Treat You Better

Chapter 2

Luckily, Joe's apartment was fairly close to S, and his strength was plenty to hurriedly rush Cherry back to his place. 

"Dammit, Kaoru," He mumbled under his breath. "Why didn't you just listen to me."

Joe fumbled with the lock and got the two of them inside. Cherry was still unconscious, but Joe made sure he was breathing fine to make sure a hospital trip wasn't necessary. A quick internet search, and Joe learned a few remedies for heat exhaustion. He lay Cherry gently in his bed and rushed to the kitchen to make an ice towel. He returned to the bedroom and sponged the towel across his neck and forehead, where he lay it to rest. He then pulled off Cherry's gloves and mask, and hesitantly removed his shirt and belt. He reached for the waistband of Cherry's pants, but pulled back. 

"Cherry would kill me if I did that..." Joe thought. Cherry shifted ever so slightly, and a small smile crept onto Joe's face. Before he turned in, he pulled out a clean shirt and pants and left them on the bed for Cherry in the morning.  

Instinctively, he went to lift the covers and snuggle into bed, but he knew better. Firstly, he didn't want to disturb a recovering Cherry, and secondly, he knew Cherry would kick him in the morning. So dutifully he went to the couch and crashed, his legs hanging off the far end of his 2-person sofa. He kept the door of his bedroom open though, just in case he needed to help his best friend in a hurry. Slowly, peacefully, he fell asleep and let all the exhaustion and stress of the night fade away.

...

The morning sun streamed through Kojiro's blinds, and jays were chirping their love songs outside. The aching of his neck and back snapped him into reality where he had forgotten he slept on the too-small couch that night. "Kaoru," he thought. He stood up, slightly stretching and rubbing his neck, and walked over the the bedroom doorway. There was Kaoru, sleeping peacefully, shifting slightly and mumbling something from a dream.  A contented smile came to Kojiro's face now that he knew his friend was just fine, recovered from his heat spell the previous night. 

Wanting to let him sleep a little longer, he quietly changed out of his S clothes, and into a loose Hawaiian shirt and some cargo shorts. He then walked to his fridge, taking inventory and deciding what to make. He pulled out 2 eggs, some ricotta cheese,  fresh basil, and a loaf of sourdough. He fired up his stove and set to work. He put on a small pot of boiling water with vinegar, got out a cutting board, and placed two slices of bread into the toaster. Just 10 minutes later, breakfast was ready. He returned to his bedroom with two plates each carrying toast with a poached egg, setting them down on the dresser. Gently, he sat next to Kaoru on the mattress and cupped his hand on his forehead, to then brush his soft, pink hair out of his face. 

"Kaoru," he whispered. "Hey, sleeping beauty, it's time to get up."

"Mmmngh..." Kaoru let out.

"C'mon, Kaoru, I made you breakfast," Kojiro negotiated, still brushing his big, rough hands through Kaoru's hair.

Slowly and strained, Kaoru's eyes opened, heavy and lidded. "Ugh... I feel awful, wha- Kojiro?"  he snapped up. "What are you- where am-... What am I doing here you big oaf?!"

"Careful, careful," Kojiro crooned. "You passed out at S last night, so I brought you here to take care of you."

"You stupid gorilla, why didn't you take me home?" Cherry retorted.

"Well, sweetheart," Kojiro said with the slightest sarcastic undertone. "No one could've taken care of you there."

"Well I- Aah!" Kaoru exclaimed, suddenly taking notice of his missing shirt. "Where is my-"

"Relax, sugar. I just threw it in the wash. Here," Kojiro said, handing him the fresh clothes he had set out the night before. "ke I said, you passed out from heat exhaustion, and when I searched up how to handle it it said to remove unnecessary clothing. You're welcome."

"Argh," Kaoru grunted, reaching for the clean shirt. "Do you have anything more... professional?" he said with disdain, looking at the brightly colored pattern of the shirt.

"Nope," Kojiro said with a smirk. "That's all you get."

With a quick and aggravated whip the shirt was over Kaoru's head, sagging off his shoulders and falling well below his waist. 

"Well, now that you're up I made-" Kojiro started, gesturing to the breakfast.

Not taking notice of the food, Kaoru interrupted him. "I think you've done quite enough," then he lowered his voice and put his head down. "I believe a thank you is in order..."

Barely catching what he said, it took Kojiro a second to fully put it together. "I-ah..." He sputtered, feeling the blood rise to his face at the sight of the man he loves wearing his oversized t-shirt and becoming flustered over being taken care of. "You're welcome, but here-"

"I really need to go, its already so late in the day. Carla!"

"Yes, master?"

"What's on my schedule for today?"

"You have an appointment with Mister Kobayashi in 2 hours and 34 minutes."

"Argh, that's no time at all!" Kaoru hissed out, pushing past Kojiro. He continued this dialogue with Carla until he reached the door, where he glanced back at Kojiro. He had understanding on his face, but Kaoru couldn't shake the look of hurt in his eyes. "I-" Kaoru started. "I'll see you again soon." Kojiro's face lit up, pure love and satisfaction in his eyes. Upon noticing this, Kaoru quickly added: "Don't think this will become a regular thing. I just need my clothes back." And just like that, he was out the door. 

Kojiro stared at the now empty doorframe, and let out a sigh. "What am I doing..." he thought to himself, glancing at the untouched breakfast. 

"I'll see you again soon."

That was no question, the two friends usually saw each other weekly at minimum. But, hearing Kaoru say that out loud, to comfort Kojiro, and thank him for his help, meant the world to him. He glanced at the clock and decided it was time to get ready. After eating one of the two toasts he had made and a hot shower, he was off to work.