He didn't know how long he was in there, but Tendou had returned by the time the water had cooled to lukewarm. Kagami had even managed to get some washing done, the warmth serving to relax muscles that had been tense for days. And, when he realized he was able to move a bit more freely, he'd even used some of the soap to scrub his hair of the grime he'd collected over the past couple of days.

Tendou paused at the sight of the big grin Kagami gave him, setting down a fresh pair of pajamas and other things on the sink counter.

"I didn't realize you enjoyed bubble baths so much"

Kagami sensed a teasing tone to that, but was in just too good a mood to rise to the bait. Not even Tendou could heckle him when he was in a Super Good! Mood. Groping around the basin's floor, he pulled the drainage plug.

Making a happy noise, Kagami rotated his shoulders and stretched his neck. The pain had drained away with the water. Pulling on a shower attachment he raised it above his head and rinsed his body of the last of the soap. He'd mostly overcome his shyness of Tendou being in the room while he was naked. Besides, he couldn't see anything over there in the corner.

"Here's a towel"

Kagami yelped, almost flinging the shower head from his hands. He looked quickly at Tendou, instantly relaxing when he realized the man wasn't even looking at him but had a focused gaze on the sink. He was holding a large, folded towel out to him. Kagami slowly reached out to take it, keeping his eyes on Tendou the whole time; half expecting Tendou to turn just to make him freak out. He just might do it. Just to tease him. But Tendou only turned his back on Kagami as soon as he felt the towel leave his hand.

Kagami dried as quickly as he could. Still feeling a bit awkward, he muttered his thanks. Tendou, without turning around, handed him some clothes. Kagami set about getting dressed in an ungainly fashion, aches almost gone but still hurting. But he paused when Tendou told him to hold off putting his shirt on.

Marveling at Tendou's sense of hearing, for he had just started to slip one sleeve over his arm just as he said it, Kagami instead held the pajama top in his hands.

Tendou then turned toward him and told him to sit on the side of the tub. Ah, he was going to put bandages on. Tendou peered at the injuries, even lifting an arm to getter look at one of the closed puncture wounds at his side.

"You're healing well." Tendou brushed a thumb against the largest injury: the gash he'd received from the OctoWorm. It was a shallow score probably made worse when Kagami had attempted to twist free.

"Well, I am a Ri-AH THAT'S COLD!' Tendou was applying more of the salve to his gouges. Tendou merely snorted at him, finishing the application and setting to rewrap the injuries with fresh bandages. Kagami watched his ministrations for a while, slightly uncomfortable and getting sleepier by the minute.

"Tendou…?"

"Hm?" Tendou was cutting the last length of bandage off and tying the ends together.

Kagami paused, searching for the right words. He wasn't the articulate type. His style was more about recklessly driving forward than being a charismatic tactician. He was only himself. What that "self" was…he hadn't discovered yet but he was getting closer and closer to reaching an answer every day.

"…What is it?" Kagami snapped out of his reverie, apparently he'd been quiet for a while now. He decided to put it simply.

"I'm…grateful for your help. Thank you"

Tendou gave him a curious look, demanding him to complete the sentiment he wanted to relay. How Tendou knew there was more, Kagami didn't know.

"But…I think…I should go home soon" If he was to be a Rider, he had to stand alone. Like all the other Riders, like Tendou. And his wounds were no longer life-threatening.

"Oh? Are you that uncomfortable here?" The words seemed to hold a different meaning, but Kagami had never been the best at encrypting the hidden thoughts of Tendou Souji.

"It's not that. It's just…" Kagami decide it was one of those times to rush forward, "I think I can take care of myself now. I don't want to burden you any more."

Tendou had a bemused expression on his lips, like he was humoring him.

"And if ZECT tries to contact me and I'm not there…"

As quick as it had appeared Tendou's almost smile faded away again. He even seemed a bit annoyed now.

"There is nothing more you need to do now. Kabuto alone…is sufficient enough" He said these words as if Kagami was some student who just couldn't get the lesson.

"Tendou…!" As if Kagami still didn't have some lingering insecurities being the newest Rider. Worst of all, Kagami couldn't argue with him. Kabuto was the strongest Rider System and Tendou was its Chosen. And it was also true that Kagami had yet to see Tendou in a moment of actually needing assistance. Sometimes…he had thought he was helping Tendou, only to realize later that the man had been in full control the whole time. And some of the times said control partially hinged on Kagami attempting to help! Like he already knew how Kagami would react. It was…frustrating. Turning his head away from watching Tendou, Kagami lapsed in to a sulking silence, telling himself over and over again that things would be different now that he was Gatack. Someday, Tendou would have to acknowledge him. This continued for a few moments before he heard a soft sigh.

"So for now, rest here. Just rest."

Kagami turned back, surprised at the softly spoken sentence. Tendou sounded…a bit tired. Well, he probably had been fighting the Worm today and Kagami's situation had most likely woken him up. Kagami paused for a moment before quietly nodding and murmuring his acquiescence, suddenly feeling awkward. The corners of Tendou's lips quirked, but the ghost of a smile never returned, even as he helped Kagami pull his shirt on.

After that, Tendou escorted him back into the bedroom. Kagami approached the bed with a bit of trepidation. Tendou had changed the sheets and even pulled them down; everything was ready for him to just slide back in. The problem was: It was rather high up. The introduction to the floor had painfully taught him that. This was one of the reasons Kagami preferred sleeping on a simple, close to the floor futon.

He didn't think he'd be able to stretch enough to climb into bed easily. Much of the stiffness in his muscles was gone for now, but his injuries still complained if he moved in just the wrong manner. He was about to just take his chances with a jump when he felt a warm hand press against his back.

Tendou was silently offering his assistance again. He'd been doing that a lot lately. With a bit of leaning and pushing on the other man's part, Kagami was able to mount the bed with barely any pain at all. Leaning heavily against the clean stack of pillows behind him, Kagami suddenly felt extremely sleepy. Perhaps Obaachan was right about sleeping cleanly (or however that phrase had gone) had something to it after all. Tendou pulled the covers over him while he got comfortable.

"Good night, Tendou" Kagami muttered sleepily, already half asleep. He doubted Tendou, who was already across the room, even heard it.

But Kagami could have sworn he heard a soft "Sleep well" just before the click of the bedroom door as it closed.