Edit: note for the * on the bottom to avoid spoiling. ^^
--
Honda looked at his watch one more time. School was about to start and Bakura still wasn't there. Something was wrong, he knew it, but he couldn't just walk out of school to check on his boyfriend. There would be questions that he couldn't answer.
The classroom door slid open and the pale haired boy shuffled in, looking worn. "Ohaiyo!" he smiled with forced cheerfulness as he sat down at his desk, taking out his books as he rubbed under one eye, sniffling slightly before pulling out a tissue and blowing his nose.
"Bakura, you're sick!" Honda exclaimed, moving to be next to the pale boy's desk. "You shouldn't be here."
"I'm fine," Bakura insisted, still smiling.
"You don't look fine," Jounouchi observed. "You look like shit."
"Jounouchi!" Anzu exclaimed, glaring.
"What!? He does!"
"Jounouchi is right," Honda said. He touched Bakura's forehead. "You're burning up. You should go home."
The boy shook his head slightly. "Don't worry, I'll be fine," he insisted again, rubbing his nose. "It's just a cold...."
"You really don't look good, Bakura-kun," Yuugi said, looking worried.
"It's a really bad cold or something worse," Honda insisted. In a soft voice he added "Koi, let me take you home."
"But I'd be missing class," Bakura protested, forcing himself to straighten up and look more attentive. "Daijoubu, yo, Hiro-kun," he smiled.
"You can make up classwork," Honda insisted, pulling the smaller boy to his feet. "You need to rest."
"Demo..." Bakura protested again. He stumbled slightly and collapsed against the taller boy.
"See? There's gym today, Bakura. You shouldn't have even thought of coming in."
"I just need to sit some, I'll be fine," the pale boy mumbled, pushing himself up and rubbing his forehead.
"Bakura, stop being stubborn and go with him already." Jounouchi shoved the boy's books back into his bag and handed it to him.
Honda took the bag before Bakura could and slung it over his shoulder. "You'd better actually take notes today, Jounouchi. I'm going to want to see them." Grabbing his own bag, he steered Bakura back out the door he'd just come in through.
"Dame yo, Hiro-kun!" Bakura protested. "I'm fine, really! I just need to sit some and I'll be better, really..."
"You'll sit down when we get you home, and then I'll make you soup," Honda said, one arm around Bakura to keep the other boy steady.
"You can cook soup...?" Bakura asked, blinking slightly.
"Well, I saw some cans in a cabinet yesterday. Unless you've eaten it all since then I'm good at heating things," Honda said with a grin.
The boy gave a slight smile. "You don't have too, I can cook fine..."
"You," Honda said firmly, "Are going to sit or lie down when we get home. I'll make you a cozy little nest on the couch so we can still talk while I'm cooking and you can watch TV."
"But you'll miss class!"
"I've missed classes before. Not like we can't make it up. And Yuugi, Anzu, and Jounouchi will help us." He paused. "Well, Yuugi and Anzu will."
Out of arguments, the pale boy fell quiet, half leaning against Honda as they walked. "Gomen...." he finally said.
"Don't be sorry. You can't control getting sick." Honda gave him a little squeeze. "It's not much farther and then you can rest all day."
"You don't have to stay though, I'm not much fun when I'm sick."
"Koi, your dad's not home. Who's going to take care of you?"
"I take care of myself. I don't want you to get sick too...."
"Don't worry about me. I don't get sick," Honda reassured. "You're barely standing now. You can't take care of yourself like this."
"I'm not that sick, Hiro-kun..." Bakura protested, rubbing his nose again.
"You are," Honda contradicted. "You called me Hiro-kun in school."
"Eeh?" Bakura blinked. "I did...?" he asked, looking slightly befuddled.
"See? You need me to take care of you." Honda smiled down at him. "Now stop arguing."
"Hai..." the boy said softly as he looked down again.
Honda paused and dropped the bags, picking Bakura up so he could look the other boy in the eye. "I WANT to take care of you," he said firmly. "There's nothing I would rather do than spend a day cooking you soup and making sure you're warm and secure."
Bakura gave a soft smile. "Arigatou, Hiro," he said softly, voice warm.
Honda lowered Bakura to the ground again. "We're almost home and then you can sleep."
The boy nodded, leaning against Honda again.
Fishing the keys out of Bakura's hands, Honda opened the door and led the trembling boy inside. "Now aren't you glad I brought you home?" he asked, settling the boy on the couch and bringing a blanket in to wrap around him. "You're getting worse."
Bakura snuggled against the taller boy, eyes closing. "I wasn't expecting to walk that much," he murmured tiredly.
"You shouldn't have been walking to start with," Honda reprimanded lightly, hugging Bakura tightly. "Being at school would only have made you worse anyway. I don't want you trying to think today, understand?"
The boy gave a soft smile. "I didn't want you to worry that I wasn't in..."
"I would have worried, but I would have come to see you after. It's not worth making yourself sicker over." Honda kissed Bakura's forehead. "I'm going to go make you soup now, and get you cold medicine."
"Already had," Bakura smiled at the kiss.
"So I'll just get you that soup. Rest now."
Bakura nodded, relaxing against the blanket.
Honda watched him affectionately, then turned to the kitchen to start making the soup. He looked out into the living room periodically, noting that Bakura was dozing. When he'd gotten the brunch together he carried soup, toast, and tea out into the living room and shook Bakura lightly awake. "It's ready to eat, koi."
"Nnnmm?" the boy asked tiredly, eyes opening blearily.
"Tea," Honda said, holding a cup under Bakura's nose. "This IS the kind you like, right?"
The pale haired boy blinked slightly at it before inhaling. He gave a smile, nodding as he slowly moved to sit up.
Honda sat next to him, propping him up, and helped him drink the tea.
The smaller boy sighed happily, inhaling the scent of the liquid. "This is my favorite tea," he said dreamily. "Tousan always brings it back for me..."
"Then it's good that I made it for you," Honda decided. "It's like your father is helping you get better."
Bakura smiled softly. "Tousan's no good when I'm sick," he said quietly, looking down at the cup. "He just gets nervous..."
"Then it's good that he's just tea this time," Honda said with a smile. "I don't get nervous around sick people I love."
Bakura smiled happily at the taller boy. "He's just afraid I'm going to go join Kaasan and Amane," he said before sipping the hot liquid again.
Taking the cup from Bakura's hands, Honda put it on the table, then hugged the boy fiercely. "Not while I'm here to take care of you."
The pale haired boy melted into the hug with a contented smile.
"And now you should eat the good soup I've prepared for you. And then probably nap again."
Bakura made no move to pull away, staying in the embrace.
Honda laughed softly and picked up the bowl around Bakura, lifting the spoon to the boy's mouth.
The boy smiled slightly before parting his lips to accept the spoon.
"What do you think? Good stuff?" Honda asked, dipping the spoon into the bowl for more.
"It's warm," Bakura smiled. "You heated it well," he teased tiredly.
Honda nuzzled Bakura's hair. "Eat a bit more and then you can sleep. I promise."
The boy nodded tiredly and opened his mouth slightly, waiting for the next spoonful.
After getting half the bowl and a piece of toast into Bakura, Honda let him lie down and rest again. "I'll still be here when you wake up," he promised. "You don't have to worry about anything."
The boy nodded tiredly, curling up in the blanket on the couch, eyes closing.
Bakura gave a small whimper in his sleep, face tense as he tried to push away the blanket, curling up more.
Honda looked up from his book and went over, resting a hand across Bakura's forehead. "You're burning up," he said softly, stroking the boy's hair as he looked him over. "I should have gotten you out of your uniform when we got here," he reprimanded himself, propping Bakura up and pulling him out of his jacket. "I'll be right back," he said, getting up and going to the bathroom for a damp washcloth.
When he returned, the boy was curled up again, blanket discarded on the floor and his shirt almost torn open.
"Bakura," Honda called, shaking the boy lightly. "Wake up, koi."
The boy gave a cry, franticly trying to pull away a moment before his eyes shot open. "Hi--Hiro...?" he near whispered, reaching out for the boy.
Honda hugged him tightly. "You're really hot, koi. Come into the bathroom and I'll give you a cool bath."
The boy gave a small nod, pulling away to shakily get to his feet, grabbing hold of Honda's arm to steady himself.
Honda picked him up, easily carrying him into the bathroom. He sat the boy on the toilet while he filled the tub with cool water, then turned and helped him out of his pants and underwear. "Just relax," he said, lowering Bakura into the tub. "I know it feels cold, but it's best for you."
The boy shivered pathetically, hugging his arms to his chest under the water.
"I know," Honda said, rubbing Bakura gently with a washcloth and bringing the water up over the other boy's shoulders and neck. "It'll help make you better."
Bakura nodded slightly, shakily moving to splash his face with the cool water.
"Just relax," Honda assured, stroking Bakura's flushed cheeks with the washcloth. "Let me take care of you."
The boy gave a small smile, nodding again. Slowly, he leaned back, eyes closing as he relaxed into the warming water. "Gomen yo, Hiro..." he said softly.
"Don't be sorry," Honda said, touching Bakura's face gently. "It's not your fault you're sick."
The boy gave a small smile, looking over at Honda with half closed eyes as he kissed the taller boy's fingers.
Returning the smile, Honda traced Bakura's lips. "Tell me if you need anything." He continued washing Bakura lightly until the boy had cooled down, then lifted him out of the tub into a towel to dry him quickly and set him up on the couch again.
The pale boy snuggled closely against Honda, fingers curling in the taller boy's shirt. "Just you..." he said softly.
"And I'm not going to leave you," Honda promised, stroking Bakura's face.
Bakura gave a contented smile, eyes closing. "Hiro...." he murmured. "Aishiteru...." *
Honda's eyes widened and he blushed scarlet.
The pale haired boy gave a soft sigh as he fell asleep, nuzzling closer.
Honda stared at him a long moment, then lay back with a deep sigh to do some thinking.
Hours later, Bakura gave a soft sigh, stirring slightly.
Honda looked down at him, then draped an arm loosely over the other boy. "How do you feel, koi?"
"Better," Bakura smiled, eyes opening slightly. "Am I still warm...?"
Honda touched Bakura's face and kissed his forehead. "You don't feel as hot," he decided. "But you should probably have more tea."
The smaller boy nodded, moving to sit up. "Should get dressed," he yawned as he stretched.
"I'll bring you your pajamas."
Bakura gave a small smile. "I'm surprised you're not protesting me putting clothing on," he teased lightly.
"You're sick," Honda protested. "I'm not going to ravish you while you're sick."
The pale haired boy gave a small laugh. "Wasn't expecting you to, Hiro-hentai," he smiled, leaning over to kiss Honda lightly. "You just always like looking."
"That's because you're sexy," Honda said, returning the kiss. "But if you're going to get up and eat something you need to wear something so you don't get sicker."
"Mm," Bakura agreed. "I think I can get them myself though," he said, carefully getting to his feet.
"Be careful, koi," Honda said in concern.
"Daijoubu," Bakura smiled, walking slowly towards his bedroom.
Honda watched him for a moment, reflecting that the other boy didn't even seem to realize what he'd said before falling asleep. Giving a sigh he went into the kitchen to make the tea.
"Ne... Hiro..." Bakura asked, looking up from his tea, eyes concerned. "Daijoubu...?"
Honda paused, then nodded. "I just worry about you," he covered.
"Gomen... demo, I'm better now, so you don't have to worry anymore, right?" the pale haired boy smiled.
"You're not better until I say you are," Honda said, changing the topic. "You could still get worse again."
"Mou, Hiro..." Bakura near pouted. "I'm better! I'm going to school tomorrow," he stated.
"If I say you can in the morning."
"I can't miss two days in a row!" Bakura protested.
"You can if you're still sick," Honda said firmly.
"Mou..." Bakura sighed, leaning against the taller boy as he sipped his tea.
"I said I'd take care of you," Honda said, nuzzling Bakura's hair. "And I will, whether or not you want to be helpful."
The boy gave a smile. "You're acting like I'm trying to stay sick," he joked.
"Well, being waited on like this must be nice," Honda teased back.
Bakura laughed softly. "Mmm," he agreed, turning to nuzzle against the taller boy. "A shame my brain was too fuzzed to enjoy most of it."
Honda's expression grew momentarily sad. "Then you should be glad to stay home tomorrow so you can really enjoy it."
"Mou," Bakura's smile faded slightly, seeing Honda's expression. "Hiro...?" he asked softly, eyes concerned. "What's wrong...?"
"Iya," Honda said with a shake of the head. "Nandemo."
"Hiro...." Bakura looked up at the boy, eyes slightly saddened.
"It's really nothing, koi," Honda said, stroking Bakura's cheek.
"Hiro.... you can tell me..." the pale haired boy insisted, still looking up with slightly hurt eyes.
"You were sick, koi," Honda said. "It wouldn't be fair. You didn't know what you were saying."
The boy blinked. "What did I say...?"
"It doesn't matter," Honda insisted.
"It does!" Bakura insisted, voice emotional. "I upset you...."
"Koi," Honda said with a small smile, stroking Bakura's face, "Don't worry about it. I didn't mean to show you."
"Demo...."
Honda pressed a finger to Bakura's lips and shook his head.
Bakura looked down, shoulders slumping.
Honda cuddled him close. "You didn't mean it. I know that. It's ok."
The boy melted against him. "Gomen...." he whispered against Honda's chest.
Honda shushed him again. "Don't be sorry."
--
* note:
Aishiteru is a VERY STONG form of 'I love you' that can be seen as a perposal. Dispite what fics and songs may have you beleive, it's a word that is rarely used because of its strength. [Sensei blushed when we just asked her about it. ^^] Hence Honda's reaction.
--
Honda looked at his watch one more time. School was about to start and Bakura still wasn't there. Something was wrong, he knew it, but he couldn't just walk out of school to check on his boyfriend. There would be questions that he couldn't answer.
The classroom door slid open and the pale haired boy shuffled in, looking worn. "Ohaiyo!" he smiled with forced cheerfulness as he sat down at his desk, taking out his books as he rubbed under one eye, sniffling slightly before pulling out a tissue and blowing his nose.
"Bakura, you're sick!" Honda exclaimed, moving to be next to the pale boy's desk. "You shouldn't be here."
"I'm fine," Bakura insisted, still smiling.
"You don't look fine," Jounouchi observed. "You look like shit."
"Jounouchi!" Anzu exclaimed, glaring.
"What!? He does!"
"Jounouchi is right," Honda said. He touched Bakura's forehead. "You're burning up. You should go home."
The boy shook his head slightly. "Don't worry, I'll be fine," he insisted again, rubbing his nose. "It's just a cold...."
"You really don't look good, Bakura-kun," Yuugi said, looking worried.
"It's a really bad cold or something worse," Honda insisted. In a soft voice he added "Koi, let me take you home."
"But I'd be missing class," Bakura protested, forcing himself to straighten up and look more attentive. "Daijoubu, yo, Hiro-kun," he smiled.
"You can make up classwork," Honda insisted, pulling the smaller boy to his feet. "You need to rest."
"Demo..." Bakura protested again. He stumbled slightly and collapsed against the taller boy.
"See? There's gym today, Bakura. You shouldn't have even thought of coming in."
"I just need to sit some, I'll be fine," the pale boy mumbled, pushing himself up and rubbing his forehead.
"Bakura, stop being stubborn and go with him already." Jounouchi shoved the boy's books back into his bag and handed it to him.
Honda took the bag before Bakura could and slung it over his shoulder. "You'd better actually take notes today, Jounouchi. I'm going to want to see them." Grabbing his own bag, he steered Bakura back out the door he'd just come in through.
"Dame yo, Hiro-kun!" Bakura protested. "I'm fine, really! I just need to sit some and I'll be better, really..."
"You'll sit down when we get you home, and then I'll make you soup," Honda said, one arm around Bakura to keep the other boy steady.
"You can cook soup...?" Bakura asked, blinking slightly.
"Well, I saw some cans in a cabinet yesterday. Unless you've eaten it all since then I'm good at heating things," Honda said with a grin.
The boy gave a slight smile. "You don't have too, I can cook fine..."
"You," Honda said firmly, "Are going to sit or lie down when we get home. I'll make you a cozy little nest on the couch so we can still talk while I'm cooking and you can watch TV."
"But you'll miss class!"
"I've missed classes before. Not like we can't make it up. And Yuugi, Anzu, and Jounouchi will help us." He paused. "Well, Yuugi and Anzu will."
Out of arguments, the pale boy fell quiet, half leaning against Honda as they walked. "Gomen...." he finally said.
"Don't be sorry. You can't control getting sick." Honda gave him a little squeeze. "It's not much farther and then you can rest all day."
"You don't have to stay though, I'm not much fun when I'm sick."
"Koi, your dad's not home. Who's going to take care of you?"
"I take care of myself. I don't want you to get sick too...."
"Don't worry about me. I don't get sick," Honda reassured. "You're barely standing now. You can't take care of yourself like this."
"I'm not that sick, Hiro-kun..." Bakura protested, rubbing his nose again.
"You are," Honda contradicted. "You called me Hiro-kun in school."
"Eeh?" Bakura blinked. "I did...?" he asked, looking slightly befuddled.
"See? You need me to take care of you." Honda smiled down at him. "Now stop arguing."
"Hai..." the boy said softly as he looked down again.
Honda paused and dropped the bags, picking Bakura up so he could look the other boy in the eye. "I WANT to take care of you," he said firmly. "There's nothing I would rather do than spend a day cooking you soup and making sure you're warm and secure."
Bakura gave a soft smile. "Arigatou, Hiro," he said softly, voice warm.
Honda lowered Bakura to the ground again. "We're almost home and then you can sleep."
The boy nodded, leaning against Honda again.
Fishing the keys out of Bakura's hands, Honda opened the door and led the trembling boy inside. "Now aren't you glad I brought you home?" he asked, settling the boy on the couch and bringing a blanket in to wrap around him. "You're getting worse."
Bakura snuggled against the taller boy, eyes closing. "I wasn't expecting to walk that much," he murmured tiredly.
"You shouldn't have been walking to start with," Honda reprimanded lightly, hugging Bakura tightly. "Being at school would only have made you worse anyway. I don't want you trying to think today, understand?"
The boy gave a soft smile. "I didn't want you to worry that I wasn't in..."
"I would have worried, but I would have come to see you after. It's not worth making yourself sicker over." Honda kissed Bakura's forehead. "I'm going to go make you soup now, and get you cold medicine."
"Already had," Bakura smiled at the kiss.
"So I'll just get you that soup. Rest now."
Bakura nodded, relaxing against the blanket.
Honda watched him affectionately, then turned to the kitchen to start making the soup. He looked out into the living room periodically, noting that Bakura was dozing. When he'd gotten the brunch together he carried soup, toast, and tea out into the living room and shook Bakura lightly awake. "It's ready to eat, koi."
"Nnnmm?" the boy asked tiredly, eyes opening blearily.
"Tea," Honda said, holding a cup under Bakura's nose. "This IS the kind you like, right?"
The pale haired boy blinked slightly at it before inhaling. He gave a smile, nodding as he slowly moved to sit up.
Honda sat next to him, propping him up, and helped him drink the tea.
The smaller boy sighed happily, inhaling the scent of the liquid. "This is my favorite tea," he said dreamily. "Tousan always brings it back for me..."
"Then it's good that I made it for you," Honda decided. "It's like your father is helping you get better."
Bakura smiled softly. "Tousan's no good when I'm sick," he said quietly, looking down at the cup. "He just gets nervous..."
"Then it's good that he's just tea this time," Honda said with a smile. "I don't get nervous around sick people I love."
Bakura smiled happily at the taller boy. "He's just afraid I'm going to go join Kaasan and Amane," he said before sipping the hot liquid again.
Taking the cup from Bakura's hands, Honda put it on the table, then hugged the boy fiercely. "Not while I'm here to take care of you."
The pale haired boy melted into the hug with a contented smile.
"And now you should eat the good soup I've prepared for you. And then probably nap again."
Bakura made no move to pull away, staying in the embrace.
Honda laughed softly and picked up the bowl around Bakura, lifting the spoon to the boy's mouth.
The boy smiled slightly before parting his lips to accept the spoon.
"What do you think? Good stuff?" Honda asked, dipping the spoon into the bowl for more.
"It's warm," Bakura smiled. "You heated it well," he teased tiredly.
Honda nuzzled Bakura's hair. "Eat a bit more and then you can sleep. I promise."
The boy nodded tiredly and opened his mouth slightly, waiting for the next spoonful.
After getting half the bowl and a piece of toast into Bakura, Honda let him lie down and rest again. "I'll still be here when you wake up," he promised. "You don't have to worry about anything."
The boy nodded tiredly, curling up in the blanket on the couch, eyes closing.
Bakura gave a small whimper in his sleep, face tense as he tried to push away the blanket, curling up more.
Honda looked up from his book and went over, resting a hand across Bakura's forehead. "You're burning up," he said softly, stroking the boy's hair as he looked him over. "I should have gotten you out of your uniform when we got here," he reprimanded himself, propping Bakura up and pulling him out of his jacket. "I'll be right back," he said, getting up and going to the bathroom for a damp washcloth.
When he returned, the boy was curled up again, blanket discarded on the floor and his shirt almost torn open.
"Bakura," Honda called, shaking the boy lightly. "Wake up, koi."
The boy gave a cry, franticly trying to pull away a moment before his eyes shot open. "Hi--Hiro...?" he near whispered, reaching out for the boy.
Honda hugged him tightly. "You're really hot, koi. Come into the bathroom and I'll give you a cool bath."
The boy gave a small nod, pulling away to shakily get to his feet, grabbing hold of Honda's arm to steady himself.
Honda picked him up, easily carrying him into the bathroom. He sat the boy on the toilet while he filled the tub with cool water, then turned and helped him out of his pants and underwear. "Just relax," he said, lowering Bakura into the tub. "I know it feels cold, but it's best for you."
The boy shivered pathetically, hugging his arms to his chest under the water.
"I know," Honda said, rubbing Bakura gently with a washcloth and bringing the water up over the other boy's shoulders and neck. "It'll help make you better."
Bakura nodded slightly, shakily moving to splash his face with the cool water.
"Just relax," Honda assured, stroking Bakura's flushed cheeks with the washcloth. "Let me take care of you."
The boy gave a small smile, nodding again. Slowly, he leaned back, eyes closing as he relaxed into the warming water. "Gomen yo, Hiro..." he said softly.
"Don't be sorry," Honda said, touching Bakura's face gently. "It's not your fault you're sick."
The boy gave a small smile, looking over at Honda with half closed eyes as he kissed the taller boy's fingers.
Returning the smile, Honda traced Bakura's lips. "Tell me if you need anything." He continued washing Bakura lightly until the boy had cooled down, then lifted him out of the tub into a towel to dry him quickly and set him up on the couch again.
The pale boy snuggled closely against Honda, fingers curling in the taller boy's shirt. "Just you..." he said softly.
"And I'm not going to leave you," Honda promised, stroking Bakura's face.
Bakura gave a contented smile, eyes closing. "Hiro...." he murmured. "Aishiteru...." *
Honda's eyes widened and he blushed scarlet.
The pale haired boy gave a soft sigh as he fell asleep, nuzzling closer.
Honda stared at him a long moment, then lay back with a deep sigh to do some thinking.
Hours later, Bakura gave a soft sigh, stirring slightly.
Honda looked down at him, then draped an arm loosely over the other boy. "How do you feel, koi?"
"Better," Bakura smiled, eyes opening slightly. "Am I still warm...?"
Honda touched Bakura's face and kissed his forehead. "You don't feel as hot," he decided. "But you should probably have more tea."
The smaller boy nodded, moving to sit up. "Should get dressed," he yawned as he stretched.
"I'll bring you your pajamas."
Bakura gave a small smile. "I'm surprised you're not protesting me putting clothing on," he teased lightly.
"You're sick," Honda protested. "I'm not going to ravish you while you're sick."
The pale haired boy gave a small laugh. "Wasn't expecting you to, Hiro-hentai," he smiled, leaning over to kiss Honda lightly. "You just always like looking."
"That's because you're sexy," Honda said, returning the kiss. "But if you're going to get up and eat something you need to wear something so you don't get sicker."
"Mm," Bakura agreed. "I think I can get them myself though," he said, carefully getting to his feet.
"Be careful, koi," Honda said in concern.
"Daijoubu," Bakura smiled, walking slowly towards his bedroom.
Honda watched him for a moment, reflecting that the other boy didn't even seem to realize what he'd said before falling asleep. Giving a sigh he went into the kitchen to make the tea.
"Ne... Hiro..." Bakura asked, looking up from his tea, eyes concerned. "Daijoubu...?"
Honda paused, then nodded. "I just worry about you," he covered.
"Gomen... demo, I'm better now, so you don't have to worry anymore, right?" the pale haired boy smiled.
"You're not better until I say you are," Honda said, changing the topic. "You could still get worse again."
"Mou, Hiro..." Bakura near pouted. "I'm better! I'm going to school tomorrow," he stated.
"If I say you can in the morning."
"I can't miss two days in a row!" Bakura protested.
"You can if you're still sick," Honda said firmly.
"Mou..." Bakura sighed, leaning against the taller boy as he sipped his tea.
"I said I'd take care of you," Honda said, nuzzling Bakura's hair. "And I will, whether or not you want to be helpful."
The boy gave a smile. "You're acting like I'm trying to stay sick," he joked.
"Well, being waited on like this must be nice," Honda teased back.
Bakura laughed softly. "Mmm," he agreed, turning to nuzzle against the taller boy. "A shame my brain was too fuzzed to enjoy most of it."
Honda's expression grew momentarily sad. "Then you should be glad to stay home tomorrow so you can really enjoy it."
"Mou," Bakura's smile faded slightly, seeing Honda's expression. "Hiro...?" he asked softly, eyes concerned. "What's wrong...?"
"Iya," Honda said with a shake of the head. "Nandemo."
"Hiro...." Bakura looked up at the boy, eyes slightly saddened.
"It's really nothing, koi," Honda said, stroking Bakura's cheek.
"Hiro.... you can tell me..." the pale haired boy insisted, still looking up with slightly hurt eyes.
"You were sick, koi," Honda said. "It wouldn't be fair. You didn't know what you were saying."
The boy blinked. "What did I say...?"
"It doesn't matter," Honda insisted.
"It does!" Bakura insisted, voice emotional. "I upset you...."
"Koi," Honda said with a small smile, stroking Bakura's face, "Don't worry about it. I didn't mean to show you."
"Demo...."
Honda pressed a finger to Bakura's lips and shook his head.
Bakura looked down, shoulders slumping.
Honda cuddled him close. "You didn't mean it. I know that. It's ok."
The boy melted against him. "Gomen...." he whispered against Honda's chest.
Honda shushed him again. "Don't be sorry."
--
* note:
Aishiteru is a VERY STONG form of 'I love you' that can be seen as a perposal. Dispite what fics and songs may have you beleive, it's a word that is rarely used because of its strength. [Sensei blushed when we just asked her about it. ^^] Hence Honda's reaction.