AN: Now I know I'm nuttier than a fruit cake. _
This is a partial AU drabble, Rush knows that he is a Remnant, as do his parents and sister, but no one else. It is also set during the six month period after events in Nagapur. It also means he doesn't know the Conqueror is a Remnant.
Blame my insomnia for this one, I haven't slept for two days… _
Luminescence Cycles are Nothing but Pain
When Rush awoke that morning he knew something was off. Sitting up in bed a gentle throb of pain from his abdomen let him know exactly what the problem was, his Luminescence cycle was starting.
"Oh great, this is perfect!" Sarcasm dripping off every syllable, he fell back onto his bed, slamming the pillow over his face to muffle the scream of frustration that escaped his lips. Luminescence was something he dreaded happening.
Once every three months, for exactly ten days, Rush had to suffer through his "pain cycle" as he liked to call it. Because he was, as far as he knew, unique as Remnants go, having a mitran form, his Luminescence was also different to most Remnants. He didn't actually generate energy as light like other Remnants, he suffered agonising muscle spasms and mood swings. It was apparently, or so his mother said, a result of the energy created by his cycle causing a chemical imbalance, and disrupting the electrical impulses to certain muscles in his body. His father once said it was his "inner female" causing problems, just before he was clobbered by two irate females and a furiously embarrassed Rush, he never mentioned it again.
Just as Rush was beginning to drift back off to sleep, hoping to have a few more pain free hours of rest, Emmy came sweeping into his room, announcing he'd missed breakfast already, it was nearly dinner time, and to stop being lazy. Rush gave a half hearted moan, and buried his head further under the pillow.
After being physically tipped out of bed(Emmy was way stronger than she looked), and getting dressed in the baggiest, comfiest clothes he could find, he finally made it to the dining hall, slouching in his seat and letting his head drop to the table top with a muffled *thud*.
Confused looks were exchanged by the other occupants and David cleared his throat, about to ask what was wrong, when Irina entered, running a little late.
"Sorry I'm …" her voice trailed off when she registered the confused looks being shot at Rush, and the way he slumped in his seat.
"Rush? What's wrong?"
Rush mumbled something inaudible under his breath as Irina took her seat beside him.
"Pardon?"
He lifted his head just enough to mumble in her ear as she leaned closer to him.
"M' cycles started…", then let his head drop back onto the table, the gentle, insistent ache in his middle growing steadily worse. Irina sat back, eyes wide, as she couldn't decide whether she should feel sorry for her brother, or pity those around her, as Rush could get quite snarky during his cycle.
Three days later, and Rush was misery personified. The poor boy was bed ridden, with what felt like red hot pokers and dull wooden spoons scraping at his insides. Everyone but Irina was mystified as to what was happening. Pagus had checked him over several times, and nearly had his head bitten off just as many times. Poor Blocter hadn't ventured into Rush's room since he was chased out the first time. His tail was still sporting mild burns from the shock spell Rush had used. Even Torgal was steering clear of Rush until he was over whatever was affecting him. Emmy chose to emulate Torgal in this matter. The only ones safe to enter were Irina, for obvious reasons, and David, who always made sure to come bearing gifts of muscle relaxing herbs and divain skin hot-water bottles, who's heat helped with the pain.
By the seventh night, much of the pain had receded, though Rush was still a bit moody. The teen was lying in bed, drifting in and out of sleep, his hot-water bottle a comfortable weight on his abdomen. He roused slightly as he heard the door open, but only enough to mumble a sleepy hello as Dave slipped into the room. Strolling over, David sat on the edge of the bed, brandishing a fluffy… something, and waved it under the recovering boy's nose. Said boy opened sleep glazed eyes to stare at the fuzzy object, puzzled.
"It's something Emma got for me when I was a child. I had all but forgotten about it until today. Go on, smell it. If you like it, you can have it."
Rush sat up slightly and leant over, pressing his shoulder lightly against David's side, sniffing tentatively at the fluffy object. Sleep heavy eyes proceeded to flutter shut as Rush leaned more of his weight against Dave, burying his nose into the soft fur, inhaling deeply. The young Marquise was a little startled at Rush's reaction to the lavender scented toy, but before he could do anything, a pair of arms snaked round his waist, pulling him into a sleepy hug.
"Mm… thanks Dave"
Slightly flustered, David awkwardly returned the hug.
"There's no need to thank me Rush, it's just a toy"
Earning a tired smile the boy released the young ruler and lay back down, cuddling the toy.
Getting up and heading towards the door, David almost didn't hear Rush's next words,
"It's not just the toy (yawn), it's for everything… night Dave…"
Pausing at the door, the Marquise felt a stir of affection for the boy who'd made such an impact on his life, who'd become the first real friend he had outside of his generals.
Whispering a quiet goodnight, David closed the door, and headed off to his own bedchambers.
Three days later, Rush was back to his usual, exuberant self, apologising to Blocter for his burnt tail, and pestering the kitchen staff for more of their delicious apple pastries.
Meanwhile, several hundred miles away, a certain red clothed figure awoke to a very familiar pain…
