I've loved you all along {Kirito/Ikaia}

Today was the day. Kirito was going to make his journey home from the Capitol, and all Ikaia could do was stand around shaking nervously as many questions flew through his mind. What if Kirito hated him? What if he wanted nothing to do with him? What if Kirito tried killing him? Shaking his, he forced the thoughts away. Ikaia promised he'd love Kirito to the ends of the world and back. It was so much more than a brotherly bond. The bond they shared was one built of love. Their love was something most didn't understand, and deep inside Ikaia prayed his brother would love him back.

He couldn't figure out how Kirito managed to win the games, but he fought hard throughout them, and it made Ikaia proud knowing that his brother never once gave up. That he kept going when everyone else in the arena wanted him dead. Every living second was a nightmare for Ikaia as he watched mutts and tributes alike try to kill him, but wasn't that part of the games? To fight against others to return home because dying wasn't part of life. In the end, every single person in the world travel away from the world into the afterlife where something awaited them, but the living wasn't sure of what it was. It could be anything, but at the same time it could be a living hell much like the one he watched his twin brother survive.

The only good outfit Ikaia owned was his reaping outfit. One that was built for the horrific day, and it's been resting in the reaping chest ever since he ripped it from his body so many days ago. His mind was placed in a hell that nobody could save him from. The days he spent trying to survive when the odds looked like his brother was going to die. When his ears fell from his body, Ikaia screamed in agony as he stared at the screen. He wished his own ears were gone, but losing his own fingers was hard enough. It was a pain that he could control. It masked the emotional pain temporarily, yet it always came back tenth fold. It tore through his body making the invisible noose around his neck draw tighter with each breath until it almost sucked the life out of him until the games were finally over and a stranger cut the rope down freeing him.

Removing the reaping outfit, Ikaia tossed his ragged journal into the chest before slamming the top down. Heading into the kitchen, he placed the outfit on the table before smashing together those plants like Kirito told him to, and he mixed the stuff into it. Ikaia still wasn't sure what it was all for, but so far it managed to keep Ma breathing. The plants he gathered all those years ago were brought before his attention as he realized those were the ones Kirito used to save Ma. Mixing them all together, he took the mixture to Ma. "Ma, Kirito is comin' home taday." His voice was quiet as he gently lifted her head from the couch she was resting on and carefully forced the liquid down her throat. After doing this for so long, Ikaia had finally mastered the technique. "I'm gonna get ready ta go meet him at the train station. Gotta be there for him 'cause he's gonna need it."

Once the mixture made it's way down her throat, Ikaia headed back to the kitchen where he tried to get all the wrinkles out of his clothing before heading outback to scrub himself off in the metal tub. The water was cold, but as he used the scrub brush to scrub away at all the dirt and grime caked against his skin, he felt amazing. It was like he was a person again. A clean being who escaped away from the harsh world he lived in. Using a bristle of the brush, he cleaned out the dirt resting beneath his cracked nails, yet with each moment his eyes locked on the scars he created himself. His missing fingers were far away from his body, but at least he was still alive.

After he was done, he made sure the tub was placed back in its place. Quietly, he slipped on his reaping outfit before running his fingers through his hair trying to flatten it down. He went back over to Ma. "Ma, I'm gonna leave now 'cause it's almost time, an' I don't wanna be late." It made him sad knowing that her lifeless body still remained the same. His heart broke for her over and over again because his efforts to bring her back to her normal self were futile. Each attempt only drew him further and further away making it seem impossible. Hopefully Kirito could help. He saved her before. Maybe he could do it again, yet Ikaia was afraid to ask him. He just survived a living hell. What does a person say to someone who won the games? What do they say? I love you? I'm glad you're home? I'm sorry for what happened to you? None of those made sense, yet they lingered on his tongue as he made his way through the door of the house.

Ikaia moved as fast as his hobbled legs allowed him. Each step felt longer and longer, but he kept moving until the train station was in sight. His entire body shook with joy as a large grin spread across his lips. The last time he stood here was one laced with pain and sorrow as he screamed for his brother. Ikaia wouldn't ever forget the eyes fixed on him as tears ran down his face. This time it was different. Pushing his way to the front of the crowd, Ikaia made his way to the front. His feet almost near the track. He waited.

And then he heard the tires squealing against the tracks. His heart leaped inside his chest as a large grin plastered against his face.

Kirito was finally home.