Summary: M-21's injured; Tao thinks he knows how to help.

Contains M-21/Tao, or Tao just being himself. Either way, this needs to be said. XDD

Set after 154.

Spawned by Lucathia Rykatu. No-one is surprised. :P

I have headcanon that says M-21 has a slightly enhanced sense of smell. :)

Recovery

By Dark Ice Dragon

M-21 breathed in and out slowly, feeling himself begin to doze off, the ache in his chest a distant feeling. The wound had mostly healed already, but his skin itched like it expected to hurt, sensitive to the bandages.

The door to M-21's room clicked open and all sleepiness left M-21 in a second, his senses sharpening around the intruder. Frankenstein would have knocked –and would know how long exactly he needed to rest- so who…?

The faint scent of plastic and technology wafted in, and M-21 relaxed, opening his eyes and looking towards Tao.

Tao quirked a grin at him as he shut the door behind him, waving. "How you feeling?"

M-21 shrugged as he slowly got up into a sitting position, his chest protesting at the movement. "What is it?" Tao wouldn't bother him while he was recovering for nothing.

Tao's grin brightened as he approached M-21's bed. "Well, hm," he started, rubbing the back of his neck, "I've been doing a bit of reading on what makes people feel better after getting injured and…"

M-21 just waited patiently for the explanation, knowing the other man would get there eventually. But, M-21 knew what was needed: rest, food, and making sure that-

His thoughts slammed to a halt when Tao leaned forward and…hugged him, if the fact he'd wrapped his arms around his neck was anything to go by.

They stayed like that for a few seconds before Tao pulled his head away from M-21's.

"Feel better?"

M-21 stared at him, his eyes wide. No-one had touched him like that before, and, he had forgotten about the pain while he was being hugged. "…Yeah."

"Heh. Good."