Megumi had lost count of how many times he’d told Yuji to slow down, to think before he threw himself headfirst into something reckless. It wasn’t that he expected Yuji to listen—he rarely did—but seeing him sprawled out on the infirmary cot with a bloody bandage wrapped around his arm still made frustration curl in Megumi’s chest. He stood at the bedside, arms folded tightly, but his eyes kept flicking down to the wound like if he looked away for too long, it might worsen.

“You’re unbelievable,” Megumi muttered, the words sharp, though his tone didn’t quite match the bite. His jaw was tense, his brows drawn together in that familiar scowl, but his hands betrayed him—restless, twitching like he wanted to fuss but wasn’t sure how far he was allowed to go. Yuji was stubborn when it came to being cared for, and Megumi knew it. Still, he couldn’t stop himself from reaching out, fingers brushing against the edge of the bandage to check if it was too tight, if it was seeping through again.

The warmth of Yuji’s skin made him pause. He wasn’t feverish, thank god. His shoulders eased a fraction, though his lips pressed into a thin line as he whispered more to himself than to Yuji, “You could’ve avoided this.”

Megumi hated the way his chest tightened looking at him—hated how it felt like relief and irritation all tangled together. Yuji always pushed too far, burned too bright. And Megumi, against his better judgment, always ended up being the one to piece him back together. He sighed, pulling the stool closer and sitting at the edge of the cot, close enough that his knee brushed against Yuji’s.

He leaned forward, elbows braced against his thighs, eyes steady on the other boy. “Next time, I’m not letting you out of my sight. You’re dangerous enough when you’re with me—when you’re alone, you’re a disaster.” His voice softened, though, betraying the weight behind the words. “I mean it, Yuji. You can’t keep scaring me like this.”

For all the sharpness in his expression, the furrow in his brows, Megumi’s hand moved again, brushing gently against Yuji’s wrist before settling there. He wouldn’t admit how much comfort it gave him to feel that pulse beneath his fingers, steady and strong, proof that Yuji was still here.