Understanding Me, Loving Yuu
Never Far Behind by Aly & AJ
As I walk beside Gramps, I smile down at him constantly. Yes down at him. I am finally taller than him, and I am only 13. Yeah, so Gramps isn't the tallest person around, but he's my father figure, and every boy is happy when they grow taller than their father, right?
The Infirmary comes into view and Gramps gives me his instructions. Check up on the Finders, start getting their perspective on the war. It's an easy task. If I'm right, and I am, it won't take long and I can visit Yuu-chan.
Honestly, I don't know what I think of the kid, only that he amuses me and I need some amusement right now because the role of Bookman Jnr. seems boring at the best of times. He's just gotten back from a mission so he'll need some cheering up, surely. If not, I don't care.
I smile up at the nurse and she beams at me, going on about how sweet I am as she leads me to Yuu-chan's room. As I'd thought, talking to the Finders had taken no time at all. And so now it's onto Yuu-chan. Yuu-chan, Yuu-chan, Yuu-chan.
The nurse leaves me in front of his room. He's only admitted for a few hours at the worst of times because he heals so quickly. That's one of the reasons both Gramps and I are so curious about him. Few people know why he heals so quickly and soon I will be part of those few people. I'm sure of it.
I open the door fast, letting it slam against the wall. My eye was quick enough to take in Yuu's position before he whirled around to face me. His hair was out, spread across his shoulders as he looked out the window, chin propped in his hand. Now he was glaring at me.
"Yuu-chan!" I cry, running to him to throw my arms around him, but I forgot how fast he is. Next thing I know I'm running into the wall and he's next to me, kicking me in the shin. Yeah, so I call him my best friend, only to annoy him, because I'm pretty sure neither of us is calling the other their 'best friend.' But I'd win eventually. I always do.
I'm standing in one of the Order's many corridors, blinking. I swear I was in the Infirmary with Yuu not two seconds ago. And I'm taller. And older. Alright then, just realised this is a dream. Yeah, Lavi! You still got it! Oh, geez.
Sighing, I'm about to turn and wander about for the sake of it, when Lenalee, younger, more innocent and shorter, comes running up to me. Her face is composed of a panicky seriousness. She's clearly been set a task and she's adamant about completing it. Why does this seem so familiar?
"Lavi!" she calls a few times, getting my attention. I wait patiently for her to reach me, and then continue to wait patiently as she catches her breath. She snatches my wrist into her slim fingers and tugs on it, trying to drag me in the direction she just came from. "Come on!" she urges shrilly. "It's Kanda."
Huh, is all I can think, no –kun on the end. So she's finally out of that habit. That gives me a rough timeline but I still can't put my finger on why this is so familiar.
I follow her, somewhat amused. I'm not making it any easier for her as I walk slowly and force her to drag me. I frown as we get closer to the Infirmary. Why would Yuu be in the Infirmary? As we get closer, I see Daisya – my heart temporarily aches for Yuu as I think of the turmoil he went through during the Turkish boy's death – waiting anxiously for our arrival.
When he spots me, he bolts over, gets behind me and pushes. I'm forced into a run, which I don't really mind when we enter the Infirmary and I hear screaming. Daisya is fast and I have to near sprint to keep up with him.
We barrage into a room and my heart stops as I realise what scene it is. How could I have forgotten? Nurses are trying to hold Yuu down, trying to sedate him, but his system is rejecting it. He's crying, he's scared, and he's asleep.
My name falls repetitively from his 16 year old lips and I squeeze my eyes shut. With all the confusion I'm already going through considering my feelings for Yuu, was it really necessary for my mind to conjure up this memory?
I don't waste anymore time as I rush to Yuu's side and push two of the nurses away. I pry another's fingers off Yuu's arm and hiss when I see the red marks left behind. I grab him and pull him up into a sitting position, making sure to keep his arms pressed to his side as I hug him fiercely.
To this day, I still don't know how I knew what to do those two, three years ago.
Thinking of a way to drag Yuu back to reality because he can't hear me over his own cries for me, I bite his clothed shoulder and probably draw blood. He awakes with a gasp and he's trembling. His head falls forward to rest upon my shoulder as he sobs and pants.
I lay him back down and climb onto the bed with him. I hear both Lenalee and Daisya give sighs of relief but I don't care about them. I lie down next to Yuu and push his fringe from his wet eyes. Pressing our foreheads together, I assure him it's all right to go back to sleep as I continue to run my hand through his hair.
He grabs at my free hand and squeezes it tightly, his eyes still wide with fright. "Don't leave," he begs in a whisper, another sob breaking through seconds later. I squeeze his hand in return and promise I won't ever leave.
As he falls asleep, I promise him, "I will be here waiting." And I knew from then that I'd never leave him.
I will always be your friend;
I know who you are inside.
I am with you 'till the end,
Never far behind
I am standing in the distance,
You can take your time
and I will be there waiting,
Never far behind.
