Of Casts and Love Hearts

If Kōki had thought that Seijūrō was protective and caring in general (which he was; it had really surprised Kōki just how romantic he was) he hadn't taken account of what would happen if he was ever hurt.

And when he injured himself in a court collision and found out that his leg was broken it was rather surprising, and kind of amusing, when Seijūrō probably broke a world record in his haste coming to the hospital and proceeded to inform Kōki that he would be taking care of him, no questions asked.

Kōki smiled at him and thanked him, but he was in fact terrified. The longest they'd been alone together was a couple of hours, and Seijūrō was talking about staying for the next couple of weeks.

"There's no need to get so worried; it's just a broken leg."

Seijūrō winced and Kōki rolled his eyes. "I will be having a talk with whoever hurt you."

Kōki's stomach dropped at the look in his eye and he caught hold of Seijūrō's arm before he could go on a killing rampage. "Not necessary! It was just an accident." Seijūrō brushed his hand across the cast and the creepy glow that had been in his gold eye faded.

He was a very thorough care-giver, it had to be said. Even though Kōki protested vehemently, he carried him bridal style out of the car to his apartment, and at his protestations responded with, "You're going to have to get used to it. I'm going to carry you like this when we get married."

"Sei," Kōki groaned, hiding his face in Seijūrō's neck.

Seijūrō just feigned innocence as he placed him carefully on the sofa.

"So you're still not going to tell me who hurt you?" he asked that evening when he was making dinner.

Kōki dropped his book. "No."

"Why not? It's not like I'm going to hurt them." But the way he span the knife in his hand and chopped the vegetables harder than he really needed to begged to differ.

"It was an accident and partially my fault."

"Kōki—"

"Leave it, Sei."

He pressed his lips together and narrowed his eyes. "If it's more serious than it seems—"

"It's just a normal clean break." He still winced and joined Kōki on the sofa to pull him into his arms. "You're such a pessimist."

Seijūrō sighed.

His pessimism extended into that night when the painkillers wore off, even though Kōki tried to remain optimistic. Seijūrō had carried him to bed (again, ignoring his protests), kissed him on the forehead and tucked him in. He didn't want to sleep for a while and couldn't sleep when the pain crept up and gradually got more blinding. He sat up then and groaned.

Even though it was really rather quiet, Seijūrō opened the door and demanded to know what was wrong.

"It's nothing. I think the painkillers have worn off." He held onto his leg and groaned again when the pain spiked even more.

Seijūrō kissed the top of his head and settled into the bed next to him.

"If anyone else hurts you I'll kill them." He tightened his arms around Kōki as he hit his chest. Stupid yandere tendencies.

"Sei… about what you said before," Kōki started. He chewed on his lip as Seijūrō kissed his forehead. "Do you really think we'll get married? We've only been going out a few weeks."

"Of course."

Kōki covered his face with his hands. "You're too much," he said.

"Embarrassed by my love?" He kissed the nape of his neck, his shoulders shaking from trying to restrain laughter.

"A bit." He sighed when Seijūrō pulled him back into his arms.

And, actually, Kōki could see their future. He shuffled closer to him and drifted off to sleep, the pain having leeched away into warmth.

An idea did come into play in Kōki's mind that night, especially when he woke up first and Seijūrō's face was pressed into his hair and he started mumbling slightly—he talked in his sleep—as Kōki listened in wonder. The idea kept on flirting within him throughout Seijūrō's stay, until the final evening. Kōki had been asleep on the sofa with his legs on Seijūrō's lap and woke up suddenly from a dream in which Seijūrō was running away from him.

He seemed concerned as he looked at him—still hadn't stopped being overly protective—and put his head to one side quizzically as Kōki looked at him.

"I don't want you to go," he blurted out.

"I'm not going anywhere."

Kōki blushed and looked away. He wasn't as deep as that; Seijūrō was thinking about something more profound than just a physical separation. "I didn't mean that. I want you to stay. And live here."

Seijūrō opened his mouth but didn't say anything, and Kōki almost laughed even as he felt his throat closing up. He had managed to stun Seijūrō speechless; that had to count for something. "Is that too soon?" he asked.

"Entirely too soon."

Kōki looked away from him, but yelped as he suddenly leaned forward to hover over him.

"We're both still at school," he said, his eyes sparking with amusement. "But in three months we're going to the same university." Kōki watched him with wide eyes. "Ask me then?"

"I've already been rejected once." Seijūrō kissed him quickly.

"Definitely not. Of course we'll move in together." He sat up again and Kōki followed him.

"All I'm saying is that you'll have to ask next time…" He stopped talking and gaped at his cast. "Sei!"

Seijūrō gave him an innocent look, as if he hadn't just covered his cast with sharpied love hearts. "What?"

"I can't go out like this!"

"Isn't that a pity." He grinned and leaned forwards to kiss him again. "We'll just have to stay here then, won't we?"