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In Japan face-masks were rather natural, so it wasn’t really a big surprise when Tezuka turned up to a meetings with one. But it irked Atobe, who’s insight felt ruffled by it.
When the meeting had adjourned and everyone had supposedly already left, Atobe was surprised to find Tezuka still at the front door.
Then noticed the unsteadiness.
“You normally make your own way but maybe today you can accept a ride home.”
When the other turned towards him to answer - or reprimand -, Atobe saw a glimpse of now glassy eyes before swiftly catching the falling body.
Tezuka Kunimitsu had fainted.
Waking felt much harder then normal and it took him a seemingly endless time to work through the cotton like maze that seemed to pose as his mind at the moment.
“Good morning.”
The sentence was followed up with someone helping him with his glasses. It took another long moment but then he could finally put two and two together again.
“Good morning, Atobe. I apologize for inconveniencing you.”
The silver haired heir waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.
“It wasn’t really an inconvenience. More a surprise. You do know better when to quit by now. Why take the risk for something like a meeting?”
Tezuka didn’t give thought to a white lie. Atobe would see through it anyway.
“I did what was and is expected of me.”
He didn’t show it but Atobe felt almost personally insulted by what his insight was giving voice to. That someone like Tezuka would be held back by his own family, with that kind of talent.
“You’re supposed to stop playing when you enter the next educative step and you’re trying to squeeze as much time into this while you can. Even if it’s only vaguely related to a court.”
Tezuka nodded tiredly.
Catching a cold itself wasn’t bad but the continued exhaustion was getting to him. His apparent fainting spell not having been the first this week.
When Atobe didn’t say anything again for long moments, Tezuka almost dozed off then caught himself when the the conversation resumed.
“Stay. It’s a long weekend and no one cares if there is a guest or not. You can rest in peace, without pretense. I’ll join you for meals and maybe we can talk a little more tomorrow. For today though, you just rest. There’s a small buzzer on the nightstand. Push it if you need something. Especially when it’s help. Now rest and recuperate. No arguments.”
Tezuka didn’t answer but obediently snuggled deeper into the warm blankets surrounding him.
And was out like a light a moment later.