Kaoru sighed heavily as he rested against the hospital bed in the Emergency room, He was grateful to Kyoya for calling when they left the school, having a doctor ready when they arrived and shortening the wait time made the experience slightly easier for the younger teen. Now, they just had to get the results from his many tests.

"How are you feeling?" Kyoya asked lowering the paper he had gotten at the gift shop

"Not good. " Kaoru replied simply. His anxiety and illness were becoming difficult to deal with.

"Try to relax, I know it's not an easy thing to do but I need you to try it . It'll get better." Kyoya told him

"Hikaru hasn't called or sent a text. I doubt he knows I even left and we've been here forever." Kaoru said sadly.

"Kaoru, I'm sure you'll hear from him soon. It'll be alright."Kyoya lightly tossed the paper aside and turned his attention to the ill teen.

"Would you like me to call him?"

"No. It's a waste of time, if he doesn't answer me, he probably won't answer you. I knew it wouldn't be just us forever, but I never thought he'd practically forget or ignore me. He doesn't even know where I am. I could have-"

"Kaoru, I have the results for your tests, I'd like to go over them with you." A dark haired woman said gently moving closer to the bed. Her brown eyes were were soft and caring.

"I'm afraid that you have acute appendicitis, you'll have to have surgery." Kaoru's eyes widened in fear.

"It's alright Kaoru, this is a common procedure, I know it sound frightening but it's alright." Kyoya soothed, he stood up beside the bed. Kaoru was beginning to shake and hid heart was beating faster. Kyoya took his hand after a moment.

"Is there any chance that the surgery can be done laparoscopically on an outpatient basis?" Kyoya asked allowing Kaoru to keep hold of his hand. The doctor scanned the chart carefully.

"It looks like he's stable enough, yes. It's probably going to be easier for the poor dear. I'll go see if anyone is available in the department and I'll send them in to speak to you. We'll give you some antibiotics before we start and get everything set up/" She said with a reassuring smile.

"You don't have to do this Kyoya-senpai, but I appreciate it." Kaoru said after the doctor had rechecked him and left to get a nurse to start the medication.

"It's in the best interest of our club that you receive the care you need. If that means I have to sit here all night, I will. You need to rest now, don't put anymore thought into anything you know will upset you." Kyoya said in his usual calm tone.

"I don't really want to do this." Kaoru said quietly.

"I know. No one ever wants to have surgery. Especially if you've never had it before."

"Do you really think it's alright?"

"My family only hires the best medical professionals and when I called here, I made sure we could get you to see the best team this hospital has to offer. You have nothing to worry about. I do understand your concern, when I had my operation I-"

"You had surgery?"Kaoru asked.

"yes, when I was very young, I was afraid as you can imagine-"

"I can't imagine you being afraid of anything at all."

"Everyone is afraid of something Kaoru. No matter who they are. You have nothing to be afraid of, right now. I'll stay here and wait during your operation and be here when you wake up."

"Thanks Kyoya-Senpai, I know why you did it, but I want you to know that even if it was to get me back to the club sooner, I'm glad you're here, I feel more comfortable with you staying." Before Kyoya could reply the nurse entered and greeted them warmly, Kaoru watched anxiously as she entered with the IV pole and supplies.

"Hello Kaoru, Mr. Kyoya, I'm Ai , I'm just going to set this up for you and then I'll be on my way." Kaoru turned his face and closed his eyes when he caught sigh of the needle.

"I'm sorry, I'm not good with needles when it comes to them being put in my arm either. I wish there was another way." She said checking his veins.

"It's alright, " Again Kyoya took his hand. "It'll be over soon." Kyoya said softly.

"It's just going to be a little pinch now and we'll be done."Ai announced.

"K-Kyoya-senpai, I'm-" Kyoya reached out with his free hand and began stroking Kaoru's hair, He wanted so much to tell the younger boy the true reason he stayed by his side. Kaoru opened his eyes to look up at Kyoya. He was surprised seeing them so close, they were soft and gentle. Kaoru lay still feeling calmer now.

"All done, you did very well Kaoru, the surgeon should be here shortly, if you need anything, please give me a call." She said before leaving.

"Are you alright?"Kyoya asked softly.

"Yeah, I didn't even feel it." Kaoru replied.

"Good, I'm happy to hear that."

"Thank you...for everything."

"It's no problem at all, just take it easy , try to sleep a little bit, it usually takes the surgeons a little while to get here." Kaoru nodded and closed his eyes. Kyoya waited several minutes to make sure his friend was asleep before taking out his phone and dialing a number. He waited patiently for the ringing to stop and the voice to answer. His thoughts were of Kaoru and how much he was suffering, He wanted to take his pain away, to tell Kaoru that he was loved. Kyoya sighed heavily as the voicemail came on. He waited for the beep.

"Hikaru, it's Kyoya, I need you to call me back, something's wrong with Kaoru and I need to talk to you immediately, it's extremely important drop whatever you're doing and call me." He said sternly before hanging up.

"I'm sorry Kaoru, I'll keep trying, and I don't want you to worry about anything, I'll take care of you." He said quietly, sitting back down in his chair, He was angry at Hikaru for causing Kaoru this additional pain, for not being there when his brother needed him the most. Kyoya resolved to tell Kaoru about his feelings in the hopes that it ease the pain in the younger boy's heart. He just needed the perfect moment.