Takuya glanced at Koji and felt his heart flare with guilt. Today had been a hard day. They were ambushed by a whole army of Knightmon. Everyone fought hard but were eventually overwhelmed and ended up unconscious. Takuya and Koji protected them as best they could but eventually Takuya was knocked back into his human form and it was all up to Koji. With all his remaing power Koji defeated all of the Knightmon, but it left him weak.
Injured.
Exhausted.
And all Takuya could do was sit there and watch helplessly from the side-lines. He felt awful. Koji had faked a smile and insisted he was fine. Takuya knew better obviously. Now there the two were. Their sleeping friends oblivious to everything and everyone. Koji looked paler than usual. His fluttering eyelids gave away the fact he was exhausted. His body was hunched and he was shivering. Takuya took a deep breath before walking over and sitting beside the boy.
"Koji"
No answer.
"Koji"
Still no answer.
"Koji" Takuya placed a hand on his shoulder
Koji jumped at the touch. His face looked startled ut his eyes were distant. Takuya smiled softly.
"Koji, please go to sleep" Takuya said pleadingly
"I'm fine Takuya" Koji insisted tiredly
"No you are not"
"Yes I am"
"No you are not!"
"Yes I am!"
"Koji!"
"Takuya!"
Takuya stood up and looked down at Koji. He placed his hands on his hips.
"Why won't you just admit that you are not alright!? You are exhausted! You are hurt! So just admit it already!" Takuya said harshly
Koji looked at Takuya shocked. Sure Takuya had yelled at him when they had arguments and all but through the harshness of his tone, Koji could hear worry. Koji looked down at his hands in shame. He then looked at Takuya.
"Please Koji, I want to help" Takuya said softly, kneeling down in front of his friend
Koji continued to stare at Takuya. He knew Takuya was right. He was exhausted. He was hurt. He just didn't know why he didn't want to admit it. It was his stubborn nature he guessed. He sighed.
"Okay then" Koji muttered, sounding defeated
Takuya grinned joyfully before his face flashed concern as Koji collapsed to the ground. Takuya gasped. Quickly checking Koji held no serious injuries, Takuya came to a conclusion that Koji had simply collapsed from exhaustion. Carefully and quietly, Takuya pulled Koji close and had placed Koji's head on his lap. Koji lay limp as Takuya ran his fingers through Koji's ponytail.
"Takuya?" Koji whispered sleepily
"Yeah?" Takuya asked kindly
"Thanks" Koji replied, slightly slurred
"What for buddy?" Takuya asked curiously
"Caring" Koji mumbled
Koji then fell asleep. His body still. His face calm. He was the perfect picture of peacefulness. Takuya smiled warmly but then frowned.
"I can't go to sleep sitting up like this, if I do I'll be so sore tomorrow" Takuya complained
Gently, Takuya lifted Koji up and laid him to the side. Takuya slid down the tree and lay on his back, finally comfortable. Takuya was about to fall into sweet slumber when something caught his eye. Koji had begun to shiver. Takuya immediately pulled the boy close. Koji snuggled into Takuya's embrace and hugged him back unconsciously. Takuya smiled down at the boy and finally allowed himself to be consumed by darkness.