Taylor hasn't slept since that call. His anxiety had taken over and his mind wouldn't let him rest. His body felt like it should be doing something about it, but common sense told him there was nothing he could do. So he could only walk back and forth anxiously. He couldn't even exercise to burn the energy away, because it never crossed his mind.

But with his mind strained and his logic losing focus, he knew that this was nothing in comparison to what Daryl was going through.

Taylor had immediately bought a new phone so that he could wait for the good news; as for the bad news, Taylor didn't even want to think about it.

…

…

Two weeks later…

…

…

***BRRRING***

***BBRRRRRINGGG***

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“Hello?” Taylor says after answering the call. “Charles? What is it? What happened?” Taylor asks, his voice tired and his mind heavy.

“He pulled through. Your buddy's a Knight now. Congratulations.” Charles says with a light chuckle.

“Fuck. Thank god.” Taylor says with a sigh of relief. “Thanks for the update, Charles. I owe you one.” Taylor says before immediately hanging up. He had to get some rest.

...

…

After Taylor got up, he didn't call Daryl. Taylor had basically thrown his best friend to the wolves and told him it was okay. If anyone else told Daryl to make the leap, he wouldn't have listened to them. But it was Taylor who told him; it was his best friend who told him. So he did what was natural, he took the leap.

And because of that his life, mind, and soul, were all put in danger. He had to live several weeks while barely hanging on for control and he wasn’t able to rest. Every second was a battle against his animal instincts. And every time he fucked up his control would drop and his emotions would crash. But if he let go or gave up, his mind would only crash deeper into the the abyss; so he had to use whatever imaginary or non-existent power he could just to take a step higher. Then higher. Then higher. Then overconfidence would find him and he would have to play that game all over again. And through this whole ordeal, people were watching; he was naked in every sense of the word, and just the intention of his body movements were seen through and judged. He felt like a lab rat being tested, to see if it deserved to live.

Fortunately Daryl won this fight. It's unknown whether his parents should be credited, or his friends, or whether his own heart naturally knew the way, but one thing's for certain, whatever lead up to him passing through that wall of flames unharmed, was a blessing.

As for his relationship with Taylor… It needed a moment. Daryl didn't know if he should hate Taylor or thank him. On one hand, he wouldn't have to go through that terrifying ordeal if Taylor didn't say anything, and on the other, he would have never been able to become a Vampire Knight if he hadn't made the leap. But the trust between them had been tested, and Taylor had faltered in his care. Taylor's confidence in his understanding almost killed his best friend. And that… that would take a moment to heal…