#genryu

BONUS:

He was immediately hit by the cold air and shuddered, he wanted to crawl back into the blankets even though they were gross. He peeked at the alarm clock, it was almost time for him to get up. He rose slowly from his bed but it was made clear right away that that had been a bad idea.

The vertigo was strong, his world spun around him. Gentaro barely caught himself on the nightstand, slipping back into the low bed with a distressed huff. He laid back down, his chest rising and falling with deep heavy breaths as he tried to calm his vision.

He was sick, he realised with quick disappointment.

Gentaro reached for his phone, pulling it off the charger. He'd have to call in, though he considered for a while whether or not he could just push through the day. But the moment he pressed the on button, he flinched, the light of his phone making him suddenly aware of the pounding in his head.

He sighed, resigned. He'd call in.

It didn't take him long and he set his phone back down on the nightstand. Gentaro didn't really want to sit in his own sweat, it was uncomfortable. But his body ached and he let out a groan, rolling over to the other, cleaner, side of the bed.

He pushed his bangs off his forehead and sighed, maybe more sleep would help. It was his only option for the time being, so he pressed his eyes closed; willing sleep to find him easily.

Ring..

Ring…

Ring….

Gentaro's eyes snapped open, squinting against the afternoon light pouring in from the window. He flailed for his phone, grabbing it. "Hello?" He answered, voice dry and raspy, he grimaced. It hurt his throat to speak.

"Are you still at home?"

He rubbed his face and sat up, groaning, everything hurt. "Ryusei! Sure am!" He replied cheerfully despite it all. "Not feeling too hot today, staying in. How'd you even know?" He looked at the alarm clock again, he'd only slept an extra two hours.

"I added that tracking app to your phone at your last stunt. I'm coming over."

He'd forgotten about that, rubbing the back of his neck. "You don't have to, I wouldn't want you to get sick. It's fi-" he pulled the phone away from his ear, furrowing his eyebrows. He heard his apartment door unlock and open. "Are you entering my apartment right now?"

"Yes," came the voice from the phone and the entrance, "get decent." The call ended and Gentaro listened to Ryusei move around his apartment. The man was already decent, huffing a bit as he tossed his phone gently down on the nightstand.

Gentaro carefully got out of the bed, groaning at the resistance from his legs. He made his way out of the bedroom, using the wall to help himself. Ryusei was in the kitchen, putting away groceries. The agent paused to look him up and down, then resumed.

"You look like shit."

Gentaro chuckled, leaning against the wall. "I feel like crap." He agreed, watching the man finish up.

"You should take a shower, I'll do your laundry."

"Can tell, huh?"

Ryusei looked at him again while he folded the paper grocery bag. "You smell." He placed the bag aside, "need help?" His question was answered when Gentaro stood straight and his knees buckled. Ryusei caught the man, wrapping his arm around him. "I got you."

"Can always rely on you," he flashed him a smile.

He hoisted him up, bringing him to the bathroom. Gentaro was leaned against the counter so that Ryusei could get the shower running. He rolled his sleeve up, leaning in to turn it on, the angle of the knobs was practically muscle memory these days.

"I'll start the laundry while you get undressed then come help you."

"You got it, boss!"

Ryusei pulled the shower curtain closed and then left the bathroom momentarily. Gentaro slowly peeled his pajamas off, grimacing at the sensation. He felt malaise. He dropped his tank top on the floor, then pushed his boxers down slowly.

He was careful to hold onto the sink counter as he stepped out of his clothes. His body shook from the bathroom fan, even with the shower steaming up the room. Gentaro considered getting in instead of waiting, but he didn't want to slip. Ryusei would definitely give him an earful if he got hurt on top of ill.

It was only a moment more before the man returned to the bathroom anymore, but the goosebumps were visible on the man's skin. "Alright, I changed the sheets too. Let's get you in." He reached up, undoing his button up. Gentaro was sure he'd make a sly joke of some kind if he felt better, but he wanted nothing more than to be under the shower's hot stream.

Ryusei pulled the shower curtain back, then he got into the shower, reaching out for Gentaro. The man let him pull him into the shower, immediately Gentaro leaned against the shorter man. Ryusei reached around him to tug the shower curtain closed again.

The hot water relaxed his achy bones immediately, bringing some relief to his sinuses too. Ryusei wrapped his arms around him, sliding his hands up his tense back. "Want me to wash your hair?" He questioned but Gentaro just nuzzled the top of his head.

"Give me a bit.."

Ryusei squeezed him, holding him under the hot water. They were silent for a few minutes, Gentaro inhaling deep breaths now that he could. For a moment, the agent wondered if he had fallen asleep standing up. But after another moment, Gentaro straightened out.

"Alright.."

Gentaro used the wall and Ryusei's body to lower himself to his knees, looking up at the man expectantly. Ryusei grabbed the shampoo from the rack on the shower head, tucking it under his arm. He ran his fingers through Gentaro's hair, thoroughly wetting his dark locks.

He then squirted some shampoo into his palm, closing the bottle and putting it back. "Close your eyes." He did as told. Ryusei ran his fingers through the man's hair, slicking it with the shampoo. He rubbed and kneaded the shampoo in. Then he tilted Gentaro's head back, placing it under the running water to rinse his hair.

He repeated this with the conditioner.

"How's that feel?"

"Good.." Gentaro was leaned forward, head against the man's leg. He was getting tired and Ryusei could tell. He yawned and the man pet him gently.

"Alright, let's get your body washed and you can sleep." He bent down to help Gentaro stand again, careful not to let either slip in the water. Ryusei was gently as he soaped up the cloth and ran it over the man's body, tenderly washing his skin and massaging his tense muscles.

Gentaro was just thankful he'd be cleaned, the hot water really helped but he wasn't sure he'd been able to get into the shower on his own. It wasn't long until Ryusei had him wrapped in a towel, drying him off and carrying him to the bedroom.

"Never took you for a caretaker," Gentaro gently teased as the man tucked him back into bed.

Ryusei scoffed, tucking the blankets around him. "You were the one who taught me I didn't have to handle things on my own." He brushed the man's bangs out of his eyes again, pressing the back of his palm to Gentaro's forehead. "You have a fever, I'll get you some water."

But when he turned to leave, Gentaro caught his wrist. The sick man brought his hand up, kissing Ryusei's wrist gently. The agent hesitated, cheeks flushing pink. He opened his hand, cupping Gentaro's cheek and allowing the man to kiss his palm too.

The touches were gentle, his kisses soft and caring. Full of quiet emotion, a stark contrast to Gentaro's usual loud displays of affection and care. It made Ryusei's heart pound, the man in the bed always found ways to still get to him. No matter how many years later.

"Rest," he commanded, but his tone was soft, "I'll get water."

"And food?"

Ryusei leaned down with a sigh, kissing the top of the man's head. "And food, yes."