In the morning, Hisao was roused awake by the sound of something tumbling down the little ladder that led up to the "bedroom", which was really no more than a bed set in a high alcove above the book shelf. He turned over to find the spot next to him empty.

He could hear a faint and succinct, "ow," come from the floor. Looking over his shoulder at the bottom of the steps, he found Rin lying on her side. He flew out of bed, coming to her side to help her up.

"Rin! Are you alright?" he asked frantically.

"Hello Hisao," Rin replied, insistent on greeting him as she always did.

"What happened? You never fall," he pressed.

"I can't say I know, really. The last step sort of skipped away, and I went tumbling after it, I think," she explained. Hisao took her to mean she felt a sudden vertigo on her way out of bed.

"Well, try to be more careful, okay? You wouldn't want to be breaking your leg."

"Yes," she agreed, a little distracted. As he helped her up, she winced slightly as he placed a steadying hand on her hip.

They both went into the bathroom, where Hisao first helped Rin brush her teeth before doing his own. Since Hisao had no class in the morning today, he thought to spend some quality alone time with Rin before work. They hardly got to just sit around and enjoy each other's silent company anymore.

As Rin prepared to take her morning shower, wiggling out of the boxer shorts she wore last night while turned away from him, Hisao hugged her from behind. Rin turned around in his arms, quizzically lifting an eyebrow in silent question.

"How 'bout we save some water and shower together today?" he asked.

She donned her trademark mini-smirk, choosing to answer his question wordlessly in a kiss. This in itself meant a great deal to Hisao. Just a few months ago she could never bring herself to replace an answer with a casual display of affection like this. She always had to ask why, always had to find the words to define this flying sensation, this wonderful feeling of being with the person you loved. Just a few months ago, she had still been struggling with saying the words "I love you."

That first time she confessed to him, in that dandelion field at Yamaku, she had stuck her tongue out, saying the words "tasted weird." Hisao remembered that all too well: how he feared her words were mere tests, drivel coming from the mouth of a passive lover. But it had all turned out for the best in the end.

He lifted her shirt and found the beginnings of a bruise over the arc of her hip bone. Upon inspecting the blooming purplish mark on her pale skin, Rin tried wiggling her hip a bit. "Ow," she winced again. Hisao traced his fingers over the mark, making sure to be gentle so as not to hurt her. He was glad she got off with only a bruise, since the fall from the landing of their bedroom was no small potatoes. It was a wonder she didn't knock her head on something on the way down.

Rin's sleepy eyes widened a bit as her feet were swept from under her and she suddenly found herself pressed against Hisao's broad chest. He was by no means a built guy, but his recent physical therapy sessions with Emi left him in good shape. He carried her slight frame easily in his arms, walking to the one couch they had under the bedroom next to the book case. He proceeded to strip, not in any rush since his whole morning was free.

"Why did you do that?" she asked him curiously, head cocked ever-so-slightly to the side. Hisao looked thoughtful for a moment as he changed out of his pajamas. "I can walk, you know."

"Do what, Rin?"

"That," she said, motioning to the open space between them with her stumps. Hisao chuckled; he knew exactly what she was talking about, but sometimes he really liked to mess with her. "I thought you had a heart problem, not a memory issue."

"What's 'that'?"

"Carry me, that's what." she answered in a voice that betrayed only the slightest hint of impatience.

"Well if you say so." Hisao, now undressed, scooped her small form into his arms again and marched into their little bathing area, surprising her yet again.

Thanks for reading!

I will write as often as I can, but AP tests are right around the corner so updates will be short for the time being.

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