Roses And Thorns || ChesGlam Hanahaki Disease

Roses and Thorns

Ches hated he felt the way he did. Glam was his best friend, and yet butterflies filled his stomach whenever he looked at him. Everything he did was amazing. Talking about music, playing his guitar, even just sleeping, he looked beautiful. He never told Glam how he felt, of course. He feared that if he did, he would ruin their friendship, and he wasn't willing to risk that. The feeling only intensified the coming days before their biggest concert yet. It was valentine's day, couples would be coming to spend time together and listen to their music. The band had been preparing and rehearsing over and over again for weeks, and the day had finally arrived. Ches had told the others he was feeling weird, but not to worry about it. It was probably a stomach bug from not resting. He had done many all-nighters to prepare himself for the concert, so he brushed it off saying he'd rest afterwards.
Stepping on stage, his stomach did flips as he looked over the crowd of people attending. He had gotten used to large amounts of people, but they never had this many eyes on them at once. Ches took a breath before speaking into the microphone.
"What's up everybody? Happy Valentine's day! We're 'the hell's those moshers on stage?' and we're gonna play some songs for you!" Ches gave the cue for Bob to start counting off for the song, and the 4 began to play. Despite expecting the sick feeling in his stomach to go away, it persisted, and even worsened after a few songs. He began coughing, grabbing a water on stage to clear his throat, but to no avail. A rising feeling rose in his throat as he rushed off stage. Ches lurched over the garbage can, expecting to empty the contents from his lunch earlier today, but found nothing but petals falling out of his mouth. Confused, he carefully picks up a petal, wondering how he ended up consuming them without knowing. There was no taste left in his mouth, so instead of rinsing his mouth out, he merely tried to see to his throat, if there were more petals. When he found nothing, he shrugged it off, exiting the bathroom.
"Ches, are you okay? You ran off without saying anything." Glam asks, quickly going up to the boy.
"Yeah, I must've eaten something bad. Don't worry, I'm fine." He waves the blond boy's worry off, heading to the entrance of the stage. Performing on stage always helped clear his mind, and he hoped it would also help him forget what had just happened.

They had only gotten 3 songs in before Ches began coughing again. He covered his mouth, only for a single petal to fall into his hand. His eyes widen, and quickly, he puts the petal into his pocket.
"Are you sure you're able to perform? You don't look well." Lordi asks, setting a hand on his shoulder. Ches clears his throat, nodding.
"I'm fine, just something in my throat. Let's keep going." He reassured the taller boy, though not very convincing.
The rest of the performance goes off without issue, despite the band worrying for the boy. After they had gotten off-stage, they once again checked up on him, but he once again brushed it off as nothing to worry about. Usually, after they got their paychecks, they would get some drinks, but they all agreed to skip that for the time being, wanting their lead guitarist to get better. Ches had tried to decline, insisting he was fine, but the others didn't care. They went their separate ways as Glam and Ches made their ways to the trailer park where they have been staying. Ches had been trying to make jokes as they walked, however Glam thought it wasn't the time as Ches continued to cough up the petals. He didn't tell Glam, though, about the mysterious petals he had been coughing up. Why should he? There's nothing he can do to help, is there? Ches pushes up to the door, rattling the lock until it unlocked and opened. Sneaking past his mother, Glam shoots her a mean look, despite her being dead asleep. He would never say anything about Ches's mother, remembering the first time he came over, but it was clear he still had a grudge against the woman. The blond quickly fell asleep after collapsing on the bed, exhausted after the days events, but the brunette wasn't tired. His mind was racing, thinking about the petals. He would try to sleep, sure, but to no avail. He covered his mouth as he coughed, more violent than the last time. He looked at Glam, to make sure he was asleep before looking at the petals closer. They were Lily petals. Glam's favorite flower. Granted, it was because it was the only flower he could see from his window, but nevertheless, Ches kept it in mind. Unsure what to do, he pulled out his phone, hoping to find answers. As he scrolled, one term popped up consistently. *Hanahaki disease.* What a strange name. *Hanahaki is a disease where the victim coughs or vomits up flowers or petals, usually those of the victim's unrequited lover favorite flower.* He pauses, reading the last part over and over. Unrequited lover? Ches didn't love anyone, did he? He felt weird talking to his best friend, and caught himself staring at the boy, but he didn't love Glam... Did he? He shook the thought of, continuing to read. *The disease continues to become more and more severe until the victim cannot breathe, or one of two options occur. The lover returns the feelings, or the victim undergoes surgery, getting rid of the petals. The only thing is symptoms vary, but most cases lose all feelings for the love.* Ches's heart stops as he reads the article, not wanting to believe what he was reading. If the flowers were not controlled, he could suffocate, or even worse, forget his best friend all together. He grits his teeth, throwing his phone across the room after turning it off. No. This was all a bad dream. Everything would go back to normal when he wakes up. He sighs, trying to reassure himself that everything would be fine, and curled up next to Glam, wanting to try and sleep.