A/N: Because it's Christmas I decided to give you this 6k+ words chapter (not including this author's note.) Merry Christmas everyone!
~o~oOo~o~
"Toast..."
"Sykkuno."
Both brothers just stared at one another, neither are backing down.
As of the moment both of them are in Toast room, with Sykkuno still bedridden due to his fever and Toast staring down at his brother. After a few minutes of silence, Sykkuno finally sighed.
"You promised me that you won't stay at home if my fever went down."
"Yes, but it's still high for me."
"It's just a 38.3C Toast. You told me yesterday that if my fever reached 39C, you'll stay at home but it has gone lower now Toast, you can leave for your... thing."
Toast crossed his arms over his chest "Funny how you remember our conversation yesterday night when you are so out of it. I specifically remember that every time you have a fever that high, you can't even remember the last thing you ate."
Sykkuno chuckled, making Toast raise his eyebrow in question, "You are absolutely right Toast, I can't really remember much of what you told me yesterday night but judging from your statement, I guess I was right."
Sykkuno couldn't stop the small laugh that came out of him when Toast's expression twisted "You little shit." Toast said "You don't get to use my technique against me. That's not how I raised you!"
Sykkuno shrugged making Toast look even more offended for some reason "Technically, it's kinda your fault that I learned how to do that so..." Sykkuno said before smiling "And I learned from the best Toast!"
"My fault!?"
"Ow Toast you don't have to scream you know, I uh... still have a little bit of a headache..."
That made Toast pause for a second, before sighing softly "I'm sorry, fine I'll keep my voice down. But you take back what you said!"
That made Sykkuno smile "Thank you Toast. And nope! You know what? I'm going to tell Mom this!" He said as he laughs "But you'll still need to leave." He added, after all Sykkuno wouldn't want the topic to be out of hand
And thankfully it worked because Toast rubbed his forehead, and that is the kind of thing that his brother does when he thinks really hard that he will probably get a headache out of it. "I can't just leave you here Sykkuno." Toast said with finality in his tone of voice
"Why not?" Sykkuno softly asked
That made Toast look at Sykkuno in disbelief "Because you are sick and you need someone to help you? Jesus Sykkuno."
Sykkuno frowned slightly "I can be left alone Toast, I can handle myself."
Toast looked at him before carefully sitting down on his own bed that is being occupied by his brother, as he directly face Sykkuno "I know you can but..."
Sykkuno gave him a small smile of understanding "...but you worry for me, I get it Toast and I promise you I really appreciate it." Sykkuno finished "But Toast... you can't just neglect your university responsibilities for me, you know that right?"
"Okay... if you can give me one good reason that I should attend, I will."
Sykkuno chuckled "Because you are Toast, and they need you there. What would your competitor say to you if you didn't show up in a practice round?"
Toast looked at him "He can say whatever the shit he can." Toast easily said "I never care about what other people think of me or say about me, you know that right?"
Sykkuno smiled at him "But... you care about what I think of you right?" that made Toast deflate as he stayed oddly quiet, making Sykkuno look at his brother "And what I think is that, it will be really cool of you to attend that practice round."
Toast sighed heavily before finally standing up "Fine, okay Sykkuno you win." Toast said smiling down at his brother "I'll attend but promise me you'll call me if you felt worst or something, do we have a deal?"
Sykkuno smiled up to him "Yup! I'll do that Toast don't worry too much! Enjoy your practice round okay? I'm sure you'll do great!"
Toast smiled before walking towards the door, he took one last look at his brother "I'll be back maybe after dinner. Depends on how fucking stupid the other representative is. Don't wait for me okay? And order whatever the fuck you want." Toast said "Call me if something is wrong or I swear to god Sykkuno-!"
Sykkuno laughed at the glare that his brother is giving him "I will I promise Toast!"
Satisfied with the answer Toast nodded before finally closing the door behind him as he left Sykkuno alone in his own room. Sykkuno sighed tiredly as he once again laid down on his brother's bed. His fever might have gone down but he still feels tired and his body is aching so does his head. So the moment he heard the front door close from downstairs, he once again let out a sigh of relief as he settled down on the bed, closing his eyes as he did.
~o~oOo~o~
"Stop being so nervous Corpse! Everything will be o-kay!"
Corpse sigh "I'm not nervous." He simply said making Rae roll her eyes as she giggles "I am not, I swear." Corpse said
"Sure sure, sure you are not Corpse!" Rae repeated "I mean this is just Sykkuno, you 'friend' right? So no need to be nervous!"
At this point Corpse has given up at the fact that anyone would listen to him. Sure, Rae is kinda right about him being nervous but Corpse think that his so called friend should at least be convinced that he is not.
As he and Rae arrived at what Corpse would assume the house of Sykkuno and Toast, he couldn't help but be impressed at how big the apartment is despite just being the two of them living there. And it seems like Rae noticed this because she chuckled making Corpse look at her in question "They are pretty rich you know? Sykkuno and Toast's Mom is after all a well-known lawyer. They could afford living in luxury apartment like this despite having a very big house."
Corpse nodded as he also reached that conclusion, he is still living with his family and their house is actually pretty big also but the three of them are living there full time. "Does their Mom live with them?" Corpse asked instead
Rae shakes her head "Nope! Their original home is like 3 hours away from the university. That's why their Mom bought this apartment for them so they could live comfortably for years until they finished college." Rae then paused as if she is thinking "Their Mom is very particular when it comes to their needs and what they want you know?" Rae then looked at him "I have met her once and she is really a nice person but like if you see her, you'll see like an exact replica of Toast's aura. Toast is like a male version of their Mom, which is not really surprising since they are a family of geniuses after all."
"She is like Toast? Like personality wise or...?"
Rae nodded "Yup! Very much so, especially the way they hover and dotes around Sykkuno. You know now that I think about it, it is really a blessing that despite that Sykkuno didn't grow up to be like those irritating spoiled brat kids. It's really hard to believe that Toast and his Mom just gives everything Sykkuno wanted no questions asked." Rae hummed as if thinking "Hmmm... that's why if I have to guess, Sykkuno probably took after his father because I could tell you, Toast and their Mom is nowhere near like Sykkuno. But maybe it's a good thing you know? The only thing wrong is that Sykkuno is like really nice, nice. Not even a single hint of mischief on him. "
Corpse nodded "Yeah probably... I mean I would be surprise if Toast suddenly act like Sykkuno one day." Corpse said "And I think it's really adorable for Sykkuno to stay like that despite the circumstances..."
Rae laughed out loud, "You think Sykkuno is adorable huh... noted Corpse! Very Noted!" and for a second Corpse was worried because of her laugh, they attract a couple of people looking their way "Oh god that would be a nightmare! Imagine Toast being that nice like Sykkuno! HA! Pigs will fly! Iceberg will melt!"
"I think you are overreacting Rae." Corpse deadpanned said before her words registered to him "And please, I am not the only to see Sykkuno as adorable so you can't use that against me."
Rae huffed at him "And I think you are nervous Corpse!" Rae smirked at him "That is true Corpse but... you are the first one to say it out loud, AND in front of my face."
Rae didn't give him a chance to rebut because she already went up to ring the doorbell, pressing it three times "Sykkuno! Open the door! I have given you a visitor!" Rae shouted.
Corpse looked at her then at the door "He is sick... we probably shouldn't be that loud Rae..."
"SYKKUNOOO THE DOOOOR!" Rae shouted making Corpse facepalm
'Does she ever listen to literally anybody around her?' Corpse thought as he silently watches Rae huff out after shouting.
Thankfully before Rae could let out another series of shouting, the door creaked open slightly. Rae and Corpse patiently watch as Sykkuno slowly peeked out the door. They could clearly see his tired facial expression coupled with his cheeks obviously red due to what Corpse would assume the fever he was having.
Sykkuno's eyes widen as he has now a proper grasp on who is shouting like a seagull screeching for food "C-Corpse... Rae! W-what are you guys doing here...?" he asked timidly
At least this time Rae looked a little bit guilty from probably shouting "We came to visit you of course!" Rae said as Sykkuno just slowly nodded before slowly opening the front door of their house so both of them could come in.
As both Corpse and Rae entered, Corpse was once again marveled at how homey and comfortable looking the house is despite being quite large in size. It's probably because of the plants that are decorating the entrance of the door up until the living room and the kitchen, and all of them are looking very well taken care off. Nothing too fancy which he actually didn't expect especially since he heard that Sykkuno and Toast are quite rich. The living room consist of a large sofa, a mixture of a large black sofa with dark green arm chairs perfect for a group of people, a very large and expensive looking TV set paired with large speakers, a cabinet, a large glass coffee table placed in the center and two bookshelves. Corpse now can clearly see the different abstract painting hanging in some of the wall which Corpse could safety conclude is Toast's part of designing the house, because he really doubt that Sykkuno would pick out something looking so abstract to the point that even Corpse couldn't understand what the painting meant.
"I uh... sorry if it's a little bit messy..." Sykkuno softly said from one of the dark green arm chairs from where he is sitting at.
Apparently, the 'mess' that Sykkuno is talking about is the books that is scattered across the coffee table and on the ground.
"Umm Toast was the one who made that mess, and he told me not to clean it up because he will do it himself." Sykkuno said
Rae laughed as she picked out one hard bound book, titled 'How to argue with Dummies', Corpse chuckled also as it is clear as day to whom that book belonged to. "Yep this is definitely Toast's alright!" Rae said as she carefully picked up some books blocking the way, before placing it with the other books on the table.
Finally Corpse and Rae was able to focus on the younger man in front of them, who is obviously trying hard not to doze off. Rae went in front of him "Sykkuno..." she softly called out "You can rest in your own bed, we just came to visit you because we are going to give you notes for the classes that you missed."
"Oh... thank you for that... you really didn't have to..."
Rae smiled "Nah think of it as a payback to what you have done to me, so I am, therefore, officially paid!"
That got a small laugh out of Sykkuno "Well... I still appreciate it Rae!"
Corpse cleared his throat as he looked at Sykkuno "I uh... brought you notes from our Mathematics and Statistic class..." Corpse said "I mean, Dream was the one who wrote it..."
Sykkuno smiled at him "Oh! Thank you so much! C-can you tell Dream that? Oh god he didn't had to..." Sykkuno said "And you didn't have to bring them all the way here so... I really appreciate it Corpse... thank you..."
For some reason Rae was looking at him with a knowing smirk at her face, Corpse once again cleared his throat "Uhhhh yeah... yeah yeah I mean no problem at all. I mean I didn't have anything to do today so umm... yeah."
Rae continued looking at him "Jesus Corpse..." she mumbled before slowly shaking her head before once again turning her attention to Sykkuno "Now you mister needs to sleep! So up you go!" Rae said as she grabs Sykkuno's hand to help him stand up to his own feet "Oh wow you are really burning up! I am honestly surprise Toast let you be alone in this state! Huh... but now that I think about it, he probably lost to you."
Rae then gave him a look that got Corpse moving as the both of them carefully helped the other man up the stairs. As they reached the top part, Sykkuno pointed at his brother's room making Rae's face scrunch up in confusion "But your room is down the hallway, right? I mean this is Toast's room?"
Sykkuno nodded "Yup but... Toast is making me stay in his room for the meantime because the heater in my room is still non-functional... so until my new heater comes, I'll be staying in his room. That's what Toast and Mom said to me..."
Rae just hummed as she nodded as Corpse was the one who opened the door as Rae and Sykkuno slowly walked inside the room. Corpse closed the door behind him as Rae helped Sykkuno settled on the twin size-bed.
As Corpse glance around the room, there is no doubt that this room certainly belongs to Toast and not Sykkuno. For some reason, Corpse never thought that Toast would be the kind of guy to like the color Cyan but apparently, he was wrong because the bedsheet and the gaming chair is in that color. Corpse could also clearly see trophies after trophies in the display glass cabinet that Toast has in his room. Corpse wondered just how much this apartment was because of how large Toast's room is, consisting of 4 large bookshelves, two large glass cabinets displaying his trophies, framed certificates, and medals, there is also a pretty impressive computer set up in the room, a small black sofa in front of a glass coffee table and a mounted TV on the wall. Oh and the floors are carpeted with probably an expensive one because it's soft even with shoes on.
Corpse now wonders what Sykkuno's room looked like.
"This size is nothing, Sykkuno's room has a bathroom you know?"
Corpse jolted a little as Rae's voice suddenly rang out. Corpse glance at his side to see Rae smirking at him "Richy rich rich." She simply said as if that was enough for Corpse to understand. The sad part is, it is.
"You've been to Sykkuno's room?" Corpse asked
Rae nodded "Yup! Plenty of times! Especially during examination weeks! He would tutor me and Poki shits we don't understand in the lesson!"
Corpse slowly nodded "Uh huh..." he said "What who is Poki?" he suddenly ask
Rae gave him a confused look before gasping "Oh right! I didn't tell you but I have a half-sister, Poki! She is actually well-known in school as a part of the dance and sing club you know?"
Corpse hummed, he never heard of her. "I have never heard of her."
Rae laughed "That's okay! It's not like we should expect people to know us!"
Corpse turned to see how Sykkuno is, seeing that the other man suddenly got quiet. Corpse turned to see that Sykkuno is buried underneath the blankets "Is he asleep...?"
Rae nodded "Yup! So, we better be quite I checked his temperature and I think it's still high for him to be wasting his energy by being awake." She then looked at Sykkuno's sleeping figure "Poor Sykkuno, honestly he always gets sick during cold weathers. For some odd reason, he really has a poor immune system when it comes to cold!"
Corpse hummed as his eyes linger on Sykkuno. Rae then smiled at him which didn't go unnoticed by Corpse "Well! I need to go now! I still have a thing with Poki you know?"
Corpse's eyes went wide as Rae easily exited the room, Corpse chased after her stopping just outside the room "If you are leaving then I am too..." Corpse said
Rae looked at him with a funny expression "Wait why? I thought you will keep Sykkuno company?"
Corpse looked at her in disbelief "Do... do you honestly think that it's safe to leave me with... him?"
Rae laughed "Well are you going to rob them?" she asked
"What?! No!"
Rae shrugged "Then what's the problem?"
Corpse facepalmed "You... uh can't leave me with him!"
Rae finally turned to face him properly, she looked at him up and down before smirking "Why Corpse?" she asked "It's not like you'll do something... to Sykkuno right? I mean you two are just friend so what is wrong with me leaving you alone with him?"
That made Corpse stop, wild thoughts run in his head as he thinks of a good reason. A reason to not let Rae leave him with the younger man.
He came up with none.
So Corpse sigh heavily making Rae chuckle "Okay... okay just two friends hanging out okay... I mean yeah Sykkuno is my friend of course I'll keep him... company... yeah"
Rae laughed once again "It's sound like you are trying to convince yourself more than me, Corpse!" she said "Well anyway I am off! If you want to meet Bimbus, just yell out his name he will come running. Don't worry, he got Sykkuno's nice personality but he is a spoiled dog so..." Rae said as she started going down the stairs "Bye Corpse! Good luck!"
Corpse just stayed there glued to the floor as Rae finally slammed the front door shut.
Officially leaving Corpse alone, with a sleeping Sykkuno.
He didn't know what to do now.
~o~oOo~o~
Apparently, true to Rae's words, the moment he yelled out Bimbus, a cotton like ball of dog run towards him. The dog just sniffed him a couple of times before wagging his tail at him.
Bimbus is a really cute dog, especially in personal and up close.
So now, with nothing much left to do, Bimbus and him are sitting comfortably on the carpeted floor in Toast's room. Corpse was comfortable in the floor rather than the sofa, because at least from where he is sitting he could clearly watch Sykkuno.
Although now that he thinks about it, maybe it's not healthy to find someone who is sick still looks so adorable even when sleeping. But whatever, at this point Corpse thinks that it is normal to find the younger man adorable not only for his looks but his overall personality. In his defense, even Jack and the others also thinks this so this is probably a normal thought to be thinking about every day.
Corpse didn't even know just how much time has passed, but his attention fully drifted to Sykkuno when the younger man groans softly. Corpse watched as Sykkuno slowly opened his eyes before slowly and finally turning to face towards him.
Sykkuno smiled tiredly even though he just woke up "Hi Corpse..." he mumbled
Corpse couldn't help but smile "Hi Sykkuno..." he mumbled back
Sykkuno just hummed, as Corpse thinks that the younger man must have been still too tired to even have a proper conversation. "I uh... do you need anything Sykkuno?" Corpse asked instead.
A second of silence passed before Sykkuno answered "Um... i-if it's not too much to ask... can you go water my... plants outside?"
Corpse laughed at the request "Oh my god..." he muttered still laughing as he did.
Sykkuno looked confuse "I... I don't know why you are laughing but I like your laugh so it's okay..."
At this point Corpse is already smiling so much it's starting to hurt a little, so he cleared his throat "I just find it fucking adorable that your request was to water your plants instead of getting you a drink or something to eat." Then Sykkuno's words settled in Corpse's brain "And uh... I like your smile too... I uhhh I mean your laugh..."
Sykkuno, giggled which fuck Corpse finds so adorable too that it should be illegal to sound like that even when sick, "Toast made sure I ate, but I think he forgot to water my plants this morning before he left and I... don't want my plants to die."
Corpse smiled at him "Yeah okay... I'll water your plants for you..." Corpse said making Sykkuno smile
"Thank you, Corpse! I really owe you one."
Corpse nodded at him before slowly getting up "Be right back, I'll water them then bring you something to eat and drink okay?"
When Sykkuno nodded as his attention drifted to Bimbus who carefully climbed on his bed, Corpse exited the room, gently closing the door behind him.
Well, time to water those plants.
~o~oOo~o~
As it turns out, when Sykkuno referred to them as plants, he really meant plants. As in plural, many. Because the moment Corpse stepped out of the small backyard he was greeted by a small very beautiful garden. And Corpse finds it adorable that Sykkuno name some plants, as they are labelled with human names.
'That is fucking cute...' Corpse thought as he watered the last plant named 'Nathan'. Satisfied that every plant is watered, Corpse went inside the house and into the spacious kitchen.
Corpse wonders if Sykkuno knows how to cook, or maybe it's Toast who does the cooking.
Corpse was not surprise to see that the double doored refrigerator was stacked with a large variety of foods. What surprised him was the stacks of unhealthy-looking number of iced coffees. And probably why there is a strawberry pop-tart on the freezer, but that will be another question for another day.
Corpse was just thankful that he knows how to make basic soup courtesy of his Mother who insisted that Corpse should know how to cook. So with that in mind, Corpse was proud that in a short amount of time he was able to make a light soup, suitable for a sick person. It's also a good thing that Toast didn't hid the medicine, as they are still on the counter.
With great balance and effort, Corpse was able to safely open the bedroom door to find Sykkuno already on a sitting position with Bimbus sleeping on his lap. Sykkuno looked at him with wide eyes as Corpse placed the soup, water and the medicine on the table
"Oh jesus! You didn't have to cook for me Corpse!"
Corpse chuckled as he dragged one of the chair near to Sykkuno's bed to help the other man with perhaps eating, "It's just soup Sykkuno, nothing big." Corpse easily said as he could clearly see Sykkuno panicking
"B-But still! No one ever cooks for me aside for Mom..." Sykkuno softly said making Corpse look surprise
"Toast can't cook?" he asked, genuinely surprise. After all, at this point he wouldn't be surprise if he found out that Toast can do everything.
It seems like his thoughts are seen on his face because Sykkuno laughed "Don't tell this to anybody but Toast can't cook that well... but he tries you know? After all he doesn't want us to be eating take-out foods everyday for the rest of our college lives."
Corpse chuckled "Don't worry I'll keep that as a secret." Corpse said making Sykkuno smile at him. Corpse then noticed that Sykkuno won't probably be able to eat properly given that he is shaking a little bit "Um... do... do you want me to uh help you eat..?" he asked
For some reason that made Sykkuno's face red even more "Oh jesus! I... I ca-can't ask you that Corpse!"
Corpse laughed "Why not? I just want to help you out." Corpse said
"But still! You already watered my plants, and uhh yo-you cooked for me ummm you are already doing so much for me!" Sykkuno said, apparently still panicking which is, cute. But that's besides the point.
"Sykkuno calm down..." Corpse said finally making Sykkuno look at him "It's okay, it's fine I don't mind as long as it's you..."
Sykkuno's eyes widen a little bit at that "As... as long as it's me..?"
Corpse nodded seriously "You are special."
It took a little longer for Sykkuno's sick brain to register that but when it did he let out a big smile which Corpse find mesmerizing to look at especially since Sykkuno didn't hide it with his hand.
Sykkuno looked at him "You... you are special to me too Corpse!" he cheerfully said
And fuck, that is bad for Corpse's heart.
~o~oOo~o~
After... helping Sykkuno eat the soup he made and drink his medicine, Sykkuno was once again feeling sleepy and tired. But it was a good thing that his fever went down to 38C, unlike the high temperature when he and Rae first got in their house.
As of now, Bimbus was somewhere downstairs eating the dog food that Corpse placed on his eating bowl. Before Sykkuno could fully rest Corpse suggested to the younger man to at least change out of his t-shirt so he would feel more comfortable sleeping.
Which is probably not the brightest idea that Corpse said, that day.
Apparently, Sykkuno feels so tired that he just nodded, politely asking Corpse if he could grab him a fresh t-shirt in his room. Which of course, Corpse did. Because he was a good friend.
Rae wasn't joking when he said that Sykkuno's room was big.
The moment Corpse entered Sykkuno's room the first thought that came to his mind was: 'Ah this is definitely Sykkuno's room.'
The walls are painted with the most refreshing green paint that Corpse has probably seen in his entire life. There is indoor plants in the entrance of the room, besides the desk that Sykkuno has, and near his bed. Like Toast's room, it also has a bookshelf. The bed was also a twin bed that has a mint green bedding and blankets. Now that Corpse thinks about it, the room smells really good, kinda like a minty smell. And true to Rae's words, there is a door just on the right side of the large room, that is probably the bathroom she was talking about.
'If I have this kind of room, I will never fucking leave my room.' Corpse thought. He has a pretty nice room too, but his parents refused to place a bathroom on his room because they know once he has it, they will never see him again. Which to be fair, will be a fact.
As Corpse picked up the first t-shirt he saw, out of the corner of his eyes he saw a framed picture on Sykkuno's desk. Curiosity took over him as he glance at it, he couldn't help but smile as he saw young Toast and Sykkuno together with their Mom and Dad all in one frame. This made Corpse somber a little knowing that Sykkuno and Toast's Dad is already dead. So with one last lingering look at the photo, Corpse finally exited the room as he walked towards Toast's room.
When he opened the door, Sykkuno was still sitting on the bed but is dozing off. 'He is probably half-asleep at this point now' Corpse thought.
"Sykkuno...?" Corpse slowly called out
"Hm...?" Sykkuno answered, clearly sleep is the only thing on his mind
Corpse just smiled as he sat down on the bed "Uhhh... you need to change your t-shirt..." he slowly said "Don't worry, I won't look." Corpse, for some reason, felt the need to say that.
Apparently Sykkuno was so out of it that the younger man just nodded, yawning as he did, he took the t-shirt out of Corpse's hand muttering a soft thank you before without a warning, taking of his current shirt.
'Shit' Corpse thought as he quickly, again for some reason unknown to him, closed his eyes. "Ummmm... you uhhh... tell me when you... um are done..."
Sykkuno just hummed as Corpse could hear rustling of clothes, "I'm done..." Sykkuno muttered sleepily
Corpse let out a sigh of relief, as he opened his eyes. The moment he did his eyes landed on the exposed collarbone of the other man, apparently the shirt was a little big on him. But what got Corpse's attention was the large scar on the collarbone, that he can assume runs deeper.
Corpse's felt his mouth open and shut underneath the mask 'What the fuck...' he thought the more he stared at the scar. "Sy-Sykkuno..." he gently said "Wh... what happened to you...?" Corpse carefully asked
Sykkuno blinked at him "Oh..." he finally mumbled "You talking about this...?" Sykkuno said as he lowered his shirt a little bit, Corpse felt his jaw drop a little to see that he was right. Apparently, the scar traces on his collarbone up until it stops just on the middle of his chest area.
Like something slashed him.
Corpse didn't know what to think of that, "Sykkuno... if you don't mind me asking... where did you get that?" he asked instead
Sykkuno lifted his shirt back up, covering even his collarbone. Sykkuno hummed "Uhh... I don't know..." he mumbled "I mean... I asked Toast and Mom about this because I can't remember where I got this scar but... they just told me that I was really clumsy when we were kids. So I probably got it from playing or something..."
Corpse stared at him, finding it hard to believe that that was the case here "I don't think that kind of scar is something you'll forget easily Sykkuno..." Corpse said
Sykkuno slowly nodded "I know..." he mumbled "I know that but I... I can't really remember... even this." Sykkuno then pushed some of his hair out of his forehead reveling another long scar but this one is not really that noticeable from a far, but you could clearly see it up close. It looked painful. "I have a couple of more scars but... I swear I can't remember where I got them."
That made Corpse really confuse, because he also has one. Just a small scar in his legs because he fell of his bike. He remembered it so vividly because that shit hurt. So, it really baffled him that someone with a scar that deep and long would forget where it came from.
Corpse swallowed as he carefully think of what he was going to ask next, "Did... did you ask Toast about it...?" he asked hoping that he wouldn't get any negative reaction
As he expected, Sykkuno nodded solemnly, "I did but... he wouldn't answer me properly..." he softly mumbled, he sounds really vulnerable right now that Corpse felt mad at Toast for some reason "I... I know that he is hiding something from me, because he knows more than I know about myself..." Sykkuno admitted "I honestly think... that's one of the reasons why he is like this to me..."
'Protective of you?' Corpse thought but didn't dare voice it out. "Sykkuno..." he muttered
Sykkuno just looked at him, Corpse could clearly see the hurt in his eyes glinting but he refused to show it in his expression, "I just wished that he would tell me something I don't know...." Sykkuno said, all the while directly looking at him "But... he is my brother so I... I don't want to lose him too. I just...I hope that one day Toast will trust me, trust me to the point that he wouldn't have to hide anything from me..."
After that Sykkuno pretty much passed out because of how tired the younger man felt. Corpse carefully tucked him in the bed comfortably, all the while the conversation they have replaying in his head like a broken record.
As he stared at Sykkuno, who is once again sleeping, there is a nagging feeling he has that Toast is really hiding something big to his own brother. Remembering the conversation, he has with Jack with the others about Scarra, it only confirmed Corpse's thoughts even further. After a few minutes of silence, Corpse took a deep breath before slowly and carefully taking Sykkuno's exposed hands so he could hold it with his own.
"I'll help you..." Corpse whispered "I know you are too kind to confront your brother with the truth you want and deserve so... I'll be here for you Sykkuno."
And in this point, Corpse knows, he wouldn't just be helping out a friend.
But someone special to him.
~o~oOo~o~
The moment Toast was able to come home after a long day of the practice round debate, he knows.
That someone was in their house.
Toast isn't stupid, quite the opposite actually.
The very first thing he noticed that the books he had was no longer scattered on the floor, but rather it was neatly and carefully placed on the coffee table they have in the living room.
Second was that when he opened the fridge, he noticed a new small pot of soup. Sykkuno is too sick to cook, and Toast couldn't cook. So someone else cooked it.
And the dead giveaway was that the plants that his brother absolutely love, was watered already. Toast forgot to water them, and it didn't rain.
Someone he didn't still know was able to come inside their house and made themselves at home.
Toast didn't like that.
Without anymore second thoughts, Toast went upstairs. His eyes widening in alarm as he saw that his brother's room door was slightly opened. When Toast remembers that he left it closed because Bimbus might destroy Sykkuno's plants. Someone went inside his brother's room.
Ignoring the rage he was feeling, he slowly opened his room door. He sighs in clear relief to see his brother peacefully sleeping on his bed. Toast let out a breath of relief that he didn't even know he was holding, not until he saw his brother safe and sleeping.
The first thing he did was carefully place his hands on Sykkuno's forehead, calming a little to see that the fever has considerably lessen. After knowing that, Toast glance around his room to see if something was off.
It didn't took him a long time to find a simple white post it note stuck on his computer screen. His eyes narrowed, as he slowly walked towards it, he plucked it out from where it was posted.
"See you around Toast."
-Corpse
Toast crumbled the paper before throwing the crumbled-up paper into his trash bin that was just under his computer set up.
"You fucker." He muttered angrily "Fuck you Corpse."