It's late evening after the disastrous (for the members of Virtue, at least) free concert where several hundred young people had their heart's dreams turned into X-Eggs and stolen by the villains Lunatic Charm and Death Rebel. Some of these were recovered, but much more got away. Of course, to the public, it was an amazing concert by two gifted performers, and the dazed, glazed over look of the viewers was attributed to the late night of the concert and the crash after the excitement.
However, for Sky Jack, carrying his friend Nagihiko home on his shoulder, there wasn't anything exciting about the concert at all. He was too mad about the outcome, and what had happened to Nagi - Na-chan - and the outcome of the fight. He landed in the yard of the Fujisaki estate and closed his eyes. "Ok Daichi, good for now. Thanks." There's a shimmer of light and suddenly Kukai slumps under both the weight of Nagihiko's form and his own exhaustion.
He sets Nagi down on the walkway, leaning against one of the statues, and tries to figure out what to tell the purple-haired boy's aunt. About then the light outside their door comes on. Prescient aunt or motion-detection, who knows?
Aunty rocks in her favorite chair overlooking the courtyard through the window. She would be outside, but the air is still a touch too chilly for her long-lived bones.
She has a name, of course, or at least one given to her at birth. But names hold meaning, power. And it this case, it was a young boy not three years old who wove a new one on her in a child's spell.
So she's Aunty now, answering to that before anything else. The staff has taken to calling her Aunty as well, and the Master and Lady of the house are still slowly coming around.
She's not sure what it is that catches her attention. It's too dark to see anything apart from the stars. But there's this feeling, one she hasn't had for nearly a month.
She stands and hurries, turning on the light to the courtyard so she could see, clutching the robe to her body as she hurries from her room and into the courtyard.
She pays no mind to the cold slithering along her bones.
She rushes for her Young Master and his friend. "It's started again?" She does a cursory flutter of a hand over Kukai's face, checking to see if there's anything more than Angry Boy that's wrong. Satisfied there's not, she slowly shifts the unconscious Nagihiko into her arms and sets for the house.
"Come along, then. Don't dally."
Kukai Souma has no idea how she knew they were there, but at the moment he's grateful for the assistance. He helps carry Nagihiko carefully into the house and to his room, curious as to what 'it' could be, able to move along under sheer force of rapidly-dwindling will. Funny how he could fight for hours, even days at a time when he needed to, but the moment he dropped his transformation he was so tired he just wanted to sit down and rest.
They get Nagi back to his room and set him down without any interference, and Kukai does his best not to fall onto the couch, instead leaning on the foot of the bed as he watches Aunty examine Nagihiko. "We were on the way back from the concert and he climbed a tree and a branch broke..." It's a thin lie, but hopefully it's enough.
A concussion, but it's not a bad one. Well, not as far as concussions go, at least.
"Help me with this?" She knows the boy is nearly dead on his feet, has seen her Young Master in the same state too many times to count. But usually she's alone in getting her precious charge tended, and he's not as small as he used to be.
His excuse about the tree earns him an arch of an eyebrow but she says nothing. There are a lot of trees in Tokyo with breaking branches, it seems.
With Kukai's help, she has Nagihiko's shirt off. She presses her fingers against the angry purple skin, wincing when Nagihiko gasps in pain and try to roll away. "I know, settle down, let Aunty take care of you."
"The eggs? I gotta see." The young boy struggles for a moment, but a gentle hand to his shoulder settles him back.
"The eggs are fine, I'm sure." She looks at Kukai and shrugs before she continues her routine of What's Broken On Her Boy.
She stands after a moment more, "Nothing's broken. His ribs may be cracked, he has a sprained wrist and I'm pretty sure one in his foot, as well. At least I hope it's a sprain." This last is mumbled as she chews her lip in worry.
She blinks and turns to Kukai. "I know you're tired after your exciting evening, but could you watch him while I go get tea and bandages?"
She leaves the room before he can answer.
"Sparrow eggs, in a nest..." Kukai calls after her, lamely, then does sit down, exhausted. He'd like to keep his eyes open, keep on his feet, but it's too much at this point now that he knows Nagihiko isn't in the sort of danger that would require an ambulance and an explanation why he hadn't called for one first instead of carrying him home.
He aims for the couch, but instead he gets floor, sitting next to the bed, leaning between it and the wall, eyes half closed. It's just then that a particular little blonde angel decides to worm her way out of his closed pocket and stick her head up, eyes perennially looking like they're closed. "Kukai, where are we? Is your friend ok? What happened to Utau?" Daichi is looking up at him from besides Eru. "And are Amu and Tadase and Orange all right? What's gonna happen to all those X-Eggs? How are-"
"Guys." There's a note of pain and frustration in Kukai's voice as he reaches down, cupping both Charas in his hands and petting their heads. "Not now, ok? Please lemme rest." The two of them look at each other and retreat across the room to find a place to curl up as well, leaving Kukai with just enough energy to look over at Nagihiko, trying to keep himself awake until his aunt comes back.
There's a creak of springs just before a hand settles in Kukai's hair, fingers brushing through in a slow, tired ruffle. Or it would be a ruffle, if it weren't a touch too tender.
"It'll be okay. We'll figure it out." That's what the slurring mumble means to say, anyway. Still, there's a small smile and despite the hazy look in his eyes, there's that deep seated belief there.
Moments later, Aunty comes back in with a tray of teas and a bundle of bandages under her arm. She sets down the tray and picks up one of the tea cups before holding it out to Kukai. "You're welcome to stay the night, if you wish. This one will help with your aches and pains and has a mild sedating quality to help you sleep." Whether the cup is taken by Kukai or she returns it to the tray, she has another as she helps Nagihiko sit up enough to drink. "This brew is stronger, but it won't help him sleep. He'll do that on his own, and I'll be in to wake him every couple hours." Her eyes twinkle when she looks at Kukai. "I'll try my best not to wake you, too."
She works on the bandages, wrapping Nagihiko's ribs, wrist, and ankle.
When she's done, she runs her fingers through Kukai's hair much the same way Nagihiko had done earlier. "Thank you for bringing him home. You're such a good friend."
Kukai Souma blinks, feeling a hand in his hair, and looks down. He can't make out the words in the mumble, but he almost thinks he gets the idea. At least he would if he wasn't so tired he couldn't think at the moment.
He gratefully takes the cup of tea and sips part of it, pulling his phone out of his jacket for just a moment, long enough to send a text to his brothers telling them he's ok, he's spending the night with a friend after the concert, please don't sit on me again.
He smiles at Aunty and nods a little, yawning, giving her back the empty cup of tea. "Thank you. You're nicer than you look." He yawns again. "I try to do good right and stuff." He leans back into the comfortable corner next to the bed and closes his eyes. He'll move over to the couch in just a minute. Just a couple of minutes. Just...
Aunty snorts as she gently gets Nagihiko to move over some. "I'm as scary as I need to be. Don't forget that."
Satisfied, she helps Kukai to stand, dutifully pulling off his coat. When she sits him on the bed, she pulls off his shoes before she proceeds to tuck both her charges in.
She does check on Nagihiko every couple hours, prodding him awake. She's satisfied of the young boy's progress when he starts to grumble and growl and roll onto his friend to protect his eyes from the small pen light.
Kukai is so out of it by this point by his exhaustion and the tea stacked on top of it that he gives her no trouble at all, almost trancelike in his actions. Even for this to be a small bed in a semi-hidden room with someone taking up most of it, this may be the nicest bed that Kukai's ever slept it. (Especially now that there's no chocolate in it.)
He sleeps soundly, warmly, dreamlessly - out cold, as they say, even when Nagihiko hides his eyes from the penlight on top of him.
The most movement anyone gets from him for a while is spreading out his arms while he sleeps - catching a falling star? Greeting his crowds at the big game? Opening his heart? Who knows.
Aunty lets them be shortly after dawn, choosing to catch more than a couple hours of uninterrupted sleep.
And it's a short time after that Nagihiko more or less wakes up, still too groggy with sleep to think too closely at how his pillow has a steady beat and slowly rises and falls, or how his hand is curled along ribs.
He does, however, remember last night and his stupidity thereof. "Never bring a rope to a chara fight."
His voice is still thick with sleep, a touch of gravel against vocal chords.
Kukai mumbles a little, yawning, something about more bravery than brains, and pats Nagi's side gently - probably on the bandaged part, though, still happily asleep, sleeping the sleep of the just and just dumbly lucky.
Over on the nearby table, Daichi and Eru are sitting next to each other with the egg pouch, which they had managed to get open, both eggs inside safe and whole, the two Charas leaaaning forward, watching the ongoing scene with open mouths.
He would be content to just doze off again, even as he gives a delicate snort at the mumble. But there's a pat against his ribs, and though it doesn't hurt as much as it could, given the gently nature of the touch, it does sting.
Nagihiko winces and hisses a sharp breath through his teeth, the hand along Kukai's ribs tightening as he presses further against his friend and away from the hand.
Kukai's eyes open after a moment as Nagihiko presses against him, the squeeze pressing the deceptively strong purple haired boy against him. He has to think for a moment as to what he's got his hand on - that bandaged rib is still probably pretty sore. He very gingerly lowers his hand a bit, resting below the bandage, as Nagi seems to relax as the stinging goes away.
At this point however Kukai is in what remains of his faculties. Trying to determine what to do at this moment, however, is beyond him. He just lies back and closes his eyes, seeing how much of this he can memorize.
Over on the table Eru has her arms around Daichi, the little self-styled 'angel of love' giggling madly into his back at the scene as he flails, barely able to speak. "Eru, I can't breathe..."
As Kukai's hand lowers, it brushes against fingers that belong to a bandaged wrist. It doesn't hurt, of course, but it's enough to pull Nagihiko further out of his haze to realize where he is and how he is.
His cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink, but he's pretty sure if he moves now, he'll look guilty for something.
He feels guilty for things, of course. His reckless behavior last night being one of them. Snuggling against someone who probably doesn't want to snuggle boys being another.
So he just stays there, deciding to just relax in the moment.
He does, however, have concern for Kukai's chara. When he speaks, his voice is a soft whisper. "Daichi, why are you being strangled?"
Eru leans over the panting Daichi's back and waves (-tinkletinkletinkle-) at Nagihiko, sighing happily at the sight, wings fluttering. Somewhere in that fevered brain is the idea of hero Kukai bringing along his pretty friend for Utau, no doubt.
Kukai yawns again, after a moment, hearing the sound of Nagi's voice, and opens one eye, looking over at his long-suffering Chara and his new egg-room-mate. "Eru if you choke Daichi to death I'm going to..." He racks his brain. "I'll tell Utau your egg spoiled and mail you to Australia." The little angel eeps and hides behind Daichi (who's getting a good giggle out of that) peeking out at Kukai and Nagi.
That loose hand on Nagi's side comes up and pets the back of his loose hair very gently, mindful of the concussion and bandages, before staying in place as Kukai's eyes close again. "mmph...."
He gives a soft breath of a laugh about Australia, eyes fluttering a bit because hair petting is always nice.
A jolt goes through him, though, and he's wide awake because he's pretty sure Kukai's sleep adled brain is telling him it's Nadeshiko.
So he rolls up and sits at the edge of the bed. "Don't worry, Eru. At least if you go there, you'll have your fill of Tim Tams. Bring me back a package?"
He sounds calm and relaxed, but his fingers tighten against the mattress as he slowly rolls his ankle.
It's too soon to tell, and too soon to worry.
But dancing is in his blood.
Kukai is awake about the time the rapid movement happens. He yawns. Stretches. Pulls up and sits up on the edge of the bed, still groggy eyed.
He thinks. Eru. Utau. Fight. Angry. (Most of that has past, but not all.) Nagihiko hurt, carried him home, tea from Aunty... nothing, until he woke up a minute ago with purple hair all around and a specific scent and imprint on his chest. Welp.
He pats Nagihiko on the shoulder and stands up. "Glad you're awake Nagi-kun." With that he staggers over to the door, opening it up and closing it behind him as he wobbles towards the bathroom.
He relaxes a bit at the name and watches Kukai hobble off in a familiar haze of Not Quite Awake.
It's too early for masks, really, but he's not alone in the room, so he only really looks tired as he stands.
Weight support isn't optimal, but not nearly as bad as it could be. He hobbles himself to the chest of drawers, rooting around for a button up shirt.
Even though he doesn't have to pull it over his head, it's still a bit of an ordeal. Heck, even the deodorant's an ordeal. Either his wrist twinges or his ribs grumble crankily at him.
Still, soon he's leaning against the wooden piece of furniture, looking at the two charas with a small, practiced smile. "Are you two hungry? There's some cookies in the tin on the shelf next to you."
Daichi and Eru cheer and help each other get the (thankfully loose) tin off the cookie tray. They break one in half and share it, sitting down against it. Eru stands and bows to Nagihiko. "Thank you very much! I'm glad you are ok. It's so nice to see two people so much in love!"
Daichi nearly chokes on his cookie and tries to empty his mouth while Eru buzzsaws through a bite and continues. "I hope you can love my mistress that much! Oh, she's been so bad lately, I worry that anybody could love her!" Daichi fails to get his mouth empty in time and has to cover his mouth as he tries not to cough cookie everywhere. Finally he gets his voice back and speaks. "Hey! Kukai's friends with everybody! That's what being a good team sport is about!"
About now Kukai returns, wide awake and recovered and back to his old peppy self. "Good morning! Man I guess I better call my brothers and tell them I'm still alive, huh?"
Nagihiko bends his head to Eru. "I am feeling much better, thank you, and I --WHAT?!"
As Eru continues to speak, the color slowly drains from Nagihiko until he is nothing more than an outline of white. When Kukai enters the room, Nagihiko jerkily turns his head toward him, a tiny ghost of a soul escaping from his mouth.
At least, that's what it would all look like if this were an anime.
Then he blinks as he registers Kukai's words. "Yes. You should also assure them you're not busy getting into...trouble with that Nadeshiko character."
There. If he's going to be internally twitching, then by golly so is Kukai.
Kukai blinks, looking at Nagihiko's pale face and wide eyes, then grins weakly. "C'mon over here guys, I think Nagihiko's still in pain." The two Charas carry their cookies over to Kukai's shoulders as Nagihiko speaks.
When Nagi finishes, there's a look of pain that goes across Kukai's face. There's a silent, viperous undertone to Nagihiko's words that cuts, but Kukai faces it up with that characteristic confident grin of the Jack of Guardians. "Well... I guess so. I'll give them a call on the way home. I'm really glad you're ok. I was worried about you."
He picks up his jacket, sliding it on, not able to bring himself to look back at Nagihiko, as he exits the room and heads down the hallway towards the door.
His eyes widen as Kukai shoulders on his jacket and leaves.
What had he said? How had he said it?
Stupid, stupid boy!
"Wait!" He makes a beeline for the door, momentarily forgetting about his ankle and regretting it as soon as he stumbles and crashes against the wall.
And he's angry at himself for the display. He's supposed to be graceful and so sure of himself. He's supposed to be Nadeshiko.
His eyes sting as he yells after Kukai. "I don't know what I'm doing! I don't know who I'm supposed to be!"
Amu wants him to be Nadeshiko. Until now, aside from Tadase, everyone wants him to be Nadeshiko. He doesn't even know who Kukai wants him to be.
Kukai isn't that far gone yet that he can't hear the cry. He turns around, looking at Nagihiko, leaning on the wall, and his heart breaks and re-mends on the spot.
He goes back to his purple haired friend and immediately wraps him in a giant hug, helping him back onto his feet as he holds onto him. "Nobody is anybody but who they are and who they dream to be, Nagi-kun. I don't really care who you are outside. The same person has been my friend for years and now just because you've changed how you look it's supposed to make that different?" He makes a rude noise. "You haven't changed inside at all, have you?"
He smiles down at the wet, shiny-eyed face, and pats his back. "Just be who you are. If that changes on the outside from day to day it doesn't matter as long as it doesn't change what your heart feels."
His breath hitches in his throat at the hug, and his eyes do more than sting at the words.
Everything Kukai says is what he's been trying to get others, to get Amu, to see. And Kukai just knows, without even having to be told once.
There's a moment, when his hand curls against Kukai's neck and he leans up, just a bit, that he thinks about doing something without even realizing it.
And there's a ghosting brush of lips against lips, so faint it could be imagined.
But then Nagihiko sees Eru out of the corner of his eye, remembers Utau, remembers the way Kukai looked at her. So instead, he turns his head slightly.
"Do you want to stay for breakfast?"