Irrelevant authors note but...you know what pairing I just as much as USUK?
Engmano.
I don't know why
But I love them together.
Sorry for another extremely late chapter. Had exams and rehearsals for Winter Percussion and then I have solo and ensemble on the 31st and I still don't have a piano
accompanist and ugh. ;-;
Okay, enough talking(typing?),here's the chapter.
-Arthur-
It had been a relatively normal day, and Alfred and I were in the teen room when he approached us.
The boy had light blond hair and blue-purple eyes, clutching a stuffed rabbit.
"Hello?" I looked at him, and he shrunk, burying his face in the plush animal.
"Aw, don't be scared!" Alfred smiled widely at the boy, who appeared to be 7 or 8.
"I-I'm Raivis." His voice was quiet.
"Hello, Raivis! I'm Arthur and that's Alfred. How are you?"
"G-good. I want to go home!" The boy moved the rabbit from his face, becoming less and less shy.
"Well, what are you here for?" I asked softly.
"My mommy says I'm sick with cancer."
Alfred and I exchanged a quick look before turning back to the young boy.
"We have that too. It's a good thing you're here! The doctors can make you better and then you can go home." I smiled at him and he smiled back brightly.
"Yep! Artie's right." Alfred gave the child a thumbs up, and Raivis grinned even wider.
"Well I'm gonna go now but you guys rule!" Alfred and I watched the boy run off, rabbit in tow.
"The poor child, I hope he does et better." I murmured, crossing my arms over my chest.
Little did either of us know, we'd be seeing a lot more of him.
"So Artie, I was thin-" Alfred started, cut off when I burst into a fit of coughing.
It hurt, stung at my chest. I heaved, trying to get the coughing fit to stop, but it felt like no air was coming in.
I sunk down to my knees, weak.
"Arthur!" Alfred looked at me, worried, and helped me to my feet. I leaned against him until finally, the coughing stopped.
"A-Al? Could we go back to the room? I don't feel well."
"Sure thing Arthur." Alfred supported me and we slowly made our way back to our room.
Alfred helped me into bed and called my nurse in.
"Arthur! How are you feeling?" Karen asked, concerned.
"Not the best. Had a coughing fit. Feel achy." I closed my eyes, unable to take the heaviness they felt. Karen took my hand and squeezed it, before I launched into another coughing and wheezing fit, this time, bringing up blood. I opened my eyes briefly and saw Alfred staring at me, wide eyed.
I couldn't look at him.
The coughing stopped, but every time I took a breathe, I felt sharp pains on my left side.
"Karen..." I mumbled, tired. I tried to breathe shallower in hopes the sharp pains would stop. "It hurts."
What happened next is hazy for me. The pain increased until I felt as if I couldn't breathe.
My heart rate monitor went crazy.
Doctors swarmed in.
And it all went black.
I woke up in a different bed, separated from Alfred.
"W-What happened?" My voice was quiet and shaky, and breathing still hurt. Karen was at my bedside.
"Shh, Arthur. You're in the ICU. Your left lung collapsed, and we think it's due to the cancer, which has almost completely destroyed your left lung, and a bit of the right. Please just, take it easy."
...My left lung was almost gone? I simply nodded in reply and stared up at the ceiling.
I guess I don't have that much time left.
"Hey Karen?" Those two words came out in a breathy whisper, all I could manage.
"Yes Arthur?"
"How much longer do I have to live?"
Her gaze softened and she sighed, before looking away.
At this rate, I'd say 4 to 5 months."
"...months? Are you sure? That can't be right." I took in a deep breath, ignoring the ache.
"I-I'm sorry, Arthur." Karen stared at her hands, which were in her lap.
Four to five months, huh?
I was determined to make these last months count, and to enjoy myself with Alfred.
I spent the rest of the day in the ICU, drifting off to sleep numerous times.
When I awoke, the room was empty and quiet, except for the beeping of the heart monitor and the quiet hum of machines I was hooked up to. The clock read 12:15 am.
It was quite hard to hear I would only live five more months, despite knowing for a long time I was terminal. I was trying my best to except it for what it is, but it was hard. I was only seventeen and wouldn't even live to see eighteen. I wouldn't live to go to college, start a family, or anything. I took a shaky breath, feeling my throat tighten and my eyes moisten. I wondered how Alfred and the rest of my friends would react when they heard of my passing. Would I have a funeral? I wanted my life to be celebrated, not mourned, even though I hadn't done anything worth being celebrated over. It was weird to think that when I was gone, the world would still turn, and after a while my existence would be forgotten. Alfred would become cancer-free, move on and find someone greater and live a happy life. That was what I wanted. I couldn't imagine him being sad over me. He was too great for that.
I couldn't stop the tears this time.
In the darkness of my room, I cried.
The next day I was moved back into my shared hospital room with Alfred. I missed his cheerful smile and his bright eyes.
When I entered with my doctor's assistance, Karen was talking in a hushed voice to Alfred, who wore a serious expression.
I got settled into bed, and Karen finished talking to Alfred, sending me a sad smile before walking out. I sighed, ignoring the ache yet again. Alfred didn't say anything, and I found myself content with the silence.
I pulled out a book.
"Arthur." Alfred's voice was serious.
"Yes?" I closed the book, setting down on the table next to me.
"Why didn't you tell me you were terminal?"
-
I'm aware the general life expectancy for people with stage 4 lung cancer (what Arthur has) is 5 years. But for the sake of this story, that isn't happening. Keep in mind Arthur was diagnosed with it when he was fourteen and he's seventeen now, which isn't too far off the mark.
Generally people with lung cancer are diagnosed in stage four.
Excuse the many medical inaccuracies
Oh and this story has about 5 to 10 chapters left(more than likely 10), so don't worry.
I love you guys and have a nice day!
