In which Takemichi is sick, very sick and in fear or worrying everyone he keeps it a secret. And of course when things happen before they should, unprepared confrontation appears.
"I lied to everyone...but I told the biggest lie to you."
"H-how? I k...
Takemichi was discharged from the hospital around 9pm, he hadn't uttered a word since his conversation with Haruchiyo at 6:30. Ran and Rindou were beyond worried, they had to leave the room at 8:45pm so the doctor could discuss things with Takemichi, when he walked out, they saw Takemichi with a solemn expression, his small hands fisting the sheets.
He had many missed calls and messages from people. Hina, trying to apologise and explain but at the same time say it was probably for the best. Emma sent voice memos off crying her eyes out and cursing him, begging to know more and why he hid it. Naoto was questioning where he was, Chifuyu had planned to drop by to grab some treats and found that the bakery was closed, so there were many messages from him which were accompanied by following ones from Kazutora and Baji.
He ignored them all. He wanted to ignore everything. He didn't want to feel, he didn't want to be felt, to be seen, to be heard. Emma knew. Now how long would it be before twenty people rock up at his house, shouting at him expecting an explanation. What's his excuse? 'Oh I didn't want anyone to worry about me' Well shit, they'd definitely be worried.
Ran and Rindou drove him home, they stopped pushing for more, he was grateful for that. But the constant glances in the rearview mirror displayed they still wanted to know. They walked him all the way to his apartment door, Takemichi didn't try to deny them, knowing it would be useless.
"Please eat and have a good rest Hanagaki-san," Ran urged, Rindou nodded beside him.
"Yeah, I definitely hate how that sounds, call me Takemichi." Takemichi replied, speaking for the first time in hours.
"But you're our boss," Rindou reasoned, he didn't want to make Takemichi uncomfortable.
"It's fine really, I prefer people using my first name anyway," he assured, looking in between the brothers before pulling them both into a side hug, "Thank you guys for being so helpful today. Pretty eventful first day, huh?"
Ran chuckled and patted his shoulder, "Definitely."
He pulled away from them, giving a goodbye smile, "I'll organise a roster, okay? So sometimes you can work alone with me, and other times, both of you will."
They nodded. He gave one last tired smile before walking into his apartment and closing the door behind him. His legs almost gave out, without the assistance of Ran and Rindou on either side of him. He leaned against the door, his chest tight, he waited, he waited until he heard their fleeting footsteps before he allowed himself to fall. He fell, and he sobbed, he cried, he didn't hold back, he didn't hold it in, he couldn't.
"Because of your inconsistency to take your medications, the cancerous cells have been multiplying at a much faster rate. Dr. Morisuke will discuss it with you further on Wednesday, but I'm sure he will tell you the same as I will now. You're in no condition to continue chemotherapy and radiation treatment, it's too much for your body. The best thing to do is just take your medications and let life decide. I advise you to begin your goodbyes if you haven't already."
For the first time since he received his diagnosis, he felt scared. He was terrified. He was going to die. He's known this for more than a year and a half, yet until today, it felt like a distant thing to worry about in the future. He's fucking terrified, and frustrated and depressed, why does dying suddenly feel so scary?
.
Hinata (Me): naoto can you check on him
Hinata (Me): emma found out because she answered my phone from the hospital
Hinata (Me): im so worried
Hinata (Me): hes not answering anyones messages or calls
Bro👮♂️: fuck, emma? She's a worrywart
Bro👮♂️: no offense to your lovely wife, but emma definitely seems like the type to freak
Bro👮♂️: i texted him and called him, i wanted to know where he was because he wasn't at the bakery or his apartment but he didn't answer
Bro👮♂️: im on my way back again
Hinata (Me): emmas right beside me sobbing, so yeah, id say shes the type to freak
Hinata (Me): ive just spent the last few hours trying to explain to her whats been going on the past year and a half
Hinata (Me): shes not taking it well
Bro👮♂️: im pulling up to his building now, ill let you know
Hinata (Me): ok thank you
Naoto tightens his grip on the bag in his hands, he brought dinner, even though it's late, Takemichi doesn't eat unless someone else makes him. He approached Takemichi's apartment, about to knock on the door when he realised he heard crying, on the inside. He pressed his ear to the door, it sounded like heart wrenching, gut twisting sobbing right on the other side of the door.
He whispered, not wanting to startle his pained friend, "Takemichi?"
The crying falters slightly before continuing, but the subtle click of the door unlocking was invitation enough.
little colouring by me, super rushed and now that i look it at, it looked way better on my phone than here
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
