this is the anti-spam log: take 2 [semi-closed]

[substitutable]

Date & Time: throughout June; label your own dates!
Location: places!
Characters: the Mekakushi-dan + friends (one-on-one threads, open through plotting!)
Summary:

a collection of threads throughout June following the Dan's activity with one another as well friends connected to the Dan, put into one post to avoid spamming the comms. Sometimes a dan roll call.

Warnings: Uuuuuh idk lots of gross sick people. Dying! Sad teenagers and friends!

The virus is spreading, and even the Dan is catching it. And so are their friends. This is whatever they decide to do during June while sick. Prose and action spam friendly!

Comments

[concealingeyes]

[Her breath rattles against his neck, the places where bare skin touches sticking uncomfortably. The suffocating heat keeps her from moving now. Even if she wanted to breathe again - and she doesn't if he means feeling his heart still beating - it presses down on her. That heavy weight on her lungs, dragging her body with it so that even while laying here, the world tilts back and forth.

But in that daze, there is one constant. That steady feeling of Kano, the grip on her hand, how if she shifts her head slightly she can hear his pulse. It probably bothers him having her this close. But he won't push her away even if she burns him. That's the kind of person he is, always smiling and accepting everything, even if it hurts him.

Stupid Kano, stupid... He's so much trouble. Ever since they were kids, he always... held her hand. Kept her from being alone in the world of red.

Kido breathes out a long, ragged sound, but at the end Kano can hear something different and soft, mumbled out from whatever thought she's lost in.] Stupid Shuuya...

[duplicitoussight]

[It hurts to be so close to something he doesn't allow himself to grab. His throat aches. It feels dry, like a slice of fruit withered in the sun. But even as his suppressed coughs make his shoulders jerk and shudder, he lets her stay. He presses his face into her hair before he realizes he can't breathe that way and settles for resting his head against hers.

He can't think straight right now. All he can really focus is on holding her hand, on watching her to make sure she's fine and still solidly grounded in this world. The meanings of these gestures float beyond him in his feverish haze. It makes both of them feel safe. That's what's important.

But he recognizes the meaning of the name she mumbles, and it's almost enough to reach him. If he realized what they were doing, he would've made an excuse to recreate the distance between them. Thanks to the fever, however, he only acknowledges the name and the pitifully happy feeling it fills his heart with.]

That's right, that's right... I'm always an idiot around you, aren't I?

[He takes a shuddering breath of his own as he closes his eyes. There must be a stupid smile on his face right now. He's glad she can't see it.]

[concealingeyes]

[Always an idiot. Her idiot. Unable to keep her thoughts in any order, her focus stays on trying not to cough on him, trying to breathe even in this suffocating heat, not letting his fingers go even when she feels the sweat between them.

A memory. Sleeping like this long ago. She couldn't control her eyes at all. If she was sick, she'd vanish completely. She had been so certain. But he stopped that. Just like this, with that insufferable, bright smile and warm hand.

Maybe, this whole time, she'd felt like this. Like he would be there to hold her hand. Didn't she take that for granted? She must have...

Kido can only make a soft 'mm' sound against his throat in agreement. But her dry lips crack a smile. He's always an idiot around her but he's there. That's all she ever asked for.]

[duplicitoussight]

[Her answer vibrates pleasantly against his skin. What was that gesture his mother used to give him? Whenever he was scared (and when she remained his mother) he would run to her embrace. The Tateyamas had given it, too. Slowly, his free hand slides up her back, bunching her hair, and rests on her shoulder. This way, he can make sure she's close by where he can reach her.

In a distant, wavering part of his mind, he frets. Even if he can't kiss her or tell her how much his heart hurts, this is all right, isn't it? He can be allowed this much, right?]

[concealingeyes]

[A soft sigh warms his neck. Her muddled mind can't put a good thought or word to this. It's safe. He'll be there when she wakes up and she will wake up. Everything will be fine. That touch promises it.

Barely awake, Kido lifts her other hand to curl against his chest. It isn't much or as nice a gesture, at least she would think that. But instead it comes almost as pure instinct to keep him close.]

[duplicitoussight]

[Kano's begun to drift off as well, his consciousness barely bobbing above waves of drowsiness. With her body pressed against his, he can feel himself relaxing. Her fingers against his chest are warmer than his body. It's pleasant, despite the heat. Instinctively, his hand around her shoulder tightens.

Like this, they'll be okay.]