Chapter Text
All the Ways to Take Care of You
A NagiReo Collection
By: Aviantei
#1
Mikage Reo has always hated being sick, and it's not just because of how gross he ends up feeling in the process. That—that's at least semi-manageable with medicine and the like. No, what Reo hates more than anything is that whenever he's sick, he's sick, which means at least a day or two of nothing but rest, nothing but boredom. There's very little he can do while bedridden that he can't do at any other time of year, and getting pampered is kind of his norm, so there's no satisfaction in it.
Not to mention, now that he's found a dream, being sick also means staying home from school and thus from soccer and from Nagi, and that's just an unfair thing to do to him after he's found something to be excited about. Nagi's even been complaining a tiny bit less about practice these days (he still calls it a hassle, but Reo doesn't have to force him to come more than once a week), so Reo's been getting somewhere. He was so close to sneaking out of the house anyways, but Ba-ya took one look at him and forced him back into bed, so there's nothing to be done about that.
"Bōcchama, you will not be able to do anything you want to do if you are this sick. Take today to rest up, and you will be back on your feet much sooner," she'd said, and Reo hates that she has a point. Ba-ya always has a point. She may indulge him, but even she's unrelenting about anything that could harm Reo's wellbeing in the long run. And so Reo resigns himself to a day of watching soccer highlights, so at least he can get ideas for moves to teach Nagi for their next game.
Will Nagi be okay, though? That guy never takes care of himself more than he needs to. I bet he'll have bread for lunch again. I doubt he'll bother to do any exercise today, either. Just because he doesn't need to practice like everyone else doesn't mean it's good for him to not stay in shape. Ah, but if I text him about it, I doubt he'll even listen. I gotta do everything for that little troublemaker. And yet, Reo can't help but feel fond of his friend, who's still a treasure even when accounting for all of that. Okay, no matter what, I'm at least going to school tomorrow. Who knows what Nagi will get up to without me.
A whole lot of nothing seems to be the most probable option, but still. When it comes to Nagi Seishirō, Reo can't be too careful.
Reo does not remember falling asleep in the slightest, but he's not about to complain as he starts to wander back into consciousness. Sleeping is as good of a way to stave off boredom as any, since it makes the time pass. He does feel a bit sticky, though, which is a plus once he gets past the immediate grossness of it. If he's sweating it out, maybe he's on the up and up, and it can be back to school and soccer for him tomorrow.
Ugh, thirsty, though. That need is what has him starting to move, and he sheds a layer of blanket to let out some of the heat. He wipes his forehead on his pajama sleeve and fumbles at his bedside table for his water bottle. His body still feels a little heavy, but at least his congestion isn't so bad. His throat still aches, though. Drinking an entire waterfall's worth seems like the best strategy.
"Oh, you're awake."
Reo freezes at the sound of the familiar voice. Is he dreaming? It sure seems like he's dreaming, because that's Nagi Seishirō sitting on one of his beanbags, phone in hand as he looks up with glass gray eyes through the messy mop of white bangs hanging in his face (and Reo is not in any state to analyze why he's so convinced Nagi coming to visit is something he'd be dreaming of). He makes a couple more taps at his phone, finishing up the level he's on before tossing up a wave. "Yo."
"Y-yo…" Reo's still in a state of utter befuddlement, and the sickness isn't helping whatsoever. He gets a hand on his water bottle and takes a long drink, hoping Nagi will offer an explanation on his own. He does not. "What're you…?" It's not the first time Nagi's ever been over to his place, but that doesn't make the situation any less surreal.
"Ba-ya-san said you were sick. I came to check on you." When the hell did the two of them exchange contact information? Did Ba-ya reach out first, or did Nagi? Was it her idea to invite Nagi over? (Reo also is not in any state to analyze why he thinks she would even consider such a thing in the first place.) Nagi lifts up a plastic bag from the ground. "There was a sale during lunch, so I bought extra, but you weren't there. So special delivery."
"Yeah, thanks." Nagi tosses a package of bread over, and Reo stares at it, as if that's going to make the situation make any more sense. Still, it's a gift from Nagi, so he's going to eat it, no matter what protests his stomach and throat might make. "I didn't expect you to be the type to make house calls, though. Seems like too much hassle for you."
Nagi nods in total agreement. "It is. But I got stuck with bringing your homework and stuff over, too." Sure enough, there's a folder atop of Reo's desk that he doesn't recognize. That'll give him something to do if he's still bedridden tomorrow. "I don't know how you do this sort of stuff every day, Reo. It's such a pain."
Reo blinks. "Do what every day?"
"Take care of me." Good thing Reo has the excuse of running a fever, because his face ends up flushing (and like hell Reo is in any state of mind to analyze why that's his reaction). "You pick me up for school and get me lunch and take me to practice. I only got you some snacks and came over here, and I'm already exhausted." Nagi flops back onto Reo's beanbag with a heavy sigh. "But I guess since you're always doing it for me, I can return the favor as thanks."
Did Nagi Seishirō just put effort into something? For Reo? Well, grabbing some snacks and hanging out in Reo's bedroom doesn't take a gargantuan amount of effort, but it might as well be in comparison to Nagi's norm. "It's not that much of a bother for me," Reo says, and it isn't. Taking care of Nagi, while a bit involved, has never felt difficult; if anything, taking the day off to not take care of him has been a lot more trouble than it's worth. "Besides, you're my treasure, you know. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you in top shape so we can win the World Cup together. You don't owe me anything." Nagi's stuck with him for however long that takes. "But thanks, Nagi. I appreciate you coming to see me."
Nagi hums. "Ba-ya-san said to make sure you eat something besides just the bread if you're up to it. There's congee in the fridge." Now that Reo's been functioning for a handful of minutes, his stomach is starting to wake up, too. Rice porridge with some brown sugar on top sounds like the best thing ever. Somehow combining laziness and grace like he always manages, Nagi pulls himself up to his feet. "There's enough for both of us, I guess, so let's share."
"Yeah, sounds good."
"Mn, you don't gotta move. I'll get it this once." Reo was halfway to crawling out of bed, but Nagi's words stop him short. "Ba-ya-san also said you'd try to do more than you're capable of, so it's my job to keep you from exerting yourself." Reo does not know whether to thank Ba-ya or question what in the world she was thinking. Well, if there's anyone in the world qualified to tell people how not to exert themselves, it's Nagi. "You gotta hurry up and get better, Reo. Things are way more of a hassle without you."
And if Nagi's telling him, too, how the hell is Reo supposed to refuse? He does get up to use the bathroom while Nagi's busy in the kitchen, and then he's settled back in bed while the two of them eat and chat. Just like that, the hours fly by without any speck of boredom, and Reo, for once in his life, can admit that being sick isn't the worst thing in the world, though it helps that he has some company.
Yeah, this settles it, Reo thinks, teasing his hands through Nagi's hair as he sits beside the bed even after the sun has set. I'm keeping him forever.