Shelter

Care

When Serinuma lost weight and started a very unexpected squad, Shinomiya wasn't interested in anyone but her.

"I like you all," Mutsumi had said calmly, confusing Shinomiya like nothing else.

And when Nishina made them pose for photos, he couldn't fathom why his heart beat so much faster when Mutsumi buried his face against the back of his neck to smell his shirt.

"We're only here for Serinuma," he told himself, pushing away the strange feelings.

But now it was time to go to school and Shi felt awful, sneezing three times in a row. His sneezes were very tiny and quiet, most people he met laughed when they heard him sneeze.

"Ugh," he sighed, blowing his nose with a tissue. "Guess I'm staying home today."

He sent a text to Serinuma saying he couldn't make it today, he knew she would worry, she was a caring person like that.

"Sending help," she immediately replied.

Oh okay, he thought, changing into a pair of shorts and a soft hoodie to carry snacks in.

His mom was gone at work until 7 every day, and he had no siblings, he was used to being alone and usually in just boxers.

Shinomiya ransacked the pantry, finding nothing edible. He sniffled and pouted.

Somebody knocked on his door as he was pouring himself a cup of water.

"Mutsumi?" He blinked after opening the door.

"Hi, Shinomiya," smiled Mu. "You have a cold, I brought snacks and medicine."

"Come in," he stepped aside to let the tall boy inside.

"Achoo," Shi sneezed delicately, catching it with a tissue. He looked up to see Mu's reaction but he wore the same smile.

"You'll need water to take the medicine," stated Mutsumi, heading to the kitchen. "You have a nice house."

"It's fine, I guess," said Shinomiya. Empty.

He washed down the pills with water and investigated the snacks the boy had brought.

"Pocky?" He questioned, holding a box of strawberry Pocky.

"That's from Serinuma," Mu clarified.

"She probably wants us to-" Shi stopped talking, noticing the innocence on Mutsumi's face.

"To what?"

"Eat it, obviously," Shinomiya felt his face heating up, not just from his cold. "You can go back to school, I'm fine."

Mutsumi came closer and softly placed his hand on the boy's forehead. "You should lie down, Shinomiya, you're burning up."

"I will," Shi pulled away from his touch, picking up the bag of snacks and retreating to his room.

He climbed into the blankets on his bed and looked around for the remote.

"Mutsumi!" He shouted, not anticipating that he would follow him to his room.

"Do you need anything else?"

"Um, the tv remote," stuttered Shinomiya.

Mutsumi picked it up from the side table and handed it to him.

"Thanks," mumbled Shi.

"Here," Mutsumi began, writing something down on the notebook on Shi's side table, his brown hair covering his face. "This is my phone number, text or call if you need anything."

The taller boy exited with a polite goodbye, and Shinomiya heard the door open and shut.

That was nice, he thought. Everything Mutsumi did was nice. His hair was nice too.

Shinomiya took the empty notebook in his lap to copy the number onto his phone.

Author's Note

Bet you didn't see this story coming atcha so soon. *cackles evilly* I didn't either. Inspiration slapped me like a bitch. I blame my weakness for this adorable ship.
Extra note: this does not happen in the same universe as my other fic.