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If Chase were to give this ‘feeling’ he was having a name, he would think it best to believe it was what humans called ‘adrenaline’. To quote what he'd read, ‘a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that increases rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and prepares muscles for exertion’ . A rush of someone's mind to need to do something, is what Gou would describe it as however. Always in simpler terms. Chase didn’t have a heart in a technical sense to be beating rapidly, nor the gland to cause this, but the Roidmude hypothesised if he were to have such an organ to thrum in his chest, he would be experiencing it in it's full speed in this moment
He’d gotten a text from Gou while organising a pile of CDs in their shared apartment into alphabetical order. Gou had mentioned about organising it in the past but always said he couldn’t be bothered to go to such effort. Chase had more time on his hands in comparison to his roommate, seeing he worked only part time.
He was prompt in picking it up when he heard the sound, but he was faced with a very alarming message rather than the mundane ones from a friend he had come to expect.
> Can you please come over and pick me up? I’ve been involved in an accident and my brother is at work. Thank you.
It was followed thereafter by the address of a hospital that Chase had visited before when Kihriko had wanted to visit an acquaintance. A good visit for the Roidmude, as he got to see how humans recovered their health, but not one he was expecting to make again so soon. His hands dropped everything (at least gently so nothing would break) and his legs rushed him out of the door to his bike.
There were a multitude of situations of why a person would be in a hospital. One could visit for a simple check of their well being, to treat injuries of ranging severities and so much more that his mind would not latch onto. This case was different, as the message address had specified the Emergancy rooms, those for the most dire of accidents and illnesses. Gou was somewhat of a reckless person and that had let him get into scuffs that needed treating. 7 to count for the time Chase had been around, the ones that were major enough anyway in Chase's opinion. Hearing he was involved in an accident was not surprising to Chase in the slightest in fact. No, what alarmed him were other matters to this problem.
Gou never texted in such a formal way, always using internet slang that Chase had had to learn. Those words were serious, which was not a good sign for Gou. It was also a day that the Mach rider had mentioned he was going on a rather ‘dangerous’ photoshoot. He’d talked on end about making his way into a number of abandoned buildings in a row, an exciting thing for a photographer… apparently. Some he’d had clearance on going in but others Gou had just shrugged and said ‘ Well nobody is going to be there so who’ll tell me off for going in? ‘ or other lines that met the same conclusion.
All of these lead onto Chase, for once, being stressed. It was an odd and new feeling, seeing he didn’t get it commonly at all and neither did he seem to experience it the same as a normal human would. To him, it was like a constant white noise on his internals, not letting him think appropriately. It culminated as an actual noise in his head, interrupting any other thought he had other than the main issue presented before him. Said main issue now was Gou, and the only way to solve it was by getting to this hospital. He did of course obey the laws of the road on the way but he subconsciously skirted a tad over the speed limit on sections without cameras.
Once he was within the hospital’s grounds, the Ride Chaser was parked up easily and he made his way within the main building in a hurry. It wasn’t too difficult to ask where said Emergancy unit was, as the man he’d asked just pointed to the big red signs that showed the way to go. The person at the desk was equally as helpful to know what room he was to visit to find Gou. Chase hadn’t intended to rush so much within a crowded building but his legs had other ideas, bolting through while he wormed between people. Why did he? Chase had thought it to himself the whole way, in fact, of why he was rushing so much. As he continued along the halls of doors and white walls, it hit him. People in said units, were commonly there for life threatening injuries. Was Gou dying? Was he really involved with something so dangerous? He knew that they were, but it hadn't settled with him so hard till it smacks him directly in the face in the moment. The stress rose, his head a blur only wanting to know how Gou was.
Opening the door gave him his answer.
Gou sat on a bed in the bleak room, chatting away to a nurse as she typed at a computer. His head turned to Chase and he waved his right hand. Notably the right hand as currently his other hand was in a sling and not willing to budge.
“ Chase! I thought you wouldn’t be busy, a- “
“ What happened? '' Chase demanded from Gou, walking in and standing right in front of him. Chase had his ‘seriously annoyed’ face and voice on. Said expression and tone were almost no different to his norm, being something only a set few people were able to tell them apart. Gou was one of them, as he reacted by flinching.
“ Hey calm down Chase, just had a tumble out taking pictures and broke my finger. Just can’t drive the bike home myself. “ Gou laughed. Chase’s shoulders were no longer stiff as a rock and he exhaled. Gou laughing about it calmed him down easily.
The nurse and Gou managed to fill Chase in with the whole tale. He had in fact simply tripped while in one of the abandoned buildings, plummeted down a flight of stairs and came out of it with nothing but a snapped finger and broken pride. His prized camera had been on a tripod at the time on the floor above, so nothing needed replacing (something Gou was eternally pleased about. Chase could imagine Gou crying to him all evening about it if that’d happened). He’d driven over himself even but been shuffled into immidiate care as soon as he took a step in. He’d not really noticed his finger had swollen up like a balloon and was bending at the wrong angle till it was pointed out.
And now here he was. The text he’d received earlier was sent by the nurse on Gou’s phone while he was being looked at. He’s glad it explained the different way of writing he’d read. Chase didn’t quite know what to do with all of the information that’d been thrown at him however. All the panic in his head of Gou possibly perishing had been for naught, and yet the noise in his brain did not leave.
They finally made their way out, Gou trotting along behind. He’s happy as ever, scrolling through all the photos he’d taken before the fall earlier that day. Some were good, some were bad. Chase can tell each time by how Gou expressed himself, being such an animated person.
Getting both bikes home wasn’t too complicated as the Ride Crosser could just about fit two people if you were positioned right. Uncomfortable, sure, but it meant they could do the whole thing in one single trip. Said trip home was quiet. In fact, Chase hadn’t said any words at all after they’d left, even then all that’d come out of his mouth was in hushed tones. It bit at Gou the whole way till he had to bring it up. Once they entered their shared house and he’d taken off his shoes to slouch on the sofa, he let his own words slip out.
“ What’s up with you? You’re over thinking something aren’t you? Got that face of when you can’t think of an answer. '' Gou pointed at Chase who stood awkwardly in the entrance to the room. Chase did in fact have a lot on his mind. Sometimes he’d close Gou away from said thoughts if he didn’t think it right to talk, usually by just rejecting them. Today, with all that had happened, he thought it appropriate to speak on it. Chase took his purple leather jacket off and sat next to Gou on the sofa… shirtless. “ Wh- Oi Chase, what? “
“ I don’t understand how I felt. When I had read you were in the hospital, I felt… distressed. I did not think I could feel like this again since I had removed the heart from my body, but it was overwhelming. “ Chase placed a finger onto his scar and rubbed it gently. He gazed down at it. The scar of that time he’d been made to finally experience the highs and lows of humans, and then nobley rejected it. He'd specifically rejected to fix it, citing it as a memory on his body he didn't want to forget. “ I am not supposed to be human. I still concern for you though, Gou. I was uneased that you would perhaps be gravely injured. “ Chase put a shirt on (one of Gou’s) again after that stunt. Wanting to emphasise what he meant through his actions had become a bit more of a habit these days after he’d woken up. Be it when human words were too complicated, he would simply show his point, no matter how awkward it was.
“ You… worried about me? “
“ I believe so. It was not a good feeling. “ Chase responded, not looking at the man beside him properly. Gou was silent for a moment before he laughed and scooted closer to Chase, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. It forced Chase to look directly into Gou’s eyes.
“ You’re just as human as the rest of us, you idiot. Even if you are a Roidmude, you’ve been kind to me despite… y'know, me fucking up and trying to push you away for way too long. I’m not surprised you’re gonna feel that since you always did worry about us all. “ Gou looked very sincere in that moment, letting his hand go to then look off into nowhere and speak his mind. Gou was about to continue when Chase interrupted him.
“ No, this was different. “ He was firm about the idea, something Gou seemed to raise his eyebrows at. Not uncommon for him to be stubborn about his idea of events.
“ Ha? What gives? “
“ I have worried for Kiriko and Shinnosuke previously. I have done so recently and it did not compare. You are a particular case. I have found my worry is 60% higher when it concerns you, after my revival. I believe it is a malfunction. “ Chase spilled. He’d had it in his mind for a while, but now seemed to be the correct time. Gou looked shocked for a couple moments as his cheeks went a shade of pink, contemplating all of what Chase said.
“ Okay well um… “ A hesitation, where Gou could barely think of how to respond (‘How the hell do you measure worry in a percentage?!’ Gou thought). He finally thought if how to come to a conclusion. “ Hey Chase, answer me all these alright? No backing out got it? “ Gou instructed him. Chase nodded, body shifting upright and proper to give his full attention. Gou pointed at Chase, finger aimed towards his face “ Who’s your favourite person? “
“ You are, Gou. You have revived me and- “
“ NEXT. “ Gou interrupted him, prodding Chase with the finger. No reaction. Short answers only, Chase noted that to himself. “ How are the other emotion uh… ‘percentages’ around me? “
“ Happiness is… 82% more, Anger is 30% less and- “
Another prod. Chase closed his mouth instantly. “ How often do you think about me? “
“ It varies, though it is often. “
“ How do you feel about other guys talking with me? I mean like talking talking. “
“ I do not have much interest, though I occasionally feel a sad emotion from inside. I cannot figure out why it occurs as I am happy for you to have friends. “ Gou huffed lightly and scratched the back of his neck with his working hand. It turned into him giggling to himself and taking a moment to calm himself. “ Why are you laughing? Was something I said funny? “
“ No, no. I got one final thing for you though. How does this feel? “
“ How does what f- “ Gou had been quick but he latched his hand around Chase’s neck, dragging him in to catch their lips together. Chase froze and couldn’t move, only looking blankly forward with wide eyes. He moved them down to look into Gou’s closed ones hesitantly. They lingered for a long moment, Chase feeling like a Heavy Acceleration had hit them in that moment (though he wouldn’t even be affected even if that was the case). Gou eventually pulled back and looked away, flustered.
“ That. How does that make you feel? “
Chase’s eyes flickered around, like a computer processing something it wasn’t supposed to be used for. The longer Gou waited, the more his expression fell, looking more and more worried. “ Y-You can just forget it if you didn’t like it, I mean- “
“ Lovely. It felt very good Gou. “
“ Ha? “
“ It felt comforting. Your lips are soft and feel like they fit against my own. “ Chase said with every single drop of earnestness. Gou’s face went a deep scarlet and he shook Chase by the shoulder with his one hand. Chase, as per usual, accepted it without attempting to back away.
“ Shut it! You don’t just say all that mushy shit and get away with it! “ He snapped, clearly with no malicious intent. He finally let go of Chase after that, leaving the latter to stare at him blankly “ Dammit Chase, it’s love. The thing those couples have when they snog each other in the movies we’ve watched. “
Chase blinked. “ … I did not consider that to be possible between us but it makes a lot of sense. “
“ No shit. “ There was a silence before Gou grabbed Chase’s hand and stared into his eyes properly. “ I denied myself for god knows how long and I guess I was an idiot for not thinking you’d like me back. “
“ But I do. I like you Gou, you would be a good match for me. “
“ It’s not like you’d need to be a match for me, but… well whatever, ends up we are then. “ Gou chuckled lightly and smiled, causing Chase to smile back instinctively. Gou had fallen over his head for that dumb cute smile Chase made. Who couldn’t though? He’s a slowpoke who cute in every aspect. Who couldn’t love him.
Gou hesitated as he cupped Chase’s face again, looking straight into the deep purple eyes. The sea of purple he’d longed for. The whole gravity of it all seemed to hit Gou like a tidal wave at once. Thoughts joining together, things clicking into place as his face crumpled and his hand fell, head collapsing into Chase’s shoulder. The man just put his arm around Gou’s back and patted it as Gou sobbed lightly. “ Chase… You… idiot. I love you. “
“ As do I Gou. “
Gou didn’t usually crumple like this in front of just anyone, Chase was someone who he could allow to privately view this side of him. Maybe if you’d asked him a couple years ago, he would have denied it and closed off all kinds of emotions towards the man. Having been away from him for multiple years and realising his stupidity, it cracked it wide open like a dam exploding. Heck when Chase had come back, he bawled his eyes out and clung onto him like the Roidmude would go anytime soon (as if he’d let him).
Gou sat there snotty and wet eyed as he smiled like an idiot. He’d gone through hell and back for Chase and he’d do it all again just for this moment.
He really did love Chase.
“ Can I just sit here Chase? “ Gou said as he sniffled.
“ Yes Gou. “
“ Thanks. “ Gou huddled in closer to the Roidmude and got himself comfortable. They were there for half an hour or so before Chase could hear Gou breathing softly. He’d fallen asleep against Chase’s shoulder.
It likely would not be a good thing for Gou’s neck if he were to be sat up like this the whole night. Poor for the man’s health and would make him complain in the morning. Gou had specifically requested it though. He couldn’t go against Gou’s request.
Chase gave himself in and stayed in place, watching Gou peacefully.
A new emotion flowed through him. One of warmth and happiness.
He could live with this.