It could probably be considered a miracle that the school's medical office was open that evening. The school doctor was still there – apparently working late to catch up on all the health files for the resident students. He immediately however, dropped what he was doing at the sight of Saki Giichi standing there in the doorway – dripping water and holding a very ill looking, unconscious Hayama Takumi.
Soon Takumi was settled in the clinic bed and Gii in a nearby chair. Gii insisted that he was fine, he could shake off the cold and wet. He just wanted Takumi to be taken care of. He only begrudgingly accepted the warm blanket to wrap about himself and then watched with worried anticipation as the doctor examined Takumi.
"He's had the fever since last night, you say?" the doctor inquired as he tucked heated blankets around the still form on the bed. "An evening stroll in the rain certainly won't make things any better. I want to keep him here until that fever breaks – though if it persists I will send for an ambulance to the nearest hospital."
Gii could only nod, watching as the doctor hooked up an I.V. to Takumi. The drip was carefully started and the doctor added some medicine in to help with the fever and prevent any bad effects from the prolonged rain and cold Takumi had been in.
"Go and dry yourself properly," the doctor instructed Gii. "I can assure you that he isn't going to be waking up at least for the rest of the night. I will allow you to stay with him tonight, but first go take care of yourself." Even the doctor wasn't blind to the obvious connection that was between the two youths.
Even knowing that Takumi wouldn't wake for a while didn't drive Gii to obey for a moment. But the tiniest of rational thoughts entered his distressed brain and he knew he needed to take care of himself if he was going to take care of Takumi. One shower and a dry change of clothes later and he was back, allowed to take up a seat next to Takumi's bed.
The doctor soon left the two alone, Gii with firm instructions to call if Takumi began to look any worse.
Gii didn't plan to sleep at all that night.
The first thing that came to Takumi's awareness was that he was warm and laying down on something soft. Faint sounds began to drift into his ears – birds chirping good morning outside, distant footsteps of people in a hallway and the sounds of someone softly breathing next to him.
He felt slightly disoriented as he opened his eyes and the world around him came into focus. It took a moment to realize he was laying in the medical clinic of the school campus and he couldn't remember how he had gotten there.
Turning his head, the young man regarded the person fast asleep at his side.
Gii was slumped over in his chair, arms folded on the bed and head resting atop them. Despite his best intentions, he had fallen asleep over the course of the night. Takumi watched him sleeping for a moment then raised a trembling hand (noting with some discomfort the I.V. in the back of it) and brushed his fingers against the smooth skin of Gii's face. Gii began to stir at that feathery touch and Takumi found he didn't have the energy to leave his hand there, so he let it settle back on the bed.
Gii's eyes slowly opened and it took him a moment to raise his head. Had he dreamed it…? But those same eyes widened as he saw Takumi gazing fondly at him. Instantly he was fully awake, leaning forward and brushing his fingers gently through the others hair and down the side of his face. He smiled as this touch was welcomed by the smaller boy, Takumi turning his head a little into it, feeling comforted.
"You gave me such a scare," Gii murmured. "What were you doing, Takumi? I was so worried you weren't going to wake up. You looked so broken when I found you."
"Gii…" Takumi whispered, his throat a bit dry. He swallowed a little bit and struggled to remember what had happened. "I'm sorry, Gii…" He blinked back a couple tears.
Gii had momentary panic, thinking that he had set the course for the other to start crying. He'd done that so much and he really didn't want to be the reason for the other getting upset yet again.
"I found you in the concert hall," Gii murmured. "Next time, no matter your protesting, I'm not leaving your side when you're sick."
Takumi frowned just slightly at this. How had he gotten to the concert hall?
"Your fever apparently got very bad while I was away from you. I don't know why or even how you wandered that far, as sick as you were. I'm just happy that you are safe now, Takumi. Just rest, I'll be right here. I promise I'm going to take care of you, forever. In sickness and in health."
"Gii….that sounds like another proposal," Takumi stated softly, a little shy smile on his face as he subtly bit his lip.
He was rewarded with a brilliant smile that chased away any remaining unease associated with his ill state.
A/N: Short chapter just to fill to the next one. Also thank you everyone for the lovely reviews, I am happy this is being enjoyed!
If you thought the fever was the worst...lots more coming ahead so stay tuned!
