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Sakura shivers.
Although he is under a blanket, he still shivers. It's nowhere near thick or warm enough, but it is the only one he has. He could ask his ‘foster parents’ for another, but he already knows how that goes. They roll their eyes, displeased that he is interacting with them at all. They may give him a better blanket, but the pain he feels from the way they look at him, and the dismissive words they use towards him, is not worth it.
So he'll stick with this one. He'll curl up, and hope his own body can generate enough heat to make him somewhat comfortable.
It is not working, particularly since he has to keep one arm under his head, making up for the absence of a pillow.
He hates crying. For multiple reasons, but the most important one, right now… is that his ‘family’ could hear it. They will find it annoying. They will dislike him more. Even if he knows well they will not accept him ever, he still (perhaps stupidly) does his best to not earn more of their disdain.
But he is freezing, and he is alone, and he can't help the buildup of tears. He can try to be quiet, but avoiding crying at all is impossible now. All he can do is hold onto this blanket, as tightly as he can, gritting his teeth, wondering what it is about him that makes him so deeply unlovable.
Then he feels the pain of his cheek being aggressively pinched, and Sakura opens his eyes.
Opens his eyes…?
Sakura blinks.
“You are holding too tight, and you kicked me.”
Sakura, having just woken up, tries to process the words he just heard. Takiishi’s eyes are so alike a burning fire, he can see them staring right into him even in the dark. He realizes he isn't cold, and isn't alone, and what he's been holding onto with so much force isn't some shitty cheap blanket, but Takiishi’s arm.
“I-I'm sorry…” But he isn't letting go, he is only softening his grip. This is extremely comforting, he finds out. “Can I…” He pauses. After that memory came to haunt him in his dreams, he is afraid (again) of being an annoyance. Still, he forces himself to speak. “Can I stay like this for tonight? I… like it.”
“Yes.” Takiishi replies, deadpan.
It's funny, Sakura knew Takiishi wouldn't refuse his small request. He could see it in his face, with the faint light coming from the window, that he doesn't mind so long as Sakura isn't cutting his blood flow. His fears can be so stupid, he could laugh at himself. “Thanks.”
“You sound sad.” Takiishi says the word sad like it is completely foreign to him. And it might be. Doesn't matter, he is trying to understand what Sakura is experiencing right now, and that makes Sakura happy.
He is about to tell him he's alright, we don't need to dwell on this. He already feels guilty for waking him up… but Takiishi doesn't allow the time to speak, instead he reaches behind him, to the third person laying on this bed.
“Ow, ow, ow!” Endo flails his arms in surprise and pain, woken up by his hair being violently pulled.
“Y-you could be a little more gentle…” Sakura murmurs, but Endo has definitely taken way worse from Takiishi. In fact, not too long ago, Takiishi would probably have woken him up with a punch to the face. So maybe this is his version of being a little more gentle.
The tallest boy sits up, shaking his head and rubbing his scalp. “What… what is it…?” He says drowsily, confused and still half asleep.
Sakura feels bad. Sure he didn't intentionally do anything, but now everyone is awake in the middle of the night because of him.
“Haruka is sad. Do something.”
Sakura tenses. “T-that’s not necessary…” They could have simply gone back to sleep. Or maybe Sakura should sleep on his damn own so he isn't bothering anyone… but he really doesn't want that.
“Hm?” Endo turns to him, or at least Sakura thinks he does. “Is that so? Aww! You want me to take care of you?” There is too much joy in voice, as he grabs Sakura and pulls him into his arms.
“N-no! I didn't tell him to-” Sakura of course tries to push him away. He fails.
“There, there! You don't have to be shy.”
“I'm not being shy…” His attempts to escape go on, up until Endo is holding him so close to his chest, having him sit on his lap. It makes him pause, listen to the steady heartbeat right next to his ear.
Endo caresses his head, his hair, slowly and rhythmically. He has a talent for making Sakura feel good, for being soothing. Just as easily as he can cause chaos, he can force Sakura to behave for him.
It pisses him off, so he rebels slightly in the form of a pout. “I don't need this.”
“So what? It's still nice, isn't it?”
Sakura groans. That's… true. And he is happy to be cared for even for something as insignificant as a bad dream. By two whole people. Did he ever dare to fantasize something like this?
“Was it a nightmare?” Endo asks him, softly, almost a whisper.
“... A memory. It's worse than a nightmare.”
Endo leans down, kissing the top of his head. They stay this way for a moment, with Sakura feeling his body relax in this embrace.
And then he is moved again, and put right where he was before, laying in the middle of his… boyfriends.
Takiishi immediately offers him his arm.
Sakura is glad they are in the darkness, because he just can't help a smile. He knows that while quiet, Takiishi has been paying attention. He could feel his gaze…
“Thanks…” Sakura says a second time, wrapping his own arm around it… and rubbing his cheek against him a little, like a cat. This too, is his showing of gratitude.
“Want mine too?” Endo offers, getting comfortable by his side, pulling the blanket to make sure all three of them (but particularly Takiishi and Sakura) are properly covered and warm.
“No.”
“Still feeling shy, I see. Don't worry, that's one of my favorite things about you.”
“Shut up…” Sakura turns red. Despite his refusal, Endo is still sliding an arm under his head.
“Here. Use me as a pillow.”
“You could say that in a less weird way.” And Sakura already has a pillow to use.
“That wouldn't be fun. Now, where's my ‘thank you’? I'll take a kiss instead if you don't want to say it.” Their faces are so close already, Sakura barely would have to move to give him a peck on the lips.
Guess it would be silly not to. And… he does feel grateful. After all, being looked after and treated this kindly, it is more than his past self could have hoped for.
Sakura leans in, giving him a small kiss, trying his best to make it sweet.
“You really are cute, my kitten.”
“I don't want your stupid little nicknames…” And that one in specific is way too embarrassing. Sakura just doesn't have the energy to protest more, he is sleepy. He lays his head down properly. “Takiishi isn't moving… he is asleep?” Just in case, he makes sure to whisper.
“Hmm, probably. He knows you are doing better now.”
Once again, Sakura can't help a small smile.
“You too, get your beauty sleep. Let me know if you need me again, alright?”
I didn't need you, Sakura thinks, but it's whatever. He can cuddle now, he can close his eyes and be at ease. With both his lovers making sure he doesn't for a second forget they are right here.
Won't they have arm cramps in the morning…?