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"You look like shit."
It was Sanemi's weird, backwards way of showing concern for those he cared about. One that had backfired horrifically in the past and he was biw trying to unlearn, but one that still brought Giyuu comfort.
Humans are weird like that, aren't they?
"I feel fine." Giyuu lied through his teeth. He hadn't slept well in a week, it was getting harder and harder to motivate himself to even eat or drink water, and he felt wvery excruciating second of it.
"When was the last time you even tried to bring a brush to that mop you call hair?"
"Look who's talking."
Oh.
Oh.
So he wanted to play like that tonight, huh?
Well, fine. Two could play at that game.
"You. Me. Bathtub. Now."
"Sanemi, I said I'm fine-"
"Giyuu, listen to me. You haven't been sleeping, you haven't been eating, you haven't seen the sun in days, at least try and take a bath."
"But-"
"Giyuu, just let me care for you."
Oh.
Oh.
Oh, fuck...
Well now Giyuu just felt like an asshole.
"Alright." Giyuu tried to remain stoic, but the way he flinched immediately after speaking made it clear that he thought he came off a little harsh. "...Sorry."
"It's fine, just...just come with me." Giyuu didn't protest as Sanemi led him to the bathroom. As much as he wanted to deny it, he knew that it didn't matter how disgusting he felt. He would've rallowed himself to slowly rot away in the same nasty outfit until Mother Earth reclaimed him.
Not even Sanemi's arms around him as he helped him undress felt like a relief.
Everything felt dull until Sanemi started the water. When had they even gotten in the tub? But as soon as the warm water touched Giyuu's skin, it felt like a refreshing summer rain. He didn't even realize just how badly he wanted...no, how badly he needed this.
"Is it okay if I hold you?" Giyuu was snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of Sanemi's voice. The softness was rare, but far from unwelcome. Giyuu couldn't dtop himself from all but flopping into Sanemi's tentatively waiting arms.
"Yes, please."
"It's alright, Giyuu. It's okay."
"...I'm sorry..."
"Shhh, just let it out. I'm not goin' anywhere."
Despite himself, Sanemi's words seemed to break something in Giyuu. First one tear fell, then another, a stiffled hiccup, a choked sob, and then came the waterworks.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you stay even when...when I can't even get out of bed in the morning? When I'm a grown man struggling to take care of myself?"
"Because I love you, damnit. You'd be doing the goddamn same if I felt like a pile kf bricks, yeah?"
"Y-Yeah, but-"
"No buts, Giyuu. Just let me help you." Sanemi didn't wait for an argument as he gently detangled Giyuu's hair with his fingers. It was hard and rough, but far from unmanageable. "Don't you dare fall asleep on me." He added lightheartedly, only recieving a soft noise of acknowledgement in response.
Giyuu had felt miserable all week, silently wanting nothing more than the sweet release of death to plunge him into an eternal slumber, since it would mean peace. And yet, here in Sanemi's arms, feeling like a crumpled piece of paper, was more "at peace" than Giyuu had felt in a long time.
Humans are weird like that, aren't they?