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Shinazugawa Genya was shivering. The night before, he grabbed whatever blanket he could find and a hoodie, and yet here he was, still shivering in bed.
The alarm clock didn’t even have to wake him up, he couldn’t even sleep the night before. He just curled up and tossed and turned, occasionally staring at the bright red lights of the clock. But when it rang, he forced himself to get up and turn it off.
More than anything he wanted to be huddled up with blankets but he had to get up today. He wanted to curl in a ball to stop the coldness and the painful stomach cramps.
Normally he would just beg Sanemi to let him stay home, but not today.
He had a math test. Sanemi’s math test. Genya wouldn’t even bother to try to ask him, he would obviously say no. Or he’d say yes, but give him the disappointed look that wasn’t ever worth a free day.
In an attempt to get himself more awake, he went to the bathroom and splashed cool water on his face. The icy shock helped wake him up a little more, but he still felt groggy and tired.
After getting dressed in his school uniform, Genya made his way to the kitchen.
Sanemi was already seated at the kitchen table, eating his breakfast. As Genya entered, he gave an annoyed look and grumbled, “Hurry up, we don’t have all day.”
Genya tried to ignore the usual rudeness and quickly made himself some toast.
“What? But I made you breakfast?” Sanemi suddenly said.
“You probably poisoned it.”
“You’re such an ungrateful brat,” Sanemi sighed, but there was a hint of teasing to it. Genya, who usually would‘ve shared in with it, just mumbled incoherent words.
He wasn’t feeling well, but he knew he had to push through. As he sat down to eat, Sanemi glanced over at him and said, “You look like crap. What’s wrong with you?”
Genya tried to brush it off, not wanting to make a big deal out of it. “I… um… stayed up all night. Stayed up to study,” he lied.
Sanemi rolled his eyes, probably convinced based on the bags under Genya’s eyes, and continued eating his breakfast. “Well, don’t expect any sympathy from me. You better not fail my math test today, dumbass.”
“Wow. How kind.” Sarcasm always made Sanemi angry. “Thanks for the support, Nemi,” Genya said, despite appearing aloof, feeling even more anxious about the test. He knew he needed to focus and do his best, even if he wasn’t feeling his best. As he finished his toast, he mentally prepared himself for the long day ahead.
As they walked outside Genya, who was visibly shivering, bathed in the warmth of the sun before Sanemi ushered him in the car.
Sanemi gave him a look, raising an eyebrow, as if he was questioning Genya’s ability to even make it through the day, but chose not to say anything. Genya ignored the look and tried to focus on calming his nerves… and hopefully getting over his sickness.
During the car ride to school, Sanemi kept glancing over at Genya, probably checking to see if he was still alive. He knew something was wrong with Genya, his instincts told him.
Genya just stared out the window, trying to distract himself from the gut-destroying cramps he was getting.
“So… Are you going to get out, or?” Sanemi asked. Genya perked his head up and finally realized that he’d been sitting in a parked car for a couple of minutes already.
Did time usually move that fast?
Genya quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and stumbled out of the car, feeling dizzy and weak. Sanemi followed behind him, still giving him skeptical looks.
They eventually made their separate ways for the first period, which made Genya glad to keep away from the death stares.
What wasn’t something that made him glad was as the day went on, his condition only seemed to worsen.
He gained a headache pounding into his brain, he felt nauseous, and his body ached all over. And his stomach? That was the worst. He struggled to focus in Gyomei’s civics class, the room spinning around him as he tried to keep up with the lesson.
During Obanai’s chemistry class, Genya felt a heavier wave of nausea wash over him. He quickly excused himself to the bathroom, knowing Obamai would give him hell for leaving his class without asking, barely making it in time before he found himself hunched over the toilet, emptying the scarce contents of his stomach.
He was too embarrassed to go back to class, but his phone was spammed with messages from Tanjiro, asking if he was okay if he should come. Genya didn’t respond because Tanjiro would guilt him into going back home and resting.
Next was Tengen’s class. That art class? It felt felt like torture, the fact that he played loud music, apparently to help the students “focus,” and the bright lights only added to his growing headache. He could feel his temperature rising, his skin burning with fever, despite just how cold he felt as he struggled to concentrate on Zenitsu’s rambling on how annoying Tengen was.
Then to make matters worse, Tengen heard him and started yelling so there came a screaming match between these two. Just looking at these two, Genya was glad Inosuke chose to skip school today to skip Sanemi’s math test.
Finally, the moment of truth arrived. It was time for the dreaded math test. Genya tried to focus, tried to push through the pain and the fatigue, but it was no use. His mind was foggy, his vision blurry, and he could barely keep his eyes open.
He knew he was going to fail, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep for days.
But if he failed Sanemi would most likely deny him the privilege of sleeping and make him study throughout the night.
As the test papers were handed out, Genya could barely hold his pencil steady. He struggled to read the questions, his head thinking only about how painful his stomach cramps were with every attempt to concentrate. He knew he was making mistakes, he knew he was failing, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.
Couldn’t even care to finish the test or fix those simple mistakes.
Sanemi noticed Genya’s struggle, not at the test but just at staying awake, and raised an eyebrow. He walked over, crouched, and whispered, “Are you okay? You look like you’re about to pass out.”
Genya just nodded his head, unable to form words. He felt too weak to even explain how he was feeling, and too weak to disappoint Sanemi.
As the test went on, Genya’s condition continued to deteriorate. By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of the test, he could barely keep himself upright. He handed in his test paper, only half-filled, not even bothering to look over it one last time or at Sanemi.
Sanemi frowned at him, noticing his unsteady stance, and quickly stood up from his desk and rushed over to him. “Genya, seriously, what’s wrong? You look like you’re about to collapse.”
Genya tried to shake his head, words too hard to form, but a surge of dizziness flashed over him and he stumbled, almost falling to the ground if Sanemi hadn’t caught him in time.
“Sorry… Nemi…” Genya panted, gently pushing Sanemi away.
Sanemi placed the back of his hand on Genya’s cheek and then on his forehead. “God, Gen, you’re burning up. You beat, why didn’t ya tell me?”
“No… I’m fine,” he whined. “You still have other classes… I have a couple more periods… Leave me alone.”
Sanemi walked away for a moment but went to make a call to what Genya would have to assume was the front office. To clock out? Genya tried to leave, but Sanemi held his hand to stop him.
“No, come on, we’re going home.” Sanemi doesn’t ask him but rather tells him, after hanging up.
“You have other classes… it’s a big test.”
“I’m sure a substitute can handle the simple task of distributing a test.”
Genya tried to escape from Sanemi’s grip, but his legs gave out and he collapsed into his brother’s arms.
Genya felt nausea hit him again, and before he could stop himself, he vomited bile, by the end of Obanai’s class whatever food he ate was in the toilet, all over Sanemi’s shirt—well mostly chest, his shirt was completely unbuttoned.
Before he could comprehend just what he had done, the tears were welling up in his eyes as he sobbed out of embarrassment and shame.
“Shh, shh,” Sanemi whispered, soothingly, rubbing circles on Genya’s back. “It’s okay, I’m not angry at all, let’s get you home and taken care of okay, baby?”
“I—I’m not a baby.” Genya cried into Sanemi’s gross chest. How could he have done something so gross? He was too focused on his embarrassment to realize Sanemi’s change in demeanor.
Sanemi chuckled softly, quickly scooping him, bridal style. “You’re always going to be my baby brother, even when you’re old and wrinkly, okay?”
Genya buried his face in Sanemi’s chest, feeling his warmth, and the liquid contents of his stomach but he wasn‘t going to say something about that, while he was carried out of the classroom, too weak to care about the stares and whispers of their classmates, who could see them in the hallways due to the fact it was still the passing period.
Sanemi made his way to the car, gently placing Genya in the passenger seat before driving home as quickly as he could.
Genya could feel his stomach churning for the third time that day as the car sped down the road. He tried to focus on the passing scenery, but the dizziness and nausea only seemed to intensify.
“N-Nemi, I think I’m gonna be sick again,” Genya mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper as he clutched his stomach.
Sanemi frowned, glancing over at Genya with concern. “Shit. No. Hang in there, we’ll be home soon.” But it was too late. Genya couldn’t control himself and he hurled again, this time all over himself and the car seat.
“Shit!” Sanemi cursed, pulling over to the side of the road. He quickly helped Genya out of the car, holding him steady as he continued to vomit bile on the side of the road.
Once Genya had finished, Sanemi grabbed some tissues and water from the car, helping him clean up as best as they could. Genya, at this point, was blubbering.
“Gen, please, don’t cry? For me?”
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
Sanemi pulled Genya into a tight hug, rubbing his back soothingly. “It’s okay, Gen. Let’s just get you home and into bed.”
Genya nodded weakly, allowing Sanemi to guide him back into the backseat of the car, not messed up by throw-up. The rest of the car ride was silent, the only sound being Genya’s soft sniffles.
Once they reached home, Sanemi picked up Genya, climbing the stairs of their apartment whilst, and plopped him on the couch, where Genua curled up into a ball.
“How does a bath sound, hmm?” Sanemi asked him while looking for the thermometer. He gently placed it under his tongue, watching the numbers climb. Then the beep.
He took it out. “God fucking damnit. 103.6.”
“Nemi… my stomach hurts,” he said through labored breaths. “So, so much…”
“It’s okay, Gen, it’ll go away, it’ll get better.” Sanemi carried Genya to the bathroom. “Let’s focus on getting that fever down, yeah?”
As Sanemi filled the tub with cold water, Genya’s eyes widened in fear. “W-what are you doing?” he asked, his voice shaky.
“We need to bring your fever down, Gen,” Sanemi replied, not looking at him as he continued to adjust the temperature of the water. “Trust me, it’ll help.”
“No, no, please,” Genya begged, panic setting in as he realized what Sanemi was planning, his fever making him more hysterical. “I can’t handle cold water, Nemi, please…”
Sanemi finally turned to face him, frowning. “Genya, you need to listen to me. This is for your own good. It’ll help bring your fever down and make you feel better.”
But Genya was already shaking his head, tears welling up in his eyes. God, how many times must he cry today? “No, no, I can’t do it, please, I’m already cold…”
“Gen, your fever needs to go down.” Seeing how helpless and vulnerable Genya was right now broke his heart. This one day he’s seen Genya cry more than he had in the past year.
“Nemi…”
Sanemi could see the fear and desperation in Genya’s eyes, and he realized the severity of the situation. He knew he had to come up with a compromise to calm Genya down.
“Alright, Gen. How about this? I’ll join you in the bath, okay? I can keep you warm. And you can keep your clothes on, it’ll be less cold,” Sanemi suggested, hoping it would ease Genya’s anxiety.
Genya sniffled, wiping away his tears. “O-okay.”
Sanemi smiled, having to leave the bathroom for a moment to get them clothes to wear afterward, getting Genya the softest shirt he owned.
When he returned, he found Genya still hesitantly waiting. Sanemi discarded his dirty shirt, despite the fact a lot of the bile was just on his bare chest. Maybe that should be a lesson to stop unbuttoning his shirt while teaching. Nah.
“Take off your shirt at least. It’s gross and sticky.” Sanemi looked for Genya for permission, but Genya didn’t say either yes or no. Sanemi took that as yes, quickly unbuttoning it and sliding it off.
Genya bit his lip, trying to suppress a whimper as he slowly lowered himself into the cold water, his teeth chattering. He could feel his body tensing up, the lower he went.
Sanemi immediately followed suit, not tensing once as he got in the water,!sitting behind Genya and wrapping his arms around him, pulling him close in an attempt to keep him warm. “It‘s gonna be okay, Gen. I‘m right here with you.”
Genya leaned back against Sanemi, feeling the warmth of his brother‘s chest seeping into his back. It helped a little, but the cold water still sent shivers through his body, making his breath come out in shaky gasps and sharp inhales.
Sanemi could feel Genya trembling in his arms, and sighed, deciding to use his 8th-grade science, and gently began to rub Genya‘s arms and chest, trying to generate friction. Genya‘s tense muscles slowly began to relax, a faint blush forming on his cheeks.
As the minutes passed, the water started to feel less icy, or Genya was getting more used to it and his breathing began to steady. He let out a soft sigh of relief, feeling the tension in his body start to melt away.
“Good job, baby,” Sanemi praised while massaging Genya’s hair with shampoo, “You’re doing so great. I’m so proud of you. A few more minutes until we can get out, okay?”
Genya nodded, somehow managing to lean closer to him. “I-I’m sorry for being such a pain, Nemi.”
Sanemi smiled softly. “I’m your big brother, no matter how much of a pain you are, I’m always gonna take care of you, so no need to apologize.”
Genya felt a warm feeling spread through his chest at his brother’s words, finally feeling safe and cared for despite his sickness. He closed his eyes, the feeling of Sanemi’s hands moving through his hair soothing him, and he let out a content sigh.
After a few more minutes, they finally got out of the tub, the water feeling warm against their cold bodies. Sanemi pulled away and discarded their wet clothes.
Sanemi quickly wrapped Genya in a fluffy towel, letting him dry, while Sanemi dressed himself. He made sure Genya was well-dried before he helped him get dressed in his soft shirt and sweatpants.
Genya immediately went to the couch flopped down face first and immediately tried to fall asleep and get comfortable.
“Not yet, Gen,” Sanemi muttered, picking him up yet again. Genya groaned hated how easy he was to be carried, despite being slightly taller than his older brother.
“I need you to eat and drink something before I give you medicine, and then you can sleep for a bit, alright?”
“Mhmm… quickly?”
Sanemi placed Genya on the kitchen table and then prepared some plain toast—what he had for breakfast—and a glass of water.
“Eat that while I start making some soup for you, okay? Something simple.” Despite that, Sanemi still brought a bucket just in case it couldn’t go down:
Genya ate and drank slowly, his stomach still feeling queasy but craving something to get rid of the occasional growl that came out of it.
While Sanemi let the chicken boil, he handed him medicine. Genya nodded, feeling exhausted from the events of the day. He took his medicine, rested his head on the table, and practically fell asleep immediately.
Sanemi smiled, taking a comforter to cover his shoulders, and a blanket on his lap.
When he woke up, he could smell the delicious aroma of soup wafting through the air. Sanemi came back from cleaning the car and set a bowl of chicken soup with some vegetables he liked, and some he hated inside it, in front of him, along with some crackers, something easy to eat, and a glass of water.
“Eat up, Gen. You need to keep your strength up,” Sanemi urged, sitting down next to him and handing him a spoon.
Genya ate slowly, savoring the warmth of the soup and the comforting feeling it brought to his stomach. He could practically feel his energy slowly returning as he finished his meal.
“Feeling better?” Sanemi asked, his eyes filled with concern as he watched Genya.
“Yeah, a little,” Genya admitted, feeling grateful for his brother’s care and attention. “Thank you, Nemi. I’m sorry for being such a burden today.”
Sanemi shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “You’re not a burden, you little piece of shit. You’re my little brother and I’ll always take care of you, no matter what. You’re my family, and I’ll always be there for you.”
As Sanemi gently carried Genya to his room, Genya suddenly let out a pained gasp, his face contorted in agony.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Sanemi asked, worry evident in his voice as he quickly laid Genya down on the bed.
“My stomach… it hurts so much,” Genya groaned, clutching his abdomen in pain.
Sanemi’s brow furrowed with concern as he tried to think of what to do. Seeing him in such distress made his heart ache, and his brain stop hurting.
“I’ll get you something for your stomach,” he said, rushing to the bathroom to retrieve the bottle of stomach pain reliever. He quickly returned to Genya’s side, helping him sit up and swallowing the medication.
But as Genya laid back down, the pain only seemed to worsen. He curled into a ball, whimpering in agony as the cramps intensified.
“Genya, stay with me. Take deep breaths, try to relax,” Sanemi urged, rubbing Genya’s back in an attempt to soothe him.
But nothing seemed to help. The pain was too much for Genya to bear, his body trembling with each wave of cramps that washed over him.
“Nemi… it hurts, it hurts so much,” Genya cried, tears streaming down his cheeks as the pain became unbearable.
“No, no, no, baby, please? I hate to see you cry.”
“Hurts…”
Sanemi felt helpless, his heart breaking at the sight of his brother in such agony. He wished he could take away Genya’s pain, hell, if he could make it his own.
“I’ll see if there’s something else I can—”
But as Sanemi turned to leave the room, Genya reached out and grabbed his arm, his eyes wide with fear. “N-No, Nemi. I-I‘m scared. Something‘s wrong. Please don‘t leave me alone.”
Sanemi felt his heart ache at Genya‘s words, realizing just how scared and vulnerable his little brother felt—was—right now. He sat down on the bed next to him, pulling him into a tight hug. ”I‘m not going anywhere, Gen. I‘ll stay right here with you, I promise.”
Genya buried his face in Sanemi‘s chest, his body shaking with fever and fear. Sanemi wrapped his arms around him protectively, rubbing soothing circles on his back as he whispered comforting words to him.
“I’m here, Gen. I won’t leave you. Just hold on, it’ll pass,” Sanemi whispered, his voice filled with love and concern as he continued to rub Genya’s back.
“Mmm-ughhh…”
“Shh, shh, baby. You’ll be fine, everything will be good.”
Sanemi moved the back of his hand on Genya’s forehead again, and it felt hotter than initially. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”
Sanemi rolled over a little to get a thermometer and measured his temperature, only to find that it had spiked to 104.5. “How did it even get fucking higher? After everything?”
Genya just whimpered, hiding further inside Sanemi’s chest. Sanemi sat up and Genya weakly tried to pull him back down but to no avail.
“Gen?”
“Nemi… please…? You’re so warm.@
“Baby, we’re going to the hospital.”
Genya’s eyes widened in fear. “N-no! Please! I’ll—I’ll even take another cold bath!”
“Shh, shh, baby… it’s okay. It’ll be fine, your Nemi will be with you the entire time,” Sanemi reassured, getting Genya dressed in warmer clothes despite it already being hot outside.
Genya clung to the comforter. Sanemi sighed and wrapped him up in it, carrying him gently out to the car. He buckled him in, making sure he was secure before getting in the driver’s seat and starting the car.
As they drove to the hospital, Genya clung to Sanemi’s hand, his knuckles turning white from the tight grip. Sanemi didn’t mind the way Genya’s nails buried themselves in the flesh of his hand. He squeezed his hand reassuringly, simulating a heartbeat, trying to calm his brother’s nerves as they made their way to the emergency room.
As they arrived at the hospital, Sanemi helped Genya out of the car and rushed inside, seeking help at the emergency room. “I—ugh—got car sick again…”
Genya was pale, sweating, and shaking, his stomach churning with nausea as they waited to be seen by a doctor.
“Am I really that bad of a driver? Come on Gen, no need to throw up on me now,” Sanemi joked, trying to lighten the mood in an attempt to distract Genya from his discomfort.
Genya managed a weak smile, grateful for Sanemi’s attempt to cheer him up. He knew his brother was just trying to help, even if it didn’t always work.
But as they sat in the waiting room, the pain and nausea became too much for Genya to bear. He suddenly lurched forward, his hand pressed over his mouth as his face contorted in agony. Sanemi‘s eyes widened in alarm as he watched Genya vomit uncontrollably, unable to hold it in any longer.
The sound of retching echoed through the room, drawing the attention of other patients and medical staff. Sanemi quickly held a nearby trash can for Genya to vomit into, trying to shield him from further embarrassmen.
People had to come in and clean the mess Genya made on the floor.
Well, there went everything he ate and drank for the day.
Genya gasped for breath, tears streaming down his face as he continued to vomit, his body wracked with pain and nausea. Sanemi rubbed his back soothingly, trying to offer comfort and support as they waited for a doctor to see them.
Once he was done, he managed to get Genya and himself to sit in a seat while they waited.
“Nemi…”
“Yes, baby?” Sanemi asked, pressing a kiss on his forehead, wiping the tears from Genya’s bloodshot eyes. Genya would’ve asked but was interrupted.
“Shinazugawa Genya?” the doctor called out, causing Sanemi to gently pull Genya to his feet.
Genya felt his body trembling with fatigue and pain. Sanemi squeezed his hand reassuringly, getting Genya to lean on him, before the doctor led them to an examination room.
As they stepped into the room, Genya’s heart raced with anxiety and fear. He clung to Sanemi’s hand like a lifeline, seeking comfort and security amid the sterile hospital environment.
The doctor began to examine Genya, asking him questions about his symptoms. Genya answered as best as he could, his voice weak and shaky as he tried to convey the severity of his condition.
Sanemi stood by his side, watching the interaction with a mix of concern and protectiveness. He wanted to ensure that Genya received the best care possible, but he also wanted to respect his brother’s autonomy and independence.
“It’s most likely a stomach virus,” the doctor said. “It’ll pass in a few days, no need to worry too much. Just rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid spicy or greasy foods. You’ll be back to your old self in no time. Here’s a prescribed medication.”
Sanemi thanked the doctor and quickly went to the pharmacy to get Genya’s prescribed medication. He made sure to pick up some electrolyte drinks and bland foods as well.
Once they were back home, Sanemi made sure Genya took his prescribed medication and rested comfortably in bed.
“Do you think you’d take another cold bath for me—” Sanemi asked, but was interrupted by the quickest “no” possible.
“Okay, baby, I know rest is important but can you have more soup for me before you sleep? I’ll reheat it.”
“Eating sounds so tiring…” Genya whined, but Sanemi sighed.
“Come on, everything you ate today went back up. It’ll help you recover quicker.”
Genya relented and let Sanemi spoon-feed small sips and bites of the vegetables in the soup, making sure he didn’t eat too quickly.
“Do you think you can eat the chicken I boiled, as well? It’s not seasoned much, so it’ll be easy on the stomach.”
“I—Mmmkay…” Genya mumbled.
Sanemi came back, coming back with some chicken. Genya opened his mouth while Sanemi ripped it into manageable parts and fed it to him.
“That’s it, baby. Good boy,” he praises, rubbing his back as Genya ate. “A couple more bites and then you can rest.”
Genya nodded, focusing on slowly and steadily chewing the food. Sanemi cleared his throat, causing his younger brother to look at him.
“Didn’t you want to ask me something? Before the doctor called you in?” He asked, watching Genya’s face heat up in embarrassment.
“I was… gonna ask…” Genya didn’t finish his sentence as he hid his face in his pillow. Sanemi chuckled softly, petting his hair.
“Ask me what, baby? Is it that embarrassing?”
“I was delirious…”
“Mhm? What was it?”
“Then the doctor called us in… so I didn’t need to ask anymore…”
“Gen, come on, tell me, I want to know now.”
“Was gonna ask to sit on your…”
Sanemi’s eyes widened in surprise, but a teasing smile came afterward. His teenage brother wanted to? “Sit on my lap?”
Genya turned away from him, but Sanemi continued to play with his hair. “Oh, baby, you can always ask me to hold you. I always will.”
Sanemi waited for a response, but none came as Genya seemed too embarrassed to say anything else. He continued to pet his brother’s hair, feeling affection for him.
“Can I sleep now?”
Sanemi smiled gently, tucking Genya into bed with the comforter and blanket, making sure he was warm and snug. He then gathered the dishes and washed them, quietly humming a soothing tune to himself as he cleaned up.
Once everything was taken care of, he walked back to Genya‘s room, seeing his brother already fast asleep. Sanemi brushed his lips on Genya‘s forehead, whispering a gentle goodnight before slipping out of the room.
Before Sanemi went to his own room, he heard a soft whimper coming from Genya’s room. He quickly turned back, concerned for his brother‘s well-being.
He walked back to the bed and saw Genya tossing and turning, his face contorted in pain as he mumbled in his sleep. Sanemi sat down on the bed, placing a hand on Genya’s forehead to check his temperature. It was still high, despite the medication.
“Genya?” Sanemi pulled Genya into his arms and was responded to by another miserable whimper. “Wake up, baby, it’s just a nightmare.”
Genya’s eyes practically shot open as he gasped for air. “N-Nemi…”
“Shh, shh, baby,” Sanemi whispered, holding Genya close and rubbing soothing circles on his back. “It’s okay, Gen. I’m here, Nemi’s here. You’re safe with Nemi.”
Genya harshly clung to him but he didn’t mind, if anything it was endearing. “C-can you sleep with me?”
“Of course, my baby,” Sanemi reassured, pulling the comforter over both of them as he settled in next to Genya. He continued to hold him close, offering comfort and protection as Genya gradually relaxed and drifted back to sleep.
A couple hours later Genya woke up again, unable to sleep. He just wanted to get better quick.
He could barely think straight.
Something in his mind clicked. He needed more medicine. More medicine will make him feel better faster, right? He just wanted to feel better.
Plus he’s been making his big brother so sad.
He slowly slipped out of Sanemi’s comforting embrace, careful not to wake him. He quietly shuffled moving his hand through the nightstand unable to see in the dark.
He found the bottle of prescribed medication, his hands trembling as he unscrewed the lid. He hesitated for a moment, his heart racing with fear and uncertainty.
But the thought of feeling better sooner was too tempting to resist. Genya quickly poured out a handful of pills, swallowing them without any more hesitation.
As he returned to bed, he could feel the effects of the medication starting to kick in. His head was buzzing, his vision blurred, and his stomach churned with nausea.
This? This wasn’t making him feel better. Was medicine supposed to work this quickly anyway?
Sanemi woke up to the shifting in the bed. “Ugh? Genya? Something wrong?” He groaned. He turned on the lamp to get a better look at him.
“I—ughhhh… took more medicine… my stomach still hurts.”
“You… what?” Sanemi asked, quickly scanning the room for the empty pill bottle. He grabbed it and then looked at him with worry. “What’s fucking wrong with you?”
“I—” Genya’s never seen him look that angry at him before. And Sanemi’s always angry. “I just wanted to get better quicker.”
“You dumbass! You’re not fucking five! You fucking know better!” Sanemi yelled, looking for his phone. “This is bullshit, having to go to the hospital twice because you’re a shitting idiot.”
“I didn’t mean to… I was just—”
He was interrupted by Sanemi dragging him out of the bed. “Get up! We’re going back to the hospital right now. I’m not taking any chances with your stupid decisions. ‘Wanted to get better quicker?’ Your health isn’t something to be impatient on,” Sanemi growled, dressing Genya in warm clothes yet again and practically dragging him out the door.
Genya was too weak and dizzy from the medication to resist, his stomach churning with fear and regret. He knew he had made a mistake, a big one, and he was terrified of the consequences.
As they drove back to the hospital, Genya could feel the guilt and shame weighing heavily on his chest. He knew he had let his brother down, put himself in danger, and caused unnecessary worry and stress.
But Sanemi remained silent, his expression stern and focused as he drove. Genya could see the disappointment in his eyes, the same disappointment he feared to see earlier, the frustration, and anger at the situation they were in.
When they arrived at the hospital, Sanemi pulled Genya inside, demanding immediate attention from the medical staff. He explained the situation to the nurse, who quickly ushered them to a room for examination.
Genya felt even more guilty as he lay in the hospital bed, hooked up to IV fluids and monitors. He had caused all of this pain and worry for himself and his brother, all because he had been impatient and careless.
The doctor cursed. That was never a good sign. The doctor started calling people into the room.
“What’s wrong?” Sanemi immediately asked, holding Genya’s hand, but Genya seemed too tired to respond to it, letting it lay limp there.
“It’s just… it’s a good thing you came back. Genya, here, has appendicitis. We caught it rather late because he still also has a stomach virus with it. It’s life-threatening right now. He could’ve died if you waited any longer to bring him.
The doctors came rushing in, prepping Genya for emergency surgery.
Could’ve died?
His baby brother?
Sanemi could only watch in horror as his brother was rushed away, tears welling up in his eyes as he realized the gravity of the situation.
What? Everything was happening too fast!
Sanemi tried to follow, but the nurse wouldn’t let him. “Wait, please, that’s my little brother,” he begged.
“I’m sorry but he’s in surgery right now. You’ll have to wait in the waiting room,” the nurse said, guiding him towards a chair.
That quickly?
Sanemi sank into the chair, feeling overwhelmed with fear and worry. He had never felt so helpless and scared in his life, his mind racing with thoughts of what could happen to Genya.
Could’ve died?
As he sat in the waiting room, Sanemi silently prayed for Genya’s safety and recovery. Begging to God to not take away, the one person he cared about more than anything in the world, the only reason he had left to live.
Hours passed, and Sanemi waited anxiously, the longest hours of his life. His heart was pounding in his chest and tried to distract himself by fiddling with his phone, the various messages firm his co-workers, yes co-workers, not friends no matter how much anyone would insist, but his mind kept wandering back to Genya and the surgery.
After what felt like an eternity, and for the older Shinazugawa it might as well have been, the doctor emerged from the operating room, his expression grave as he approached Sanemi.
Sanemi’s heart dropped.
“We were able to remove the appendix successfully, but it was a close call. Genya’s condition was critical, and he’s going to need some time to recover. But he should be okay now.”
“He’s going to get better though?”
“Yes.”
Sanemi felt the most relief in his life he could ever feel, tears streaming down his face as he thanked the doctor profusely.
He couldn’t bear the thought of losing his little brother, his baby.
As he was finally allowed to see Genya, Sanemi rushed to his side, holding his hand gently. Genya looked pale and weak, but he managed a weak smile as he saw Sanemi.
Sanemi used his other hand to feel Genya’s forehead and the fever was better than before.
“I’m—I’m sorry…”
“Shh, shh, baby,” Sanemi whispered, moving Genya’s hand closer to head.“Save your energy and just recover, yeah? Get better for Nemi?”
“No, I need to apologize. I—I shouldn’t have overdosed—I was just in so much pain—it hurt so badly. I wasn‘t thinking straight—”
“I know, I know… it’s okay baby. I’m not angry.” Sanemi clung tighter on his hand. If Genya had slept through that whole night would he even have lived? If he didn‘t wake up from the pain? “If anything it’s a good thing.”
“That I was in pain?” Genya shakily laughed.
“No! That you overdosed—okay… that’s just as bad but you get the point.”
“How is that good?!”
“If you weren’t so stupid and impatient to get better, we wouldn’t have ended up here. In the hospital. Where they got rid of that ruptured appendix.”
“Mhmm…” Genya muttered sleepily.
“Oh…” Sanemi cooed, moving his hands to stroke Genya’s hair. “You haven’t gotten any good sleep since you’ve been sick, haven’t you? Sleep well now.”
“Ugh… Nemi?”
“Yes? Are you in pain somewhere?”
“N-no. I don’ sleep well without my Nemi… Will Nemi sleep with me?”
Sanemi’s heart swelled with love and tenderness for his brother. He gently climbed into the hospital bed, laying down next to Genya and wrapping him in a warm embrace.
“Always, baby. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what,” Sanemi whispered, pressing a gentle kiss on Genya’s forehead as they drifted off to sleep together.