Note: Since it can be a bit hard to see the difference between thoughts and sentences spoken in Japanese, I decided to put thoughts and sentences spoken from the past in the center. Thank you for reading and feedback is appreciated, so I know if it's alright and if it's needed to change anything..

You blankly stared at the spot in front of yourself. The doctor was sitting in front of you, yet you didn't see him. You weren't focused on him and didn't hear him. Everything around you disappeared the moment you were alone with your doctor. You knew you were getting bad again and as much as you hated taking medicine, you took them. You didn't want Dino to go through that same pain again, when he found out what you have done, so you listened to doctor and nurses.

The doctor began talking about emotions and trauma, but you ignored each and every word. An image of Dino's confused face was stuck in your thoughts and before you knew it, he was standing right behind the doctor.

Your eyes widened and you silently gasped. A shiver ran down your spine when he stared at you with expression of a man, who was hurting; who was betrayed. You wanted to look away, but your eyes betrayed you. You stared at the image of your husband that lingered.

"[Name]?" The doctor woke you from your thoughts.

You were panting, trying to calm down your heart, Dino's face long gone. Shutting your eyes, you raised your hands and covered your ears, refusing to hear any voice.

It has been a week since you saw Dino. A week since you woke up in hospital.

You knew Dino was avoiding you and you couldn't blame him.

-:-

Dino was sitting on a chair, in hallway of the hospital, with head in his hands. He groaned in annoyance and messed his hair before he stood up. He took a step forward to doors and reached out his hand only to hesitate when he heard your voice from the other side. It was
quiet, but he could hear the sadness and pain.

Turning away, he gritted his teeth. "Such a coward…" he murmured under his breath and walked away.

"Ah, Dino-san," Tsuna stopped him before he managed to get out.

Dino forced a smile. "Tsuna…" He was rather confused. "What...are you doing here?" he asked. He felt pathetic to ask that. He knew why was he there.

"I came to see [Name]-san." Tsuna could easily see the flinch that Dino tried to hide. "Is she in the room?"

"Ah no, she's with the doctor." Dino felt a lump growing in his throat. "I-I'm just going on fresh air for a bit." he awkwardly laughed before disappearing from Tsuna's sight.

Tsuna's eyebrows narrowed. His attention was soon on the nurse, who walked into the office and drove you out. Your face was pale and gaze lowered, but Tsuna could see you were missing Dino. A small smile spread over his lips as he stopped in front of the nurse, who lowered her head in greeting and walked away.

"[Name]-san," He called your name.

Raising your head, you looked at him, but quickly around, only to frown. Looking back at Tsuna, you smiled and nodded your head.

Tsuna's smile softened as he walked behind you, holding for the wheelchair and began pushing you down the hallway. No words were needed as you felt his warmth and brightness that was purer than Dino's. Your chest tightened.

"It's your fault."

Closing your eyes, you took a deep breath before you let it out. You felt wind brush against your skin when you passed by open window. A chill ran down your spine and you heard Tsuna speak.

"Are you cold?"

You shook your head. You weren't cold. Coldness was something you loved as it comforted you. Even the warmth that Dino was emitting was cold, but still warm. "I'm fine…" You whispered and caressed your forearms.

Reaching your room, you saw Romario standing outside, talking over the phone. He looked upset as he argued with someone before he spotted you.

"You better come here now or I'll drag you here myself."

You heard him say before he hanged up and turned to you. "[Name]," He called your name, pretending like he wasn't arguing a moment ago. "How was the meeting with doctor?" he asked and looked at Tsuna, giving him a quick nod.

Averting your gaze, your eyes fell on the floor.

Romario sighed. Looking at Tsuna, he smiled as he spoke in Japanese. "Did you see him?"

Tsuna nodded. "He was in front of the office, but left before she came out." He glanced at you and saw you looking down the hallway at the children that were running after one another before someone called for them. "Where is he?"

"He's outside the hospital." Romario replied and scratched his head. "I don't know what's with him. He's never acted like this before." Tsuna could say Romario was annoyed.

"Maybe he needs time…" He smiled softly.

"I'm tired." You spoke, gaining their attention.

"Of course," Romario smiled and opened the doors.

Tsuna drove you inside with Romario behind, who helped you rise from the wheelchair. He guided you to the bed, where you sat down. You stared at your hands before you looked at Romario.

"Where is Dino?" Your voice was quiet.

"He had to call to Italy to get some work done."

You laughed. "You could lie better, Romario."

He lowered his head. "I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize." A sigh left your lips and you closed your eyes as you laid on your back.

"If you excuse us, we'll let you rest." Romario bowed before he turned and left the room with Tsuna following behind.

You stared at the window, watching their backs in the reflection, until you remained alone in the room. Closing your eyes you curled up in a ball, pulling your knees closer. A silent whimper left your lips, finally letting your frustration and sadness out. It was hard going through all this alone. You wanted to be with Dino, but you knew you couldn't force someone to be with you when they don't want to be.

Dino's expression appeared in front of you again and you shot your eyes wide. Shaking your head you stared at the window once more.

"Why am I mopping around so much?" You murmured to yourself. "Of course he'd be avoiding me after what I went through. He must blame himself a lot…"

There was silence in the room, but your thoughts ran wild in your head.

"Ah man…" You groaned and turned on your back. "Ballino didn't succeed. I still love Dino and even if Dino doesn't love me anymore it's fine. He needs time."

"You know better than that."

Ballino's voice startled you.

A curse escaped your lips and you covered your face. "I should try to get better. If not for my sake then for Dino's. He doesn't deserve a wife, who keeps on ending in trouble and is unable to keep herself sane. What will his friends think?" You sighed and looked at the ceiling. "I should get better first."

You weren't exactly sure just what made you motivated, but you knew Dino was standing on your side. You knew he visited you when you were sleeping, apologizing over and over again. You felt sad that he was feeling guilty to the point it made him unable to face you directly and whenever you tried to see him, he never came. It upset you, but you couldn't blame him.

You visited psychologist every day, talking with him of the torture and your emotions even if it was hard. You needed to get it out. You wanted to do better for him and for you. You wanted to see Dino smiling again. You wanted to stand by his side as you have since you were children.

"You know Dino," You began as you sat on the swing in the park. Dino was sitting on the one beside, looking at you. "I don't mind if one day I'll be tortured or abused, because I know you'll save me." You turned your head and smiled at him.

"What if I can't?" His voice was quiet as he averted his gaze. "I stumble over air, slip over my own feet and if possible I could burn anything down."

You laughed. "Which is why I won't leave your side." You stood up and walked in front of him. His brown eyes stared at you wide. You smiled. "I like you. A lot. I know you'll protect me, but I'll protect you back. I have your back, Dino."

The corners of his lips turned upwards and he smiled brightly at you. "You won't have to protect me, [Name], 'cause I'll do it for both of us."

You snorted and flicked his forehead, making him groan as he covered it. "Everyone needs protecting and you're no exception."

Your heart was beating against your chest like it wanted to escape its jail as you stood in front of hotel room you shared with Dino. You were discharged from hospital much earlier than you expected, but since you didn't want to trouble Romario with picking you up, you went with Bono and Chrome, who visited you often.

Just as you were about to knock, you stopped midway when you heard Dino's voice loud and clear.

"I can't be with her anymore."