/vt/ - Virtual Youtubers

Part time care work - It was the last thing most people would expect of Shu. Or most men, for that matter; despite the awkward denials they'd give you if confronted about it, even the most self-proclaimed progressive of people assume caring for the elderly is a woman's career, a job that brings to mind imagery of plainly dressed, kindly women in matching uniforms smiling serenely and making tea.
In reality it's criminally understaffed, physically and emotionally draining. He could've easily had some moral reason for going into the sector, but he needed a job and it was easy hiring, that was the truth of it. Just something to bridge the gap as Luxiem prepared to debut, something that wouldn't require taking work home and would leave him days free in the week.

What he wasn't expecting was to meet someone so fascinating.
He had Shu's attention from the moment he arrived, much like Shu had his. In his 70s, he was relatively spritely compared to some of the other people in the home, and a lot more capable too; while mercifully free from dementia or anything of the sort, his aging body and physical disabilities meant he needed round the clock care and support. Although old now, the echoes of his younger self were still plainly visible in his appearance. A devilish smile, well groomed hair, deep blue eyes that twinkled mischievously when he let slip an unexpected naughty comment.
Shu knew full well that he wasn't supposed to have favorites, but how could he help this? He was barely able to have conversations with most other patients, most of them sleeping the day away or incoherently muttering to eachother, but this man was both talkative and clever. It wasn't long until they'd forged a bond of sorts.
Of course, bonds deepen. It's only human. Through lengthy conversations and mahjong games they learned more about eachother. Their hobbies, their interests, their memories... Their sexualities. Shu blurted out he was gay at one point after being asked about a potential "lucky lady". With that little twinkle, the patient had leaned in and quietly said "me too".
They talked often about love after that. When they were alone - changing his catheter bag, dressing him, bathing him - the man would tell him about scandalous past flings and myriad lovers, things that made even internet-hardened (and by extension, Elira-hardened) Shu blush. He shared photos of his youth, devilishly handsome, a smartly dressed man with a hint of rebellion in that smile, often with other young men. One of him at the beach had stuck with Shu, all toned arms and wet hair; as he bathed him, gently pulling the soapy sponge across the back of his shoulders, he felt a strange pull in his stomach, remembering it. Yes, he was old now, his skin mottled and muscles wasted by the tides of time, but there was still something undeniably handsome about him... At least to Shu. He knew it was wrong. He tried not to think about it.
"You never did tell me if you had a lucky man in your life," the patient mused as Shu prepared him for bed, buttoning up his shirt.
Shu would normally tell someone it's none of their business, but...
"No, I... No, there's nobody."
The man tutted sympathetically. He brought one shaky, cold hand to Shu's cheek, stroking a thumb along it. "Crying shame. You're such a handsome lad, too."
Shu didn't know what to say. Uncertainly, he touched his fingertips along the man's hand, knowing he should remove it from his cheek and step away... But he couldn't. He didn't want to. He felt that pull again, that knotting in his stomach, his cheeks flushing red. He wanted to say thank you, but couldn't do that either, opening and closing his mouth to no avail.
The man chuckled knowingly, bringing his other hand to Shu's waist, slipping it underneath his uniform and against the soft skin of his side. "You're burning up, boy."
"You're cold," he retorted, his voice cracking.
"Warm an old man up, would you?"
It was wrong. It was illegal. But before he could register what he was really doing, their lips had pressed together.

Shu didn't stop working at the carehome when Luxiem debuted. He held on a few months more, until the man died. It was expected. Shu was at his bedside, holding his hand; he would've kissed him if it weren't for the other nurses watching. When he went to the funeral, he was only one of two there.