Here's the next chapter of the story. Please enjoy!
Fubuki woke up with a splitting headache.
Perhaps it was because he slept too late after overthinking and cleaning the night before. Or perhaps it was also because he woke up later than usual and was startled by the loud knocking on his door.
"Fubuki-kun!" Came Aki's voice, "Breakfast is ready! Today's the match against America, you need to eat up and prepare!"
Her voice was quite soft and her knocking was loud enough to be heard but not too loud that it was disturbing however, for some reason, Fubuki's senses were quite sensitive today. The sound was too sharp for his ears and when he opened his eyes, the light from his window was too bright and it stung.
Fubuki woke up with a splitting headache.
He wondered, perhaps this was because of his recently discovered disease. The flower blooming in his heart was limiting his oxygen. Every breath he took; he could feel the petals by his throat threatening to spill. Every beat of his heart was constricted by the flowers growing around it and it hurts.
Fubuki wondered what kind of flower grew within him. The orange petals he coughed up were unfamiliar to him. It was probably some flower that never grew in Hokkaido. He could vaguely remember the fact told to him that Hanahaki flowers growing inside you were a representation of your loved one. He wondered what flower Gouenji represented—what flower the flame striker unknowingly planted in his heart.
His train of thought was halted when he was once again called by Aki. Then when his muddled mind had finally processed Aki's words—that today was the match—he bolted up too quickly and the room swirled in his vision.
He held his head and groaned. His breathing was ragged and he could feel the petals rising up and threatening to spill. The urge to cough it up and puke were so strong but he held back, knowing he could be heard by one of their managers.
"Fubuki-kun?" Aki's worried voice brought his attention back to the situation at hand and he realized, even more, the gravity of his situation. He can't let them worry or else they might realize his secret. He opened his mouth to speak but that had been a huge mistake. For the petals came out uncontrollably and he was coughing up like there was no tomorrow.
It sounded painful. And it was truly as painful, perhaps even more than how it sounds. He could hear Aki's worried voice growing louder behind the door and in his panic, he tried to stand up. Bad idea. He lost his balance and fell down with a loud thump.
The sound seemed to have alerted Aki as she said, "Don't worry. Just wait a moment, Fubuki-kun, " she said, trying to sound as assuring as possible despite the obvious panic in her voice, "I'll get the keys and come back for you."
He could hear her frantic footsteps run down the halls, probably to get his room's key and alert the coach. This was bad. This was really really bad. He needed to do something or else his secret would be short-lived and he knew damn well that there would be hell to pay. Both by the coach's consequences and by the confrontation he'd have to face with the team and most scarily, with Gouenji.
He knew him well. He knew that the other won't give up on him until he would be fine. He knew by experience with the Aliea fiasco. The team would be all over him again, his Captain would be stuck by his side, Kidou would be keeping an eye on him and Gouenji—Gouenji would stop at nothing to help him in his own—albeit harsh—ways.
He'd unravel his secrets and Fubuki would have to lay himself bare. Just like how he told him about the avalanche and Atsuya. He'd come crashing to him like a force with eyes like embers then leave him with a gentle caress and a kind smile. Just like before.
He'd know everything. He'd eventually know the identity of Fubuki's crush. And if that happened, he might feel obligated to return to his feelings just to save him. Or maybe he'd flat out reject him and tell him to get the surgery. He didn't know which was worse. Both sounded so painful and Fubuki was just so afraid.
He knew that running away was never the best option. But there are some things you just can't face. This, in Fubuki's fear-clouded mind, was one of those things. He can't face the consequences. So he chose the best option: run away. Cover it up. Shove it under the bed and hidden under lock and key.
Despite the pain, he willed himself up. The room was swirling in his vision but he could still somewhat see the red bottle on his bedside table. With his shaking feet, he stood up with difficulty and grasped the bottle with trembling hands. He swallowed down one pill, but then he thought that perhaps it won't be enough, he swallowed two more.
Taking a breath or two, he closed his eyes and waited for the pill to take effect. However, when he could hear the footsteps return and this time there was more than one, he panicked once again. He could hear Endou's voice and he knew the others were coming too.
His eyes traveled down to the petals on his bed and on the floor. Without thinking, he pulled his bedsheets off the mattress and shoved them to the laundry basket and quickly swept the petals under the bed with his hands at an alarming speed. It was the adrenaline making him do this and he momentarily forgot the pain in his chest and head.
By the time the others had opened the door, Fubuki was facing them with a sheepish look on his face. He feigned innocence and acted confused about everyone's reaction.
"Fubuki-kun!" Aki called out worriedly behind Endou, scanning him up and down to see if he was as hurt as she imagined, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I am." Fubuki scratched his cheek, a strained smile on his face as he began his act. He felt guilty for lying to his teammates but he had to do this. He faced them with an embarrassed look and said, "I kind of had a bad dream and fell down by the bed. I'm sorry about that."
"Oh, " Aki replied before she looked embarrassed for assuming the worst and also relieved that it wasn't as bad as she thought, "but you were coughing so badly."
"Ah, " Fubuki said as he covered his mouth with his hand and faked a few coughs but not too hard because they might trigger the petals to spill again, "I'm sorry. I caught a cold yesterday. I tried swimming at the beach and I guess I wasn't careful."
"Oh that's right, " Endou spoke as if he just realized, "You just recently came back so you haven't tried the beach yet. You should have told us; we could have gone with you."
"I didn't want to disturb anyone." Fubuki smiled at him, "but I'll make sure to tell you next time, Captain."
"Make sure you do! And you won't be disturbing anyone! We're a team here, there's no use being shy!" He patted Fubuki at the back and said, " Thank goodness you're alright though! You should change quickly; we'll be waiting for you downstairs!"
"Sure!" Fubuki said with a genuine smile, touched by his Captain's warm words, "I'll be down in a few. I'm sorry for worrying everyone though." He bowed at those who came to check him in apology.
"No, no." Aki interrupted with a soft smile, "I should be the one to apologize for panicking without confirming anything. I'm glad you're alright, Fubuki-kun. Please take care of yourself more."
"I'll be more careful next time, Aki-san" the Hokkaido player replied softly and with a hint of guilt.
"I'll give you some medicine and tea for your colds. Food is downstairs!" She waved goodbye and followed the rest of the leaving team, "Take care of yourself okay? You guys have a match today, make sure you're in condition to play."
"Yes ma'am, " Fubuki replied with a mock salute, which earned a giggle from Aki. When she left, he sighed and was about to close the door when a familiar voice called him out, causing his heart to skip a beat.
"Fubuki, " Gouenji made this presence known as he was leaning on the wall beside Fubuki's door. No wonder Fubuki didn't see him from inside. He was there all along? The snow forward-defender felt a blush creep up his face as he realized that his crush just heard his lame excuse. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Huh?" Fubuki blinked, dumbfounded and a little mesmerized, "yeah? I mean–yes! Yes, I'm perfectly fine Gouenji-kun. Just woke up wrong but I'm fine."
"You're swaying." The flame striker's warm hands held his shoulders as he tried to steady him. He stared at him for a while, just as intensely as last night and Fubuki felt his face heat up again before his crush placed his forehead against the smaller's and Fubuki's mind went blank with their sudden closeness. "You don't seem to have a fever."
So close! Fubuki's eyes were wide and his face was as red as a tomato. He could see his crush's long lashes—they were beautiful— and the slope of his nose. How could anyone look so gorgeous? Gouenji was perfect—he looked like a Greek God and Fubuki, with his bed hair and in his pajamas, felt like a potato in his presence.
"You're a little warmer though, " the taller pulled away and held a worried frown when he faced him, "and your face is redder. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Y-yeah." Fubuki stuttered as he averted his gaze, too shy to meet his crush's eyes in his current state. He was in his pajamas for Heaven's sake! Meanwhile, Gouenji was already set for the day and looking like he could walk into a photoshoot any moment now. He unconsciously pulled his bangs lower to cover part of his face, "I fell off my bed and hit my head so I guess I'm a little dizzy but nothing too serious."
"Fubuki, " Gouenji's deep voice and slightly scolding tone made the smaller flinch before he dared to look at the elder's face. The flame striker schooled a hard expression but there was also a hint of worry in his eyes, " You're lying to me."
"No, I'm not," Fubuki replied quickly, shaking his head a bit but that act caused his headache to worsen. Gouenji seemed to have noticed as he held on to the smaller tighter when he swayed. Breathing deeply, the smaller said, "I'm fine, Gouenji-kun. This is nothing too serious."
"Last time you said nothing, you were suffering on your own and almost had another breakdown," Gouenji replied with brutal honesty and Fubuki almost winced at his words. He held the smaller in his gaze before he sighed. His eyes traveled to look at Fubuki's mattress without its sheets. He looked like he was contemplating whether he should ask about it or not before he shook his head and said, "I'll wait for you outside. Let's head down together just to be sure you won't fall off the stairs."
The smaller would have pouted at the other's words if he had not been panicking over what lies he should tell next. So he simply nodded and gently closed the door on him. He was relieved when the flame striker decided not to ask about his empty mattress. He had not thought up an excuse for that and he didn't want to look more stupid than he already was. He had a hunch that the striker knew he was lying— no, scratch that, he's definite that Gouenji already knew he was lying.
Fubuki loves Gouenji but sometimes he hoped the other wasn't so observant. Or perhaps he would have used his observation skills in stuff other than Fubuki's problems and lies—like maybe notice his feelings for him? Or maybe not, Fubuki wouldn't want his direct rejection.
After his quick change, and after placing the red bottle in his pocket in case he might need it later, Fubuki opened the door and found Gouenji patiently waiting for him outside. Who gave him the right to look so cool? His back leaning against the wall with a hand in his pocket and a serious expression on his handsome face.
He glanced at him before acknowledging him with a nod. Fubuki nodded back out of politeness but the small movement caused a ripple in his head that triggered his dizzy spell to return. Although it was less powerful and Fubuki was glad that the pills were slowly doing its job.
Gouenji placed a hand on his shoulder when he started to sway again. "Fubuki, " he said as they slowly started walking towards the stairs leading to the dining hall. "Just tell me when you need anything. I'm here for you." He paused for a short moment as if he was in deep thought before he gently squeezed his shoulder, "We're all here for you."
His hand is so warm, Fubuki thought before he nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Gouenji-kun."
The day went by as normal as possible. They played against America's team: The Unicorn, against Domon and Ichinose. Fubuki felt nostalgic playing with them again, although this time as rivals. He was even able to shoot a goal using The Hurricane with Kazemaru. He was very glad that his debut stage to the world was successful. Halfway through the game though, Fubuki was slowing down as his symptoms were starting to return.
During the halftime, he rushed to the comfort room to take his pills in private—and probably cough and vomit a few petals on the toilet before he flushed them. He and Gouenji did stare at each other for a few seconds but he was glad the other didn't come up to talk to him. Not that they had any time because the second half of the game began and by then, Fubuki's full focus was on the match.
By the time evening came, everything was a blur. The team talked about their win and started speculating about who their next opponent would be. A few others were also discussing what they needed to improve for the next match and what strategies the team needed to have in order to get stronger.
Fubuki wasn't part of any of it though. He was too busy forcing himself to swallow the food down. He felt like puking them and his throat felt too tight as it was occupied by the petals. He could feel it every time he swallowed his food and the fullness in his throat made him gag. But he had to act normal or else, the others might be suspicious of him again.
He eyed the medicine for his supposed cold placed beside his water. He knows that Aki and the others were keeping an eye and making sure he was taking them. He also knew that it was dangerous to take another medicine when you're taking the red pill—it was written as a warning on the label, but he had to keep up his act.
Surely, just one won't be too bad right? He'd probably puke the medicine out after dinner anyway so he won't have to suffer any side effects, hopefully. So when Fubuki finally finished his dinner, he quickly drank the medicine and was the first to leave the dining table with an excuse to sleep early.
"The medicine is making me feel drowsy, " he explained which made sense and was easily accepted by others without much suspicion. Everyone seemed to not notice anything so Fubuki calmly left.
He'll just rush to the comfort room while everyone was busy talking, vomit the pill and the petals to give him space to breathe, take a shower and retire for the night. At least that was the plan.
However, things don't always go according to plan, do they?
"Fubuki-kun, wait up!" He heard someone call him when he went upstairs. He silently cursed to himself before he schooled a soft smile and faced one of his closest teammates, Kiyama Hiroto.
"Yes, Hiroto-kun?" He smiled with a bit of effort. Don't get him wrong, he likes Hiroto. It's just that now was not the perfect timing for a conversation with the redhead. "Can I help you with anything?"
"Are you going to shower?" Hiroto asked him with a gentle smile. "I'm going to shower too. Let's shower together."
Fubuki blinked at him, dumbfounded. Momentarily forgetting his current predicament, he cast Hirito a judging look, "I don't know about you, Hiroto-kun but Midorikawa-kun is my friend and I don't want to steal what's his.
"No, no! That's not what I mean, oh god!" Hiroto shook his head with a slight blush on his face. He suddenly appeared more anxious than usual as he looked left and right before he took Fubuki's hand and pulled him to his room, "Follow me please!"
Fubuki blinked as he was being dragged across the hallway and not so gently pushed into the redhead's room. He turned around in confusion as he watched his friend lock the door and turn to him with a sheepish look on his face. Normally, Fubuki would tease him but there was bile rising up his throat so he crossed his arms and looked at the other impatiently, "Okay, spill. What do you want?"
"So uhh, you were with Ryuuji, right?" Hiroto started, voice soft and eyes looking anywhere but at Fubuki. The smaller raised an eyebrow at him like duh, they were both left behind, of course, they were together! They needed to train to be stronger! But he just nodded, opting not to be sarcastic with his friend. Hiroto looked relieved. He was glad that he was currently talking with Fubuki and not people like Suzuno or Nagumo who would undoubtedly take advantage of his embarrassment.
"Why? Do you need anything?" Fubuki asked, trying to sound as gentle and patient as possible despite his clenched fists because of the painful petals threatening to come out and it's only by his willpower that he's still standing here, looking as if everything was alright.
"I actually have a question." Hiroto started, "you see. Ever since we've been away, Ryuuji has been acting strangely and I really want to know why but I don't know how to ask him and it's kind of hard via call. Do you perhaps know anything?"
"What do you mean he's acting strangely?" Fubuki tilted his head to the side in confusion as he tried to recall his days with Midorikawa. Aside from training and a few conversations, his green-haired friend looked cheerful, "I don't remember anything strange when I was with him."
"Really?" Hiroto looked relieved but still a little worried, "So he's not angry or anything with me, right?" He looked adorable. This was a side of Hiroto you don't get to witness often and Fubuki smiled as he admired how Midorikawa has such an effect towards the usually calm Hiroto.
"Really." Fubuki patted his shoulder with a smile, "Midorikawa-kun, in fact, kept talking about you whenever we went out after training. He said he's going to work harder to keep up with you. He misses you and wants to see you as soon as possible. Maybe you should call him tonight again. He'd be happy to speak with you."
"Oh, " Hiroto sighed, looking relieved and in love at the same time. A soft smile graced his features and he looked beautiful at that moment. Fubuki had to look away and keep the jealousy that was growing within him at bay. He knew he had to be happy for his friends that they found love and that he shouldn't be comparing it to his bitter one-sided crush. "Yeah. I think I'll do that. Thank you, Fubuki-kun."
"You're welcome, Hiroto-kun." Fubuki smiled, pushing the bitter feelings away. Just then, his throat started constricting, a familiar painful feeling rising up from his chest had him facing Hiroto with a fake smile masking his panic. He patted the other's shoulder harder than intended as a gesture of goodbye before he tried to rush out of the other's room.
"Wait, Fubuki-kun!" Hiroto took him by the hand again, unaware of his current state of panic, "I still think that we should head to the showers together but I meant in different stalls, okay?"
When he was met with silence, Hiroto tilted his head in worry and confusion. "Fubuki-kun?" He walked around to face his friend but Fubuki was covering his lips and refused to look at Hiroto.
"H-Hiroto-kun, " Fubuki's voice was small and trembling, holding back what was about to come out. He looked at his friend pleadingly, unable to utter another word. But before Hiroto could even think of what could possibly be wrong with his friend, his answer came when a small petal fell in between the gaps of his friend's fingers.
Just then, Fubuki started coughing uncontrollably, orange petals raining down painfully and mercilessly. Hirito could only stare at him with wide eyes, watching the smaller crumble down to the floor, trembling in pain, looking so beautifully broken. His eyes were shut and he looked like he was in agony and Hiroto knew, by the faint memory of his own experience, just how painful this was.
He acted out almost immediately as soon as the gravity of the situation crashed down on him. He crouched down to hold his friend and watched worriedly at the amount of petals he was coughing up. The floor he was kneeling on had a pile of petals and by the looks of it, Hiroto thought that Fubuki must have been hiding his disease for a while now.
The grey-haired boy was fumbling with his pocket for something. And when he pulled out the red pill, Hiroto's eyes grew wide and he forcefully pulled it out of his friend's hands. "No, Fubuki-kun!" He said, almost sounding angry, "This is dangerous. You shouldn't be taking this. It's only going to make things worse for you!"
"P-please!" Fubuki begged his friend, trembling hands reaching out for salvation only to be kept further out of his reach by Hiroto. "I-I need it! Hiroto-kun, please!"
"No, you don't!" Hiroto replied back, a rare look of anger on his usually calm face, " I'm not going to let you destroy yourself like that. Are you even aware of what this is going to do to you? They're planning to make this thing illegal, you know? Cause it would only make your situation worse!"
"No, " Fubuki shook his head, "I'll be fine! Just, please! It hurts!" He clutched a hand over his chest, each beat of his heart felt like it was on fire, each breath he took felt like he was being choked rather than taking in the air. "Please, I need the pain to stop. Make it stop."
When the tears finally fell, Hiroto's angry look crumbled. He then pulled Fubuki in an embrace and patted his back softly, "Just let it come out naturally, Fubuki-kun. I know it hurts but it's only going to hurt more when you take this pill." He then sobbed, "Please, I don't want a friend to die on me."
Fubuki fell silent at those words, tears falling out of his eyes consecutively. He coughed a few more times, pain spreading all over his body until it finally stopped. By then, he no longer had the energy to move. His head was spinning and even breathing felt like a chore.
He felt Hiroto lift him up before he finally succumbed to the darkness.
The next day, Fubuki woke up with another splitting headache. However, this time it was worse. The white ceiling of his own room was spinning and he had to close his eyes because the sight made him dizzier and gave him the urge to puke.
"Fubuki-kun?" He heard Hiroto's voice beside him and the events of last night flashed before his eyes. Fubuki's eyes widened in panic.
He knows. Hiroto knows. His secret is out. Do the others know too? Are they going to send him back to Japan? Are they going to force him to get surgery? Does Gouenji know too?
Hiroto seemed to have sensed his worries as he said, "Fubuki-kun, calm down. I haven't told anyone yet, don't worry." He placed a hand on Fubuki's forehead, " You have a high fever, you should take the day off today."
"No, " Fubuki protested, "I just came back, I can't get sick." He tried to raise from his lying position only to be pushed back down by the ex-alien.
"No, don't be stubborn. You're staying here or else I'll tell everyone your secret." Hiroko isn't really fond of blackmailing others, especially his friends but he knows how stubborn Fubuki could be. This was the only way to get him to listen. "You wouldn't be this sick in the first place if you weren't taking that drug. I threw it away, by the way."
Fubuki turned to glare at him but it lost its ferocity due to his weakened state. Now he just looks tired and broken. He looked like he was about to complain but Hiroto had more words to say.
"Why did you keep this a secret? Why didn't you tell me? When I had this disease, I may have kept this a secret to everyone but I told you, didn't I?" Hiroto asked, sounding a bit hurt that the friend he trusted didn't trust him back. Fubuki kept quiet as he looked away guiltily. "I could have helped you, you know. I won't judge you or anything. I just want to help."
I know, Fubuki thought to himself. He wanted to tell Hiroto but he was scared too. Scared that something like this would happen. Scared that he'd be worrying others and become a burden again. Now that he thought about it, he was in his room again and there were fresh sheets on his mattress. Hiroto must have gone through the trouble of carrying him and making his bed.
"And the red pill. Why did you take it? That's dangerous. I never took that for a reason. It won't make you feel better and it suppresses the symptoms." He took a deep breath before he cast another glare, "you coughed up a lot last night. Those must be all the petals you were suppressing, huh? How long have you been keeping them trapped inside you? Weeks? That's toxic, you know?"
"I know," Fubuki replied, eyes shut in pain and his voice small, sad and guilty. Hiroto's eyes softened. "But I didn't expect it to be like this. I mean, I just discovered this recently too."
"Recently?" Hiroto asked in disbelief, eyebrows raised, "When? A week ago?"
"Remember when I woke you and Gouenji-kun up the other night because I shut the door too loud?"
"Yeah?" Hiroto replied slowly, realization dawning on him but he didn't want to believe it, "no way. Don't tell me—"
"Yeah. I just discovered it that night." The smaller said softly, "I just bought the medicine that day."
"But the amount you coughed up last night, " Hiroto recalled, "it almost looked like you were suppressing the petals for a week or more. How did it get to be so many? "Hiroto asked before he suddenly remembered, "Wait. You don't really have a cold, do you?"
"No, " Fubuki admitted, "I lied to them."
"And you took the medicine Aki gave you." Hiroto said in disbelief, "You're not supposed to take another medicine when you're taking that damned pill, Fubuki Shirou."
"I know, " Fubuki winced at the mention of his full name in Hiroto's rarely used harsh tone and looked away, " I planned on vomiting it out of my system after dinner but well, you know what happened next."
The two of them were silent after that for a while. Hiroto was lost in his thoughts, wondering how he hadn't noticed, blaming himself for stopping Fubuki last night but also wondering how long Fubuki would keep this if he hadn't found out. It hadn't been this long and his friend already had severe symptoms. Fubuki, on the other hand, could only try to deal with the pain and is bashing himself for being careless and for worrying his friend just when he was trying not to do just that.
"You're not..." Fubuki trailed, hesitating whether he should ask or not. He swallowed a bit and only realized how dry his mouth felt. Hiroto seemed to have noticed and offered him water after helping him up. He waited for the other to feel better to continue. "You're not going to tell the others, would you, Hiroto-kun?"
"That depends." Was Hiroto's unsettling answer. " I know you don't want me to tell them so I won't for now. But you must promise me not to take that stupid pill again." When he saw the other nod slightly and look down with a guilty expression, he cast him a small smile, "I'll keep your secret for you. But if I deem that it's not good anymore or if things get worse, I'm telling."
"I'll try to be better, " Fubuki said with a bit of determination despite his weak state, "I promise."
"Good." Hiroto smiled at him before he stood. "And you're staying in bed today. I'll tell the others you have a fever."
Fubuki looked like he wanted to protest but only one look at Hiroto's eyes, he knew the other would truly act out on his threat from earlier so he only pouted and agreed.
"Good. Rest well then, I'll ask the managers to bring your food here." Hiroto smiled at him and was about to leave the room before he suddenly stopped, "oh and, it's Gouenji, isn't it?"
"Huh?" the smaller one looked at the redhead with wide eyes and growing blush. "What do you-"
"It's Gouenji." Hiroto repeated with a teasing tone and the mischievous glint in his eyes. "The one you like."
Fubuki blinked twice in shock. Was it obvious? Fubuki thought he hid his feelings pretty well. And he thought he made an impression to the team that he liked girls. But then he remembered that Hiroto wasn't there when he flirted with girls for information back when they were still fighting against Aliea Academy.
"Gladiolus," Hiroto said with a smirk, "the petals you were coughing was from a Gladiolus flower. It represents strength, honor and moral integrity. It also signifies deep passion. I don't know anyone who is strong, honorable and morally integrated with a deep passion but Gouenji. Well, there might be others like that but you know, the flower depends on your view towards your love too. There's no one else that fits that description in your eyes but Gouenji, right?"
"Stop it, " Fubuki groaned, face redder than it already was, "Stop making me feel giddy and embarrassed at the same time."
"You're adorable, Fubuki-kun. And that's what you get for hiding things from me." Hiroto laughed at him before adding, "Maybe I should have Gouenji deliver your food for you, hm?"
"Stop that!" Fubuki whined, even more, embarrassed as he was teased. He glared at Hiroto but it only caused the other to chuckle. "No, don't you even dare, okay?"
"And then he'll feed you himself."
"Ughh" Fubuki groaned before he threw a pillow at Hiroto who caught it. Despite his weakened state, Fubuki still has some force left with him. If it wasn't a pillow, Hiroto knew it would hurt, "Get out now!"
"Yes, yes. This is what I get for being a good friend." Hirito faked a sad tone as he shook his head and gently threw the pillow back at the bed, making sure it won't hit his friend's head, "I was only looking out for you though and this is how you treat me. Tsk tsk."
Fubuki stifled a laugh before he said "Thanks, Hiroto-kun."
"Anytime." Hiroto winked at him before he finally disappeared behind the door.
A few minutes later, a knock came at his door. Fubuki gave them permission to come in, knowing that it was probably one of the managers with his food. He was bracing himself the nagging he was possibly going to face but what he got was not what he expected.
Opening the door was none other than the hot Greek God, Gouenji Shuuya himself, looking far more delicious than the meal he was holding. Shhh, calm thyself, Fubuki Shirou.
"Fubuki, I heard from Hiroto that you were sick." He said in a voice softer than usual. He had a worried look on his face as he settled the tray of food on the smaller's bedside table. He placed a hand against the sick boy's forehead, unaware of the effect it had on the other, and frowned, "You're very warm. You should take care of yourself more."
"I drank the medicine last night " Fubuki spoke up, trying to defend himself. He felt like a child being scolded by their parents except he was being scolded by his crush.
"Still, you should have been more careful. You're aware of your own health." Gouenji helped Fubuki up by rearranging his pillows and propping him into a comfortable sitting position.
The smaller one was confused as to what the other was doing but at the same time, he was flustered and feeling giddy at the gesture. Thank goodness his blush could be excused by his fever. However, when Gouenji took the food from the tray and started to spoon-feed him, Fubuki looked at him with wide eyes and an even redder face than was possible, "umm, what are you doing, Gouenji-kun?"
"Hiroto said you can't get up and that you need help taking your food. So I'll help you." Gouenji said, a worried look on his face.
Damn you, Hiroto-kun!
"Why? Is it still too hot for you?" The flame striker asked, a little clueless about Fubuki's inner turmoil. Despite being really observant, he's still a little dense at some things. With a small smile, he blew at the spoon he held before he offered it to the blushing, nearly dying male, "Here. It's not too hot now."
Fubuki didn't cough anything up that morning but his heart felt like it was being assaulted. Who told Gouenji to be so cool and sweet at the same time? Oh and, Hiroto's a dead man the next moment he'd step into Fubuki's room.
And that's it for this chapter. I know I stated in the tags that this is gonna be a three-shot but I think it's either the next chapter would be longer or I'd have to divide it into more chapters. It depends. The ending is already planned but it's the events leading to it would be quite long. Maybe I'll divide it to more chapters to not seem rushed. This story won't extend beyond five anyway. Cause I have another plot in mind once this one's done hehehe. I love GouFubu still even if this fandom is getting quiet about it :(
Til next time!