" Are you immediate family ?" An aging doctor was asking Schuldich something , but he was just too dazed to reply .
He knew it had to be something important , but it just didn't register . " What ?"
" Are you immediate family ?" The man repeated , his lips curling in minor annoyance .
" I am ." a deep voice replied . Schuldich turned to see a tall redhead dressed in black striding purposefully towards them . " I'm his brother ."
The doctor nodded and gestured for him to follow him , soon they were speaking in low tones which Schuldich could not understand . He watched helplessly as the two men disappeared down the hall . The other redhead had barely thrown a glance in Schuldich's direction despite the fact that he had been standing there long enough to know that the doctor was asking the seated redhead his relation to his brother .
So that was the brother ... Schuldich pursed his lips in an irate frown .
Ken's brother was there – it meant that he was safe – he didn't need Schuldich now .
... but Schuldich needed to know .
What had happened to Ken ?
† † †
He blinked his eyes slowly , trying to get some perspective on his strange surroundings .
It was strangely familiar , the bright lights , the white hazy walls , the peculiar smell .
What happened ?
Oh .
The fever .
He was at the hospital . He had been here before ; the Magicbus hospital .
Aya had brought him there a month ago for his routine checkup .
He squinted , trying to remember the series of events that gripped him that day and was struck by the memory of Schuldich gazing down at him so reassuringly ... he had felt safe when he gazed into his green eyes ...
Schuldich !
Was it even possible to fall in love so quickly ?
He hadn't thought so for a long time . His life had only revolved around one man – his brother , Aya . And now , another redhead burst into the barricaded walls of his existence and made him smile , just like Aya did ... maybe even more .
Ken gave an ailing smile , despite his swollen gums , despite the bleeding , despite the burning fever and spinning room .
Perhaps .
The door creaked open and the pale face of Aya appeared . " Ken ." He said softly .
The doctor had retreated outside , leaving them to talk for a few minutes in privacy before sedatives should be administered .
" I'm sorry Aya ." He whimpered , his eyes brimming with tears . " I'm so sorry ."
Aya's face softened in pain as he approached his brother and gave him a gentle hug .
Gods ! He loved this poor little sick boy ! He'd do anything – anything – to make him happy ...
But why did it have to happen to him ? Why to Ken Hidaka ?
" Shhh ... shhh ." Holding his brother's frail body in his arms , feeling the brunette's searing fever permeate through his skin , feeling the racking shivers course through his body , hearing the short gasps for breath ... he longed to take Ken's place , just to take his misery away from him . To borne all the suffering instead . God knows that if he could do just that , he would .
Ken sobbed against his chest , soaking his black t-shirt with his hot tears . " I didn't even get to cook your lunch today – I wanted to make something special because today's Papa and Mama's anniversary ..."
That was Ken . Thinking of others in the middle of his agony . He had always been so giving , so liberal , and yet , who had stuck through for him during these hard times – did any of his previous friends , those who pretended to be his closest buddies when he was the star of the soccer team even call him when he had dropped out ? Did any of the girls who had swooned at the sight of him during his time as the top one of their batch ever inquire how he is ? Did anybody even care ?
No one .
No one .
" It's alright Ken . It's alright ." He muttered softly . Burying his face in the mass of soft chestnut hair .
Soon , the sobs began to cease , slowly , he could feel the shallow breaths grow a little deeper . The convulsions almost faded to a halt . He felt the steady , rhythmic breathing of his brother so fragilely encased in his strong arms and wondered why the worst things always happened to the best people .
He stroked the shiny crown of brown hair as he thought about the man in the hall . So perhaps he was the one who had brought Ken to the hospital ... maybe he needed to thank him ... but his pride rejected the thought .
They didn't need anyone's help . Ken and he , they'd always managed to survive on their own , he didn't want to be indebted to anyone .
He kissed the formerly golden forehead as he laid the slack form on his brother back onto the mattress .
He would find a way to tie that particular loose end . But Aya Ryouran Hidaka was not about to say 'thank you' to anyone , living or dead .
† † †
When he emerged from the room , the doctor had disappeared somewhere , leaving him to his misery .
Aya decided that he should go home to get a few things , return the Rover to Manx and stay in the hospital for the night . Maybe he could even ask for a week of leave . He was sure Manx understood
He was about to pass another redhead seated along one of the chairs lining the walls when the redhead stood up from the plastic chair he had been seated . " Aya ?"
Aya's eyes narrowed into thin slits of violet .
" Yeah ." His voice was devoid of any emotion .
" Ken mentioned you . My name's Schuldich Schwarz . We met at the park yesterday and I saw him collapse earlier . How is he ?" The man looked suspicious to Aya . What exactly did he want from Ken ?
" He just has a high fever ." He said abruptly . He wasn't about to volunteer information of own accord .
" His lip was bleeding ."
" He bit it . Look , I don't have time to talk . I have many things to do . I still have to get Ken's stuff so if you don't mind , excuse me ." His tone was bitingly cold , his face was equally apathetic .
The stranger recoiled , " Well don't let me stop you sir ." He said mockingly , his hands raised in anger .
Aya walked past him without another word .
He didn't like that bastard a bit .
† † †
Schuldich glanced at the empty corridor and walked casually to the door where he had seen Aya leave .
He gently swung the door open and let himself in .
Dear Lord ...
Ken was unconscious in the metal bed ; his face pale and drawn – so different from the animated and healthy face he had seen yesterday . There were deep bags under his eyes and he had lost all his golden colour . On his arms were thick bruises and spots where the greengrocer had gripped him earlier .
He pulled a chair close and gazed tenderly at the sleeping face , watching the lean chest rise and fall shallowly in respiration , watch the closed eyes blink rapidly .
Could anyone feel so strongly about another person so quickly ?
He had never been able to believe the concept of 'love at first sight' – in fact , maybe it was the first time that he had really felt that kind of painful emotion .
The way his heart constricted when he had seen the brunette in the park , the way he felt like soaring when the boy blushed ... maybe ... maybe that was love ... and maybe ... he had fallen in love at first sight .
How strange it was , he was always aloof and detached from the world , watching like he were just a casual observer of a television soap opera , monitoring the drama unfold before his own eyes ; and yet here he was , caught in the middle of the intricate web of a corporal performance , so immersed with the visions and illusions the world had thrown into his arms .
His hands inched for the limp fingers on the bed as if of their own volition and clasped those cold ones in his .
He realized that , as he gazed into the drawn – yet still beautiful face of the boy who was lying asleep , that every moment he spent with him was drawing him closer like a magnet , like polar opposites seeking their other half .
He stood slowly and leaned over the pale figure , and placed a sweet , chaste kiss on Ken's forehead , lingering for but a moment to inhale his pine scent .
" Mister ? Are you immediate family ?" A nurse had just entered the room , carrying a black clipboard in her arms .
" I'm his elder brother – I was just leaving ." He lied easily , a charming yet emotionless smile on his face .
Schuldich smirked inwardly at the easy lie that he spit through his teeth . How easy it was for him to pretend ! To fool other people as his pictures fooled the public .
But he could never lie to himself – not even if he wanted to .
The nurse nodded in belief and checked her clipboard without another word , yet throwing this handsome relative a covert look .
How hard it must be for him to see his younger brother in this state . It was so sweet of him to kiss the boy's forehead without any embarrassment or shame ; briefly , she entertained the thought of maybe asking him out for coffee ... he looked nice enough a man . God knows she needed company nowadays ...
But she rejected the thought . Maybe not now . I'd seem a little heartless to ask him while he was still pained for his brother – she didn't want to seem heartless .
He gave one last tender look at that innocent face , peaceful in slumber and closed the door gently behind him .
† † †
Schuldich had to go back to the office . Yohji would probably be fuming by now – and he was right .
" Where the hell have you been ? Lunch break was over two hours ago !" The blonde shouted as he stepped off the elevator . " The advertisers have been waiting for you for over an hour !"
" Something important came up ." Schuldich brushed past the taller man , but Yohji gripped his arm tightly .
" What ?" The blonde's brown eyes searched his jade ones ; concern dancing in the hazel orbs despite his irate pitch .
" Ken collapse in the street ."
" You mean the kid you met yesterday ?"
Schuldich nodded and pulled his arm from his editor's grip . " His brother said he had a high fever maybe it had something to do with the cold ." He had to keep his voice in check .
" Why the concern ? I mean , you met him just yesterday , 24 hours , Schul –"
" You don't understand – I think I'm ..." he trailed off uncertainly .
" You think you like him ? You don't even know him yet , man . I mean , you could just get hurt ! He is just a kid after all , everything might just be a game to him – and you're 28 ! You're probably years his senior ! I saw his picture ! He looked like he was just eighteen ... you're not even sure he feels the same way ."
" Stop it Yohji ! You don't give a damn about my personal life ! Keep your nose in your own business ." He jabbed his finger angrily at Yohji's chest , his eyes flashing , his teeth bared .
Yohji had never seen the redhead so angry . He held up his hands in surrender . " Fine . I mind my own business . But don't tell me I didn't warn you Schul . You'll just end up hurting yourself , count on that ."
He walked away , leaving the redhead standing there , spent in his anger and sadness .
" You'll regret it Schuldich ... I'm sorry , but you will ." Yohji said softly .
† † †
R_M : I'm so sorry for the long update . I'm sure it's taken longer than you'd like but life's been throwing me lemons ( uhh … the real lemons in the uhm … figurative sense – not THOSE lemons !!!) lately and I just had to find time to deal .
Jenken : Guess so ! ^__^ thanks !
Kaen-chan : *attempts to stop her from throttling herself* no ! don't do that ... or ... or ... you won't know what's gonna happen next ! ^__~
Misura : *agrees* So , that would mean that I'm a heartless psychopathic sadist ! *LOL* just kidding . Yes , I thought Aya would act that way with a sibling , which was why he was the perfect choice for Ken's brother – I didn't want to make him too OOC .
Mariki : I certainly did ! And I thank you again . ^__^ *rushes off to find a bucket for drool*
Schu-chan : *wide eyes* O____O;; what do you mean if ? *blinks* ---______--- Never mind . O______O *wide eyes again*
Whisper Reilman : Yup , seventeen so far ... if people don't have any complaints . ^__^ I'm still adding stuff , based on your *smiles at everyone* suggestions and I just hope people would like it . *stops* You just gave me another idea ! *runs off*
Anna Hibiki : Hello ! Good to see you again ! ^__^ I'll try to update Deveil's deceit but I've been coming up dry . I hope you don't mind a short , godawful chapter before I could find my bearings again . ^__^