Chapter 7

Daisuke came back into the living room leading Emiko. He glanced towards the couch, and then let out a cry of shock. Dark was crumpled on the floor, his face pressed against the rug. Daisuke shot to the thief's side, rolling him over and gently touching his face. "Dark? Dark! Dark, answer me!"

Dark's face was still and peaceful, and Emiko carefully checked the thief's pulse. "He's fine Dai, just unconscious."

Daisuke immediately relaxed, lifting Dark and placing him carefully on the couch. The thief moaned at the movement, but remained in unconsciousness. While Emiko examined the injured ankle Daisuke climbed onto the couch, pulling Dark's head to rest in his lap. The redhead petted the thief's purple hair gently, humming softly of his own accord.

Emiko looked up with a smile. "Well, everything looks alright. I think he just stressed it, and it caused him some pain, but I don't think anything's been damaged. As long as he stays off of it this time, it should heal just fine."

Daisuke smiled. "Thanks Mom. I think I'll take him back up to bed now."

The woman nodded, standing. "I'll go ahead and make some breakfast, alright? I think Dark would like that."

Daisuke nodded with a grin, standing and carefully slipping one hand under Dark's knees, the other around his back. Lifting the thief was no trouble, and Daisuke thought again about his weight. He could feel Dark's ribs pressing against his chest, and the sharp angles of his face were still easily visible.

After laying Dark on the bed Daisuke sat and watched him silently. The boy then reached out to touch the thief's face, running his fingers over the sharp edge of Dark's jawline. Leaning forward, the boy pressed a kiss against Dark's cheek. "I love you Dark…"

With that the boy turned, leaving the room. He went back down the stairs, sitting on the couch. Leaning his head back, the redhead stared at the ceiling, deep in thought. 'Seeing Dark stand really made me see some things I haven't before. He's smaller than I am now. I'm at least a half a foot taller.' Daisuke sighed. 'It used to be the other way around. I guess all of that time with little food stunted his growth.'

The boy knew that in reality, Dark was probably a few centuries old, but the human body he had now was only around 18 or 19 years old. A small smile came to his face as he thought about that fact. Dark used to be quite happy with the fact that he was the older, the taller, and the more muscular. The older part may still be true, but Daisuke was currently taller and more heavily muscled. The last two years had brought around the need to work out in Daisuke. Mostly, the boy had used it to get his mind off of Dark.

Daisuke sighed, closing his eyes. Maybe they should leave Dark to sleep; perhaps it was better for him. Standing, the redhead made his way into the kitchen, where Emiko was scrambling some eggs. "Hey Mom, I think we should just let him be, he needs the sleep. If he's hungry when he wakes then I'll make him something, okay?"

Emiko nodded. "Okay Dai, if that's what you think is best. In the meantime, would you like toast with your eggs?"

Daisuke grinned. "Yup, thanks Mom."

Kosuke suddenly poked his head in the room. "Do I smell breakfast?.!"

Daisuke erased another line carefully, and then looked back up. Dark had shifted in his sleep again, but the same effect was still there. Daisuke carefully shaded in the picture, and then nodded his satisfaction, sitting back. Daisuke had drawn the thief sleeping, one wing folded over his body, the other stretched out behind him, and one hand laying on the pillow next to his face, fingers curled slightly. The boy had come into his room to see the thief curled up in this position, and had felt the need to draw him. Daisuke signed his name near the bottom, and then shut the notebook, looking back to Dark's sleeping face.

The violet-haired man shifted again in his sleep, his lips parting slightly. Daisuke smiled, standing and moving closer to him. Reaching down, the boy cupped Dark's cheek gently, running his thumb over the smooth skin. Daisuke yawned, looking out at the fading sky. The sun was slowly sinking in the sky, painting the clouds pink, yellow, orange, and shades of purple.

Daisuke smiled, remembering times when he and Dark had flown beneath skies painted like that, the sun casting their shadow onto the ground or water. The feel of the air rushing over and under Dark's black wings, the wind blowing through his hair, Daisuke could remember it all. He had felt free.

And now, with Dark in his own body, Daisuke could really fly with Dark, on his own crimson wings. They could explore the skies together, not in one body.

Yawning again, Daisuke settled down into a sitting position beside Dark, leaning against the headboard of his bed. Emiko knew he was up here; she would come get him for dinner. He would just close his eyes for a few…minutes…

Daisuke was startled awake by a cry. The redhead sat up straight in shock, looking around his room. It was dark, nighttime already? Daisuke blinked. 'I slept clear through dinner! I guess I was more tired than I thought…'

There was another whimpering cry from beside him, and the boy looked down to see Dark. The thief was curled into the tightest ball that his thin body could possibly make, shuddering beneath the covers. Daisuke pulled back the sheet to reveal Dark's frightened face. Sweat was pouring over his features, soaking his hair and plastering the violet strands to his face and neck. Dark cried out again with a jerk, clenching his eyes tighter.

Daisuke reached out, shaking the thief's shoulder. "Dark! Dark, wake up!"

Dark's purple eyes flew open an instant later, and he instantly shrank away from Daisuke with a whimpering sob. Daisuke reached out anyway, raising Dark's face with gentle fingers beneath his chin. Tears were flowing in rivulets down the thief's cheeks, his eyes full of terror. The redhead reached out, wrapping Dark in a complete and comforting hug.

Dark struggled for a few moments, and then gave up, collapsing into Daisuke's hold and sobbing helplessly in the boy's shirt. Daisuke stroked his hair and whispered comforting words to him, trying to calm him down.

As time went on Dark's sobs trickled down into sniffles and hiccups, and the thief lay limply in Daisuke's arms. Daisuke tightened his hold on the thin body, pressing his cheek against the top of Dark's head. "It's okay Dark, it was just a dream. I'm here now. I'm here."

Dark pulled himself away from the redhead's arms, and Daisuke released him. Dark wiped at his face, and then raised dull violet eyes to the boy's face. Daisuke was shocked to see that dead look in the other's beautiful violet orbs, and he blinked. "Dark?"

Dark shook his head, lying back down and rolling over to face away from Daisuke. Daisuke sighed, and then put his feet over the edge of the bed, getting ready to stand. He didn't want to push Dark; the thief would tell him when he was ready. And yet, and the redhead started to stand, there was a soft whimper from the form lying in the bed.

Daisuke turned his head back to see Dark's eyes looking up at him pleadingly. Daisuke turned back around, folding his legs. "What is it Dark?"

"Please…" the thief whispered. "Don't leave me alone…"

Daisuke hesitantly lay back down, and was shocked when Dark moved closer, worming his way into Daisuke's arms. Daisuke hesitated, lying stiffly against the thief. Dark pressed his face into Daisuke's neck, and the boy could feel dampness against his throat. "D-Dark?"

"Please… just… hold me. Hold me tonight, let me know that everything's okay, that nothing's going to happen…" Dark whispered against Daisuke's neck. "Please…"

Daisuke responded, wrapping his arms tightly around Dark's shoulders and holding the thief to his chest. Dark heaved a sigh, relaxing against the boy's chest. Daisuke blinked slightly, and then rested his chin against Dark's violet hair, closing his eyes. "Everything's alright… I'm here…"