Kyoya continued to visit Yuuichi each morning as planned, the injections and early morning hours were beginning to take their toll on the shadow king. He was often exhausted and the headaches worsened as a result. Worst of all in Kyoya's opinion, Tamaki had begun to notice the difference.

"Kyoya," The ill teen had said in a concerned tone. "Are you..feeling okay today?"

"I'm fine.A little tired, but fine."The shadow king did his best to ignore the throbbing pain in his head. Tamaki sighed.

"You know I love you, don't you?" the blond teen pressed.

"Yes, Tamaki, I love you too. Why are you asking me that?" Tamaki settled back against the pillow.

"Because I want you to know you can talk to me if something's going on. I know you well enough to know when something's bothering you, You've been quiet during our last few visits, are you not feeling well?"

"I told you, I'm just a little tired."

"I'm not the brightest person in the world Mon Amour, but I'm not a complete idiot. Something's wrong, if it's not something you want to tell me, that's fine. But just because I'm sick doesn't mean I'm not here for you." Kyoya stood from his chair silently. He paused, then slid his shoes off and pulled himself onto the bed, resting his head on Tamaki's chest, careful not to disturb the monitor wires and IV tubes. Tamaki brushed back a few strands of hair from his friend's face.

"Can we just lie here for a while?" Kyoya realized how the request sounded and in the moment he didn't care.

"All day if you want to." Tamaki said. " maybe you should try to sleep a little. "

"No. I just...need You to be close to me."

" I've never heard you say that before,are you sure you're okay? "

"Yes. There's something I need to tell you." Kyoya admitted.

"You can tell me anything,Kyoya, you know that."

"I want you to know that I love you,very much. It's difficult for me to have to do this but it's -"Tamaki frowned.

"Are you trying to tell me it's getting too hard for you,I know it's a lot and I don't -" kyoya raised his head,meeting the I'll teen's gaze.

"I've been with you this whole time, there's never been a second that the thought of leaving you crossed my mind. Stop it."

" stop what? "

"Assuming the worst and having so little faith in our relationship. You have an illness,that's something to be worked through...together. What I'm saying is that on the day you receive the bone marrow transplant, I'm going to be visiting a lot later than usual. I can't get out of it,my father expects me to work on-"

" it's fine. As long as you're okay. "Tamaki said..

" so you'll be all right until I get here? "

"Yeah."

" good. Have you been drinking your -"

"What about the trip,did you-" Kyoya sat up.

"Tamaki,we've talked about this." The shadow king said sternly. "You'll need your strength. Changing the subject isn't -"

" kyoya, let's not get into an argument. I tried, I really did. "

"And?"

"I can't keep anything down right now, I'm not feeling well today."

" You should tell me when -"

"It wouldn't change anything, it's the treatment I think.I know they had to start it because of the bone marrow transplant,but it doesn't -"

"Whatever the cause maybe, I want you to tell me when you're not feeling well,maybe I can -"

" if I did that,you'd be listening to me complain most of the day. I want us to enjoy our time,not -" he sighed. "There's not much more you can do for me, Kyoya. You can't make the leukemia go away or take away my weakness. As much as I know you wish you could. Even if it was possible,I wouldn't want this for 've given me so much love and you're an amazing comfort to me -"

" don't do this. "

"I'm not doing anything,you need to hear me. It's hard for me to see you push yourself like this and I really don't want you to get sick,if you keep worrying about me-"

"Tamaki-"

"I'm tired mommy dear. I'll keep my promise,I'll stay here with you. But I need to know you're going to be okay.

" i will be. I told you it's nothing. "

"Until it ends up being something."

" it won't. "

"Promise me?"

" i promise. Even though I'll be with everyone else on a beach while you're here-"

"You won't change my mind on that. You're doing it for me." Kyoya kissed Tamaki lightly.

"I said I'd go, I never said -" The blond smiled weakly.

"You would rather be in a hospital room than out with the guests on a beach,in a beautiful resort?"

" I'd prefer you went with us. "

"If I had the strength I would. Honestly,I'd love to be with you on a beach. We could watch the sunset,sitting on the sand,listen to the waves and in the morning we could watch the sunrise.

"When you're well,I think that's something we should make time for. We'll take a weekend of our own. No parents,no grandmother who doesn't know how to recognize true beauty when it's in front of her..."

" Kyoya,y-you really -You think I'm beautiful? "

"I don't need to think it,I'm absolutely sure of it." Kyoya brushed back several strands of golden hair,taking Tamaki's hand.

"I appreciate the encouragement,but I'm afraid I disagree. I'm pale and sick,there's no possible way you can say-"

"Tamaki Suoh, sick or not, you are the most beautiful person in the world.I love you with all my heart and -"Kyoya paused, gazing into the perfect blue eyes. "You have to live because the moment our lives become our own...I want to share mine with you."

" Kyoya -" Tamaki began in shock.

"We'll get through this,make a life that's our own."

"the oncologist said there's no promising this will help and even if it does,I could need it again in the -"

"Then we'll do it all again if we have to,but I will never let you go through it alone. forget everything we're toldtold-"

"I can't expect you to -"

" marry me. "

"Have you lost your mind, think about this,could you be happy married to me, disowned by your family, my sickness,having to be with me -"

" i could only be happy married to you."

"You mean that." Tamaki stated, seeing only sincerity in Kyoya's eyes.

"Every word of it. You'll never have to worry about your mother, I'll make sure she has everything and your grandmother won't be able to use it against you anymore. I want to take care of you." Tamaki pulled him close.

"Yes, Kyoya. As long as you're sure."

"I am. I've never been more sure. I love you."

" i love you too. I hope I get to share that life with you. "

"You will. Whatever it takes, Tamaki, you will."