take care

After an extra day of care in the hospital, Yuri is released into Hans’s waiting arms, literally. He collapses into them, and they’re suddenly very thankful that Yuri is lighter than they are despite being the same height. Hans keeps their friend up on his feet and pushes some of the green hair out of his face. The hair is greasy and dark eyebags sit under his eyes. Hans figures he’ll be happy to get home for a shower and sleep in his own bed.

A nurse manages to slip them his duffle bag and some pamphlets about surgery aftercare. There’s some verbal directions they don’t catch because Yuri is burying his face into their shoulder and squeezing his arms tightly around them. It makes Hans’s heart skip a little; Yuri’s not usually the one to initiate so much affection.

They help him outside the hospital to where Hans’s girlfriend, Takyaan, is waiting. Having a robotic face must be nice, because there’s nothing stopping her from wearing a big smile to make the boys feel better. She hails them a cab and the three of them crowd in together, one person on each side of Yuri to support him during the drive back to his apartment.

One of Takyaan’s favorite hobbies is pushing Yuri's buttons, but she quietly lets him lean into her while she runs her fingers through his hair to untangle it. His eyes start watering suddenly and she startles. He lets the tears run down his cheeks, too tired to wipe them away or explain himself.
“It’s a reflexive brain injury thing.” Hans tells Takyaan gently, remembering all the times they’ve comforted Yuri when he’s cried for seemingly no reason. “Right?” Yuri shoots them a grateful look while Takyaan gently wipes the tears away. Hans can’t help smiling a little back.

With Yuri falling asleep on Takyaan’s shoulder and the cab getting stuck in traffic, Hans takes the opportunity to pour over the pamphlets. Yuri will have to be careful with what position he sleeps in, and he’ll have to exercise and stretch but not too much… but what’s too much supposed to mean?

They’re confused on how they’re supposed to help, but they’d be damned if they don’t try.