Chapter 2

A white light suddenly filled the room. For a moment, Beat thought he was dead. An excited and relievingly familiar voice eased all fears of death. The dazed man's eyes fluttered open to adjust to the sudden light. Once focused and cleared, he had suddenly regretted his inner pleas for sight as he saw Minamimoto sitting at the end of his bead.

At first, Beat was baffled as to why someone like him was in his bedroom, then the sudden realization that a bedroom like his didn't smell like Pine-Sol. He had been hospitalized. Perfect. He groaned and hid his face in a shell of white cotton. The shell did little to ease his traumatized mind. Rape was not something easily over come, especially when the perpetrator was sitting no more than seven feet away.

Neku peered under the covers at the shaken, sweating skater and frowned deeply. He could feel his heart grow heavy as a lump formed in his throat. He just wanted to embrace him… Give him something in life worth clinging to. Those thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

A thin brunette poked her head in "You have another visitor, Daisu-"a cry of protest emerged from the depths of the sheets. The nurse corrected herself with Beat's preferred nickname and gestured for his guest to enter. A small pang formed in Neku's spine at the mention of the guest's name.

Joshua sauntered into the room bearing a single rose and a concerned smile. Not uncommon but no less unusual. He handed the rose to Neku ever so gently to further console the poor boy. Neku accepted it and nodded.

An almost deafening silence filled the room. Beat gently peeked an eye out from the covers and gave Josh a nod of fain gratitude.

The silence lifted by a garbled noise from within the depths of Beat's stomach. Josh giggled then placed a hand on Sho's shoulder "Let's go get the man some food, shall we?"

Sho huffed and silently agreed, not too eager to let his dear sweet Neku be left alone with that ape. Never the less, the two left for the hospital cafeteria. Neku smiled as he realized Josh intended this alone time. The heavy air subsided as Sho had left. Beat even sat up in bed, though just barely able to sit on his battered bottom. Neku moved forward and placed a noticeably smaller hand upon the other man's darker one. His head dropped a bit upon contact. It seemed like eternity until one of them finally spoke.

"So… You an' 'im, huh?" Beat managed to squeak out, almost painfully. Neku nodded and another moment passed before another word was spoken.

"You know, Phones…" Beat paused, "I… I've bin meanin' ta ask ya out fo' awhile now…" bad grammar aside, Neku felt touched yet torn in between. He nodded, feeling his "emo urges" rise. "I'm sorry…" He whispered.

Beat gave him a disbelieving look "Yo, whachu sorry fo'?"

"I… Couldn't stop him…"

"It ain't yo fault, Phones…" the two embraced and shared a moment of tear-stained shoulders.

"You's much betta off wid 'im, yo… He's a real man…" Beat blubbered and was soon followed by a slap to the face.

"Don't say that!" Neku screamed, emotionally exhausted. The two sat in silence until one simple, yet life changing phrase fell from the red-head's mouth "I love you…"

Beat's eyes shot open, wide in stunned disbelief and confusion. A bead of sweat found its way from forehead to temple. "What?" was all he could respond with.

"I…I love you." Neku repeated.

"Then why?"

"I don't know… I've felt this way for a while… but"

"Why didn't you tell me!?"

"I never once believed you would feel the same!"

"Why not?"

"Well, you just seemed like the kinda guy who would have a girlfriend, ya know?" Neku's eyes drifted to the floor.

Beat rolled the thoughts around in his head. Now that he thought about it, he really didn't fit into the whole "gay" stereotype. He buried his face into a hand feeling terrible for being too late. It tore him up knowing that what he had worked so hard in getting will never be his.

"Beat… I still love you… Don't be upset. I'm the one who should be."

"Why? You got Tabooty."

"I know, and I love him, too… It's just…" he grasped his shirt just above his heart, "I'm stuck…"

Beat's eyes softened as he pulled his friend closer for a firm bear hug, "Would he understand if you told 'im?"

Neku gasped. The thought had never occurred. Maybe… Just maybe he could help the situation. "I can talk with him… He may help." Beat's eyes brightened as a grin and laugh escaped from the formerly sombre moment.

The two drew away a moment, gazing unknowingly into pools of shimmering blue. Without hesitation, and as if on cue, the two met lips. The energy flowed from their joined mouths and only intensified when Beat felt a gentle lick. He took that as a sign to slip inside; a faint taste of miso pork still lingering.

The two shared that moment until footsteps startled them apart soon followed by a chiming "dinner's ready" from Josh. Beat struggled to hide the blush upon his face but to no avail. Josh had to giggle and smile as he saw both boys looking very guilty. He kept that small tidbit of information to himself when Shi entered bearing a tray of hospital food and placed it before Beat and hugged Neku, nearly smothering him.

"Did my sweet hectopascal miss me?" he cooed in a babyish tone.

"Uh, sure…" Neku blushed.

"Something wrong, dear?"

Neku paused then nodded slightly. "Can I talk to you a bit?" Sho nodded then led the red-head outside leaving Josh and Beat in anxious silence. Beat started to sweat and feverishly fidget with his covers. Josh gazed out the window to the lights of the city. Even at night, Shibuya was very much alive.

Meanwhile, Sho and Neku had found a quiet bench outside the hospital. It was oddly quiet considering the early night hours. The two enjoyed the peaceful and romantic atmosphere until what had to be said was said.

"What's up?" Sho asked.

Neku dropped his head slightly hoping the right words would roll to the front of his brain. Sho waited patiently for his anticipated response.

"Well, it's about Beat…" Neku could feel Sho's eyes roll. "I…Well…I kinda… have feelings for him, too…" Sho tightened his grip and Neku hoped he wouldn't send his friend to the emergency room.

Sho paused to let it sink in. The possibility that Neku would leave him for that zero… It sickened and saddened him. Neku could tell his partner didn't want to hear this, but it had to be said. After a moment of deep thought, Sho stood up and startled Neku. He hoped that whatever made the man stand up, it wasn't going to get the police involved.

"There's only one way to solve this…" He announced, turned around and rushed back inside. Neku feared for Beat's safety, ran after him, desperately trying to keep up and hope he's not too late…