Disclaimer: I don't own Weiss, I just like to play with them once in a while. My work is always pro bono.

For a brief moment everything is peaceful. The pain in my arm does not immediately register, nor does the migraine or the searing ache in my throat. No, for about twenty seconds, I am completely at peace in the soft cocoon of my bed. But as I begin to work my way through the fog of sleep, I can gradually feel the injuries I incurred from last night's mission work their way up my body. As I shift in my bed sheets, I can immediately tell there must be a ghastly bruise on back and probably on the side of my head. I want to escape into the black haze of unconsciousness but instead a coughing fit forces me to sit upright in bed.

I don't know who's more startled, Youji or me, as he practically leaps out of the chair by my bed, "Aya! Are you ok?"

I shove him off me as he tries to plant two solid hands on my shoulders. When I finally catch my breath I manage to choke, "Yes, I'm fine." But I'm not. My voice only comes out in a horrible, hoarse whisper and the pain in my back is suddenly made all the more apparent when I try to speak. I weakly lean back on my pillows only to notice a bandage around Youji's arm as well. "You're injured?"

He glances at the white dressing, from the looks of it Omi's doing, and nods, "Yeah but it's nothing. How are you doing? You've been out for a whole day."

"A day?" I repeat dumbly. But that's impossible.

He sits back down on the hard wood chair, "Yeah." He rubs the back of his head awkwardly, "I was worried about you."

"I'm fine." I say but in fact, I'm a little stunned that I could be out for twenty-four hours and not realize it.

"I'll get you some water. Or maybe tea?" Youji offers as he stands up. His demeanor has lost all of its usual arrogance and insouciance. He looks concerned and rather tired. Instead of his usually outlandish couture, he's wearing a sloppy green sweater that still perfectly matches those piercing eyes and a pair of faded jeans. I can feel the warmth return to my extremities and I quickly look away before he notices that I'm staring at him.

"Water. Please." I say it mostly just to get rid of him. My bedroom door shuts behind him with a soft click and I rake my hand through matted hair. I probably need a shower but I feel too sore and weak to stand up. Instead I let my mind wander to last night, or rather the night before, and the way Youji held on to me, even in the car. The last thing I remember is the look of fear on his face before I blacked out.

A blonde head pokes through my bedroom door; only this time it's Omi. When he sees that I'm awake he smiles, "Aya-kun! Mind if I come in?"

I nod halfheartedly.

He patters into my room in slippered feet and takes a seat on Youji's chair, "How are you feeling?"

I reply softly, "I've been better."

"You sound horrible," he frets, "Youji was here all day and all night. He was really worried about you."

I can feel a low flush rise to my cheeks and I hope Omi doesn't notice. I try to sound nonchalant when I say, "Oh?"

He nods, "I think he felt responsible or something. He went after you when you took too long to get back after eliminating the target."

"Yeah, I was ambushed."

"Well, we can discuss the details of the mission later. You need to get some rest. Do you want something to eat?"

I shake my head. He's hesitant to leave and only does so when sees Youji arrive with a glass of water and some cold medication. He smiles before he's out the door, "You're in good hands Aya-kun. Get well soon!"

"He will Omittchi," Youji replies for me. Then he turns to face me. "Ok Aya, take two of these," he waves the NyQuil in front of me, "and you better drink a lot of water."

"I don't need a nurse. I just need some rest," I glare at him.

He sits down anyway and hands me two pills. "Go ahead. It'll help you sleep."

Before I stop to think about it, I comply. I sigh as I stare at the ceiling. I hate being sick.

Youji suddenly blurts out, "I won't get bored."

I don't bother to glance over at him. I know exactly what he's referring to and I refuse let that show. "Get bored of what?"

He scoots his chair closer to the bed and says, "You know what."

I don't say anything and eventually he has to break the pause. "Of you," he adds softly.

This time I do look at him and say, "What the hell are you talking about?"

With his uninjured arm, he reaches over and gently brushes my bangs out of my eyes. I flinch slightly but I don't pull away. For once he doesn't say anything and decides to let his actions speak for him. Before I can stop him his lips brush against mine, only this time the kiss is less hasty, less awkward and instead of being paralyzed I respond ever so slightly. Renewed with this encouragement he takes it a step further and allows a soft tongue to sneak into my mouth. He's on my bed now, leaning over me and too weak, too tired to fight back I just go along with it. Eventually he pulls away, a look in his eyes I've never seen before, that I can't quite place. I suddenly feel out of breath and shaky. My face is hot and I quickly look away from him and concentrate instead on the lint that's collected on my bed spread.

"Aya?"

I say nothing.

"Aya!"

I finally turn my head towards him, afraid that the look on my face is a betrayal to my usually stoic mask.

"Honestly, this is a huge cliché but when I thought I might lose you I didn't know what to do with myself. I was a complete wreck. I hated it."

"I think I know the feeling," my response is barely audible and he just continues.

"Just… let me sit with you today. I can bring you something to eat if you want."

"I'm not hungry."

"Ok then. Let me stay here. Please."

I nod slightly but instead of sitting back in the chair, he pulls the covers down and gets into bed with me. "What do you think you're doing?" I ask.

He throws me sly grin and says, "Ayan, that chair is so uncomfortable."

I raise an eyebrow and say, "That's your excuse?"

"…And I'm sticking to it."

I stiffen slightly as he curls up next to me. A part of me is afraid to move. The whole situation strikes me as so laughably awkward, all I can do to avoid his piercing gaze is rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes. I'm asleep before I notice that he has me in a firm embrace.