Heartaches

Chapter 46

By KellyQ

Crow came back to the hospital on Yusei's motorcycle, so he could get home if he needed, and walked into Kiryu's room. The nurse was trying to get him to say some words.

"What's going on?" Crow asked.

"I'm trying to teach him to talk properly," the nurse explained.

Crow raised a questioning brow, but smiled.

Kiryu turned his head and smiled. "Crow! Nurse here. A friend."

"So. What's going on with Martha?" the nurse asked.

"She has cancer, and there's nothing Doctor Smith can do to save her," Crow explained, looking depressed.

Kiryu frowned. "Ma ...?"

The nurse chuckled. "No. Say, Mar-tha."

"Ma ..." he said, giggling. Kiryu was having fun watching the nurse's facial expression when she got irritated.

Crow rolled his eyes. "I've tried to teach him how to say people's names properly, and so far he'll say it right when he wants to."

The nurse rose to her feet, shook her head, and made her way out the door. "Call again if you need anything."

Yusei placed Martha's duffel bag on the table and sat down. His forehead rested against his clasped fingers, and a few tears dripped off his chin. He never felt so helpless and scared in his life.

Yusei sat there until the door opened and Mina and Trudge walked in as far as the living room.

"Thanks for taking me out to eat and for the chocolate," came Mina's voice.

Yusei straightened up, wiped the tears from his face, and turned to see Mina walk up.

"How was the outing?" Yusei asked, trying to sound casual, watching her put her boxes of leftovers and chocolate in the fridge.

Mina turned and noticed a distant look in Yusei's eyes. "Mr Fudo ... are you alright?" she asked.

"I'm fine," Yusei answered quietly. He got to his feet, grabbed Martha's bag and made his way out, but he stopped. "I'm glad that things are going well for you."

Mina blinked, wondering where that came from. She watched him make his way to Jack's room. He opened the door and walked in, closing the door behind him.

Mina bit her lip, wondering if there was something bothering him. She took a few steps toward the door, but she came to sudden halt when she felt something was off.

"Why!" came Yusei's muffled voice, full of anger and sadness. Mina flinched in shock, and her eyes widened. "Damn it! Why!" A sob followed after.

Mina stood there until the front door opened. She turned and ran to the entrance to see Jack taking his shoes off.

"Jack-!"

He looked up and was about to ask what the fuss was all about, when a faint sobbing sound reached his ears. Jack straitened up and narrowed his eyes at Mina. She cringed at the look the blonde-haired teen gave her.

"He looked like he was crying even before I got here!" Mina shared.

Jack sighed and closed his eyes, trying to suppress the feeling in his heart. He hated it when Yusei was hurt it pained him.

"Martha's dying of cancer," Jack finally spoke quietly, "and finding out how his parents were killed ..."

Mina lowered her gaze as Jack walked past her. She turned and watched him walk toward his room. Oh, Jack ... she thought, feeling a pang for him.

He opened the door to see Yusei sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed. He had brought his knees to his chest, wrapped his arms around his legs, and buried his face between his legs.

Jack sighed and knelt in front of his boyfriend, and ran his hands along Yusei's hips.

"I ... I found Rudger when I left Doctor Smith's office, and Godwin," Yusei murmured. He lifted his head, and Jack flinched lightly when he saw tears sliding down his cheeks. "I ... don't know what to do anymore. I just wish there was a way to fix it, you know?"

"Does Crow know?" Jack asked. Yusei lowered his gaze and shook his head. Jack got to his feet and helped his boyfriend up. "Go wash up, and we'll head back to the hospital ... Crow needs to know what's going on."

Jack's right, Yusei thought, making his way to the bathroom and closing the door. He lowered his gaze after he turned the tap on. He splashed water on his face, straightened up, and grabbed the towel to wipe his face. We're all in this together as a family, he thought, hanging the towel back. Yusei turned and walked out to see Martha's duffel bag over Jack's shoulder. He felt a little uncomfortable noticing his boyfriend carrying the bag.

"It has my father's diary ... can I have it back?" Yusei murmured, not making eye contact with his boyfriend.

Jack stepped up, removed the strap from his shoulder, and placed it over Yusie's head, making sure it hung properly.

"When I was with Carly, it made me realize something," Jack said, running his knuckles along Yusei's check, "friendship and love are important things to have." He looked into Yusei's eyes, before he kissed him. "One important individual taught me that."

A small smile made its way to Yusei's lips as he watched his boyfriend walk out.

"Thanks, Jack ..."

To Be Continued ...