A/N: Hello all! Aha...you don't actually see if Saga-pup makes it in this chapter...but more on that in the other note! No, this is more Takano-Ritsu interaction. The aftermath of the police leaving and Takano returning.

The police were gone.

And Takano still wasn't back.

Falling against the wall near his door Ritsu sank to the floor, unable to pace any more as he clutched his stomach. He hadn't had pains this severely for quite some time, and a sob slipped from his lips as he realized Saga was the one who brought enough calm to his life for him to relax so much.

He couldn't even bring himself to be shocked that his home was still in tatters, or that the police had suggested he stay elsewhere for the night since they'd be back to collect evidence soon. But Ritsu just couldn't bring himself to care-couldn't even bring himself to wonder why that one night stand had lost it so completely that he'd come here. Hell he wasn't even mad-yet-that it was the man's fault Saga was hurt.

He was only scared that the mutt wouldn't make, that any moment Takano would walk through his door and deliver the blow that Saga was no longer of this world.

Tugging nervously at his hair the brunet forbade himself for thinking of such things, allowing his mind to go blank.

Until his phone rang.

Nearly dropping the device in his haste to answer Ritsu barely took the time to glance at the caller ID, "What happened? Is Saga okay?" he demanded.

"I'm on my way back." came the older male's answer, and Ritsu felt his heart sink.

"H-he's...oh god..." his voice broke and he covered his mouth with his hand as tears pooled in his emerald eyes.

"I don't know Ritsu." Takano answered quickly, soothingly, "They had me leave him there over night so they could operate and watch him."

Clinging to this small hope Ritsu whispered back, "Okay." tightly holding on to his phone, "T-Takano?"

"Yes?" came the other's instant reply.

"C-can I stay at your place tonight? The...the police said...they'll be back and I-"

His shaky explanation was cut off as his front door swung open, Takano standing on the other side, "Of course Ritsu." he murmured, snapping his phone shut and dropping it in his pocket.

The total stress of the night hitting him the brunet lost his composure, letting his own phone fall to the ground as he flung himself at the older male, fastening himself to the other's coat.

Surprised Takano instantly wrapped his arm around the younger male, shushing him as he leaned down to scoop him up, placing the forgotten phone in his free pocket.

"Do you need anything from here?" he asked quietly, looking around the ruined apartment and doubting there was much the brunet could take with him.

Agreeing, Ritsu shook his head, falling silent as he was carried in to the other's apartment.

And as Takano laid him on the bed he was surprised when Ritsu still clung to his coat.

"Ritsu...I have to change." he murmured softly, shirt stained with blood still. As was Ritsu's he noticed. In fact the red-ish brown blotches seemed to cover most of his outfit, "And so do you." he added after a moment.

Nodding against the older male's chest was Ritsu's only acknowledgement to the statement.

"Ritsu-" Takano tried again, only to be cut off.

"Please don't go...I-I don't want to be alone right now..." the brunet whispered.

Eyes softening, Takano nodded, "Okay." so he carefully picked up the younger male once more, setting him down in the bathroom, "You shower first." he murmured, pushing the younger male towards said shower.

"But-!"

"I won't leave the room." he interrupted, waiting until the brunet nodded before turning around.

As he listened to the water start he sighed, closing his eyes, he'd really like nothing more than to join Ritsu and hold him close, but he didn't want to-couldn't-seem pushy, not when his love was so distressed...

After some time the older male was in the shower, Ritsu having borrowed Takano's robe so he could go find a t-shirt and some sleeping pants for the night. He listened as the door opened, and closed but when he stepped out the brunet was no where in the small room, just a set of night wear for himself. Quickly changing he went into the bedroom only to find that too was empty.

Heart now racing he called out to the apartment, "Ritsu!"

"...hai?" the younger male answered from the living room, head peeking around the corner.

Worry melting away from his expression Takano was quick to head over, "There you are, what are you doing out here?"

As he rounded the corner, the brunet's intent became apparent though.

"Oh...I...I didn't want to be any more of a burden..." Ritsu mumbled in reply, hands twisting the blanket he held, as Takano eyed his makeshift bed on the sofa.

"You're never a burden." the older instantly replied, hazel eyes softening as emerald ones met his in surprise, "C'mon, you're sleeping in the bed."

As he turned he was stopped when once more the younger male spoke, "Ah, that's not necessary..."

Blinking, he winced as a thought occurred, "Ritsu...if you're not comfortable with me in there too, then I can sleep out here..." he only wanted to be there for Ritsu...but if his presence wasn't wanted...

"No!"

Time slowed for a moment as the older male found the brunet against his chest, once again holding on to him tightly.

"I don't want to be alone..." Ritsu repeated in a whisper.

"But?" he gently questioned as his arms moved to hug the younger male.

"...I don't want to bother you." hands curled tighter against his shirt as the brunet pressed closer.

"You're never a bother, Ritsu."

Silence fell for a moment as the two simply held each other, one gently petting the other's hair as he let tears fall once more.

"I love you."

A/N: I'm sorry for those of you asking about Saga, but...you aren't going to find out about his fate until the last chap of this fic...

BUT that won't be too long since...aha, there's only 2 chappies left to go ^^;

I hope you all have the patience to stick it out till then! A little hint at the next chapter is it's a bit of a time skip! But that's all I'm gonna say!

OH-and just who was it that said I love you at the end there eh? Just something a lil bit lighter to keep you preoccupied till Monday!

Review?