RenAo oneshot requested by another friend.
Set during pre-ReConnect.
Aoba feels nervous as he reach the door to Ren's room. It was only last week he learn about the miracle Sei bestowed upon them. That Ren came back to him in the form of Sei's body.
Aoba has been coming here almost everyday without fail. As if sensing he has important things to do plus how Aoba often look distracted at work, Haga-san allowed him to leave work early.
Tae noticed something was up but it's her style to not pry and wait for Aoba himself to speak up. So she kept a close eye on his strange habit of waking up early and arriving home late and smelling like antiseptic or odours from hospital.
"Okay." The blue haired youth slap his face to make himself snap out of it and focus as he plaster on his bright smile and slide the door open, "Good morning, Ren!"
It's a Sunday and he has a day off from work so Aoba's really happy to spend more time with Ren instead of counting the minutes before rushing to Heibon.
On the bed, Ren turn his gaze from the window to Aoba who take a seat on the plastic chair.
'A - o - b- a.'
Ren mouthed the words of his name with a weak smile.
Aoba felt his emotions well up and nods with a smile too. He can't go all gloomy or troubled when Ren is giving his best to look like he's fine in Aoba's presence.
"So, I brought last night's dinner. Baa-chan made soup and I'm sure the nurse won't mind if you have a taste…"
And that's how they start their routine. Aoba will talk most of the time as his hands move to help Ren on his morning tasks. First is the clean up and wash where Aoba help Ren stand up from the bed and go to the private bathroom.
Next he'll help towelling Ren and prepare a new hospital gown for him before he goes back to resting on his bed. After that is breakfast, they ignore the customary hospital bland food and chow down on Tae's much yummier soup with rice.
Of course this is Aoba's favorite part of helping Ren because he gets to spoon feed him carefully and the look on Ren's expression as he taste the delicious food is just captivating.
Aoba can't stop yearning to bring Ren home and spoil him with any food he wants to eat or any place he wants to go.
He has daydreams where Ren and him, walk hand in hand to familiar streets of his hometown. Somewhere other than this white square room with a small window to the outside world.
Soon, very soon he can do all those things with Ren as long as…
"Ren, we're done with eating. Ready for your morning rehab?"
The brunette nods and automatically reach for his walker.
The nurse told Aoba that Ren will spend his morning walking. Just walking around the hospital garden and sit to rest at one of the benches.
Because Ren only woke up last week, his body is still very easily tired. Even Aoba had to remind him not to push himself despite how eager he is to get better with lots of training and rehab practice on his weak muscles.
This morning's accomplishment is a feat for Ren. He managed to walk a little farther compared to a few days ago. Aoba suspected Ren must have practice on his own when Aoba is away. It seems Aoba's not the only one who's eager for Ren to get better and be discharge from this place.
"Ren, that's enough. Let's rest here." Aoba calls out and points to the nearby bench.
It's the one where the other patients rarely pass by because it's at the back of the hospital and under the largest Ginko tree. Some old folks even teased the young kids that this Ginko tree is haunted.
Ren nods at Aoba's suggestion and waited for Aoba to sit first before he himself settle down.
"Ah, the breeze feels so good." The youth smiles with a chuckle as he brush back his soft long bangs.
Ren smile too in agreement.
It was suppose to be a 10 minute break but Aoba feels like his eyelids are heavy like tons. Maybe it's fine if he close them for a bit.
Just a bit..
"Ao..ba?"
Ren blinks when he felt a weight on his shoulder.
Turned out Aoba fell asleep, his head on Ren's bony shoulder and he look so comfy beside him, Ren didn't have the heart to wake him up.
Ren saw hints of dark circles under Aoba's eyes. Did he stay up again on how to care for a patient and whatnot? Ren suspect the soup that Tae made was actually Aoba's doing because the boy was very well informed about the ingredients and how to make them!
Chuckling, Ren reach out to hold Aoba's hand on his lap.
"I'm… sor…ry.."
With that Ren look determined. He has a goal to achieve that he won't allow himself to fail. He'll be strong and reliable for Aoba. So that Aoba won't worry himself tired over someone like him. He'll get better to be discharge from this place so he can finally protect and watch over Aoba. As his role should be since their birth.
"I'm sorry… and.. tha…nk.. you..Aoba. Wait for me, I'll get better soon and protect you."
—
—-
—-
END?