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“Birdddd!”
The door to the room was slammed open as a familiar head with bicoloured cyan-blue and blond hair peaked through the frame. Bird flinched at the noise, ears already way too sensitive to any loud noise. “I’m back! Multi is taking a bit longer because she’s finding some yummy food for you– I don’t know why you wouldn’t want sushi– but I came back to give you your medicine!”
Really, Bird should’ve been touched by the gesture, and he was deep down, but the headache that was drilling itself into his head and the tissues stuck up his nose prevented him from saying anything more than a mumbled thank you. Ekusu seemed to take no notice of his foul mood as he bounced into the room with a small white bag. He went over towards Bird, pulling out– oh no.
“Is that liquid medicine?” Bird didn’t have the energy to summon a horrified expression on his face but it was evident in his tone. “…didn’t they have the other type?”
“Huh? Oh, they didn’t have the pills version. But this isn’t so bad. Chrome’s bought this for me and Shiguru before when we were sick. It was a bit yucky but it kinda helped!” Ekusu took the cap off the bottle and poured some medicine inside it. To Bird’s disbelief, he almost filled it to the top. “Alright, take it now!”
But to Ekusu’s surprise, Bird turned his head away, refusing to take the medicine.
“Uh, Bird? What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re gonna throw up!” Ekusu started looking around frantically before giving the now empty white bag that had been carrying the medicine to Bird. “Here! Use this.”
“I don’t feel like throwing up. It’s just…” Bird trailed off. He wasn’t sure how he could word that he hated taking liquid medicine. He thought Ekusu would be just like him, but the other seemed to not mind. So much for being two peas in a pod like people claim we are. “I’m really not fond of taking liquid medicine.”
“Oh.”
…
Oh!? THAT’S YOUR RESPONSE??? Bird wanted to scream. Ekusu’s blunt responses made him want to shrivel up. He knew the other didn’t purposefully word things to be mean, but it felt personal sometimes.
“Well, I don’t know what you wanna do then. Do you wanna take it or not? I’m not gonna force you,” Ekusu said.
Oh. Well, on one hand, I hate being sick but I’d really like to avoid–
BRIIIIIING!!! BRIIIIIING!!!
Ekusu pulled out his phone from his pocket and answered it. “Hi Multi! Uh huhhhh… well, Bird doesn’t wanna take his medicine. Wait, what?”
Bird did not like the sound of the conversation as Ekusu’s expression became more panicked.
“No! He has to get better, I wanna battle! You know what, I'll make him take the medicine, okay bye!”
Bird retreated into his futon more as Ekusu picked up the cup of liquid medicine again. Ekusu looked way too determined for his liking. Bird would rather drown in a million scoldings than let himself taste the horrid flavor of medicine again. He tried to dive under the covers, but Ekusu, being way too quick, held onto them and jumped onto Bird.
“What happened to not forcing me!?” Bird yelped as he avoided looking at the medicine. Stuffy nose and sore throat could stay, no way was he letting that enter his system.
“Multi said we can’t battle until you’re feeling better! Take it, take ittttt! It’s not that bad!”
“Easy for you to say! Chrome probably spoon fed you and offered you sushi every other spoonful! Now leave me alone so I can be sick for as long the sickness wants to stay!”
Ekusu stopped complaining for a moment and tilted his head. “How’d you know Chrome did that?”
Because obviously you wouldn’t take it by your own will! Bird thought with his inner voice. He took out the tissues in his nose and blew into a newer tissue. Ekusu continued watching him, sitting there with a pout. He wouldn’t be going away anytime soon, and if he got his way, Bird would have to drink that nasty medicine. Cringing at the thought, he tried to lie down again, but Ekusu placed his hand behind Bird’s head, making him sit up again.
“Bird, pretty pleaseeeee, it’s just some medicine! It can’t be that bad!” Ekusu exclaimed. “Just take it, won’t you? For me?”
Bird flipped to his side, immediately regretting it when his nose started running again. He placed another tissue on his nose, refusing to glance at Ekusu again. Like heck Bird was going to fall for that… He definitely was, as Ekusu scooted to face him and peered at him with puppy eyes.
“Oh no you don’t,” Bird said. He flipped around again.
Ekusu went to the other side with those annoying eyes again.
“Ekusu, I swear on your red bean and cream sushi if you–”
"Don't you care about me? Just one gulp of medicine and you’ll be my hero! Don't you like me?”
What.
Bird stared at him. Ekusu stared back. Then, Bird spoke again.
“How do you know about that?”
Ekusu shrugged. “Well, it’s kind of obvious. Anyways, are you going to drink the medicine for me or not?” He held up the cap again, sparkles in his eyes that indicated he was absolutely not going to back down.
Bird had no clue how Ekusu managed to notice this while being the most oblivious and carefree person he’s has known to mankind. Actually, scratch that, Ekusu liked reciting random things and sometimes he’d point at couples at the street and dramatically say “ah, young love.”
Not to mention, Bird hasn’t exactly been subtle with his crush, with the way he likes but avoids Ekusu’s touch.
“Birdddd! Come on!”
Bird reluctantly took the cap from Ekusu at the latter’s dramatic whining, looking down at the… ew.
Cherry-flavored liquid medicine, my worst enemy, Bird thought, unamused. He really didn’t feel like taking it but the lure of Ekusu’s happiness was way too strong. As much as he hated medicine, he also wanted Ekusu to not feel bad. With one more hesitant glance, Bird took the cap and gulped down the medicine in one go, before staying completely still.
Ekusu worriedly looked at Bird. The latter seemed to be ready to throw up. Ekusu quickly gave the bag he’d put aside previously, handing it to Bird, who looked down, gagged, and swallowed all the medicine.
“Cough! Cough! …Eugh. It tasted horrible,” Bird muttered.
He was then knocked onto his back as Ekusu hugged him unexpectedly. Bird landed with an ‘oof!’ as blonde and cyan-blue strands of hair tickled his chin, hands resting on Ekusu’s back.
“Yeahhh! You did it! We can battle soon again once you’re healthy!” Ekusu said happily. He kicked his feet up in the air and moved around in Bird’s hold. “I hope Multi comes back too, so you can eat and get your energy back!”
Bird looked to the side, trying to avoid the strands of hair that were reaching and tickling his nose. The display of affection Ekusu showed despite knowing Bird liked him made him want to burst from the sheer happiness spreading throughout him. He pulled Ekusu closer, and lifted his head, staring at the brilliant blue eyes that had nothing but pure joy in them.
“You really are something xtraordinary…”
“Huh? Whaddya mean?”
“Nothing,” Bird said. He then gently pushed Ekusu off to the side. “Now get off me so you won’t get sick too.”
“But you’re super warmmmm,” Ekusu whined. Nevertheless he listened. He got off Bird and put the cap back on the medicine, sliding it back into the box, then the box into the bag.
”…by the way, Ekusu,” Bird said. Ekusu turned towards him with that same heartwarming smile as always. Bird willed his heart to return to its normal beat before it started pounding through and out his chest. “How did you find out that I liked you?”
”Mmm,” Ekusu hummed. He tapped his chin with his finger, looking up at the ceiling. Then, he glanced back at Bird. “I dunno. It just felt kinda obvious.”
I really haven’t been slick, way to go me, Bird stared at the floor in embarrassment.
”But, I really don’t mind it,” Ekusu continued. He dug inside his pockets before retrieving Dran Sword and examining it.
”Wait, really?”
”Yeah. Just don’t do anything cheesy like confessing on Valentine’s Day or giving me chocolate.”
“Does it really count as a confession anymore if you know I liked you in the first place?” Bird asked, exasperated.
Ekusu put Dran Sword down. “That’s like asking if I’ll be saying yes or no when you start asking me if I want to date you or something.”
The heat rising to Bird’s cheeks wasn’t due to his sickness. He purposefully looked away, trying to hide the smile that rose to his lips.
Ekusu glanced at Bird one more time before going back to look at Dran Sword.
Hmm. I wonder if Bird would like chocolate sushi on White Day…