96/365
a new au idea of mine c:
Touma's POV
When I get home from university, NightHaze is curled up on the couch, sound asleep. Our black tabby, Sakura, is curled up on top of him, purring softly with her tail draped over her nose. They're so cute. I snap a quick photo of them, and shed my jacket, kicking off my shoes before padding over to them.
I crouch before the couch, and stroke NightHaze's head softly, before I kiss it softly. NightHaze lets out a sleepy sound of protest and shifts, batting at me wearily as Sakura lets out a discontented meow as she's dislodged. NightHaze stretches across the couch like a cat would, and blinks up at me blearily.
I feel bad for being out this late.
"Touma?" I smile tenderly down at him, cupping his face in a hand. NightHaze threads his fingers with mine, and lets his eyes flutter closed, a soft and sleepy grumble leaving them.
"I'm back," I breathe, resting my forehead on his. I tilt my head to press a brief and chaste kiss to his cheek, hearing his breath hitch. He's so cute. I pull back, and NightHaze finally sits up, rubbing both of his eyes in a sleepy gesture.
"Welcome home," NightHaze yawns. "I didn't mean to fall asleep." I glance over at the clock. It's two in the morning. He shouldn't be out here this late at night, let alone trying to stay up.
"It's my fault for being so late," I respond, watching him pick up Sakura from beside him, cradling her in his arms. He looks so disoriented, and I stand, kissing the top of his head before scooping him into my arms. I frown slightly - he's lost even more weight.
The frown disappears as NightHaze lets out a little giggle, one arm cuddling Sakura to his chest, and the other around my neck to draw me closer. I carry the both of us to the bedroom, and lay him down on the mattress before I shift, padding towards the bathroom.
"Where are you going?" NightHaze asks, a pout on his face.
"I'm just gonna take a quick shower, brush my teeth then I'll join you." I say, and NightHaze mumbles something that I don't catch. I hurry into the bathroom and wash, brushing my teeth before I dry off and change into some dry and clean clothes, toweling my hair quickly.
NightHaze is lazily sprawled out on the bed, fingers stroking through Sakura's black fur. I slip beneath the covers on the bed, and NightHaze immediately cuddles into my chest, Sakura making a small space for herself in between us. I can hear her purring softly, and I stroke NightHaze's cheek gently.
"How were you today?" I ask, my fingers stroking across his temple. A slow and sad smile crosses his face.
"I'm alright. No pain." He says. I can see that he's trying to smile, but he can't. A tear falls from his eyes, and I wrap my arms around him, drawing him close. A shake of the shoulders is followed by a choked noise, a torrent of tears and sobs. Sakura meows, worriedly, and stands, licking at NightHaze's cheeks as he curls in on himself.
"I-I only have a m-month left." NightHaze cries. "I've a-always wanted to just d-disa-disappear from the f-face of the e-earth, b-but now that I'm f-finally ha-happy, I.... have n-no t-time left." My heart aches for him, and I feel tears threatening to spill over from my own eyes.
"It's going to be okay." I whisper, kissing his head. "You're going to be okay. You're strong. I love you."
"I l-love you too." NightHaze's arms are wrapped around me tightly, and he refuses to let go. I stroke the back of his head, and Sakura presses her head to his cheek, purring loudly in attempts to calm him.
"It's gong to be fine. You're going to be okay." NightHaze nods shakily, before he hugs Sakura to his chest, shifting and scooting back so his back is pressed against my chest. I wrap my arms around his waist, kissing his temple until he falls asleep.
I'm jolted awake a mere hour later by someone thrashing next to me. NightHaze is flailing, choked gasps escaping his lips and I immediately jerk upright, all senses of tiredness and weariness flying out of my system. I sit him up between my legs, stroking his arms as he coughs, wet and harsh.
His hands come up to cover his mouth, and I know that even if he tries to hide it, I know that they'll come away covered in blood. I shift to the edge of the bed, and easily pick him up, carrying him to the bathroom as his body wracks with hacking coughs. I stroke the length of his back, helping him stay upright.
His spine is rigid beneath my palm, and he chokes, throwing up blood into the sink. My heart twists in my chest, and it hurts me to have to just stand there, knowing that I can't do anything to stop what's happening to him.