Aftermath: Maple Warriors II

Alfred

"I guess this is it, dude." I said to Kiku. My arm was already completely clear and now my legs were starting to fade.

Kiku pursed his lips and averted his eyes from my face. He wasn't the most emotional guy, I'd known that from the start.

"I rill miss you." He said in his heavily accented voice.

"Key, Kiku?" We were in the corner of the room, having our own private discussion while Francis and Arthur tried to calm Matthew.

"Yes?"

"I-" Was now really the time to say it? Now, when I was so close to dying?

"I love you."

I really didn't want to see his reaction. I pulled him toward me by the front of his shirt and kissed him so I wouldn't have to.

I knew how he was about his personal space, so I did feel guilty. But I no longer cared. I was a goner anyway.

"I...I rove you too, Alfred." Kiku stammered when he managed to pry me away. "I just didn't want to say anyzhing in case you didn't rike me back."

I smiled at him, feeling the best I had since waking up that morning to discover my hands had gone clear.

"Francis, Alfred," Arthur spoke up right then. "It's time."