Accident

The main trial had been successful. Ran poured over the results, running them for the fourth time, just to be sure. He wasn’t likely to receive a different outcome, but every time he saw them confirm Eisaku’s theories, his heart sang. He’d been in his office behind the computer screen for hours now, ecstatic to look at the data. He couldn’t wait to tell Eisaku.

——

Shohei spent the rest of the day in a daze. Kyourin apologized a hundred times and promised to give Shohei space. Even though Shohei was internally overjoyed by Kyourin’s interest, he wasn’t the best in processing these changes. Luckily Kyourin seemed to understand. He told Shohei to go back to the lab, saying he would join him later.

Pro: Kyourin is patient

Pro: His lips are soft

Sigh. The pros started to outweigh the cons, but what kind of scientist would Shohei be if he only relied on subjective data. But then again, what was love, if not a whole collection of subjective data? Love. Was he actually in love, or was he just crushing on the first person who’d shown interest in him and his work? Well, there was enough time to find out.

The weird patch on his arm acted up from time to time, and Shohei resolved to search the lab for anything that could’ve provoked an allergic reaction. On one hand, he really wanted to know what happened, and on the other he needed to take his mind off things.

Kyourin spent the afternoon in the greenhouse, working on the new termite colony. There was a whole sequence of circumstances that needed to be created, so the colony would accept the location they had been planted, and even then, it wasn’t guaranteed to work. Shohei saw him sometimes, walking past the window, his mind circling around all of their interactions in the last months.

After finding nothing conclusive, Shohei turned back to producing the supplement for the next series of Ito’s team’s experiments.

Kyourin returned to the lab in the evening and offered to reapply the topical cream before Shohei went home for the night. The atmosphere between them was slightly awkward, but Kyourin made sure to tell him he had all the time in the world before he left. Shohei left feeling hopeful.

He crashed his bike about two blocks from his house.

——

“That means we can move on to the next phase! Good thing we hired an animal expert,” Eisaku beamed.

Ran swept him off his feet and swirled him around the lab. He didn’t mind anyone seeing them. There were only three other people in the facility working with them, and they all knew of their relationship. So he gladly accepted Eisaku’s embrace and let himself be kissed within an inch of his life. Was there anything better in this world than seeing Eisaku smile? He hadn’t encountered it yet, and he had a feeling he never would. The man was talented, humble and beautiful…

“Ran, we should prepare—”

“I think you should do something else first.”

Eisaku smiled. “And what would that be?”

“Me.”

——

“His blood tests have been concerning.”

Shohei blinked into the harsh light of the room. He knew where he was before he’d even opened his eyes. The sounds, smells—all were telltale signs of a hospital room. Besides, he remembered the crash. For a moment, everything in front of his eyes had become black and in the next, he felt pain all throughout his body. His memory seemed to be intact, luckily.

“Concerning how?”

“There’s some values we—Ah, he seems to have come to. Matsumoto-san, can you understand me?”

“Yes. How long have I been out?”

“Just one night. You were lucky, considering everything. The biggest issue is a fracture in your right index finger.”

“Oh.”

Shohei looked down at his hand, which was indeed immobilised, along with his wrist. A splint was tied to his fingers, everything wrapped tightly. That would be a detriment to his work. He turned his head to his left to see who the doctor had been talking with and was surprised to see Kyourin stand there, dressed casually.

“Sensei…”

“Yes?” both of them answered simultaneously.

Shohei barked a laugh and immediately cringed in pain. Nothing else was broken, but it felt like a lot was bruised.

“Can I get a drink? Something with sugar,” he asked.

Kyourin nodded. “I’ll get something.”

As soon as they were alone, Shohei looked at the doctor. “What about my blood test?”

“Ah, yes. There were some values that were higher than usual..”

Shohei listened to his explanation and looked at the chart. They concluded that it would’ve been that allergic reaction, which had also shown on his arm, that could’ve done that, including the blackout. There must’ve been something in the lab. Kyourin returned by that point, a sugary soda in hand. They explained the situation to him, and he vowed to examine the lab for possible allergens after Shohei had a test done.

Then, the doctor left and Kyourin handed Shohei the opened bottle. He gratefully took a few big sips of the melon soda.

“Didn’t they inform my parents first? Why are you here?”

“Don’t you want me to be here?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“They’re not in the country right now. Holidays somewhere in Korea,” Kyourin explained. “At least that’s what the hospital told me. After your parents no more emergency contact or family was listed, but they found your badge and called the lab.”

“I see.”

Kyourin was tactful enough not to ask why Shohei didn’t know his parents were on vacation. He reached out and put his hand on Shohei’s face, brushing a thumb along his cheek.

“You gave me a fright.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologise. It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have let you go, knowing something was going on with you,” Kyourin replied. “After you’re discharged you’re staying with me until you can work again. There’s no one at home to take care of you, right?”

“That’s not—”

“You think I’ll accept no for an answer?”

“Kyou… Eisaku.”

“Yes?”

“Sit here.”

Shohei patted the bed to his left, and Kyourin sat down as asked. Before he could think about it, he drew him closer and kissed him. Kyourin melted into

him and kissed back with enthusiasm. They only parted when Shohei made a pained noise. Kyourin drew back and examined Shohei’s face.

“I’m glad you wear proper protection when biking. This could’ve gone much worse. Nothing happened to that brilliant head of yours.”

Shohei blushed under Kyourin’s attention. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to be taken care of. No one had sat at his sick bed since his childhood.