Work Text:
This definitely wasn’t Kiba’s best week.
While his arrhythmia has been monitored since he was young and he had regular check-ups every week, his medication didn’t seem to help anymore with the shortness of breath, rapid beating of his heart, or fainting that became more frequent.
Kiba was sitting in a doctor’s office, Akamaru was right next to him, with his head placed on Kiba’s knee. His mother was leaning against the wall beside him, tapping with her foot. She was chewing on her lip, her eyes were burning a hole in a poster about a healthy diet.
"Mom, it’s gonna be fine,” said Kiba as he smiled. He patted Akamaru’s head when he whined. Kiba wondered if he could smell his lies, too.
Tsume gave him a strained smile.
They were waiting for a doctor who was trying to find a solution with the whole doctor’s association. Kiba was told the medications became useless, it was only draining for his kidney to try to filter out such a strong medication. Tsume refused the operation immediately - Kiba knew he had a small chance of actually surviving with how his condition was.
"Have you talked to Kankuro?” said Tsume, biting her nail.
Kiba shook his head. "Not yet.”
"How do you feel?” she asked instead, squatting next to her son. Her face was usually stone-cold and strict, but today Inuzuka Tsume was…soft. Her face was scrunched in worry and her eyes weren’t sharp at all.
"I definitely felt better, but it’s not bad,” said Kiba. "Mom, stop worrying so much. They will figure something out.”
Tsume grabbed Kiba’s hand as she brought it to her cheek. "They will.”
The door opened, and the doctor rushed in with many papers in his hand. "I am sorry I left you here for so long.” The doctor sat on his chair as he started looking through his papers. "Well, we could put Mr. Inuzuka on a stronger medication, since you refused the operation.”
"You said it would kill him!” screamed Tsume. "He's either getting killed by the operation or his heart. And now you’re just putting him on a stronger medication! For how long will the meds work this time?!” screamed Tsume. She was gritting her teeth and her nails dug into her palms.
"Mom, it’s fine,” said Kiba. He was exhausted . The check-ups became more frequent and the medication he was put on, just a few months ago, was making him feel awful. And yet, nothing helped. Kiba’s symptoms weren’t getting any better. He was trapped.
"Kiba, it’s definitely not fine-” Tsume’s mouth shut when she looked at Kiba.
Kiba looked his mother in the eyes. While Tsume’s eyes were filled with anger and worry, his eyes were empty and tired.
"There is also an ICD,” said the doctor, giving Tsume a piece of paper. "It’s a little device that helps control the rapid heartbeat. Your other symptoms would definitely improve, too.”
"Why didn’t you say so at the beginning?” asked Tsume as she scoffed. "How much does it cost?”
The doctor looked at his computer, scanning the screen. "Since your health insurance covers seventy percent of your medical costs, the rest of the price would be…hm, about two million yen.”
Tsume dropped the paper. "Even with the insurance?”
"I am talking about the ones that are actually good, some companies might offer cheaper models.”
"That’s an insane amount,” said Kiba, standing up. "Prescribe me just some stronger meds.”
"Kiba!” exclaimed Tsume as she looked at her son.
"Mom, we cannot afford it,” said Kiba. His voice was slow and hushed. "You know it.”
"I could…”
"No.”
Kiba was an idiot, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew that going against his mother was a dangerous thing to do, and yet, today he had to do it. Kiba knew damn well that his mother would sell her kidney on the black market if it meant saving her son. And he wasn’t gonna let that happen.
"I will get another job,” said Kiba as they left the office. "Maybe in a few years, I’ll have enough.”
"What if it’s gonna be too late?” asked Tsume, her voice small.
Kiba wrapped his arms around his mother. Akamaru leaned against them, too. "Then I wasn’t meant to be.”
Kiba slowly raised his hand to get Kankuro’s attention from across the park next to the university. Kankuro’s eyes lit up as he walked to Kiba to tightly wrap his arms around him. Kiba leaned his forehead against Kankuro’s forehead and inhaled his scent. He smelled like pine. It was a comforting smell.
Have you talked to Kankuro?
"Hey,” said Kankuro, cupping Kiba’s cheeks. He gave him a peck on the forehead, and Kiba giggled. "How did the appointment go?”
Kiba dodged Kankuro’s look. "It was good. Normal.”
Kankuro raised one eyebrow. "Now, you should know you’re a terrible liar, Kiba. What happened?” he asked as reached for Kiba’s hand.
"Can we go to your place?” asked Kiba.
Kankuro nodded, his face unsure. "Sure, but you’re scaring me.”
"I don’t feel like talking about medical shit in front of people. People love to pity me,” spat Kiba.
Their walk to Kankuro’s place was quiet. Kiba was still holding Kankuro’s hand, while Akamaru was walking right behind him. For now, it looked like the stronger medication was helping with his symptoms, however, it brought even more side effects. The newest one was nausea. Kiba was feeling awful.
Kankuro unlocked the door and shouted a greeting. No response. "We’re alone,” said Kankuro with a raised eyebrow. When Kiba didn’t laugh, he furrowed his brows. "Okay, now you’re freaking me out.” Kiba didn’t say anything and instead, he put away his shoes and walked to Kankuro’s room. He lied down, Akamaru right next to him. Kankuro followed his lead, their faces close to each other.
"I had to switch meds,” said Kiba. "The ones I had weren’t helping me. The new ones make me feel like shit.”
"Do you have any other options?” asked Kankuro.
Kiba nodded. "An operation that could possibly kill me, or a device that costs as much as a new car,” he whispered.
Kankuro sat up. "And if you don’t get the device?”
Kiba shrugged. "Maybe I’ll die.”
Kankuro was quiet, his eyes were wide. Kiba wondered what he was thinking about. Maybe he wanted to end their relationship, since he didn’t want to date someone who could die soon.
"Say something,” whispered Kiba. "Yell, cry, break up with me…just fucking say something.”
Kankuro stood up. "Nope. You’re not dying, I don’t care.”
"Huh?” mumbled Kiba, watching Kankuro pacing around the room. He was aggressively texting someone.
"I am not my dad’s favorite, but Temari is. She’ll just ask him to get you money.”
"No!” Kiba abruptly sat up. "Are you fucking insane? Have you lost your mind, Kankuro?!”
"I am not letting you die!” yelled Kankuro.
"Maybe I won’t die,” said Kiba. "The medication has probably started to finally work, I feel better than I did in the morning. I just save up money and sell a bunch of stuff.”
"Why are you making this so difficult?” asked Kankuro. "My family has the money!”
"I am not a fucking charity!” shouted Kiba. Akamaru barked in agreement. "I am an adult that can take care of himself.”
"If people want to help you, then-”
"I don’t want your father’s money. I can’t ask you to do that.” Kiba shook his head and crossed his arms on his chest. "Not happening. Nuh-uh.”
"You’re so…fucking impossible. I am helping you because, guess fucking what? I love you!”
Kiba blinked a few times, then he smiled sheepishly. "Did you just say you loved me in the most dramatic scenario?”
Kankuro rubbed his eyes, smudging his face paint. "I guess I fucking did.”
"Just so you know, I love you, too,” said Kiba, still smiling.
"That’s good, otherwise this would be really fucking awkward,” said Kankuro.
"In the Inuzuka family, we’re raised to never accept help. We’re very proud, all of us,” explained Kiba, tucking his knees under his chin. "My mom raised me that way, but she didn’t expect I wouldn’t even accept her help.”
Kankuro nodded.
"I don’t want to be a fucking burden to anyone,” said Kiba, his voice small. "I don’t want you to look at me in a few years and think of me as someone who wasn’t worth it.”
"Baby,” mumbled Kankuro as he sat next to Kiba. He pressed his lips against his cheek, his forehead and then slowly turned his head to face Kankuro. "You’re not a burden. You didn’t ask me to do it.”
"I shouldn’t have told you. Now I feel like I am pressuring you,” whispered Kiba, his eyes filling with tears.
Kankuro pressed their lips together. It was a slow kiss, mixed with Kiba’s tears. And soon, Kankuro was crying, too. Kiba reached out his arms to wrap them around Kankuro’s neck. Kiba was still crying.
Kiba wasn’t sobbing, the tears were silently streaming down his face. He grew up with this condition, he was always prepared for the worst-case scenario. And yet, the thoughtof making someone sad was crushing him.
"Please, don’t be sad,” said Kiba. "I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
"Oh, you idiot,” said Kankuro as he pulled Kiba on his lap. His eyes were still glassy, and his paint was smudged. "I am getting you that device.”
Kiba sighed as he started to play with Kankuro’s hair. "I don’t want you to think that I am with you purely because of this. I actually love you. And I think you’re hot. And you’re also kind. Oh, and you’re a great kisser, too.”
"I am kinda hesitant about the kind part, but I’ll take the rest.”
Kiba laughed and pressed their lips together. This one wasn’t as slow as the one before. Kiba felt Kankuro’s hands on his body, sliding under his shirt. When they parted, Kankuro giggled. "There’s some of my paint on your face.”
Kiba shrugged and hugged Kankuro. "I don’t care.”
"I love you,” said Kankuro as he hugged Kiba back.
"I love you, too,” said Kiba.
Kiba knew his so-called youth wasn’t ideal. While he was aware of the fact that the death didn’t discriminate, knowing that it might happen anytime, was definitely terrifying. But Kiba wasn’t scared. Kankuro’s hands were wrapped around him and his comforting smell filled his nose - it felt like a promise. A promise that no matter what happens, Kiba won’t be alone.
Kiba was happy.