Anything for you (Ayato x Thoma)

Chapter XI

Thoma woke up to a pain in his lower back and the thought of how he got it made his cheeks glow red. He looked around and saw Ayato fast asleep next to him. He smiled at how peaceful he looked and decided it'd be best to let him sleep a little longer. He tried getting up despite how sore he felt. He quickly grabbed his clothes that lay discarded on the floor and folded Ayato's into a neat pile then walked out carefully to make as little noise as possible. Once he closed the door behind him, he hurried to the kitchen to make the siblings their breakfast. Once Thoma had finished he decided on going to wake Ayato, he had to get to work at some point. He went to leave the kitchen, but the door opened before he could reach it and a determined-looking Ayaka walked in.

-Oh, good morning Ayaka, you're up early today, he exclaimed.

-Good morning Thoma! I promised my brother I would fill in for him at work.

-I see, I don't think I've ever seen anyone so excited to do paperwork, Thoma chuckled.

-I want to help him out more is all and this means he trusts me enough to run the commission for a day, she smiled as she sat down to eat her freshly made omelet rolls.

-I think he trusted you enough to run the commission a long time ago but didn't want you to spend all day inside working.

-I suppose, but I feel like I'm not contributing enough. Like he does everything while I just sit back and watch, she said gloomily.

-Not at all. You do a lot to help him. I know he doesn't enjoy making public appearances and making speeches and such. I'm sure he's grateful that you take over for him in those cases.

-Thank you...well, I should get to work then, Ayaka said putting down her chopsticks.

-All right see you later, Thoma called after her. He thought that since Ayato didn't have to work today that he wouldn't wake him. The housekeeper cleaned Ayaka's dishes and decided to keep Ayato's food warm using vision. He let out a groan as he tried to sit in a comfortable position, but it was pointless his whole body was sore, especially his lower back. In the end, he decided it would be best to just lie down. He stayed on the floor for about half an hour before getting up to finish some other chores. He figured that by the time Ayato woke up he'd be done hanging up the laundry. Alas, he was unaware of the sheer amount of laundry he would have to hang. Thoma deadpanned an older servant named Aoi and showed him four baskets filled to the brim with clean clothes. This wouldn't have bothered him that much if it weren't for his painfully sore muscles. Simply the thought of having to bend down and get back up over and over again gave him chills.

- "Are you all right, dear? You seem tired, would you like me to do this instead?" asked the old lady.

- "No, no, I'm fine, it's all right." Thoma might have agreed if it weren't for Aoi's age and back problems. He would feel positively terrible if someone were to be bedridden because he had been selfish. And so, he got to work.

Thoma wasn't sure if he regretted his night with Ayato or having agreed to take care of the laundry. Either way, he was not moving from his spot on the ground. Who knew two people could need so many clothes? Given there were a few of his shirts. He was currently lying on the grass which was soft compared to the kitchen floor. He felt his eyes close and a light breeze blow past him. It was quiet, Thoma had never gotten the chance to appreciate how peaceful the Kamisato estate was. He took a deep breath of fresh morning air. It did him some good after his exercise.

- "Thoma?" called Ayato. His voice was low and croaky as one's voice is when they wake up.

- "Ah, good morning, Ayato." Thoma smiled as he got up. "Have you eaten yet?"