A drabble about Johan killing Zane.

The infection didn't heal. Every morning Johan would help Zane change his bandages and every evening the liquid would still be there. Oozing out of Zane's wound in varying colors of yellow, green, and white. After a few days of this Johan finally gave up. He called the hospital and told them what was going on. They were mad that Zane hadn't called to inform them of this earlier. He needed to be brought in right away so they could take care of the wound.

Zane was reluctant to go but Johan forced him too. The doctors examined his wound and decided that the infection was too large. They would have to take the pacemaker out to be able to treat it. So, once again, Zane found himself in surgery and after that he was in a private room on life support. It was the only thing that would keep his heart beating while he took the antibiotics that were supposed to heal the infection.

"Zane?" Johan asked timidly as he stepped into Zane's room.

"I'm awake," Zane replied, staring out the window.

Johan walked into the room and sat in the chair next to Zane's bed, Zane turned to look at him.

"What did they say?" Johan asked.

"That the infection did too much damage and they wont be able to put another pacemaker in. I'm going to be stuck in this room the rest of my life," Zane replied, anger creeping into his voice.

"H-how long is the rest of your life?" Johan didn't want to ask the question but he had to.

Zane reached over and tugged at the cords connecting him to multiple machines, "Until somebody decides to unplug me."

Johan looked away, Zane knew Johan couldn't bear to see him like this. Zane didn't want to be here himself. His only option where to be a vegetable or to die and right now death seemed like the better alternative.

"Johan look at me," Zane said firmly and Johan did as he was told, "Unplug me. My heart will still beat for a few years, without support. Long enough to get Crystal through high school. The two of you will do fine on your own after that."

"Z-zane! No, I can't!" Johan tried to protest but Zane shook his head.

"Would you rather have me sitting in this room watching life pass me by? I'd rather live for a few more years than sit for an eternity. Johan we both knew this was going to happen eventually, we just didn't know it would be this soon," Zane was speaking in a slow clear voice, trying to hide his own emotions. Johan wasn't doing as good a job, tears were already flowing down his face.

"Zane, I love you," Johan said.

"Then unplug me. Get me discharge. Let me spend at least a few more years as your husband rather than a burden. Johan, you of all people know this is not how I want to die. I want to die doing something not laying in a bed. Let me die loving you. Let me die as a husband and a father," Zane finished. He didn't need to say anymore. Despite Johan's attempted protests Zane knew he had convinced him.

Johan slowly nodded and then stood up to go find a doctor and talk to him about Zane's decision. Zane leaned back in his bed. He had made the right decision for himself but what about Johan and Crystal? He knew they'd be fine without him. They had Judai and Asuka and Fubuki and Shou and a number of people to take care of them. Johan might even remarry. Who knows. It was the right decision, he convinced himself of that. He didn't want to be a burden. But there was something he had to do before he died. There was something Crystal needed to know. Something he needed to tell her after she graduated.

Zane never got to see Crystal graduate. He died the months before. His heart gave out on him while he was sleeping in his bed with Johan and he never woke up. They buried him two weeks before Crystal's graduation. Everybody who had ever known Zane showed up to the funeral. Johan never remarried. He never fell in love again. After Zane's death he dedicated all his time to helping Crystal pursue her dreams.