Daichi woke up and coughed.

That was when Kyoya knew it would be a long day.

He would've liked to keep Daichi at home all day, but he wasn't running a fever and the boy had an important test to take that day.

Kyoya let Daichi sleep in as along as possible, and he also let him go back to sleep in the car ride to school.

Walking through the hallways, Daichi received many looks. Kyoya deflected as many comments as he could, but, despite his best efforts, everyone in the school soon knew Daichi was sick.

It wasn't hard to figure out. His face was pale, his eyes watery. If he had a tail, it certainly wouldn't be wagging.

When Kyoya arrived at Daichi's class, he tasked the twins and (mainly) Haruhi with a very important job.

"I know he's not usually allowed to sleep in class, but I'm giving you permission to let him nap today. Just this once, do you hear me?" Kyoya stressed. "His test is right before club period."

"But, senpai, if his test isn't until after lunch, why didn't you just come at lunch time and stay for half the day?" Haruhi asked.

"I wouldn't have been able to stay home with him, and Daichi hates being home alone more than anything else."

A frowning Haruhi agreed to the task. There's no way it could've been difficult. All she had to do was was watch Daichi sleep until Kyoya came to get him for lunch.

Sure enough, that was exactly what Daichi did.

At noon sharp, Kyoya arrived. Tapping Daichi on the shoulder, he leaned and whispered into his ear.

"Puppy, it's lunch time," he said quietly. "You need to eat some food so you can take your medicine."

Daichi moaned but slowly raised his head from the table and allowed Kyoya to prod him up.

During lunch, he ate even less than usual. Every bite was chewed thoroughly due to his oure exhaustion. Fianlly, after he got through a piece of bread, Daichi was supposed to take a pill.

Kyoya put the pill on Daichi's tray along with a cup of water. He never intended to push Daichi to take it, but the lunch period was almost over.

"Please, take the pill, Daichi," he urged. "It's just cold medicine. It'll help you feel better."

Daichi shook his head. He covered the pill with his hand as if it would keep Kyoya from asking anymore.

Instead of this, Kyoya set his own hand on top of Daichi's. He looked into those dulled eyes with complete love.

Neither of them said anything. Finally, Daichi broke.

He retracted his hand with the pill in it, took a gulp of water, and swallowed the pill and the water at the same time. He seemed to shudder at the action.

"Well done, puppy. That was a very good choice," Kyoya praised. "You're very smart."

Daichi smiled tiredly back. He wished those sweet words from Kyoya were enough to heal him.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Daichi just wanted to be home. He didn't even have the capscity to sleep anymore.

During club hour, he sat with Kyoya and a bit away from all the girls so as not to risk them getting sick.

When he and Kyoya got home, Daichi immediately crawled under the covers of their bed, his eyelids fluttering closed.

Kyoya sat next to him and started petting his hair. "I'm very proud of you for sticking it out today," he said. "But I think it was a mistake on my end to have you go. Next time we'll stay home together. How's that sound?"

Daichi hummed im response, already losing himself to sweet sleep and rest.