Kenma's eyes fluttered open as he heard a chair being drug across the floor to his bedside. To no surprise, Kenma awoke to see Kuroo. The blond gave a faint smile before allowing his eyes to close once again. Though he tried to keep it concealed, Kenma was suffering greatly. Inhaling had become a task, a very painful one at that. It ached to intake air. Sleeping had become a way of coping. It took several tries for him to sleep comfortably but it was better than nothing.
Even talking had been reduced to as little as possible. Kenma had never been much of a talker but now it was no longer intentional. His voice came out as simple squeaks or cracks. It reminded him of his pubescent self. How he hated this. Kuroo had been coming over every day. Kenma's own mother hadn't come half as many times as Kuroo had. This warmed Kenma's heart.
Without hesitation, Kuroo took Kenma's hand in his. Not saying a word, both boys stayed still, silence between the two. A beautiful, intimate silence, a silence Kuroo knew Kenma needed. Bringing Kenma's hand to his lips, Kuroo placed gentle kisses along the back of the boy's hand. The red string moved along with their hands. Seeing the string everywhere he went brought Kuroo a comfort. Somehow, this comforted him in knowing that Kenma was at the other end of the string.
"Can I join you?" Kuroo asked, his eyes eyeing the bed. Kenma simply gave a nod and struggled to scoot aside. Kuroo confidently climbed into bed with Kenma. Both boys blushed at this newfound step. With little hesitation, Kuroo wrapped his arm around Kenma, allowing the blond to rest his head on his soulmate's shoulder.
Both blushing, the boys found comfort in this. Their bodies so close. It was calming for both. Kuroo's other arm placed itself over Kenma's stomach. Holding him close, Kuroo felt the need to hold on forever, scared that if he'd let go, Kenma would disappear. Kenma's frail body felt weightless on Kuroo's side.
"Would you like to watch something on my phone?" Kuroo asked, his head resting on Kenma's.
"Sure," Kenma said in a frail tone. His voice catching in his throat. Kuroo pulled out his phone from his pocket and allowed Kenma to pick the movie. Call me by your name was the movie he picked. The boys settled, content with each other's touch. They drifted into a state of pure bliss.
When Kenma awoke, Kuroo was still holding him tight. Their bodies pressed together. Kuroo radiated a warmth that Kenma greatly enjoyed. Snuggling closer, Kenma allowed himself to fall into his emotions. Though it may soon, Kenma knew the words he wished he could say. The words he wished he had the confidence to say.
Right then, in that moment, Kenma was sure of one thing. Being in Kuroo's arms finally helped him understand what his parents had. He finally understood what a soulmate was. In that moment, all he felt, all he wanted, all he was sure of was Kuroo. The red string around his finger reminded him that it was real. This was actually happening. He was being held, someone wanted him. Someone cared for him. His soulmate wanted to be his soulmate. The cancer didn't scare Kuroo off. It was as if he didn't even have it.
"You know, one day, I'm going to get you out of here. We're gonna have a nice house, maybe a few cats, a gaming room for you, anything you want," Kuroo broke the silence. His bold words shocked Kenma. "And one day I'm gonna marry you," Kenma felt himself blush, the blond hid his face in Kuroo's shoulder. "We're gonna have our happy ending," Kuroo's words brought tears to Kenma's eyes.
It was surprising to Kenma that Kuroo had such hope. Kenma had partially already accepted death. How was Kuroo really so sure that Kenma would ever make it out of the hospital? One night had turned into two and two turned into a week, a week turned into a few weeks and a few weeks turned into months. It was four months since Kenma had been home. Kuroo had not once complained about coming to the hospital. He came as if it was simply Kenma's home. But this was Kenma's home. He spent more time in the hospital than what he did outside of the hospital.
"Really?" Kenma asked in a weak voice. Pain stuck his throat as he spoke but he spoke for Kuroo.
"You bet. I'm going to be your husband and we'll have a life together. We're going to grow old together. We'll be the couple everyone talks about. I really care about you," hearing those words was all Kenma needed. Tears continued to roll down his cheeks.
"Hey, hey, hey, what's wrong?" Kuroo asked, concerned that he'd overstepped.
Kenma pulled out his phone and proceeded to send Kuroo a text.
[Soulmate](Kenma): You really do? You actually want to be with me? You're not scared? You're not worried to get hurt? You care about me?
"Kenma, you are single handedly the best person I've ever met. You are awesome, you're kind, you're fun, you're so cute, you're everything I want. I want to be with you till death do us part."
Kenma sat up, his body now facing Kuroo's. The boy's sat for a few moments, simply looking into each other's eyes. Kuroo gently placed his hands on Kenma's cheeks. Before the blond could react, Kuroo brought his lips closer to Kenma's. Brushing together, the boys kissed. For a simple second, they were alone in the world. Nothing around them. Their hearts beat madly. They were in their own world. Forgetting the cancer, forgetting death, forgetting the world, Kenma eagerly kissed Kuroo back. His hands now holding Kuroo's forearms. Their lips intertwined creating a perfect moment for the two.