Chapter Text
Mikey slept for hours.
Takemichi barely moved, even when his arm started to ache from holding him. Mikey was warm and heavy against his chest, breathing slow but still uneven, little puffs of air ghosting against Takemichi’s collarbone.
Every so often, Mikey would twitch or shiver, and Takemichi would immediately tighten his hold, murmuring soft reassurances. It felt like the thing to do in the moment. And they were as much for Mikey as they were for him since he was worried to no end.
“You’re okay… I’ve got you…” And these verbal reassurances too. He felt like he had to voice it aloud. That it might make it true. Perhaps he was acting overly scared but this illness seemed very serious.
At some point, Mikey shifted, his face pressing closer into Takemichi’s shirt.
“…You smell like home,” he mumbled, half-asleep. Or, perhaps he was actually talking in his sleep and wasn't actually awake at all. It was difficult to tell.
In any case, Takemichi’s face went burning red.
“H-Home?” He whispered. The meaning of these words weren't lost on him. And he wanted to hold on tightly to them, hardly able to believe he meant this much to the gang leader. Sure he'd said he reminded him of Shinichiro when they first met. And that alone was a huge compliment. But still, this was just…a lot.
Never in his life had Takemichi ever expected to become so close with someone as amazing as Mikey. Yet, he was. And he couldn't complain. To him it was an honor. What had started as a mission to save Hina had become so much more before he'd known it.
Mikey didn’t answer him obviously. He was dead to the world so to speak, but his fingers instinctively curled more firmly in Takemichi’s shirt, like he was afraid Takemichi might disappear.
Takemichi gently brushed Mikey’s bangs away from his eyes. Even when sick, pale and exhausted, Mikey looked painfully beautiful. Takemichi swallowed hard at that revelation.
Why was he thinking such things about his friend anyway?
He shook his head, not wanting to even attempt to unpack that right now. It could wait till later when he wasn't busy looking after Mikey. At least, that was what he told himself.
“You’re allowed to rest,” he whispered after a moment, finally voicing his feelings towards the other in regards to how he always tried to hide his shortcomings. “Even if you don’t think you are.”
Admittedly he hadn't been thinking when he blurted this out. But he really couldn't help it. And, besides, Mikey wouldn't actually hear it for obvious reasons. But it was clear. He cared a lot for the blond. He just wanted the best for him.
A soft knock at the door brought Takemichi out of his silent musings and caused him to tense.
He carefully shifted Mikey off of him and properly onto the bed, tucking the blanket around him before slipping away to answer it.
Draken stood there with a plastic bag in one hand and his phone in the other, brows drawn together. His expression was the perfect picture of concern and worry. Based on that, Takemichi could guess that perhaps he'd tried to call Mikey, but his phone was set aside and on silent.
So much for not telling Draken. It wasn't like he could hide it now. No matter what he did. The evidence was right there. And, besides, when he thought about it, this wasn't actually such a bad thing. Especially when the guy's intentions were clear.
He clearly hadn't actually just left the meeting earlier to go home like the rest the way Takemichi had initially thought. It was obvious he'd made a stop to get some things for Mikey and planned to check on him after all. The thought made Takemichi glad since It showed the guy cared very much. Just as expected from Toman's number two. He really was a good friend.
“I knew it,” Draken said quietly. “He pushed himself, didn’t he?”
Takemichi nodded. “He threw up after the meeting. And he’s got a really high fever.” He admitted, figuring he had a right to know anyway.
Draken exhaled slowly, jaw tightening. “What a dumbass…” It wasn't anything new. Mikey always pretended to be strong during times when he was anything but. Still, he couldn't help being a bit disappointed that he'd done this instead of thinking of himself for once or relying on him.
He stepped inside, moving quietly so as not to wake him. When he saw Mikey asleep on the bed, curled in on himself like the child he technically still was and not the ‘Invincible Mikey’ leader of Toman, something in Draken’s expression softened. This was definitely a side of the guy not just anyone got to see.
“…He wouldn’t have come home with just anyone.” Draken said then. “Let alone allow them to see him in such a state to begin with.”
Takemichi looked at him, surprised. But his words only confirmed what he'd been thinking before.
Draken glanced back. “He trusts you.”
Takemichi’s chest felt tight. Those three words had a huge impact on him. They were everything.
Draken set the bag down. “Soup, electrolyte drinks, extra meds. I’ll handle the gang stuff for a few days. When he wakes up, tell him that’s not negotiable.”
Takemichi managed a small, grateful smile. “Thank you.”
Before leaving, Draken paused by the bed and gently adjusted the blanket around Mikey’s shoulders.
“Get better, Mikey,” he muttered, wishing he'd been there more for him too. Though he never voiced this. It was at least a small comfort knowing Mikey wouldn't be alone. And on that note, he took his leave moments later.
Mikey woke up later that evening, disoriented and groggy.
“…Takemitchy?” he croaked, almost barely audible. His voice sounded pretty rough.
Takemichi was there instantly, kneeling beside him. “I’m here.”
Mikey blinked a few times, eyes unfocused, then frowned, clearly trying to process something. “Did I… screw up the meeting?”
It seemed that he was so sick that he could hardly remember anything from earlier, which added up given the state he'd found him in.
“No,” Takemichi said gently, reassuringly. “You handled it just fine.” That was when he also remembered the message he was supposed to pass on. So he added “Draken came by earlier. He said he’s got everything covered for a while and that you just need to focus on getting better.”
Mikey wasn't the happiest about the fact that Draken had found out. Nor that he was being confined to days of bedrest. But at the same time he was relieved that his best friend had his back like always. Plus, it wasn’t like he wasn’t used to seeing the vulnerable sides of him on occasion too. So he gave a sigh of relief despite himself. “…Good.”
And maybe he was also happy he wasn't going to get a lecture just yet in regards to the situation. He didn't want to even think about the scolding he was likely going to get later for being so reckless and stubborn as always.
Takemichi helped him sit up, offering soup. Mikey made a face at the smell but still forced himself to eat small spoonfuls, grimacing all the while.
He really didn't feel like eating and risking upsetting his stomach again. But the fact was he needed to eat and the other wasn't going to stop fussing until he did. So he had to suck it up.
“This sucks,” Mikey muttered. Truly hating the situation at hand. Being sick was no fun at all. He really hated it. And he glared at the bowl of soup like it had personally offended him because dammit, why did this have to be so hard? Stupid soup. Stupid flu.
He could already tell his body wasn't the happiest with him at the moment. But soup was light and easy on the stomach. So maybe it would be fine.
Takemichi couldn't help laughing a little in response. “You’re adorable when you complain.” He'd spoken his mind without thinking, caught up in the moment and only realized this when it was far too late.
Mikey simply squinted at him in response. “…Am not.”
Luckily he didn't seem to take it wrong. Anyone else probably would have had their lights knocked out immediately if they dared to call him something like ‘adorable.’ Same as someone calling him short. Things like that understandably seemed to aggravate the gang leader. But it seemed like Takemichi was the exception to the rule for some reason.
Takemichi reached out and lightly dabbed at his forehead with the cool cloth once again, trying to get rid of the sweat from the fever. “Just keep eating.”
Mikey obeyed, albeit reluctantly. And he made sure to drink one of the drinks Draken had brought as well as take the medicine in hopes it would help with the still present nausea and reduce his fever a bit.
Then he leaned sideways after all was said and done, resting his head on Takemichi’s shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“…Stay with me,” Mikey murmured, once again voicing his desires. And it was clear what he meant. He wanted Takemichi to spend the whole night with him. He was too scared and vulnerable to be alone.
Takemichi’s heart skipped. “I am staying.” He attempted to reassure him immediately.
Mikey smiled faintly, eyes slipping shut. “Thank you Mitchy…” It seemed his reassurances had worked since the other had relaxed almost instantly.
Later, when another wave of nausea hit, Takemichi was already prepared. He held Mikey’s hair back, whispering encouragement, rubbing his back until the shaking stopped as he was stuck hunched over that same bin. Mikey clung to him weakly afterward, forehead pressed into Takemichi’s chest.
“Sorry you have to see me like this,” Mikey whispered, clearly feeling self conscious about it all. Especially when this wasn't like him.
Takemichi tightened his hold. “I want to be there for you, no matter what. Even in situations like this.” His declaration was straightforward and true. Raw. He really meant it and he hoped the other could see that too.
Mikey went still, these words clearly surprising him.
“…You do?” he asked quietly, uncertain. He was almost scared that he was just imagining all of this. After all, why would Takemichi do all of this for him? Why wasn't he disgusted with him? He could hardly believe it.
Takemichi nodded, even though Mikey couldn’t see it. “Of course I do.” He answered as if there was never any other answer.
Mikey’s grip tightened just a little. He was glad the other felt that way.
By the time the fever finally broke late that night, Mikey was exhausted but calmer. Takemichi lay beside him, Mikey half on top of him, one arm slung lazily around Takemichi’s waist.
“You’re kinda bossy,” Mikey murmured sleepily.
Takemichi snorted. “You weren't acting like yourself at all. And you’re really sick. I’ve been really worried. I have the right to be bossy.”
Mikey laughed weakly, then yawned, already tired and choosing to drop the subject in favor of another. “When I’m better…”
Takemichi watched him, listening intently to what he was about to say. “…Yeah?”
Mikey shifted closer, voice soft and sincere. “I wanna be with you like this more often.”
Takemichi’s heart felt like it might burst.
“…Me too,” he whispered.
Mikey smiled, a real one this time, rather than his weak and forced ones, before drifting back to sleep, safe and warm. He felt he could be okay as long as he had his Mitchy by his side.