Work Text:
Quests. Something the Sorcerer is oh, so familiar with. He completes them for money, and they mainly consist of exorcising spirits or evil creatures that roam this land. Yet, as strong as he is, taking on too many will put a toll on him.
Especially in the state he was in.
After taking his 15th quest in just the first three days of the week, Shu Yamino had barely gotten a wink of sleep. Eye-bags had formed. Surely- his group members would worry.
His thoughts drifted off to the concerned expressions of his group mates. Rummaging through the drawers of his home, did he find an unused make-up bag there. It must be his Nijisanji Colleagues. Perhaps they had accidentally left it here after their last visit...
He searched inside, and found what he was looking for. Foundation. Quickly, he applied it on his face- and like magic, the eye-bags disappeared into nothingness. Sometimes, Shu wonders why his magic was only offensive and never for everyday-life...
Snapping out of his train of thought, he went to take on another quest. 16 more to go, and a hangout with his friends in one day... Surely, he could do this, he thought. While half of his mana had already been drained, and his body barely able to hold himself up.
Thursday Morning- Shu caught a high fever. Used foundation on his whole face, faked a smile with his group mates. His entire body was about to give up. Yet he continued smiling, walking like it was nothing. For the time with his friends, to him, was more precious than his life.
That evening, Shu Yamino was about to take on another quest when suddenly- his knees gave way. His head spinning, the world spinning in fact. He pushed past it, forced himself to get up- and sat down on his chair.
However, with the loud thud he had made- the fox in his house had caught whiff of it. Mysta, who had came over for a collab stream, realised something was amiss. He ran up the stairs, and knocked on the door.
"Shu?! Are you okay??" The detective's concerned tone made Shu's heart clench. He silently begged for him to stop, as he forced his strained body up with a smile, swallowing his emotions and heading towards the door.
Taking slow, measured steps.
It felt like he was crossing over a pit of fire.
Finally, when he reached the door, he forced out a controlled "Yep, I'm fine!"
Mysta's ears detected that something was off with the Sorcerer's tone, yet he couldn't quite out his finger on it. So, he simply replied back a "Oh, alright..." before hesitantly leaving.
The moment Shu sensed that Mysta was gone, his body fell to the ground once more. "Frick..." He thought, once again trying to force himself up. Yet his body wouldn't obey his command. It was as if his brain was now trapped in a lifeless corpse.
The world around him started to fade to grey, as his surroundings began to warp in unimaginable ways. He heard footsteps rushing up once more, yet this time-
His lie was no more.
When Shu woke up, he was laid down upon his bed. A cold compress on his head. He got up, pushing away the sharp pain that he felt as he did. Just then, a higher-pitched voice rang in his ear.
"Oh thank the gods you're okay- VOX, LUCA, MYSTA, SHU'S AWAKE!!"
The sorcerer was not so naive. He knew that was Ike Eveland, his novelist friend. The one that had magic, one that helped with everyday-life. Deep down, Shu felt a tinge of jealousy. Why was he just a weapon, only able to use magic that hurts people?
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening, and Mysta rushing in. Embracing Shu in a tight embrace. Vox and Luca followed after, wearing concerned expressions on their faces. Or at least, that's what Shu could make out in his state.
"...Ike? I don't know much about human customs yet, for I'm a demon... Yet riddle me this- why does Shu not look sick at all?" Ike turned to look at Shu's face, eyes widening as Vox was right. Shu looked perfectly healthy... almost too perfect. His skin wasn't pale, or slightly greenish. Yet he was burning up with a fever... how could that be?
Luca then stepped forward, extending his finger towards Shu's face- Yet Shu realised what he was doing and started faking a coughing fit, not wanting Luca to expose the truth.
Ike quickly ran to get Shu medicine, while Vox stayed by his side to monitor his condition. Luca and Mysta, the two who had arguably the keenest eyes amongst the group, knew something was wrong about Shu's cough and state but decided to say nothing about it.
Ike soon came back and administered the cough medicine to Shu. A concerned and... maybe slightly hurt expression on his face. "Why didn't you tell us sooner? It's quite bad..."
Shu brushed off his concern with a chuckle, faking a smile at Ike. "I didn't know it was this bad... but hey, I'm alright. See? I don't look sick at all!" He said, pointing at his face.
Ike subtly squeezed Shu's arm, and then reluctantly got up. After a while, Luxiem left Shu's room. Shu checked the date. Time seemed to freeze for a moment. His smile faded, breath hitched. After he had regained his composure, he immediately got back to work. He knew Luxiem wouldn't let him take on more quests, neither would she. So he simply said he needed an extra day to complete the quests before checking his inbox.
The first thing he saw was a message from his manager- to which he immediately read and typed out replies to. Then there were invitations to collabs, personal messages and some com- wait. What did that say...?
Shu tried to focus on what the words said, yet his vision blurred once more. Eyes glazing over. His breathing became more ragged, quicker. Frick, was his condition this bad? No, he couldn't let this get to him. He was the always-reliable Sorcerer, Shu Yamino. He couldn't just fail Luxiem now...
He tried to stand, yet ended up being completely unable to move. Amidst all of this pain and uncomfortableness, did a single thought poke through.
I need to make them proud.
If he couldn't go, he was sure they'd cancel the outing. He didn't want to trouble them. He needed to be the reliable, amazing figure everyone could look up to. He used the last bit of strength he had, squinted his eyes, and managed to finally read the words on his screen. He typed out a reply, sent it, and heaved a sigh of relief. There, now he could go hang out with the without any worries!
Just then, Luca came in to check on Shu. However... he noticed something odd. Shu started to sway, and when he got up- his legs buckled. He fell to the ground, eyes glazing over. Luca, noticing this, ran down to alert Luxiem about what was happening before running back up with them.
"SHU!!" Ike screamed at his loudest, and Shu mustered up the strength to gaze at him. Weakly, but still with a smile. "Oof... uh, yeah-? Oh I didn't even notice you guys were there!" "That's the thing! Shu, why are you working?? Your sick! Hey man, take a break!" Mysta said, as he stepped forward and with Vox's help, moved Shu onto his bed. "I'm fine Mysta, don't worry! Just need some water and I'll be fine-" "Water can't fix this Shu!!" Ike interjected, cutting Shu off. "You need to rest!" All of Luxiem nodded in agreement, yet Shu once again brushed off their concern with a smile. "I'm really fine! I even look fine!"
Luxiem all glanced at one another, having worried looks on their faces. Then- amidst Shu's deteriorating condition, he didn't notice Vox's hand coming towards him. Then, he felt it.
A warm, gentle presence on his head, moving in a gentle and soothing manner. Involuntarily, his eyes closed slightly. Like a cat being petted by its owner.
"Wha- what are you...?"
The rest of Luxiem simply stared at the sight, surprised while Vox had a soft yet smug expression on his face.
Left right, left right, up down, up down, in a soothing- rhythmic way. It made the Sorcerer lean into the touch. The warm feeling washed over him like a wave, working its magic as it made the Sorcerer's tense body relax. Then his eyes closed more, and more, and more-
And then his body turned lax, lured into a deep slumber.
Luca then moved closer, and brushed Shu's face gently with his finger. He saw powder, that matched Shu's skin tone perfectly, on his hand. He then knew what was going on, and asked Ike to grab a cloth for him.
After wiping away the foundation, Shu's real condition was exposed. He was deathly pale, eye-bags clearly visible. The entirety of Luxiem gasped at this, and Luca muttered out what was on everyone's mind.
"Why did he hide this from us...?"
Usually when Luxiem asks a question, Shu Yamino would be the first to answer. Especially if it was a topic he was familiar with. Yet this time,
they were faced with silence.
After a while, Mysta and Ike headed up to Shu's room. They quietly entered, and found the Sorcerer curled up in his blanket. Seemingly muttering something. Curious, both of them quietly stepped closer and heard what Shu was muttering.
"It hurts... don't go..."
The two's eyes widened at this.
He was having a nightmare.
So they decided to stay. Right by his side. Then slowly, after seeing the two so dedicated- Vox and Luca joined in till everyone was there.
Right beside him.
Friday morning, the day Luxiem was going to hang out. Shu awoke, feeling slightly better but met with a throbbing headache. Guess this was his karma for pushing himself. Memories of the night before came pouring back, and Shu instantly shot up from his bed. His hand went up to his head, a soft smile on his face. The most genuine one in a while. He instinctively opened the drawer near him and reached for his foundation, but found that it was missing. Fudge, how was he going to say he was fine if he looked so...
Pathetic?
Just then, a gloved hand gently grabbed Shu's. A teasing voice spoke out, "No make-up for you today!~" Shu turned his head, and saw Mysta standing right in front of him. "The others are trying to cook breakfast for you- I was banned from the kitchen." He said, chuckling. Shu gazed at Mysta for a moment, before smiling. Albeit, weaker than usual. "Well... your cooking's never been very praiseworthy- has it?" "WHAT?! SHU YOUR SUPPOSED TO BE ON MY SIDE!!" Shu just laughed at Mysta's response, but then it tuned into a coughing fit. Immediately, Mysta grabbed Shu and frantically asked if he was alright. To which, Shu gave a weak nod.
At the breakfast table, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and care. Each member concerned for the Sorcerer's health. Mysta helped him sit down, Luca fetched Shu some medicine, Vox and Ike cooked up a nice breakfast for him. Shu just sat there, subtly clenching his fists, smile a little smaller for just half-a second. Eyes more... hollow. He had troubled them. Curses, literally. He didn't mean to cause this much trouble... he just wanted to hangout with them- let them take a break.
Luca, looking at Shu's expressions tilted his head. "Are you pog? Do you have an unpog headache?" Shu shook his head, smiling weakly at Luca.
"I'm fine! Anyways- I need to finish this last quest so we can hangout together, so see you all on the other side~"
Ike immediately shook his head, ran towards Shu and then held his phone. The place they had originally booked now had a "Reservation Cancelled" underneath it . "No way we're letting you do any more work! I've already contacted your manager and the other livers- you're taking a few days off. No arguments!!"
Shu stood there, his eyes having a hint of regret and self-hatred. He gave another smile. This time, slightly more strained. "Oh... well, you didn't need to cancel it- I'd be fine with being left alone in the house." Vox, who had finished cooking, served Shu his breakfast and chimed in. "We're a team, Shu. We leave no member behind." All the members of Luxiem nodded in agreement, but Shu just averted his gaze.
"...Luca was really looking forward to eating there for lunch. I know Mysta was too." Shu said, softly. Almost a whisper, as he clutched his shirt tighter. He then turned his head up to face them, smiling apologetically. "And because of me, now they can't go..." Mysta and Luca both exchanged looks, their desire for the rumoured "Amazing Food" temporarily put away in face of this strangely more vulnerable side of Shu. Ike gazed at him with sadness and fondness in his eyes, sighing deeply. "Well- We can lose the opportunity to go..., but we sure as hell can't lose you. Think about it this way." Shu pondered over Ike's words. They actually made sense- no matter how stubborn Shu was. His grip on his shirt slightly loosened as he nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
Vox, after taking his seat, turned to face Shu. "Shu, you're an amazing sorcerer. We love you for that. But sometimes... you need to remember your human. And humans need to rest, okay? We care for you- so I hope next time, you can confide in us when you need help." Shu nodded again, though he probably wouldn't unless it was a really serious situation.
Mysta, sensing the mood was more lighthearted now, raised his glass of wine with a cheerful smile. "In celebration of Luxiem saving Shu from overworking himself to death!" Luca happily joined in, raising his small kiddy glass of orange juice. Ike sighed fondly and raised his glass of coffee milk, while Vox raised his glass of tea. Shu raised his glass of water, a warm smile appearing on his face as he toasted with his friends.
"To me living for another day, I guess."