I made it on time! Haha... I almost didn't. I was starting to panic there. I finally managed to get this one done! So, please enjoy it! ...if you like this kind.

Warning: Don't read if you're worried about spoilers, slight Micchi/Kazune(but not anything serious...)

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Never Gonna Happen
Kamichama Karin

It was raining.

He hated the rain.

Kazune growled to himself as he sat on his futon, eyes glued to the window.

How long ago had he woken up? But more importantly, how long had he been sleeping? Once again he proved to himself just how utterly useless he was in battle. He was strong - yes, his father had made sure that his body could properly utilize the power that he was given - but the price for that strength came with the fragility of his own body. Even though he could summon so much power on a whim, his body couldn't handle it.

The strain of the kamika was becoming too much.

Even just transforming…

His body couldn't take it anymore.

He was slowly dying.

His hands curled into tight fists. He closed his eyes.

The room echoed with the gentle pitter-patter of rain as it struck the window.

Where was Karin? Or even Himeka? It was unlike them to leave him alone for so long after he had fainted. Even those time when he woke up alone, one of them always returned to the room within a few minutes. They'd smile brightly, and hope that was enough to cover the worry reflecting in their eyes. Even though he could tell, even though he felt that pang of guilt for worrying them, just having someone there was better than being alone like this.

He sighed heavily. It was stupid to get worked up like that.

The facts were the facts, and there was nothing in the world that would change that. He had already accepted it a long time ago, that the kamika was slowly destroying his body. He'd already come to terms with that. The only way to protect Himeka was to continue using it, after all. All he could do was make the most of his remaining time.

He opened his eyes slowly.

Yes, that was all he could do.

"Hehe! Kazune-kun!" Nishikiori's ever playful voice broke through the incessant pounding of the rain.

He smiled brightly at him and waved.

"Kazune-kun, you woke up?"

He returned the brunette's eager smile with a glare. Of all people, why did it have to be Nishikiori? It was anything personal. He was just an endless source of energy and affection - something that he often put to good use as a means of annoying others.

But in the end, someone was better than no one.

"Why would you ask a stupid question like that?" Kazune huffed. "Do I look like I'm sleeping?"

Nishikiori chuckled in response.

He made his way across the room, and in a single fluid motion he dropped to his knees and threw his arms around his body. For a brief moment the thought of pushing him away or putting up some kind of fight crossed his mind, but it quickly passed. It was easier to let him get it out of his system.

Kazune's eyes slowly slid shut and he leaned against the older boy.

"Where's Himeka and Karin?"

"Mn, making dinner, I think."

"I see…"

Nishikiori's arms were surprisingly strong and gentle. His body was so warm. And in the silence that they had created, he could hear his heart beating.

Kazune blushed, suddenly aware of his thoughts.

When had it become alright for him to be like this? When had he started needing to be supported by other people like this?

"H-How long was I sleeping for?" he asked, wanting to change his focus.

"A little over a day, I think."

He stole a glance at Nishikiori's face. The older boy's expression was bland, letting on little more than the fact that he was deep in thought. The way that he was speaking to him - in that distant, hollow tone - only added to it.

"Nishikiori?"

He blinked. A small smile crossed his face.

"Hanazono-san was really, really worried about you, you know!" he declared, still faintly smiling.

"Oh. Really?"

Nishikiori nodded slowly, causing wisps of hair to tumble into his face.

"Himeka-chan, too."

He went silent. He turned his head away.

Kazune took the chance to process that he had been given.

Things weren't as bad as they could have been. But they didn't qualify as good news, either. At this point that was all he could ask for, wasn't it?

Until that day came…

"You look so down, Kazune-kun," Nishikiori commented.

He shrugged. "I'm fine."

He chuckled at that. It was a weird sound - something closer to crying rather than laughing.

"You're thinking about some bad things, aren't you?"

Kazune didn't reply. He didn't know how to.

Nishikiori squeezed him tightly.

"Don't keep those thoughts all to yourself. I'll start worrying about you, too, if you do."

Before he could reply, Nishikiori leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"Wah…" was all that Kazune could manage to squeak as his body froze in shock. His cheek flushed deeply.

"I'll go tell Hanazono-san that you're awake."

"… O-Okay…"

And with that, he pushed himself to his feet and left the room.