Disclaimer: Is there angst in this story? no? Then it's not mine.
A/N: I realise I've been making Niou be the one dying in all my ideas... Sincere apologies, Niou! Yagyuu will be the one dying next. If I ever get to it, that is.
Chapter 1 – Countdown to separation
Niou Masaharu sat on the hospital bed, staring blankly into space, waiting. He had been in the hospital for a day, and would most likely be here for another week or less. He did not mind, though. He lived alone; his family could not care less about him. The hospital room was paid by insurance as well.
Yukimura and the others had visited him earlier. They had acted as though nothing was wrong, that Niou would soon recover and return back to school. That was impossible. His doctor – Yagyuu's father – had made that point clear. None of which would explain why Yagyuu has returned to the room, alone.
Minutes passed in silence with Yagyuu simply looking at Niou and Niou continuing to stare into blank space. It was Niou who broke the silence.
"Are you not going to say anything?"
Yagyuu opened his mouth, but words would not form, so he closed his mouth and continued to look at Niou.
Niou hummed tunelessly, walking to the sliding glass doors leading to the balcony and easily broke the lock holding them together. "You shouldn't go outside. It's raining," Yagyuu said quietly, following Niou onto the balcony. Niou ignored him and leaned on the sill, raindrops falling onto his head and shoulder. He heard a sigh and fading footfalls as Yagyuu left the balcony. He bit his lips and kept silent as he waited for the 'click' of the door that would indicate Yagyuu leaving the room, but it never came.
Instead, Yagyuu returned to the balcony and gently placed a coat over Niou's shoulder, as though he was afraid Niou would break if he applied too much force. "Is this pity?" Niou asked without turning to face Yagyuu.
"…No. It's not pity. It's love. I love you, Masaharu." Yagyuu confessed, emotions showing in his voice.
Niou muttered something inaudible and turned to Yagyuu, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Not… now. Why? Why are you confessing only now? Why not earlier, o-or never? Wh-" Niou was cut off by a bout of violent coughing, his body shaking with each cough. Yagyuu's arms were the only things holding him up.
Yagyuu's grip tightened as worry quickly turned into panic. The coughing receded as quickly as it came, leaving in its wake a weak and panting Niou. Minutes passed as Niou regained his strength, and when he did, he stood, freeing himself from Yagyuu's grip and stumbled his way into the room. "Leave. I need my rest." Niou ordered, his voice hoarse. Yagyuu opened his mouth to protest, but then he decided to give Niou the benefit of doubt. He nodded once, and said, "I see. Call me if you want anything. Otherwise I'll see you tomorrow, then." Retrieving his coat from the bedside chair, he nodded his goodbye and left.
Niou listened as Yagyuu's footsteps faded and after making sure he had left, he stood and with a muttered "time to flee", changed into his street clothes. Jumping down from the balcony, he ran into the darkness.
So? How was it?
