Wow. How long has it been since I uploaded this? Too long. Well I haven't died! Still here! Still interested in finishing this! Thanks to all you guys who favorited this, and added it too your story alerts! And especially to all you guys who left comments! I really appreciate it. Well I know you're not interested in me blabbering on and on. So here's to you disclaimer!
Disclaimer: I think we all know who Kingdom Hearts really belongs to.
On the ward life consisted of cycles and schedules. Any problem presented was easily smoothed over by yet another schedule. Pre-prepared packages of life.
In some ways that made it easier than read life. Sure, there were more aches and pains and you felt like you were ninety-four when you were fourteen, but there was schedule and order.
Life followed one rule: Do what you can while you still can.
Roxas wondered if this qualified him as being out of the closet. Maybe, but he was still 'on the ward'.
The whole group seemed happier, even Zexion. No much, but Roxas figured any improvement was a good sign. Zexion had been isolated for too long.
"Alright, Dem..." Axel paused, "Got any, sevens?"
The dusty blond stared, before throwing down his cards, "I'm not playing with you anymore, Axel."
"Hey! Hey! Just because I have mad skills--"
"You're cheating."
"Prove it."
Demyx faltered, but was saved by Lexaeus, Luxord and the infamous Dr. Saïx. He seemed as aloof as before.
"What're we playing, boys."
"Well, Demyx is epic failing at Go Fish." Axel replied with a grin.
"Axel cheats." Demyx grumbled.
Unsmiling, Lexaeus muttered, "We need to talk to Zexion."
As if he expected it, Zexion shuffled off Axel's bed and retreated to his corner.
Roxas stared at his cards trying not to listen to Dr. Lexaeus and Dr. Saïx go over the intimate details of Zexion's upcoming surgery.
This was Zexion's second time on the ward. Dr. Saïx already operated on him once. Would that be Roxas one day? Would he be back here a second maybe third time until he finally succumbed to disease?
Both Axel and Demyx were quiet at well.
Roxas shuttered. Axel lost one leg already, and Demyx had already had brain surgery, and would probably have it again. Would they be back again? Would Axel lose another leg? Demyx might have another seizure. And Roxas himself.... nothing truly horrific had happened to him yet. But what would? What sacrifice would he have to make to stay alive?
Roxas shuttered.
Their duties done, the three men exited. Zexion stood and excused himself to the bathroom.
Roxas willed his mind to think of other things. "You know something? I've met both of your parents, but I don't think I've ever seen Zexion's mom and dad."
"Me neither." Demyx aid his eyes turned to Axel.
The red-head shrugged, "Apparently, they just sign the consent forms. Dr. Lex's been trying to convince them to come down for a while but they're 'too busy'." Axel air quoted.
"Oh..." Roxas looked down wishing he hadn't asked.
Axel suddenly took great interest in his cards, "Probably why he's so anti-social..."
"I think his dad's a lawyer or something." Demyx shook his head, "They'll probably sue if he dies."
"It'll be the only time they come to the hospital."
The conversation ended abruptly, as Zexion came out of the bathroom, "So... ah... where we're we?" He asked.
"You ok?" Demyx asked.
"Yes." Zexion waved it off, "It's nothing."
This warranted a raised eyebrow, but for the sake of Zexion's sanity they said no more.
It was Roxas' week off, but he still felt horrible. Worse then ever before.
Lexaeus' face was unreadable as he spoke. "You'll probably need a BMT-"
"Um... a what?" Roxas asked. He'd learned a lot-- namely ask questions.
"A bone marrow transplant." Lexaeus elaborated. "We'll be starting you on radiation treatment in a few days."
"Oh..." Roxas looked over at his parents. Their faces were resigned. "So... um, bone marrow transplants, that requires a donor, right?"
Lexaeus nodded, "Yes. Sora will be the donor."
Sora?!
Roxas looked over at his fidgeting twin. Sora who could barely manage getting a shot was going to donate bone marrow.
"He is the closest genetic match after all." Roxas' mother wrapped an arm around Sora's shoulders, "Right?"
Lexaeus nodded, "Pretty lucky."
"Yeah. Lucky." Roxas grunted. Right.
The day Zexion left for surgery. Demyx had another seizure.
The same as before, complete with auditory hallucinations and involuntary head jerking.
Somehow seeing it a second time made it all the more horrifying for Roxas. Axel was all a twitter too. He had only heard about the first one. Somehow this only made Demyx more upset.
Roxas wished Zexion were there. He'd know what to do. Or at least give a big long explanations using words like 'temporal lobe' and 'post-ictal'. Even if Roxas had no clue what it meant it was comforting to know someone else had a clue.
"Hey." Axel caught Roxas' arm and pulled him close to his mouth. Roxas' skin tingled from the red head's hot breath, "Dem, got sick last time from this, right?"
"Yeah. Something about fluid in his lungs." Roxas replied.
Axel's brow furrowed, but he released Roxas' arm. He was probably thinking the same thing as Roxas. Demyx couldn't afford to get sick again. He'd lost a lot of weight from his last bout with pneumonia.
He was sleeping, now. Roxas figured that must be a good thing. Demyx needed a deep sleep, one uninterrupted by dreams or doctors.
Unsure what to do, Roxas returned to his bed. "... Axel?"
"Yeah?" The red-head asked, his eyes left Demyx.
"Do you figure we'll be back?" He swallowed, "Like Zexion."
Axel didn't answer right away. His mouth opened once, then he shut it again.
He was spared from answering by Demyx's mother.
Zexion's surgery went well. Routine and completely normal. Roxas thought the book worm would enjoy knowing that. He'd be back at the ward soon. And Roxas' would be leaving it.
Radiation wasn't fun.
Well, big surprise there. Hardly any treatments on the ward were 'fun'.
It was like his insides were dying. Slowly, being micro-waved. Like a baked potato. Pretty soon Lexaeus would jab a fork in him and pronounce him done.
Axel was picking up though. Re-juvenized by the knowledge that he'd soon be leaving the ward. Freedom was so close he could almost taste it. Then he could put the entire ordeal behind him. Lock it up in a little box in his mind and only pull it out again when it was time for college applications.
He'd walk out of the ward, his newly discovered sexuality in hand. Find a new boyfriend. One who's body wasn't ravaged with cancer and chemo drugs. He'd never have to think about Roxas again. Never have to see his gaunt face, or hear his weak voice. It'd be as if Roxas had never occurred.
He'd never have to think about Zexion or Demyx either. Nor about the unconventional relationship they shared. Not about Ms. Namine, or Luxord, or have to worry about Larxene catching him staying up late again. He'd never have to think about Dr. Saïx either although his missing leg would always be a memento of the cold surgeon.
His only contact with the ward would be Dr. Lexaeus.
And bound by hippa laws the good doctor would never be able to tell them how he was doing.
And who knew? Maybe by some miracle all of them would get out alive. And then what? They'd all return to their normal lives, never wishing to see or think about their hell on earth.
Axel's long warm finger's coiled in Roxas' hair. His other hand lay on Roxas' thigh. Their mouths moved together until they were mere inches apart. Roxas felt his breathing slow and stop.
Finally, Axel bridged the gap between them. Unsure of what to do Roxas let Axel guide him through the kiss. Two mouths moving in harmony. Perfection at Roxas' lips.
Axel leaned forward deepening the kiss. Dizzy, Roxas' heart pounded. It was as if the room was spinning out of control.
But he and Axel were perfectly still.
It could have been an eternity later when the two separated. Let it be an eternity, Roxas didn't care. Three words hung heavy on his tongue but somehow Roxas didn't have the courage to say them.
Well holy shit. Once again Roxas didn't ruin something for us! Yet another miracle. Leave reviews for more miracles!