There is the embarrassment of forgetting that you have your credit card out to pay or that your glasses are holding back your hair, and then there is the sheer humiliation of running smack into your limits in the middle of rehearsal. Yanagi locks his knees hastily, suddenly very glad that they have months to work up to the performance. He sways anyway, reaching out hastily to grab for support that turns out to be Adachi's shoulder.
"Yanagi?" Suddenly people are clustered around him, looking worried. Yanagi tries to grin, but it's weak. Maybe coming in to rehearsal after rehab hadn't been such a great idea�
"I think I overdid it again..." His legs are still disobeying him, and he's having to hold onto Adacchin harder than he'd like. "I'll just sit dow � " he breaks off with a startled noise as strong arms scoop him effortlessly up.
"You guys carry on with the scene," Shirotan directs as though Ueshima-sensei isn't over in the corner with the piano.
Yanagi laughs, shakily, because it's just weird to be carried around like a kid by someone who's technically his kouhai. "I feel like a princess, ne."
Shirotan grins widely, then pulls a pious expression, spinning around as he carries Yanagi across the room. "Your knight is ever at your service, Your Highness!"
"Na, na, you're supposed to be my captain, Shirotan." Yanagi knows his voice is thick, but he doesn't have the energy to push the words out properly.
"So that makes me your pillar?" Shirota laughs loudly enough that Yanagi can feel it vibrating through both of them. Then he's twisting again, kicking open the door of Ueshima-sensei's office. Yanagi barely has time to wonder what they're doing there before Shirotan is setting him carefully down onto the couch.
"There you go, princess."
Yanagi pulls a Ryoma face. "Mada mada dane."
"Yudan sezu ni ikou," Shirotan jabs back instantly, settling himself on the edge of the desk. His t-shirt is stuck to him with sweat, but he doesn't look uncomfortable at all. Yanagi tries to push himself up into a sitting position, suddenly twitchy, but his muscles are shaking with fatigue and he eventually has to give it up. He's going to get there, he vows yet again. It's small consolation that it's been months since the last time this happened.
"You can go back if you want," he offers, squinting over at Shirota with one eye. He's probably going to end up falling asleep here, so he won't notice that he's on his own. It makes sense, really.
"It's fine." Shirotan shifts uncomfortably, then grins. "There's not enough cast here to do the Terrible Drama." He mimes clutching at his shoulder with an exaggerated expression, and Yanagi laughs.
"Sensei'll chase you out if he needs you, ne."
"With his racquet." Shirota shifts again, and Yanagi turns his head to watch him.
"You can come over here if you want." His voice is too forced to leave any doubt about who wants what. He's used to it.
"We won't both fit on there." Shirota's tone is as flippant as ever, but his face is understanding as he crosses the room.
"Just because your legs are too long." Yanagi grins shakily, trying not to sigh in relief as Shirotan shifts him over, sliding onto the couch and settling Yanagi easily against his chest.
"Just because you got shrunk in the wash." Yanagi can feel the amused rumble of Shirotan's voice against his ear. He breathes out slowly, content to let sleep claim him now that he is no longer alone.