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Besides resting there wasn’t much that could be done against light fevers. The temperature wasn’t high enough to warrant a doctor’s visit or taking any medicine, so although a little frustrating, the best bet was to simply take it easy and wait it out.
Or at least, that would be the case if this was a light fever that came to be because of illness. Osomatsu’s body wasn’t fighting a virus, but rather, it was manifesting the repressed stress and anxiousness one of his younger siblings was hiding. No amount of resting could successfully cure that.
It always made Karamatsu feel impotent. Not only because something was bothering one of his brothers -and if it was in his power he would be more than happy to help-, but also because Osomatsu was taking the brunt of it and there was nothing anyone could do about it unless the one hiding their worries stepped up and confessed.
That’s how things usually were- with Osomatsu falling victim first. There just seemed to be something about him that made him the most sensitive to the others’ emotions; Karamatsu guessed it was because he was the eldest.
Which made sense as to why Karamatsu usually was the one to follow right after Osomatsu.
The tray in Karamatsu’s hands rattled slightly as he entered their bedroom, where Osomatsu was already in the futon tucked in. Even in Osomatsu’s drowsy state there was a pained frown pulling down at his worn-down features, most likely because of the discomfort he was enduring. A solemn expression took over Karamatsu’s face.
He didn’t say anything as he knelt down and placed the tray with a bottle of water and a glass by Osomatsu’s head, close enough so he could reach for it on his own.
“Who the hell is it?” Osomatsu slurred weakly. He had probably sensed the presence of someone else with him in the room; did he think he was being visited because the culprit had been found though?
Karamatsu sighed in contemplation.
Well, even if they knew who it was, it’s not like they could force him to talk. No one had spoken up during breakfast, after all.
“We still don’t know, Aniki.” Karamatsu replied softly, grabbing the bottle to pour water in the glass. “Here, have some water.”
With one hand Karamatsu gently propped Osomatsu’s head slightly upward and with the other he guided the glass to his brother’s lips. Because Osomatsu had skipped breakfast he also hadn’t had anything to drink since the day prior, and though it was fine if he wasn’t hungry, it was still important that he stay hydrated.
To Karamatsu’s relief Osomatsu actually complied and took a few sips. Once it was evident he wouldn’t drink any more, Karamatsu returned his brother’s head down to the pillow and placed the almost empty glass back on the tray.
“Thanks.” Osomatsu mumbled tiredly, his eyes now slightly open. Karamatsu offered him a patient smile.
“No problem, brother. I’ll leave this here in case you get thirsty.”
It was the least Karamatsu could do, at least to feel a little less helpless about the situation at hand. He was more than aware that if the repressed negative emotions got to him too there wouldn’t be anyone offering to look after him the same way he was with Osomatsu, but he didn’t take it personally in the slightest. This was just his peculiar way of coping.
Osomatsu groaned half-heartedly in response, and the way his eyelids closed so heavily made Karamatsu want to get back downstairs and encourage every single one of his brothers to bare their hearts to him about their struggles.
But that wouldn’t work. Karamatsu already knew. Unlike Osomatsu, who was very vocal about his plights no matter how minor they were, the younger sextuplets tended to confide in each other first before reaching out to the two oldest. Karamatsu theorized it was because they didn’t want to concern him and Osomatsu, but Osomatsu insisted it was because the youngest four were ‘cold and cruel to their nii-chans’.
Maybe Choromatsu was more likely to get a positive response from the others? That is, if he wasn’t the culprit, of course.
“Is it you, Karamatsu?” Osomatsu drawled, eyes still closed and words slightly disjointed. “I promise I won’t get mad… just tell me what’s bothering you.”
Karamatsu couldn’t help the fond smile that pulled at his lips. He almost wished it really was him just so he could have a heart-to-heart with his older brother.
“It’s really not me, Osomatsu.” Karamatsu replied affectionately, which elicited a disappointed groan from Osomatsu. “Sorry.”
“Whoever it is should say something soon…” Osomatsu managed to utter before finally falling asleep, which Karamatsu noticed thanks to the soft snoring that followed the end of his sentence.
At least while asleep he wouldn’t feel any discomfort.
“Yeah.” Karamatsu murmured to himself, standing back up and quietly padding out of the bedroom. “Or I’ll be next.”