A Second Chance

[Aki]

This place had become so familiar to him. Almost more familiar than his own apartment. More familiar than the school at which he now worked instead of attending. More familiar in this tiny, cleanly little room. The curtains pulled around them in a space that wasn't even completely theirs. And in the middle of this tiny space, the only person that had ever understood him, the only person that had helped him through some of the most troubling times of his otherwise pointless little life. Amos Vang. His significant other.

Today was like every other day. Akira had finished his day at the school and hurried over to the hospital. The staff all knew him by name, though many pitied him. Others tried to talk him into pulling the plug, but he simply couldn't do it. He had hope. Amos had to wake up sometime. Even if he had to work multiple jobs for the rest of his life to pay the bills, he was never going to give up that hope. He entered the room, and pulled up the tiny recliner next to the bed. He smiled softly and gripped the hand of his beloved Amos. "I brought my violin today. I thought maybe I could play you something." He smiled again and began unzipping his case.

The instrument itself was pretty beat up, knicked and scratched, but obviously cared for. The strings and bow were fairly new, and it was still well polished. He began to play something soft, and soothing, the gentle melody carrying across the room. Some of the nurses stopped what they were doing and listened for a moment. They let him play in their ward because they figured the music was good for the other coma patients, and something about the melodies that he played was calming. Some of them called it the calmest moment of their day, though not many of them could place it.

After a little while he finished with his songs and put the violin back. From there he took out a book and began to read from it. One he had obviously read from many times before. The spine was well worn, and some of the pages were frayed. But everyday he kept up this routine, hoping that maybe it would help.

Once he was finished with the chapter, he closed the book and lay his head on the bed next to the other's hand. Tears welled up in his eyes, but a small smile crossed his face. He could feel him there. He knew he had to still be in there, fighting for his consciousness. Slowly he fell asleep like that, like he had every night. And in the morning he would go to his secondary job. His weekend job. And then he would return, and as much as he wanted it to be different, he knew it probably wouldn't be. But he was prepared to spend the rest of his life in this routine. But for now he slept, dreaming of the days when everything was simpler, and Amos was by his side.

[Amos Vang]

There was the soothing sound of the violin, small shimmers of color and light created soft patterns to the steady hum. The faintest echoes of a flute, something not there but merely memory came to him. What sort of memory though, and to what sort of person? The vague thought of familiarity with this music, as though it had been played for him over and over again. The boy wanted to get up, but something seemed disjointed. His mind from his body, and he was still so tired. So very tired. To that sound his mind drifted again, back into a dreamless sleep.

Time passed, and something warm on his hand brought him to again. Fingers finally moved, ever so slightly, toward something warm and soft. Silky strands fell against his skin, in and out of the fingers on his hand. Something prickling against his skin, embedded into his arm. A needle. The beeping of a monitor to the side came to his senses. The dull ache of muscles not having moved for a long time. Slowly a sigh escaped the white haired boy, and questions started surfacing in his confused mind. A part of his personality told him to be quite. To think. Emotions out of control where the most dangerous weapons. Though he wasn't sure why that was. Not a single part of his past came to mind.

[Aki]

A smile crossed his face as an automatic response to the fingers running through his hair. It was almost like a very good dream, Amos stroking his hair like that, just like he used to. A soft, happy, sigh left his lips as he slowly blinked awake. "Amos..." He whispered. And then it hit him. Hard. Those fingers weren't a part of any dream. They were really moving in his hair! He bolted up into a sitting position, "Amos!" He nearly screamed in, what was it, shock? Excitement? Both perhaps? His powers slipped as the unexpected had finally happened. Sadness, ecstasy, shock, but most of all, uncondition love, relief, and pure happiness, they flooded the room, and before he could stop it, he knew it affected everyone, as the heads of everyone turned towards the exclamation. He shook his head, fought back his tears and pulled himself together. "You're finally awake..." He whispered, a rather embarassed blush creeping up into his cheeks. He had just made a rather terrible mistake in a place that he really shouldn't have, but dammnit was he happy. And part of him didn't care if everyone suddenly knew that he wasn't quite normal. His lover had finally returned to him.

Doctors and nurses began to come into the small space, asking Amos routine questions, how he felt, what he could remember, telling him that he had been in a coma for a year, checking his vitals, things that doctors did. Akira paced very anxiously behind them, trying his hardest to stay out of their way, but wanting to hear and know everything that they were saying and doing. After all, this was a day he had been waiting for for a very very long time.

[Amos Vang]

Absent mindedly his fingers fumbled through Akira's hair, generally just letting his mind catch up with what was happening. In some semblance of thought at least. That groggy feeling of having just woken up filled him, though he was certain he should open his eyes and get up. There was a shift under his fingers, and some name that should have sounded familiar to him. The voice was what caught his attention though, he'd heard that voice many times before. Some how. Some where. The sudden burst of sound made him flinch and groan, his heart thumped hard in his chest and there was joy. “So loud” he said with a smile, eyes opening slightly before shutting slightly. His arms thrown over his eye lids. “And bright!” Some sort of color, or mixture of colors really, seemed to hover around the person at his bed side.

Colors hovered over everyone. Around them in some sort of aura, some with shifting colors. It was strange, but he figured he'd keep quiet about it for now. “His voice.” Amos nodded in the direction of Akira when asked what he could remember. “And someone playing music. That's about it.” Picking out his own name he tried his best to remember it. Memorizing the names of those near him, he smiled easily, letting his cheeks and eyes become included so it looked natural. Though there was more confusion and fear than anything else. Some small amount of disgust every time someone touched him. Still he allowed these people to check over him. “If you don't mind, my legs are feeling a bit cramped. I guess from a year of not being used, haha. Mind if I have a look around?” He wanted to get away from them. The colors. The useless chatter.

[Aki]

Akira still paced nervously in the background. He kept a watchful eye on Amos as he answered their questions. He felt the fear and the disgust hit him and he wanted nothing more than to shove all of the doctors away, but he knew he couldn't do that. Soon though, they seemed to take the hint and, once he was cleared to do so, and disconnected from the things keeping him alive, they helped him to his feet. Akira insisted that he could handle watching him, and the nurse smiled and let him do just that.

There was so much that he wanted to say, so much that he wanted to ask, and more than anything he wanted so badly just to be alone with him, to cuddle up to him, to kiss him, and welcome him home. But he wasn't home. He was confused, and frightened, and no amount of pushing was going to change that. He knew he had to be patient, and hopefully in time some of his memories would return. "There's a quiet place not far from here we could go to..." Akira's voice was quiet, almost shy. He realized it had been a very long time since he had actually had to wait for a response from the other male. "It's kind of like a courtyard. If being outside would be acceptable anyways..." Nevermind the fact that it was late at night or anything. He just felt that maybe being outside would be a little less suffocating than in the hallways of the hospital.

[Amos Vang]

It was disconcerting, everyone seemed to know more about him than he did. Even this place he was at, with it's white walls and tidy instruments had a feeling of foreboding about it. The light around the boy was softer, more pleasant than the others. It was a pastel yellow green type color, and a faint orange fluttered in and out of the strange aura. What the colors meant seemed to knock at the back of his head, like a headache. It was useless to try and force it. His mind would work on it at it's leisure as he focused on other thing, and the epiphany would come informing him of what it had dug up.

Long hair tickled his neck, along with the stare of blue eyes trained on him. Watching almost as if he would disappear. “That would be helpful. Thanks.” Looking at his own hands, porcelain like a dolls. His hair, at least what he could see of it, was white. Albino was the word that came to mind. Of course those kinds of questions his mind would answer for him immediately. He found himself to be an impatient person, though he knew patience had a tremendous value. For now he had to force himself. Staying calm would be the safest route, and learning new information would help him get out of this predicament the quickest. For now the person walking with him seemed to be the one most knowledgeable about him.

“You're Akira de'Enguarde? The one who checked me into this hospital and is signed for my bills?” The doctors hadn't discussed it, but it have been on one of the pages they flipped through. It seemed he could remember things by seeing it only once, though he didn't know what would be described as normal just yet.

[Aki]

His name. It was such a simple little thing, but coming from Amos' lips it was the most pleasant thing that could've happened. He just wished there had been some sort of recognition behind it, anything that made it seem like Amos would remember him. But the other remained a bit distant. Patience. Yes. That patience word came up in his mind too. After all, Amos seemed to barely know who he was himself, let alone recognizing Akira. "That's right..." His voice almost drifted off as they rounded a corner. He knew he had to have seen it somewhere, Amos always had had a good memory for those sorts of things. "You're name is Amos Vang. And this.... This is where I found you...." He wanted so much to tell him everything, but he wasn't sure if he should actually do that or not. He almost felt guilty about knowing so much while the other knew so little. "I can tell you whatever you wish to know... Whenever you're ready of course."

They reached the courtyard, and Akira held the door open for him. It was brisk outside in the night air, probably late summer or early fall. The leaves on the tree in the middle were starting to change color. There were benches off to the side, and a fountain opposite the tree. It wasn't a large area, but it seemed to be for rehabilitation. It was nice and quiet at this time of night. The moon shone up above, just below full. It shone wonderfully off of Amos' pale skin and hair. Akira admired him for a moment, and then shook his head. He knew about Amos' ability to read feelings, and he didn't want to push him too hard into anything. After all, he knew how horrible that could be sometimes. He wandered over to one of the benches and took a seat, just watching and waiting for whatever his lover was going to do. He had to resist his urges. He had to let Amos be, and he knew it, but it was so very hard for him.

[Amos Vang]

Fresh air. Amos took a deep heavy breath of it, letting it fill his lungs and clear his tortured mind. Looking up at the tree, there were animals settling down to sleep for the night. Hiding from the night hunters as best they could. Animals where so much better than humans, that was something he could feel. Just looking at most of them sent up a shield, signals saying those humans couldn't be trusted. Animals on the other hand brought peace, and a smile to his face. Lacing his fingers together Amos stretched his arms up over his head. The multiple cracks and pops as his bones ached from lack of motion for so long. Muscles seemed to strain under him, and his stomach seemed to yearn for sustenance more than what was just needed to survive. “How much have you paid for me so far? A year in a hospital, a private room. You were sleeping next to me, so you must work hard. Thank you.”

The white haired boy wasn't sure what to think of the other just yet. The wind blew hard all of a sudden, kicking leaves off the tree, and one or two stuck to his face. Plucking it up by it's stem he twirled it around, it's orange and green mixing together. Then it came to him. “Emotions.” his fingers held in place, and his muscles stiffened. The colorful aura's he'd seen where people emotions. They were literally the aura they were giving off. Hitting himself on the head with the leaf he smirked, mentally chastising himself about not thinking of it sooner.

[Aki]

Akira nodded. Three jobs to keep him comfortable. Three long, tiring jobs, and all of his spare time at the hospital. He wasn't really even sure how his apartment looked anymore, he just knew he paid to keep it the way it was. But he didn't let his exhaustion show. Not now. He was so full of life, for the first time in a year. His life meant something again. "Oh. It's... Nothing..." He wanted to add that it was worth it now that his lover was awake again. But he felt that might be a little..... weird. Everything he had done, was for this moment. It wasn't like he had imagined, but he had been told that amnesia was very likely.

He could remember that day like it was yesterday. The knock on his door, one that he had been dreading for weeks. Amos had gone on a job, and he hadn't come home. They had found him, almost dead, in an alley in a bad part of town. Akira had rushed to the hospital, but he was already in surgery. He paced and paced for hours, just waiting for a response. And when they told him that he was in a coma, and they weren't sure if he would ever come out, he almost fell apart, but he couldn't. He knew what his powers would do. He knew how much they would cause chaos. So he became numb. For months he continued that way. Numb. To everything. He visited Amos everyday, and everyday the pain grew worse and worse. Finally, he broke, tearing his apartment apart, all of his own things anyways. He took Amos' clothes and layed them on the bed, curled up with them, and didn't leave that way for days. But he knew he had to pull himself together, there were bills to pay, more now than ever before. So, for Amos, he worked hard. He pushed it all away and did his best.

And now.... Now he was finally there, within reach, and yet.... he was so far away.... And he had to keep it together, but every breath caught in his throat at every glance. Every touch, how he yearned so much for those pale fingers to just pull him close. But he had to keep it at bay. Amos needed that...

"Emotions..."

And that stupid grin he got everytime he felt stupid about something he should've known. It was so familiar.....

"Yeah. You... see them..." His voice was breaking. No. Inhale... Exhale... He could do this. "You are special that way." He smiled at Amos, gentle, warm, familiar. At least he hoped.

[Amos Vang]

He was forcing himself, it didn't take the ability to see emotions to be able to tell that much. Most likely this person was his closest family, how one might interpret that was beyond him. Blood relative, or perhaps someone who had become close over time. Both equally likely scenarios with the current information. Somehow though, he couldn't stand to see this Akira looking the way he did. With a sigh he made his way over to the bench, seating himself next to the boy. Not only his voice was familiar, but his scent. The feel of his hair had been soothing. It was very possible this was someone like a lover. They were both boys though, weren’t they? It wasn't impossible, just not the first thing that came to mind. Now it seemed to be a very obvious assumption. There was a few ways to get a quick answer. To touch him, or to ask him. He didn't know what that pale yellow color was, or the orange color. Though he knew the answers lay in his mind somewhere. “Do you love me? Is that what I'm seeing?”

Such a simple phrase, but something suddenly clicked inside of him. Amos wanted to be loved. To be held in the arms of someone who cared so deeply about him, and to care about them. He knew he had someone like that at some time, but it was difficult to figure out if this was supposed to be that person. His head throbbed, and his eyes closed in pain. Memories where such difficult things, and he almost had a hold of one. Trying to pry them out was painful. Letting them slip to the surface on their owe was probably going to be for the best.

[Aki]

Akira tensed up as Amos moved towards the bench. He could sense the confusion, the pondering. And then. The question. It caught him totally off guard. He blinked. "Uhh...." He could feel his cheeks starting to flush. This was, not quite what he had expected, but hey, it was at least going in the right direction. Then, suddenly, he felt the desperation. That need to feel loved, to feel wanted, a feeling he understood so very well. He noticed the other wince in pain. His head more than likely. "Maybe we should get you back inside. I'm sure they're going to want to keep you for observation, make sure everything's alright..." He mentally smacked himself for avoiding the very obvious question. He stood, and did something he never did for anyone else, ever. He reached his hand out to him, offering his assistance.

Touch... something Akira hated unless he trusted them with his life, which he did. He was genuinely concerned about how Amos was doing. "You shouldn't push it. Just... Let it happen I guess..." He didn't really know, He hadn't actually been prepared for Amos to ever wake up. And now that he had, it seemed.... different... than how he had imagined.

[Amos Vang]

Avoided the question. Perhaps he had been wrong, or he hadn't loved him back. Too many possible variations, and too much of a headache to go through the evidence again and try to figure it out. Letting his hand fall into Akira's he held tight and stood up. Legs where still a bit weak kneed, but that would get better with exercise. He hadn't liked even the smallest touch from the doctors, but this one he could sit next to and touch without feeling disgusted. That was something at least. “Yeah. It's just frustrating. Feeling as though the memories are at the tip of my brain.”

Most likely this person had worried over him for the entire year he was unconscious. Feeling indebted to someone was not a pleasant feeling, but he was kept alive. He was in good condition, and he at least had a chance to get money together himself to help pay back the money used on him. One way or other. Sometimes people would decline repayment, but he was sure he could figure a way around that. If nothing else he hoped he was of adequate intelligence for that. “Observation, and most likely to make sure I don't lapse back into a coma.” Even he didn't want such a thing to happen. He wanted to be out of this hospital as soon as possible.

[Aki]

Akira smiled a little at the touch on his hand. He so wanted to just to pull the other into a deep and passionate kiss, to proclaim his feelings for him and to whisk him away out of this place, but that was unrealistic. He felt the disappointment as the question had been avoided, maybe he should have just told him....? He would have to live with that one for awhile. The walk back to the room was almost too quiet. He knew he would be told to leave now that Amos was awake, so that the medical staff could do their job without him being in the way. But he never wanted to leave, he debated even calling into work in the morning. He was ready to stay up all night, just to watch Amos sleep, and to pray that that would be all it was, sleep. Just brief, restful sleep.

Once they made it back, that's exactly what happened. The doctors tried to shoo him away, so he did his best to meld into the shadows in the corner of the room. Humans were so pushy, he hated them, but he knew it was just their job. He tried to send small calming waves of energy to Amos, knowing he was uncomfortable with them poking and prodding. But it was so difficult when he himself was nervously fidgeting, hoping that everything was going to be okay....

They left after a short while, telling Amos to get some rest, and that sleep would be beneficial, despite his being in a coma for a year. Akira hated the idea of another night here. But soon he was pulled aside. If everything went well over the night, Amos would be released in the afternoon the next day. The joy and excitement he felt at that statement was almost more than he could bear. But he would have to tell him everything.... Absolutely... Everything...

[Amos Vang]

It was obviously going to have to happen, he'd have to go back to sleep at some point. Though he felt like he had already slept more than enough. He was a bit fatigued, his energy all bit gone. Lack of substantial nutrition he supposed, no food in his stomach and not much for fat on his bone to actually turn into energy. When he got out of her he'd get something to eat. He'd have to get a job. That was going to be a time and a half trying to get that put together. Most likely the doctors would give him a list of things he wasn't supposed to do for a period of time, which would obviously limit his jobs. Thoughts on how to press forward in living, instead of lingering on the hidden memories of his past, lead him into an uncomfortable sleep.

It took a few hours for him to settle, and stop waking up at every sound that happened in the ward around him. The nurses coming by to check on him. Security roaming the halls. Scattered chatter from staff members here and there about different patients. Sometimes he caught his own name, and the useless knowledge that he was attractive. Once he finally was tired enough, his body stopped trying to wake him up at every sound. Instead he fell into a nice deep slumber.

[Aki]

He was sleeping.... Akira didn't wish to disturb him, but he wasn't going to leave his side, not for a single minute. He curled up on the small recliner in the corner and just watched him. He watched him wake, and sleep, and wake, and sleep, and finally, it was deeper, calmer. Akira smiled, though worry and fear shook him to the core, although it was unlikely that he would lapse back into a coma, he couldn't be sure, and that was a horrible thought. It kept his troubled mind from sleeping most of the night...

He didn't remember the sun coming up, he didn't remember anyone coming in to check on Amos, but he knew they had to have because a tray of food was sitting empty next to his.... empty... bed. Akira sat bolt upright. Where had he gone? They wouldn't have released him, so he had to be somewhere. Then he noticed the bathroom door was closed. Perhaps he was taking a shower? Getting dressed? Were they going to finally send him home?

A doctor came in and handed him release papers. They had said... afternoon? The clock on the wall read 1:30. Holy crap. Had he really slept through both of his alarms? And... 7... missed... calls..... He wanted to smack his head against a table. But he would sort that out later, surely they wouldn't fire him once they heard the news. Hell, the school would give him time off, probably only because Kei liked him so damn much. He sighed happily and thanked the doctor, who smiled and congratulated him on his dreams finally coming true, making him flush a bit in embarrassment.

He decided to call Kei back and update him, and sure enough, he received a whole two weeks off. Generous. His other boss however was not so giving, but now that he wasn't going to have to pay hospital bills anymore, he decided to quit right there on the spot. He hated that job anyways. He gathered his things and checked the last of his messages, waiting for Amos to emerge. How was he going to tell him all those important things he was going to tell him last night without sounding like a bumbling idiot? Or like a teenaged school girl? That option was definitely worse, and definitely more likely......