Shuichi was asleep for about two hours before he stirred in their bed. Kokichi was just scrolling through his phone and messaging some people while Shuichi slept. It was comforting knowing he was there for him.

Shuichi found it nice to know kokichi was there for him. Making sure he didn't go in for work when he was feeling this sick...and even taking care of him while he doesn't go to work. Shuichi felt so safe because of this. It was nice to him. He wanted to feel this safe every day, but he also wanted to help people in his job...he loves his job, but he also loves the moments he can spend with Kokichi.

"Hey Shu, you're finally up~" Kokichi cooed as he moved to rest his hand against Shuichi's cheek. Shuichi looked up at him before he leaned against his hand. "Yeah...it's lonely not having you next to me..." he whispered. Kokichi softened his gaze as he could tell Shuichi was being more honest.

"I know it is love~ you always are so cuddly~ especially when you are sick~" Shuichi flinched a bit at his words. He turned his back to Kokichi feeling a little hurt because of the teasing. "Hey I didn't mean to make you angry," his tone changed to a softer one. Shuichi perked up at this and turned his head to look back at him over his shoulder.

"I know you didn't...I just-" Shuichi cut himself off as he felt Kokichi's arms around him. Kokichi had moved the blanket away from Shuichi a bit so he could lay behind him. He made sure to keep the sheet around Shuichi just to make sure he warmed up.

"I'm here now," he paused letting his lips linger against the back of his neck. Shuichi smiled and felt his body relax at this. The feeling of Kokichi's arms around him as well as feeling the soft breathing from the smaller on his neck made his whole body melt against him.

He wanted to just melt into his touch and never leave him again. But as life moves quickly he must move along with it. Waking up every morning to go to work from 05:00-21:30...on a good day that is. Sometimes they would hold him there for longer because a new case comes up or there is something they need help with.

He hated when this happened because he has to be away from his lover for longer. He does enjoy going in and solving problems and working through things with evidence and reasoning...but having to stay away from Kokichi is always something he resents.

"Scarlette wanted to let you know that you would have to come in when you are feeling better a little early so she can catch you up...but in this moment focus on me." Kokichi sounded a little colder than Shuichi would expect from his jokester fiancé, so he turned around to face him.

He saw some tears in his eyes and a blush on his cheeks. Shuichi was worried that he had given him what he was sick with. Almost immediately he moved his arms to rub his shoulders. "Ah sorry did I—"

"No. You didn't do this...sorry Nagito just messaged me earlier and he said Rise has been having trouble and it's not good. It just reminded me of what people would do to my friend Joelle is all." His face had his usual smile regardless of the tears in his eyes. Shuichi knew this was hurting Kokichi, and he wanted to talk about it...but he knew he was sick and Kokichi would be very adamant of taking care of him.

"Hey it's okay baby," Shuichi whispered, moving to gently kiss Kokichi's cheek softly. He felt his body flinch a bit involuntary. This happens sometimes because of his PTSD. Whenever his body remembered some of the abuse he had gotten from his job it would react to it even if it isn't currently happening.

"Feeling on edge?" Kokichi asked, looking over at Shuichi who had some tears come to his eyes. "Sorry I don't know why this is happening, I-" Kokichi kissed his lips before he could ramble more. Shuichi felt his body relax a bit from this.

Not because it was a kiss—no not because of that. But because of the familiar feeling of kissing Kokichi. It was a nice feeling that he would always want to have. The familiar feeling of holding his hand, hugging him, kissing him, and hearing his voice.

It was something unexplained but he wouldn't be able to live without it. When he gets home and closes the door after a long day he always looks forward to Kokichi greeting him by the door to hug and kiss him. There are some days when Kokichi was up in their room or on the floor somewhere coloring or doing something. But these days it reminded him why he loves Kokichi, no matter what day it is he is always able to make things interesting.

Always drawing him in ever since they had started hanging out and even when they started dating. He smiled softly as the memories came back. The time they played cards, the time they had a tea party, the times he would drag Shuichi to go and color, the time they went to hangout with Angie to paint with Gonta, and the time they laid in the grass and fell asleep under the stars.

"I adore you" Shuichi whispered unconsciously. He didn't even hear himself say it, but you best believe Kokichi heard it. It's obvious he did because of the way his eyes slightly widened and how his cheeks became a pale pink color.

"Shuichi?" Kokichi asked. "Hmm?" Shuichi mumbled snuggling closer to him. He moved so Kokichi was laying down on top of him as he held him close.

"Nothing, you are just so odd sometimes—you, you uh? Oddball?" Kokichi said, sounding a little confused as he tried to put together yet another nickname for Shuichi. Shuichi just laughed to himself and moved his hand to rustle Kokichi's hair.

"Hey no fair!" He groaned hating how Shuichi messed up his hair. "It's always fair my little leader," he gently kissed his forehead, making him blush more. Kokichi shook his head, getting his composure back. Almost as if he flipped a switch.

"Oh~ my beloved detective thinks he can be smooth when he is sick~" Kokichi joked. Shuichi shook his head slightly as he sighed. "Well I just thought it w-would be good to give you a nickname...sure I have called you this before, but that's because you are my leader and you are little," he laughed a bit at this, making Kokichi frown.

"So you are my little leader," Kokichi rolled his eyes. "You are so odd Shumai," Shuichi smiled softly and closed his eyes.

"Only because you make me, my little leader,"

-sorry for forgetting to post this when it was supposed to come out 😳 I totally spaced and wrote this whole chapter before forgetting to publish it—as well as a couple of chapters in my other story—

-SK-