Chapter Text
It starts with a cough. Something stuck in his throat, he thinks.
Until he coughs again later. And more during the night. When he wakes in the morning, blankets pulled up to hide from the sun, he realises it with a groan.
He’s sick.
It’s Saturday, so it’s not like he has anywhere he urgently needs to be. He told the gang that he’d hang out with them tomorrow, but he’s sure he’ll be fine by then.
Except Sunday rolls around and it turns out he’s not fine. Nope, he’s a lot worse than fine. His head glistens with sweat as he shivers beneath the bulk of his blankets. No matter how hard he tries, he just can’t seem to warm up. Until he’s too hot, and then he can’t seem to cool down. He texts Megumi to cancel saying he’s just a little under the weather.
Megumi must have passed the word around quick, because it’s only a few minutes when his phone pings with a message from Choso.
‘Are you okay? Need anything?’
Yuuji considers telling him no. He doesn’t want to bother anyone, but he really does feel awful.
‘Medicine pls’
The reply is instant. 'I'll be there asap.’
Yuuji drags himself from bed and forces himself to put on some pyjamas. He takes his blankets with him, throwing them around his shoulders as he makes his way to the living room. Even walking this far has him exhausted.
He flops down on the couch, head pounding as he lets his eyes fall shut. He rests until he hears knocking. It's a struggle to get himself up again, but it's not far to the front door. He opens it, blinking against the light. Choso looks down at him, brows furrowed.
"I thought you said you had a cold," he says, hand reaching out to rest on Yuuji's forehead. He pulls it back with a frown.
"I do," Yuuji says, shivering.
Choso's frown deepens. "Go lie down. I'll get your medicine ready."
Yuuji won’t argue with that. He's all too happy to go back to the couch.
Choso is quick to join him, sitting on the edge as he spoons medicine into Yuuji's mouth. As soon as the spoon is gone, he's sticking a thermometer in its place.
"How do you feel?"
"Like shit," Yuuji mumbles around the thermometer.
"How's your taste? Smell? Have you eaten?"
It's only now he realises that he can't smell Choso's alpha scent. His nose is completely blocked up.
"Not hungry," he says, "I can't smell anything."
Choso hums, taking the thermometer back, "You have a fever." He's ordered to stay put, which was his plan anyway.
Choso makes him toast and then watches him eat it, making sure he finishes at least half of it. Then he makes him drink a glass of water. Yuuji is slow to do it, but he's grateful for the help. He hasn't been sick like this since he was a kid, his grandfather looking after him.
He doesn't have an alpha. Not yet, anyway. And he lives alone in the house granddad left for him. So he's lucky to have Choso now, even if he hasn't known his brother all that long. He doesn't have the energy to feel awkward about it. He can barely keep his eyes open.
Which leads to him falling asleep as soon as Choso takes his glass away. His brother pulls the blankets up around him just as his breaths deepen. When he wakes a while later, Choso is still there. He sits in the armchair across from him watching TV.
Yuuji sits up and vomits.
Choso is there right away, pushing an empty container under Yuuji's face, hand smoothing down his back. He must have been expecting this. Yuuji vomits again, spits up until there must be nothing left in his stomach. His head pounds after, chest heaving from the effort.
"I'm sorry," Yuuji says, embarrassed.
"Don't be silly," Choso says softly.
The hand that was running up and down his back moves to his hair instead, Choso gently running his fingers through it. The touch is so nice that it momentarily distracts him. He lets his eyes slip shut.
"I've got to get you more medicine and clean this up," Choso says, hand leaving Yuuji's hair, "I'll be quick."
Yuuji mourns the loss of touch, although Choso does end up being quite quick. Soon the floor is cleaned and another spoonful of medicine is being pushed into Yuuji's mouth.
He gulps it down quickly despite its bitter taste. He knows what he wants to ask, but he still has some mind to be shy about it despite the fever.
"Choso? Do you think you could do that again? The, uh, thing with my hair?"
There's a moment of hesitation, and then Choso's fingers are spreading through his hair again.
"You mean this?"
Yuuji hums a yes, eyes already slipping shut again as he leans into the touch. It's so nice that it makes him forget how awful he feels. He sighs, content. He can already feel the medicine working. Or maybe it's not the medicine. Maybe it's just Choso's touch that's making him feel better. He lays down with Choso sitting at the edge of the couch again, fingers moving gently along his scalp until he falls back asleep.
The next time he wakes, he's hungry.
He tells Choso as much. The alpha is back in the armchair, but he's quick to get up as soon as he hears Yuuji wants food. He ends up making him soup that's probably from a packet, but whatever. Choso isn't exactly a good cook, and it's not like Yuuji can taste anything anyway.
He sits at the edge of the couch again, the bowl of soup in his hands. Yuuji is expecting Choso to hand it to him, but instead he finds a spoonful of soup being pushed into his mouth.
It's not like he really needs the help with this. He could definitely eat it by himself. Yet for some reason he doesn't say it out loud. He just lets Choso baby him, feeding him by the spoonful, lips quirking up at the sides when Yuuji swallows it down. He worries that maybe it's getting a bit weird, but two words from Choso shut those thoughts down.
"Good boy."
He can't quite explain the shiver that goes through him, only that this one has nothing to do with his sickness. He's quicker to swallow down the next spoonfuls, makes sure to leave the metal shiny and clean after each mouthful. He looks intently at Choso the whole time.
The alpha looks back at him, watches him until the bowl is nearly empty. At this point Yuuji's stomach is starting to complain, and it must show on his face.
"Can you do one more?" Choso asks, holding the spoon aloft.
What can Yuuji do but say yes?
He swallows down the last of it, and Choso uses his pad of his thumb to wipe at the corner of Yuuji's lip.
"There we go," Choso says softly, "All done." It's not another 'Good boy', but it's enough praise to make Yuuji's omega preen.
Choso clears away the bowl and gives Yuuji more medicine. When he's done he walks to the armchair, about to sit down when Yuuji pipes up.
"Nii-chan?" He says. Choso turns at the word. It’s one very rarely used by Yuuji.
"Could you, maybe-" He says, blushing, "Ah, never mind."
He doesn't need to say anything else, because Choso is already coming back. Yuuji scoots over to give him some room, the invitation to sit obvious. Once he does Yuuji lets himself lean against him, and moments later deft fingers are working their way through his hair.
He lets his head drop to Choso's shoulder, sighing a long breath as his eyes fall half lidded. Choso's fingers spread along the short hairs at the nape of his neck, massaging just behind his scent glands. There's something on the TV in front of them, but Yuuji is barely watching.
He feels himself nodding off at one point, but Chosos fingers stilling in his hair nudge him back awake. He whines low in his throat before he can help it, eyes snapping open as he realises his mistake.
Choso's fingers start moving again and Yuuji swallows his apology back down.
It sets a bad precedent. Each time Yuuji wakes and Choso's hand isn't moving he lets out another small whine, and each time the alpha responds instantly. He wakes later with his head in Choso's lap, the alpha snoring softly as the first rays of daylight shine through the window.
He looks up at him for a moment. At the sharp curve of his jaw, at his thick dark lashes.
"Choso," he says, shaking his knee. The alpha blinks awake, looking down at him. "You'll get a creak in your neck if you sleep sitting up," Yuuji says, "You should lie down with me."
Choso doesn't question it. Just moves to lie next to him. There's no avoiding touching like this, so Yuuji doesn't try to. No, he lies with his back to Choso's front instead, pulling the alpha’s arm around his middle.
Choso's soft breath on his neck is what lulls him back to sleep.
They spend the whole next day together. Choso feeds him, he takes his medicine, and they watch TV between naps. His fever lessens, and he doesn't vomit again. Though the more his head clears the more he starts to feel bad about being wrapped up in Choso's arms all day.
"You don't think Yuki would be annoyed about you being here so long?"
"Why would she be?" Choso answers.
Because you’re courting her, he wants to say. He doesn't, because it's not exactly true. Choso hasn't asked her officially, but they've gone on dates. Anyway, it's not like people really did the official asking thing anymore. Nowadays it was usually unspoken, a few dates here and there and then bam, mated. And Choso and Yuki have definitely had more than enough dates by now.
"Maybe she'd like some of your attention too."
"Don't worry about her," Choso says, "You're my little brother. She'll understand."
Yes, Yuuji thinks. There's nothing wrong with cuddling your siblings. Nothing wrong with taking care of them when they're sick. Yuuji's done nothing wrong. He's assured of it now.
They sleep on the couch again that night, Yuuji curled against Choso's front, nose tucked against his neck now that his sense of smell is coming back. Choso runs his hand through Yuuji's hair, and Yuuji feels too relaxed to be embarrassed of the purrs that emanate from his chest.
When he wakes in the morning he's purring still. Winter spice fills up his nose as he buries his face in Choso's hair. He breathes it in and lets out a soft whine, hips pressing forward again and again-
Until his eyes snap open, breath caught in his throat. He's been humping Choso.
He goes deathly still, tries to even out his breathing. His chest thumps with his heartbeat, the smell of his own slick hitting his nose as he pulls away from Choso’s neck. Only to see the alpha’s eyes are open, staring at the ceiling.
Yuuji thinks he might just pass away.
He panics for a moment, wonders what to do, what to say. His head is empty of thought, mouth opening with no words coming out. Choso finally turns his head to look at him, their eyes locking, the only sound their breathing-
And then Choso’s hand tightens around his waist.
The noise he makes is a soft little thing, but there’s no mistaking it. A moan. Choso’s hand tightens further, and it’s like fire is spreading from that one spot. Yuuji’s hips move on instinct, pressing forward again. They both groan at the sensation.
Choso is quick to twist his body closer, to press his groin against Yuuji’s and rut back. The shape of him is big against Yuuji’s small length, and Yuuji’s body spurts out more slick at the realisation. Their breaths mingle as their bodies press against each other, Yuuji mewling and moaning at each press of hips. The touch feels so good, Choso’s scent strong and overpowering, Yuuji’s omega happily submitting to it. He’s sure he’s so wet that it must be seeping through his clothes, that it must be marking his alpha.
Choso’s hand runs under his t-shirt, keeps pressing upward until his fingers find the small nub of Yuuji’s nipple. He tugs it as he humps forward, Yuuji letting out a cry. The pleasure is dizzying, steadily growing and growing as Yuuji moves as fast as he can. He’s lost in the movements, in Choso’s scent-
“Choso,” he rasps, nails digging into the alphas strong arms, hips pushing up. Choso pinches his nipple, two words leaving his mouth.
“Good boy.”
His body goes taut, and his orgasm crashes over him. Choso humps him through it, letting out a grunt as he finishes too.
It takes a minute for the pleasure to finally ebb. He’s boneless afterwards, small cock pulsing weakly as his pussy clenches on nothing. He holds on to Choso’s front as they both gather their breath. And once they finally do gather their breath? Silence ensues.
It’s awkward. Made only more awkward the more seconds pass. The haze of Yuuji’s orgasm has finally faded, and the reality of what just happened is settling in.
“I should get your medicine,” Choso says, “I mean I will. I will go get it.”
“Yeah,” Yuuji says, “Sounds good.”
The alpha sits up and awkwardly adjusts himself in his pants before finally leaving the room, and it dawns on Yuuji that Choso must have popped a knot simply from humping him. Shamefully, more slick dribbles from between his legs.
“Fuck,” he groans to himself, “Fuck.”
“Excuse me, I think you might have given me the wrong coffee order.”
“Ah, I’m so sorry! Let me make you a new one.”
Yuuji does his best to suppress a groan. He’s just hoping his manager isn’t around to see his mistake when he hears the alpha bark over his shoulder.
“Itadori, that’s the third order you’ve messed up today! Either get your head together or go home.”
“Sorry sir,” he says, but the alpha has already stormed off to do something else. He gives the customer a curt smile before foaming more milk.
The truth is, he’s nervous.
He hasn’t seen Choso in nearly two weeks. The last day they spent with Yuuji sick had been incredibly awkward, the both of them fumbling over their words the entire time. Even the memory of Choso coming back with his medicine makes him shudder in embarrassment.
He’d sat there, mouth open like an idiot, waiting for Choso to spoon the bitter liquid into it. What he’d ended up with was a blushing Choso shoving the bottle into his hands before running off to do something else. He left an hour or two later on Yuuji’s insistence.
They’ve texted since then. Choso made sure to check up on him even though Yuuji assured him when he left that he felt fine. But it’s obvious that something’s off between them, which is why Yuuji invited Choso to meet him for his lunch break today.
He’s just handing his customer her new coffee when he hears the jingle of the door opening. He wonders if there’s wind today, because as soon as it closes he’s getting a waft of Choso’s scent, strong and spicy. He can’t help but smile as soon as he sees him, and to his relief Choso smiles back.
He takes off his apron as Choso approaches. He’s got his hair down today, something rare to see. A strand of it is tucked behind his ear, and Yuuji let’s his eyes wander down from it to where his sweater clings to his arms.
“Itadori! Where do you think you’re going?”
Yuuji looks up at his manager, the alpha standing with arms folded.
“My lunch break?”
His manager points to the clock, “You’ve got two minutes left on the floor.”
“Right,” Yuuji says, tying his apron back on. He turns just as Choso arrives at the till, giving him a sheepish smile, “What would you like to order, sir?”
Choso seems to be busy burning holes in his managers head if his glare is anything to go by. But when he turns to Yuuji, all his anger dissipates. “Coffee, black. And one of those frappe latte things you like.”
By the time they sit down it’s three minutes past the time he was supposed to go on break.
“I’m coming back three minutes late,” Yuuji states, sipping his iced frappechino, “Thanks for the drink by the way.”
“No worries,” Choso says, still looking over at his manager.
“I wanted to talk to you,” Yuuji says, “About, uh, what happened.”
That gets Choso’s attention. He looks back to Yuuji with wide eyes.
“Look, I just-” Yuuji continues, cheeks heating up, “I wasn’t thinking straight. Maybe it was the fever or something. I really want things to go back to normal and I was thinking that maybe we could just put it behind us?”
He’s happy to see Choso let out a breath of relief, “Yeah. Whatever you want.” He pauses, hands curling tighter around his cup of coffee, “I’ve been so worried.”
“Me too,” Yuuji admits, “I was afraid you wouldn’t want anything to do with me anymore.”
“You never have to worry about anything like that.” Choso says, “I’ll always be here, no matter what.”
Choso’s scent seems to change after he says it. It softens, cinnamon peaking through the blend of winter spice.
Yuuji wonders when he learned to decipher Choso’s scent like that.
“I’ve missed you,” Choso says, breaking him away from the thought.
“I’ve missed you too,” he answers, grinning before tacking on a “Nii-chan.”
Choso smiles back and it seems to light up his whole face.
Yuuji is momentarily struck by how beautiful he is.
“Are you going on a date with Yuki?” He asks, “You look nice. Your outfit, I mean.”
He can’t help but notice the flutter in Choso’s scent.
“No.” He answers, “Actually, I don’t think I’m going to keep seeing her.”
“Wait, what? Why not?”
“I’m not sure it’s appropriate, after.. you know.” Choso looks away, hesitant.
“No!” Yuuji says, “You should keep seeing her. You guys are so good together! It’s been going well so far, right?”
Choso’s eyes flit back over to him, “I guess so.”
Yuuji reaches over, rests his hand on Choso’s wrist, “Don’t let what happened ruin a good thing for you and Yuki. Like I said, forget it ever happened.”
“Okay,” Choso says, though he doesn’t look so sure.
His scent is so strong today, Yuuji thinks. It’s almost dizzying. He rubs his thumb along the skin of Choso’s wrist, tries to give him a reassuring smile.
Feels a weird twist in his gut the longer they lock eyes.
“Itadori, we need you on the floor.”
He snatches his hand back, looking up at his manager.
“I still have 15 minutes.”
His manager huffs, “Make it a quick 15 minutes.”
Yuuji sits back, ready to enjoy watching him struggle serving customers during rush hour, “Fucking asshole.”
“When are you back in school?”
“I think next semester starts in a month,” Yuuji says, eyeing Choso curiously, “Why?”
“You should quit working here after the Summer,” Choso says, “Focus on your schoolwork.”
Yuuji laughs, “I mean that would be great, but I kinda need the money.”
“I’ll take care of it. Just tell me how much you need.”
Yuuji laughs again, though Choso looks deadly serious.
“No way. I’m not taking money from you.”
Choso actually pouts. “But you’re my little brother. I want to help.”
“That’s really sweet of you,” Yuuji says, trying to put it as nicely as he can, “but you have rent to pay. The last thing you need is to be taking care of both of us.”
Choso’s gaze drifts to his manager, “I’ll take extra shifts at work.”
“You know I can handle him,” Yuuji says, “He’s not that much of an asshole.”
Choso’s mouth sets in a thin line, “I don’t like the way he talks to you.”
“My protective onichan,” he says just to watch Choso blush.
It works like a charm, Choso’s eyes coming back to him as his face heats up. Yuuji playfully pokes his tongue out at him.
“I’ve gotta get back to work. Use your money to bring Yuki out on some fancy dates. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“The offers always open.”
“Uh huh,” Yuuji stands, “You’re both coming out with us at the weekend, right? Megs said he invited you.”
“Yeah, we’ll be there,” Choso says, standing awkwardly. Yuuji wonders if it would be weird to hug after everything that’s happened, but he decides to do it anyway.
It’s just supposed to be a quick one. A way for Yuuji to show that everything’s normal again. He stands on his tiptoes and wraps his arms around Choso’s neck, the alpha responding with arms around his middle. His hand stops at Yuuji’s waist, giving it a squeeze.
Yuuji has to do everything in his power not to let out the soft gasp that makes it’s way up his throat. Images flash behind his eyes, Choso’s hand in that same place, holding tightly as he rut against him-
He breathes in, inhales a lungful of spicy alpha scent, pulse quickening.
The hug ticks on a second too long, and he has to force himself to pull back. Choso looks at him strangely when he does, brows furrowed.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Yuuji says, a little breathless, “Have you been to the gym today? Your scent is kinda strong.”
“No,” Choso says, a little embarrassed, “I just showered before I got here.”
“Oh,” Yuuji says, trying to sound unaffected, “Thanks for coming by. I’ll see you at the weekend?”
He escapes just as Choso is sniffing at the collar of his sweater, looking utterly perplexed. He ties his apron on in a daze, throwing himself headfirst into serving the ever growing line of customers that seem to appear out of thin air.
It’s only when rush hour is slowly winding down that his mind drifts back to how it felt to be in Choso’s arms again.
“Your alpha doesn’t seem very friendly.”
“Huh?” Yuuji turns to his manager, “Choso? No, we’re not- he’s not my alpha.”
“Boyfriend then. Whatever you call it nowadays.”
“No,” Yuuji insists, “It’s really not like that.”
His manager snorts, “Sure it isn’t, kid.”
When he gets home he can feel a headache starting to come on. He can’t seem to get his managers words out of his head despite how ridiculous it all is.
He flops down on the couch and reminds himself that everything is fine now. That he and Choso are back to normal again. He turns on his side, letting his eyes close. He’s tired after such a long shift, he could probably just fall asleep here.
Only he catches a scent embedded into the cushions. The stale remnants of alpha spice. Of Choso. He inhales deeply, feels heat begin to pool in his stomach.
He whines low in his throat, feels how he’s starting to slicken despite himself. He thinks of Choso’s hands. Of that stray stand of hair he always tucks behind his ear. Of his pretty white teeth when he smiles.
He shudders out a breath, hand slipping beneath his pants, mewling once he gets a hand around himself. Touches himself in slow strokes, trying to sniff out more of Choso’s scent, head turned into the cushions.
Remembers how big he was. So long and thick beneath his clothes, so much bigger than Yuuji.
Choso would take care of him, he thinks. He’d fill Yuuji up so good, would play with his nipples like he did before. Would fuck him nice and slow if he asked. Or he’d fuck him hard and fast, pound into his slick wet cunt while calling him his good little omega.
He brings his other hand down to join the first. Trails fingers through slick until they slip into tight heat. He bucks his hips up, moans out little whimpers as he thinks of Choso, Choso, Choso. Of lips on his neck. Of teeth in his mating gland. Of a fat knot swelling inside-
He comes with a gasp, back arching off the couch. Clenches down on his fingers as an embarrassing amount of slick pours out of him. One word on his lips as he fucks himself through it.
“Alpha.”
He lays back panting in the afterglow, sweaty and sticky. Stares at the ceiling with his chest thumping hard.
He wouldn’t do it again. No, it was just a lapse of judgement after being with Choso today. He just had him on his mind, that was all. He’d forget all about this. Forget about two weeks ago just like he told Choso he would. And then they’d go back to normal, and there’ll be none of these weird feelings, and everything will be okay again. Yuuji is sure of it. So, so sure of it.
Everything will be fine.
…Right?