Soubi left Kio to finish tending to their meal so he could check on Ritsuka.
"Ritsuka," called Soubi, entering the living room. Ritsuka didn't notice. He was sitting up on the couch watching T.V., but he looked like he was just about to fall asleep. Soubi walked closer and Ritsuka looked over to him, watching him sit down beside him.
"Honey, are you alright?" Soubi lovingly looked into Ritsuka's eyes. Ritsuka pulled himself together slightly so he could respond.
"I'm fine! I'm just tired," said Ritsuka. Soubi watched Ritsuka as he had his little outburst. Ritsuka's face looked a little flushed and upset now that he was done talking.
"Do you want to talk? Tell me what's bothering you right now. We can discuss it, and maybe I'll know something that can help you with it," Soubi tried to comfort Ritsuka.
"I'm fine…I'm just really tired…" he said again.
"Stay awake for dinner, it'll be ready in 5 minutes," said Soubi, looking over Ritsuka's pale face.
"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked once more.
"I'm fine," Ritsuka started again.
"Here, I want to feel if you have a temperature," said Soubi, moving his large hand up to Ritsuka's face.
"I said I'm fine!" Ritsuka was annoyed.
"Calm down," Soubi cooed, "I just want to see if you're warm," He pushed back Ritsuka's bangs and put his hand over his forehead. Ritsuka reluctantly sat there, "dealing" with Soubi's care. Soubi moved his hand down to the side of Ritsuka's face. He felt just fine. Soubi kissed Ritsuka's cheek and got up to go help Kio finish cooking.
Kio stayed for dinner. He, too, tried to get Ritsuka to talk, but Ritsuka was just tired and unpleasant. He was also barely eating. Soubi was concerned.
"Do you like the meal? Do you want something else?" he asked.
"No, it's good," said Ritsuka.
Ritsuka didn't eat much more by the time that Kio and Soubi were done. The adults carried their plates off to the kitchen. Ritsuka stayed seated.
"Do you think he's ill?" Kio quietly asked Soubi, once they were far enough away that Ritsuka couldn't hear them.
"He has to be. He's just not acting himself. But, when I felt his forehead earlier, his temperature was normal,"
Soubi and Kio finished the dishes and walked out together. Ritsuka was still just sitting at the table, and coughed a little into sleeve.
"Ritsuka, you didn't eat much of your dinner, and you're acting a little out of it. Do you feel alright?" asked Soubi.
"I'm fine," Ritsuka mindlessly said again.
"I don't think so," said Kio.
"You're not in pain? Ritsuka, let me feel your forehead again,"
"You already felt my forehead. I was fine then, and I'm fine now," said Ritsuka defiantly.
"Look," said Kio. "We're the adults, we're in charge. Let him take care of you before your symptoms get worse from being left untreated,"
Soubi calmly put his hand on Ritsuka's forehead. Soubi frowned a little, and pushed his forehead up against Ritsuka's. "Kio, does he feel warm to you?" Kio touched Ritsuka's cheek.
"Yeah, he does…you're sick, Ritsuka,"
"No, I'm not," Ritsuka argued.
"It seems you started to get a temperature over dinner. Can you please cooperate so I can make you better?" Soubi asked. Ritsuka sighed.
"I could be feeling a lot worse. You don't need to swoon over my slightest loss of appetite," Soubi gave Kio a little smile, thanking him for helping deal with Ritsuka's attitude. He was pretty sure he could handle taking care of Ritsuka by himself. Kio smirked back at him and headed out to go home for the night while Soubi wrapped his arms around Ritsuka. Kio knew that Ritsuka needed some more personal care from Soubi.
"What hurts?" Soubi asked as he hugged him.
"I have a little stomachache," said Ritsuka, sounding slightly helpless.
"Oh, honey," Soubi cooed. He put his hands on Ritsuka's shoulders and looked into his eyes.
"Why don't I carry you to my bedroom, and I'll take your temperature? Then I can get you medicine, and all you'll need done before going to sleep is to brush your teeth. Okay?"
"Mhmm," Ritsuka said, nodding. He looked upset. He wasn't hiding that he felt ill anymore. He held out his little arms for Soubi to pick him up. Soubi lifted Ritsuka up under his arms, and picked him up so he could wrap his legs around Soubi's waist, and his arms around his neck. Soubi held the warm boy tight. He was relieved that Kio had helped him calm Ritsuka down. It was quite the feat to have Ritsuka behave as helpless as he felt.
"Maybe Ritsuka will let me do whatever I think is best for him..."
"Would you like to stay home from school tomorrow?" Soubi asked. "You'll have to if your body temperature is up by very much,"
"Yes," said Ritsuka.
He laid Ritsuka down on top of the comforter. Ritsuka settled down with his head on a pillow. It was only 7:30, and Ritsuka seemed as if he could fall asleep right then if not kept awake. But, Soubi was thankful for that; he figured that Ritsuka is better off sleeping through some pain as opposed to having it keep him up. Ritsuka coughed into his sleeve.
"I'm going to go get the thermometer, Ritsuka." Soubi said as he left the room.