When Tsukishima woke up the next morning, he wasn't surprised to feel his throat aching and burning. He tried to stand up, but his legs were too weak. All he could do was to catch his cellphone. Sadly he noticed that the message he sent to Hachimenroppi were received but not answered. He decided to not focus on this right now because he felt already bad and instead, he called his brother. The answer was fast.
{ Tsuki ? It's rare for you to call… Something wrong ?
- I… I think I'm sick, nii-san.
- Don't move, I'm coming ! }
xxx
Shizuo stopped the call and put his phone on his pants' pocket. He looked at Tom who was giving him a curious look.
« Tom-senpai, can I take my day ? I'm sorry, but my brother is sick and…
- Don't worry Shizuo. I'll be fine.
- Thank you. »
Shizuo rushed to his brother's home and was about to knock at the door when he remembered that if Tsuki had come for help, he would surely not be waiting for someone to come and he wouldn't open the door either. And breaking the door would surely not be a good idea. Maybe Tsuki simply closed his door for once ?
Shizuo grabbed his copy of the key and tried to open the door. Miraculously, it worked. Another clue that Tsukishima was feeling pretty sick. Shizuo hurried to the bedroom where he found his brother panting heavily, the hands forming a cup around his mouth.
« Shit ! Tsuki ! Do you have your inhaler or something ? Ah wait, I'll search your bag ! »
Shizuo left hurrily the room and started to search for his brother's bag. He needed a short moment to find it, lazily put in the middle of the living room. Since Shizuo didn't know where the thing could be and because he absolutely hated rummaging into stuff that wasn't his, he simply brought the bag to his brother who weakly grabbed his medicament. He took it and tried his best to calm down and focus on something else than his aching throat and spinning head.
« How d'you feel ? Must I call an ambulance or something ? » Shizuo asked after what looked like a whole day to him.
Tsuki shook his head. He simply caught a cold, nothing serious. But his brother didn't share his opinion.
« Whatever, I'm callin' Shinra. And he'd better not fuck with you or I'll kill him. » he mumbled before taking his phone and searching the good number. Tsuki wanted to tell him he was fine, but he couldn't because he was not fine. All he could do was cough and try to not lose the control of his breath. He waited for a few minutes but went back to sleep because coughing and hyperventilating are two very exhausting things, really.
When Shinra arrived around 20 minutes later, Shizuo almost felt like trying to kill him because he had been so goddamn long. Though the doctor apologized and explained that, even if Celty was super fast, the distance was roughly the same and he couldn't help about this. He added that if he was killed, he would never be able to look at Tsuki's problem. This last argument was the most effective and Shizuo put down the chair he was holding and led his friend to Tsuki's room.
Though it actually appeared that the problem wasn't serious in itself, a simple cold, Shinra asked Tsuki to stay at home for at least a week and to not try to overdo anything. Because he had quite a frail respiratory system and if he tried to force too much, he'd probably end at the hospital. The idea seemed to bother Shizuo more than Tsuki since he told that he would look after his brother no matter what. Shinra approved the idea but recommended Shizuo to not surprise his brother too much with his screams and random throw of objects. Both Shinra and Tsukishima actually wondered if the debt collector would be able to last a whole week without destroying anything in the house.
Shinra left a prescription for Tsuki and went back to his daily duties. Shizuo, already very in-character in his role of personal nurse, grabbed the list and left to buy everything while Tsuki stayed in his bed, agonizing a bit more. The young man went back to a tortured and painful sleep. With some luck, Shizuo would be back soon enough so he'll can take his medicaments and feel slightly better.
When the older came back, he saw his brother sleeping and decided to not wake him up before the afternoon, thinking that if he was sleeping, it was because he needed it and so, he refused to bother him too much.
xxx
When he woke up, Tsuki rubbed his eyes sleepily, wondering from where could come the noise he was hearing. As he sat in the bed, he remember his brother was here and that is probably was him who was rummaging in the living room. He look on his bedside table and took his glasses before taking his phone. He surprisingly noticed the list of messages he had missed. Ten messages… Seriously !? TEN messages ? From only three persons. Since when was he so loved ? With a small smile he opened the first of the list.
[ Hachimenroppi : Sorry for not answering, I forgot I had a cellphone. To answer all your quesions at once, yes. I'm fine. It went kinda well. It was actually entertaining. And I didnt' went back home before the night. Thanks for the concern. ]
[ Hachimenroppi : Hey, you still didn't harass me with your hello and stuff. You're still alive at least ? ]
[ Psyche : TSU-KUUUUUN ! I DIDN'T SEE YOU TODAY ! YOU ALRIGHT !? ]
[ Psyche : Tsu-kun ! I tried to called your mobile AND your house. You didn't answer ! That's so not like you ! Did something happen ? ]
[ Hachimenroppi : Seriously, I don't know if this is pissing me off or worrying me, maybe both. But seriously Tsukishima, answer. To me or Psyche. He won't stop babbling about you. And I have to admit it's bothersome. ]
[ Delic : Hey ~ I heard from someone you were playing the absent… Should I tell them you're sick ? Seriously man, answer to someone. We're all kinda worried. And what worries me the most is that's SHIZUO who's staying with you. Not he's bad or anything, but yeah. You got me, right ? Oh shit ! Seriously, at least ask your brother to tell us what's happening. 'cause not even him is answering. Are you both trying to get on our nerves ? If so, good game, you did well. If not, please come back on earth and answer. ]
[ Psyche : Tsu-kuuuun ! If you don't answer me, I will come to see what's wrong ! And you know I will ! Pleaaaaase ! Answer ! Please, please, please, please ! I want to cry now ! ]
[ Hachimenroppi : So you're sick ? Yeah, your brother called, thank him. Whatever, is it serious ? You actually look pretty awful yesterday. I know I shouldn't have let you run in such an outfit. Seriously, that was idiot… Ah, well. I guess you should be fine if your brother is with you, right ? But you know what to do if something's wrong. Anytime, Tsukishima… Well then, I think I don't have another choice than wait for you to text me… I guess saying to take care would be weird, but still. Do that… I remind you that you still have to give my DVDs back. See you later. ]
[ Psyche : AAAAAH ! I'm totally relieved ! Tsu-kun is not dead ! I was so scared when Shizuo-san called me ! But in fact no ! You just caught a cold, right ? Poor Tsu-kun… Do you want me to come and read some bedside stories to you ? Tsu-chan often does that when I make a nightmare. It's amusing, like if I was back in my childhood. Do you want me to come too ? I want to help Tsu-kun too ! Please, tell me if I can ! Please ! ]
[ Delic : Ah well, looks like your bro decided to call. Thanks god, I won't have to bear Psyche's whining sobs. Not that I totally dislike it, but sometimes, he came to sobs /directly/ in my ears. And that's pretty boring… btw, Shizuo told that you'll have to stay at home at least a week. I guess you'll have to find a way to stay entertained, right ? So if it's ok with you, I'll come. It's been a while since I didn't see you anyway. It could be fun. And unlike your bro, if I have to play the nurse, I wear the total outfit ~
ps : Don't tell Shizuo or Psyche I said that ! Seriously, don't ! ]
Tsukishima smiled as he read the last message and made the mental note to remember this for later. He was about writing a collective answer when he received a call. His second cousin, Tsugaru, who like speaking more than writing was the next one who worried about him.
{ Hello ?
- Tsukishima ! If you answer means you are feeling fine, right ? What happened ? Was it because of the usual season cold ?
- Y-yes. I feel dizzy but fine. Don't worry… And I have Shizuo-nii with me. Everything is fine.
- About this, I talked with Shizuo. And he can't miss work a whole week or more. So I will look after you when Shizuo will be back to work. I don't trust Delic for that. I know he will do his work correctly, but I fear he may have some… kinky ideas. And I don't think something implying a nurse outfit would be of any use. Yes Delic, I heard you giggling. } Tsugaru sighed, obviously talking to his younger brother. { And you should be ashamed to say such things to your own family. Do you want me to tell Shizuo what kind of behaviour you have when he's looking away ? }
Tsuki wondered why his brother was suddenly dragged into the discussion before realizing that Shizuo would not appreciate to learn that his brother was receiving this kind of message, let alone from his cousin. Even if this cousin was Delic.
{ It's fine, Tsugaru… You… you know Shizuo-nii is a bit… overprotective. But I don't think he… he would harm Delic.
- It sounds more like something you wish, Tsuki. Because you know how your brother react. Overprotective is actually a weak word to talk about him… Do you remember the last time Izaya-kun tried to flirt with you ?
- H-he did hug me…
- And when Psyche tried to kiss you at New Year's Eve ?
- He glomped me…
- I'm sorry but I'm not sure talking about this would be of any use. And you sound awful anyway. I would feel guilty to deprive you from your rest. All I wanted to tell you is that I will be at your home in two days to take Shizuo's place.
- Yes…
- Until then, please take care. Don't try to move or talk too much, do we agree ?
- Yes…
- And don't forget your medicines. And please, wear warm clothes. I wouldn't like seeing you at the hospital once again.
- Yes…
- And…
- Geez ! Tsu ! You dare call Shizuo overprotective ? If he's the invasive father, then you're the mother. Let the boy deal with everything. I'm sure he can do it perfectly. Right Tsuki ? } Delic told, stealing his brother's cellphone. { Oh, and don't think you'll get rid of me so easily. If Tsu's coming to nurse you, I'm definitely coming along ! We'll play RPGs, like when we were children, remember ? Gonna be fun ! Ah, wait ! Tsu's not happy. See you later ! }
Delic stopped the call with a laugh, letting Tsuki trying to understand everything he said in some tiny seconds. But his brain was too tired to function correctly. All the blonde was able to get was that Tsugaru will come in some days, probably with Delic.
The young blonde let out a sigh and went back to a comfortable position, buried under his covers. Instead of a collective message, he would text both Psyche and Roppi. It would be more personal…
[ Tsukishima : Hello Roppi-san. I would like to thank you for your concern. Indeed, I am sick. And I think wearing my clothes when I wasn't fully dry yet was a bad idea. Though I am sick every year around this period, don't worry. It's only the common matter. But I have my brother who's staying with me today and tomorrow. And after, it will be my cousins who will come. I will be fine. I will survive, don't worry. You will have your DVDs and books back as soon as possible. : ) ]
The raven resisted the urge to facepalm when he read the text. Was that blonde so stupid that he didn't even understood the hidden message ? While texting his answer, he glared at his phone as if it was his friend.
[ Hachimenroppi : I know you will do well. You always do. But if a certain someone dares saying something wrong, you know I will find it out. And you know he will pay for , be back soon. You're the only one I can bear at this damn library. I count on you, okay ? There's no way you're weaker than a cold. ]
Roppi hid his mobile in the pocket of his jean and went back to his laptop. Maybe Izaya decided to be useful for once and answered his mail ? It was tiring to always wait for the other's reply.
Tsuki smiled foolishly when he read 'You're the only one I can bear'. For a reason he couldn't explain, these words left him all flustered. It somewhat felt nice to know the man loved him, at least a bit…
[ Tsukishima : Psyche, hello. I apologize for not coming to work today. But I will have to stay at home for at least one week. So I will be unable to help you, sorry… Shizuo-nii is with me and he will be tomorrow. And after, my cousins will keep me company, so I think you will be alone with shop for some days. Is it ok with you ? Please tell me if I can do anything about this. ]
The other's answer was fast.
[ Psyche : WHAAAAAT ! TSU-CHAN AND DELILI ARE STAYING AT YOUR HOME ! I WANT TO COME TOO ! I WANT TO SEE TSU-KUN TOOOOO ! ＼(*｀∧´)／ ]
[ Tsukishima : You can come too. But not the next days please. I don't think I will be able to bear even Tsugaru alone. So Delic and you at once… ]
[ Psyche : Don't worry Tsu-kun ! Psyche will be nice ! (｡･ω･)ﾉﾞ
And I will read you stories and make you hot chocolate ! Tsu-chan always does that when I'm sick. It makes you feel good ~ (≧∇≦)
And I will wear my awesome doctor outfit ! Like that you'll be like my patient ! ( `ώ )✧ ]
[ Tsukishima : Doctor outfit !? YOU are the doctor !? And Delic is the nurse ? What… No. Don't explain…And please, no more smileys… ]
[ Psyche : So Delili told you about that ? It was fun ! I was the doctor and he was the nurse. And he Tsu-chan was the other nurse ! We really had fun ! And what about smileys ?
They are cute ! （＝ワ＝） ]
Tsuki searched something he could answer. But the only thing he had on mind was finding what his cousins could have done with Psyche while wearing nurses and doctor outfits. And the other thing was ranting about smileys that was not only useless but also annoying when put so often in the middle of a discussion. But the first point would be followed by a long and surely awkward exchange of informations and the blonde wasn't sure he wanted to deal with everything right now. And the second point would be followed by a long speech about the utility and level of cuteness of various smileys… And Tsuki wasn't ready to handle that he simply remained silent, pretending to be back to sleep. He will surely find something to answer when he'd have fully rest his brain.
When Tsuki woke up the next time, he already felt better. At least his head wasn't spinning and he could stand up alone…
After a quick visit to the bathroom, he walked to the kitchen from where a nice smell was coming. Was Shizuo cooking ? Tsuki smiled slightly. His brother rarely cooked, even if he was quite good at it.
« Tsuki, you ok ? » Shizuo asked, looking worriedly at his brother. « Your face if pale… You feel bad ? »
The younger was about to answer when his stomach protested loudlly, making him blush.
« I… I think I am j-just hungry. » he smiled, trying to hide his blush.
Shizuo nodded. « 'kay. I almost finished. Wait on the couch ? I don't like seeing you walking when you're sick. »
Tsuki obeyed and sat on his favorite spot, near the window from where he could the sky. Though right now it was fully dark and polluted by the buildings and urban lights, Tsuki glanced at the sky anyway, more following an habit than showing a real interest for the infinity of the cosmos. Maybe was he used to observe the sky so often because he regularly caught a certain raven's dreamy glaze looking at something only himself could see ? Tsuki remember he had often felt jealous when the other showed more interest for stars than for him, so he did his best to understand what could be so fascinating in the sky and he soon was caught by a true fascination for anything related to astronomy. He also found that it was another topic that could bring him closer to Roppi since the man was truly interested but somewhat unable to understand everything. The blonde remembered how many hours he spent while explaining everything he knew to his friend and how many angry « I hate you and your damn intelligence. » he got when Roppi remained unable to get something. Tsuki found the brunette was cute when he was sulking, which happened actually very often.
He shook his head, refusing to think about this right now because if he went to cry, it would be very painful and awkward with Shizuo who'd try to know what could be bothering his little brother so much. And if Shizuo found he was crying because of Roppi… Tsuki swallowed, trying to not imagine the result of such a meeting. Instead he came back to reality and looked at his brother who was giving him his meal. And… Ugh ! More medicaments ! Tsuki frowned at the view of the paper bag containing them. He was ready to bet Shinra was always giving more than needed, only to experiment…
Though right now was not the moment to discuss as Shizuo was staring at him, visibly waiting for him to swallow everything. The younger did what was expected from him before being sent to his bed even though he claimed he was not feeling tired.
« Don't piss me off, Tsuki. Shinra said you had to rest a lot so rest. You won't leave this fucking bed until tomorrow. Got it ? »
Shizuo's tone was low, almost a growl. And that was enough for Tsuki to decide obeying would be less dangerous. He nodded before hurrying to the bathroom. After brushing his teeth, he went to his bed and hid under his blankets.
Though he was saying he wasn't tired, he felt actually relieved to find the warmth of his bed and welcomed the sleep when he felt it coming.
Thanks a lot to whoever read this ! And I'm sorry for Shizuo and Tsugaru, they're not exactly my best characters so I'm not sure if they are OOC or something. In any case, I hope that's not too horrible. OTL