This last chapter was the hardest of all, and I'm still not sure whether it's as good as the others, but here it is anyway, the last chapter to Angel Bruises. Review?

Touya was at a loss at what to do next. Yuki was... crying? In all the time he had known Yuki, Touya had not once seen his friend cry. His ever-present smile was so bright and cheerful, and Touya couldn't bear the thought of other people taking that smile away. Yet here was Yuki, sitting before him, tiny tear-drops making diamond tracks against his pale skin. He wanted that smile back, that smile like the sun itself; an Angel's smile. And suddenly, Touya knew exactly what he needed to do. Reaching out to put both hands on Yuki's shoulders, he pulled the smaller boy toward him, letting him know he was there.

Yuki gasped at the strange sensation of being held, but, feeling the warmth of Touya's body against his, decided he quite liked it. He let himself be held, and comforted, by the elder boy, and the slow stream of tears soon vanished. It was then that Yuki noticed something very interesting.

"To-ya... are you blushing?"

"No!"

"... Yes you are!"

"I am not!"

Yuki pulled back and, studying Touya's face, burst out into a delighted giggle.

"You look so cute when you blush, To-ya!"

"No I don't!"

But Yuki's smile was back, and Touya was relieved to note that it was as cheerful and sunny as ever. Growing serious again, Touya looked steadily at Yuki.

"Yuki... you shouldn't be sorry for what happened. It wasn't your fault."

"But –"

"No, let me finish. It was my choice to face those men. And, even if it meant my getting hurt, I would do it all over again. You're special to me, Yuki, and I won't stand by and let you get hurt. Whether you like it or not, I will always be there for you if you need me."

Yuki was astonished at Touya's surprisingly smooth speech – he didn't often reveal his feelings so openly.

"To-ya... why?"

"Because..." whispered Touya, leaning forward to close the gap between them. "You are my Angel." And, very gently, he brushed his lips over Yuki's own.

Yuki felt a rush of warmth fill his entire being. Common sense told him that this could not possibly be happening, that he should wake up from this pleasant dream now, before he made a fool of himself. His heart, however, commanded otherwise. Yuki found himself somehow moving his head to lie on Touya's chest, while the dark-haired boy lightly stroked his cheek. Yuki closed his eyes, surrendering himself to that touch, letting the sensation of Touya's body wash over him; cleansing him.

Ten minutes later found Yuki fast asleep, still embraced in Touya's arms. Touya, noting that fact grasped the blanket from the foot of the bed. Lying down, he let it cover both of them fully. Before also succumbing to sleep, he murmured out loud the one thing that had crossed his mind during that kiss. But then, Touya never could resist getting in the last word.

"You really do look much cuter than me when you blush, Yuki."