Hiatus? I KNOW NO SUCH WORD.

And thus this pairing continues to spread like wildfire..

You know who you are, love~

Chapter 1: Little Comforts

Ever since Frederic had opposed his companions that fateful day, nothing had ever felt quite the same. His body in the 'other world' has passed on, but he had kept on living in this world. However, with each new day he could feel himself growing weaker and weaker. He knew that he would soon have to bid this world goodbye as well.

Frederic lay comfortably under the thinly laced sheets in a plain white shirt and black pants. He knew he didn't have much longer to live, and he decided to take refuge in a nearby Inn. The shades overlapping his window were slightly ajar, illuminating thin streaks of light across the room. His head perked up at the soft sound of a hand rasping against the door.

"Come in." The composer offered kindly, trembling limbs pushing him up into a sitting position. He quickly ran his dainty, pale fingers through the laces of his dusky hair. He must look like a mess from laying down for so long! He smiled warmly as the tall, dark figure entered the room.

"Good afternoon Frederic, you look well." The man greeted in a deep voice. He never ceased to soothe Frederic, and his visits always came as a delight to him. The figure moved around his bed, the rays of light revealing his black hair pinned up in a tie and his attire of fine, complex cloth. "I got you these, I hope you don't mind." The younger man said, placing a colorful array of carnations and tulips in a simple glass vase on the nightstand beside him.

"Why Jazz, their simply gorgeous!" Frederic cooed, reaching out and gingerly stroking one of the flower's white petals. "I give you my sincerest gratitude. Even the littlest things enlighten me in my darkest days."

Jazz looked thoroughly troubled by this statement and it was evident that he was trying to hide it. He knew that by making Frederic his, that he would have to soon part with him because of his current condition, even if he hadn't said it straight to his face. Frederic was truly overcome with joy to see Jazz walk through his door, he visited even more often than Polka did! "I hope I'm not being a burden to you." The older man sighed. "I know you have so much more work to do now, and I'm sure by you coming here to visit is only further slowing you down but- "

"No," Jazz interrupted, raising a hand. "I came here on my own accord. Don't ever say that Frederic, because you could never pose as a burden to me."

Frederic's face flushed, grateful for his love's kind words. "I pray that you've been well?" He asked, looking on earnestly, Jazz simply nodded, seeming more concerned for the ill man's sake. Frederic then shifted his position on the bed, patting on a bare spot next to him. "Please, won't you come over and sit with me?"

Jazz was more than happy to oblige, taking a seat beside Frederic and making himself more comfortable. "Everyone really misses you, you know. March and Salsa never cease fighting, Viola doesn't miss a chance to ask about you, and you've got Polka scared half-to-death." He purposely left out mention of Allegretto, though Frederic already knew how furious he was with him. He offered a kind smile, "We really are a mess without you."

Frederic put a hand over his mouth, chuckling softly. "I'm sorry to of caused so much worry to everyone, but let them rest assured. There really is no need for it because I will be just fine." He didn't have to tell Jazz what was really going to happen, he didn't have the heart too. But looking deep down into his dark eyes, he could already tell that something was amiss. He already knew.

"Then tell me Jazz, these gray walls have plagued me for so long that I've grown accustomed to their dreary image. It's spring now, isn't it? What does it look like outside?"

Jazz suppressed another pained expression, moving his hand over and lacing their fingers together. He then tilted his head, motioning towards the window. "Your right Frederic, it is spring. Large fields dotted with bright and colorful flowers as far as the eye can see. The days are usually bright and sunny, despite rare occasions when we experience minor rain showers, but even that has its benefits."

They sat in silence for a few moments, simply enjoying each others company. Frederic sighed wistfully, leaning against his lover's shoulder. "Do you promise...to take me outside again one day? I would like to see the sun again, but I fear that my legs won't support me for much longer."

Jazz held the frail body close to him, feeling the older man's breathing begin to shallow. He ran his hand down the outline of Frederic's lean body, whispering softly into his ear, "I promise." before turning back and pressing a soft kiss upon his forehead.

Why are they together you ask? Well, that's what the second chapter is for!

...and because I have this tendency to write ridiculously short chapters.

They always look so much longer on line paper. ;-; Look at that, didn't even get 1,000 words in Dx