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]

But that took effort and he didn't want to exert any.

He gives Iruka an unfocused stare, just for a few seconds. Then he's moving again, sniffling due to his nose as he struggles-- but ultimately manages to get his shirt off.

Usually he folds it and sets it aside. The shirt is not that lucky today.

[senseiofthesea]

His lips twitched, and he picked up Itachi enough to help him get his pants off. Judging by the look he'd been given, it would save him a lot of grief.

[uchihasavior]

Oh good, because he would've tripped. Perhaps he'll be more coherent after a bath and food, and the steam will help his sinuses.

He even keeps his grip on Iruka's shoulders after his underwear also disappear, slowly sinking into the tub.

Mm, better.

[senseiofthesea]

Once he was sure that Itachi wouldn't drown on being released, Iruka nodded and moved off to go fetch him fresh clothes, dumping the old ones in the hamper. He was sure that Itachi was capable of splashing water on himself at the very least.

[uchihasavior]

The hot steam helped clear his nasal cavity, and for the first time in a couple of days, he's able to take a nice, deep breath.

It helps him find a bit of strength, his muddled head coming into focus, and he carefully sinks into the water up to his nose, hair floating in a mess around him. This was very preferable.

[senseiofthesea]

He was quick to return, making sure he was still awake, then set clothes nearby, as well as a set of towels. Another one went on the floor by the tub and he handed him a washcloth. "Think you can manage cleaning yourself off?"

[uchihasavior]

He looks up from his little blissful world of water when Iruka returns, a little more attentive than before. He can breathe! A little. But it did wonders for giving him some precious lost energy, and he manages a nod without submerging his nose entirely.

He might feel like shit later on, but for now he had something to work with and he was going to put it to proper use. He's even able to pull himself to a sit-up, half of his hair soaked, the other frizzy with the humidity.

[senseiofthesea]

His lips twitched as he looked at Itachi's half drowned appearance, and he reached out, settling himself on t he edge of the tub and dipping his hand into the water to start trickling water in cupped fingers over the top of Itachi's head. "You work on that then. I'll get your hair."

[uchihasavior]

"I needed the steam." he hums, reaching over for some soap and a rag so he can wash himself while Iruka tends to his hair. It's nice...to have fingers on his head that aren't his, that he can simply trust. He doesn't have to think about it, they're simply accepted as a whole.

But Iruka must be careful, because he may just want to stop and enjoy those fingers on their own.

[senseiofthesea]

"I could tell. You sounded much worse before you got in. And that was just breathing, let alone talking." He shook his head, making sure the hair was all wet with careful handfuls, ensuring that he wouldn't douse the other man in the face. Only once that was handled did he move on to shampoo.

[uchihasavior]

Having lathered his chest and arms properly, he tilts his head back now, so Iruka has full access to his head, and doesn't have to worry about shampoo in his eyes.

[senseiofthesea]

He smiled at the gesture and shook his head, taking care to get all the sweat off his scalp before starting to rinse his hair out. "You're such a cat sometimes."

[uchihasavior]

"Should I purr, and crawl into your bed into the dead of the night to demand attention?" he plays along, with a question, opening one eye.

[senseiofthesea]

"If you did it would save me the trouble of unpacking your bedding when you stayed over." He smirked, giving a small laugh as he rubbed his thumbs over his forehead to keep the soap from his eyes.

[uchihasavior]

"Ah, so I am trouble...?" he hums, tone amused. He knows that isn't true, though.

Whatever his next response is just dies into content humming at the fingers in his hair.

[senseiofthesea]

He shook his head over the other man and slowly eased his hands back to work on rinsing, running his fingers through the strands to work out the soap. "I don't mind, I'm rather used to it really."

[uchihasavior]

"Mm, you simply wish I make it easier." Though, could they really share the bed...

That's something to ponder while getting his hair washed, lowering slightly so more of his hair is in the water.

[senseiofthesea]

"From time to time. You wouldn't be you without being a little trouble." He tugged lightly on his shoulder, supporting him in a tip so he could properly rinse. The other way wasn't being terribly effective.

[uchihasavior]

Mm, true enough. The bath has also relaxed him enough that he lets out a bit of a yawn as he's dipped. Perhaps it's time for bed again as soon as he's dried and clothed.

[senseiofthesea]

Once he was done rinsing, he sat him back up. "Rinse down and I'll get your towel, okay?"

He only released him once he was sure he was stable, then moved to get the towel.

[uchihasavior]

He's partway out of the tub when Iruka returns, having completed his part of the request. Just waiting on that towel.

[senseiofthesea]

He leaned to unplug the tub, then straightened to offer him the towel in hand. He had another over his shoulder. "Alright?"

[uchihasavior]

"Should be." Standing's a little shaky, but he isn't going to go very far. He works on drying his arms, chest, and waist first, so that he can grip onto Iruka if something goes wrong. Legs are next, and his hair can just wait until he can simply wrap it up in the towel.

[senseiofthesea]

Iruka waited patiently, watching him closely and reaching a hand to touch his side and steady him when he started to list. "Out of the tub before anymore I think."

[uchihasavior]

Holding onto Iruka, he's able to manage one leg out of the tub. There's a short moment to rest, but soon enough his other leg is out, and by some miracle he hasn't fallen.