"Wayne, I'm scared." Blue alien confessed weakly and sighed before he turned his amazingly bright emerald green eyes towards the taller, muscular man sitting next to his bed.
"I know." Wayne breathed quietly and felt how the sudden weight wrapped around his heart when he saw the worried and apprehensive look on his boyfriend's face. "But it will go well, I'm sure about it." The taller man forced an encouraging smile on his lips and took the blue, skinny hand in his hand, squeezing it reassuringly.
"But what if it won't?" Megamind whispered so quietly and heartbreakingly it made goosebumps raise on Wayne's skin.
'What if it won't?' Wayne thought sadly while observing the pale skin of his blue love. Seriously, he had refused to think about that option. Simply he declined to keep it as a one option. It just couldn't be an option.
But deep in his heart he knew it was.
Knock on the door cut off his melancholic thoughts and soon young, blond lady stepped in the room, wearing dark blue working clothes.
"Hello Mr. Mind. I came to give the premedication." Blond lady smiled politely and walked on the other side of the hospital bed where Megamind was lying. "How are you doing?" She asked while taking the left blue hand in her hand and opened the line of the cannula which was attached in the vein on back of his hand. Then she set a big syringe in the line and started in a slow and steady rhythm push the clear liquid in the vein.
"Still alive, I guess." Megamind sighed quietly while observing how the syringe was gradually emptying, feeling how the medicine absorbed in his circulation and left run all over his body.
"We're gonna start in one hour. I come to pick you up soon." The girl said softly and removed the empty syringe, turning the cannula line closed.
"Thank you, Wendy." The blue alien flashed a little smile at the young nurse who nodded her head briefly, leaving the room and the two men alone.
Wayne stared blankly ahead. This was the moment they were waited for months and now when it was happening, Wayne felt how the panic was taking over him. He did his best not to collapse in front of his partner. This was already too hard for him. He didn't need more worries, especially right now when the operation was supposed to start in one hour.
Cancer
That vermin were behind all this misery, fear and despair they had gone through during the last weeks.
Wayne was blaming himself, he should have realized it earlier, he should have taken him to the examinations when he noticed the first symptoms. His death would be Wayne's fault.
It was about a year or less ago when he noted Megamind was losing his appetite because of the nausea. Then started the continuing tiredness but Wayne was sure the lack of vitamins was causing it. The hero tried his best to make his boyfriend eat by cooking all his favorite foods but that didn't help. In six months the blue alien lost weight more than was appropriate compared to his already skinny appearance. The skin color turned pale and Wayne could feel clearly shapes of his bones when he was holding him in his arms. The last thing which made Wayne's alarm bells ring was when Megamind suddenly, without any reason passed out in the middle of the kitchen few months ago.
He remembered how it was squeezing his heart and hurting him emotionally when he practically was dragging Megamind to the doctor against his will.
'Traitor, asshole - You're just like the others! Why I ever trust you! You just want to hurt me! - I hate you!'
He remembered how his boyfriend had shouted furiously, hit his back and kicked his chest by his last ounce of strength while crying hysterically when Wayne was carrying him on his shoulder. Telling they were going to see a doctor.
'I know you don't trust people. And I know you may feel I'm tossing you for the lions right now, but the truth is you'll die if we won't find out what's wrong with you.' Wayne remembered how he had said firmly. 'And I'm doing this because I love you so much. And I promise you can trust me – And these people here.' The hero recalled how he was standing in front of the little, private clinic on the wrong side of the tracks, still holding his struggling blue lover on his shoulder. 'I promise.' Wayne had emphasized before they walked in.
Then started the diverse tests including among the other things laboratory samples, electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, radiography, ultrasound, CT and endoscopy.
Finally the doctor reported the diagnosis: gastric cancer, very bad one which had already spread to liver and to right lung.
'I can't have a cancer.' Wayne remembered how the blue alien had gasped shocked and blankly. Hearing the news felt like a big, black wave was billowing towards them and swallowing them without any warning in its dark and deep throat, enveloping them in the shadows.
The tumor should remove as soon as possible to prevent cancer spread but there was one problem. The tests exposed Megamind's anatomy was very unique.
For example, his organs were organized differently than human does, and his blood type was unknown. That meant the operation should postpone and do more tests. Unfortunately, they hadn't limitlessly time.
Megamind's doctor prescribed chemotherapy began immediately after the diagnosis. Sadly, the cure was only making the blue man feel more worse.
"Wayne, I'll die before that operation." He had sighed weakly one night while lying on the couch, wash basin next to him on the floor. Chemotherapy was making him feel more powerful nausea and he could end up throwing up, so his body wouldn't give any warning.
Wayne remembered how those words were like a punch in his face. He pretended he didn't hear them – instead he leaned to stroke softly his boyfriend's cheek, giving him some comfort.
"No, you won't." The hero had whispered firmly and then his heart sank when Megamind bent to throw up again.
Finally - only few weeks ago - Megamind's condition crashed so badly he couldn't stay home anymore. The nausea was only getting worse, he was having fever constantly and even moving or standing on his own feet was difficult.
Wayne informed immediately at the city counselor he's taking a break from his work as a hero because of personal reasons.
He'd now stayed weeks with his boyfriend in the hospital. Slept with him in the same room, in the uncomfortable hospital bed while orchestra of different beeping sounds were echoing in the room, measuring the body functions of his lover – God damn, he hated those sounds!
He had helped him with eating, dressing and washing up. Kept company to him, tried to cheer him up and insured everything would work out – He had refused to even think about the worst. Even the pale blue skin and sick appearance of his boyfriend didn't make Wayne think about the other option. The option he could die.
Death. That was a swear word to Wayne and he didn't agree to think about it.
"Wayne, I'm sorry about what I said that night when you took me here to see the doctor." Blue man had whispered regretfully last night, only the day before the operation.
The hero had lowered his gaze from the book he tried to read to get something else to think about.
"It's okay. I know you didn't mean it." He had said and stood up from the bed. "Don't think about it." He'd whispered gently and walked to his boyfriend's bed, leaning to give a soft kiss on his cheek. "I had already forgotten it."
"But I shouldn't have said it in the first hand. No matter was I mad or not." Megamind had stated sorrowfully. "I'm so sorry."
"Wayne." Megamind breathed weakly, startling the hero from his thoughts.
Taller man turned to look at his boyfriend in the eyes, which were half open. It seemed the premedication had started to affect.
"I won't bequeath my body for the science." He said slowly, like the speaking was asking a lot of strength. "And I want cremation – Just in case no one will dig up my body for dissection."
Wayne was listening shocked, unable to say anything. Like someone had cut his tongue off. He couldn't understand why Megamind was talking something like that to him.
"And I want the ashes will bury under that tree on the border of that little beach."
"The gazing tree." Wayne whispered dryly.
"Yeah." Megamind smiled softly. "The gazing tree."
It was an old, big oak growing on the edge of a deserted beach where they two used occasionally climb to gaze stars and have thoughtful conversations – or just make out.
Wayne didn't say anything. He felt angry and tried desperately hold tears which started to gather in his eyes. Why Megamind was talking to him like this was the last discussion they would ever have?
"Please, look after Minion – And Wayne." He breathed and squeezed Wayne's hand firmly.
"Promise me, you'll go on."
Wayne couldn't say anything. Inside his head was currently a powerful emotion storm rampaging all around while tears were burning in his eyes.
He couldn't promise that. He wasn't ready - he was refusing to let go.
Just then there was a knock on the door again and Wendy stepped inside the room.
"The operating room is ready." She said, still standing at the door.
"Just one moment." Megamind told tiredly and turned his gaze back to his tall and muscular boyfriend.
"Wayne, promise." He gave a begging gaze at Wayne who still was quiet.
Instead of saying anything, Wayne stood up from his chair and leaned to give a soft and loving kiss on the blue lips.
"I'll be here when you wake up." He said softly and brushed gently the blue cheek by his fingers before he turned towards Wendy and nodded.
The young nurse walked to the bed, opened the break and started to drag the bed towards the door.
"Don't worry, Mr. Scott – He's in good hands." Wendy assured and flashed sympathetic smile at the hero.
"I know." Wayne whispered and watched how the blond lady pulled talentedly the bed out of the room, his boyfriend lying on the mattress, giving one last gaze at Wayne by those bright green eyes, lips performing word 'promise' before the door closed and Wayne could hear how they were heading to the operating room.
Immediately the door shut, Wayne collapsed sit on the chair again and the hot tears he had desperately tried to hold, gushed in his eyes. For a moment he planned to run after the young nurse, catch his blue love from the ugly hospital bed and fly to home with him. Only thing which was stopping him, was the heavy feel in his legs, like they had suddenly turn to lead.
Instead of rushing after them, he buried his face in his hands and let the tears pour down his face. Soon the sound of hopeless sobbing was filling the room.
He felt suddenly so lonely, so miserable, so incomplete. Like only light in the world had just flamed out.
He'd never been so afraid like he was right now.
Wayne could hear through his weeping and flood of tears how the door of the patient room opened again. He heard how the echo of steps was filling the room, approaching him and then he felt how someone placed hand on his shoulder.
Though Wayne couldn't see who was standing beside him, because his face was still buried in his hands, he knew who it was by the touch. That simply touch was so familiar to him, gently and comforting. He had known it for years.
"Oh Wayne." Voice of the woman whispered sadly next to him and tightened the grip on his shoulder.
"Mom - is there any hope he'll survive?" Wayne gasped and turned his teary face towards the older lady next to him. Her short brown hair had already gained some grey wisps but otherwise she looked younger than she was. She was wearing a white long doctor jacket and her dark brown eyes were twinkling when she smiled reassuringly at her son.
"There's always hope." Dr. Scott said firmly but gently, gaze still drilled into Wayne's calm blue - though right now very reddish eyes.
"Please mom, don't tell me anything trivial. I wanna know the truth." The muscular man insisted, staring sadly at the older woman next to him while single tears were still running down his cheeks.
"Well." Lady Scott let out a deep sigh. "His anatomy is unique - It may cause problems." She explained. "Besides his blood type can't handle even emergency blood."
"But he donated his own blood for the operation." Wayne cried out desperately.
"Yeah – he did. But his blood values weren't great. The white blood cell and thrombocyte levels are very low. Under normal circumstances we wouldn't use that kind of blood but this time we haven't other options."
"Mom – What's the truth?" Wayne asked quietly, the question exuding fear.
Dr. Scott sighed. "Without operation he'll die - But also the operation will be challenging. We just can't wait longer, or the cancer will spread even more." She inhaled deeply, going in her mind through all the tests they had done during last weeks to make the operation as safe as possible before she continued. "The truth is - the operation will save him – or kill him." She stated darkly and furrowed her brows.
Wayne gasped and felt how the new hot tears rushed in his eyes.
Lady Scott leaned to hug his son. "I'm sorry Wayne but I have to go get ready for the operation." She whispered in his ear. "But whatever will happen, remember the life will go on."
"But he's my life." Wayne cried miserably while hugging tightly his mother. "We were supposed to get married – we were supposed to adopt a baby… Mom, he must not die." The hero wept quietly, face buried on the neck of Dr. Scott.
"Wayne, you know I can't promise that. I can only promise I'm doing my best." The older lady hushed in Wayne's ear.
"Can I come to follow the operation?" Wayne asked silently.
"No." His mother said firmly and shook her head. "It's better you go home, take a shower and go to rest."
"No." Wayne sighed. "I promised I'm here when he'll wake up."
"Hon, the operation will take for hours. And we have no idea how long the anesthesia will affect. It can take 24 hours before he'll wake up – if he'll wake up." She didn't say that last thought aloud.
"I can't go." Wayne groaned sadly.
"Wayne." Dr. Scott breathed. "I know how much he means to you, but you can't live in the hospital." She glanced the rumpled bed on the other side of the room where Wayne had slept weeks, refusing to leave his boyfriend alone even for a few hours. "That's not good for your health." She shook her head.
"I don't wanna leave him. I – I just have a feeling something bad will happen to him if I'm not near." Wayne breathed sorrowfully.
"Wayne, sweetie." Dr. Scott exhaled and retreated so she could look his son in the eyes, while she was holding her hands on his shoulders. "I'm saying this as a doctor, but I think you should talk to psychologist – so you could handle these things."
"I'm not insane mom!" Wayne shouted, feeling totally wounded. How could his own mother even suggest something like that?
"I don't think that sweetie." Dr. Scott breathed. "And I'm not forcing you – I just thought it would do good for you talk with some professional." She insured, squeezing reassuringly Wayne's shoulders.
"I guess I'm fine." Wayne sighed deeply.
"Okay. But if you change your mind just tell me." The older lady smiled softly. "Try to get some sleep, at least." She said and helped Wayne stand up before she leaded him to bed, which had become way too familiar for him than was appropriate during last weeks.
"I have to go get ready for the operation now." Dr. Scott said quietly while she covered Wayne and leaned to kiss softly his son's forehead. "Try to rest."
"Mom." Wayne breathed and grabbed her hand in his when she was leaving the room.
Dr. Scott turned to look at her son questioningly, motherly warmth shining in her eyes.
"Do your best." Wayne whispered and flashed a gently smile at his mother.
Lady Scott reflected the smile back to him before she whispered. "I surely will." Then she left the room, hoping Wayne could get some sleep and headed towards the operating room.
…
There was a nervous bustle going on in the operating room when Dr. Scott entered the surgery after changing her clothes and disinfecting her hands.
"Okay folks." She said firmly and all in the room turned their gazes towards the older surgeon.
In the middle of the room was lying the blue alien on the operating table. His chest was exposed, and he wasn't reacting for the sounds of the room. He'd already gotten the anesthesia.
"This operation will be one of a kind – Something we will probably never experience again." Lady Scott spoke firmly. "And I want everyone in this room will give 110% to make this operation succeed. If someone of you doesn't feel ready for this or is hesitating on any level – she or he can walk out of that door, out of this clinic – right now - and never come back." The older lady said darkly but determinedly, pointing at the door of the operating room.
Staff in the surgery was watching each other quietly but no one left the room.
"Good." Dr. Scott hummed. "Shall we begin then." She nodded for the nurse who stepped closer and started to assist sterile gloves in her hands.
"Do you want some music Dr. Scott?" Nurse on the other side of the room asked.
"Yes. AC/DC please." The older lady stated, smiling underneath her surgical mask.
Few nurses were looking at each other confused. Usually Dr. Scott liked to go the operations through by listening classical music or light jazz. Rock music had never been an option.
"Can I have that music or not?" Dr. Scott asked sounding irritated.
Soon the first riffs of Highway to Hell were filling the operating room.
'I'm totally on the highway to hell.' Dr. Scott thought while the nurse handed the scalpel to her and she made the first cut.