We don't talk about Jouno

He's not dead!

Tetchou didn't know how this was possible. Jouno was dead. He'd known that truth for so long, it had burned a hole in his heart. And yet, here he was, lying unconscious in a hospital bed without a scratch on him. Jouno's hair had grown longer, and someone had dyed blue streaks in it instead of his usual red. Jouno liked to change it up every few weeks. It looked so natural seeing it different.

Hesitantly, Chuuya stepped forwards, while Tachihara went and helped Tetchou to his feet. Tetchou couldn't understand what was happening. Jouno was here. Jouno was alive. Maya had been right all along, as usual. "That's really him, isn't it?" Chuuya asked hollowly. It was Jouno. Tetchou's world had a purpose again.

To be honest, Tetchou didn't care how Jouno was alive. Jouno was alive. He wanted to scream those three beautiful words from the rooftops. Jouno was alive. "Guys, we have something you'll want to see." Tachihara said into his comms system. Tetchou walked towards the bed. "Does he need the tubes sticking out of him?" He asked. Chuuya examined the set up. "I don't think so. Someone's been keeping him out. He might wake up if you disconnect him."

Tetchou didn't have to be told twice. "Duck!" He yelled, and drew his sword again. He sliced through the tubes, causing liquid to splash out onto the floor. Someone let out a small squeak of surprise directly behind Tetchou. Tetchou's attention was completely focused on Jouno, though. He didn't even register Tachihara hoisting the small purple haired person up by the metal in their coat. Jouno. He was here. He was alive.

Much to Tetchou's disappointment, Jouno didn't immediately wake up. It wasn't some fairy tale where he awoke with a kiss. Tetchou reached down, and gently lifted Jouno out of the bed, and into his arms. Jouno had always been smaller than Tetchou, but he felt even more so now. Fragile, almost, like he'd break if Tetchou did the wrong thing. Tetchou didn't like that feeling.

Tetchou rounded on the purple haired individual. "You." He said. "Who are you, and why are you here?" Tetchou could see they were small, and wore a long purple coat. Like Gogol, they also had one blue eye, and one green one. Chuuya was eyeing them with suspicion, while Tachihara was shaping parts of the metal bed frame into knives to threaten them with.

"My name is Snorri." They said quickly. "I'm guessing you're the boyfriend?" Tetchou looked down at the ring on his finger. "Fiancé." He said, because it sounded right. Tachihara shot him a look that said he'd have much explaining to do later. "Oh, hey, congratulations!" Snorri said, and clapped their hands together. "Jouno talks about you all the time, you know."

Tetchou had no time for this. "What did you do to him?" He asked. Snorri had one of the most expressive faces Tetchou had ever seen, and it was easy to see they were anxious. "I didn't do anything." They said. Tetchou gave them a pointed look at Jouno, lying unconscious in his arms. "Okay, we'll, that wasn't me. The boss needed him mostly unconscious until it was time, but I'd wake him up when she wasn't around, and we'd play chess and stuff."

He was trying so hard not to lose his temper right now. "What do I have to do in order to wake him up, Snorri?" Tetchou asked. "I'm assuming there's a way, because you like to play chess with him, and all that." Before all this, Jouno liked to play chess with Tetchou sometimes. He called it the gayest sport of all time, because, in his words, "one was always making a move on another man." God, Tetchou loved Jouno.

"Just let it wear off." Snorri said quickly. "He'll be fine, okay. I'm sure he'll be happy you're here." Tachihara suddenly used his power to release Snorri, and the decay of angels member fell to the ground in a very ungraceful heap. "That was mean!" Snorri exclaimed, as they rolled into a sitting position. "I helped you and all, even though she'll probably kill me."

The 'she' in question was undoubtedly Snorri's boss. That left a very alarming possibility. Were all the decay of angels so far just decoys? Once again, Maya had been right. Tetchou was beginning to accept there really was no point in arguing with the woman. That didn't matter, though. At least for now. He could make the report when he got home. "We need to get Jouno back." Tetchou said.

Chuuya raised an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting we 'borrow' the van, and leave the others without a ride home?" Tetchou hated to admit that yes, he was suggesting that. "I like the way you think." Chuuya said with a grin that made Tetchou a small bit nervous. "If you think Zelda drives like a maniac, wait until you see me behind the wheel."