It's dumb, definitely dumb, but Aira wants out of this stupid hospital bed. His first attempt got the nurses running, having failed to realize that he was in his normal living body now--and that's nice, sure, he can feel his heart and he breathes of necessity rather than habit, but it's also frustrating because--
Aira sits up a little too fast as the door opens and clicks shut almost silently, but his dizziness is easily ignored. Lavender eyes meet his and the utter relief is so strong, his own well up on the spot.
"Kohakucchi," he calls hoarsely.
"Aira-han." Kohaku stumbles to the bed, all but collapsing next to him.
Aira reaches out to cup his cheeks and Kohaku does the same. For a good minute, they just stare at each other, drinking one another in, and the warmth emanating from both of their bodies. Affection floods into him, reflected in Kohaku's eyes, and he can scarcely believe he ever lost this feeling. It's deep, almost overwhelming in its intensity. For a whole week, he looked at Kohaku and felt only admiration and respect. This--this is new, yet not. It slots right in, as though it was always meant to be here.
"I love you," Aira breathes, because he can't not. He needs Kohaku to know what he couldn't tell him all week, because he himself didn't know until now. Didn't know until he woke up and his entry fee was returned to him, and all that it entailed.
Kohaku's eyes go wide, but he doesn't look too surprised. He's smart; he must have figured out what he gave. "I love you too," he returns in a whisper, thumbs rubbing Aira's cheeks and wiping the tears he barely noticed. "Me too, but, Aira-han, I have to go."
His heart drops into his stomach. "What?"
"My family--"
Oh.
"--they're bringing me back, back home for the rest of my recovery. They couldn't just move me before, but now that I'm awake--"
"Okay," Aira says. "Okay, I understand." He doesn't really understand Kohaku's situation, but he knows he can't fight his family. He closes his eyes, slides his hands down to wrap his arms around his neck in a hug. Kohaku's hands drop around his waist and he hears him inhale deeply, exhale shakily.
"Stay in contact, okay?" Aira murmurs. "Let me give you my number--oh, and my online handles. I want... After everything, we should--"
Kohaku nods, face pressed to the junction between Aira's neck and shoulder. "Yeah, we should."
They indulge in the hug for another minute, then painstakingly peel away so Aira can write his number and other contact information for him. Then, another fleeting hug, unable to help themselves, before Kohaku whisks away, back to his own room, as silent as his entrance. Aira stares longingly at the closed door, hoping the warmth in his hands doesn't fade too soon.