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Eichi was sick.
A horrid sickness that plagued him since his birth. Unable function most days, stuck in a sickly white room that was always eerily silent. The only comfort was the tv, that sat mounted in front of him. The remote sat on the small table that was next to the bed, usually untouched when he finds what he wishes to watch.
Wataru Hibiki.
A magician. The same age as Eichi, yet seemingly doing all he wished to do. She was one with the stage, performances being beautiful. Mind boggling. Eye catching. Eichi would spend all his time watching the other perform, eyes always drawn to his movements, even the small ones. A tiny flick of the wrist or an unnoticing wink. He saw it all. His voice was soothing. It calmed the rage that dwelled within him. They were touched by god, while Eichi fell further.
It had just been a simple day. Eichi sat in his room, watching the TV in awe. Movements flowing so smoothly, Eichi unconsciously moving his hands in sync. He tried to follow every little thing. The smile, the wink, the tricks. Of course he couldn’t copy it all. He wasn’t Wataru, sadly. He always messed up something, or got a movement slightly off. It exhausted him that he couldn’t be as perfect as the blue haired person.
That’s when his door slammed open.
“I am here~!” A loud voice boomed, a familiar one. Eichi looked up in shock as such a familiar blue haired boy entered his room. “Ah-“ the two stared at each other for a few heartbeats. It could’ve been less, though. Eichi swore his was going faster. “Ahhh~ did I get the wrong room?” Wataru looked around, before letting out a disappointed sigh. “Ah, must’ve given me the wrong room. So sad~”
This must’ve been fate. Some divine being had set this up. Eichi let out a break he didn’t know he began to hold, unable to understand this. Maybe god hadn’t abandoned him yet. “Well- i am sorry to intrude-“ before Wataru could finish, she heard his voice on screen. He looked over, and Eichi realized he never paused. He was quick to, his heart beating faster than ever. This must not have been healthy.
“Ahhh? A fan of the Amazing Wataru Hibiki! I am honored!” Wataru’s voice boomed, and Eichi felt unreal. He was ethereal even off screen. “Ah, but in such sad circumstances. I just pity you.” He bows, and Eichi is quick to speak “Ah- don’t feel sorry. I am fine, I promise.” He smiles, not even reaching his eyes. Lying, what a disgusting act. And to such a holy person, he might as well be signing a spot in hell.
“Well, I assure you I am sincere.” She smiles. Eichi will never admit to his heart catching in his throat. “And it was rude of me to burst into your room.” Wataru sighs. Eichi nearly speaks, but bites his tongue. It felt strange, speaking to someone he looked up to. Even if they were the same age. “So, let me make it up to you! I’ll visit you until you get better!” Wataru began to approach, and Eichi instinctively retracted.
Wataru planted his hands on the bed and crouched down. “I’ll be here to support you till you’re better! Deal~?” Eichi felt nervous. He’d refused visitors for so long. Could he accept that? Especially from Wataru? Wataru held up a pinkie with a soft grin.
He nodded, and latched his pinkie with the others.
“Amazing!~” Wataru smiled and stood up. “I’ll be back tomorrow! I still need to search for Shuu, see you later!” Wataru waved off Eichi, and closed the door. Eichi sat in silence, putting a hand on his chest. “I feel unreal.”
Eichi sits in the room, the nurses taking care of him silently. “Miss.” Eichi breaks the silence. “There’s a blue haired boy… Wataru Hibiki. Allow him to visit me from now on.” The nurse blinks. “Sir-“ “only him.” And he speaks not another word.
The next day, Wataru keeps his promise. “Helloooo!” He smiles, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Eichi had just finished his subpar breakfast, and was back to watching Wataru on stage. It still felt unreal. “Your name is Eichi Tenshouin correct? I saw the name on the door!” Wataru smiled, and Eichi nodded. “My such a wonderful name! Sounds so fancy.” He grinned, taking a seat next to him. “A beautiful meaning as well! It can be broken up into so many words, can it not?”
Eichi smiled quietly. “Yes, many. Though I wish the meaning of good omen will be soon to follow me.” He blinked. “I’m sure it will! I mean, I believe you deserve it.” He grinned. Eichi averted those eyes. “Ah, thank you Wataru. But I do not.” He smiled. “Though I guess I haven't done anything wrong. So perhaps it’ll happen one day.” Eichi thought, and Wataru grinned. “I assure you it will!! And it will be Amazing when it does!”
Eichi stared for a moment, and smiled. “Amazing~” he copied, unknowingly rocking in his seat. Wataru looked over at him and grinned widely. “Hmm, I should give you something! To make sure I’m always by you even when I’m not here!” Eichi glanced up at him as, just from her hand, a paper seemed to materialize. They pulled out a pen and signed something, before handing it over. Eichi read it slowly. ‘I hope you have an AMAZING recovery! You’ll be in my heart!~Wataru Hibiki’ Eichi felt his heart catch. He felt warm. Happy. Eichi felt a hand on his head as Wataru patted it. “I’ll see you soon Eichi!” Wataru waved off once again, disappearing into the hall.
Eichi looked at the note, and looked up at the tv. He silently folded it and put it on the small table by his bed, and turned on the tv. He continued to watch silently, following those small movements. His admiration could never falter for the boy. He wished to be just like him. But now, he felt closer. Interacting with him felt like a dream come true. Maybe god hadn’t abandoned him.
The two met nearly every day. It was only a few minutes, perhaps an hour. But it was the best time he could ever wish for. The only change in the sickly white room was the beautiful blue hair that seemed to overtake it. It was so fun when he came in. It was joyous. He couldn’t help but feel guilty. Such a figure so far away coming to visit him, just some lowly being due to an accident. It felt wrong. Taking her time away felt so wrong, yet so good at the same time. He ignored that burning feeling.
It was a simple night when Wataru and Eichi sat and talked. Wataru sat at the edge of Eichi’s bed, listening to the little things he spoke about. Eichi went silently in the middle of his sentence, and blinked. He leaned on Wataru. “Thank you.” He muttered. “Ahh? What are you thanking me for?” Wataru grinned. Eichi looked up, slightly, taking in Wataru’s scent. The scent of roses. “Thank you for visiting. I’m… I'm happy.” He muttered. Wataru went uncharacteristically quiet. He brought a hand to Eichi’s head, a sincere smile on his face. “I’m glad I can visit too. I’m happy we met.” Eichi felt his heart skip a beat (was that even possible?) as he laced a hand into Wataru’s hair.
The two stayed silent for a few moments, before Eichi spoke up once again “why did you even come to the hospital?” He looked up. “Ah, I came to see my friend Shuu! He passed out again but it seemed Rei gave me the wrong address.” She laughed while heartedly. Eichi would be lying if he said he wasn’t jealous. Having friends seemed… so nice. More people to talk to. But Wataru would do. Wataru was enough to make him happy no matter what.
“I’m sorry.” He muttered “Ah~ no need to pity me! He’s alright, he’s getting better.” Wataru smiled. He leaned their head on Eichi, and the two sat in a comfortable silence. ”I should be out soon.” Eichi muttered. “Really?” Wataru’s voice was soft, yet happy. Eichi nodded. “It’ll be my birthday. And I want you to be the first person I see.”
“Hah? What about your family?” Wataru did his best to look over at Eichi, who still had his hands in her hair. An unrecognizable look showed in his eyes. Anger, perhaps? Eichi muttered, barely eligible. “I’ll see them eventually.” Wataru smiled. “Alright. I’ll make sure to be here.” He grins. He says something else, but Eichi is unable to pick it up. He closes his eyes, and falls asleep.
The two continued to meet as the date drew closer. He marked it on a calendar. Excitement in his eyes to be free. Eichi waited for the day he could be free. He wanted to be embraced by Wataru. To be pulled into a hug and told everything is alright. That Wataru loved him.
…
Love?
Oh.
It finally hit Eichi. Never once had he felt love in his life. He never felt such a feeling for anyone. It felt strange. The warmth in his face whenever she was around, the way his heart pounded. It was foreign. But nice. He wondered if Wataru felt the same. Maybe they didn’t. Maybe these feelings were going to go unrequited until the day he died. Maybe it would disgust Wataru. God, what if he lost his only friend due to his own feelings? Ah, how pathetic it would be. Perhaps god did abandon him.
The next days Wataru didn’t visit. It felt wrong, lonely. So close to his release, less than a week. And he couldn’t see the one who bought him so much joy. Eichi silently rested until it was time. Maybe Wataru finally left him. He closed his eyes, and prayed he was wrong. Prayed Wataru would never leave. He swallowed his anxieties and slept. Slept the days away, simply stuck in the cycle that haunted him before.
And it was finally the day. He dressed, simple and calm. He waited until 12. Watching the minutes tick down killed him. But when it was time, he left. He walked out, silently hoping Wataru would be somewhere waiting. But the hospital was still. No blue hair in sight. He sighed. It was a lost dream. And as he exited, he heard a familiar voice. “Eichi!”
Eichi looked over and his heart stopped. Wataru stood there, a bag in one hand and a bouquet in the other. Eichi blinked. It must’ve been a dream. It has to be. Wataru walked over joyfully. “I’m sorry I couldn’t visit you, I had to do a bunch of shopping around for stuff.” Wataru grinned. He handed over the bag, which held different little sweats and a large stuffed bear. The flowers were roses, the scent Eichi loved. “I wanted to make it special, since I’m the first person you’re seeing. Happy birthday.” Wataru smiled, and Eichi felt as if he could cry on the spot. It was silent, before Wataru opened his mouth “Ah- do you not like it?”
“I love it.” Eichi did his best not to cry. “It’s the best gift I’ve ever gotten.” Eichi looked up at Wataru. ‘I love you.’ He wished to say. He wanted to scream it to the world. But he didn’t. Instead he just smiled. Wataru let out a soft chuckle as he walked over to him, and kissed the top of his head. Eichi felt like he was dying. He must’ve been. “I’m grateful that I met you. Ah~ I think I fell in love.” Wataru nodded, as she looked down at Eichi. The warmth in his face spread more than he thought it could. “Ah- I-“ Eichi couldn’t form a sentence. He shook his head, before taking a breath. “I love you too. So much.” He muttered. “I’m happy you’re here.” Wataru smiled. “Ah, so adorable.” Wataru leaned towards him but stopped. “May I?” Eichi was quick to nod. This was his dream. Wataru closed the distance and kissed him. Soft and sweet, yet too short for Eichi’s liking. Wataru whispered “amazing.” With a smile. One of love, appreciation. Eichi prayed the moment would never stop.
Eichi leaned back into Wataru. As long as he held the moment, he wouldn’t let it go.