Top pic credit: Kadeart

Ari POV: ~a few minutes earlier ~

"AHHHH!!!!!!!!" I ferally shrieked out in-I don't even know what kind of emotion it was, as I stared up at the feather floating above my head. Excitement? Possibly. Fear? Maybe. Belief that I've finally gone crazy? Sure!

After all, I've spent so much of these last two months staring at Keigo's limp feather, that the image of it was, no lie, burned into my vision for good. I haven't seen it actually move itself in so long, that I didn't even realize that, subconsciously, the chance of it moving again actually seemed impossible to me until now.

But, as expected, an abrupt shriek from someone who's been pretty emotionless for the past two months, immediately threw the entire room into a frenzy.

"AHHHHH!!! WHAT!???" Sammy shrieked back, immediately flailing around in his tiny bed before toppling over the edge.

"ARI!!!! WHAT'S WRONG!!? MOMMY'S HERE!!" My mom screeched, carelessly stepping over my father in their own bed to get to my side faster.

"Wheeze" My dad coughed out, eyes flying open as my mom accidentally kicked him in the groin.

"T-T-T-The...the....the..." I babbled out as I kept my attention above my head to make sure that what I was seeing was actually real.

My mom stopped running when she caught my eyes looking up, quickly trailing her gaze up as well to see what caught my attention.

Her jaw dropped to the floor in pure, unadulterated shock, before she slapped a hand over her mouth speechlessly.

"I-I-I-It's-I-wow...." She babbled back, only able to stare at the lively feather that continued to float softly.

Sammy groaned as he finally shuffled to his feet, hair a bed headed mess as he also shot his gaze up to the ceiling.

"Holy shit!!!! It's moving!!!! That's fucking amazing!!!!" He screamed out, face immediately beaming in pure and utter excitement as he pointed to the feather above my head.

"Wow!!! Keigo! Keigo? Do you think he can hear us?!" My dad asked in surprise, slowly getting himself up to sitting in the bed as he smiled happily at the feather.

"A-Ah!! I don't know!! Maybe!? Keigo?!! Keigo, can you hear me??-" I began asking the feather, before Sammy cut me off.

"Well, don't ask him something stupid like that, as if he can actually answer you. You're just embarrassing yourself-" He nagged, causing me to whip my wild gaze at him in irritation.

"Oh, yeah?! And what the hell would you ask him then, since you suddenly seem to know everything, huh?!"

"Gee, I don't know! Something that doesn't involve a yes or no answer, that's for sure!-"

"Ooo, ooo, I know! Keigo, touch your feather to Ari's nose if you can hear us!-" My mom chimed in excitedly, causing my dad to quickly cut her off.

"Now, Susy, darling that command is too precise! If he's just waking up, he's not going to be able to do something so intricate. Duh!-" My dad sneered, causing my mom's lip to tighten in annoyance.

"It's just a thought, Michael! No need to get snippy about it-" She retorted, before my dad scoffed at her.

"You kicked me in the nuts! Of course I'll be snippy about it!-" He piped back, causing all three of my family members to begin talking different things at once.

I need to think.

"O-Okay!! Okay!! Hold on-Everyone, relax!! RELAX!!!!" I screamed back, finally causing everyone in the room to shut up.

My family looked back to me in frantic question for how to proceed, yet I was so lost in awe at the last vermillion feather slowly moving back and forth above my head.

It almost looked like it was dreaming.

"F-First things first....I-I should probably tell the doctor, right? I-I mean, if he's awake-or, whatever the hell's happening to him, he might need help! What if he's choking or something?" I asked breathlessly, immediately pressing down on the call button in my lap that would bring the doctor to my room as soon as possible.

"Yeah, good thinking. Maybe you should try giving it a touch with your finger and see what happens?" Sammy suggested, quickly walking to the corner of the room to switch on one of the lamps.

I nodded in distracted agreement to his point as I carefully lifted my shaky arm above my head to try and touch Keigo's feather.

But...

"I-It's too far out of my reach! It just keeps floating higher..." I pointed out nervously, trying to stretch my arm a little higher before a small wave of pain shot up it.

Hissing softly, I was finally forced to lower my arm back down, only able to watch helplessly as Keigo's feather floated tauntingly high above my reach.

In the next instant, I heard footsteps running down the hallway, before my door flew open with the doctor and a nurse barging through it.

"Ari! Are you okay?! You've never hit that button before. Let me do a quick triage on you to check your vitals, while you tell me what's wrong." The doctor stated stressfully, starting to walk over to the blood pressure cuff before I quickly held up my hands to stop her.

"N-No!! I'm sorry for pressing the button. I-It's not....it's not about...me..." I stated nervously, unable to really explain what was going on as I simply pointed to the ceiling.

The doctor's brows furrowed in confusion as she quickly directed her gaze upwards, eyes widening in pure shock at the sight.

Immediately turning to the nurse, I heard the doctor mutter a quick "please go check on him," before she turned back to me.

I'll admit, I was a bit surprised at that response.

I thought she would have ran out of the room in a frenzy at Keigo's movements, going straight to his room to check up on the guy who hasn't shown any signs of life for the last two months straight. I wasn't prepared for her to send a nurse to so casually go "check up on him."

But, then again. I'm not a doctor. I don't know how this works. She probably gets a ton of patients everyday. She's probably used to this by now, so maybe her reaction is normal.

Which is good, anyways. Cause at the moment, Doctor Fukuda seems to be the only one in the room who's calm.

"So....will he be okay?" I asked breathlessly, causing the doctor to hesitate with a response-

"Does this mean he might wake up?!" My mom asked in surprise.

The doctor sighed softly, pressing her lips together in contemplation as she tried to speak now.

"W-Well, you see-"

"If he might wake up, maybe he can have visitors again?" My dad proposed, causing the doctor to try again.

"I-well-okay, I-I realize this is all coming to you as quite a bit of a shock. Honestly, I probably could have done this a little better, so that you all wouldn't be so distressed-"

"Can Keigo grow his wings back?! Ooo, if he can't, can you attach some metal wings on him or something!-" Sammy piped in, before the sound of the nurse barging into the room put everyone back into anticipated silence.

My family and I practically burned a hole of focus into the poor nurse as she made a beeline to the doctor, whispering some information into her ear.

And thanks to the silence in the room, everyone was able to hear what she said.

"He's still asleep."

He's still asleep. Oh, so he's still in a coma, huh?

I felt my heart starting to drop a bit, yet tried to spin the situation into something as positive as I could.

At least the feather is able to move now. That's gotta count for something, right?

The doctor nodded in understanding to the nurse's comment, lost in thought about how she wanted to proceed as she looked up to Keigo's feather.

After a few moments of leveled up silence, she finally smiled at the decision she decided to make.

"I know that you all of have a lot of questions. And trust me when I say, that they will be answered in due time. But, for now....to answer your biggest question.....I would like all of you to come with me." The doctor smiled, causing my parents and my brother to scramble to their feet as fast as humanly possible.

I heard the nurse turn to the doctor in hesitant question, twiddling her thumbs nervously.

"All of them? Isn't that breaking a hospital protocol?" She asked quietly as my mom and dad helped me get out of the bed quickly.

"At a normal hospital, maybe. But, this hospital is only for the hero commission, so there are different sets of rules. Plus, since commission trained heroes don't usually have any family or visitors, there aren't any rules against it. For now, anyways." The doctor explained kindly, turning her attention back to my family as we began making our way towards the door.

"But, with that being said..." The doctor began, speaking to my entire family now as she politely ushered us out of my room.

My brother offered me a wheelchair and I decided to accept it, so I would be able to get to wherever we are going quickly.

"All of you are welcome to stand near the door, but I would appreciate it, if only Ari came in for now." The doctor explained vaguely, causing my family to nod in blind agreement for whatever that meant.

And while I felt a wave of panic wash over me as we entered the hallway, lined with hero commission propaganda...

My curiosity and anticipation overshadowed my fear this time, as I nervously kept my eyes to the plain floor, waiting to get to our destination.

This time, it came rather quickly.

Keigo's room. We stopped in front of Keigo's room, with those same guards from last time. They stepped aside for the doctor, and she took a deep breath before turning back to me.

"Ari. Just for your own safety, I'd like you to wear this for a bit, just to make sure you don't accidentally throw yourself into a frenzy." She explained, placing a small pulse oximeter on my finger and a blood pressure cuff around my arm.

I nodded wordlessly as I felt my entire body jittering, yet the doctor looked at me happily, flashing me a beaming, genuine smile now.

She kept the smile as she turned back to the door, giving it a few hard knocks.

My eyes widened at her action. She knocked. She knocked first, instead of just going in? Why would she knock if Keigo is still-

"Oi. Who's there?"

And my heart stopped.

As cliché and ridiculous as it sounded, I really did feel the entire world suddenly stand still as I heard the voice I've been dreaming of hearing for such a long time. The voice I cried over for countless days, mentally chatting how I would give anything just to hear him speak one more time.

No. It didn't feel real. It was so quick, I must be imagining it. Right?-

"Keigo, it's Doctor Fukuda. I have a visitor outside the door who would like to see you, if you're feeling up for it. Her name is...Ari Parker. Sound familiar to you?" The doctor asked knowingly, keeping her smile on the door as she probably sensed I was already getting the gist of this entire situation.

I felt my eyes-eyes that have been dull with information of war and feelings of pain for, probably six or seven months now....finally shine with a new sense of rejuvenated life.

She spoke to him.

My throat had already started tightening up and my heart had already began to pick up as the suspense continued to build up inside my heart and my head.

And, with the next set of words, from a very specific person, that suspense finally snapped.

"Ah, yes. Please bring her in!" Keigo Takami said with his own words, from his own mouth in a way that caused my legs to give out even though I wasn't even standing up.

I watched my mom slap a hand over her mouth in shock, eyes already welling up in tears as my dad placed an arm around her and smiled big.

Sammy gasped in pure happiness, letting out a small chuckle of joy as he saw how completely and utterly starstruck I was-and the door hasn't even opened yet.

Unable to even so much as speak, I felt my entire body starting to shake as the door slowly began to creak open to reveal a sight I've been dying to see for so long.

Keigo Takami smiled at me the moment he was able to see me, taking in a deep breath for air as if now was the first moment he could finally breathe again.

"Wow. There she is. I've been waiting so long to see her, and....t-there she is." Keigo chuckled softly in awe, not speaking to anyone in particular as he spoke whatever was on his mind, never once taking his eyes away from mine since they'd met.

And, now. I lost it. Already lost it. I was just done for.

While Keigo seemed to find the ability to breathe, it seems that I've now lost mine as my lungs seemed to stall.

I have no doubt that my face contorted up into the most ugly looking, snotty nosed bulldog you could have ever imagined, but I didn't care in the slightest as I began to cry my eyes out audibly-so audibly as all I could do was motion towards Keigo, in a way to let the doctor know I wanted to go over to see him.

The doctor let out her own emotional chuckle of understanding, giving my shoulder a small pat as she began taking me over to Keigo's bed.

"He's been awake for a few weeks, Ari. I didn't want to tell you, in case he suddenly regressed. But, he's only been improving now." The doctor tried to tell me, but there wasn't any possible way for me to retain anything that anyone could say right now.

"I'm sorry we couldn't tell you right away, Chicky. I-I just....I didn't wanna hurt you, in case it didn't work out." He reassured softly, voice already starting to choke up as he watched my entire body wracking up and down with sobs.

But, this time, they were happy sobs.

My eyes had already blurred completely from the salty, hot tears that were spilling past my lids, but I continued to blink them away rapidly so I could continue seeing Keigo. I needed to see him. I need to know he's here and that he's real so he won't suddenly vanish and fly away from me.

And he clearly knew how I was feeling as I saw his bandaged arms extend out to me big and wide for a hug that has never been so needed, as much as it is now.

I opened my mouth to try and speak, but it seems my throat had collapsed on itself as all that came out was a pathetic whimper.

Keigo hummed coaxingly as he realized I couldn't speak, body shuffling excitedly on the bed once I'd finally been wheeled in front of him.

"Ah, my little dove. Please, c'mere and finally hug me!" Keigo smiled again, causing the nurse and doctor to help me to my hospital-jello-like legs before the strength came back to me.

On my own-and yeah, it was only like two steps, but still....on my own, I finally made my way to the edge of Keigo's bed, plopping down on it, before leaning forward to throw my arms around him.

And just like that, suddenly it's all going to be okay.

Keigo's breath caught in his throat when he finally felt my arms around him. I smushed my face against his own, and while I couldn't see the features of his emotions, I felt the way his face suddenly scrunched up with silent tears as he pulled me closer, getting his own cathartic release of all the trauma and pain we've had to endure, endlessly, for the past year and a half since meeting each other. Truly meeting each other.

And suddenly, he couldn't even try to play it lighthearted anymore as I heard his breath stutter with soft cries, wrapping his trembling arms around me tightly, before snaking a hand into my hair.

"O-Oh my god-Ari. My Ari. I-I-I was so a-afraid....y-you'd never come back to me." Keigo cried out softly into my ear, gripping my hair a bit tighter as if to make sure I wouldn't suddenly disappear.

Finally, I got the words to speak as I wrapped my arms tighter around his neck, still not gaining the desire to even come up for air and see his face yet, as I just needed to savor the feeling of hugging his warm, alive, responsive body.

"Y-You say that like you're not the one who's b-been sleeping for two months, Keigo." I hiccuped between sobs, laughing for the first time in over two months, yet the sound was quickly masked by the overwhelmed cry that followed.

Keigo followed my lead-laughing with me, before the sound morphed into a cry, gently rubbing up and down my back with his other hand as he clearly also had no desire to end this hug anytime soon.

I could literally feel the endorphins seeping into both of our bodies from this embrace. I could feel new waves of motivation and life finally jolting us awake. It was the best hug I've ever had in my entire life. It was a hug I will never forget. It's a feeling I won't ever forget.

I always thought that my other times with Keigo were considered to be a cloud nine experience, but I was wrong. This was truly a cloud nine experience. Hugging the man I love. A man who I thought would end up dying, alone and cold in this room. A man I thought I'd never get to see smile again, or laugh, or even say hi to.

It's him. He's here. He's my angel. My literal angel. And I have never been as happy in my life as I am right now in this very moment.

"Ay, tell me how I've been sleeping for two months and still don't feel well rested." He whispered teasingly, chuckling at the hiccupy giggle that came out of my mouth.

Keigo and I vaguely heard the smiling doctor say "we'll give them some privacy now, Parkers. I just thought this was a happy moment that you all deserved to see," before she closed the door to leave us alone. But, neither of us could even find the will to focus on anyone else as we remained locked in each other's tight embraces with no desire to ever stop.

Time passed and passed as Keigo and I couldn't find the composure to speak any more words. I don't know how much time, and I don't care. We had so many I miss you's and I love you's to say that we were unable to get out. But, it didn't matter in the slightest as the feeling of us wrapped in each other's arms truly said it all.

After what felt like a second, but was probably an eternity later, Keigo's soft hum vibrated against my own chest as he slowly turned his head towards me now, kissing the side of my own so sweetly and fragile.

"Ah, my love. My god, I love you. So much, I just love you so much." He whispered against my temple, the feeling of his lips moving tickling me in the best way.

And finally, I forced my head away from his own so I could see that face I've been dying to see for so long.

I would never take anything for granted ever again. The way his eyes are open and filled with life. The way his smile continued to curve up more, once I finally met his beautiful, golden gaze.

He's alive. Keigo is alive. And that is my greatest blessing.

I sniffled softly as a teary smile made its way onto my own face now. My trembling hand came up to rest on Keigo's non-bandaged cheek, and I bit down on my lip to try and compose myself when I felt how warm he was to the touch. Not in a feverish way, just a lively way.

"O-Oh, Keigo. I love you, too. I...I....I wish I could tell you more, right now. I-I-I....I just can't find the words. I-I wish I could." I cried out, watching Keigo smile softly as he clearly saw how much I truly missed him.

I could tell it touched his heart as his brows furrowed together emotionally, before he softly shook his head.

"You don't need to say anything, Ari. I already heard all of it, anyways." He smiled wider, uselessly wiping his eyes a bit as more tears came falling out.

I inhaled sharply at his words, letting my jaw fall open in pure shock at the question that was meant to eternally haunt me forever.

"Y...You.....you did? You heard me when I came into your room a few weeks ago?" I asked breathlessly, suddenly feeling Keigo's hand snake to the back of my neck before pulling me closer.

"Mhm. In a way, I did. And I'll be happy to tell you all about it in just a minute-Right after I kiss you, cause I really can't wait any longer." He uttered, unable to barely finish the last of his sentence as he crashed my lips to his.

And sure, maybe it wasn't the sexiest kiss we've ever shared. But, it was definitely the sweetest. After a few seconds, anyways...

Our teeth accidentally slammed into one another's as we became too eager to close the distance, causing both of us to grimace in pain a bit, before laughing and trying again.

His hand remained on the back of my neck, thumb caressing my skin softly. His eyes burned into mine so intensely before he carefully tilted his head to the side this time and ever so slowly pulled me in.

Our lips were chapped and our mouths were dry. Bodies injured and face bandages sticking in the way.....

And I know I've said it before, but damn it if this wasn't the best kiss that Keigo and I have ever had.

It wasn't heated. It wasn't lustful. It wasn't even dramatic or show stopping. It was soft and tender. My lips sweetly, yet firmly pressed up against his own for a few moments just to savor the warmth, before he softly parted his mouth wanting more.

I didn't even realize our eyes had fallen closed until I opened them again to see Keigo's eyes open halfway as well. He grinned blissfully against my mouth, lightheartedly brushing his lips up against mine, but happily waiting for me to be the one to fully close the distance this time.

And while I felt another big smile already trying to make its way onto my face, I quickly pressed my lips back to Keigo's before it would become too big and prevent me from kissing him the way I wanted to.

He hummed so damn contently as he wrapped both arms around my back now, slowly leaning back into his bed as he pressed me to him tightly.

I snaked one of my hands up to his hair, unable to grab it too much as a bandage on his head was preventing me from doing so. He tried to run his hands up my arms the way he always does, but quickly settled them to my back once again as he realized my arms were too burned and injured to caress.

Gently cupping his face, I allowed myself to get lost in the kiss, savoring everything about the comfort of Keigo's lips and the feeling of those familiar soft feather tips gently grazing my face-

Wait?

Feathers?

I barely forced one eye open to catch a glimpse, seeing that there were indeed no feathers, plural. But, there was a feather.

Keigo's feather. His last feather that has stayed with me for these last two months. The feather that I've actually grown quite attached to. The feather that is so soft, tiny, and fragile. Normally so limp in my hands, with me crying tears into it, begging it to move.

And now, it was moving. Telekinetically, it was moving, because Keigo was controlling it to.

He barely opened his eyes when he felt my lips stop against his own, watching contently as he controlled his feather to carefully start swiping away the tears that had pooled underneath my eyes.

I sighed softly at the feeling, pressing my forehead to his in pure and utter bliss as he coaxingly trailed the feather carefully along the features of my face.

I didn't realize how much his breathing had picked up from the overwhelming emotion of our kiss, until he tried pulling me back in for another.

I was about to be surprised by how quickly his stamina had returned-that is, until he was only able to get in a few more seconds of my lips before he was forced to pull away and rest his head back against the pillows, panting and already completely spent as his eyes fell closed in exhaustion.

I chuckled softly at his determination. The man's been in a coma for two months and basically tries to make out with me the first chance he gets. Kudos to him.

But, his body spoke over his desires, and he knew it as he let out a breathy laugh at himself, keeping his hands on me while he kept his eyes closed.

My laugh mixed with his own as I gently caressed his cheek with care, feeling one of his hands pull me down on his chest to rest with him.

"Fuck. Your hotness is gonna kill me, chicky. Literally." He pointed out in tired amusement, laying my head down on his chest now.

I didn't know how long the doctor would allow me in here, but I decided that I'd like to get comfortable regardless.

Keigo reluctantly unwrapped his arm from around my back for a moment as he watched me climb all the way onto his bed now, uttering a concerned "careful" when he saw me grimace in a bit of pain as I accidentally tensed one of my injured muscles the wrong way.

But, I'm fine. Trust me, I am fine!

Finally feeling my overwhelming emotions turning into blissful giddiness now, I felt my cheeks hurting so good from the grin on my face as I carefully snuggled my body up to Keigo's.

He chuckled upon looking down at me, wrapping his arm around me once more when he saw I was settled.

"Ah, that's a smile I haven't seen from you in ages." He practically giggled out like a damn schoolgirl.

I happily wrapped my arm around his torso now as I felt his body warmth enveloping me so perfectly, comfortably craning my neck up from his chest to look at him.

"Oh yeah?" I asked, immediately puckering my lips when he couldn't stop himself from closing the distance for just a quick peck.

"Yeah. The last time I saw it was when I brought an extra cheeseburger back to your dorm room, on my way home from work." He teased softly, yet if food was involved then maybe he's really not teasing.

"Ahh, well you are going to be seeing this smile of mine a lot more now, birdie. I can promise you that. You'll be seeing it so much, you'll end up getting sick of it." I stated playfully, feeling my entire soul so high on natural endorphins and serotonin that I'd probably be going loopy any second.

But, Keigo seemed to be no better as he mirrored my own state of mind, unable to stop his hands from squeezing me gently every few seconds to make sure the moment is real, randomly pressing his lips against my own in the middle of my sentences just because now he finally could.

"Mm, as if I could ever get sick of that smile. C'mon, babe. I dreamed about that smile every day. Literally. Heh, so.....guess that really does make you the girl of my dreams, y'know." He smirked, causing both of us to quickly bust out in soft laughter for his cheesy pick up lines that never seemed to take a break.

"Oh, Keigo. As if it wasn't already soooo damn obvious....I just gotta say that I missed you more than anything." I whispered lightly, continuing to look up at him until my eyes fell closed in pure bliss.

My head rose with the deep breath of contentment that came from Keigo's chest, and it slowly fell with his exhale of peace as I heard his own head settle back into the pillows.

"Ah, little dove. I always want it to be said. I've waited so long to hear you say that. To have you here with me. I can't ever hear it enough, if it's comin' from you." He whispered, gently rubbing his arm up and down my back.

I hummed lightly as I felt my body relaxing against his, sighing happily when his hands gently moved to my hair to comb his fingers through it.

The room went quiet with comfortable silence for a few heartbeats of time, before Keigo softly broke it with a statement that proved he just wanted to see me smile once again.

"Oh, and in case it wasn't already soooo damn obvious from me.....I also missed you more than anything, Ari."

•••••••

And then, we fell asleep like a couple of old people.

It seems that Keigo and I's reunion was so overwhelming for both of us, that our frail bodies just couldn't handle all of the excitement of one day.

I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep until I started waking up. Of course, fearing that this entire situation had been one sick dream, my body quickly jolted awake in pure and utter panic, hyperventilating and trembling as I quickly began looking around the room for-

"Ahhh, why did ya move spots? I was sooo warm. Oi, get back over here and cuddle me right now. I demand it." Keigo mumbled sleepily from under me, yet the small hint of playfulness in his voice showed that he didn't have any intentions of trying to fall back asleep now.

My body burned from sitting up too fast, but it quickly relaxed when I looked back at Keigo. A sigh of relief came from my mouth as my bloodshot eyes fell closed in exhausted, deflating panic for a moment.

Keigo's hand quickly traveled to my face, cupping my cheek and caressing it with his thumb, those golden orbs of concern, no doubt, studying my features.

"Hey, I already know what you're thinking....and I'm right here, babe. This is real, alright? I'm alive. So are you. I'll still be here when you wake up, I promise." He coaxed gently, slowly pulling my body back down into his arms for a precious embrace.

I chuckled softly at my jittery, panicked reactions. This seemed to be how I was now, when it came to a lot of things.

"I-I know. I think.....it will take me some time to realize it. I....I just don't trust fate to be kind, anymore." I whispered weakly, feeling the vibration of Keigo's hum radiate from his chest and tickle my ear.

"Yeah, I understand that. It's okay to be a little wary of that. But, fate also brought us here, right? It brought you into my arms, alive and well. So, how bad can it really be?" He suggested patiently, gently swirling his lively feather across the tip of my nose as he spoke.

I nodded reluctantly to his explanation, understanding that point of view, but mostly just looking for a reason not to trust.

However, I was too tired to explain to Keigo all of the new fucked up mentalities I've gained since waking up from this war. I'm not the same person I used to be. I don't see everything so positively anymore. I'm ashamed of that, and I'd rather spend this reunion with him in bliss. There will be plenty of time to talk about how messed up I am later.

For now, I just wanna feel normal again.

"It's a good point. I guess, I thought it might be a dream, cause I didn't expect myself to actually fall asleep the first time I saw you again. I thought for sure I'd get the strength to go out and run a damn marathon, or something." I chuckled honestly, hearing him let out a quiet snicker as he traced circles on my back.

"I guess I just bore you." He countered teasingly, causing me to smile in amusement

"Obviously." I uttered, craning my neck back up his chest so I could see his face.

Keigo looked down to meet my gaze, carefully sweeping my hair away from my features so he could get a good look.

"Well, that's alright. I'm glad you slept for a bit. It was only like twenty minutes, anyways. But, you looked exhausted when you came in here, chicky. You still look exhausted. Tell me, have you been taking care of yourself for these past two months? Hm? Are you okay?" He asked softly, already guessing the answer when I pressed my chapped lips together in slight guilt.

I let out a small sigh as I began averting my gaze away from his, yet Keigo carefully caught my chin between his fingers before I could completely conceal my emotions.

"I....well....it's....i-it's.....i-i-it's been....really hard for m-me...." I started explaining, forced to cut off when I suddenly felt my throat tightening up with another breakdown that wanted to come through.

Keigo's brows furrowed in perplexed, silent concern as he watched me already about to cry again, even though I'd barely explained anything.

I know. I could tell he was a bit caught off guard by my broken demeanor. He's not used to seeing me so emotional and sensitive. It's something that will probably take some getting used to on his part.

But, that didn't mean he loved me any less for it.

"Shh, hey. Hey, it's alright. C'mere, it's alright. Don't force yourself to say things you're not ready to talk about. We've got all the time in the world to talk about everything. We've been away from each other for so long. Not just these last two months, but for so much longer. I know you don't wanna start our first conversation in months about the heavy stuff, and I don't either. So, let's start with the good things. Okay? All that matters right now....are the good things." He whispered reassuringly, hugging me snugger to his body as he placed a soft kiss atop my forehead.

I sniffled softly, nodding in silent agreement to his words before embarrassingly and roughly trying to wipe away these tears that wouldn't stop clouding my damn eyes.

But, Keigo didn't even allow me the time to feel embarrassed as his feather quickly traveled under my eyes, carefully wiping the emotional waterworks away with more love and kindness than I was currently giving myself.

And I was grateful that he didn't draw anymore attention to it. He knows how much I hate feeling weak. I know he can see me continuing to practically cry for no reason, but he spared as much of my pride as he could for my sake, continuing to gently wipe the tears away while hugging me tightly.

It helped. It helped a lot. The simple action of him just being here has helped me more in five seconds than any therapy session had, in two months. And, yes I understand that choosing to rely fully on Keigo as my support system is not completely healthy. I understand that as time goes on, I will need to figure out how to do this on my own, so that I can be a stronger person again.

But, for now.....I have been through a lot. I've spent a lot of time trying to be strong, and in order to heal....I need to allow myself to be weak for a moment, so I can just....have a break.

So, reveling in Keigo's touches and his support, I felt my overwhelming emotions slowly fizzling away into peace again as I snuggled closer to him. His feather gently traced my arm, clearly able to sense that I was starting to return to the blissful moment with him.

"S-So....you said I was asleep for twenty minutes, huh? I'm surprised that no one came in and kicked me out." I smiled raspily, just trying to change the subject into something carefree and unimportant for the sake of wanting to hear his voice again.

Keigo hummed softly as he pulled the blankets over me a little higher, gently brushing his fingers against my skin as he spoke.

"Ahh, well. I didn't say that no one came in. I'd started falling asleep with ya, until the doctor came in a few moments ago to check up on us. Heh, we got lucky though. All she did was some quick tests to make sure we were all good, before leaving again. But, I bet it's also cause she saw how oh-so adorable we were all wrapped up like this, and couldn't get the heart to kick you out. Can't blame her for that one." He smirked, lazily tilting his head to the side as he directed his gaze to the open window.

Keeping my head against his chest, I followed my half lidded gaze to the window as well, smiling at the beautiful, sunny day that the night had finally welcomed.

"Mm. Well, nice that she let me stay." I uttered, grimacing a bit at how cold my voice sounded when I spoke of the obviously kind doctor who's been taking care of Keigo and I.

The bird boy clearly heard my tension, judging from the way the gentle movements of his fingers slowly faltered against my jaw for a moment, before continuing.

"She's not too bad, chicky. It's alright if you think so, with her working for the hero comm-well, anyways, she's very nice. She really cares about you, too." He pointed out quietly, not pushing the topic any further for today.

I swallowed thickly at Keigo's words, feeling my guilt rising more. Obviously, his statement wasn't anything that I didn't already know. I wasn't surprised to hear him say that the doctor was nice, because I've already seen her kindness in the way she treats me.

And if she didn't work for the hero commission, and was just a regular doctor at a regular hospital, I have no doubt that I would absolutely adore her.

But, by saying such a thing...I guess that's only continuing to give Diane Himura the power she had over me for so long. Right?

She's not here, anymore. She's dead. And I need to keep reminding myself that I can't let her continue to control my life.

Clearly my throat softly, I found the will to nod in reluctant agreement to Keigo's point, deciding to say my next answer based on what I've seen, instead of the irrational mistrust I'm feeling.

"Y...Yes. She is nice. She's been....very patient with me. She saved my life, and yours. A-And had it not been for her.....I don't think anyone else would have let me come and see you that one day." I reminded myself, already feeling a bit of my hesitations fading away by verbally admitting all of the kind actions the doctor has shown Keigo and I.

"Mhm. And had you never come to see me that one day, I don't think I would have ever woken up." He pointed out softly, smiling a bit dreamily as he saw a few birds soar past his window.

Keigo's words had peaked my interest, reminding me of one of his early statements.

"Yeah....and speaking of that whole thing...did you say that you heard me, when I was talking to you? Does that mean....that my visit had woken you up, somehow?" I asked curiously, causing Keigo's attention to slowly trail away from the window and back over to me now.

He shrugged softly in agreement, for what appeared to be half of my statement, pursing his lips in thought for how to explain the rest.

"Yeah, your visit woke me up. But, as to whether or not it was because I heard you....I mean, I wish I could have heard you. Ah man, if I'd been able to actually hear the pitch of your voice, or feel your touch....I swear, I probably would have woken up right then and there. But, it was more that.....I could sense you. I could sense everything you were sayin' through my feather you were holding. It was a really strange feeling, but one I held onto tightly so I could use that feeling to anchor my consciousness and wake myself up, if that makes sense." He said perplexedly, seeming as if he still didn't totally understand the situation himself.

However, even if he didn't seem to completely register everything that happened in his coma, there was one thing that he was fully sure of.

"Ah, but man. Yeah, chicky, I understood what you were saying to me, if that's what you're talkin' about. I understood it all. Everythin' you said about me. How you're proud of me, and how much you love me. How...How happy you are to find out that I'm your angel of the sky. Quite honestly, it made me think I'd actually died for a moment, because your words....especially, about your feelings towards me, being your angel of the sky....they just felt too good to be true." Keigo smiled softly, snuggling deeper under the blankets so that my face would be closer to his own.

I had the ability to wrap my arm loosely around his neck now from the closer distance, resting my head on his shoulder as I looked at him in soft confusion.

"And why would it have been too good to be true, Keigo? Is it so hard to believe how amazing I know you are?"

He was quiet for a moment at my question. I asked it in a more rhetorical sense, but seeing how much he actually seemed to hesitate with a reply...

"Yeah, actually-or, it was-But, it wasn't because I didn't feel appreciated by you, because I did. Everyday, I did. I do. It's just...I...I dunno, little dove. The whole situation....it's complicated. Even for me. It's still complicated to understand. I've been told-no, I've been conditioned to know that I would never be enough by myself, so I always believed it. And yes, you helped me. You broke down those walls in a way that no one else ever had. My god, you changed me. You really did. But, I guess there was always some part of me...in those deepest, darkest parts of my head....that felt....maybe you'd...be disappointed to know it was me..." He started off, letting out a small, deflated sigh as he began getting down to the root of his own insecurities now.

Insecurities that he seems to have been holding in for a very long time. So long, that he couldn't find the courage to look at me anymore, as he let his eyes fall close in focus.

And while he hesitated to continue, it didn't stop him from continuing this time, clearly not wanting to keep this from me any longer.

His brows furrowed nervously as he lazily pressed his forehead to mine, before speaking again.

"Y-You know....maybe....you'd look at me differently, but in a bad way, thinking 'wow, really? Him? That's it? I was hoping for something better.' You just....I just know how much....he meant to you. I didn't wanna ruin your image of him with...me. I wanted you to feel like your angel of the sky was everything you ever dreamed of. I wanted him to give you hope and determination. And I just wanted him....to make you feel safe. Yeah, I should have told you from the very beginning, I should have just manned up and said it-I was even going to, before I got to know you well." He whispered as he kept his eyes closed.

Being so close to me, his voice was practically inaudible now, with puffs of his breath rolling against my face with every word. He still didn't find the courage to open his eyes, but it didn't matter because I was just happy to hear him finally tell me why he chose to keep it a secret in the first place.

I didn't dare interrupt him.

"Ah, but....the more time I spent with you....the more I fell for you....and realized how much I loved you....and how much I didn't wanna lose you....well, the harder it became to tell you the truth. You began to learn more stuff about me. You began to see more of my flaws; less as Hawks and more as this guy Keigo I always hated. Then, I started becoming afraid, y'see. I feared that the moment you'd figure out it was me who was your angel of the sky.....it'd be the same moment you realize how disappointed you are that the hero you built up in your head was this guy who's got so many fucking problems and insecurities. A-And then, cause you'd be disappointed in your angel...." He trailed off, grimacing a bit as he couldn't find the last words to put it all together.

"You think that if I'd been disappointed in who my angel was, I would have been disappointed in you." I finished for him in clarifying question, watching him slowly nodded his head in agreement as he kept his eyes closed.

I looked at Keigo warmly, silently shaking my head in such disbelief for his assumptions even though he wouldn't open his eyes to even see it.

Keeping my gaze glued to his bandaged face, I gently snaked my hand from the back of his neck to caress his cheek.

And even though he says he already heard me tell him how I really feel, I definitely don't mind reassuring him again, now that he's truly awake.

"Ah, Kei. That couldn't be further from the truth. Knowing it's you....that's more than I could have ever asked for. My angel of the sky....before I knew he was you...he was someone I always admired. Someone who seemed so far out of my reach. Someone that Diane and the hero commission told me wasn't real or reachable, so I was coerced into believing it. He just....he never seemed attainable. And, because of that....the illusion I'd built him up to be didn't put me at ease, because I didn't understand him."

"But, you. God, Keigo. I've fallen in love with you. I've come to trust you more than anyone else in the world. And you have saved me, and loved me, and protected me so many times. It didn't take long for me to replace you as my angel of the sky instead, without even knowing it. It didn't take long to think of you whenever I felt scared or unsafe. It didn't take long for me to crave your presence when I felt sad or stressed, because I knew you'd be a person who would be there for me and make me feel better, no matter what. And it didn't take long for me to feel at ease and safe, no matter what situation we'd been in, simply because I knew that you were there." I explained, keeping my voice quiet, but honest as I gently continued stroking Keigo's uninjured cheek.

He kept his eyes closed as he took in my words, melting into my touch a little more....silently asking me to continue.

"So, you see....even before I knew that you were my angel of the sky....you'd already been him for me. You'd already taken that irreplaceable spot, because Keigo Takami was the man and hero I ended up falling for. Keigo Takami was the man I ended up looking up to. And Keigo Takami was the man who made me feel at ease, more than any illusive angel of the sky ever could." I whispered, unable to stop the small smile from gracing my face as I slowly leaned in towards his face now.

He gasped softly in surprise when he felt my lips barely touch his own. But, neither of us closed the distance just yet, letting me finish my thoughts as they spoke from my heart.

"And then....when I found out he was you? Well, you were afraid I'd be disappointed. But, truly? I fell in love with you more than I ever thought possible, because now my angel of the sky wasn't a mystery. He wasn't unreachable. He was this man that I already loved so much. This man who I didn't think could get any better, but he could and he did. I don't need an 'angel of the sky' to feel protected, Keigo. I just need you." I stated clearly, pressing a small, chaste kiss to Keigo's lips as I finished speaking.

He breathed shakily as he felt my mouth barely graze his own, gently tilting his head a little more to return the action.

But, before the kiss could become passionate, he pulled away....eyes still closed and brows still furrowed as he rested his hand on the back of my neck carefully.

"I-I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. Had I known....had I known how happy you would have been....I would have told you the first moment I got. I was so stupid, chicky. I'm sorry." He apologized, shaking his head in regret.

"You're not stupid. I'm sorry for not figuring it out sooner, Kei. You were right in front of me the whole time and I was too clueless to see it." I sighed in a bit of ridiculous guilt, thinking back to all the times that Keigo gave me the signs.

"Ah, you're not clueless. You couldn't have known. Not with Diane poisoning your mind everyday. Not with....Touya lying to you and saying I didn't exist. And certainly, not with me ignoring it all together, cause I was too scared to admit the truth. But, now....I am happy that you know. It feels as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders." He smiled softly, yet still keeping those golden orbs concealed from my sight as they remained closed.

I pursed my lips in discontent for Keigo's actions, gently sweeping his messy hair out of his face with a small, nostalgic chuckle.

"That's good to hear. And if that weight has truly been lifted off your shoulders.....then I think that now is as good a time as any....to flutter those eyes open." I whispered, watching him break out into a small laugh as he kept them closed purposely now.

I leaned in a little closer this time, feeling my breath hit his lips with every word I spoke.

"C'mon, Keigo. Open your eyes for me. Just....fwoop, flutter 'em open." I breathed out lovingly, feeling his lips moving against mine as he began to speak.

"I will. I'll open 'em for you, big and wide. But, first, I'm gonna have to stop you there and kiss you again, just because I can." He uttered back passionately, quickly capturing his mouth to mine once more.

We both got lost in the kiss rather quickly this time as the feelings of one another began to fall right back into place. But, it still ended up being the sweetest kind of bliss. Nothing too heated, but still packed to the brim with absolute love and emotions.

The only reason we had to pull away was because Keigo's growing smile got in the way of his lips, and it made me happy.

"Man, who knew, chicky? Who knew that those adorable little kids from way back when would be here kissing right now, huh?" He murmured against my mouth, mirroring my little laugh with his own.

I didn't bother to break the distance as I bit down on his lip mischievously, shrugging in fake contemplation.

"Mmm, well I was definitely adorable. I dunno about you though." I teased, watching his lips form a mock "oh" of offense.

"I'll have you know that I was fucking adorable. Fucking adorable." He uttered, gently pressing his lips to mine once more.

"Yeah, I'm sure you were. You've always been a damn flirt, after all. You know you're cute, Keigo."

"Hell yeah I know I'm cute. Ah, but I am not a flirt."

"You are."

"Well, actually....if you wanna know a secret..." Keigo drawled out with unnecessary suspense, making me roll my eyes in amusement when he leaned in close to my ear to tell his little secret now.

"I...kinda had a crush on you that first time we met as kids." He whispered, causing me to immediately start cracking up.

"Keigo!-"

"Okay, not kinda, but a big one-"

"I was half dead when I met you that day!"

"Ah, so? Only half. And hey, y'know, if anything you should feel flattered that you can look like death and I still fell for you! Congratulations, it officially means...you're so hot." He stated with mock seriousness, breaking out into giggles when I lightly tapped his shoulder with discipline.

I drank up the sound of his joy, finally feeling as though everything is exactly where it should be.

Because, for this moment...it is.

"My god, Keigo, I know I've already said it a million damn times....but, thank you for coming back to me." I whispered seriously this time, placing a small kiss to the tip of his nose.

His feather lightly swirled between the two of us now, dancing for joy and life before it nestled comfortably into my hair.

"Of course, little dove. I'm your angel of the sky. It's as I told you before, angels never leave...." He started off, planting one more sweet kiss to my lips before finally fluttering his eyes open to look at me as he spoke again.

"Oh, and also....thank you for coming back to me as well, Ari."

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Next Chapter Title: Healing