As Time Passes: Chapter Three

When those pools of emerald opened again, they found themselves shrouded in darkness. The cold compress was still against his head, and he felt unbearably warm; his stomach gave an unpleasant lurch.

Letting his eyes adjust, he looked over and saw Yoite sitting up in his chair, asleep, two cups of water on the bedside. Had he been watching him since he came in earlier? He leaned up, shifting over to touch the taller man's leg.

"Hey..." He tapped him lightly, seeing his eyes open a bit. "Are you alright?"

"You're awake?"

"Obviously," The shorter teased. "You didn't have to sit down; you could have gone to sleep somewhere more comfortable."

"I'd feel better knowing you were safe..."

"I'm not going to die of a fever," Miharu assured.

"...You said you didn't think it was a fever though."

"I did? And you worried about that?" Of course he did, how stupid a question. "I don't even remember what I was going to say..."

"Do you feel any better?" Yoite moved over, sitting on the edge of the bed so Miharu could lie back down. "I tried to keep you warm but you were burning up so..."

"Don't worry, thank you." He sighed, watching Yoite hand him one of the glasses of water. He just felt awful knowing that, whatever he had, if it was contagious, Yoite could catch it. "I'm more worried about you."

"You're the one who's sick..."

"Yes, but..."

"I'd be in more trouble if I got sick? I haven't fallen ill yet, focus on you."

The younger man let himself be scolded, moving over so Yoite wasn't practically falling off the bed. "Wake me up in the morning and go get some sleep on a real bed, okay? I'll make breakfast."

~iii~

"I-I could take care of it..."

"Why are you being so protective? I'm just a little sick, that's all." Miharu shook his head, setting the plate of food in front of his lover. "Besides, I'm feeling a lot better. I just needed rest."

"...That's not what Jyuji said..."

"Maybe she was wrong." Miharu easily shrugged it off, sitting across from the taller man. "Besides, there would be no reason for me to get sick. I wasn't outside for very long, and everyone at the Christmas party was healthy."

"That doesn't mean any-..."

"I'm feeling fine." Green eyes glanced up to look at the concerned blue. "Much better. I'm not congested, my fever's gone, what else could be wrong with me?"

The older ninja didn't get much of a chance to respond, as Miharu knocked his chair over and ran out of the room, the slamming of the bathroom door just reaching his ears.

"...You're still sick, aren't you?"

"Don't you get sassy with me!"