"Are you mad at me?" I let out through a very dry throat and a pounding headache.

Been out for God knew how long and that was the first thing I said and thought of; if he was mad at me or not.

"Just rest" dad said. He didn't look mad so that was a good sign.

I was still wearing the same clothes and it didn't feel like much time has passed.

I contemplated my surroundings: nothing short of a hospital room. I didn't have anything connected to me; no heart monitor or IV. Though my upper arm felt sore.

I sat up properly, my back a little sore too. From carrying the guy, I assumed.

The guy.

I had totally forgotten about him.

A glass of water was on the table next to me. I downed it with one gulp, earning a look from dad, who was no longer resting his chin on his fists.

Silence lingered between us but unspoken words were dancing in the air too.

"Are you su-"

"I'm not mad at you" he finally said. "In fact," he stood up and closed the door, shutting out the occasional noises from other rooms and hallways. "I was waiting for something like this to happen".

There he was being mysterious as he always were. "What? Do you mean waiting for someone to die and me to half-ass an attempt at saving him?".

"Well it wasn't exactly how I wanted it to happen, but what I mean is, you did it. You did not run from danger, and you chose someone else's life over yours. And for that, son, I'm proud of you" he gave my shoulder a pat, which made me grimace.

"The doctors had to give you a calming shot. You were a bit overwhelmed and over-stressed. That's why you passed out."

"How is he?" I just wanted to know if he was alright. He needed to be alright.

"He's... In terrible condition to say the least. I think we-" dad was interrupted before he could finish.

A young looking doctor, mid thirties entered with a journal in his hands.

"Evening Alfred" he greeted dad and shook his hand as if they were friends. They probably were. "Everything alright with our little champ?" he said looking at me over dad's shoulder.

"He's doing just fine" dad said with pride. I was so done with everything.

The doctor came my way and did a few check ups. Nothing major.

"I'm doctor Grayson, and you should consider yourself a hero for saving that kid"

"Thanks doctor." I muttered politely.

"Well everything sure looks fine. You should know that you will be taking some medication for a while though. And your hair might get a bit.. Whiter" the doctor informed us. "Well I'm gonna go do a few rounds of checkups so if you excuse me"

"Can I see him?" I blurted, turning both heads towards me. Dad and the doctor shared a look and a couple nods, and then Dr. Grayson gestured for me to follow him.

He was there alright. But was he really? He was a shell of a body. A broken one at that. I didn't ask the doctor what were they going to do to him, or what surgeries he has to undergo, though I did ask for his name.

Raiden Haile.

There were 2 people in the room with him, wearing scrubs. His mother and a passed out kid looking just like him on the chair.

Tubes were connected through him like a series of underground tunnel systems.

"We have to go and ready him for surgery, I'll escort you out" Dr. Grayson said.

"We're free to go" dad said once we were back in my room. For the first time I saw the clock which read 3 a.m. Which meant I had been here for a few hours.

Dr. Grayson told dad that he knows a really good psychiatrist who lives a bit far and that he will arrange for us to meet with her for my benefit.

Unlike traditional parents, dad welcomed the psychiatry offer and did not label the doctor a whacko.

"Can they afford treating him?" I asked dad after the doctor left.

"I don't know. Why do you ask?"

I didn't know what to say. Dad wasn't the soft kind, neither was I. How was I going to tell him that I want him to pay for Raiden's hospital bill?

Say it and say it bold.

"Pay his bill" I said firmly. More hesitant than I expected but firm nonetheless. Dad was baffled by my attitude, however thankfully, he did not even argue or ask or anything. He just nodded, grimly.
-------------

After I knocked the third time without getting any reply, panic shot through my veins. I couldn't help it, he was prone to hurting himself more than anyone else I've known, and I was always scared he will at some point do it behind my back and get himself in some serious danger.

The fact that he didn't have a phone made me even more anxious.

Add to that that I always see new fresh scars on his visible body, and they are not caused by someone else other than himself.

They marked his body but they hurt my heart.

I opened the door to his crazily dull bedroom, to find him on the floor with a heap of clothes piled around him. His wardrobe was opened and it was as if the wardrobe from Beauty and The Beast was throwing clothes at him.

And he was crying.

I tried not to laugh but eventually I had to. I couldn't keep a straight face.

"Yeah laugh alright" he cried and threw a pair of pants at me.

I sat on his bed, as he stared at the pile in front of him.

"You own a lot of pajamas" I noted, seeing that most of the clothes were pajama pants and tops. But it wasn't surprising considering he was in them all the time.

He didn't answer he just wept.

"Will you tell me what's wrong already?" I fought against touching him for I didn't wanna push my luck.

"You're gonna think it's pathetic so no"

"Oh come on I'm hurt. I didn't think of myself as a dick"

"It's not like that. I just have nothing to wear to the fucking masquerade" he huffed and threw another item of clothing.

I couldn't help it. I laughed so hard.

"I hate you so much right now" he said not looking at me.

I stood up and skipped through the clothes again and towards the door. "Get dressed I'll be downstairs".

We were walking down the streets, a cold bite in the air. It was snowing lightly but we were heavily dressed. At least I was. Raiden was... Raiden.

We passed by Café Solitude, which was still closed for construction. I would know since I was the one who closed it.

"Hi Tommy! Hi Rai!" Luna cheered as usual. She was always happy-go-lucky, not so bad.

"Hey Luna" I greeted back.

"Hey" Raiden muttered. He didn't like her but then again he didn't really like anyone. I was so lucky. I wanted to grab him and kiss him right then and there but that would be so fucking weird.

"Still working I see" I motioned at the café which was her dad's.

"Oui but not for long"

"Why so?" I played dumb. Raiden was watching us disinterested.

"There are talks of selling it, dad's going through the paperwork and such. But I am getting a decent pay to help so that's pretty awesome!"

"Aye that's great" I cheered her on.

I wish I could slap you bitch, I thought.

I knew where she stood, and I wished I could get rid of her, but dad wanted patience, and I was giving him that.

"So, getting ready for the masquerade?" she asked, prompting Raiden to speak, but he acted like he was looking at the shopping window across the street. I wanted to laugh. This guy.

"Yes, hopefully we'll be soon. Alright see you around Luna." I ended the conversation and we walked.

"Bye guys!"

"Took you long enough" Raiden spat.

"I don't like her either so calm down"

"Well sure seemed like you do Tommy!" he mimicked her accent scarily.

"Oh I see."

"See what" he threatened.

"You're"

"Don't you dare say it"

"You are"

"Thomas don't"

"Jealous" I said it.

He did not speak to me anymore.