Water the Flowers (In My Lungs) - Muke

The Things I'll Miss

Luke wasn't sure when he noticed the itch in his throat.

He'd tried everything to get rid of it.

Drank double the amount of water he usually drank.

Sucked on cough drops.

Drank lots of tea and spoonfuls of honey.

And tried clearing his throat almost a hundred times.

The boys had put him on a strict vocal rest, in order to get better for the upcoming shows.

Luke hasn't said a word in maybe a week.

Not that he had much to say.

He dragged his fork across his plate, pushing his salad from corner to corner.

Calum and Ashton had their own conversation going on- not that they'd ask Luke to join, since he wasn't supposed to speak.

Michael was at the end of the table with his new girlfriend, Lydia.

They were being as disgusting as ever and Luke couldn't find it in him to eat anymore of his salad.

"A toast." Lydia started.

She stood up and tapped her glass with a knife, creating a horrible clinking sound that made Luke cringe.

Calum and Ashton played along, holding up their glasses.

"To my new fiancé-"

Luke sputtered, causing him to breakout into coughing. He brought a hand to his mouth.

"-May our wedding be as lovely as you." She finished.

Luke's eyes began to tear from holding his cough.

He couldn't breathe.

Luke stood up from the table in a swift movement.

"Lu, you alright?" Cal quizzed, looking about ready to jump up and perform the heimlich.

Luke held his hand out as to say 'stay I'm fine.'

He made his way out of the restaurant, finally allowing himself to cough.

It hurt so bad.

He held his hand to his mouth and coughed the hardest he ever had.

When the coughing stopped, Luke was afraid to open his eyes, but forced himself to look.

In his hand were white petals, dripping with deep red blood.

The red was so dark against the pure white.

Luke licked his lips and could taste the blood on them.

Fuck.

"Hey, you alright?"

In a panic, Luke shoved the petals into his pocket.

He spun around to be met with a worried Michael.

"I'm fine." Luke assured.

"You have blood on your teeth." Michael retorted.

"I bit my tongue." Luke explained.

Michael seemed to believe him, even if he didn't- he dropped it.

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the engagement sooner", Michael mumbled, scratching the back of his neck, "It just kind of happened."

"You don't owe me an explanation", Luke muttered, coldly, "I'm not your mother."

Luke didn't want to return to the restaurant, he spun on his heels and began walking away from his problems.

"But-"

Luke didn't stay to hear Michael's rebuttal.

Walking the streets by himself probably wasn't the most genius idea.

He could get spotted by fans or paparazzi or worse, muggers.

Luke didn't care.

Everything seemed so fickle now that he was going to die.

He shoved his hands deeper into his coat pockets and watched his breath appear before him in a visible cloud.

Only one thing would cure him, requited love, and he knew that wouldn't happen as much as he knew he would die.

It was a wake up call really.

Luke had maybe a few weeks, a month if he was lucky.

He had to get his affairs in order.

Hopefully finish touring, say goodbye to his mates, see his family one last time.

Find someone to care for his dog permanently, most likely his mom would take Petunia.

There was so much he wanted to do, so much he wanted to accomplish in his life.

Now he maybe had as many days left as he had fingers.

He walked around the city, taking in sights that would be his lasts.

Luke wasn't sure what time he stumbled back to the hotel.

He took the elevator, finally feeling the ache of walking in his legs.

Besides, who knew how many more elevators would he get to ride.

Luke unlocked his hotel room door before his fingers even had a chance to thaw out.

He was hoping for peace and quiet, which made him thankful for having his own room.

Not that he had much choice.

He used to room with Michael before...

Before her.

Before she started joining them on tour.

Luke's shoulders sagged as he spotted Calum in his room- knowing he wouldn't be getting that peace.

"Where have you been?" Calum quizzed worriedly as he approached Luke.

The older boy placed his hands on Luke's bright red cheeks and felt how ice cold they were.

"What were you thinking? Do you want to get even more sick?" Calum lectured, before helping Luke strip his layers.

"I needed some air." Luke mumbled.

"You can't do that, Lu. You can't just walk off and not tell anyone where your going or not answer any texts." Cal huffed.

Luke pulled his phone from his jacket pocket before letting it hit the ground.

He pushed the power button but was met with a black screen.

Luke shrugged, "It must have died."

Calum muttered furiously under his breath as he guided Luke into bed.

Luke knew Calum was only harsh because he'd been scared.

"I'm sorry I scared you." Luke whispered.

Calum sighed, sitting on the edge of Luke's bed. His hand brushed the curls from Luke's face.

"I love you, you know that right?" Luke quipped, yawning.

His eyes grew heavy and his breaths slowed.

"Of course, Lu." Calum assured softly.

"Promise..." Luke began dozing off, "...promise you won't forget me...."

If Calum responded, Luke didn't know. He was too far gone to hear or comprehend.