Help me Help you - A Togafuka story

[3]

     It had been weeks since I started going to Toko's apartment to help her get back on her feet and it was going quite well. She bathed more frequently, she was happier, and she was taking medication for her mental health struggles, although that was a process in itself. It all started yesterday morning.

"No."

"Fukawa please I'm trying my best here."
I pleaded with her.

"Meds are gross! I already told you! I'm not taking them." She huffed.

"What if we cut them in half?"

"Nope."

"I could put them in jello?"

"Ew gross! I hate jello."

"Then I suppose you're not taking them." I sighed deeply, setting a pill down on the table.

"Aren't your gonna make me?" She cocked her head curiously like a puppy.

"We've gone over this already, I'm not going to make you do anything you don't feel comfortable with." I promised.

"But are you mad at me, be honest."

"No I'm not, I understand. Pills are tough. But I'd make me so proud of you if you did it."

Now this made her intrigued.

"Really? It would? Nobody's ever been proud of me before." She smiled to herself.

"Yes, I'd be so proud I'd give you a big hug." I blushed a little at the thought.

Suddenly she sat up, walked over to the pill on the table and popped it in her mouth. I gave her a glass of water and she sipped it. I could tell she was scared to swallow and was holding the pill in her mouth. Tears started to fall down her pale cheeks as she tried to take it.

"Toko, look at me." I held her hand and made a loud gulping noise to encourage her to swallow. She looked me straight in the eye and gulped along with me, the pill sliding down her throat. She had fresh tears in her eyes when she hugged me.

"I did it! I did it!" She cried out, holding onto me tight.

I hugged her close and cried with her out of pure joy, I was so proud.

She reeled back suddenly and touched my cheek.

"You called me Toko." Her lips formed into a big smile.

"That I did." I grinned back.

"Why thank you Byakuya." She teased, hand still resting on my cheek as she giggled.

"You're a dork, how'd I ever get stuck with you?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Fate my dear, 'twas fate." She spoke in a British accent.
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After dinner and a bath it was time for me to leave.

"Aw come on you should stay longer! We can play Scrabble or something! I could read you the latest draft of a book I've been working on! Please Byakuya please!" She whined, tugging my arm.

"Oh alright, one hour then I'm going home."

That hour turned into two, into three into five.

We laughed, read stories, played games, and talked. It was the most connection I had ever felt with a person.

In the middle of one of our conversations I caught a glimpse of the moonlight reflecting off of her eyes.

Dull purple colors were illuminated brightly and shimmered beneath the glow.

I could feel her eyes lighting up as my heart raced.

This wasn't normal.

I can't feel this way about a client.

She's not some random person...she's a shut in I'm helping and nothing else.

We're friends.

But...I think I like her I little more than that.