Kenma felt himself slowly being rolled into another room. His eyes weakly glanced down at his finger. The red string forming a trail from his pinky to Kuroo. He knew that on the other end, Kuroo was there. Kenma tangled the red string around his fingers. He was going to see Kuroo. He was going to see him in a few hours. He couldn't think otherwise. He needed to be there, he needed to live for his father, for Hinata, for Akaashi, for Lev, for his mother and most importantly, he needed to live for Kuroo. He was going to marry Kuroo, he wanted his happy ending. He wanted Kuroo to have a happy ending.

Not having noticed, Kenma had lost himself in his thoughts of his future with Kuroo, they were ready to start. "Can you count back from 10 in your head?" the doctor asked. Kenma simply nodded and did so.

Ten, he thought about when he first met Kuroo. Nine, he thought about Kuroo walking him home. Eight, he thought about how Kuroo's hand felt in his. Seven, he thought about how Kuroo would smile when he saw him. Six, he thought about how he felt when he woke up to see Kuroo in his hospital room. Five, he thought about his volleyball number, he thought about his team, Hinata and Akaashi. Four, he thought about his mother, her smile and her kindness. Three, he thought about the three words he wished he could voice. Two, he thought about Kuroo's eyes, the way they lit up when he smiled. And one, he thought about the one string that connected him to Kuroo. Kenma slowly felt himself drift off with every passing number.

Kuroo sat in the waiting room, his knee bouncing anxiously. His eyes glued to the string on his finger. Kenma's mother sat to his right and to her right sat her husband. On Kuroo's left sat Bokuto and on his left sat Akaashi. Kuroo was originally surprised to see Bokuto here, he'd only met Kenma once but it came to his attention that Bokuto was Akaashi's soulmate and he'd come for him.

Bokuto placed his hand on Kuroo's forearm, snapping him away from his thoughts. "Kuroo, it's going to be alright," Bokuto gave him a forced smile. Bokuto knew the pain Kuroo felt in hospitals. Kuroo hated to bring it up but his mother had died and this situation right here brought back feelings from his mother's passing. "Kenma is going to be alright," Bokuto said as he gave Kuroo's arm a light squeeze.

"I'm going to get coffee," Kenma's father stated as he got up, "Anyone want some?" he asked.

"I'll take one dear," his wife said, a pale expression on her face.

"Could you please bring one for Kuroo?" Bokuto asked, knowing full well that Kuroo needed it. "You know what, I'll come with you," he continued. Kenma's father gave a simple nod. Bokuto got up, leaving the two boys with Kenma's mother.

"He really cares about both of you. It means a lot that you're both here," Kenma's mother said before crouching down in front of both boys. "I know Hinata would be here if he could," She continued.

"Actually, I'm right here," the redhead stated as he walked up behind the three.

"I thought you had a game?" Akaashi questioned.

"This is more important. Besides, I want to see Kenma! We have so much we need to say, to do! I'll be here when he wakes up!" Though Kenma was currently opened up on a table, Hinata kept his same cheery attitude. His positivity was exactly what they needed right now.

Kenma's mother got up and motioned for the three to join her. She embraced all three boys in a tight hug. "Thank you all for being here. It's nice to know that so many people care for
Kenma," tears formed in her eyes as she pulled them closer. "I know he loves you all in his own way," it was then that Lev approached.

"How is he?" Lev asked as he walked closer to the group.

"So far no news, you're welcome to join us in waiting," Kenma's mother spoke.

Hours passed and the group sat with no news. Everyone's anxiety grew stronger. Kuroo's eyes were still glued to the string around his finger. This was his only source of comfort. Kenma's mother had her head rested on her husband's shoulder, her eyes closed. Kuroo was unsure if she was asleep or trying to sleep. Bokuto held a firm arm around Akaashi. Hinata sat, desperately awaiting a doctor to come out. A look of excitement plastered his face every time he saw a doctor pass. Lev sat silently, playing with his thumbs.

Kuroo finally moved his eyes from his string to his bracelet. He and Kenma were forever. They had so much to do, they had so much to say, so much more to their relationship. They had dates to go on, they had so many more kisses, they had fights to have, they had to make up after those fights, they had to be intimate, they had to get to know each other so much more, they had to get married and adopt children, have a house, have pets, grow old together. They were going to have their happy ending.

Kuroo's eyes went back to the string around his finger. His eyes followed it till there was no more to be seen. His neck ached but he didn't want to take his eyes off the string, he needed to see it there. He needed to know that Kenma was still there.

Without a word, Akaashi stood to his feet and walked away, Bokuto on his heels. Everyone felt the weight of the situation, they all knew that Kenma's chances were slim. Yet, they were all here. Everyone that cared most about Kenma was there. They wanted to be there despite the chance of pain.

Kuroo kept his eyes on the string. He watched the corner where it shielded his view. He watched as he saw the still bright red colour. Kuroo tightened his grip, holding on as if he could feel Kenma on the other end.

Akaashi returned, eyes bloodshot, tears running down his cheeks, Bokuto holding him tight. It wasn't often that Akaashi cried but this was too much for him. The fear everyone felt was overwhelming.

Kuroo looked at the sting once more, blinking, he thought what he was seeing was impossible. Slowly, from the corner, Kuroo saw the bright red fading, getting closer and closer, he felt tears build in his eyes. The fading slowly approached, his heart slowly sank, his breathing increased. No, this couldn't be happening. Kuroo tried to back up in his chair, trying to get as far away as possible from the fading. He wasn't ready.

As the fading came closer, wrapping around his finger where the bright red string once was, a ghost feeling remained. Kuroo knew that no matter what, this feeling would haunt him for the rest of his life. As this happened, Kuroo broke down into sobs. He knew that Kenma was no longer alive on the other end. The once red string was now a dark gray colour.

Kuroo, now on his knees, was unable to speak, only sobs escaped his mouth. Tears ran down his face as he left a piece of himself tear away. Kenma was gone. Kenma was gone. No it couldn't be that. Despite his inner protests, Kuroo knew that Kenma was dead.

Kenma's mother awoke, her eyes filled with worry. Bokuto lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Kuroo.

"Kenma…" Kuroo sobbed into Bokuto's shoulder.

"What's the matter Kuroo?" Kenma's mother asked.

Kuroo was unable to answer. He hated that he'd found out like this. It was wrong. His heart ached. There was so much he wanted to do with Kenma. This was supposed to help Kenma. This was supposed to give them a happy ending.

Slowly, a doctor walked towards the group. A grim expression on his face. "I'm so sorry… we tried everything we could but the cancer infected more than we knew...Kenma's heart failed during the operation…"

Kuroo let out another loud sob, his heart breaking just a bit more. Kuroo heard Mr and Mrs. Kozume breaking down in the corner. He looked over to see Hinata's once bright expression twisted into a depressing look. Bokuto wrapped his arms around both Kuroo and Akaashi.

Kuroo was reminded of the sorrow he felt as a child. His chest ached, his body shook like a leaf. This wasn't right, he felt sick. He clung to Bokuto in hopes of feeling some sort of comfort but he needed Kenma right now the only problem was that Kenma wasn't there. Kenma was gone.