Chapter Text
As streaks of sunlight inch their way into the house, Jakurai sits motionlessly in the still-dark hallway, hidden from the encroaching rays. Hair spilled onto the floor, his knees have long since stiffened into place, there by a door that’s been shut for what feels like an eternity.
He remembers calling out from the hallway.
“Breakfast will be ready soon.”
Calling.
“Are you ready to head out?”
Calling.
“Your friends are here to see you.”
Calling–
“Hey!”
In an instant Jakurai’s line of sight jerks upward, and it takes a moment for him to realize he’s lurched backwards at the sudden noise, only stopping himself from fully falling by jerking an arm out to steady himself against the wall. His legs fail him, but he tilts his head forward and blinks silently, once, then twice, as a face solidifies in his field of view.
“Hitoya?” he wonders aloud after another long moment, feeling like an idiot at his response time. A familiar ragged sigh is the response.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have startled you like that. You didn’t answer when I called out,” he says with a short shake of his head. Jakurai blinks again, focus returning to his eyes. He’s still sitting in his hallway, but he can see the opened front door behind Hitoya, who’s kneeling in front of him. “Don’t worry, I didn’t break it down or anything. Your teammates lent me a spare key, said you gave one to them just in case.”
“Oh. Did they…?”
“Ask me to check on you?” Hitoya finishes the sentence for him, wincing slightly. “Yeah. And no wonder. You look like shit.” He offers a hand. “Can you stand?”
“I’m sorry…” Jakurai’s gaze drifts down to the floor as he takes Hitoya’s hand and lets him guide him back to his feet, his stiffened joints flaring with pain on the way up. “I didn’t mean to worry any of you.”
“Saying that usually only makes people worry more, y’know?” Hitoya responds with a chuckle. Jakurai’s eyes stay glued to the floor. “Hey.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Enough of that. This was no trouble.”
“Coming all the way from Nagoya, first thing in the morning?” Hitoya shifts his weight on his legs.
“I… had business in Tokyo anyways.” A chuckle bubbles in Jakurai’s throat before he can stop it.
“You’re a terrible liar.” Another ragged sigh.
“Alright, alright. Let me worry about an old friend from time to time, why don’t you?” He presses a fist lightly against Jakurai’s slumped shoulders, and for a long moment neither says anything. “Hey.”
Jakurai lifts his head partway, now looking at the legs of his dining room table, but is still unable to meet Hitoya’s gaze.
“Yes?”
“When was the last time you slept?” The way Jakurai purses his lips gives him most of the answer. “Kannonzaka and Izanami said you crashed for a bit when they were here, but they weren’t sure about after you told them to go home.”
“I didn’t… kick them out, or anything…” Jakurai hugs his abdomen.
“I might have to dispute that, but semantics don’t matter. What does matter: when was the last time you slept?” No response. “Jakurai. Dammit, look at me already.”
He blinks in surprise when Hitoya plants his hands on his shoulders and physically pivots him until they’re face to face. His eyebrows are furrowed, but somehow in a gentler way than Jakurai’s used to seeing, the usual annoyed squint in his eyes softened with concern instead. Hitoya glances up and down carefully as if searching for wounds, and gives a short sigh of relief before looking straight into Jakurai’s eyes again. He wants to avert his gaze, but the look in Hitoya’s eyes pierces him into place.
“Since Doppo-kun and Hifumi-kun left, I… haven’t slept at all,” he admits in a murmur. Hitoya shuts his eyes for a second, and nods curtly.
“Do you think you’d be able to if someone stayed with you? Is that why you can’t?”
Jakurai flusters and loses his words. How many of the people around me must I worry so?
“It’s… it’s not that. I just…” Hitoya waits, brushing his thumb gently across Jakurai’s shoulder in a reassuring motion. “When Doppo-kun and Hifumi-kun accompanied me back home, I was so exhausted that I collapsed before I even knew it. But as long as I have the energy to think, my thoughts will keep me awake.”
Hitoya pulls his hands back to his sides, placing them on his hips as he thinks.
“Well, any more physical exhaustion won’t do you any good,” he notes, eyes drifting toward the dining table. “How about this, then– when was the last time you ate?” Jakurai blinks.
“Hifumi-kun cooked a few dishes for me with a few of the things I had in the kitchen,” he remembers aloud. “I had a bit last night, the rest is in the fridge.”
“Hm. Well, knowing you, all the stuff you keep around here is probably way too…” Hitoya chuckles a bit. “Healthy. Let me take you to get some proper junk in your stomach.” Jakurai’s head tilts to the side.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing tastes better when you’re sad than sweets or junk food,” he explains knowingly, extending a hand. “Plus, you could use some air and some sunlight. C’mon. My treat.”
Jakurai hesitates, staring at the outstretched hand before him.
What have I done to deserve this kindness?
“Hey. I can see those gears turning in a bad way.” Hitoya takes a step closer, his softened expression lit by the streaks of sunlight trailing through the house. “There’s nothing to overthink here. I just want to treat you to a good day after you’ve had a shit time. Let yourself have something nice.”
Jakurai blinks, the roiling thoughts flurrying through his head finally going quiet. He takes Hitoya’s hand, curling his fingers around it tighter upon noting the warmth of his palm.
“If you’ll have me.”
Hitoya smiles, and gently pulls Jakurai toward the door by his hand.
“Of course I will.”