safeword

ten

tw/mentions of self harm
sorry :( x

Keigo feels like a prisoner in his own body.

It's excruciating - wanting to stand and move, only to be stopped by perpetual numbness or pain. He can't bear the isolation, and it's getting harder to find something to smile about.

He's been alone in his hospital room for a few days now - occasionally checked on by his 'friends' in passing, or Shoto. It's been less than twelve hours since he had hip surgery, and he was getting used to walking again, even though his doctor condemned the movement. He can't be stagnant. He hates the burden he believes he is, and hides himself under the weight of his blankets every night to feel as if he doesn't exist.

It's only been a week since the fight, and he's packing up to go home as quickly as he can. Stopping shortly to bear his pain and rest his hip. It was an agreement that if he went home so soon, he would face daily at-home check-ins from his doctor and come back to the hospital week after week for follow-ups. Initially, Keigo was reluctant, but he couldn't stay in this white-out room any longer. He'd go crazy long before he grew depressed, and he was already halfway there.

Keigo is still silently working his way through packing when there's a series of knocks on the room door. He's used to it - and so are his staff, so he doesn't answer. He just lets whoever is on the other side push their way in. He's surprised when he isn't immediately regarded professionally. Instead, the guest doesn't speak.

It's not until he turns around that he sees Touya at the other side, hand still hovered over the knob.

"Hey," Touya speaks low - so nonchalant and statuesque in his nature. If Keigo could run, he'd dive head-first into his arms. Instead, he picks himself up on his mobility cane, maneuvering himself towards his partner. It takes Touya a second to take in the scene in front of him and the way Keigo looks. Though it's been just a few days, the hero had dropped muscle mass - an amount that Touya couldn't quite wrap his head around. He feels guilty in the slightest.

"No, let me come to you." He finally snaps himself out of the pitiful self-loathing to usher Keigo back onto the hospital bed.

"I missed you." Keigo finally wraps his arms around the back of Touya's neck as he leans down to hug him. He smells familiar, like home. It was a scent Keigo dreamed about every night.

"You don't even look like yourself." Touya doesn't know where to touch - if his soft strokes over Keigo's back would cause him to stiffen and gasp in pain. This was so out of his territory, it was almost scary. "Did you eat at all today? How long did you sleep last night?"

"Don't worry about me." Keigo shakes his head, too weak to even think about budging from Touya's grip.

"That doesn't answer my question." Across Keigo's cheekbones, Touya traces his fingers across the sunken, pale skin. It's been so long that his heart starts to pick up when he touches him, but he doesn't know what to say. Things have been rocky since he left for work, and it felt odd to hop back into things merely over an injury.

"They're taking good care of me," Keigo whispers, taking Touya's hand from his cheek and intertwining it with his on his lap. "That's all you have to worry about, okay?"

Wordless, Touya nods, sighing through his nose. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Keigo. I kn-

Before he can finish, a single knock pushes the door open, and he looks over his shoulder. Touya doesn't recognize Keigo's primary care doctor, but he can make out the name on the badge well enough to put two and two together. He stands slowly, keeping their hands intertwined.

"Sorry to interrupt."

"It's okay. Am I all set to go home?" Keigo speaks up. By the door, the doctor nods twice, stepping forward to place his file on the bedside.