I decided to update this tonight so I won't have to do it tomorrow. Besides, I have to stay up another hour or so for s-cry-ed, and have nothing to do until then. I had the TV on when it was on the first time, but...I just didn't watch it...dunno why. Not like I'll know what's going on, I've missed the last three episodes. (sigh), anyway, ummm, enjoy!
alpha2nd: Yeah, I was thinking about it and TB probably wouldn't be the best way to go. It's not lung cancer, and as far as I know, Eyes isn't going to die from it. Heh, of course knowing me...I was just going to end it last chapter but thought 'hey, why not torture Eyes some more?'. Actually, I didn't really think that, but just didn't feel like ending this yet. This is one of my fics that I actually like, other than HoTwB and Fond Memories. Those fics are both achievments for me because HoTwB is (obviously) my longest fic, and FM is the first one I started. Well, glad I'm doing a good job and I'll promise you right now that I won't kill Eyes. You're welcome for the update, thanks for reviewing!
CeTe: Lol, 20 chapters in and now it's getting good? J/k, I know what you mean. I don't think I've ever watched a medical show ever (and I don't think nip/tuck counts... does it?). I got all this off the internet or some sort of knowledge that I've acquired through the years, so if I mix something up, blame the internet or the people that lied to me! Glad your birthday went good, thanks for reviewing!
"Eyes?" Kanone asked, concerned. His lover had yet to say anything, and it was starting to worry Kanone that something was seriously wrong.
Eyes looked sadly to Kanone, he didn't want to upset him, which he knew this news would. Though maybe it wouldn't, Eyes didn't even really know what was wrong with him. He had only concluded that the increasingly painful chest pains and loss of breath couldn't be good, not to mention he hacks up more than a safe amount of blood every few days; that was becoming more regular, too.
Finally being able to take a deep breath, Eyes sighed then looked to Kanone, but found himself not saying anything. What exactly was he supposed to say? That he was sick? That something was wrong with him and had been for several years? He didn't want to say too much and worry Kanone more than neccessary, but Eyes didn't know the appropriate amount of worry that should be applied to this situation. He supposed, though, that he should say something or risk worrying Kanone even more, "I don't know exactly what's wrong." Eyes started, looking to Kanone who was waiting for him to continue, "It started a few years ago, but lately it's been getting a lot worse."
"What is 'it' exactly?" Kanone questioned him.
"I've been getting short of breath and having chest pains more and more frequently. I've also started coughing up blood a lot. I get dizzy sometimes, and I think it's the reason that I fainted that one day."
Kanone took this news rather well for being so concerned about the boy. He remembered the day very well, it was the day they kissed for the first time, and the day that Kiyotaka took Eyes away, "So you're sick?" Kanone asked, uncertain of what to make of these symptoms. He'd heard of a lot of diseases, and a couple of them involved hemopysis, but nothing that lasted for so long. Though, Kanone supposed without proper medical treatment (which he knew neither Kiyotaka or Chase would have given him), that the disease might not just go away, but rather lay dormant and fester. This thought was extremely disturbing, and Kanone stood up, "I'll call the doctor's office and get you an appointment. We shouldn't jump to any conclusions without a professional, and I certainly can't give you a diagnosis." Eyes nodded in agreement and layed down as Kanone called the doctor.
A few minutes later, Kanone came back in their bedroom to see the silver haired boy already asleep. He smiled a bit and sighed, sitting next to him, "Eyes." Kanone thought, losing his smile, "What could you have possibly done to deserve such cruel treatment?" Kanone reached out a hand to brush back a piece of hair that had fallen in the boy's face. This stirred the latter from his sleep, and gazed at Kanone who smiled back at him, "Your appointment is at 8:30 tomorrow morning." He informed the boy, then looked at him questioningly, "How could you be tired already, didn't you just get up?"
Eyes nodded and wearily sat up, "It takes a lot out of me sometimes." He explained.
Kanone nodded in understanding, which brought up another question, "Eyes we've been together for a while now, have you hid this from me the entire time on purpose, or was I just never around when it happened?"
"I've hid it from you." Eyes confessed, then answered Kanone's next logical question without hearing it, "I didn't want to worry you, I thought maybe it would go away."
"If you've been living with it for years, what would make you think it would go away now?"
"I thought perhaps it was the conditions I was living in, and that it would get better once I came here." Eyes looked down so Kanone couldn't see his eyes; if Kanone could look straight at him, he would be able to tell that he was hiding something. Kanone didn't need to know that Eyes was scared he would be disgusted to find out he had some unknown disease, that he was just some sick kid that needed to be taken care of. Since Kanone would never think those things, which Eyes knew he wouldn't, then there was no reason to voice them. If anything, it would show a lack of trust or faith in Kanone that Eyes didn't have.
"You're hiding something." Kanone stated, looking right through Eyes, "What is it?"
Eyes shook his head, "It's nothing, really. It's not important."
"Of course it is, Eyes. It's obviously worrying you, so it's important." Kanone placed a hand on his boyfriend's shoulder, "Tell me."
Eyes must have been crazy to think he could keep anything from Kanone, but then again, he didn't want to. Eyes looked up, "I was just afriad...of what you would think of me. I know it's ridiculous, but I couldn't help but think you'd think less of me for this."
Kanone looked slightly shocked at this, "Well, you're right, Eyes." He replied. Eyes nodded, "It is ridiculous for you to think something like that."
"I know that, but it doesn't stop me from thinking it." Eyes informed him.
Kanone considered this, "Well, as long as you know it's not true. I'd rather you not think those kinds of things, though." Eyes stayed silent and Kanone brightened up, "Let's go downstairs." Eyes stared at him, waiting for an explanation as to what exactly was so exciting about going downstairs, "Kousuke, Rio, and Ryoko are all waiting to exchange Christmas presents."
Eyes then remembered that he hadn't seen the three yesterday, "Alright." He agreed. Even if he really just felt like sleeping, it would make Kanone happy.
As the two descended the stairs, Kousuke was first to come into sight. He was tapping his foot impatiently, "There you two are, what exactly where you doing up there?"
Kanone grinned, "Well, obviously, we were having sex." He answered, not missing a beat.
That stopped the foot and drew the attention of everyone in the room, every single one of them unsure of whether Kanone was joking or not, "You're... just kidding...right?" Kousuke asked, eyeing the two suspiciously.
Kanone smirked, "Does it matter if I am or not? You've already gotten the thought in your head, whether or not we actually did anything makes no difference now."
Kousuke paled and went to sit down. Kanone glanced at Eyes, who was glaring at him. When gave a questioning look, he motioned to his mother who was trying not to look as shocked as she really was. Shaking his head, Eyes went over to Callia and whispered a few comforting words in her ear, which immediately relaxed her and had her smiling again. Kanone wondered what he had said, but was interrupted by Rio, "So, Kanone, what did you get us?" She asked, looking over the remaining Christmas presents. There were only the three for Kousuke, Rio, and Ryoko left from the huge pile he had had just two nights ago.
Kanone walked over and grabbed Kousuke's present throwing it to him. He then walked Rio and Ryoko's presents over to the girls, "Merry Christmas." He said, and took a seat next to Eyes and Callia.
Ryoko was the first to unwrap her present, and saw that Kanone had gotten her a new pair of running shoes. She was suprised to see that they were the ones she had asked for her birthday, but hadn't gottnen. She smiled at him, "Thanks Kanone." And then removed the shoes, replacing them with her old ones, and threw the box at Kousuke, "See, Kousuke, why couldn't you be like Kanone and get me something I wanted?"
Kousuke glared at Kanone, but the hatred was short lived as he unwrapped his present, "Robertson!" Kousuke shouted, smiling at the little duck.
In the same instance, Rio had unwrapped her present, "Melon!" She cried. Kousuke and her traded glares, each hugging their present closely as to protect it from the fate their predecessors faced. Rio was the first to turn to Kanone, "Thank you for my melon, Kanone!"
Kousuke eventually did the same, although less enthusiastically. After a few more minutes of friendly yet slightly boring discussion, the three left Kanone, Eyes, and Callia to clean up the mess from breakfast and the wrapping paper. Sighing, Kanone bent down to retrieve some of the shiny (not to mention very expensive) paper, and discard it into a trashbag. As far as Kanone was concerned, wrapping paper was about the most useless thing you could buy. First off it was way overpriced, and it wasn't like you could reuse it. Newspaper could serve the same exact purpose and save a lot of money; not that it mattered to Kanone. Still, the idea bugged him. And don't get him started on trashbags, buying something purely for the purpose of throwing it away? Absurd! And yet, he was picking up discarded wrapping paper and throwing it away in...yep, you guessed it, a trashbag!
Eyes came in from helping Callia to clean up the kitchen, and collapsed on the couch. Kanone set down the trahsbag he was holding, and sat next to him, "Are you alright?"
Eyes looked to him, "Yes." He answered simply, closing his tired, blue eyes. Kanone stared at him for a moment before leaning over to palce a kiss on his slightly parted lips. Eyes gasped at the sudden contact, but didn't object. Kanone moved to let Eyes sit up straight, but was soon pushing him back down. Kanone ran a hand up Eyes' shirt, and the small boy jumped at how cold the former's hand was. Kanone removed the hand and used it to, instead, start unbuttoning Eyes' shirt. The rush of cold air forced Eyes to gasp once again. This time, however, it didn't stop there and the boy began hyperventilating.
"Eyes?" Kanone asked, concerned. Said boy's breath was coming out in short, harsh huffs, and he was grabbing his chest, eyes wide in pain. Kanone immediately jumped off of him and grabbed his hand, "Eyes, just relax." Kanone said in a calm voice, though he was panicking on the inside.
Eyes started to slow his breathing, and Kanone's words became clearer. Eyes could now tell that he was trying to comfort the boy and get him to calm down. Eyes was still gripping his chest, but his breathing had slowed down considerably. He felt Kanone's hand move from his own to his shoulder, silently asking if he was alright. Eyes, however, knew that it wasn't over yet and looked to Kanone, "I'll be fine." He assured him, though he could see Kanone wan't convinced.
Before he could protest, Kanone wrapped Eyes in hug, "Is it always this violent?" Kanone asked, completely horrified by the response he got.
"This wasn't that bad, sometimes I can't breathe at all." Then Eyes felt it, that tickling in the back of his throat that would cause him to start coughing. He tried to pull away from Kanone, but the boy held him close.
"Just stay calm Eyes." Kanone whispered.
Eyes wanted to protest, but when he opened his mouth to do so, he was launched into another fit. It started from the back of his throat, almost a heaving sound. Then he felt the warm rush of blood coming up and past his lips. A second later he satisfied that tickle with a harsh cough that was followed by another and another. They became so close together that Eyes couldn't get a breath in, and when he did he inhaled some of the blood that was pouring out.
Kanone closed his eyes and held the coughing boy closer, feeling the blood soaking through his shirt. Eyes' body began to heave with the coughs and Kanone considered taking him to the emergency room. The only problem was, he couldn't move Eyes right now. He felt the boy gripping his shirt, and then with one last deafening cough it was over. Eyes stayed where he was, head rested against Kanone's chest, and closed his eyes which were watering from reflex. After another moment, Kanone pulled Eyes back from him and looked into his blue eyes which were dulled slightly from his attack.
Eyes looked down to Kanone's shirt and looked back up apologetically. Kanone saved him the trouble of speaking, "Don't worry about it, I've got plenty."
Eyes nodded, and wiped away the blood from his mouth, "Hold on a second." Kanone told him, and disappeared into the kitchen for a moment. Coming back, Kanone noticed that Callia was no where in sight, and was thankful that she hadn't witnessed what had just happened. He quickly wiped away the blood on Eyes' mouth and hand with a wet rag, then handed him a glass of water that he quickly drank.
Handing the glass back to Kanone, Eyes was finally able to speak, "Thank you." He said, and sighed at the lingering feeling of the cool liquid running down his throat.
Kanone smiled faintly, but quickly lost it, "Do you think you'll be okay until tomorrow morning, or do you need to go to the emergency room now?" Kanone asked, wiping off a bit of sweat from Eyes' forehead.
"I think I'll be okay." Eyes answered honestly, it always worked that way. First he would be short of breath, set off by something; he couldn't control it and would soon start hyperventilating. Then would come the chest pains, shooting throughout his upper chest near his heart which he could feel all the way in his neck. That was the first round, and this time it hadn't been that bad.
The second round was the coughing fit, which usually wasn't as violent as the first stage. He'd feel a tickle in the back of his throat and then the warm blood would coat it over for a second, diminishing it. Soon after, though, it came back twice as bad and forced Eyes to start coughing violently. This time had been the worst, though. Eyes had always been able to at least take a breath in between coughs, but they came so rapidly this time that it was nearly impossible.
Kanone stood up from his seat next to Eyes, "Do you want to go to bed? You look exhausted." Eyes nodded, that was another thing that had been getting worse. When it started, he could go through it and quickly get back to whatever he was doing. Now, however, it took so much out of him that he felt nearly faint when it was over. Kanone helped him to his feet, and wrapped an arm around his waist to steady him. Eyes leaned into his lover, and allowed Kanone to lead him up the stairs and into their room.
Ugh, about time I got finished with this chapter. I started it last night, and thought I could get done, but I ended up watching TV more than typing. Next chapter Eyes gets to go to the hospital (fun times there!), and we finally find out what's wrong with the poor boy. Review!
