Emergency Contact
Bokuto was rarely sick. He may have caught coughs and colds a few times a year, but he only needed his allergy medication, some sleep, and he’s good to go. But he was rarely sick, his immune system was forged since he was born and was given a gift of naturally having a strong immune system. For he only got sick once or twice a year, whenever he got stubborn or over fatigued. On top of that, there is no indication that he would be sick beforehand. It’s like yesterday he’s feeling well and energetic, then the next day Akaashi’s already notifying Meian that Bokuto would be resting for 3 days to a week.
It was in the middle of V-league season, on a busy Monday afternoon in Tokyo when Bokuto suddenly felt sick at 4 PM after their warm-up. He doesn’t want to admit it, but he knows that Meian and Sakusa already sensed it and were just waiting for him to give a signal or come clean. He was contemplating on continuing, hanging by a thread until they finish the match, but he couldn’t help the worry and guilt if ever one of them got infected because of him and probably their connection would be unstable because of Sakusa’s tendencies.
Bokuto walks towards Meian, he’s decided to get out of their match line-up, and doesn't want to get in their way of winning matches this season by infecting them.
“Ya cannot call Akaashi or Kuroo about this, to pick me up or anything.”
“But Bokuto, you’re not fit to go home alone, let alone wait for the match to finish. You have to go home and rest.”
“It’s Monday, Kuroo’s usually working overtime on Mondays, and I don’t wanna bother him. Akaashi’s out of town in a seminar, he’s not able to rush in and pick me up.”
“Well, do you have someone in mind? I mean I could drive you to your apartment, but someone has to take care of you.”
“I think I do, but I doubt he would be able to squeeze me in his work from home.”
“Well, you at least have to try.” Meian reassures before giving Bokuto their team phone, used as a contact to their families when they needed a time off.
Bokuto dials a number, unregistered under his list of emergency contacts. Two rings were all it took before the other line picked up.
“Hello? How may I be of help...?” the man speaks softly.
“Kenma? Hey bun, are ya busy today?”
“Koutaro? Hmm, let me check…”
There was the sound of papers flipping, keyboards clacking, and mouse clicking. Then silence, just filled with steady breaths.
“Taro, you still there?”
“Yeah, yep, still here.”
“I just have a zoom meeting by 6 in the evening with the JVA Collaboration, then I’m free before and after that.”
“Uhm...”
“Why’d you ask?”
“Can you please come get me? I don’t feel well today, Keiji and Kuroo are busy today then I thought of you- Kenma?” He asks as he hears loud rustling in the line.
“Get your stuff, I’m on my way there. Stay inside your locker room and wear your jacket, alright? See you in 10.” Then the call ended, leaving a taken aback Bokuto, before snapping out of it and starts collecting his stuff.
Kenma came fetching him exactly 10 minutes later, drove them back to his and Kuroo’s apartment, already deciding that he would spend his time taking care of his close friend rather than dropping him off at Keiji’s and driving away. It may not be obvious, but Kenma has been the silent caring and worrying friend out of them four. He’s also the best at taking care of someone sick, and mastered the way of taking care of someone through the years of Kuroo getting sick because of overfatigue. He was so worried and dedicated that he nearly canceled the meeting with JVA if not for Bokuto convincing him that he would sleep once Kenma’s in the meeting, but it didn’t stop Kenma from setting up his portable work area by the corner of their guest room where Bokuto’s resting in just to keep watch on him.
Bokuto never knew this side of Kenma and seeing this firsthand, he silently ranks Kenma one of the best nurses he ever had, second to Keiji of course. Bokuto was back in the games after 3 days, just in time for MSBY’s match against the Adlers, and ever since then Kenma’s name was registered under Bokuto’s emergency contacts in the MSBY phone and has been a speed dial in his phone.