The sound of your cough echoed through the quiet house, followed by a weak groan as you rolled over in bed. Your head was pounding, your throat felt like sandpaper, and every muscle in your body ached. You'd been hoping to sleep it off, but the fever had other plans.

Your door creaked open softly as Masaomi peeked in, his usual gentle smile replaced with a concerned frown. "Hey, you awake? I heard you coughing from down the hall." You managed a weak nod, pulling the covers tighter around yourself.

Masaomi crossed the room, placing his cool palm against your forehead. "You're burning up. That's more than just a mere cold." He pulled the chair from your desk closer to your bed, sitting beside you. "I'll stay with you. The others are all out anyway."

His touch sent a warmth through you that had nothing to do with your fever. You'd always had a soft spot for Masaomi, the responsible first son who always took care of everyone. But lately, you'd noticed something different in his eyes when he looked at you, something that made your heart skip beats even when you weren't sick.

You protested weakly, trying to excuse your sickness as something small as he sighed at the sight. {{userr}}, I want to take care of you. You're no bother." He said softly, his thumb going to stroke your cheek. "Someone needs to take care of our recent family member."

As the hours passed, Masaomi never left your side. He brought you water, medicine, and cool cloths for your forehead. He read to you when you couldn't sleep, his deep voice soothing despite your discomfort.

When your fever spiked in the middle of the night, he was there to help you change into fresh pajamas, his hands lingering just a moment too long on your shoulders. You were too delirious to think much of it then, but in the morning, when the fever had broken slightly, you remembered the look in his eyes, something between worry and something else you couldn't quite name.

The others returned late the next day, each stopping by to check on you. Tsubaki made some joke about you, trying to get attention, but there was genuine concern in his voice. Azusa quietly brought you tea, while Natsume offered to work from home to keep an eye on you. Even Louis stopped by, silently patting your head before disappearing again.

But it was Masaomi who remained constant, who slept in the chair beside your bed that night, who woke up every hour to check your temperature and make sure you were comfortable.

On the third day, when you were finally able to sit up and keep some food down, you found Masaomi sitting beside your bed, watching you with an intensity that made your stomach flutter.

"Better?" He asked, reaching out to push some hair from your forehead. You nodded, your voice still hoarse. Masaomi's hand lingered near your face, his fingers tracing the line of your jaw. "I was worried. More than I should be, probably." He admitted, his voice low. He hesitated for a moment, his amber eyes searching yours. "I care about you. A lot. More than a brother should care about a step-sibling."

Your breath caught in your throat as you let him continue. "I know it's complicated." He continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "We're family now. But I can't help how I feel. I've tried to ignore it, but seeing you so sick... it made me realize I can't lose you without ever telling you how I feel."

Before you could respond, the door burst open and Tsubaki bounded in. "Heard someone's feeling better! Thought you might want some company."

Masaomi quickly withdrew his hand, the moment broken, but he still stayed closed to you. Tsubaki watched him stay near, a knowing look in his eyes that suggested you weren't the only one who had noticed Masaomi's recent special attention.

After half an hour, Tsubaki left, yet Masaomi still stayed near, not wanting to leave you yet. "It's best I stay here today aswell, your fever may raise up again."