Perks of the secret friend [Iruka and Itachi]

[uchihasavior]

Who: [The I team-- Itachi and Iruka]
When: February 9th
Where: Starting at the Uchiha Compound, moving to Iruka's place


The attention Itachi gets when he finally falls ill can be overwhelming. It seems to be traveling around Konoha, so no doubt with his weak immune system and his extended stay in his home village, Itachi came down with the flu. Mother found him nearly keeling over in the process of making himself tea and demanded he lay back down in bed.

He hadn't gotten any real rest since. The household was busy. Between Mother, Sasuke, and Shisui popping in, he was always being asked if he was alright, if he needed anything, or presented with something else to try to swallow.

Dusk was only marginally better, with everyone else prepping for bed. And now the footsteps down the hall started again...

Comments

[uchihasavior]

He understands, yet it takes him a bit to answer. Everything is foggy, such is the case with the sinus pressure. But he manages a shaky nod. He does need the help, he can feel how sweaty he is, and stewing in it would do him no good.

Sitting up is shaky, but he's confident Iruka will provide him the support he needs, removing his shirt slowly.

[senseiofthesea]

He eyed Itachi's frame, then decided he'd see about washing him down later, instead moving his hands to make sure he didn't fall over as the other man started to strip out of his shirt. He was dubious if he could manage something similar with his bottom half given the trouble he was having.

[uchihasavior]

He manages to wriggle them mid-way down his thighs. Anything else is too much energy to exert, and he just ends up looking up at Iruka, half naked.

He needs help.

[senseiofthesea]

He's honestly impressed he even managed to get that far, and reached down to untangle the other man from his clothes, dropping them in a pile to the side before moving to start getting him dressed again, starting with bottoms and sleep pants.

[uchihasavior]

He can help a little bit, at least. Raise his hips to allow Iruka to get past his butt, and lift his arms somewhat to get the shirt on after that. And after that is over, he waits patiently to be picked up again.

Or Iruka can leave him on the futon. Either is fine with him, and he wouldn't even be offended Iruka would like to keep his own bed dry.

[senseiofthesea]

Iruka clearly was having none of that though, picking him up to settle him back in the bed, nestling the fresh covers around him and brushing the cloth down. "Go ahead and go back to sleep, I'll wake you when I have the broth all heated up for you."

[uchihasavior]

Mmm, Iruka was the best. He finds himself humming faintly-- as much as he can with his hoarse throat, right up until he's situated on the bed again.

"Thank you, Iruka." he rasps, gently, giving him a weary smile.

[senseiofthesea]

He brushed his hair back out of his face and nodded once. "Of course. Rest a bit, I'll be back soon."

[uchihasavior]

He's thankful for that, again. The kind of care that isn't overbearing. Just enough, exactly what he needs. So he drifts off easily, just after having popped another cough drop. His sleep is light, able to breathe out of his nostrils a little better.

[senseiofthesea]

He went about making dinner and feeding himself, putting away his leftovers neatly before tending to broth for Itachi. Once that was done, he let it cool to the point where the other man couldn't burn himself on it, but it was still hot enough, and took it off to the other room. "Itachi."

[uchihasavior]

He'd wrapped himself in the blankets again, with one foot dangling free. Hearing his name called has him stirring gently, turning his head away from the wall towards the source of the sound.

...Ah, the broth. Yes. So he begins to sit up, slowly.

[senseiofthesea]

He watched him, making no move to help until he was sure that Itachi actually needed some. Instead, he'd hold the bowl, and he suspected, very likely end up feeding him. But he'd wait and see.

[uchihasavior]

Carefully, he manages to work the pillow behind him, providing him with the support necessary to remain sitting up. The breath he takes is deep, and through his mouth.

He thinks he can hold the bowl, at least, reaching out for it slowly. And if not, well, he can slide down and rest it on his chest. That way he only has to tilt it.

[senseiofthesea]

He watched him intently, not releasing it before he was completely certain that he was in control of it. "Alright?"

[uchihasavior]

"Mm. Good." Excellent, actually. Iruka's cooking always was. But that's too many syllables to pronounce at the moment.

He'll just focus on small sips for now.

[senseiofthesea]

Satisfied Itachi wasn't about to dump soup down his front, he gave a soft hum of amusement and settled on his futon. "That's always nice to hear."

[uchihasavior]

All it takes is a slip, but he's alright for now. Mostly. Spends a lot of time holding cup like things.

This is a bigger cup.

"You say that as if you don't hear it often." he hums, glad to have a little of his voice back.

[senseiofthesea]

"I say it like I appreciate people saying it regardless." He gave a laugh and shook his head, making himself comfortable.

[uchihasavior]

Ah, well, fair enough. Soon enough he's got most of it down, letting the bowl simply rest on his chest, his breathing evening out a bit.

"M'afraid you'll have to pick it up off of me."

[senseiofthesea]

He got up, moving over to collect the bowl. "Go back to sleep, I'll help you take a bath in the morning." He padded away so that he could put the bowl away before coming back to change into his sleepwhere.

[uchihasavior]

"Mmm." he hums his agreement, carefully turning over on his side so he could rest again. He'll probably get a few more hours this time.

[senseiofthesea]

Much as he knew Itachi wouldn't appreciate being woken, he needed to get him up so he could get ready for his day himself. He still had classes to teach, even if Itachi was here.

"Itachi. Itachi-kun. Time for that bath."

[uchihasavior]

Those blessed few hours unfortunately let his nose stop completely up again. Which meant for most of them, he was sleeping with his mouth wide open. It was thankfully silent, but it's left his lips horribly chapped, and somewhat painful as he slowly wakes to the sound of Iruka's voice, his sound disoriented.

Oh.

"Mm?" Comes out the hum, thick. Why did he want him awake? He's having trouble keeping his eyes open, really just wanting to roll back over and go back to sleep.

[senseiofthesea]

He examined him carefully, then sighed. "Warm bath, then back to sleep." He frowned, then moved off to go run a bath before coming back, sure that Itachi wouldn't even notice the absence in his state.

[uchihasavior]

Ah, a bath. Okay. He's okay with that.

But he's still disoriented. He thinks about helping him, standing up and at least getting partway undressed, but that thought dies the moment Iruka's gone, and the other will find him in a light sleep when he returns.

He did manage to move one leg out from under the blankets, though. Progress.