Caretaker Kiryu

[madimpossibledreamer]

Main Points:
Yakuza
Summary: Kiryu looks after Majima.
Word Count: 1020
Rating: Teen
mild spoilers for Kiwami but very vague
Warning: Majima's made it to a migraine postdrome now

          By the time he’s squinting, trying to figure out how to use the stove, he hears a more awake grumble from the couch.  It’s actually closer to the Kansai-ben Kiryu’s used to, which says he’s at least feeling enough better to put up walls.
          …Now that he thinks about it that way, he’s really not sure that’s a good thing, but that’s beside the point.
          “You feeling better, Majima no niisan?”  He tries to control the deep rumble of his voice, but it’s apparent from the slight groan it’s not quite enough.  He winces in sympathy.  He’s not trying to cause pain, but alleviate it.
          “Yeah, actually.  Ya make fer a good nursemaid, Kiryu-chan.”  It’s an echo of the flirty tone Majima will take sometimes just to rile Kiryu up, because he knows Kiryu’s not good with that, but a hint of something earnest creeps through.  More than anything, it flusters him more than usual, because the idea that he really has done something Majima-niisan is grateful for is a feeling he hasn’t gotten in a while.  He hasn’t felt like he’s been accomplishing much, especially after hearing how Nishiki has changed, and Yumi’s disappeared, and Kazama-san got shot.  Like he’s incapable of accomplishing anything worthwhile.
          Fortunately, Majima can’t see his expression in the dark.  “I’m glad I could help.”
          Majima’s head slowly appears, chin tucked onto the back of the couch.  The older man looks cozy like that.  “Yer a rare treasure, Kiryu-chan.”  He sounds pleased.  He doesn’t usually, when he thinks Kiryu is being too soft, but then, maybe he was actually being genuine about wanting to see where Kiryu’s conviction took him, or whatever it was he’d said ten years ago. 
          “Do you feel like food now, niisan?”  He’s not sure if he will.  Isn’t sure how long a migraine works, or how to treat it.  But he knows, after a while, food usually helps with a hangover, so it might be useful here.
          The long, slow pause makes Kiryu think Majima’s just taking inventory until the long, slow “Haaaw?” escapes the other man’s mouth.  He definitely sounds better—tired, but better. “The shit, Kiryu-chan, ya cook?”  He’s probably noticed Kiryu’s location, bending awkwardly over the stove.
          “Not…much.”  It’s not usually something Kiryu’s ashamed of.  He knows he’s pretty much the typical bachelor, but he’d been a Yakuza.  It’s not like it had been a skill in high demand.  But for some reason, he feels awkward and inadequate this time.  “I was thinking eggs?  Tamagoyaki maybe?”
          The deep yawn catches them both by surprise.  “No shame in that, Kiryu-chan.  I ain’t much ‘a one meself.  I’ll eat anythin’.  I’ll even eat right now if yer offerin’.”
          That makes him even more awkward, but he steamrolls over that with little hesitation.  He can’t afford to think too much about it, or it’ll paralyze him.  Better to just act.  “Is it all right if I turn on the light?  I can’t see the stove.”  And he’s certainly not familiar enough with one to know by touch.
          “I’ll do ya one better, Kiryu-chan.”  Majima gets up, and Kiryu wants to protest, but he doesn’t find the words before Majima comes over.  Kiryu feels a moment of disorientation when he walks over, having grabbed something on the floor.  The Patriarch still has the same grace as he moves, but all the menace Kiryu’s used to seeing is gone.  Seeing the man, not the Mad Dog, is an odd feeling, but nice.  Kiryu feels the tension leave his shoulders and realizes that all this time he’d been slightly tensed, waiting for the attack.  Logically, other than the thrown knife at the door—which, now that he thinks about it, no one had removed that from the wall, but that’s for later—he knows that an attack is unlikely, but Majima’s got him well-trained now to expect an attack everywhere.  Maybe he’d be pleased by the results.  It’s helped him stay alive longer, but he feels so lonely, so isolated.  He misses Yumi, awkward and difficult as expressing his feelings was.  Majima sets down what he’s carrying and plugs in the—it’s a lamp.  “Cozy, eh, Kiryu-chan?”  It is, a nice, warm red glow.  Not too bright, which means Majima probably bought it specifically for this purpose.  “Now ya can see what yer doin’.  Bet ya need all the help ya can get.”
          “I’m sorry…” Kiryu starts to apologize, only to be slapped in the shoulder.  He’s fully aware that’s not Majima’s full strength, and it’s not clear whether he’s holding back or not quite feeling his best yet.
          “Kiryu-chan, ya gotta have a backbone!  Ya stuck yer neck out fer me.  Ya think most would?”  This is the first time since he’d first showed up that Majima’s glared at him.
          “They’re scared of you?” Kiryu offers weakly, only to have Majima lean in, wrap his arm around Kiryu’s shoulders, and lean in.  He definitely feels a little weak, and he’s actually shivering slightly.
          “Kiryu-chan, yer so soft.  Lemme fill ya in on a little, tiny secret.  Most ain’t that nice.  Lotta folks ain’t gonna go outta their way ta give ya the time of day.”  The sing-song doesn’t have the same energy, but it’s back, too.  Kiryu furrows his brow.  Obviously there are exceptions, like Shimano, but Kiryu’s found a lot of helpful people, too.
          “But you’re looking out for me, niisan.”  He wouldn’t have noticed, normally, but with Majima’s arm around him he can feel the slight flinch.
          “How ya figure?”  Majima sounds a little…scared?
          “You warned me yourself.  Kamurocho would have killed me if you hadn’t been training me.”  He helps Majima to a seat and finds a blanket to put around him.  “You want a good fight, maybe even to kill me, but you can’t get me to think you don’t care about me.”
          Majima sighs, suddenly looking more his actual age.  “Yer inconsistent, Kiryu-chan.  Keep makin’ me think ya’ve got no brains in that head of yers, then here an’ there ya go an’ do this.”
          Kiryu smiles, moving back to the stove.  “Thank you, Majima no niisan.”