A/N: Thanks for the reviews, guys, I'm glad you want me to continue updating, and so I will! Chapter 2 was a bit of a challenge, but hey, finally not everything is so bad. Thank you for reading and I promise next update will be sooner!


One In Twelve Thousand.

Whole Heart.

Days went by as a blur, similar to one other: morphine, white walls, small figure by his side and death smelling teal gowns. Pain in Sollux' throat and eyes became a part of his usual day. Slowly his rage faded, leaving nothing, but grief somewhere deep inside, aching like an open wound.

One of those days, when his mind was less clouded, he found enough interest to look at his daily visitor, the small figure that hasn't left his day since he woke up in the hospital.

It didn't make it better when he learned it was Aradia. She was just another victim of his reckless decisions. He only smiled to himself bitterly, his theory that he brings doom upon anyone he loves was coming true. She did not speak since her first and last lie to him days ago, and Sollux quietly thanked her for the granted silence.

His wounds were healing and soon he was allowed to use a wheelchair. He liked to sit next to the window, watching the small park attached to the hospital. Sollux was always so consumed in his work; he did not have a chance to enjoy the world outside. He watched children play and wondered if he will ever have his own.

The day Aradia broke the silence Sollux sat at the window as usual, watching sunset. He liked to feel the rays of evening sun on his skin; they were playing in his dark hair, coloring it red. Aradia moved around the room as a shadow, not making a sound as she entered, just as any other day. But today she came close to him, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. Sollux did not react; he was too deep in his thoughts, replaying happy days in his head.

"You can visit him." She said quietly. Sollux' lips parted, his heartbeat jumping up. How can she lie to him? But how can that be a lie? He turned his wheelchair around to face her. Aradia backed away from him, protectively holding small fists to her chest. A mixture of worry and confusion distorted his face. He hasn't spoken for many days and when he did, his voice was weak and rough.

"But…He…he is…" Sollux's head span with grief, silent tear escaping his eye. But he was seeking for hope, even if it was as mad as this. "Dead." He breathed out without a sound.

"Sollux, please." Aradia whispered carefully, her voice infected with Sollux' pain. "He needs you."

He studied her features, thoughts chaotic in his mind. Finally, he nodded slightly, wiping tears off, and then rolling over to a big bag that Aradia brought for him from home. With a shaking hand he pulled out a yellow sweater and pants. In a silence Aradia helped him get dressed, combed his hair and washed his face with warm water.

Sollux watched people as Aradia rolled his wheelchair down the hallway. He saw people whose faces mirrored his own, faces of silent pain and he wondered about their stories. They took elevator up, down the silent hallway, turned left, then stopped at the second door on the left. Before Aradia could open it, a doctor came out of the room, greeting and holding the door for them.

The smell hit Sollux' nose, smell of blood. Then he heard rare beeping of a machine, counting out the heartbeats of the patient and then he saw tubes running across pale skin, carrying oxygen into patient's lungs. He saw unruly black hair spread on the pillow, outlining a small face. The world span in his head, his body suddenly felt light.

Sollux flew to his feet, rushing forward, tears blurring his vision. His weak feet gave out and he crushed to his knees, but without hesitation he crawled on his four to the bed. He took a small cold hand, resting on rough sheets, into his own trembling one. The hope, the pain, the love, the fear – all crushed onto him, his body shaking violently. He smiled in his tears, his laugh indistinguishable from cries. Sollux sank to the floor, hiding his face in Karkat's palm, breathing in a familiar scent, he never dreamt to experience again.

"I'm thorry, I'm tho thorry, KK…" he mumbled through his cries. He could never hope to be forgiven. The doctor spoke calmly behind him and for once Sollux listened, desperate to learn about Karkat.

"As you know, Mr. Vantas had a puncture wound on the left of his chest. That is exactly where a regular human being's heart would be. However, here, happened to have Dextrocardia, that is, his heart is on the right. Chance for that is one in twelve thousand. His heart was missed by an inch. He is a lucky guy if you ask me." The doctor laughed lightly. Sollux rose back to his knees to look over the edge of the bed at Karkat, his cries stopped, leaving only tears to run down his cheek. Karkat seemed to be at a perfect peace in his sleep. "His wound is healing well, his breath stabilized, his left lung has almost collapsed before, but it restored, and he is getting better by day." Sollux heard doctor shift around the room. "He has not woken up just yet. We are not sure why." He said after a moment of silence. Sollux looked up at him, newly born determination in his eyes.

"Can I thtay with him? Here?" He glanced at the empty bed on the other side of the room. Doctor followed his glance and then smiled at him gently. Sollux' had made a decision, he was ready to fight for it and it read clearly in his expression.

"Of course." He nodded. "We can arrange that." He smiled once more before leaving the room.

Sollux sat back on the floor, tears drying out on his tired skin. He studied the perfect skin of Karkat's hand, each of his fingers, and traced the lines on his palm. He could faintly feel Karkat's heartbeat on the tips of his fingers. Sollux smiled, hope warm in his heart.

"I will help them get your things together." Aradia spoke. Sollux has forgotten the girl was in the room. He looked at her as she walked to the door.

"Aradia!" He called out just as she was about to leave. She stopped, turning to him. He could now see dark circles under her tired eyes. "Thank you." Even her smile was tired and weak.

"You are welcome" She waved her hand before disappearing into the hallway. Sollux brought his attention back to Karkat's hand, gently squeezing it in his. He rested his head against the bed, looking up at the white ceiling that was lightened up by slowly fading pink and purple. Those were the last, most beautiful moments of sunset.

Later, nurses set up his new bed, Aradia brought his belongings and left, wishing him good night, and doctor came by to explain Karkat's schedule. After the lights were off, and the only light left was a full moon, looking right through their window, Sollux got up from his bed. He leaned against the wall, and slowly made his way to Karkat's bed.

"Hey, KK…" He whispered, smiling to himself, feeling his heart fill with love and affection toward the figure in the dark. His legs were weak, so as gently as Sollux could, he sat down on the very edge of Karkat's bed. He carefully brushed away Karkat's hair from his eyes. Even in dark it was hard for Sollux not to notice how beautiful Karkat was. He leaned down and lightly kissed Karkat's cold forehead. He sat there, taking truth in. Karkat is alive. Karkat will be ok. Sollux's fingers ran down Karkat's cheek, trying to brush away unruly hair, but it sprang right back.

"Pleathe, wake up." Just in case Karkat could hear him, Sollux made sure to say it loud enough. He then got up, full of new thoughts, new hopes and, more then ever, love, and made his way back to his bed. He lied down, watching the moon gracefully move through the sky.

"Wake up…Wake up so you can hate me." He thought before drifting of into the sleep full of nightmares.