"I have to get up, if I lie down for too long I'll feel like I'm wasting time"

He would be lying if he said he didn't want to stay there with him.

He crawls out of the futon, looking for a change of clothes.

His brows furrow. "did I say anything strange last night?"

Thoma leans into his touch. taking a deep breath. "Much much better" he replies softly.

"Although, I'd appreciate it if you avoid getting sick, I think we've stayed too close for too long." He was back to sounding as stern as he usually did.

From the way he was dressed it seemed he never left for a meeting.

He pushes the hair away from Ayato's face, gently.

"Ayato?... Do you wanna move back to your room?"

Thoma woke up in the middle of the night, the room lit by a few candles in his room.

Still groggy, he blinks his eyes adjusting to the light, turning to his side only to see Ayato there.

That explains how well he slept.

"Mhm..." He nods against the older Kamisato's chest. At this point he can't understand what he's hearing. But if it was Ayato, he'd agree to everything.

He dozes off to sleep, clinging to the commissioner. This may have been the fastest he's fallen asleep in years.

He chuckled about the boba threat though it came out a little nervous. Yes, he knew that Thoma was quite serious.

He listened quietly though, rubbing Thoma's back as the man spoke his heart and mind. It was both sweet and sad at the same time and the commissioner tightened his grip a bit.

There was something in him that kept his feet planted right beside him.

He wanted to protect the one who was trying to protect everyone else.

"Ayato" he breathed out, as if it was the only word he knew. "Ayato, you're the only one I see"

"Ayato" his voice trembled.

Dozing off, the memories play in his head, unconsciously moving closer to Ayato, as if something was going to keep him away from him.

He could have left, he could have gone home. Even if he couldn't quite figure out how the commissioner felt about him at the time.

"maybe I still believe it"

He rambled on, the words seemingly slipping out of his mouth one after another.

"Ayato" he called. "I worked really hard, even back then, I wanted to stay with you"

"I tried to be stronger"

"Ayato, .... It was for you. I want you to be happy "

"If you do... I won't let you have boba,.... Ever again" he mumbled. Eyes fluttering close, he takes a deep breath.

"When I was young, I used to think if I loved someone enough, I could keep them with me"

Every heartbeat from Ayato's chest soothes the blonde like a lullaby.

Actively, the retainer fought off the drowsiness, fearing the moment he wakes up, Ayato won't be there anymore.

Leaning on to the other's chest, hand on Ayato's, breathing in his scent.

Maybe today, he'll be a bit more selfish, and keep him close.

"I'm sorry" he whispered softly. "I'll make you whatever you like... When I get better."

He held on to him as tight as he could, staring up at him as he sat on his futon.

There was an odd feeling of just wanting to cling on to the estate's master. He could barely focus on his words as his head was pounding, unintentionally interrupting the other.

"Ayato, don't go"

His full weight, pressed against the commissioner's, Thoma's hand grabbed on tight on Ayato's coat, slightly wrinkling it in the process.

The blonde's forehead pressed on the other's shoulder, heavily breathing. " Ayato?"

"I can do it, if anyone else does... What...good... Am ... I"

Thoma sniffles, clutching on to the power blue haori draped over his shoulders.

"I'm fine." He says, eyes barely open, visibly pale. "I need to finish things"

🌻//🥲 ah, thanks!