A/N: Alternative ending in which Eijun doesn't die, as per wished for by hayaku14 on tumblr (and probably some others as well - I'm so sorry for making you suffer)

No one stops Kazuya from unzipping the bag enough to uncover what it hides. He experiences it as if underwater, the steady roaring of the rain so monotone it dampens all other sound until he can fool himself into believing the world is silent.

There are no loud sirens, no flashing lights. Kazuya isn't afraid, his heart isn't racing like crazy and his breathing isn't the only thing he can hear. He doesn't have to be afraid.

There's nothing to be afraid of because this isn't Eijun. It's impossible.

A vision of him flashes across Kazuya's mind, a grin as bright and warm as the sun, of laughter just as warm. Of lazy Sunday mornings and sleepy kisses, of whispered confessions in the middle of the night. Of brilliant smiles, flashing white across the diamond.

Of life.

The edges of the bag crumple inward as soon as the zipper doesn't hold them together anymore, the water beating down on it heavily and not doing much to reveal the body inside.

"Kazuya?"

He freezes, shocked, even though he feels warm, infinite relief spreading through him at the familiar voice. When he turns, he almost slips in his haste.

There, sitting inside the ambulance car, is Eijun.

Wonderfully alive, breathing, idiotic, stupid Eijun.

"You – "

Kazuya can't even finish his sentence before an involuntary sob forces its way out of his throat. He quickly raises a hand to cover his face, stumbling over to Eijun who grins at him a little unsteadily, who has a few scrapes and bruises but nothing else, who is miraculously unharmed. He receives Kazuya with open arms, embracing him tightly, as he buries his face in his neck. The skin is cold and wet from the rain but underneath it all he is so, so warm.

"You moron." Kazuya sobs into him, clutching him even tighter. "Don't – don't ever – I thought you were –"

"Shh, shh. I know. I'm sorry. I – I didn't want you to worry."

Eijun pulls back from Kazuya a bit, cupping his face in his hands as he uses his thumbs to wipe away tears. He smiles crookedly, eyes just a bit unfocused.

"Guess I did a pretty bad job of that, didn't I?"

"Do I even need to answer that." Kazuya tries to sound deadpan but the effect is ruined by the relief now shining through his eyes and slowly emerging smile, in addition to the wobble in his voice. Eijun laughs a little and at hearing that sound, a sound Kazuya thought he'd never hear again, he impulsively hugs him again.

Eijun makes another sound, something a lot like a wince, and Kazuya is away from him faster than he knows he moved.

"Are you hurt? You said you didn't get hurt!" he exclaims, holding him at arm length as he looks him up and down. His gaze wanders up to his head where Eijun has raised a hand to. Kazuya narrows his eyes at him as Eijun gives him an unconvincing smile.

"They said it's a cunca-conch-conscue-"

It's painful to watch Eijun try to concentrate to form the proper word. His face scrunches up in the most bizarre way and his eyes are more unfocused than ever.

Kazuya almost rolls his eyes. He does give the adorable idiot an exasperated, but fond look.

"You mean concussion?"

Eijun lights up, nodding enthusiastically before stopping abruptly again, giving another painful wince.

Normally, Kazuya would resort to physical displays of irritation with him, like slapping him on the head or a punch to the shoulder, but since Eijun is already in pain, he doesn't. He can still do that later, once he has recovered.

Later.

The thought once more has immeasurable relief welling up inside Kazuya.

There will be time.

Kazuya supports Eijun on the way to the car after being given the clear from the ambulance staff, already slipping back into familiar banter. By the time they reach it and Kazuya helps strap Eijun in securely, insults, heated words and smirks have already been exchanged.

Kazuya can't help glancing over at the body bag before he gets into the car.

The relief he feels is still there but there is now a gnawing sensation underneath. He can't express how thankful he is that it wasn't Eijun after all, but –

He wonders.

What if it had been him?