Chapter 6

Daisuke awoke to a dark sky and muggy air. Rolling over, the redhead stretched, trying to get comfortable enough to sleep again. He had banished his wings the other day, and he had to say, it felt a little weird not to have them out after leaving them alone for the near month that Dark had been at his home. However, he knew it would be painful to let them out again, so he decided not to take them out unless he absolutely needed them.

Daisuke opened his eyes again, and was met with Dark's thin face. The thief was sleeping soundly in the bed across from him, curled up on his side. His wing was nearly healed, he could move it without pain, and it was expected that he would be able to fly again soon, even though Daisuke probably would keep him on the ground for longer. The boy knew that the thief needed to wait at least another month, when his ankle would hopefully be healed and strong enough for him to stand on it.

'At least everything is healing nicely, including his wrist.' Daisuke thought. 'And all of his flesh wounds have just about closed up. He should be up and going in not too long, not counting the ankle.'

The only thing that was still worrying Daisuke was Dark's weight. The thief was currently hovering around 90 pounds, which was nearly 50 less than he should be. Even though he was looking much better, he was still too thin. Daisuke sighed, looking the violet-haired man over. You could still see his ribs, but Dark's arms and legs were beginning to pack on some weight, hiding his bones. His face still had a gaunt look to it, but it was definitely better than it had been.

Dark had progressed to solid foods in a little less than a week, eating ravenously when fed, and wanting more when he was done. Most of the time Emiko would gladly give him more, but she would stop then, telling the thief that if he ate any more he would make himself sick.

Daisuke sat up, stretching. He wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep, he knew it. He looked back outside, studying the cloudy sky. According to the clock it was about 8 o' clock, and already it was looking like a rainy day.

A sound from beside him caused the redhead to look towards the other bed where Dark lay. The thief's purple brows twitched together, and he shifted under the covers. Frowning, Daisuke stood, moving to stand beside the bed. Dark's face contorted again, and a small whimper managed to wrestle its way free.

Daisuke stood beside his Phantom Thief for a moment longer, but Dark was quiet now. Daisuke brushed the wisps of violet hair away from the thief's face, smiling as he did. Leaning, the redhead placed a gentle kiss against Dark's forehead. "I love you…"

Dark wiggled his nose at the touch of Daisuke's lips, and the boy had to keep from giggling. Dark shifted, and then Daisuke heard him mumble something. "Love you too…"

Daisuke smiled. Dark may not be ready for their relationship to begin full throttle, but they were still in love, and that was better than anything that Daisuke could have hoped for. Turning, the boy was met with his painting easel. He hadn't moved the painting of Dark since it had been completed, but the sheet draped over it remained. It had been there since he'd finished it, hiding it from view.

Daisuke glanced back to where Dark was still sleeping, and then turned and left the room. He would leave the thief to sleep; Dark definitely needed the rest so he could heal faster. 'I'll come back around noon with some lunch, he'll appreciate that…'

Dark allowed his eyes to open as Daisuke left the room. He had been awake since Daisuke's lips had touched his forehead, but he had pretended to sleep, just to see what Daisuke would do. Now the violet-haired man sat up slowly, stretching out the kinks in his muscles. 'I hope I can get back on my feet soon… I've been lying down too long…' Dark thought. Since he'd been on a month's bed rest, Dark's muscles had begun to lose their tone and strength. The thief would have to work hard once he was up again.

He glanced at the easel sitting in one corner of the room, examining it silently. He knew that Daisuke had been painting that when he had first come to the Niwa house, and now he was curious as to what it was. Daisuke had never shown it to him, even though the redhead was usually proud of what he created, and had shown Dark most of the ones he had painted while the thief was still a part of him.

His eyebrows moving together in concentration, Dark swung his legs over the edge of the bed, and gingerly put weight on them. His ankle held, and the thief slowly pushed himself into a standing position. His ankle protested, but so did his legs, so Dark took a step. It was shaky, and he had to hold onto the wall to keep from losing his balance, but it was a step nonetheless.

His dark wings spread awkwardly for balance, Dark made his way over to the easel. Shaking fingers grasped the sheet, and it was pulled back to reveal Daisuke's painting.

Dark gasped. It was himself! Daisuke had painted him with a smile, hair blowing in the wind. Dark reached out with a pale hand to brush his fingers over the paint, in shock. Daisuke had only seen his face a couple times while he had been with the boy, and yet his memory had been good enough that he could paint him like this. Dark was amazed.

It was that moment that Dark's ankle chose to give out beneath him, and the thief tumbled to the floor with a sharp cry of pain. Hissing in pain, tears prickling at the backs of his eyes, Dark tried to struggle back to his feet. Daisuke wouldn't be happy with him getting out of bed, and he didn't want the boy to be angry with him.

Daisuke's bedroom door flew open an instant later, Daisuke rushing in with fear in his eyes. The redhead swore when he spotted Dark on the floor, running forward to lift the thin man into his arms. "Dark, what in the world are you doing out of bed!.? You know you shouldn't be walking on that ankle yet! You could have seriously injured yourself!"

Dark buried his face in Daisuke's chest, choosing not to answer the redhead. Daisuke laid him gently on the bed, and then carefully checked him over; making sure that nothing was hurt. Daisuke frowned, touching Dark's face. "Dark?" The thief still didn't answer. Daisuke put his hand on Dark's cheek, turning the violet-haired man's face to him. "Dark, please, answer me!"

"Sorry…"

Daisuke sighed. "It's alright Dark, you just scared me. I heard you cry out and then this big thump. I had no idea what happened, I was so scared that maybe someone had come to hurt you."

Dark sniffled, and Daisuke sighed again, carefully pulling the thief into his arms. Dark leaned against him slowly, and Daisuke could feel him shaking. "Dark, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to be so angry at you. Just please, don't cry, okay?"

Dark sniffled again, shaking his head slightly. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"

Daisuke frowned, touching Dark's face again. "Dark, you're shaking. Are you hurting?" Dark nodded against the boy's collarbone, and Daisuke immediately pulled back from him, trying to find where he was in pain. "Tell me where Dark."

Dark whimpered again. "My ankle…"

Daisuke lifted Dark into his arms again, carrying him down the stairs. Dark protested faintly, wiggling in the boy's arms. Daisuke shushed him. "We have to let Mom take a look at it; she's been reading books and stuff on this. You shouldn't have stood on it Dark, that's probably why it's hurting."

Dark sighed, allowing the boy to situate him on the couch. He supposed he shouldn't have done that, but he'd wanted to know what that painting was. The pain was growing now, and Dark felt the need to pass out.

As Daisuke left, Dark found himself missing Daisuke's warmth when he was held in the redhead's arms. Closing his eyes, Dark allowed himself to sink into unconsciousness, dreaming of his Daisuke.

A little short I think, but it'll do. Please review! -looks in cookie bag- ARGH! I'm running out of cookies! MUST MAKE MORE! In the meantime, -throws Dark plushies- DARK PLUSHIES FOR ALL!