Chapter Text
Kojiro shifted the insulated bag he carried and pressed the button by the door; the ring around it flashed pink. “It’s Kojiro. Kaoru, let me in.”
The door didn’t open.
“Kaoru.” Kojiro’s eyes narrowed. “I know you’re sick; I’ve brought soup.”
The ring flashed again. “Master says to go away.” Carla said politely.
Kojiro frowned at the door. “Kaoru. Just let me in.”
The door opened, to Kojiro’s surprise. Kaoru must be sick, to cave so easily.
“I’m fine.” Kaoru said, leaning heavily against the doorframe. His usually silky hair was lank and sticking to his neck, despite being bound back.
Kojiro’s brows rose. “Right.”
“Carla told you-”
Kojiro nudged Kaoru a little further aside, passing by him. “You told me, not the machine, and I’m not listening.”
“Kojiro!” Kaoru snapped, raspy and nasal.
Kojiro ignored Kaoru, balancing the bag against his side to remove his shoes, then padding into the kitchen. He kept an eye out for Kaoru as he went, but he was steady enough, at least.
Kaoru followed him, sniping, and Kojiro shook his head, hushing Kaoru and putting a bowl into his hands before guiding him back to his bedroom. “When you cancelled your appointments that machine of yours included me in the notices.”
“Carla.” Kaoru snapped, and Kojiro snorted, waving it off, tapping the bowl. “She is not a machine.”
“Eat your soup and rest.” Kojiro said firmly, letting it drop. Kaoru had never handled being ill well, and it was easy enough for Kojiro to shrug off his particularly prickly manner for now; it wouldn’t be so much fun to indulge in their usual verbal sparring until he was feeling better anyway.
Kaoru fussed, but he ate most of his soup before sagging lower, his heavy-lidded eyes glazed and bright with fever. Kojiro tutted, taking the bowl away before it could spill and helping Kaoru settle down without collapsing.
“Boorish gorilla, just barging in. . .” Kaoru mumbled, and Kojiro’s lips twitched.
“Yes, yes. Not at all like you need looking after.” Kojiro said, his voice softer than he’d quite intended. Kaoru was too close to sleep to have noticed anyway, Kojiro thought.
He smoothed a hand over Kaoru’s damp brow, then rested his knuckles against Kaoru’s cheek.
“Carla?”
“Yes, Joe?” Carla responded, lights pulsing softly.
“Thank you for messaging me.” Kojiro said, bringing the kakebuton up a little higher over Kaoru.
“Of course, Joe.”
“Play his lullaby, please.” Kojiro asked, smoothing the kakebuton out thoughtlessly as Carla acknowledged the command and the familiar melody began to play. Kaoru was already asleep, but Kojiro knew he would rest easier with Carla playing it.