#blame ithadtobesneezing for this one

[waterfallofspace]

A Touch Too Human.

So this is just a lil thing I started/finished within an hour. Didn't edit it, or put in a TON of work, but Imma share it anyways because honestly? I just kinda had fun~

Characters: C/hoso, Y/uji -- No Ships, simply Platonic Affection. (Note: even though nothing snz happens with him, when writing, I pictured Y/uji as 18+, specifically 19 - 21) Word Count: 1.4k

(Spoilers for J/ujutsu K/aisen manga, as well as references to high fevers, very slight mess, and some swearing.)

~~~~~

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you sick before.”

Choso manages to pry open his eyes, gaze landing on his younger brother. The pink hair seems too bright under the harsh fluorescent glow, and Choso lets the fatigue drag them closed again. 

“I’mb fidne.” It’s barely a whisper, his voice far too raw to produce a substantial volume. The act of speaking highlights the lines around his eyes as he flinches. Even without opening his eyes, he’s certain Yuji winced too. 

“You don’t sound fine…” A hand suddenly finds itself on his face, Choso letting a light moan slip through his teeth as the cool touch rushes straight to his bones. 

Yuji tuts, brushing some soaked hair from Choso’s forehead. “And you’re burning up. How did you even get out of bed like this?” 

“Idt’s dnothi-g. ehHh- hN’XGt-!” 

“Bless you!”

Choso simply shakes his head, hands raising to cup his mouth and nose behind a protective wall as he attempts to lean away from Yuji. All he succeeds at doing is making himself dizzy, the next bursts rushing out in a rapid frenzy. 

“hk’nntizshh-! eh’gnnxgttt-! hh’knnxgt! dnnzshh! oh shidt- yezshhuu-! ih’yizzsshhuuw-!” 

A light mist escapes through Choso’s fingers, leaving the table shining in the flickering lights. Yuji shoots him a concerned smile, digging frantically through his pockets as Choso feels his cheeks reach an unbearable level of heat. 

“That was some show! Bless you a bunch. Doesn’t holding it in like that hu- oh found them!” Yuji passes over the pack of tissues, leaving them on the table when Choso makes no attempt to remove the barrier he’s raised in front of his nose. 

Making sure to turn away slowly this time, Choso removes one hand, frown deepening at the sight that awaits him. Pulling out a few of the offerings, he cleans himself up, not yet daring to touch his nose with the soft fabric. 

Once he’s satisfied, he turns back to Yuji with a congested, “Tha- gk you, brother.” 

“No problem… Uh… I don’t mean to doubt you but… you still sound rough.” Yuji raises an eyebrow, gesturing to Choso’s face. “And your nose is all pink. You sure you’re not sick..?” 

At the acknowledgement, said appendage twitches eagerly. Choso groans faintly, fighting the urge to scrub at it. “I said I w-as fi-dne. I’mb dnot sic-k.” 

“You know it’s okay to be unwell. Even Gojo Sensei gets sick,” A mild terror seems to flash through Yuji, Choso raising an eyebrow at the shudder. “He’s uh… interesting as a sick person.”

“I wou-ldn’t kdn-ow, I’ve dnever… hh!” Choso suddenly pauses, eyes glossing over as his lips part far enough to show his teeth. 

“Bless you!”

“hH- guhhh… snuff.” With a rough sniff, he manages to pull himself back under control. 

“Oh whoops- Did I scare it away? Here-” Before Choso can react, a soft finger runs along his mark, the tingling in his nose suddenly sprung into an all consuming itch. A snarl breaks across his face, nose suddenly pressed against his wrist. 

“hnnchh-! knncchht-! inchht-! eh’dnxttt-!”  As the fit continues, his breathing gets wetter, each inhale starting to take considerable effort. 

Yuji stands silently, wincing at the strangled noises escaping from Choso’s battered sinuses. 

Finally, with another desperate gasp, Choso switches to his collar, letting the mist rain down over his clenching muscles. “hieh’YEHHshhuu-! hk’ehHHZshuuw-! eh’dehzshuuu-!” 

“Bless you,” comes the response, Yuji quietly pulling out a few tissues, and pressing them into Choso’s unoccupied hand. “Blow, it’ll feel better.” 

Doing as his brother wishes, Choso brings the tissue to his nose, breath catching dangerously as the soft folds brush against his markings. “hnchh-! knnchh-! aH’YEHHzshhuuw-!” As the final one breaks free, Choso lets it slide into a blow.

After the third round, Choso finally leans back, coughing into the back of his hand. As his blurry vision tries to hone in on Yuji, he feels a strong arm wrapping around his waist. Every instinct tells him to fight, to push it away, but in the end his fever wins. 

“That’s it, just lean against me, I’ve got you.”

“Th- agk you agaidn, br-other… hH’NCHhiuww-!” That one’s aimed towards his shoulder, a few droplets hitting Yuji’s arm. Choso opens his mouth to apologize, but Yuji doesn’t even seem to notice. 

“I’d say bless you, but judging by the state of your nose, I’m guessing you’re not done?”

“Ndot… quite… I te-nd to sdneeze a… alot- hH’KNCHhiuew-! ek’yehhzshhuu-! knnchh- enchhh- hh’dehhzshhuu-!” 

“Bless you!” Yuji smiles, easily taking the brunt of Choso’s weight as each shudder leaves him trembling.

“Sguse me,” Choso clears his throat, a flash of pain darting across his face for his efforts.

“Sdnee-ze a lot, wh-edn I’bm… I… hH’EHChhhuu-! echhhuuww-! Oh. Sorr-y, wasdn’t do-ne.” 

Before he can lose any more dignity, they’re standing in front of his room. Yuji leans him against the wall, unlocks his door, and helps him stumble inside. Choso sinks into his bed, fighting off the fatigue threatening to pull him under. 

“So, where do you keep your sweaters?” Yuji scans the room, pulling open the closet before Choso has a chance to answer. “Ah, got it! Alright, arms up, slide this over- yep, just like that!” 

As the cloth passes his face, Choso violently twitches, wrinkling his nose back and forth as his hands remain trapped in the air. Oblivious to the struggle just below the sweater's embrace, Yuji continues trying to maneuver it over his torso. 

“Yehh… yuhhh…. geh- hihH-!” Any attempt at speech is drowned out in the hitches, Choso feeling his nostrils begin to flare of their own accord. He stalls his breathing, hands beginning to tremble from their perch above his head. 

After what feels like ages, the sweater finishes its journey, resting comfortably against his chest. Yuji beams, admiring his handiwork from his position directly in front of the bed. 

“I… I’mb…. hhgt- gehht…. hh’yezzshhhuuiew-!” 

Yuji doesn’t even flinch as the fabric on his arm grows damp. “Oh, bless you!” 

“hngt’chh-! I’mb so- ingnt’chh-! so so-rry I- ek’tnngchh-! sorry tha-dt I- hh’gnn’chhuew-!” 

Choso holds his sleeve against his face, letting out another itchy moan as the sensation increases the tickle tenfold. “God I hahhh… ha-ve to- eH’YEHHZShhhuu-!” 

Throughout the attack, Choso pulls himself into the tightest ball he can manage, the very idea of consuming space bringing chills to his spine. “knZSHHuuew-!” Or maybe that was the fever. 

A warmth on his arm brings him back to the room, clouded eyes rising to meet the worried ones watching him.

“Are you okay, Choso?” The tone is soft, with something Choso can’t quite place. Is that… kindness..? 

“ah’kehhzshhuu-! I’bm-” The word ‘fine’ lingers on his tongue, but under Yuji’s gaze, it starts to taste bitter. Instead, something more sweet takes its place. “Ndot feeli-ng so well…” 

 The statement sucks the remaining breath from his lungs, seemingly using every last drop of energy. Choso feels his head start to swim, and before he can fight it, his head’s being guided to the pillow. 

A single tear begins to cut down his cheek, soft hands halting its journey, and sliding up to wipe away the rest that threaten to follow. A sob breaks from Choso’s raw throat, coming out as strangled and miserable as he feels. 

“I’mb so-rry Yuji. I dodn’t kno-w what’s… eh’knchhuu-! whadt’s happedning…” 

Yuji hums, running his fingers through Choso’s hair, brushing over his sweltering forehead. 

“You have nothing to apologize for. This is part of being human. Trust me brother,” Yuji offers with a gentle grin, “I’d know.” 

And with that single word, Choso finds the tears he’d been fighting begin to win the battle. His vision begins to fade again, but before he’s fully gone, he feels something warm begin to encase him.

“Wh- whadt ar-e you do-ing? hn’chhhuu-!” 

“It’s a hug!” Yuji pauses, his expression taking on a sadder tint.

“Have… you never been hugged before..?” 

In lieu of a response, Choso sinks into the embrace, leaning his head into Yuji’s shoulder, a sigh melting from his lips. A touch that feels distinctly human. Yuji’s laughter sounds far away, something warm in it guiding Choso deeper into the sleep that’s begun to nip at his brain. 

“Feel better.” 

It seems to echo from a place just out of sight, and Choso finds words too heavy for a response. Somehow, he knows one isn’t needed. Instead, he simply allows the warmth to swallow him. 

Goodnight, brother.