Note from the Authoress –

Thank you for your patience, everyone! I appreciate it so much!

^^;; Sadly, though. My back hasn't gotten any better. Not that anyone cares, though. xDD

RITSUKA PLUSHIES FOR EVERYONE!! –throws everyone a plushie-

DISCLAIMER | I do not own Loveless, blah blah blah.

*~*Aqua*~*

The day Ritsuka was released from the hospital, his attitude was more skittish than ever. Whenever he was spoken to, the 14-year-old Sacrifice would automatically shrink back like a little mouse and squeak. Something in the back of his head kept nagging at him that the doctors would say something and he would not be able to leave. Two weeks in the same room had gotten him anxious to leave. Finally, when all the papers were signed, he was allowed outside on crutches. At last! He was no longer confined to the blasted wheelchair.

As the boy walked to the door, he noticed the brilliant sun shining in all its glory. And under it stood the very figure that looked as though it could so easily reach up and take it in his hands. No wonder they always radiated that heat. He looked like a god, really, standing under the son, shoulders held up proudly. Agatsuma Soubi.

Ritsuka's face automatically lit up as he walked out into the bright sunlight. As he raised his head to speak, his lips were swiftly sealed by a soft kiss on the lips and a hug followed shortly after. The warmth welled a pool of tears at the little raven's eyes. "I'm sorry I can't hug you back, Soubi." Ritsuka mumbled, cuddling closer to the blonde. "The doctors said that I broke some ribs. So, it kinda hurts to breathe, and to walk." Ritsuka breathed. "Stupid crutches."

Soubi chuckled softly and pulled away from the hug. "No need for apologies. You'll heal." He reassured and motioned his head towards a black car behind him. "Come on, people are waiting for you." A hint of mischievousness rung in his voice.

Ritsuka stared at the car and after a few seconds recognized it as Kio's car. They walked away from the entrance of the hospital and the ever so hyper Kio stepped out from the driver's seat. "Glad to have you back, kid!" Out of the back seat sprung two adolescents, one with scarlet-brunette hair, and the other a viridian hue.

"Ritsuka! You didn't die!" cried the green haired boy, standing behind the eye-patched Zero. "Ooh, but the poor thing missed his birthday! Soubi, we GOTTA throw him a party!" Natsuo said whilst wrapping his arms around Ritsuka's tiny frame. His foxish tail began swinging from side to side.

"A-A party? But…" Ritsuka trailed off as he looked at everyone's individual faces.

"But…" the zero pair coaxed in unison.

"I don't want to be a burden. B-Besides, it's Soubi's apartment."

Soubi responded this time. "Our apartment." He corrected.

Hesitantly, Ritsuka let up in defeat. He then looked back up and asked, eyes wide, "Hang on. What day is it today? How could I have missed my birthday?"

"The 'incidente' happened on December 10th, Ritsuka." Natsuo informed, the vocal quotation marks standing out from his normal tone. "Today is January 2nd, dummy."

"Wait! Y-you mean… I was out of it for almost a month?!" Ritsuka nearly fell to the ground as his knees buckled. Okay, maybe the crutches had some use after all.

Kio nodded, adjusting his glasses. "Good thing it was all during winter break, huh?" he teased, winking. "That way, you didn't miss any classes!"

Ritsuka's ears drooped down. School. It would start in a week and he still couldn't walk by himself, let alone use the stairs. What was he going to so now?

"Well, I hate to interrupt this wonderful reunion, but-" "But our Musical's about to start." Natsuo finished in a kindly tone for his pair. The brunette hooked arms with Youji and offered a smile, one that made the other sigh and turn back to the car. As soon as they both got into the black vehicle, Natsuo popped his head out and said, "You don't mind sitting with us, do you, Ritsuka-chan? No, of course you don't! Come on, come on!"

The back-haired boy made his way to the car and carefully got into the back seat, only to be greeted by yet another one of Natsuo's hugs.

"Ohh! It's so nice to have you back!"

O.o.O

"Who would have thought the two little sadists liked musicals so much?" Ritsuka wondered aloud. "Poor Kio. It'll be a miracle is he comes back sane." A smile stretched across his features as Soubi's trademark chuckle reached his ears, and so he too laughed at the joke.

The blonde sighed inwardly in bliss at the sound of Ritsuka's laugher. It was that heavenly sound that he would risk everything for. The sound that he would sacrifice everything for. Soubi moved swiftly and picked the younger up, being sure that the crutches maneuvered themselves to land gently on Ritsuka's stomach.

"You could almost say you have experience in doing that." Ritsuka mumbled at length, blushing a lovely strawberry red.

"You could," Soubi smirked, making his way up the stairs to his apartment, but then added smugly, "almost."

Ritsuka emitted a small hum as he leaned his head against Soubi's broad chest. "Why did you stop smoking, Soubi? I… thought you liked it."

The blonde, upon reaching the top of the stair case, sighed. But, following the sigh, was a genuine smile. "I wouldn't be a good taker if I smoked, would I? And besides, I don't think the authorities would find it acceptable," he set the little raven down. "Especially when I'm taking care of a minor."

O.o.O

That night was an odd night for Ritsuka. He tossed and turned on his bed, but found no remedy for his insomnia. Finally, he let up and stood from the bed, taking a look around at his new house. It was cozy enough for 2 people, and since the Zeros snuck out at night, it wasn't too crowded. The kitchen was of good size. Ritsuka blushed as he imagined himself cooking for Soubi. Shaking the thoughts out of his head, he made his way silently to Soubi's room.

He silently trotted along once he reached said room, but the darkness bothered him. Not only did it hurt each time he stepped, but he couldn't see where he was stepping. On cue, he stepped on some sort of bowl and tumbled towards Soubi's bed, but managed to stop himself as soon as he reached the edge of the bed. Clutching the covers, Ritsuka's head hovered the blonde's own. The boy took in a sharp intake of breath by the surprise and pain that wracked his body. "N-Ngh." The purple-eyed Sacrifice sighed once Soubi stirred slightly and fell back asleep quickly, and so he managed to hold in his yelp, and finally settled down. He straightened his posture and began to mumble softly, "Soubi… I don't know how to tell you this. .. but… after all this time.. I've never thanked you properly for all you've done for me.." Ritsuka stared at the sleeping figure. "What a caitiff I am, right? … hiding, and only being able to tell you this now.. while you're asleep… I'm sorry, Soubi. I .. I have to learn to be as bold and brave as you… I-ACK!"

Soubi had managed to pull Ritsuka down on the bed without hurting him, but swiftly enough to scare the boy.

"S-Soubi! I thought you were asleep!" at that moment, Ritsuka's cheeks were set on fire. "You weren't were you?"

The blonde hummed negatively.

"… so then you heard me?"

The blonde hummed a yes.

"…y-you're … you're not gonna let me go, are you?"

A tense silence followed in part of the blonde.