"Ren, do you need anything? water? more pillows?" Aoba asked him nervously.
If Ren could speak, he'd apologize and reassure the youth for the 10th time he's fine and comfy.
However talking and moving his limbs seems to sap so much of his energy and he felt useless for only lying on the bed most of the time during Aoba's visit.
It's the third day of Aoba's daily visits and day by day things felt quite awkward now that reality has sets in.
Ren is back.
Back to reality with him where Aoba can touch and hold him physically.
Everything…
Everything is all thanks to Sei's miracle.
However, a looming feeling creep up from the corner of Aoba's heart.
Ren is here but… within Sei's body.
Sei is really gone, then?
It's not that he's not grateful and happy to have Ren back but this feeling… is a little bittersweet.
There's just so many unanswered questions.
How did it happened?
Where was Ren all these time?
Who helped transfer Ren to here from overseas?
Perhaps due to their somewhat awkward situation, Aoba haven't touch Ren after that tearful reunion hug. Unless it's necessary such as helping Ren to the bathroom and help changing his clothes.
Ren noticed Aoba's cautious touches and how he's a little forceful in being cheery around the patient. If only Ren knew what to say to ease his beloved. If only he can be less of a burd—-
"Oh.." Ren blinked.
Aoba jolts out of the plastic chair beside the bed, "w-what's wrong, Ren? are you feeling ill? should I call the nurse?" he bombarded the brunette with questions.
The pale man simply shook his head slowly and lift his hand…
To rub his eyes.
Aoba blinked seeing that simple action.
Ren smile apologetically at Aoba, mouthing a 'sorry' as he continue to rub. The twitching nerves wouldn't stop and it made him rub harder.
The youth kept staring for a second longer before he automatically held Ren's wrist to stop the action.
"A-o-ba?'
*chu*
Ren softly gasped in surprise.
Aoba… kissed him.
To be exact, he kissed his eye.
The annoying twitch stopped as if obeying the command of a master.
Ren felt Aoba's soft lips and… warmth.
As if realizing what he just did, Aoba pull back with pink cheeks!
"S-sorry, Ren! I shouldn't have done that. I.. what's gotten into me, seriously? It's just that I… I saw you looked like you're in pain and I just…" he rambled incoherently as his cheeks redden.
Ren blinked.
And he blinked some more.
He remembered when he was watching out the window and a rascal of a boy fell down. He cried when he injured his forehead. After his mom scolded him, the young woman kissed his boo boo away.
Is this what they meant by 'kissing the pain away'?
Aoba did that… all for him?
Feeling a surge of warmth enveloping his heart, Ren reached out to grasp Aoba's fingers despite the tubes connected to his hand.
The action cause the shorter male to stop babbling and face him.
His cheeks is still burning with embarrassment though.
"T—ank you, Aoba. I fe-t better." He voiced his most sincere feelings.
Aoba was speechless for a bit.
Ren often apologize, however hearing his words of gratitude… actually feels nice.
Finally after so many days of worried thoughts and sleepless nights, Aoba smiled from the bottom of his heart.
"The pleasure's mine, Ren." he cheekily replied with Ren's trademark reply. Grasping Ren's hand in return as their gaze never left each other.
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END?