As time ticked by the medication started to wear off. Matt moved in discomfort but said nothing of how he was feeling. He didn't want Tai to leave him regardless of how much pain he was in. If he felt he needed him, he needed him now more than ever. His head felt as though it was spinning about the room, he laid his head against Tai's hand looking for comfort.

Tai smiled softly as he cupped his face gently. Leaning down he placed a kiss upon his forehead. He wanted to make all the hurt go away. He never saw someone become so vulnerable so quickly. Tai wanted to do something, but what was there for him to do?

The blonde's face felt soft under his hands. His eyes were the colour of the sky. The deep shades that usually made the boy's eyes vibrant and alive like gems appeared wounded and worn. Once he got away from the soft glow of his usual features the dark bruising was all that could be seen. It sparked anger in him as he watched his love suffer in silence. The grandeur of the words stung and ate at him visibly.

"He's awake?" A soft voice came from the door, it was a nurse.

Tai smiled a little and nodded. "He is."

The nurse walked over, looking at the blonde with soft green eyes. She placed a gentle hand on the side of the bed.

"Yamato, sweetie, can you look at me please?" Her voice was gentle.

Matt looked up at her, his eyes were still glazed. She checked over his eyes and nose with practiced ease. Moving carefully, she put a couple small stripes on his nose to keep the cartilage from moving. Leaving the room she fetched a doctor to check him over. Once all was said and done, Matt was discharged with a prescription for a mild painkiller and being told he should contact the police about the incident. Matt only nodded as the physician signed the discharge paper.

Tai carefully helped Matt out of the bed and into his clothes, giving him privacy when needed. Picking up the bags, he led the quiet boy out of the hospital. Hailing a taxi Tai took him home. The blonde was completely silent, staring out the window at the lights of the city. Tai placed a gentle had on his knee, feeling bad when he flinched a little.

"Hey… You're alright now. I wouldn't and won't hurt you, Matt…" Tai kept his voice soft.

Matt nodded, hesitantly laying his head on Tai's shoulder. Lights of every neon colour passed his glazed vision. He stayed close to Tai, looking for any kind of comfort he could bring himself. He remained unmoving until they parked at Tai's front door. The early morning light was beginning to cast its rays over the horizon. Stepping out of the vibrant yellow taxi, he tried to take any of his bags but he was stopped.

"I got them, you go inside and relax. The door is unlocked. I didn't know I was going to be this long." Tai spoke gently.

Tai watched him go inside as he picked up the bags one by one. Paying the taxi driver he went inside. Kicking the door closed, Tai set the bags down looking for Matt. He watched him quietly, trying to figure out what he could possibly do to help him, to make him feel better. The same sad expression clung to Matt's face; he seemed to remain in shock from what he had been told. His lip had gone down in swelling, the stitches dark against his pink lip.

Tai couldn't help looking at the sadness held within the injured face; he wanted to replace that sadness with happiness, with smiles and pleasure. He felt at loss of what to do. Walking over to the couch he sat beside him, wrapping gentle arms around him he pulled him very gently into his lap. He felt the small form begin to tremble and cry into his chest. He felt every aching sob, every pained sound, and every desperate cling as he felt the pain radiate from him.

Tai felt all the more need to protect him. Rubbing his back gently, he tucked him under his chin trying hard to make him feel even the slightest bit better.

"Shhh... It's okay honey... It's okay." His voice held a reassurance he was unsure Matt heard.

Pulling the plush throw blanket over them, they remained there through the early hours of the morning. The clinging sorrow hovered like a black cloud of dread, unmoving, and uncaring. Tai placed a gentle kiss on the top of his head, he found he could do nothing but hold him. Listening to the soft pained cries, he felt a sense of helplessness come over him. He kept a protective hold on him, wanting to make it all go away.