Four Days Later...

Tadashi's condition went from stable to critical in the blink of an eye.

He survived the heart attack, but with the way the doctors explained it, the only thing Eden understood was that Tadashi was hanging on by a thread.

They'd pointed out that he was really strong, but the battle was a difficult one nonetheless.

That's when the anger started to rise unbidden. Eden felt such raw hatred for Carl that he wished he was alive just so he could kill him himself.

He didn't want to think about if Tadashi didn't make it. No, not happening.

Alexander sat by his side. The expression on his face was hard as he watched Tadashi on the bed. Only the two of them were watching Tadashi at the moment. Linder took the two children home to rest for a while, saying he'd be back with them later.

          "He's going to be so mad at me when he wakes up," said Alexander.

          "Why?" Asked Eden.

          "Because I called his parents. I don't know if they'll show up though," replied Alexander, remembering how badly he wanted to wring their necks for how nonchalant they sounded over the phone. "They have to know, he's their son."

          "Well, for what it's worth, I think you did the right thing," said Eden. "I'd have done the same."

If he could, Eden would tell Tadashi that there was no need to worry, he had them at least. He didn't need anyone else if they didn't want him.

"So," Alexander paused before taking a sip of his coffee that he'd been cradling in his hand. "What is it between the two of you... I mean you and Tadashi. And don't say it's nothing."

Eden almost thought about denying it for now, but one look at Alexander's face changed his mind. There was no point in even trying to hide it. "Remember when I said I couldn't wait to tell you about my crush?"

Alexander nodded, remembering when Eden tried and convinced him to take him shopping.

"It was him," Eden confessed.

Understanding dawned on Alexander's face. "You mean, even during that dinner–"

"Yes. I had the fattest crush on him," he said.

"And to think I believed you when you said he wasn't your type." Said Alexander. "And what do you mean 'had'?"

Eden nodded. "I thought that was all it would ever be, but that crush has turned into something a bit more serious I'm afraid."

Talking to Alexander had always been one of the easiest things for Eden, and right now he was reminded of that. He found himself not bothering to hide any details. "I don't know if he loves me, but I know he wants me. He's made it clear on several occasions, I'm the one who's been pushing him away."

"Why would you do that?" Alexander asked despite planning on giving Tadashi 'the talk' when he woke up.

"I mean," Eden started. "He loves Linder... you don't even need two eyes to see that. I'm so confused right now."

Alexander listened.

"How did you know you loved them?" Eden asked. There was no need to explain whom he referred to.

"I guess I just knew. The hard part was accepting it. I was conflicted and perhaps a little stubborn, but I'm quite the lucky bastard. They didn't give up on me." Alexander drank from the coffee cup again. "I can't remember an exact time, or how, or why I fell for them. It's like suddenly, I was just in love. Even I, didn't see it coming." He smiled.

"Accepting, huh?" Asked Eden.

"It's always the hardest part. Even with Noah," Alexander said and Eden suddenly looked surprised.

Alexander nodded. "I know... it doesn't sound true, but it was really hard for me to accept that I was in love with him. Every single thing about him used to piss me off so much, and then suddenly, I couldn't really breathe without him. I didn't want to accept that."

Eden laughed. "I bet he called you out on it."

"You know your brother," Alexander smiled back. "It didn't matter how much I tried to avoid him, he always saw right through me."

Both of them were quiet for a little while, Eden felt better the more they talked, like he wasn't as helpless as he thought at first.

"Sometimes you need the other person to help you come to terms with it. Although in this case, it's Linder, isn't it?" Asked Alexander.

"How did you know?" Eden asked immediately because Alexander had completely caught him off guard.

"Older brothers know everything," the man answered.

Eden didn't smile because he was busy trying to figure out how he could tell. He raised his eyebrows in question when Alexander wasn't answering him.

"I've seen you both together," said the other man, finally. "I know you, E."

Eden sighed, realizing he couldn't really argue with that. "It's like my heart skips a beat every time I see him, again, I'm so confused."

"Why do you feel confused?" Asked Alexander. "You don't think it's mutual, or are you just putting everything into consideration?"

"Right before he disappeared with Carl," said Eden. "He told me he'd have really loved to get to know me better."

Alexander kept his eyes on him. "Then I hope you plan on asking him out."

Before Eden got the chance to answer, his parents stormed into the room. His mother then paused by the door, before rushing to Tadashi's side.

"Our baby!" She exclaimed. "We came as soon as we heard," she said and left a kiss on his forehead.

Eden's father shook his head with a sad look on his face. "You were a good man, Tadashi, one of the finest indeed."

Eden's mother shot him one of her hardest glares. "He's still alive, you raccoon!"

"I know, which is why I just asked him to wake up!" Eden's dad retorted.

"And how is that asking him to wake up? I swear to God..." his wife said, exasperated.

"If you wake up, Tadashi, we'll give you our son's hand in marriage," he continued.

"Definitely," his wife agreed immediately, like they hadn't just been from arguing.

"Oh my God you two!" Eden suddenly said, getting up to greet them. "I thought we were past handing me out at any chance you get."

Alexander smirked besides him and whispered. "If only they knew."

"Shut up," whispered Eden.

"Oh baby, how are you doing?" She asked. Mother hugged son. She hugged him longer because she knew he needed it.

He hugged his dad next before Alexander exchanged his greetings and they all sat down.

Eden's mind drifted off after a short while, trying to think about what he was going to do.

Subconsciously, he leaned against Alexander's shoulder. He noticed the worried expression on his parent's faces but he avoided it.

Alexander had read his mind yet again. He did plan on asking Linder out and making good on his promise. He just didn't know how, or when he should."

"What's with the long faces?"

Eden detached from Alexander in a micro-second as every single person in the room froze. It took them a while to realize that it was Tadashi's voice.

Eden gasped and turned at the same time. Tadashi was smiling weakly at him, but he was awake. It wasn't his imagination, his eyes weren't closed, the man was really awake.

He so badly wanted to return the smile, he really did, but he just could not control the tears. He tried to smile through them nonetheless. "Tadashi!" Eden exclaimed and took the man's hand and cradled it between his own hands. "You're awake!"

Eden brushed his lips across the hand and smoothed back Tadashi's hair, looking into his eyes. Eden shook his head, not caring how pathetic he must have looked. "I thought..."

"It's okay," Tadashi used a hand to pull him down for a hug. He chuckled. "I've never seen you so worried before."

Eden shook his head as the tears soaked into Tadashi's hospital gown. He then got up and chuckled through his tears again. "I have to call the others."

Tadashi wanted to keep looking at him, he wanted to pull him back but he couldn't. He let Eden go ahead to call whom he wanted to call.

Before he could ponder any longer on it, kisses were immediately showered onto his forehead.

Eden's parents were the overly affectionate type and Tadashi couldn't be more grateful for them. He welcomed all the love with all his heart. "We were so worried!" Eden's mom said as her husband nodded besides her, a look of relief on his face.

"There was no need Mrs McClure," he said feeling a little guilty for all the trouble he put everyone through.

"Nonsense! Call me Maggie. I don't want to hear that again." She then half whispered. "As promised, if you want to marry our son, you have our blessing."

Tadashi smiled widely. Of course they'd say something like that. Even if he didn't know the promise they were talking about.

"Finally," said Alexander. "Now I can kill you myself for scaring me like that."

He knew the man like the back of his hand, and the fact that he hadn't been sleeping was evident in the dark circles under his eyes. "Come here," Tadashi said and Alexander immediately wrapped his hands around him.

None of them seemed to know what to say, but the hug was enough. Alexander let out a sigh of relief that made Tadashi's heart ache a little.

Riley filed into the room. "Tadashi my man! I was this close, to smacking your head for taking your time." His smile was so contagious Tadashi couldn't help but return it. He wondered just how long he'd been out of it.

Everyone hugged him, everyone kissed him. He'd never felt so loved before. Ever.

Pierre, Mason, Jet, Zel and even Hades. Everyone smiled, sniveled or both.

Linder was crying even before he hugged him. He then rested their foreheads together. "Don't do that again, okay?" He asked.

"Okay," he agreed. Anything for you.

Lily rushed, jumped and literally threw herself on him on his bed. He winced and tried not to show it as everyone else laughed.

Tadashi was met by a sight he thought he'd never see. She was crying. She bit her lower lip as if to stop herself from it but she couldn't. Tadashi soothed the child, running a hand down her hair and kissing her forehead.

He felt Mikhail's hands wrap around his neck next. "Tadishi!" He yelled softly while genuinely smiling.

Tadashi kissed his little hands, after he unwrapped his arms from him, unable to take his gaze off the smile that undoubtedly reached the boy's eyes.

The last person who pushed the door open was Ishii Ayako. She was a woman in her late 60s, her grey hair was held in a tight bun on top of her head, her thin lips covered in a dark red lipstick.

Ayako didn't open the door wide. Ajar, was enough for her to see that her son had woken up, that he was loved, and that he had a bigger family. He looked happy even. Unlike the last time she saw him.

Ayako closed the door softly. Thankfully, everyone's attention was on her son. She was a little ashamed, and a little happy. And she knew she couldn't face him now, at least not yet. So just as she came, she walked away.