Disclaimer: I do NOT own PoT

Pairing: Inui Sadaharu X Ryoma Echizen

Word Count: 1, 586

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Chapter 4

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"Uhm…" was Inui's intelligent reply to Fuji's suggestion.

If the data gatherer had been paying attention and not been thinking too much on what he's been asked to do, he would have seen the slight amusement on Fuji's visage. As it is, he only managed a blink before he was peering into the car.

Three people were still inside. Fuji's sister who remained behind the wheel, a now awake Momoshiro and a still sleeping Ryoma.

The second year was sitting still, arms in slightly awkward position as he supports Ryoma's weight. The first year's fever had taken a turn for the worse. He was practically burning now and his every puff of breath is short and warm.

Feeling panicked and very much inexperienced with the current situation, they had made a spur of the moment decision to go straight to the small medical clinic a few streets away from the Echizen household so they could have the first year examined by a real doctor.

So now, they're there, in front of an open iron gate, looking at Inui as he decide whether it's weird or not that everyone seems to be holding their breath as they wait for his answer. The question being "Why don't you carry Echizen inside, Inui?" spoken in Fuji's soft voice and sweet, concerned smile.

Nothing is wrong with the request of course, and Inui would have done it anyway without being asked. Except that Fuji said it in a way that made him unreasonably flushed and very much uncomfortable.

Or maybe that was all in his head?

He looked back at the tensai. Fuji raised a puzzled eyebrow at him.

Inui shook his head, feeling very confused and terribly embarrassed. And also kind of guilty.

What was he thinking?!

He cleared his throat. "Yes, of course."

He quickly turned to the car, stooped low and ever so carefully, he scooped Ryoma into his chest. He straightened up and adjusted his arms, making sure his movements are small and careful so as not to jar the sleeping boy. Inui's too big jersey started to slip from Ryoma's shoulder but Kikumaru was quick to reach out, wrapping it carefully back around his kouhai's shaking form.

Inui send Kikumaru a silent thanks and received a beam in return.

"Ochibi's cute~" the redhead whispered to Inui.

Just then, Ryoma let out a pained whine and everyone turned concerned eyes on him. Momo had gotten out of the car and was now rushing to Inui's side. He had both his and Ryoma's bag slang on one shoulder but he doesn't seem to mind the extra weight. He was looking at Ryoma worriedly as the boy continued to murmur uneasily in his sleep, brows furrowing and hands clenching as if he's grasping for something.

"Kaa-san…" the first year moaned pitifully. Everyone's heart broke just a little.

"Shh.." Inui automatically tried to comfort him. He brought the boy closer to his body, lifting him up so that he could softly rub their foreheads together. "'s okay…It'll be okay…" he whispered softly.

It seemed to work. The first year quickly settled down and let out a sigh before burrowing into Inui's warmth.

Inui breathed in relief. He bumped his head one final time against Ryoma, very softly and was rewarded by another sigh. He smiled.

When he looked up, everyone's staring at him.

Kikumaru was holding his red cheeks with both hands, eyes twinkling and shoulders shaking. He looks about ready to explode.

Momo was slightly gaping. He has his mouth open like he's about to say something but no words are coming out. A blush, as red as Kikumaru's, was slowly creeping up to his face.

And Fuji. Fuji was just smiling sweetly. Perhaps, a little smugly. Like he knows something's going on while everyone else remains ignorant.

Inui feels like his face will go up in flames.

He cleared his throat, turned around and started towards the clinic.

Footsteps are quick to follow him, along with a small squeal from Kikumaru.

"That was so cute~!"

….

Yukina-san, the doctor/owner of the clinic, is a kind, soft-spoken old lady. She was the same height as Kikumaru and about as gentle as Kawamura.

Yukina-san had been enjoying a cup of tea when Momo held open the door for Inui. She glanced up from where she was seated on a recliner, took one look at the boy shivering in Inui's arms before she was up and ushering Inui to the back of the clinic where the patient's room was situated.

Inui was careful and gentle when he laid Ryoma down on the single bed. Even so, the boy still let out a whine and held unto Inui's shirt, refusing to let go. Momo had to move forward and help so that Inui could free a hand and brush back Ryoma's hair while murmuring comforting words. In the end, Inui ended up staying by Ryoma's side, one hand holding Ryoma's while his other played with the inky-black-green hair.

He murmured a small apology to Yukina-san for being in the way but the doctor only shook her head and smiled reassuringly.

It took half an hour but the doctor finally got Ryoma's condition stabilized. He still has a fever but it's not as alarmingly high as before. Even his breathing seems more steady and easy.

At the moment, he's asleep while his senpai-tachi surrounds his bed, relief on their faces as they thank the kind doctor and sheepishly recount how they were sort of panicking earlier when Ryoma's fever suddenly spiked up.

"Oh," Momo suddenly said. Everyone turned to look at him. "We haven't called Echizen's parents yet. They might be getting worried." He explained.

"That's right, nya~ You know their contact number, Momo?"

"Hold on, I think I have it saved on my phone…"

Momo excused himself when he found the number on his contact list and went outside to make a call, Kikumaru right behind him so that he could call Oishi.

"I'll be excusing myself, as well," Yukina-san said. "I'll have to write prescription for Echizen-kun's medicine."

"Ah, hai. Arigatou," Fuji bowed his head slightly while Inui half-rose from his seat and bowed as well.

There was a few minutes of silence after the doctor left. Inui sat back and resumed playing with Ryoma's hair. He hasn't stopped, actually. Playing with Ryoma's hair, that is. He's been at it since half an hour ago and suddenly, Inui's wondering why his hand hasn't gotten tired yet.

Inui frowned and watched as his hand card through Ryoma's locks. He realized that it's uncharacteristic of him to be doing this and he guessed that this could be a problem. Because he doesn't feel uncomfortable at all. In fact, he felt that it was normal for him to be playing with Ryoma's hair like that and to be holding his hand. It just felt right.

"Saa…" Fuji's contemplative voice broke through Inui's musings so he looked up. He found the tensai seated on a chair on the other side of Ryoma's bed. He has his elbows resting on his knees, and his chin on his hands, looking at Inui with a curious expression on his face.

He didn't say anything else, he just continued staring at Inui. And at Inui's hand on Ryoma's hair. And at Inui's other hand on Ryoma's hand.

And very slowly, the tensai's look changed from curious to amused and suddenly there's a smirk on his face and a glint in his eyes.

Inui felt a chill run down his spine. His hand froze on Ryoma's hair. "W-What is it, Fuji?"

The tensai suddenly stood and Inui almost jumped in surprise (fear).

"Oh, nothing," Fuji answered, voice cheerful and smile wide. "I just thought I should call Tezuka. He probably already knew what happened but it's better if I talk to him still and tell him everything. If you'll excuse me, Inui."

The data gatherer almost slumped in relief. He exhaled slowly before nodding. "Tell him goodnight for me."

Fuji nodded then walked to the door. He pulled it open but just before he stepped out, he paused and looked back to Inui. His smile may or may not have turned a little bit evil.

"Saa, Inui," he started, ignoring the way Inui tensed up again and paled. "I'm glad Echizen's okay now. I mean, it's not good if he continued feeling bad because of the fever. Right?"

Inui nodded slowly, not sure where this is going and feeling scared of finding out.

"Imagine how he looked earlier," Fuji continued, his tone so weirdly casual that it just made Inui even more cautious. "With his eyes glazed, all teared up…His warm breath coming in quick, short pants…His skin hot and feverish... And the way he's looking at you, like he's begging to be taken care of..."

Fuji paused, looking expectant and seemingly blind to the sudden bright blush on the data gatherer's cheeks. "Doesn't that make your heart hurt?" He asked, waiting for a response.

Inui let out a strangled sound.

Fuji nodded sympathetically. He understood well. "Yes, I know. But everything's okay now. Thanks to Yukina-san. Anyway, I'll go call Tezuka. Will you be okay to stay here with Echizen?"

Inui's brain is not functioning right. It's overheated with all the blood rushing to his face, so he couldn't respond.

That's okay because Fuji didn't wait for a response anyway. He just closed the door and let out an amused chuckle.

Saa, the tensai thought. That was fun.

….

LOL! Poor Inui. Did you see what Fuji did right there?