Title: The Promise

By: EsTeLweNadia

Summary: "I'm sorry. That's why, from now on, I won't trouble you anymore." Morinaga Tetsuhiro is a man of his word. Just how far he is willing to go to keep that promise for the one he loves? And how can Tatsumi Souichi try to tell Morinaga that it is okay to be dependent on someone? Sick!Morinaga Worried!Senpai. Two-shot.

Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Friendship/Angst

Warnings: Senpai and his mouth… But I'll try to tone it down.

Disclaimer: Characters afflicted are not mine, and will never be. Except in my dreams, maybe. ^^

Author's Note: Tetsuhiro's selflessness is so heartbreaking. T_T The way he kept apologizing for being such a burden (not that he is a burden), the way he politely excused himself to avoid being a burden, the lengths he would go so as to not trouble Senpai, even if it was painful on his part to do so… Tetsuhiro, I really wish you are a real living person right now so I can hug you real tight and will never let you go, whether or not you're gay! T_T

Author's Note 2: Any mistakes seen are mine, and mine alone. I am not perfect, and I did the best I could. Reviews are immensely appreciated, so please have them coming! Now what are you waiting for? Get on reading! ^^

"I'm sorry, Senpai, so that's why, from now on, I won't trouble you anymore."

And it was a promise Tetsuhiro was determined to keep even as he writhed on the floor, feverish, weak and shivering.

He was relieved that Senpai was away. He didn't want Senpai to worry, to see him in such a pitiful condition.

He didn't want to trouble Senpai.

Still, deep in the recesses of his heart, he couldn't deny thinking how wonderful it would be, for once, that he was cared for, being fussed over, being loved… by someone he loved.

Or anyone that matter.

But… he had already promised Senpai that he wouldn't burden him anymore.

So he wouldn't.

Another shiver racked through him, and he shuddered violently.

Thank goodness, thank goodness Senpai isn't here… he chanted over and over again, trying to curl in himself to retain as much heat as possible.

But he knew it was a futile effort.

It was strange… he felt as though he had gone through a time like this before…

Oh yes, that's right. That was a few months ago. He was as sick as this, and again, Senpai was away for several days for a seminar somewhere. But he recovered just in time when Senpai returned, so Senpai had no idea of what he went through, or so he hoped, although Senpai did suspect something, but Tetsuhiro was just as glad that Senpai didn't pursue it.

He really didn't want to trouble Senpai.

Please, Senpai… he prayed, coughing slightly, please stay away for a few more days… or at least, until I get better…

In the midst of his misery, his cellphone suddenly rang.

Matsuda-san's Residence:

Souichi leaned back against the couch with his eyes closed, contented and completely at ease.

Kanako had long gone back to her room to finish up her homework, and Matsuda-san was busy cleaning up in the kitchen, leaving Souichi all by himself in the living room with his thoughts.

Except that he wasn't as contented or completely at ease as he appeared to be.

On his face he wore a deep frown.

Something was wrong.

He had a bad feeling about something…

Or someone…

Kanako and Matsuda-san were perfectly alright, Tomoe had called a moment ago and he sounded happy, and Father had sent him an email earlier that afternoon, so that left him with…

Morinaga.

Souichi's frown deepened a notch.

What trouble has that baka gotten into now?

But he was perfectly fine when sending Souichi off on Friday evening, right? All bright happy smiles complete with a gentle look of affection shimmering in his gaze…

So what the hell is wrong?!

I'll try calling him, Souichi decided and reached for his phone.

The phone rang shrilly and persistently.

Tetsuhiro groaned in despair.

In his condition, there was no way he could move, let alone go to the coffee table to get his phone.

But he had to answer the call.

It was probably Senpai. If he didn't answer the call, Senpai would get worried.

He didn't want Senpai to worry.

Laboriously Tetsuhiro rose to all fours, shaking limbs notwithstanding, then crawled towards the living room. With one last ditch of effort he stretched outan arm and snagged the vibrating phone off the table.

One glance at the screen confirmed his suspicion. It was indeed Senpai.

Tetsuhiro breathed harshly for a moment. Forcing the pain of fever aside and putting on the brightest grin he could manage, Tetsuhiro flipped his phone open.

"Senpai!" A breathless but cheery voice greeted him from the other line, and almost simultaneously, Souichi felt his tensed features relaxing just a little bit.

"Baka!" Souichi barked into the phone. "What took you so long to answer the phone?"

"Gomen nasai," Morinaga apologized earnestly. "I was busy with something. Is everything alright over there, Senpai? How is Kanako-chan?"

Souichi couldn't help a soft smile that tugged his lips at the obvious concern in Morinaga's voice. "Everybody's here is fine, Morinaga, you don't have to worry. So what are you doing now?"

There was a slight pause.

Souichi could hear harsh breathings on the other side, and almost automatically, the frown slipped back into place. "Morinaga?"

"Huh?" The voice that replied sounded dazed. "I'm sorry, Senpai, I don't think I can talk to you for long. I have…" Morinaga broke off, and soon after that Souichi heard violent, hacking coughs. When Morinaga resumed, his voice was strained and hoarse, and yet he still tried to maintain that cheerful façade. "… something to do, so… I'm really sorry, Senpai. Can we talk later? I love you, Senpai. Please take care."

Before Souichi could respond, there was a click and a dial tone, signaling the end of conversation.

The cellphone slipped from his nerveless fingers to clatter noisily on the floor.

The world started to spin, and all of the sudden, balance deserted him.

Tetsuhiro crashed into the floor, hard.

He was too dazed to feel the impact.

The room wouldn't stop its slow, nauseating turn, so Tetsuhiro tried to clamp his eyes shut to quell the nausea that rose within him.

Tried to forget the fact that he was alone.

Being alone was bad, but being sick and alone was a lot worse.

It was scary.

And Tetsuhiro was scared now.

Just like that time, years ago, when he first became Senpai's assistant, and he fell sick. He was alone.

No, before that. The few weeks after settling down in Nagoya, after leaving his hometown, he fell sick, and he was alone.

And no one knew.

No one cared.

What if he didn't make it? What if he died?

No one would know.

Because he was shunned by his own family, and in Nagoya he had no one.

No one.

Tetsuhiro was completely alone.

Tears started to fall as his heart broke into tiny million pieces.

Curling into himself, his body began to shake.

This time, it was not because of his raging fever.

- To be Continued -

I did it again! Another Sick!Morinaga! fic. Wahahaha!

I'm so mean, but I'm so glad to be able to get this out of my system!

But this is taking longer than I thought, so I decided to make this into two-shot, too, because it has gotten quite late (11.30pm), my butt is numb, I haven't showered, and I am practically dozing off as I type… -_-

Aslo, I'm really sorry for crappy title! I hate coming up with titles! *grumbles*

So Part Two, then! Gomen nasai!

Be seeing you in the next part! Thank you for reading, and good night!

Oh, and please drop in a review as you leave, okay? It'll give me sweet dreams, really!

Alright, good night! ^^