Disclaimer: WookieeBeta does not own Yuugiou, or anything else that may be mentioned in this fanfic.
A/N: Very short…very, very short…
Hateful Love
By WookieeBeta
Epilogue: Alone
"This place is getting way too familiar," Honda muttered as he followed Jounouchi into the hospital's waiting room. The nurse gave them a sympathetic glance but shook her head; no, Yuugi still wasn't awake. Jou's breath caught in his throat and his eyes burned. He stepped mindlessly to what he was beginning to think of as 'his' chair by the window and buried his face in his hands.
Honda sighed. He understood how his blonde friend felt – twice now he hadn't been there for his best friend, and both times Yuugi had almost paid for it with his life - but he didn't like seeing Jou beat himself up over it. But they'd already had that particular conversation, and since there was no point in reawakening old conflicts he just sat down in the next seat over. An hour passed in silence. Finally the clock struck nine; visiting hours officially began.
"Er, Honda?" Jou said quietly, standing. "Can I ask you a favor?"
The brown-haired teen looked up at his friend. "Anything."
"Can you let me go alone? Just this once. I…I just wanna be alone for a while, you know?"
Honda nodded. "Go ahead. I'll wait here. If you change your mind, just come out and get me, okay?"
Jou gave him a weak smile. "Sure. Thanks, Honda."
"What else are friends for?" he said softly as Jou disappeared down the long too-familiar hallway.
Jou hesitated at his friend's door. He hated coming in here, hated seeing Yuugi so frail and helpless, but he hated even more the thought of not being there if Yuugi woke up.
Not if, he berated himself. When. When he wakes up. He pulled a chair up next to the bed and sat, taking his friend's small hand in his own. The myriad of life-support machines buzzed and beeped and hummed; Jou almost didn't notice them anymore. They were just another background noise.
He took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves. He was extremely grateful to Honda for letting him come in alone. He knew it was important to his friend to be there as much as possible, but he also knew he had to apologize to Yuugi or he'd go crazy, and he couldn't do it with anyone else looking on.
"Hey, Yuugi, it's Jounouchi," he began. "Look, I know you probably can't hear me, but there's something I have to tell you. I'm…I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you solved the Puzzle, I'm sorry I wasn't there when Yami kidnapped you, I'm sorry I wasn't there when he hurt you, I'm sorry I wasn't there when that bastard tried to kill you, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from all that… You never deserved it, you of all people never deserved all that. I wish to God I could have traded places with you, that you could have been safe…" His voice broke, and the tears he wouldn't allow himself to shed poured down his face like rain. He leant over and gently embraced Yuugi's comatose form. "God, I'm just so sorry…"
"J…Jou? Is that you?" Yuugi murmured. His vision was strangely blurred; he couldn't see his friend's face, but he felt his arms and he recognized the scent of his hair. After all, they did use the same brand of shampoo. He felt Jou freeze for a moment, and then he was nearly crushed in his friend's grip. Something warm and wet was falling on his face. It took him a moment to realize it was Jou's tears.
"Welcome back," the blonde whispered.
[A/N] Sorry for the sporadic updates; between my usual forgetfulness and endless computer problems, I never quite got around to uploading anything o.O;; Many thanks to all of my wonderful reviewers - I don't remember who first said this, but your comments are what an authoress lives on I was originally planning to reply to each one here, but I can't get to them, so... And side note to Strega: Heh, yeah, I figure he's probably pretty wealthy. If I ever do another addition to this I may bring him back in and develop him further via flashbacks or something, who knows.) Thanks again, and sayoonara!