6A/N: Here it be, chapter 3! It's been fun guys, really it has. Now without further ado, I hope you enjoy this chapter new! (Hehe, rhymes)
Despite not actually doing much today, Shigure felt exhausted. All throughout the day he'd wake Yuki up to make sure he took medicine, ate, drank, etc. He didn't really mind all that much but he couldn't help but feel guilty every time Yuki looked up at him with his sleep riddled eyes and bright red cheeks.
His fever had gone down, thankfully, but only by one degree. But what Shigure was most happy about was that the younger Sohma hadn't vomited since just before lunch. Watching him and being completely helpless to do anything had been less than a pleasant experience. Neither had cleaning out the bucket.
It's the little miracles, Shigure thought graciously as he made his way upstairs with a tray.
Among the things Hatori had left was an easy to follow list of foods Yuki should eat—and more importantly hold down. Of the listed items, Shigure only had crackers and broth so that's all he's been giving, though Yuki doesn't seem to mind.
Once he reached the door, Shigure didn't bother knocking, knowing his cousin would probably still be asleep. He delicately balanced the tray in one hand and quietly opened the door.
He flipped the switch and the dark room was illuminated. Lying curled on the bed was Yuki, still asleep even with the lights on.
Shigure's heart clenched as he laid the tray on the bedside table, turned on the desk lamp, and started calling out for h is cousin. "Yuki. Come on, it's time to wake up."
Blearily, silver eyes opened a crack. Yuki lethargically opened his eyes and pulled himself up on shaky arms. Once he was sitting up, he tried—and barely succeeded—in rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
Shigure figured that was as awake as the kid was going to get. "I brought you some more broth," he said placing the tray on the bed.
"I'[m not really hungry right now," Yuki mumbled, sleep still clinging to his every word.
"Please, Yuki. Even if it's just a little. You need to eat to get better."
He really didn't want to, especially with the way his stomach still felt unsettled. But he knew what happened if he disobeyed. Yuki picked up the spoon and took a tiny sip of the broth. Its warmth chased away his chills enough to make him want just a little more.
Shigure sighed in relief as he pulled up the chair from the desk. Yuki was just so thin and frail that any food he could get into the boy was a win in his book.
As Yuki ate his dinner, Shigure took to telling him about the new school enrollment, his younger high school years, his friendship with Hatori and Ayame, really just anything to fill the silence. It seemed to amuse the younger Sohma, at least a little.
That is until h e pushed the tray away and brought his knees up to his chest, arms wrapped around his middle. He groaned and placed his head atop his knees.
Shigure moved the tray and took a seat on the bed next to Yuki. He gently petted his head and said, "I'm guessing you're done, then, huh?"
There was a slight bob of the head.
"I have a bit of work I need to take care of bit if you want I can stay. Would you like that?"
There was a beat of pause before Yuki shrugged ever so slightly. "If you leave can you come back...and stay for just a little while? I-I don't like being alone."
Shigure's heart clenched again at just how miserable and pathetic his cousin's voice sounded. He cleared his throat. "of course." He removed his hand and ignored the quiet whimper. He gathered the tray and turned on a desk lamp before shutting off the room lights. As he closed the bedroom door he quickly said, "I won't be long."
Out in the hall, Shigure's hand hovered over the door handle. His heart begged him to go back in and crush the boy in a tight hung and magically make his pain go away. But that would be impossible.
He moved his hand away and went back downstairs.
Line break
True to his word, Shigure was outside Yuki's door again only two hours later…okay it might have been a while but he was really behind on his latest manuscript and he had to get at least a little work done on it.
He entered silently, seeing that Yuki was asleep again, desk lamp still on. Shigure took his place back on the chair by the bed. He stared at his younger cousin, wondering what he did to deserve this.
Yuki's face was paler than usual with a distinct flush on his cheeks. His bandage wrapped fingers were curled tightly around the sheets and his knees pulled close. Sweat glistened on his face, but his body still shivered.
Shigure wrung out the rag and went to wipe off Yuki's face. As soon as the rag made contact with his skin, he flinched away and began muttering.
"No…please don't…You're wrong…please…stop…I want to leave…Please…Stop!" Yuki started thrashing around the sheets tangling around his feet. He screamed and flailed and Shigure didn't know what to do. Was there anything he could do?
Grabbing onto Yuki's shoulders, Shigure called out, "Yuki, wake up! You're just dreaming! Wherever you thing you are, you're not there! You're safe with me, Shigure!"
Yuki suddenly bolted straight up, eyes wide. Shigure was relieved until he saw his cousin clamp a hand over his mouth.
He helped the poor boy lean over the bed over the trash can. Yuki heaved and only a thin line of saliva dripped out. He coughed until the foul liquid poured from his mouth and into the trash can. Tears ran down his face and he sniffed pitifully as he vomited more.
All the while, Shigure waited patiently holding his cousin closely—no matter how gross it was. The second Yuki finished, Shigure was pulling him close to his chest in a tight hug. He used the rag to wipe at Yuki's face with one hand and rubbed his back with the other.
"I've got you. You're okay."
Yuki shuttered against him with erratic gasping breaths. At first Shigure thought it was him trying to catch his breath…but it didn't stop. He looked down at the boy in his arms. His eyes were wide and his lips had taken an unhealthy blue tinge.
Yuki couldn't breathe.
Crap, crap, crap Shigure thought, his mind scrambling for a solution. The breaths were getting shallower and Yuki's hands were clutching at his chest. Oh no! What do I do, what do I do?
Shigure's eyes finally landed on the blue emergency inhaler on the desk Hatori had left. As quickly and as gently as he could, Shigure put Yuki down and rushed to the desk. He shook the plastic and placed it to his cousin's lips.
Yuki's eyes were drooping more and more, his body going limp. He was so out of it that Shigure had to close his mouth around the inhaler for him.
One puff. Two puffs.
"Come on, Yuki, breathe!"
After 10 agonizing seconds, Yuki took one normal breath. Oh thank goodness, Shigure thought. The color slowly started to come back to his face.
Shigure grabbed hold of his cousin and held him in his lap like a mother would her child. He listened intently to each breath his cousin took, focusing on the rise and fall of his small chest.
He pressed his forehead into the top of Yuki's head, a few tears dampening the strands. He placed a firm kiss into the silver hair. "Don't you ever do that again," he said in a wobbly voice.
"I'm sorry," Yuki replied weakly.
"You have nothing to apologize for."
"But I inconvenienced you and I-I-I—"
"No," Shigure interrupted. "You will never be a burden, you hear me. Not while you're in my home. We can't control our fears, but we can make peace with them. One day."
Shigure didn't comment on the wet spots on his yukata or the soft sniffling either. NO, he just leaned back against the wall and gently rocked back and forth.
He stayed there until Yuki fell asleep and long after that.
In the dark of the night as sleep pulled Shigure, he whispered to the young boy in his arms. "Don't worry, okay? You're safe now and I'll make sure it stays that way."
Well there it is, guys, I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know if you'd like to see any other stories like this...or not like this...yeah. Comments always make me smile, thank you for readin', and have a good evenin'!
