Kenma's eyes crowded with tears as he looked at the X-rays of his respiratory system. Large white forms covered the once pink tissue. He didn't understand why this was happening, he'd done the treatment plan recommended, he'd followed what he was told, yet here he was, struggling to breath, looking at his damaged lungs. Kuroo's hand held his tightly, his mother held his other hand.

This wasn't normal, this wasn't what he wanted. The more it went, the sicker he got. Kenma wanted normal. He wanted to be a normal 18 year old boy. He wanted to be with Kuroo, he wanted to be out of this hospital, he wanted to be loved, he wanted his friends.

Kenma's mind went elsewhere when the doctor started to speak. Buzzing filled his ears, he didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to know. It was too close. He had Kuroo now. They were getting closer, he was happy with Kuroo. He wanted Kuroo. He wanted to do what normal couples did, he wanted to move in together, get a little too drunk and mess around, he wanted to be able to sleep in on sunday mornings together, he wanted to have date nights, he wanted them to be together, he wanted a normal relationship, one outside of these walls. Outside of the hospital. Kenma couldn't remember the last time he'd slept in his bed. He wanted to be normal.

Life wasn't a video game, he desperately just wanted to hit reset. He wanted to start this level over. He wanted to change his choices, he wanted to meet Kuroo at the right time, he wanted to meet Kuroo at a coffee shop or something cliche like that, somewhere where he'd drop his books or bump into Kuroo, somewhere other than here. He wanted to give Kuroo the love story that he deserved. Kuroo didn't deserve this. He should have a soulmate that can keep up.

Kuroo's thumb gently caressed Kenma's as the two boys quietly listened to the older man. In the past few weeks, he'd been known to only bring bad news. With every passing day, Kenma was growing weaker and weaker. He hated to admit it but he knew death was trying to sneak up on him. Kenma had been desperately running away from death. He'd held onto Kuroo, hoping he'd help him run a little further.

Kenma trailed his eyes along the red string. He watched it glow as if it had a heart beat, each puls created a simple yet noticeable feeling on his pinky. The string brought him comfort, with it, he knew that Kuroo was there. He knew that the shorter the string got, the closer he got to Kuroo.

"Are you listening Kenma?" Kuroo asked, snapping Kenma out of his thoughts. The blond nodded before looking at the man.

"As I was saying, we could try to operate but we can't promise any miracles. I was discussing with UNOS and it might be a little longer than expected to get a transfer but we could try to operate and remove as much damaged tissue as possible. This process is not often performed this far in but we were willing to take a chance with you. Your body is young, you have a chance with this," the doctor spoke in a sure tone, almost convincing Kenma that he was going to live.

"Possibility of death?" Kenma's mother asked. Truth be told, if it weren't for her holding his hand, he'd have forgotten that she was there.

"Very high," with those words, Kenma's mother choked back a sob. She'd been trying to avoid the tears. She wanted to show confidence in the medical professionals but it had grown to be increasingly difficult with each passing day, seeing her son in such pain. Her heart broke every time she saw him in such a state. Yet, Kuroo managed to make him smile.

"How do you feel about this Kenma?" Kenma's heart raced, how was he supposed to know this now. It was like flipping a coin on life. Like choosing if he were to live or die in seconds. Heads, he gets the surgery and dies on the table, tails, he doesn't and dies in a few days anyway. Was it worth the try? Should he even care at this point.

"Why don't we give him longer than thirty seconds to decide?" Kuroo asked, trying to ease Kenma's mind. He knew how much he was overthinking it, he knew how bad things had gotten and he knew Kenma. He knew how much the blond was caught up in his own head at the moment.

"Yes, of course, we can discuss it tomorrow?" the man asked, earning a nod from Kenma.

Kenma's eyes scanned the board in front of him. Why was Kuroo making him play that? Chess of all games. "Watching the pieces won't make them move on their own," the dark haired boy chuckled. "Come on, this is fun," he smiled at the blond, earning a smile back.

"This is not what I'd consider fun," Kenma scribbled on a piece of paper. Talking had become impossible now, leading them to communicate through text or pen and paper.

"Please, for me," Kuroo made a face in an attempt to pout but only made Kenma laugh. That was something Kuroo loved seeing. Though Kenma didn't laugh often, when he did, he lit up the entire room; or so that's how Kuroo saw it.

"Not to rush you or anything, but do you know if you want the surgery or not?" Kenma looked up at his soulmate like a deer caught in the headlights. He'd been procrastinating thinking about it. He already knew what he wanted to do but he was scared to change his mind.

Kenma nodded, not bothering to write on the paper. He didn't want to say this.

"And what would this decision be?" Kuroo reached his hand over to Kenma's only to be dodged. On his bed, Kenma pulled his knees to his chest and watched out the window. He knew what he wanted but why couldn't he tell Kuroo? "You know I'll support you no matter what, right?" Kenma nodded again, lying.

"Listen Kenma, there's something I need to tell you-" Kuroo was cut off by the sound of footsteps.

"Hello boys! Kenma, your mother should be here soon. Have you made your decision?" the doctor spoke, his tone, confident and commanding.

Kenma nodded and handed the doctor a slip of paper from under his pillow. Kenma didn't want to disappoint those around him. He wanted to take a chance. The doctor scanned the paper thoroughly. His eyes widened in shock as he read the curly handwriting. Kuroo sat, awaiting an answer, something telling him what Kenma chose.

"Very well then, I'll get the paperwork for you to sign." the doctor said before walking off. Kuroo sat for a moment before asking again.

"What did you choose?"

Kenma took out his phone, his fingers slowly typing the words Kuroo desperately awaited. The blond hit send, finally giving Kuroo the relief he needed as he received the notification.