The return trip was not very long, except that strangely, Keith did not seem to be heading towards the Union. But rather towards Chicole Village.

《- Miss Erma thought it more fair that we take you straight home. That way you can rest and be treated, surrounded properly by your family. Courage Kell, you're home soon.

The redhead gave a big smile that confused the younger one.

- /...Home....?/

He didn't have time to ask himself any more questions when his comrade slowed down to a complete stop.

- We're here....Do you feel able to walk?

The boy blinked briefly, confused, before understanding: their relationship. It was true that his parents didn't know anything, and neither of the 2 had expressly wanted to be questioned at the moment.

The brunet slowly nodded as he began to stand up. His partner helped him and kept his balance in check throughout the process, not hesitating to stop if necessary.

Once his two feet were back on solid ground, Kellyn realized how weak he was...He couldn't feel his legs anymore. So he found himself having to lean on his boyfriend so he could even walk without falling.

The redhead didn't comment on this state of weakness, which the younger teen greatly appreciated, and contented himself with keeping him close to him.

-...Let's go?

Again, the boy nodded and let the other teenager lead him. This trip seemed to take forever, although it was probably less than 3 minutes before the group stopped again. He felt Keith gave him a gentle headbutt.

Oh...They must have reached their destination.

- Hey, look Kell. Your family is there.

The teen looked up for a moment before frowning almost imperceptibly.

- Oh thank Arceus, you are back sweetheart!

The mother, who was the first to notice them, rushed to her son, her arms wide open...Or at least tried.

- K-Kellyn? What's going on sweetie? Are you in pain?

Indeed, the boy, upon seeing her approaching, made a movement of recoil which surprised all those present. Royally ignoring his mother's pained look, he focused on the redhead then mouthed:

- You said we were going home, right?

The teenager bugged for a few seconds before recovering, confused.

- Y-Yeah? And? We're at your house, right?

The brunet stared at the crimson pupils for a long time, getting lost in this particular color for a moment. Then he turned toward his family and squinted. His sight was...Blurry, to say the least. The images in front of him happened to be completely distorted and soaked in darkness. The only clear figures he could recognize were those of Keith and their partners.

Those of his family on the other hand...

- "...Who are you?"

....were unknown to him.

A dead silence fell for a few moments before being brutally broken by the woman's desperate cries.

- W-What?! K-Kellyn! Y-you...Don't you recognize us?! It's us! Your family! What is happening?!

The strawberry blonde tried again to take her child in her arms, except that the latter only backed away and growled in suspicion. This gesture made her cry.

The father, upon seeing his wife in such a state, decided that enough was enough. He then moved towards the teenager, looking furious, getting another growl.

- May I know what you are doing young man? What do you think you're doing, attacking your mother like this?

As he prepared to seriously lecture the boy, Fischl suddenly intervened, screaming with all her might, knocking him to the ground.

- W-What the-

- (GO AWAY GO AWAY GO AWAY GOAWAYGOAWAYGOAWAY)

The Staraptor's normally confident eyes had lost their irises, leaving only a reddish light emanating from their sockets. She also seemed to have doubled in volume, while her cries became more and more bestial and uncontrollable.

- F-Fischl! What's wrong with you?! Calm down!

Keith tried miserably to calm things down, not understanding what in the everloving Hell was going on at all. He then turned toward his boyfriend who seemed to be in a trance.

-...Kellyn? Kellyn!

The teen didn't answer him, contenting himself with simply staring at the tearful woman and then let out a silent scream while holding his head firmly.

When he opened his eyes, a woman was standing there, standing but also leaning towards him, her hand outstretched. However, what froze the boy without failing was her appearance. Very long caramel brown hair, fine features which, despite their sharp side, reflected a great softness and eyes...Identical to his, of a pretty teal color.

Will he ever have such a sharp but tender gaze? Who knows. Maybe one day when he becomes an adult.

- What's going on sweetheart? Why are you shaking like that...?...Oh no, did &%¥€₩: scare you?

She crouched down to the teen's level, gently stroking his cheek with the help of her previously outstretched hand. Her pupils were filled with such worry and guilt...!

- I'm sorry little one, &%¥€₩: never wanted to scare you, I promise.

The boy remained silent, letting the adult cuddle him until the older's eyes widened. The woman took him tenderly in her arms, trapping him in a cocoon of affection and protection while being careful not to hug him too tightly.

- Oh no...! Don't cry, it's fine. Shh~ Oh my lovely baby...Shh~ It's over now....

The teen blinked several times, clearly not knowing how to react. Especially since his vision was constantly changing! One time, he saw caramel brown and another strawberry blonde! Sometimes the two images even overlapped, creating a brain-twisting kaleidoscope of color.

W-What the Hell was happening?!

A very familiar pain immediately showed, except that this time, Kellyn was happy to know it was present. This meant that if it became painful enough, he would pass out forcing a reset from his brain.

Yeah, the perfect plan!...Or at least the quickest and most efficient as things stand. And thank Arceus' great kindness, this deliverance came not long after.

He felt his mind disconnect completely before his body suddenly let go, dragging him into the soft dark abyss of unconsciousness.

-----

The first thing he noticed once he came back to his senses was his awful headache. That and the fact that he felt like he was trapped inside a furnace.

Kellyn also felt that his breathing was by no means smooth, but rather heavy and convoluted, as if he was struggling to breathe....Unfortunately, that was also the case.

He more or less managed to force his eyes open, only to realize that he was seeing a little blurry...Great.

He became aware of a familiar figure at his bedside and began to stare at him somewhat intently, thus catching his attention.

-...! Kell! Oh sweet Mew, you're awake!

- /...Keith.../

The redhead leaned towards him while gently squeezing his hand in his, a relieved smile on his lips. A few tears accumulating at the corner of his eyes.

- We were worried about you, you know? You suddenly started to lose your mind and no longer recognize your parents! Fischl also went completely crazy...Then you collapsed, and she came to her senses. Given the reaction she had, I don't think she remembers what happened....

The older boy was muttering his words slowly as if to make sure he didn't lose the brunet along the way. He embellished his speech with little kisses inside the palm he was holding.

-...I'm sorry.

The 11th's eyes widened slightly, surprised and confused.

- I'm sorry. For not noticing. For not having been able to help you...For having let you down.

Tears began to cascade down his pale cheeks. This sight painfully squeezed Kellyn's heart, who hastened to react.

He delicately placed his hand against the cheek of his partner, who instead of being surprised, leaned a little more against his palm, most certainly seeking comfort. Realizing that Keith was letting him do as he wished, the youngest began to tenderly dry those ugly tears with his thumb. He was also very cautious given his current condition.

-...Don't...C-Cry....I-I...I'm fine....

Ah? Since when was his voice so weak?

-...No. No you are not fine!

The redhead exploded, taking his boyfriend by surprise who froze on the spot.

- You've got a fever, you're covered in wounds...For the love of Arceus, you almost died! AGAIN!

The crimson-eyed one bursted into tears, very clearly at his wits' end. Kellyn, after a moment of hesitation, collected himself and tried to bring his partner closer to him.

- Keith....Shh....Shhh....Eh...It's fine...I'm fine...Shhh.....

The brunet somehow managed to cradle the older one against him, hugging him as tightly as his current condition would allow....Meaning, not much. However, despite the obvious weakness of the grip, the Ranger of Fiore did not try to free himself from it. On the contrary, he desperately returned the affection.

- I-I...I'll never let you down again. You have my word.

The redhead mumbled his words under his breath, gradually tightening his grip, not realizing the strength he was putting into it. Because of this, the younger teen's whole body screamed under the pressure.

- O-Ouch....

- A-Ah! S-Sorry!

Keith hurriedly released his boyfriend who moaned in return. However, that didn't stop him from giving his a playful smile.

- I-I'm going to believe...That I'm a p-plushie!

The other looked puzzled for a few seconds before bursting into laughter and taking his partner back into his arms. This time being careful to not crush him.

- Yes you are! An adorable, warm and loving plushie...

Kellyn was sure he must be blushing as hell, although he was already pretty red thanks to the fever.

Speaking of which, the 12th Top Ranger leaned his forehead against the hot one and winced as he felt the heat emanating from it.

- You'd better rest, you're still very sick....

The older boy slowly sat up, avoiding startling the brunet, then observed him for a moment before carefully replacing a few strands of hair.

- I'm going to go tell your family that you regained consciousness for a while. Take this opportunity to go back to sleep, ok?

The teen kissed his partner's forehead and began to leave the room when he felt a light grip cling to him.

- Huh? Kell?

-...S-Stay...Please...?

The teal gaze silently begged his partner not to leave...To stay with him. He didn't know why but...He was scared – No, he was terrified.

But of what? To be completely alone again? To be engulfed in darkness? To suffer reprisals?....Of himself?

He didn't know.

Still, he didn't want Keith to go away. He knew it was selfish, knowing that he was going to make him fall ill on top of that!

Realizing the risks he was going to make the boy take, the younger boy slowly let go of his grip. He was preparing to apologize when suddenly he found himself face to face with his partner who had slipped under the covers.

He looked greatly amused.

- Your wishes are orders my Angel.~

And he tenderly kissed the forehead of his beloved who blinked briefly, before offering a big relieved smile and settling himself against the chest of the first. The latter chuckled, softened, then wrapped his arms around the young patient, visibly very happy to be useful.

- Aw...~ You are so adorable my Angel...

The teen simply purred with pure happiness, making Keith coo about such a cute behavior.

- Haha...Your parents can wait a bit, I guess. Don't worry, I'm not leaving. Sleep without fear, I'm here.

The brunet squirmed for a few moments, looking for a good position before simply wrapping his arms around the redhead's chest and resting his head against his heart.

Badump badump badump

Satisfied with the sound he was hearing, Kellyn let out a final purr before closing his eyes.

He also heard his boyfriend chuckling softly.

-...Good n-night Sunrise.

- Goodnight my Angel.

And so, he plunged into the dream world, his mind peaceful.

----------------------------

H-Huuuuu-r-r-r-rtttttt

I-I wanna g-g-go h-h-h-h-hoooooooooommmmeeee

No mor-r-r-r-r-reeee paiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnn

S-S-S-S-unriseeeeeee....!