, Tsukasa lies back down again, letting out a content sigh. It turns into a surprised yelp, however, when something very cold is placed on his forehead. He reaches up to find a cooling gel sheet, giving Koga what he hopes is an irritated glance.
“Sorry. Should’ve warned ya first,” Koga says, but he doesn’t look apologetic at all. “That should help a bit with the fever.”
“Thank you.”
“Ya don’t gotta keep thankin’ me. I’m happy t’ be doin’ all of this. Don’t tell anyone I said that, though.”
Perhaps it’s a little childish, but Tsukasa likes the fact that he’s the only person who gets to see this side of Koga. He’s kind and considerate with all of his friends, of course, but there’s something more intimate in the way he cares for Tsukasa.
Like the way he thinks Tsukasa doesn’t notice how he lets him win whatever card game they’re playing if Tsukasa’s had a particularly rough time that day, and how he knocks on Tsukasa’s door after an outing with his class, presenting him with some gift that reminded him of Tsukasa.
It’s the little things like that that truly make Tsukasa treasure every second he gets with Koga. Even if he’s burning up and his throat is ticklish and his head still slightly aches.
“Oi, Kasa. Ya feelin’ sleepy yet?” Koga’s voice snaps him back to reality.
“No. Why?”
Koga finally tugs his mask down, revealing a toothy grin. “Great. Just gimme a minute.”
Tsukasa watches as Koga clears his bedside table before hauling it over to the foot of his bed, then very carefully moves the TV opposite the sofa so it’s within Tsukasa’s view on the table. “We’re a couple of weeks behind on Idobato. I figured now’s as good a time as ever to catch up.”
“Oogami-senpai,” Tsukasa says. “I love you.”
Koga barks out a laugh, then sits on the floor where the table once was. “Love ya too. Which episode were we on again?”
“Four. Are you really sitting down there?”
“Course. Where else is there?”
Tsukasa shuffles over in his bed. “You could… you know. There’s space up here. With me.”
Koga pulls such a face that Tsukasa feels rather offended. “Are ya crazy? I can’t go gettin’ sick too. I’ve got a concert this weekend.”
“How mean.” Tsukasa pouts. “Please? Would you really deny your suffering lover a simple cuddle? I never knew you were so cold-hearted, Oogami-senpai.”
“Hey, don’t gimme that look. Don’t,” Koga warns, clearly becoming more and more uncertain about his decision. “And don’t go sayin’ those things either. Seriously, what’s the matter with ya?”
Tsukasa fakes a cough, attempting to look as pitiable as possible. “Just for one episode?”
There’s a minute of silence as they stare at each other, Koga with a scowl on his face and Tsukasa hoping he really is as cute as Anzu insists he is. Eventually, Koga crumbles, running a hand through his hair. “Gah, I can’t say no to ya like this. Ya little brat.”
Highly pleased with himself, Tsukasa lifts the duvet for Koga to crawl in beside him. He wastes no time in wrapping an arm around Tsukasa, gently guiding his head to lie upon his chest before resting his own on top of it. He’s warm, but in a comfortable way compared to Tsukasa’s fever.
“Ugh, yer all sweaty,” Koga complains, but stays regardless.
He loads up the Idobato anime on the TV,
“…Oogami-senpai?”
“Mm?”
“I’m sorry. For worrying you.”
“It’s fine. As long as ya never do anythin’ like this again, yeah?” Koga strokes his thumb across Tsukasa’s shoulder, the same way he has dozens of times before. “If ya ever need help practicin’, I’m always available. I’m the great Oogami Koga-sama, after all.”
Tsukasa snorts in a rather embarrassing manner. “I’ll remember that.”
As the episode continues, they fall into their usual watching-Idobato routine, which mostly consists of them complaining about this and that because as it turns out, having four seasons doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to increase in quality.
One episode becomes two, then two becomes three and ultimately, Tsukasa loses his voice and his eyelids become droopy. Despite being out for however long earlier, it seems his body still craves rest. Before sleep claims him, however, he feels a ghost of a kiss against his forehead, along with a whispered, “Goodnight.”
If their positions end up reversed three days later, well. Who can blame them?