I Will Fight For You [TOTICF Book 2] (Killua X OC)

Offering

Grasping at the walls, Usagi forced her convulsing body to remain upright as she stepped forward precariously. The sweat dripped down her forehead and chest as she heaved, her legs trembling in agony as they struggled to support her. Gasping deeply, her shoulder fell against the wall as her strength succumbed to the exhaustion.

"I just need to... make it to... the corner." Even her inner voice was unable to speak clearly.

From the opposite side of the room, Leorio kept a close eye on Usagi as she dragged herself around the perimeter of the space in slow, agonizing laps. She needed to build up her strength, he told himself--but it was still difficult to watch. He only allowed her to practice her stamina because she was finally able to hold her food down long enough to train herself.

Slumping into the corner, Usagi gasped breathlessly and slid down the walls. The binder clip holding up her pants dug into her belly, so she shoved her hand between the cool plastic and her skin. It pinched uncomfortably into her side at every movement, a constant reminder of her withered form.

"Here," Leorio said, extending his hand to her. She took hold as he hoisted her upright. "You did great that time, Usagi. Much better than yesterday," he told her, putting his arm around her shoulder as he walked her back to the bed.

"How many... was it?" Usagi asked, head swimming as he pulled her along.

"342, I think," he said. "That's about 40 more laps than yesterday--your strength is definitely returning!"
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but she didn't feel very strong at all--she was pathetic, an echo of what she used to be. "Thank you," she muttered. She knew it was useless to thank him, he always shrugged off her words out of humility, but she couldn't stop herself. She needed him to know. "I think I should take a nap now," she said, a small laugh catching in her words as she sat down on the edge of the bed.

"That sounds like a great idea," Leorio agreed, pulling the covers so she could bury herself beneath them. Now that the vast amount of hospital equipment had been removed from the room, she could finally rest in peace and quiet without the constant humming, whirring, and beeping of the machines. "I'll be outside," he said, making his way to the door before stepping into the hall, the door clicking shut behind him.

Rolled onto her side, Usagi's features narrowed as her brows furrowed. She clutched at her chest and curled in tightly on herself. Her lips curled as she hissed.

"God-fucking-dammit."

~ ~ ~

Once out in the hall, Leorio walked silently to the kitchen to grab himself a drink. To his surprise, Chi was leaning against the countertop, arms crossed beneath her bust as she stared off into space. Beside her was the day's mail.

"Yo," he said, raising his hand in greeting. She returned the gesture, but nothing more.

Moving beside Chi, he reached into the cabinet and pulled out a glass and a bottle of liquor; glancing at the woman, he grabbed a second glass. She chuckled.

"Isn't it early to be drinking, Leorio?" she asked, her tone playful yet vacant.

"There is no such thing," he asserted, grinning to himself as he poured the liquid into a cup. He offered it to her, and she smirked before accepting. Preparing one for himself, the two tapped their glasses together silently before throwing them back. "Did any cool mail come in?"

"Just your subscription to MILFs Monthly."

"Fucking finally, I've been waiting since... Last month," he said, his retort crumbling as the silence lingered.

Chi's shoulders shook as she chuckled at the line. "But seriously, you did get a letter," she said, reaching beside her to grab the ivory envelope.