"How is he?" She asked since she knew everything.
"Pretty much the same. He doesn't stay awake for very long even when they don't sedate him."
"How's Kate?" His mother had met her briefly when she visited his home and was automatically taken with her.
"She's doing okay. We're both running a little thin but she's been a trooper."
"Mothers have that ability. Have you told her about Oliver's father yet?"
"No."
"Have you told her you love her yet?"
"No mom it's not like that."
"Kiba what is holding you back? It's so obvious that you love them."
"Because I'm just like him mom and because of that I'll hurt them. I look like him, I act like him, a part of me will always be him." Kiba said with bitterness.
"Have you been harboring that all these years? Is that why you've never settled down?" His mother asked shocked. "Son you could not be further from the truth." He heard his mother sigh. "Your father wasn't a good man. You are intelligent, kind, loving, and the amount of mental strength you possess is amazing. You have more of me in you than I ever thought possible. You're not the type to leave when things get rough. You have always been the one to tough it out when everyone else gave up. You have always cared deeply for the people you hold close and you have never once walked away from them no matter how rough things got between you. Remember the time you and Shino had that big fight in high school? You could have given up on him and stopped being his friend but you realized all those years of friendship would be wasted so you two worked it out and now you're partners. Kiba with one hundred percent certainty you are not nor will you ever be like your father."
Kiba had teared up hearing after years the things he needed to hear. He had spent so much time trying not to get close to others because he was worried he'd end up hurting them when he left but his mom was right and he was finally seeing it. His voice broke as he spoke. "Thanks mom. I love you."
"I love you too baby boy." She replied. "But I think you need to let her know about Oliver's father before you tell her. She may not care about him anymore romantically but it's going to affect Oliver in the long run."
"I know mom but she's been so caught up in Oliver getting better I didn't want to throw more stuff on her."
After they ended the call Kiba returned to Kate's side. He took his usual position in the chair with her in his lap.
"They think he might wake for a bit soon. He might even be able to stay awake."
"That's awesome babe" Kiba replied. "We need to talk right quick."
As he said that they heard a groan and they both jumped up to be at Oliver's side. As usual they could tell he was in pain but he was coherent.
"Mom?" Oliver looked around. "Where am I?"
"The hospital sweetie, you were in a car accident. Me and Kiba have been here the whole time."
"Kiba." Oliver said looking at him. "You'll protect me right?"
"Yeah buddy always." Kiba was holding his other hand loosely.
"I don't want to go back with my dad." Oliver said as his lip started to quiver. "He's not a good guy. He had another kid there. There was another kid in the car, Chad. We were on our way to the airport. Dad said we were going far away on an adventure but I told him I didn't want to go and he was going to make me anyway."
"Hey, hey, it's okay buddy. Don't worry about that now. We're here and he's not taking you anywhere. In fact he's going away where he can't hurt you okay?"
"Okay" Oliver said drifting off.
Kiba knew he should have told Kate before now. She walked outside his room and waited for Kiba.
