#harada fluff

“Masa-san!” he whined. “It hurts!”

Masatoshi sighed, wringing the cloth out to wipe Mei’s face once again. The pitcher had eaten something he was warned against while left alone at the table, and he was definitely feeling the consequence as he wriggled around in bed.

“I bet you won’t go around putting everything you see in your mouth like a puppy now, will you?”

Mei let out a strained groan, legs curling up tightly as another wave of nausea hit him. Masatoshi was admittedly grateful for all of his whining, however annoying it was in the moment. A quiet, sick Mei was something serious, and he’d much rather deal with his boyfriend acting like a child than just lying there in silence.

“I want tea.”

“I made you tea half an hour ago, Mei. You let it go cold.”

“It smelled to strong, I couldn’t drink it!” Mei pulled his thighs to his abdomen as tight as he could. “I can drink it now Masa-san!”

Masatoshi wiped the cloth down Mei’s neck before putting it down next to the bowl. He wasn’t looking forward to all the laundry Mei would sweat through after this, and his neck was already protesting his position on the edge of the bed. He got up to make Mei another batch of tea, or just warm up the last batch if it was still good, but was stopped by a grip on his forearm.

“Where’re you going?” Mei asked, voice strained and eyes teary.

“I thought you wanted tea.”

Mei tugged on his arm, brows furrowed as he urged Masatoshi to sit back next to him. “Don’t leave me. It’s too cold.”

The catcher took a deep, calming breath before weighing his options and crawling over his boyfriend to lay on his other side.

“Don’t complain about not having yourtea in the next ten minutes, Mei, or I’ll sleep on the couch.”

Mei nodded, pulling Masatoshi’s arms around him and guiding them to hold him tightly. Masatoshi slid one hand up to smooth Mei’s damp hair back, the younger letting out a shudder and a whine as the cool air from the fan hit his clammy skin.

“Your fever’s finally going down. Take a nap and we’ll see if you feel better afterwards.”

“You won’t leave me?” Mei asked, turning his head over his shoulder the best he could.

“I may for a few minutes to get you some food-”

Mei made a sound like he was about to throw up at the suggestion.

“-something light, Mei. I promise you’ll be able to hold it down when you wake up.”

“What if I puke in my sleep?”

“I’ll roll you off the bed so you don’t ruin the sheets.”

Mei started to wriggle, like he was going to turn around and complain in Masatoshi’s face, but ultimately went limp in his arms instead.

“I’ll take care of you, Mei.”

“I know, Masa-san,” he muttered into the pillow.

“Get some sleep, Mei.”

“I know, Masa-san.”

“I love you, Mei.”

“I know, Masa-san.”

Mei jumped at the pinch in his side, letting out a sound that was almost a squeal. Masatoshi huffed, bracing the arm under Mei to roll the younger onto his chest. Mei complained about puking on him, but Masatoshi simply rubbed his back, trying to coax him to sleep. The damp heat at his neck almost had Masatoshi regretting the change in position, but Mei slowly relaxed on top of him.

“I love you, Masa...” he finally muttered, exhaustion creeping in on him from all his cramping and whining.

“I know, Mei.”

He almost didn’t feel the jab to his side from how little effort Mei put behind it. Masatoshi brushed Mei’s hair back once more, kissing his forehead.