((:c Poor kitty.))

Hajime looked after Handlebars as he walked out of the kitchen and undoubtedly to the bathroom, judging by the nauseous look on his face. He'd almost forgotten the kid was sick. He thought of the cold he'd walked through yesterday. Then, he tried to imagine living in that cold. Hajime shivered a little just thinking about it.

He looked down at his plate. It's still your fault, he told himself. Just because he likes you, it doesn't mean you're not guilty. Hajime ate another bite of his eggs and then put his fork down.

...I wonder if I should help. Isn't that what you're supposed to do? He had no idea. He decided he'd rather be overly-helpful than neglectful, though, and after a moment, stood up and swiftly followed Handlebars to the bathroom. Once there, he hesitated slightly and then knocked on the door. "Handlebars...?" he asked. "Do you need help?"

Handlebars, who was leaning over Hajime's toilet, looked up. Wiping his mouth, he flushed the toilet, then shakily stood and walked over to the sink. After washing his hands, he made his way to the bathroom door. "N-no, I'm okay," he finally replied, opening the door. "I'm, uh... I'm sorry about... ruining your breakfast."

The teen couldn't remember the last time he had been this sick. Sure, he'd get mild colds here and there, but he hadn't thrown up since he was little.

Hajime inhaled deeply, fixing the moment in his memory. He must not forget that Handlebars was sick. "It's not a problem," he said gently. "Do you want a drink? I know all too well that throwing up does not leave a pleasant taste in your mouth. It was probably a bad idea to give you orange juice..."

He was about to look into Handlebars' eyes, but at the last moment averted his gaze.

((He's all weird about his eyes now because Handle doesn't like them and also because of his dream. x3 FYI.))

((8c Poor Haji puppa.))

Handlebars clutched his stomach and nodded. The color was beginning to drain from his face. "It's okay... about the orange juice," he said softly. "You didn't know. I was perfectly fine a few minutes ago." His knees buckled, and he gripped the side of the door to keep from falling.

((Lawd. Short post.))

Hajime's tactlessness resurfaced, and without another word he picked Handlebars up and carried him bridal-style to the bedroom. Carefully setting Handlebars on the bed, Hajime pulled several blankets over his friend and sat on the edge of the mattress.

"Are you all right?" he finally asked. "Can I get you anything?" He brushed Handlebars' hair out of his face and put his cool hand on the teen's head. "Handle..." he said softly, "You're really feverish, aren't you?"

((8c *hugs Uncle Handlebars*))

((8c He's dyin'!))

Handlebars barely heard his friend. He was slipping in and out of consciousness. Feeling something cool touch his forehead, he reached up and put his hand over Hajime's. Handlebars finally looked up at Hajime through half-lidded eyes. "Haju..." he mumbled, shivering. "What's going on?" Panic was beginning to set in, and Handlebars shut his eyes in an attempt to keep his racing thoughts at bay.

((:c Don't worry. There's an easy fix to all this. I'll give you a cookie if you can figure it out. 8c))

((8c Gimme that thing.))

"It's all right, Handle..." Hajime muttered. "It's all right..." He didn't want to move from Handlebars' side while the kid was like this. He doesn't like being alone... thought Hajime. He pulled another blanket over Handlebars and began to subconsciously hum in a low voice, slowly strengthening his voice until he was singing aloud.

"Drink up with me now, and forget all about the pressure of days...
Do what I say and I'll make you okay,
And drive them away...
The images stuck in your head...

"The people you've been before,
That you don't want around anymore
They push and shove and won't bend to your will...
I'll keep them still..."

((8c -hands cookie-))

Handlebars slowly opened his eyes and stared up at Hajime. A sudden sharp pain in his stomach made him shut his eyes again. He bit his lip and opened his eyes to look at his friend. 

"Drink up, baby, look at the stars..." he began weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I'll kiss you again, between the bars...

Where I'm seeing you there, with your hands in the air,

Waiting to finally be caught..."

He trailed off and closed his eyes.

((He's DED. 8c ...Not really. :c))

Hajime held his breath for a moment. Finally, he exhaled. Poor kid, he thought, rubbing his thumb over Handlebars' burning forehead. He's completely worn out... Taking another breath, he slowly stood and walked over to his dresser, continuing the song.

"Drink up one more time, and I'll make you mine,
And keep you apart, deep in my heart,
Separate from the rest, where I like you the best,
And keep the things you forgot..."

He picked up Handlebars' mp3 player and returned to the youth's side. Sitting down on the bed once more, Hajime put Handlebars' earbuds into their owner's ears, slid the player into his hand, and pressed play.

He leaned against the headboard with his hand back on the kid's forehead and sighed. This time, however, instead of blaming himself, all he had room to think of was I hope Handlebars is all right...

Some hours later, Handlebars opened his eyes. He was vaguely aware of the darkness in the room, and figured that the sun must have already set. He was also aware of the music quietly playing in his ears.

But you chased me down and broke in just when
I was done believing.
Spun me 'round so close now
I can feel you breathing.
Sunlight burns inside and
I feel so alive, and
Help me now, tell me how,
How can this last forever?

He gently pulled the earbuds out of his ears and sat up. "Haju...?" he called softly, noticing the dark form beside him. For a brief moment, a fearful thought flashed through his head. He's dead. 

"Haju?!" Handlebars called again, grabbing his friend's wrist.

Hajime snorted slightly and shook himself awake. "...Handle," he said. "I guess I fell asleep. Are you all right?" He looked down and saw Handlebars' hand around his wrist. "Did something happen?" Oddly enough, it was only at this point that Hajime noticed that it was dark. We were here all day... he thought. I wonder how long I was sleeping.

Hajime looked back at Handlebars and held his gaze for several seconds before finally averting his eyes.

Handlebars reached down and turned his mp3 player off. "N-no... I'm okay," he said, leaning his head against Hajime's side. "I thought you were dead for a sec... Me and my silly imagination," he continued, laughing slightly.

He's warm, Handlebars thought to himself. Dead people aren't warm.

He shook the meaningless thoughts from his head and looked up at Hajime. "What would you do if I suddenly ran off?" he asked. "I mean... It's what I do. You could wake up someday and I could be gone. Would you care?"

Hajime shrugged. "To me, it would depend why you left. I mean, if there was a good reason for it, then sure, I wouldn't like it. But I'd let you go." He tilted his head slightly and looked at Handlebars from the corner of his eyes. "But if I didn't like your reason... I'd just have to go and find you."

Hajime refocused his gaze on the dimly-lit ceiling. He thought I was dead? "Hey, Handle... Do... you want to know what my dream last night was about? I'll tell you if you really want to know..."

He wasn't sure whether he wanted Handlebars to decline his offer or accept it.

Handlebars nodded and sat up. "Sure," he said quietly. "You can tell me anything, Haju. You should know that by now."

"Oh..." he continued, his eyes suddenly going wide. "Later... do you mind if we go back to that old car I was staying in? I, uh... left something there. I'd like to get it."

What if somebody stole it?

Handlebars sank back down and looked at Hajime. "Anyway, go on. I wanna hear about your dream." The teen put a hand over his upset stomach, and leaned his head against Hajime's side again.

"Of course we can go back," said Hajime softly, "Provided you're feeling better. You'd have to lead the way, though. I've never seen where you used to be."

"And..." He shrugged and tilted his head slightly. "I dreamed about... that night," he said simply. He was almost afraid to say... "The night I killed your parents." He forced the words from his lips, knowing it wouldn't do any good to soften it. Hajime almost instantly regretted his decision. With the words, his stomach moved slightly and he could feel himself flush. Why was it causing him so much physical distress now? It hadn't before...

 Hajime looked down once more at Handlebars from the corner of his eye to see the youth's reaction to his words.

((c8 Bak.))

((8c Ewh. Go 'way.))

Handlebars inhaled deeply and looked up at Hajime. "I... kind of figured it had something to do with that," he whispered. "It's... it's okay, Haju. It's in the past."

Suddenly realizing something, the teen sat up and gently turned Hajime's face towards his. "Look at me," he said quietly, staring into Hajime's eyes. "...It's so dull." Handlebars let go of Hajime after a few moments and put his hand on his ear. "The ringing, I mean. It keeps getting quieter and quieter... Hey, now would be a good time to visit that car."

He wanted to get Hajime's thoughts away from that dream.

((Handle's such a creeper.))

Hajime closed his eyes and turned his head away from Handlebars. "...Are you feeling any better than you were?" he asked after a pause. "It's cold out there, don't forget. That's not good for you. We could always go tomorrow, or even in a couple days..."

Finally, he cautiously opened his eyes and glanced at Handlebars.

Handlebars stared directly at Hajime and shook his head. "I feel fine. I wanna go now, Haju." He didn't mean to sound rude, but desperation was making him anxious.

"Please, Haju? I'll just take your coat if it gets too cold, I promise," the teen continued, grinning childishly. "Pleeease?" His cheerful ex
pression shifted into a pout.

((Psh. Handle knows how to get his way.))

Hajime rolled his eyes and grinned slightly. "Fine, we'll go. You have to change into warmer clothes. And if you start to feel sick again, we're going back. That's final."

He looked directly at Handlebars of his own accord for the first time in a while. "Understand?" he asked sternly.

((;c Short post.))

Handlebars smiled and nodded. He crawled over Hajime and got out of bed. He grabbed onto his friend's arm. "C'mon!" Handlebars said, tugging Hajime's arm forward.

((-AUTHORIZED TIMESKIP-))

Handlebars sat on Hajime's couch, kicking his feet happily. "Haju," he said. "Do you have a coat I can borrow?"

((...Lawlz. Short. But at least we didn't have to dress them again. -lazy-))