Darcel and Lucius no longer exchanged any words, silently walking back to Alexis's room. Lucius cautiously knocked on the door, "Lex, are you asleep yet?", opening it when he heard no response. Alexis was in the middle of changing when they entered, hastening his movements. He avoided their eyes, quietly ushering them to change as well. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired." There was slight indifference in his tone, quickly shuffling away.

Lucius frowned at his words, casting a glance towards Darcel who also noticed his strange behaviour. "Lu, you go wash up. I'll help him." Lucius nodded, disappearing to the bathroom. Darcel grabbed Alexis's hand, pulling him towards the bed, laying down side by side.

He was about to sit up when Darcel gently pressed him down, "Darc, what are you trying to do?" Although he wasn't in the mood to deal with them, they were still his friends so the very least he could do was listen to them.

"Does your body still hurt?"

Alexis hummed in agreement. Darcel reached over to turn him onto his stomach, "Stop. Let's just talk okay?" Darcel paused, only reluctantly retrieving his hand when Alexis flashed him a small smile, "Just let me hold you."

Darcel laid Alexis's head on his arm, wrapping it around his shoulder. His head was in the perfect position for a loving kiss on the forehead. Alexis shuffled in discomfort, his body heat causing Alexis's face to flush. His mind drifted back to his father's words and the conversation he had with Violetta. Even if they were friends, why was he getting so flustered over this? It's just a hug, yes, just a hug... No! This isn't right, none of them had an engaged partner. Even worse, why is his heart beating so quickly, why are his hands slowly getting clammy, why was he even thinking about Darcel in such a way?!

Alexis's mind continued to spiral, ignorant of the gentle caresses and loving gaze Darcel was directing at him. "What's got you so flustered? Is it something we can talk about?" Darcel loosen his hair ribbon, letting his raven hair spread on the sheets, "Even if you can't say it now, we'll... No. I'll wait until you're ready."

Alexis snapped out of his daze, noticing something off with his mood. Subconsciously forgetting about his own worries, he reached out to timidly touch his cheek, "Darc... is there something wrong?" He gazed into his eyes that were usually filled with a fiery and strong light, which was now replaced with a look full of longing. But longing for what? Or perhaps someone? Alexis didn't know the emotion he currently felt but there was a dull ache in his chest, seeing Darcel so detached with a melancholic yearning in his eyes. Darcel closed his eyes, leaning into his hand and letting Alexis shyly trace the corner of his eyes, "Is there something I can do to help you?"

Darcel slowly fluttered his eyes open, peering into Alexis's gentle, concerned eyes. "No, nothing is wrong. Just stay here, in my arms where I know you won't disappear." He squeezed his eyes tight, firmly embracing Alexis in his arm. He wished that he would never leave and disappear. Darcel wished time would stop, to always let him bathe in his presence. "I love you so much Shin. I want to reverse time to stay with you forever." He mumbled into Alexis's shoulder, only God knew how much he was willing to sacrifice to save him.

Alexis felt like it wasn't the right time to bring up their engagement, allowing him to continue hugging. "Darc, I won't ask or say much but we'll get through it together, okay? Don't forget about me too. I want to protect you too. I'm not someone who always needs protection, I want to stand side by side with you and Lucius. And even if you think that I'm being selfish, I won't listen to you. I want to be a person you can lean on, a person who never leaves you no matter what."

"And to make that happen, you have to let me stay with you. I care about you and even if you think that as long as you can protect me, even if you get hurt, everything would be okay. But it wouldn't be because I don't want to see you hurt either. And if you think that I am overstepping my boundaries, it's just because I wouldn't know what to do if someone I loved was to suddenly disappear from my life."

There was a subtle shuffle from him, Alexis hugged him tighter, "Darcel, I know that I am able to rely on you when I'm going through tough times and I would like you to feel the same way, that I can be someone you can trust and lean on. I know I sound like I'm a broken record but how else can I tell you?"

"This time, let's solve our problems together."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

This time, he will be the person they can lean on. He realised his small mistake, having always to rely on both Aikawa Ren and Miyamoto Haru. Shin couldn't let them carry their burden alone.

Alexis gave him a smile, one that he hoped could convey his sincerity, one that told him even if he was insecure or felt hopeless, Alexis would always be by his side regardless. Darcel lifted his head, his eyes filled with their bright and gentle smile. He reached out for his hand, naturally interlocking, "Of course. I would never forget our promise." Nor would I forget the promise I made to myself.

Alexis was glad he was in a better mood, leaving them in a comfortable silence, before deciding to change the subject, "You know, sometimes I wonder, have we ever crossed the line of being just friends? Especially in a world that could accept us being together, wouldn't people start to believe that we have something going on?" He made a passing comment about his concerns, expecting a rejection from him. But when he thought of that, his eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't mind if they misunderstand."

"..."

What? This was not what he expected. He suddenly turned to face him, their hands loosening in grip before Darcel pulled him closer. "Are you sure about that Darc? I mean, wouldn't you find it bothersome when you become engaged with someone?" His chest felt lighter when Darcel had replied; there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Was he feeling relieved? And happy? Because Darcel had implied something? But what if he misspoke and wasn't serious about it?

"Darc, did you know what you just said?" He stared into his ruby eyes in disbelief, there was no way he meant what he said, right? He glanced at their interlocked fingers, trying to shake off his grip.

"I know what I said and I mean it. I have no reason to lie." After all, this is my second chance.

"What? Don't you get what I'm trying to say?"

"I do."

"No, no you don't. I'm saying this wrong! Friends don't hold hands and hug each other all the time." Alexis accusingly glared at Darcel.

"And what's the problem with that?"

"..."

He was speechless, "Stop worrying too much. Let's just enjoy being together." Darcel pulled Alexis towards him, resting him on his chest.

Alexis was in denial, this was a serious topic! "Stop joking around Darc! I'm being serious here!"

"And so am I."

"No you're no-"

Alexis felt something soft touch his lips, light like a feather: a short fleeting moment. "Da-Darc?" He unconsciously touched his lips, his eyes wide open in surprise, staring at the culprit.

"I'm being serious with you. Why would I joke about something like this?" He leaned in again, stealing another kiss, holding the back of his head. This time, Alexis could feel the deep love and affection that was carried in the kiss as well as the hidden desires locked away in his heart. Alexis wanted to pull away but was being held still by his iron grip, "Darc...!"

Darcel teasingly licked his bottom lip before pulling back. He stared triumphantly at Alexis, "What's with your expression?" He gently caressed his cheek, "Were you expecting more?" Alexis flushed in embarrassment, he could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ear. He peered into Darcel's eyes, before shyly looking away, feeling disappointed.

Disappointed? No, he should be relieved that he pulled back, not wanting more. After all, it wasn't like they were together or anything. Together? Why was he even thinking about the possibility of them being together?

His mind went into overdrive as he tried to reason out his feelings, "A simple kiss is enough for you to become like this. What happened to the person who was happily playing around with us earlier?" Darcel sat up, turning Alexis to face him, "But that's what I like about you anyways. I like how you're able to tease and have fun with me. I like how even though we may bicker every now and then, you still care about me just as much as I care about you. And that makes me really happy."

"And I'm not asking you to respond to me, I just want you to know how important you are to me. I have all the time in the world for you to see me as a partner." And for you to become mine.

Alexis flusteredly retorted, "Of course you would be important to me and who said I would see you as a partner in the future? You're making it sound like you just confessed your feelings to me."

"Pfft..." Darcel broke out in laughter, even after he had said all that, the one person he wanted couldn't even recognise his feelings. Well, it's not bad being about to continue staying with them, trying to slowly change their friendship into something else. "Maybe I am. Whether or not you realise it is up to you. But I do hope that eventually, you will fall for me the same way I fell for you." Darcel placed a kiss on the corner of his eye, causing him to close his eyes and feel the gentle touch of his lips. He wrapped his arms around his waist, resting comfortably on them. Ah, how perfect is the person in his arms now? It was like he was tailor-made for him.

Alexis peeked at him, "Kissing isn't something friends simply do to each other Darc."

"Then maybe it wasn't a kiss between friends." He stared at his pink lips again, wanting to steal another one. It was hard to resist the temptation when he was right in front of him, in his arms, looking so adorable and precious.

This is something that should be done between lovers... Lovers?!

Alexis flushed after realizing his meaning, feeling a little ecstatic from his words, "Have a think about how you feel." Because I would love it if you were mine and I was yours. "And if after all that, you chose someone else, it wouldn't matter." Darcel gently brought their heads together, "Because I will always choose you no matter what."