☠  “Of course not.”  Umehito replied leaning forward and hugging him tightly, as tightly as he could. Pale fingers would brush aside the red hair he admired so much and he smiled. “Who would ever dare to make fun of you, you’re perfect. A curse lay upon those who speak ill of you.”  He meant it sincerely, of course. Nobody would harm him, not so long as he was around. Weak as he may be, he wasn’t without his ways of making sure his loved ones were protected to some degree. 

In comparison, Ritsu seemed so strong to him, even more so that he was willing to stay by his side through the hospital visits, as frequent as they were. They had even had to cancel a vacation to Russia to his family because of his health problems and he always felt like a burden on his family. “Would you stay the night?” 

---“  I MISS YOU ” TEXTS.

☠ Umehito smiled and pressed his forehead against Ritsu’s forehead. Even in this state, in a hospital, no affection was held back between the two of them. He didn’t feel exposed around Ritsu, as he usually did without his wig and cloak. Like this, with Ritsu, he felt comfortable, complete and whole. “ I will hold you to your word then and we’ll find a way to get you into the same college I plan to go to as well.”  Thinking about a future with him, maybe they were too young to imagine it but, it was nice. A nice thought. There was more in store for him than a life of frequent hospital visits. There was Ritsu. 

It amazed him, how much the other adored him even when he looked rather ragged hooked up to an IV and monitor. Eyebags clear as day and not hidden, he was so pale against any color he wore, yellow made him look even more sickly as a result.   The blonde laughed a little trying not to cackle has he usually did.  “I am so surprised people find you intimidating at all, you’re not. “ 

   ❝ You mak’n fun of me ? ❞  ---  He wasn’t ACTUALLY mad, of course, even with his brows furrowed, making an angry face. Continuing to press his forehead against the blondes and scrunching up his nose. Absolutely not, there was NOTHING to make fun of & Nekozawa was sweet, he would never do such a thing on purpose or on accident --- for that matter. Of course he WASN’T trying to be intimidating ever in his life, though it was from his background, how he grew up, & his face.  His stupid so called intimidating face.  

“Bonjour..” Tamaki’s smile was soft as he glanced over at Kasanoda. He of course he hadn’t realized that that the other was in the room with him, in all honestly Tamaki had been lost in thought and just singing the first song that came to his head. It was one of those days where he so desperately missed his home country.. not that he would willingly admit that.

“It truly is a beautiful language.. but perhaps I’m bias.” Tamaki switched back to Japanese, though he couldn’t fully get the saddened tone out of his voice. He moved closer to Kasanoda, finding himself rather glad that he had a little bit of company.

“What brings you by? I don’t believe Haruhi has already gone home for the day.”

              ❝  Uh  --- no, I was just walking by ( --- though, that is one of the MAIN reasons why he ever came by the music room anymore but it was nice that the host club treated him as if he had been part of the family for some time. ) & HAPPENED to hear you singing, it was really nice.  ❞   SOMETHING about the King kind made him uneasy, not because he was a bad guy or anything but he really wasn’t up to the host’s expectations. As Tamaki had made it clear in the past, his demeaner could SOUR whatever the host club represented. Not that he was part of the club but maybe even COMMUNICATING with them daily would put a bad spot light on them somehow. ( which would NEVER happen. ) 

   Agonizingly  EMBARASSED  at  how  she  reacted ,  a  blush  begins  to  form  on  pale  cheeks ;  his  returning  of  her  apology  leaving  Carolynn  PERPLEXED .  Echoing  of  the  same  words  that  had  left  her  mouth  only  moments  ago  disproves  every  unintentionally  made  ASSUMPTION  that  had  formed  while  observing  him ;  GUILT  like  bile  that  burned  her  throat  as  she  attempts  to  SWALLOW  IT ,  but  fails .

  ❝  You’re  …  apologizing  to  ME ??  ❞  

CANDLE SMOKE

KEY WORDS: self-assured, courageous, intuitive. you are an expert at overcoming your demons and should be proud of how brave you have consistently shown yourself to be. others are amazed by your perseverance, strong personality, and unapologetic uniqueness.

☠ Staring at the blood in his hand. The blood he just coughed up. 

   Surprised  by  being  CAUGHT ,  she  can’t  help  but  FLINCH  at  his  inquiry –  the  answer  &  truth  obvious  whether  she  lie  or  not .

   ❝  I - I’m  sorry !!  ❞  she  stutters .