#(perf)

being the older one in the relationship, it only made sense that you took on the caregiver role; planning all of your outings, looking after the other constantly, buying treats on occasion. you were pretty insistent on being independent, not letting maki lift a finger when it came to responsibilities.

you always felt like it was your responsibility as the eldest to bear the burdens, to act as a shelter for maki, shield him from stress and exhaustion. you would rather die than allow maki to struggle in sny way, shape or form.

you would be the one to buy all of the groceries, spending hundreds per month on food, household supplies etc. maki would offer money to help, shoving his wallet in your hands when you were about to leave - but you’d just leave it on the counter when he wasn’t looking.

another task you had claimed the responsibility of was cooking. every morning and evening you’d be in the kitchen, sweat on your brow as you cook a filling meal for maki before work or for him to come home to.

“thank you, baby.” he’d mumble between bites, tie loosened and shirt unbuttoned slightly, having just got through the door at 7pm sharp. you’d simply smile, wiping down the kitchen counters, eyes flickering to his happy little face.

it was just how you functioned - taking care of maki wherever you could. he was your top priority, and that was how you liked it.

---

it was thursday evening, and you had been cursed with sickness from the moment you had woken up. suffering from dizzy spells, dealing with stomach aches and struggling with constant dehydration had been how you spent your thursday, and you felt like shit. you’d basically stayed in bed all day.

however, it was 6:30pm, and you knew maki would be home in 30 minutes, so you pushed past your queasiness and trudged to the kitchen to prepare dinner for your boyfriend.

---

you barely managed twenty minutes before you really started struggling. the sight and smell of the ingredients, the heat rising from the stove, and your ever-increasing illness was all overwhelming your senses, and a wave of intense nausea washed over you. rushing as fast as you could to the bathroom, you barely made it to the toilet before you began throwing up. you felt god-awful, disgusting.

leaning back against the wall, your head spinning and your body hot and exhausted, you could just manage to hear the front door open and shut.

maki was home.

“baby? where you at?” he called out to you, his heavy footsteps passing through the kitchen, towards the bathroom.

when he reached the doorway and caught a glimpse of you, he dropped his jacket and rushed to your side on the floor, his hand resting on your shoulder.

“woah, babe are you alright?” maki asked, concern written all over his face. you could hear the distress in his voice and you felt awful. he wasn’t meant to see you like this. the back of his hand lifted to your forehead, but you gently pushed it down.

“don’t worry, maki, i’m okay. i’ll be fine-”

“you look rough, angel. i knew something was off this morning, i should’ve stayed home and looked after you.” he cut you off, shaking his head. he hated seeing you like this, knowing how stubborn you were when it came to letting him looking after you.

“i’ll live, maki.” you use all your bodily strength left to push yourself up from the floor, intending to go back to the kitchen and finish cooking dinner. maki stood too, grabbing you by the wrist, his grip firm.

“no, you’re gonna lie down and i’m gonna take care of you.” he stated, and his face was stern, like he wasn’t willing to let you overrule him this time. you really disliked the concept of your boyfriend tending to you, but you were so physically and mentally exhausted by now. there was no point fighting him, right? however, that stubborn, isolating part of you was filling you up with guilt. he shouldn’t have to come home from work to take care of girlfriend. it was unfair on him, and selfish of you.

maki could see the inner turmoil brewing on your face, and he quietly pulled you into his arms. despite being younger than you, he was much, much bigger, and so acted as a massive blanket, embracing you in his warmth.

at his touch, it felt like the dam had finally broken. all of your guilt, frustration and exhaustion came crashing through you at once, and you were sobbing into maki’s chest before you even realised what was happening. he held you tightly against him, big hands flayed flat across your back.

“i’ve got you, my love. you don’t need to fight it.” he whispered, his lips brushing the crown of your head. you were so tired, so sick, all you really wanted to do was sleep.

“b-but.. i need to make dinner..” you voice came out in a weak whimper, throat coarse and dry from your heaving earlier.

“nuh uh. just take your mind off that, alright? i’ll take care of it.” he insisted, pulling you closer. “i can manage.”

with that, his hands find the back of your thighs and he lifts you up, carrying you to the bedroom. you felt frail, weak, empty. you badly needed rest.

pushing the door open with his foot, maki walks into the bedroom and lays you down on top of the mattress, making sure you were comfortable. he sits next to you on the edge of the bed, hand brushing through your hair as he watches you with such soft eyes.

“i’ll get the medicine in a bit, okay? just sleep for now.”

feeling his lips press against your forehead, you succumb to sleep, body going limp, eyes fluttering shut slowly.

maki sighs quietly once he’s sure you’re asleep, watching your peaceful expression for a moment. for such a thoughtful person, you never seemed to think of yourself.

but as long as you’ve got maki, you’ll always have someone that thinks of you when you forget to.

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