The streets were crowded with people moving at their own pace towards their destination, not having time to even glance a second time at their surroundings.

The occasional honkings of vehicles dominated the babbles of the people. 

Alongside the streets, the skyscrapers proudly competed with each other while their larger's shadow engulfed the ground. 

And in one of those buildings there sat a boy, staring outside from his window but none of the details noticed by him, as he was in his d with a small smile clinging on his lips. 

The room was lighted dim but it was enough to make out the creamy pastel colours on the walls and the furniture which perfectly complimented the features of the room. 

"Aito, you will get cold close the window."

The red-haired turned his head when he heard his name. His smile, still visible. 

"Itsuki, he said he forgives me."

His tone had the excitement of a child who just got their favourite toy. 

"Yes. I am happy for you now, close the window and come here." 

He complied with his friend's request and closed the window, drawing in the curtains; blocking even the smallest ray of light that was sneakily seeping inside the room, he walked towards his bed and sat on the edge. 

"What is it?" 

"Here, take your medicines." 

Aito stared at the white round substance, his face scrunched up in reflex. 

"Can I not?" 

He mumbled, staring down at his feet. 

"Aito, baby come on. You promised you would if I let you out of the hospital." 

Aito blushed at the nickname. It was Itsuki's habit to call him baby ever since they were children.

"But Sato said he forgives me, I don't have any reasons." 

"This is not for Sato-san but you. Come on don't act like a child." 

"I don't want to! The reason why I kept going on is now no more. Please let me be."

Aito protested with all his might. 

"Then what about me?!" 

Itsuki roared. Aito flinched at the intensity of his voice, it was the first time he had ever heard Itsuki raise his voice in front of him. He was scary. 

Looking at the scared Aito, Itsuki regained his composure and pulled him closer. 

"I am sorry. I am sorry for making you scared. I shouldn't have raised my voice. It's just that I can't control myself when you think of yourself as worthless. I am no better either. I am sorry for scaring you but please don't go away. All these years I have been disguising my feelings for you as a friend, so please don't even think about yourself as someone with no meaning as you mean the world to me." 

Aito was left speechless. He didn't know his best friend since childhood was harbouring these deep feelings for him, he couldn't even have imagined.

Itsuki gulped his saliva, he couldn't believe he had had just had set on ng his feelings till the end and kept being on Aito's side but hearing such cynical thoughts from him, he couldn't bear it at all. 

"I get it if you are repulsed by my feelings and disgusted by my hidden side. If you say you don't want to see me ever, I will never come in front of you again but please, live. Try to smile and live on, don't say such things as you don't matter. You are one of the precious beans out there and I love you." 

Itsuki was on the verge of tears and so was Aito. Just when Itsuki was going to leave the room, wanting to give Aito some time, the latter grabbed his wrist and looked up at him with tears on the brim of his eyes. 

"I am sorry, Itsu- 

"It's okay. I understand." Itsuki grabbed Aito's hand with his other free hand and tried to push it away only to be held tighter by Aito. 

"I haven't finished myself yet. Listen to me first." 

Itsuki nodded with a small smile, motioning Aito to continue. 

"I am sorry that I didn't notice it before. I am sorry for making it hard for you. Are you okay with loving a person like me? I don't deserve you." 

Itsuki hugged Aito. 

"What do you mean you don't deserve me? Who said that? I love you and I will love you forever."

Itsuki looked at Aito, his eyes holding nothing but love and affection for the latter.

"I can't say what, my feelings towards you are the same but if I had to choose between friendship and love, I would choose the latter." 

Tears fell from Itsuki's eyes like a waterfall as soon as he heard those words from Aito. It means he still had a chance right? It is not as hopeless as it seems right? 

"I promise, I will do my best to keep you happy." 

They spend time in each other's arms. 

"Aito."

Itsuki called out, no response. 

"Aito?" 

Again, no response. 

It was only after he pulled away and looked at Aito, Itsuki realised he fell asleep. 

The latter chuckled to himself. 

"Still like a child." 

He tucked Aito in the bed, kissing his forehead and snuggling closer to him. 

*bzzt* *bzzt* 

Itsuki looked at the caller Id, it was from his guard, he knew where this was gonna go. With a sigh, he picked it up. 

"Hello." He said in a monotonous voice. It was as if he was a different person.

"Sir, a man is asking to meet you. He identified himself as Shimuzu-san's father." 

The guard informed him. He scrunched up his nose as he heard that. 

"Aito doesn't have a father and never let that man inside this building premises again." 

"Okay, sir." 

The phone got cut off. 

Itsuki looked over at the peaceful sleeping face of Aito. His once displeased expression relaxed. He scooted closer to the latter and wrapped his arms around him. 

"Sleep well, mi amor. I will never allow any unpleasant things in your life, ever again." 

He whispered before falling asleep beside him.