Fandom Pride Parade Day 06: Turquoise, Magic & Art, Yearly

He wasn't here.

The gallery had been extended an hour on the off chance he'd been running late, but there was no sign of him.

Inuyasha popped his knuckles in frustration, forcing himself to stop pacing and call it a night. He'd done well today—sold more than enough sculptures to last him the rest of the year—but he was kidding himself if he thought that was the only reason he'd chosen the same location year after year.

The first year had been a fluke; the wolf had shown up with Shippou after he'd lost a bet. He'd been impressed enough and had even bought a piece, though Inuyasha couldn't be sure if that was part of the kit's influence or his own personal preference.

The second year had him rolling his eyes, Kouga's taunting and teasing following him around between legitimate sales. In the third and fourth years, Kouga had brought someone with him, though Kagome had sworn it was simply an obligation from his pack. They'd been scattered overseas since the bombings, and it was Kouga's job as alpha to reacclimate them once they'd come out of hiding.

She'd been the one to ease Inuyasha out of his haze of anger, naming the telltale glares and lengthening claws for what they were.

Jealous. He'd been jealous.

He'd wanted the wolf for himself. Wanted him to show up solely for him—or at least his art. And so, he'd practiced what to say, allowing himself to be teased by his best friend until he'd finally gotten the words right. The fifth year was supposed to be significant—special—and the damn wolf hadn't even shown up.

The door nearly broke as he slammed the lock into place, the growl he'd held back for the last several hours threatening to burst from his chest. He hadn't made anything specific for him—his hands had been shaking at the thought of seeing him for weeks, and he hadn't been able to concentrate long enough to come up with anything other than his usual pieces.

The buzzing of his phone had the haze receding, and he jammed his thumb across the screen.

"How'd it go?" Kagome's excitement was like a bucket of ice water, and Inuyasha slumped into the nearest chair. He knew she wasn't talking about the gallery, as she'd been there for over an hour earlier.

"He didn't show."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "What are you talking about?"

He raked a hand through his hair, smothering a curse when he remembered he'd tied it up. "Just like I said. I haven't seen him."

Kagome's panicked tone had him sitting up in his chair. "I've been texting him all day without a response. I thought it was because you two were together!"

Blood drained from his face. "What?"

"He was supposed to be there, Yash. He was excited to see what you'd come up with this year." She paused again, and he knew she was chewing on her left thumbnail. "I hope nothing bad has happened."

"What's his address?" The question escaped before he could stop it, but if Kagome was worried, he had no reason not to be. The wolf was loyal to a fault and took pride in always following through on his promises. If he'd said he would be there, only something extreme would stop him from doing so.

She rattled off the numbers and street name, then paused again as she switched ears. "Are you sure? I'm closer—"

"I can get there faster on my bike. I'll call ya when I know something." He didn't bother waiting for a response, ending the call as he strode toward the back door. If the moron had gotten himself hurt, or worse, Inuyasha was going to tear him a new one.

He yanked his ponytail down to the base of his neck to make room for his helmet, revving his engine before taking off down the street. Tires squealed against the pavement as he swerved between cars, ignoring enraged horns and infuriated cries.

He didn't care.

He needed to make sure the stupid wolf was alright.

He half expected it to be an apartment, but the street was full of single-detached homes, the roofs at odd angles compared to what he was used to within the city limits. He double-checked the number, then peeled into the driveway, managing to engage the kickstand before he darted up the few steps and banged on the door.

Yanking off his helmet, he strained to hear even the slightest sound inside. Every second that went by without movement had his heart pounding against his ribs. He banged again, ready to punch through the wood, when he heard a groan and shuffling from inside. The door finally opened, revealing a dishevelled Kouga with mussed hair and a flushed face.

It took a moment for his eyes to focus, having to blink several times before he frowned. "What're you doing here? Aintcha getting ready for your show?"

Inuyasha struggled to breathe. "That was today. You missed it."

Kouga blinked again, then looked at his wrist, but his watch was missing, and he stared at the pale strip of skin on his arm longer than he should've. "No, it's not. I was supposed to go to that." His frown deepened, and he slumped against the doorframe. "I set an alarm so I'd wake up in time."

Inuyasha continued to stare at him, finally realizing why his skin was so flushed. "You're sick."

The wolf winced, cerulean eyes lacking their usual lustre when he forced them open again. "It's not that bad. Just a bit of a fever." He gave him a slight smile. "I'll still make it to your show."

Relief that it wasn't something worse had Inuyasha's knees buckling, and he was forced to grab onto the door. The haze returned, his hand moving of its own volition and grabbing the front of Kouga's wrinkled shirt. His slight yelp was swallowed, tongues instantly tangling as he pushed him against the wall.

Kouga's hands hung at his sides, flexing weakly before grasping at his jacket. Inuyasha revelled in the taste, nerves settling at the feel of solid muscles under his hands. Kouga's eyes continued to blink in confusion when he pulled back. He was breathing heavier than he should, heat radiating from his bare shoulders. "You're going to get sick too," was his only response.

Inuyasha let out a choked laugh, emotion clogging his throat as he slid an arm around the wolf's waist, dragging him down the hall as he looked for the bedroom. "It would serve ya right if ya had to look after me."

Kouga's snort ruffled Inuyasha's bangs. "I can do anything."

"I know," he said, preening when the youkai leaned against him, head pressed against his neck. "Let's focus on you getting better first."

Kouga stumbled over the threshold as they got to the bedroom. "What about your show?"

Inuyasha shrugged as he laid him down. "Don't worry about it."

Another frown marred his brow. "But it's important."

"So are you," he muttered, tucking a sheet around him to keep him from getting up.

He waited until Kouga's breathing evened out, a soft "Back at ya, mutt-face," following him into the kitchen and bringing the first genuine smile to his face he'd had all day.