This chapter is sad, but after the cliffhanger last chapter, I guess you all expected that.

Chapter 52 ~ Comforting

The press didn't know about Tiedoll's heart attack, and Kanda and Alice wanted to keep it that way. With that in mind, Kanda and the others went to the academy rather than the hospital's main entrance. They used a series of restricted access corridors to reach Tiedoll's room, Kanda carrying his still-unconscious fiancé.

"You've carried Allen a long time. Aren't your arms tired?" Link inquired, but the only response he received was a glare and a "Che."

"He's fine. It's better to leave him alone than to keep trying to help him."

"But why, Tyki? Doesn't he realize we're all here to support him? That we want to – mmppfh." Wisely's hand clamped over his lover's mouth.

"Hush, baby. Kanda's got to handle this his way. He wants to hold Allen, and I don't blame him. I know I'd cling to you if I were in his shoes."

Kanda acknowledged Wisely's comment with a nod and the faintest hint of a smile. Link said nothing else as the group drew nearer to Tiedoll's room.


There was a small waiting area just off Tiedoll's room. Koumi, Reever, Lavi, and Lenalee sat there drinking coffee and talking quietly. They had yet to notice the others who were walking up to them. Kanda walked past them and into Tiedoll's room without saying a word.

"Am I seeing things or did Yuu-Yuu just walk by with Al?"

Lena sat beside him, the hurt evident in her eyes. "My Ni-chan didn't even say 'Hi.' He always comes to me when he's really worried about anything, but… but this t…time..." Lena burst into tears.

"There's a very real possibility his father will die. I think pretty boy deserves a free pass on this one, so shut your trap, little miss princess."

Lavi leapt from his seat, his fists clenched in rage. "You son-of-a-bitch! Don't you fucking dare talk to Lena-lady like that ever again! I don't care if ya are Al's uncle; you have no right to insult her!"

Cross laughed. "Good show, kid. You defended your lady before I even got a good start. You really do love her."

"Of course I do! What kind of idiot are you, thinking I don't love her?"

Tyki sat beside Reever and pulled Cross's arm, forcing him down beside him. "I believe he was just trying to get your mind off of the situation. Yes, pet?"

"Bah! Just spoil all my fun… I could've kept him going for a bit longer."

"You were… just try… trying to… distract… us?" Lena choked out through her sobs.

"Yes, child. Oftentimes it helps ease the tension."

"Wow, I didn't know ya had it in ya, actually tryin' to help."

"I'm not always a horse's arse."

"Just usually." Cross turned to glare at Tyki, but the man just grinned at him and said, "I love you."

"I love you, too, you big arse hat."

Komui was too shocked to react to Cross insulting 'his' Lena, but he suddenly started giggling.

"Umm, sweetheart, are you okay?" Reever wrapped an arm around his partner's shoulders.

"Bwahahah! Those two… Hehehe! So mean… but not! Hahaha!"

"Huh?"

"Teeheehee! They throw insults… at each other… but they're… so obviously… head over heels in love!"

"Damn! He's seen through our act! What shall we do, love?"

"Mmm, not sure, but I think I'll still call you a jackass sometimes."


Wisely and Link hung back from the others and watched their interactions. Neither knew what to make of their strange way of comforting one another.

"Hey, you two gonna introduce yourselves? I'm Lavi Bookman, and this beautiful young woman is Lenalee Lee."

It took both young men a second to realize they had been noticed.

"I'm Wisely, and this gorgeous male specimen is Link. It's a pleasure to meet the two of you. Allen and Kanda have told us a little about you."

"Oh, hell… No tellin' what Yuu-Yuu said about me."

"He said you're 'alright for a total baka.'"

"Interesting… That was almost nice. Well, it is nice considering it came from Kanda. Kinda surprises me."

"Hey, aren't you two a couple?" Lena asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Yes. Didn't they tell you?" Link spoke up for the first time.

"Yeah, but I wanted to make sure with you guys before saying anything more. Now that I know, I'd just like to say that you're both really hot. Would you guys make out for us?"

"The fuck?" Wisely asked while Link stood by looking positively scandalized.

"Would you two mind making out in front of us? We like seeing hot guys together. Didn't Ni-chan tell you that?"

"No… He must have forgotten that tiny little detail."

"Weird since we always wanted to see them make out. 'Course they're pretty much all over each other most of the time anyways, so we don't really hafta ask."

"Yeah, they really are super open about their relationship. Allen even told us to act like we would at our own home. Link's getting a little better about it, but he's still very shy. Sorry, guys, but not now. Maybe you'll get a free show later."

"Wisely!"

"What? You really are more comfortable about it than you used to be. At least you are around Kanda and Allen. If we're here long enough to get to know Lena and Lavi well, you'd relax, right?"

"I make no promises."

"I'll take that as a maybe." Lena grinned.


Kanda entered Tiedoll's room and walked straight to the hospital bed. He glanced down at the man who had rescued him from the orphanage and tried to hold back his tears. Tiedoll was unconscious, on a ventilator, and had several IVs. Unable to stand any longer, Kanda collapsed into the chair beside his father's bed. He cradled Allen, who nuzzled his chest, and he knew that his Moyashi would soon wake up.

Alice walked out of the bathroom and saw the two teens. She came over to them and silently placed a hand on Kanda's shoulder. He placed one hand over hers and that was all it took; he lost control of his emotions and cried openly.

Allen woke up when Kanda began crying. He shifted slightly so that he could place his hand over Kanda's. The three remained still, their hands together on Kanda's shoulder, as he wept.

When he simply couldn't cry anymore, Kanda moved his hand, causing the others to move as well. He looked up at Alice expectantly, as did Allen.

"They say he's stable for now. They're pumping him full of I don't remember what, but it's to keep him comfortable and lessen the strain on his heart. If all goes well overnight, they're going to put in a pacemaker tomorrow. It will help him, but he's going to… Oh, Kanda, I hate this so much! The pacemaker is only temporary. I'm sorry, Kanda, but Froi… he needs a heart transplant."

"Chichi!" Kanda cried out in anguish, fresh tears falling from his eyes. Then he went completely silent. His face became expressionless and his eyes unfocused.

Allen realized his fiancé was withdrawing: shutting down like he did on Christmas Eve after their fight. He stood up and tugged on Kanda's arm. "Yuu, love, come with me. There's a sofa over here you can rest on." Kanda didn't move, so Allen tried again. He leaned down and pressed his lips to Kanda's, kissing him passionately. The ravenette slowly began to kiss back, and Allen pulled him up so they were both standing. When he broke the kiss, he smiled at his lover. "Stay with me, anata. Don't shut me out. I swear I'll be right here beside you and do everything I can to help you get through this. Just don't leave me, Yuu."

"Kichona." Kanda spoke softly as he wrapped his arms around Allen. "You've saved me from myself again. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Just as I can't imagine life without you. Now, would you like me to do something for you? Something to help you relax?"

"I'm not in the mood, Moyashi."

'That is not what I meant, BaKanda. Let me rephrase it: Is there any nonsexual thing I can do right now that will make you feel a little better?"

"Hmm… Brush my hair for me?"

"Alright. I'll just need to find a brush." Allen started to slip out of Kanda's arms.

"Don't leave me!"

"I'm not, love. I bet Lena has a brush in her handbag. Do you want to go with me to ask her?"

Kanda nodded and released his hold on Allen. The younger teen grabbed his hand and pulled him through the door.


Everyone looked up when Allen and Kanda came out of Tiedoll's room. Allen led Kanda over to Lenalee, and she jumped up and hugged him.

"I'm sorry, Ni-chan." She whispered in his ear.

"Imouto." He whimpered.

"I know things are really bad right now. Just remember we're all here for you." She said the last part out loud and Kanda could see everyone nodding in agreement.

Allen then asked Lena for a brush, and Kanda approached Reever and Komui while she looked for it.

"How are you holding up?" he asked Reever.

"Making it, but what about you? He's like a father to me, but he really is your father."

"I… I can't believe this is happening… And all I can think of is the last thing I said to him."

"Aww, sweetie, you know he forgave you for that. He was even planning a surprise visit to try and work things out." Komui pulled Kanda onto his lap.

"Oi! I'm not a little kid anymore. Let go of me."

"Nope. Gotta hold my little brother for a minute."

Kanda relaxed a little, sighing contentedly when Komui ran his fingers through his long hair.

"Komui! You let go of my Yuu this instant! I'm the one who's supposed to be doing that."

"But this is something I used to do when he was little and got upset… It doesn't matter how old he gets; he'll always be my baby brother."

"Bah! Give him back!"

"Oh, alright… I guess I've held him long enough."

Kanda stood and grabbed Allen's hand, dragging him back into Tiedoll's room.


Kanda led Allen to the sofa, guiding him to sit down. He then sat in the floor in front of him and leaned against back his legs.

Allen gathered up Kanda's hair and laid it in his lap. He gently brushed the blue-black locks until he heard light snoring. He bent down and saw that Kanda was fast asleep. He slipped his legs free and went to the door. "Can someone help me get Yuu onto the sofa? He fell asleep on the floor."

Lavi and Wisely both stood up. "You go, Lavi."

"Thanks, Big Al."

"Pardon?" Allen looked at Lavi, confused by Wisely's new nickname.

"Well, you guys look so much alike, and he's older and bigger than you. So it makes sense to call him 'Big Al' since I always call you 'AL.'"

"Okay… If Wisely's fine with it, then I don't care. Now come along. I want to get Yuu off this cold tile floor."

Lavi followed Allen and the two successfully got Kanda settled on the sofa without waking him. Allen sat at Kanda's head, using his lap as the ravenette's pillow.

"He must be seriously worn out 'cause he didn't wake up."

"He is. My poor love is exhausted. Thank you for helping, Lavi."

"No problem. I'll go back out now. Come see us again when he wakes up."

"Are you all planning to stay out there?"

"Yeah. Nobody wants to leave in case something happens. It's actually pretty comfy out there."

"Wow… Tell everyone 'Thank you so much.' I'm thrilled you're all here for Yuu."

"Sure thing. And you'll bring Yuu-Yuu out when he wakes up? He doesn't need to stay in there all the time."

"I know. I promise we'll come out again later."

"'Kay. If you need anything else, just call or text one of us."

"I will. Thanks again."

"Just glad I can help." Lavi grinned and slipped out the door.


AN: So much has happened recently. My husband had a stroke, but he's home now. We're also in the process of moving into my grandmother's house. (the grandmother who passed away this past fall). He has PT and OT visiting him several times a week, so things are busy/hectic 'round here.