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Mika paced restlessly around the Ensemble Square lobby. He was done with work for the day, but he couldn't head to the dorms just yet. When Shuu wasn't in France, he always waited for him so they could walk back together. He was taking awfully long today though. Mika tried really hard not to look at the clock, knowing he'd start panicking if he knew exactly how late he was. This wouldn't usually worry him so much, but Shuu had already been acting strange lately. He seemed so tired and he had dark circles under his pretty eyes and he got mad even quicker than normal. Mika had already asked if he was okay more than once and Shuu always snapped that of course he was, did he not have eyes? And then Mika would get so excited over being yelled at that he'd forget to press him on it any more. Well, he wouldn't make that mistake this time. As soon as Shuu finally came through that door, he was going to get to the bottom of this.
Someone then did come through that door, and Mika briefly got his hopes up, but it wasn't Shuu. It was just Kiryuu. "Hey, Kagehira." He waved a hand. "Itsuki not here yet, huh?"
"No, he ain't," Mika said with a frown. "I'm gettin' awful worried. Speakin' of worried, have you noticed how tired he's been, Kiryuu-senpai? How's he been sleepin'? Like, when he goes ta bed I mean. I ain't askin' ya ta watch his face. That'd be weird." His thoughts poured out in the presence of the one other person he could trust to be even half as interested in Shuu-health-monitoring as he was.
Kiryuu laughed awkwardly. "Well, uh, he hasn't been. Figures you'd notice. He stayed up the last few nights working on some stuff for Dramatica. But it sounds like he finished it all so hopefully he'll get some rest tonight."
"Nnaa?!" Mika could only make an appalled noise as his sense of common interest was shattered. "And you let him?!"
"I told him he should sleep, but it ain't exactly easy to make that guy do anything he doesn't want to do."
"Now you're just makin' excuses!" Mika had more he wanted to say to him, but he didn't have time. His anxieties had exploded into a pressing sense of urgency, a need to put things right. "Wait, what if he's fallen asleep an' that's why he ain't shown up? What if it's someplace dangerous? I gotta go find 'im!"
"Dangerous? In an office building?" he heard Kiryuu say, but he was already darting off.
– – –
By the time he'd made it to the sky garden and confirmed that Shuu had not, in fact, fallen asleep precariously close to the ledge, Mika had calmed down enough to think rationally. Of course he wouldn't be here in the first place. He always complained about all the bugs. Tenshouin should invest a fraction of his exhorbitant funds into some pesticide, he'd say. Then he'd grumble when Mika would point out they were important for the ecosystem. So much for utopia. It was cute, the way he could imagine a world with only pure things in it.
Mika knew where he would be, where he should've guessed immediately. An elevator ride back down six floors later and he was right outside the dressing room. He flung open the door.
Sitting on the couch inside, Shuu let out a sharp gasp and dropped his needlework into his lap. "...Oh, it's you. For heaven's sake, Kagehira, knock!"
"No time fer worryin' about manners, Oshi-san! I can't believe you're still sewin'!"
"I've almost finished!" Shuu picked the cloth back up. "I wanted to make a dress for Mademoiselle. She desires fashionable new attire as summer encroaches, and I desire a project more in line with my aesthetics after the nonsense Wataru has been demanding."
Mika narrowed his eyes, trying his best not to be charmed out of forgetting why he came here. "Ya mean the nonsense that's been keepin' you from getting any sleep?"
Shuu sighed, an effect that was kind of ruined by how much it sounded like it was about to turn into a yawn at the end. "I am perfectly capable of managing my own health, if that's what you've come to fuss at me about. I will have plenty of time to rest tonight if you just let me finish this."
"I'm sorry, Oshi-san, but I don't believe ya! How many times have ya promised you were sleepin' enough in Paris an' then I see you readin' my texts at 3 AM there? Someone's gotta step in!" He strode across the room as he spoke, grabbing Shuu by the wrist at the end of his rant.
"Unhand me, you fiend!" Shuu protested, but as Mika pulled him to his feet, he stumbled unsteadily in a way that did not match the strength in his voice. "...Well. Perhaps I could finish this tomorrow."
– – –
Shuu allowed Kagehira to lead him by the arm to the elevator. He could have escaped his grasp if he'd wanted to. Certainly, Kagehira had grown stronger as of late, but so had he. Neither was he relying on his physical support out of some feeble necessity. He merely found Kagehira's dormant leadership qualities most admirable, and it seemed a waste not to observe them when he had the chance. He cut a dashing sort of figure when he decided to take charge, as stubborn and simple-minded as those decisions could be. Shuu could easily imagine him in the role of a prince, and indeed he spent their journey to the ground floor doing just that. He ought to pitch a play at the next Dramatica meeting with just such a part and request Kagehira be recruited to play it. Wataru owed him that much.
When they reached the lobby, Shuu was surprised to observe how dark it had gotten outside. Had he really stayed that late? Such was not his intention; he typically endeavored to return before the sun set as Kagehira became exceptionally clumsy in the dark. He'd seen him trip and fall too many times. Hoping to avoid further incidents, Shuu summoned his strength to take the lead. "Stick close to me, Kagehira," he said as he opened the front door.
"Nnaa, okay." Kagehira followed his command to the letter, clinging to his arm in a manner that would have been embarrassing if there were anyone there to see it. As there was not, Shuu declined to say anything. Somehow, drawing attention to it only seemed more embarrassing under these circumstances.
He could feel Kagehira's heartbeat as they walked through the shadowy courtyard. It seemed to speed up with every step they took. Was he frightened? Shuu had never known him to be afraid of the dark, nor afraid of anything without an accompanying counterintuitive glee, but the prospect ignited in him a protective instinct nonetheless. On impulse, he shifted his arm free to wrap it reassuringly around Kagehira's shoulders.
"Whoa, Oshi-san, are you feelin' faint? It's okay, you can lean on me."
"I am not leaning on you," Shuu snapped. "I am offering you my protection."
"Protection?" Kagehira sounded genuinely baffled. "From what?"
"From...!" Shuu's brain scrambled for an answer. It was not operating as quickly as he was used to. "From... Who knows what manner of miscreants may be about at this hour!" He gestured with his free hand at the trees casting shadows long and dark enough to hide more than one person.
"I think there's like, a security team fer that."
Shuu shot him a threatening glare, feeling as though his intellect had been insulted and his affection rejected both in one fell blow. "Are you objecting?"
"No way!" Kagehira said quickly. He patted Shuu's hand where it lay on his shoulder. "I'd never complain about bein' close ta Oshi-san. I'd let ya wear my skin if you were into that kinda thing. It's just funny how ya always gotta come up with excuses."
"Hmph."
Shuu kept his arm around him until they reached the dormitory. When he could see the light from the windows illuminating Kagehira's softly smiling face, it no longer felt necessary. He adjusted to a polite distance before they entered the building. They would be heading their separate ways soon enough anyway.
But no sooner had Shuu taken his first step up the stairs than he heard Kagehira call out behind him.
"Hang on, Oshi-san."
"What is it?" Shuu turned back to look at him.
His face held a downright patronizing amount of concern. "I don't feel right lettin' ya just go back ta yer dorm. How do I know you'll actually sleep?"
"Oh, not this again." And here Shuu thought this had been settled. "I assure you, at this point there is nothing I would like more than to rest."
Kaghira didn't look convinced in the slightest. "Nnaa, now I won't be able ta sleep worryin'! I can't even trust Kiryuu-senpai! This'd be so much easier if we could just– Wait." His eyes widened. "There's nothin' actually stoppin' us, right? Just so long as Hasumi-senpai doesn't find out... That's perfect, Oshi-san! You can just come sleep in my room!"
A certain warmth erupted in Shuu's chest at the suggestion, a warmth that made him immediately turn away again for fear it might display on his face. "If that is what it takes for you to drop this matter, then fine," he said stiffly. He took another step. "I will fetch my things."
– – –
Having dodged awkward questions from his roommates, changed into his pajamas, and with Mademoiselle in his arms, Shuu arrived outside Kagehira's door. He reached a hand out to knock, but before he even made contact, the door swung open.
Kagehira popped his head out, nearly startling Shuu out of his skin. "There ya are, Oshi-san! I knew I recognized yer footsteps. C'mon in!"
Torn between admonishing him for the peculiar behavior and praising him for his observational skills, Shuu elected to say nothing at all in response. He merely followed him inside.
"Hi, Oshi-san-san," came Sakuma's monotone voice. He waved languidly from his own bed.
Shuu gave a curt nod, already beginning to question his decisions. There was something vaguely humiliating about this. He placed Mademoiselle down on the bedside table, alongside the doll he'd brought Kagehira from Paris months ago. At least she would get to enjoy a night of conversing with a companion. She often complained of being lonely as of late. Shuu turned to the large couch that sat in front of the television. Ordinarily he supposed he would have trouble falling asleep on such lesser furniture, but by now he was weary enough that he probably could have slept on the floor. "I presume I am to sleep there?"
"What?! No!" Kagehira sounded positively scandalized. "I'd never make ya sleep on the couch! You can have my bed!"
"A-Are you proposing we share a bed?" Shuu whirled around to stare at him in disbelief, feeling positively scandalized enough to make Kagehira's tone relaxed by comparison. "In front of a third party?! How utterly inappropriate! Honestly, I don't understand how you–"
"That ain't what I meant!" Kagehira interrupted, his face bright red. "I mean you have the bed by yerself an' I sleep on the couch!"
"You presume me to be so uncouth as to oust you from your own bed?"
"I mean, you're the guest! It's just manners, right? I thought you cared about that kinda thing! Besides, ya ain't slept in days! You need it!"
"That is precisely why I require less in the way of accomodations at this juncture! Think logically, Kagehira!"
"I am! It's you who's bein' all stubborn! You agree with me, right, Ritsu-kun? ...Ritsu-kun?"
They both turned to Sakuma's bed to find it empty. Before either could theorize as to the cause, a buzzing sound emitted from Kagehira's phone on the nightstand.
He went to check it. "Oh. Ritsu-kun says he left fer your room, Oshi-san. Apparently he's sleepin' there. I guess we got two beds now."
"...I suppose we do." Shuu paused to attempt to untangle the very strong inclination that had emerged the moment he'd realized they were free of further human company. Suddenly, he knew what he wanted. But how could he communicate it? "I do think it would be...impolite to disturb his space when it is not strictly necessary, however. There remain other options."
"Nnaa, don't start it up again!" Kagehira expelled a frustrated sigh. "I don't like arguin' with ya!"
"Such was not my intent." Shuu realized he could stall no longer. Even his pristine vision was coming unfocused. With all his remaining capacity for conscious thought, he sought to word his proposal as eloquently as possible. "I merely wished to point out that we are partners in many ways, and it is only natural that we would find the greatest comfort at each other's side. And as we are alone, there is no potential for...misunderstandings."
"...Eh?!" From the giddy expression on his face, it seemed Kagehira understood. "O-Of course! I'd love to! An' now I won't even hafta get up ta check how you're doin'!"
"You absolutely should not have done that anyway. Focus on your own rest." And with the last of his physical energy, Shuu took his own advice. He made a graceful descent into Kagehira's bed, positioning himself to leave enough space remaining.
For a moment, nothing else seemed to happen, and there was a self-conscious prickling at the back of Shuu's neck preventing him from settling down. Then, a creaking of bedsprings, a rush of warmth, and a weight beside him. Shuu closed his eyes only for them to fly open again as he felt arms snake around him.
"What are you doing?" he hissed, his heart pounding in his chest.
"I dunno, s'just comfy this way." Kagehira's voice sounded muffled against Shuu's shoulder. "I can move if ya don't like it."
"It's... It's fine." Shuu took a deep breath and closed his eyes again. "Good night, Kagehira."
"G'night, Oshi-san."
That ought to have been the end of it. Shuu was expecting his consciousness to slip away. Yet as seconds ticked by, the heavy veil of exhaustion grew lighter and receded. He was becoming more acutely conscious of Kagehira's arms around his torso, his chest against his back, the sound of his breathing. It was not discomfort causing this sense of alert. From a purely physical standpoint, this was the most comfortable he had ever been. It was simply the fact that he could not accept this as mere sensory input, could not stop thinking about the broader implications.
Chief among those implications was Kagehira's increased size. He'd recently had a slight growth spurt, and Shuu could feel it in how much of his own elongated body he covered. He could feel his increased muscle mass as well, the strength of the arms holding him in a protective embrace. The more Shuu thought about this, the more confused emotions burgeoned in his chest, the faster his heart beat, and the more awake he became. Alarm bells were blaring, telling him that this was indecent, that they were doing something wrong. But what? He could find no logical fault. Kagehira was showing him love; he understood that. And by allowing himself to be held, giving him that comfort and security, Shuu was showing a similar love back. He could not locate the point of wrongness some part of him insisted was there. Another thought emerged that he could not shake, the thought that if he allowed himself to become fully comfortable in this position, he would be committing some manner of sin.
He could theoretically tell Kagehira that he could not, in fact, sleep like this. But he could tell from the shift in his breathing that he had already fallen asleep. It would only be another sort of sin to wake him. He could not be that selfish. He must bear it. Surely at some point sleep would overtake him despite the tension in his every nerve. Perhaps if he distracted himself.
It was a cliche to count sheep, trite and not artistically inspired, but Shuu was desperate enough to resort to cliche. However, when he attempted this, the sheep in his mindscape all had black wool and mismatched eyes. Their bleating was odd and distinctive. This was not distracting him from anything. He tried to imagine a different animal, but everything else, be it a mammal or bird or reptile, suffered a similar transformation. His anguish turned to frustration, which turned to anger. This was Kagehira's fault. He had infected him with such cartoonish manifestations of sentiment. He would scold him for this tomorrow morning, if he could only fall asleep...
– – –
"Oshi-san? Hey, Oshi-san, are you okay? You look awful!"
These were not words Shuu wanted to be awakened by, had he even wanted to be awakened at all. It felt as if it had been no more than a few hours since he had finally lost consciousness. His head hurt and his eyelids were heavy, but he opened them anyway for it seemed he didn't have a choice. Kagehira was staring down at him, his face far too close.
"What do you want?" Shuu groaned. He inwardly cringed at the sound of his voice. Atrociously haggard, the pitch all off, none of the beauty he sought to put into it.
"I'm askin' if you're okay! I thought after sleepin' the shadows under yer eyes'd get better but they're super huge now! Are you gettin' sick or somethin'?"
"No." Against his wishes, a yawn escaped Shuu's lips. Yet another indignity, piled upon the rest. "I merely did not sleep very much."
"Whaddaya mean, ya didn't sleep very much?!" Kagehira's voice was so loud and panicked as to erase the slightest possibility of Shuu getting any more. "I brought ya here so you'd sleep! We've been lyin' here ten hours!"
Shuu attempted to elbow him off. He really was too close. "Well, the fickle whims of base biology do not always obey our command."
Kagehira did not seem to be listening to him. "This is a disaster! I musta messed things up somehow! I'll– I'll fix it, just ya watch!" He scrambled for his phone. "I'll call us both in sick an' you can stay here until you sleep! I'll be lookin' after ya the whole time, so don't worry!"
Shuu did not have the energy to point out the numerous flaws in this plan. He simply rolled over and sighed.