People were quietly chatting around, briefly engaged in trivial matters. Considering that there weren't too many people actually here, it wasn't a surprise. Aside from some few good friends, old friends and new ones, and one who has been more than just a friend, no one else was dressed in pure despair that was black. God, I hated that hue.

I looked through the window, at a nearby tree and saw a lone songbird perched on one of its lowly branches. It appeared as though the bird had my eyes. It mirrored my soul, my heart and the deep, inconsolable pain I felt. Was that a tear I saw fall from its little beads of eyes?

`Little bird, why are you crying? Please, I can't stand watching you in so much pain.'

Looking away, I saw myself in front of the little crowd that gathered before the maple coffin to my left. I forced my eyes to stare at the heart wrenching truth it held inside. My tears have all gone away by now. There wasn't any more that I could let out. I've cried too much. Maybe, I've cried my heart out to death. After all, I don't feel it beating anymore. Was I dead as well?

...No. I wasn't dead. But how I wished I was. I still stood here, before these mostly unfamiliar faces. I closed my eyes, briefly reminiscing the joyful memories that would never, ever, leave my thoughts. It meant so much to me that I couldn't just sweep it under the rug and move on with my pitiful life. Opening my eyes, which died at autumn's retreat, I prepared myself to give the eulogy I so hated.

But, where was my voice? I couldn't hear my own speech. I opened my mouth wider, struggling to form words out of thin air. Nothing. All I could manage was silence – this agonizing silence. I felt more and more desperate while all those who were supposed to listen to me stared at me blankly. Can't they see that I lost my voice? Why were they not reacting as I pressed onto my chest, trying to squeeze out the words stuck in my heart? I felt myself hyperventilating, but they just looked at me. What was I supposed to do? My heart, I couldn't feel it anymore. No, no!

I was drawn to look out the window again, clutching my chest even tighter. `Little bird, I'm in pain.' The bird opened its tiny wings, revealing feathers of jade and sapphire. I narrowed my eyes at it. Its charcoal beak opened, but I could tell no sound was coming out from it. It lost its voice, too. `Is that why you are crying, little bird?'

`Please, help me. Why can't you hear me?' I was letting out short breaths in rapid successions.

`No, please.' I leaned forward, feeling myself fall before the emotionless people in front.

`Let me fall, then. But, please, let it be in his arms.' I closed my eyes, offering myself to death. But something caught me in a tight hug. I opened my eyes to look at my savior. Charlie?

"Peter," he said, sounding so calm and sure. "Peter. Please, wake up."

That was the last thing I heard Charlie say before finding myself drenched in cold sweat, panting so heavily and surrounded by white washed walls and the sickening scent of antiseptic. He was holding me by my shoulders, kneeling in front of me. His eyes were red, but I felt my own to be redder than his. I looked around and didn't see the same people dressed for mourning just a while ago. And there was no window. There was no little bird. Only the beeping sound of the ECG filled the room. I was back in the hospital, back in Andre's room. Thankfully, I was.

I learned many things that day, mostly medical terms that I can't even understand. But the doctor made it simple enough for me to grasp the gravity of Andre's injuries. He was in a stable state for now. But I saw nothing of that sort when I looked at his closed eyes. I knew he was far from stable. He was battling, hurting terribly inside – as did my heart.

Charlie left a while ago, telling me that he was gonna get us something to eat. I declined my mom's insistence earlier for me to go home. Funny, she mentioned that. It was only recently that I knew what home meant. `Home is where the heart is,' I once heard someone say. And where was my heart? It was all in Andre's tender hands, barely alive as well. I moved closer to his bed, feeling the urge to touch his pale face.

"Andre," I whispered, feeling my eyes well up once more. "Please, don't leave me. You came back for me, didn't you? I...waited so long for you. Please..."

There was no point in holding back the tears that seemed to fall from my eyes infinitely. I forced my eyes shut, darkness engulfing the room I was in. I moved my hand from his cheek and settled it on top of the blanket that covered his chest, wrapped in sordid bandages. I gripped on it, carefully applying pressure to his heart as I felt its faint beat. I felt my own tears fall on my fist. I remembered the dream I had and that little songbird. Its silence, forced and painful, haunted me.

"Except for a fracture in his left arm, a broken leg, a scrape on his forehead, the bruise and scratches on his face, three broken ribs, and the trauma to his chest, he should be okay, but we'll keep watch on him for the next 24 hours," the doctor from earlier told Charlie and me. "He'll probably wake up some time tomorrow. And, I don't know if this should really matter, but...he may not be able to speak normally again. He'll have some difficulty breathing and maybe a raspy voice. The nerve endings for his vocal cords have been damaged when he took that chest injury. We call this vocal cord paresis or dysphonia due to trauma. I'm sure you understand, either way."

It was so much for me to take in all at once. `Andre...Andre can't sing anymore,' I thought. I remembered hearing his beautiful voice for the first time. It was like the voices of a thousand angels all wrapped in one, tied lovingly with a silk ribbon. It was heaven on earth, music to the ears, heart and soul. I could feel getting goose bumps just hearing his voice inside my head. It just came natural with the flow of his feelings, orchestrating the beat of my heart. And now, I won't be able to hear him sing again.

"Little bird...Andre...that was you, wasn't it?" I asked him, receiving no response except for the subtle pumps of oxygen through the tubes connected to him.

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, Andre. Please, just wake up. I promise...I promise I won't get mad at you again. Just...let me...hear your voice," I begged him.

There wasn't any use to pleading for Andre to wake up. He was pretty much sedated, but I knew he could hear me. Charlie didn't understand how. That's just the way it was between the two of us. We didn't just hear each other through our voices. We listened, mostly, to each other's hearts. We had our own melody playing in between our heartbeats. And even though I felt that melody getting softer and softer when I thought that Andre had long forgotten me, I still heard it if I listened closely. He was there, singing for me.

I slept through the night, by Andre's side, my head resting on his bed, dreaming once again of nothing but death. It was so much different in my dream and it just seemed so real. That little songbird never left the branch it perched on. It was flapping its wings continuously, struggling to find the voice that needed so much to be heard.

I woke up feeling no better than before. Charlie was nowhere in the room. My head was hurting as I force myself to look at Andre's sleeping figure. He still hasn't woke up, but he looked peaceful, satisfied and relieved. His breathing was in rhythm with the oxygen's pump. I felt something warm on my hand. It was only then that I realized Andre's hand on top of mine, resting gently. I almost wanted to cry, but a small smile crept on my lips as I wrap his hand with both of mine. This tender, heartfelt touch was solely for him.

"Andre, it's gonna be okay...I promise you," I say to him as I put his hand against my cheek, wiping the tears that fell from my eyes.

I didn't bother going to school. I didn't want to leave Andre's side. I wanted to be there when he woke up. I wanted him to know that I'll always be there. Luke never crossed my mind for the rest of that day. For all its worth, my feelings went out to Andre when I chose to stay by him, talking to him, urging him to wake up.

Later that afternoon, Andre had another visitor. I fell asleep again by his side when Charlie woke me up.

"Peter, someone's here to see you," he said, gently shaking me awake.

I still felt like shit as I tried to make out who was standing by the door. My heart almost jumped when I saw Luke.

"Luke," I whispered before going to him.

"You skipped school," he said, worried. His eyes darted toward Andre.

"I...did I miss anything?" I asked him, still feeling really tired.

"Nothing much. I was just worried," he told me, his eyes staring at mine.

"C'mon. Let's talk outside." I led both of us out the hallway.

There were no other people passing by us, no nurses and no doctors doing their rounds. There was just the two of us with me leaning against the wall and Luke just inches in front of me. I looked down at the floor, not sure what to say.

"Luke," I started, refusing to mirror his eyes. "Thank you...for saving Andre."

He didn't respond. Instead, he moved closer to me and drew me into a hug. I felt his strong arms around me, telling me it's all gonna be okay. His body was warm against mine and he smelled like the sun, just after his baseball practice. I felt myself loosen up and begin to sob softly on his shoulders. He rubbed my back, whispering in my ear.

"Sshhh. It's okay, Peter. I know how much he means to you. You...," he hesitated at first. "You still love him after all."

"Luke," I mumble in his shirt. "I...I don't know."

"You do, Peter. I'm not mad, don't worry," he whispered.

"But...I love you, Luke," I tell him, sounding so defeated and unsure.

"I know, Peter. And I love you as much. But, Andre needs you right now. Just..." he paused. "Promise me that you won't let your heart be confused."

I withdrew from his hug, and stared deep into his eyes. I reluctantly leaned closer to his face, closing my eyes. I felt his lips on mine and knew once more why I loved him so much. He was understanding, caring, warm, gentle, patient, and kind and...he trusted me. I regretted not fully trusting him. Our kiss was gentle, with no tongues involved, just raw emotions and love. He broke the kiss, mirroring my eyes once more.

"Thanks, Luke. You're the best boyfriend anyone could ask for," I tell him, smiling gently.

"But maybe not for you," he said, flatly.

"What do you mean?" I asked him, mildly confused.

"I know you, Peter," he said. "And I know how much you still love Andre."

"You're...you're breaking up with me?" I felt some sort of pain in my heart.

"No, Peter," he sighed. "I'm letting you decide who you really want to be with. Don't fight your heart, Peter. Just listen to it."

I hugged him again, this time resting my ear against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat and realized how familiar and soothing the sound was. He ran his hands through my hair and I felt him kiss my unruly strands. I smiled at his gesture.

"You know what today is?" he asked me, rubbing my back.

"I..," I tried remembering, but couldn't figure out what he meant. Instead, he just told me.

"It's out sixth month as a couple," he said and I remembered exactly what I wasn't supposed to forget.

"Luke, it's your birthday," I whispered, still hugging him. I withdrew from the hug and looked at him, feeling guilty that I forgot. "I...Happy birthday, love," I said before kissing him, but he quickly broke away.

"It's okay, Peter. I know there's lots on your mind right now. I understand."

"Hey, I didn't totally forget, `kay? Just kinda worn out from what happened with...Andre." I paused for a bit, thinking. "So, sweet sixteen, huh. How `bout we go out and celebrate?"

"You don't have to, Peter. Andre needs you right now..." I cut him off with a quick kiss on the lips and gave him the best smile I could manage.

"I want to do this, Luke. I...I haven't been the good boyfriend that I should have."

I went back in Andre's room and even urged for Luke to come in, but he didn't want to. Instead, he waited for me in the hallway as I told Charlie that we were going out. I moved to Andre's side and cupped his cheek. I leaned in and whispered.

"I'll be back, Andre." I kissed his cheek before going out with Luke.

We decided to get some snow cones and just take a walk around nowhere. Unsurprisingly, we ended up at our school, nearing the hill where Luke and I shared lots of wonderful moments. And I couldn't just ignore that I had some painful moments with Andre, also on the same patch of grass under the big tree's fiery foliage. The sun was slowly setting and there were no kids down beyond the soccer field this time. We leaned against the tree and I soon found my head resting on Luke's firm shoulder. I would've wanted to stay like this forever, serenated by nothing but the calm silence of the world. But as it was, my heart wasn't hushed enough to blend in with the rest of the melody.

"Sorry," I started. "I didn't get you anything."

"You don't have to, Peter. All I want," he said as he held my chin and stared deep into my tired eyes. "All I ever need is in you."

It sounded melodramatic, but I knew Luke meant all of it. I wished I could say the same, but I wasn't sure what I really wanted...and needed. Staring into his yes, I waited for him to kiss me, but he didn't. I felt disappointed, but I can't blame him. With everything that has been going on, I was the one who ignored him in more ways than I can remember. And just because he didn't kiss me, it was no reason for me to be upset. He had his eyes on the horizon as I tried figuring out what he was thinking of.

"Did you...have you done anything with Andre before?" he asked, still avoiding eye contact. I felt myself blush at his question and a pout slowly made its way to my lips.

"I...uhm...we..." I stuttered, not really knowing what to say.

"It's okay, Peter," he said, finally meeting my eyes and I saw his sweet, little smile. "I'm not jealous. And I'm not just here because I want us to do something together. I love you for more reasons than that. Still, you are pretty sexy."

I blushed some more and even though the dim lit sky hid most of it, I could still feel its hotness on my cheeks. Luke laughed a little, giggled and wiped some syrup off the corner of my lips with his thumb. Then, he put it against his lips and licked the sweet taste of strawberry and cherry. He smiled at me saying it was delicious.

I began feeling more comfortable as time passed by and Luke and I just exchanged trivial and honest talk between us. We were like the best friends that we were back in preschool. I felt like I could just tell him anything, everything. It didn't take long for us to finish our snow cones and for Luke to gently jump on me as we wrestled on the ground. We were teenagers, but we felt like 10 year olds in each other's arms. We were laughing, tugging at each other and just savoring how sugary and musky we smelled like. Well, I was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday and just hoped that Luke didn't mind at all.

Soon, I felt myself getting on top of him and under him as we rolled down the hill, covered in blades of grass and dirt...and love. I felt free even with Luke straddling me securely. I felt his heartbeat against my own and his hot breath on my flushed cheeks. Strewn leaves wrapped the both of us as we slowed down to a stop at the bottom. I expected Luke to end up on top of me, but it was the other way around.

We were panting, slowly catching our breaths, still enjoying the sound of our dying laughter and giggles. We were both looking at each other's eyes, reading each other's thoughts. My hands were on his shoulders while his arms wrapped around my waist, gently pulling me down. I felt my dick stiffening and rubbing against the tight fabric of my boxers and jeans. I also felt something harder against it and blushed at the thought of Luke's own erection throbbing against mine, separated by a rather thin lining of clothes.

"Peter, you're hard," Luke said through smiling lips. I felt shy all of a sudden and just giggled awkwardly. He kissed me quickly and tenderly which chased away some of the anxiety I felt. I sighed and just rested my head on his chest, going up and down in between heartbeats.

"Thank you, Luke. For everything," I told him, running my hand over his strong chest.

"I'd do anything for you, Peter," he said as he slowly moved both of us to stand up. We dusted some dirt off and I felt my boner gone by now.

"I think I should go back and..." I said before he cut me off.

"How `bout we drop by my house first?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with hope.

"Uh, I don't know..." I trailed off.

"You can borrow some of my clothes. Besides, you need a shower," he said, half smiling.

"I stink?" I asked him and he just laughed. I finally said yes and we started off for his house.

I ended up later on Luke's bed with him going through his closet for some clothes I can change into. His mom went out for a bit to buy him some cake and maybe ice cream. He insisted not having a big celebration considering what he just went through after his dad left for New York without visiting him for his birthday. He just received some cash from his dad, but he wanted more than that. He wanted his family whole again, but that seemed so impossible right now.

As it was, Luke was more built than I was, but we weren't that far in shirt sizes. I settled for an old navy blue shirt and some denims. He handed me a towel saying I should probably start showering. Thinking that it was his birthday and I never did get him anything, I asked him if he wanted to shower with me. He blushed and I just giggled and dragged him toward his bathroom.

I didn't have any second thought as I pushed Luke against the bathroom door and tugged on his shirt, pulling it up and revealing his toned features. I knew he deserved something more than just this – something decent –, but tonight I felt sure and secure and he was my boyfriend. There should be no harm in just showering together. I finished stripping off his last piece of clothing without being stopped even once. His semi-hard cut dick finally made it out of its prison. I saw him naked numerous times when we were kids and in the shower at school, but I never got to look at him this close. I stripped off as well and held his hand, leading him under the shower.

The warm water felt nice on my skin as I ran my hands through my hair. It sure felt like ages since I last showered. My eyes were closed and my head leaned a bit back as I let out a long breath. Then, I felt Luke's hand on my shoulders and I looked at him. He was smiling gently with his hair sticking to the sides of his face. I smiled at him and took the bottle of shampoo and started doing his hair. It felt soft under my touch. He took the soap and lathered my chest, his hands running slowly over my lean outline. I felt his hands over my belly button and nearing my crotch when my dick quickly hardened. He looked down at it and I blushed, gently slapping the side of face.

"Don't stare," I said. He just shrugged his shoulders and showed me the most brilliant smile I've seen in the last few days. I can't help but also smile and hug him at the same time, our erections rubbing against each other, wet under the water's mist and steam.

Hesitantly, I reached down and held his really hard shaft in my one hand. He gasped when I did so. He breathed out and I felt his hot breath on my neck. I withdrew from the hug and kissed him fully on the lips, my tongue begging for entrance through his mouth. He was rather quick on granting it when I began stroking his dick. My maneuvers switched from fast to slow as I kissed him deep, with his own tongue making its way into my mouth. I nibbled on his lips and I felt him do the same on mine. The wet sound of saliva invaded my ears as we sucked each other's breath out.

Luke broke the battle, the dance, between our tongues and moved down to nip on my neck. It kind of hurt, but he kissed the pain away, circling his tongue and just pinching it between his lips. I lost my hold on his dick long before he moved farther down to my chest, holding me by the waist as he worked out my hard nipples. I had my eyes shut as several moans escaped my lips. Soon, I found myself leaning against glass, enjoying his way with me. He moved back up and nibbled on my ears, whispering something I can barely make out.

"Are you sure about this, Peter?"

"Hah...yes, Luke...please," I told him in between short breaths. He kissed my cheek and moved back down to continue where he left earlier.

After satisfying my nipples with several bites, nibbles, pinches and kisses, his tongue found my belly button. His hands slowly traced out the contours of my body as he made his way down, cupping my butt. I grunted and grabbed his hair, forcing him farther down my torso. I can no longer stand the painful twitch of my dick and I needed him so much for that.

"You're a big boy, Peter," he said, poking at my pee hole. I felt my precum ease out and his finger circling the raw head of my dick. He mostly toyed with it, tracing my whole length and wrapping my balls with his slender fingers. I was panting heavily, biting my lip, moaning deeply. I almost thought he'd begin stroking me or even put my dick in his mouth, but he didn't. Instead he stood up and attacked my lips once more.

Our kiss was slow and passionate as I felt his dick rubbing on mine again. What surprised me this time was his hand wrapping around our erections, stroking both of us at the same time. He deepened the kiss, preventing me from moaning loudly, but I still did in his mouth. He began stroking faster, the steam covering our bodies and making me feel really, really hot.

I reached down and rolled his balls in my hand. I heard him moan inside me and he only managed to kiss me harder, nibbling on my lips, topping over my tongue as his other hand ran over my ass. My dick started twitching real bad and I felt his do the same. His hand moved even faster over both our shafts and I moved past his sac and poked at his butthole. Then, that awesome feeling swept us as we came on each other's chests, breaking our kiss as we moaned the loudest. The water was quick to wash away the cum. I was still trying to catch my breath as I looked into his eyes. He was smiling so goofily that made me giggle.

Soon enough, we finished showering and found ourselves in his bedroom sitting on his bed and already dressed. There wasn't any awkward silence over us. There was just the feeling of contentment and that overall comfort in each other's company.

"Luke," I said, looking at him. "Thank you."

"No, Peter. Thank you," he said as he cupped my cheek. I smiled and put my hand over his.

"I should get going now," I told him as I stood up in front of him.

"You could stay for dinner," he said.

"I'd love to, but Andre might be awake by now...and..."

"I know, Peter. You want to be by his side when he wakes up," Luke said, hugging me by the waist. "This was the best birthday."

"Don't forget, Peter," Luke continued, still hugging me. "Listen to your heart."

I nodded and ran my hand over his still-wet hair. He finally let go of my waist and stood up, giving me a quick kiss on the lips. He saw me out their front door and I began my way back to the hospital, back by Andre's bed.

Not long after, I was back in Andre's room, standing by his bed. I still wasn't sure what my heart was telling me. One side was filled with Andre's beautiful voice, urging my heartbeat. The other side went out to Luke, filling it with warmth and security. It was difficult trying to weigh which side was heavier. But I remembered what Luke told. I'm not supposed to fight my heart. I need to listen to it. Just then, I closed my eyes and blocked everything around me. I tried listening to my gentle heartbeat. The sound was almost faint, but I could hear it. I could make out who tugged more at every artery, vein, and feelings it held. I finally knew who it belonged to.

"Puh...Pehter..." I heard someone say my name. His voice was raspy, forced and tired. I opened my eyes and saw Andre's half lidded pool of ocean looking at me. I rushed closer to him, reaching for his hand.

"Andre! Oh, god, Andre." I cried, but only a little. "I'm here...I won't leave you again..."

Charlie buttoned for the nurse as he also rushed to Andre's side. The nurse came in and finally removed the tube going through his mouth. She left the one that went through his nose and reduced the IV dosage. Andre was waking up, faster than I expected. His eyes were mostly on me while I held his hand. We helped prop him up on a pillow, adjusting his bed for him to lean on more comfortably.

"Andre," I wrapped his hand tighter. "You came through."

"I heard you, Peter." His voice was barely above a whisper and it sounded rough.

"You did well, Andre. Thank God," Charlie said as he ran his hands through Andre's hair.

"What happened? And...why do I sound so bad?" he asked his dad.

"A car hit you. But Peter's friend saw what happened and called for help." Charlie looked at Andre sympathetically. "Your chest sustained more damage...and so did the nerve endings for your vocal cords."

"I...I can't..." Andre sounded so weak. "I won't be able to sing again?"

I put my other hand on his cheek, caressing it. He looked at me and I saw the pain in his eyes. Tears were slowly forming and I could feel mine well up as well.

"We can have you undergo therapy and maybe a surgery. But I don't know..." Charlie paused. "If you can sing again."

"You will, Andre," I tell him. "The doctors will fix you up. And I will help you with therapy. I won't leave your side ever again."

"You...you won't?"

"No...I...I still love you, Andre. I love you so much." My tears finally fell hard. God, I hated crying all the time.

"But...," Andre breathed in deep through his mouth. I could tell how difficult it was for him to talk this much.

"Sshhh. Trust me. I love you, Andre." I told him, leaning gently over him, closing the distance between our face.

We kissed in front of Charlie, but I knew he didn't mind. My eyes were closed and I could tell that Andre had his eyes closed as well. His dry lips were still so warm on mine. I licked on them, putting on some moisture. I finally withdrew when I felt him gasp for air. Even breathing became difficult for him.

He smiled at me, and I felt relieved when a tiny blush crept on his cheeks, putting back some color on his rather pale face. Charlie excused himself and left, going out to get us something to eat. I sat by Andre's bed and our eyes just found comfort in each other's.

"You know, Andre, even if you can't sing, it won't change things between us," I tell him.

"Peter, I'm really...sorry..." he breathed out. "But please, Peter...don't...force yourself...to love me..."

"No, Andre. I'm not forcing myself," I said as I moved to sit on his bed.

"But...you have...someone now...and I'm just...not good enough...for you," he said as he looked down on his sheets, grasping them.

I reached into my pocket and took out the keychain that Andre gave me. I moved my hand and put it on his chest. I saw his eyes gleam in surprise as he looked at me questioningly. I just smiled at him and held the keychain in between my hand and his heart. I could feel his heartbeat.

"I kept it with me. I...I never lost hope, Andre. But I almost did."

"Thank you, Peter. This...this means so much to me...And even if I can't sing again," he moved his hand and put it on top of mine, pressing the keychain more into his chest. "You can feel that, can't you? My heart...it won't stop singing...Peter."

I smiled more sweetly at him and reached out my other hand to brush the hair that fell on his eyes. I cupped his cheek and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. I never felt more certain with my love for Andre. The only thing left to do was tell Luke, to tell him that I listened to my heart.

Dinner, for Andre, was served by me. He wasn't allowed to eat any solid food yet, so I just helped him with some juice and broth. For my own, I had KFC and I saw him throwing glances at my prized chicken wing. He giggled when I slapped his cheek gently, turning his attention back to his juice. It felt wonderful being with Andre again, despite the state he was currently in. I missed him and he missed how I showed my love toward him.

After dinner, Andre and I talked about anything in general. I didn't tell him how I spent my afternoon, but I told him who saved him. He asked sorry for kissing me under that big tree by our school, not knowing that Luke was watching us the whole time. I told him not to worry, that Luke and I talked about it. I called my mom afterwards, telling her I'd be home tomorrow morning. Just before falling asleep, Andre told me something.

"You know, this accident may be the best thing that happened to me," he said, still sounding gruff as I rested my head on his bed, his hand running through my hair.

"Because it brought me back to you?" I asked. Honestly, I didn't like what happened to Andre. But if he meant the same thing I had in mind, I may as well be glad. Though, I'd like for some other thing to have happened that brought me back to him, not an accident.

"No," he said. "I mean, yeah, that and 'coz I finally know why you're so different from Kristofer." I felt my heart stop for a bit at the other boy's name. Andre sent me an apologetic look which made me relax and just shrug at the name.

"How?" I asked him.

"It's `coz you're so warm, Peter. I felt that from you tears and gentle touches. And you're voice...I heard it while I was asleep." He stopped caressing my hair and placed his hand on my cheek. "Only you can do that."

I stood up and kissed his forehead, wary of the fresh bandages that wrapped around it.

"G'night, Andre. I love you," I said.

We both fell asleep, me by his side, our hands in each other's. I felt comfortable this way, despite the pain in the neck I was sure would plague me tomorrow. Right now, only one thing mattered to me. Andre was holding my hand with the key chain safe in between our loving hold.