WITHERSICKNESS [MCSM INFECTION AU]

Chapter 33: TOGETHER

Jesse was sitting in the corner, crying. He wished he didn’t fuck up, he wished we was more careful. He wished he just thought it through. “Jesse?” A voice called out, walking down the stairs. Jesse immediately rushed to the metal door, seeing Lukas. Lukas immediately saw Jesse’s face peaking out, rushing over.

“What are you doing!? You’ll get infected if you come near me!” Jesse answered. “I wasn’t going to leave you alone.” Lukas added, opening the doors. Jesse went to hug him, but resisted, knowing he might infect him. Lukas smiled, hugging him tightly.

“Lukas... you’ll-” “I don’t care. I barely have any friends alive now.” Lukas added. “What about Jessica?” Jesse questioned. “I’d rather not talk about it.” Lukas sighed. “Well, I’m glad I’m not alone.” Jesse smiled. “Same here.” Lukas agreed.

***

They chatted forever, as long as they could. A lantern rested near them so they didn’t have to sit in the dark. “How’d you know they left me?” Jesse asked. “They told us. Well, Axel did. Olivia didn’t want to. I don't know what’s going on up there now. I left mid-fight.” Lukas answered.

“Jessica was saying how they were selfish about leaving you down here, and how they didn’t care for no one but themselves. I think most were targeted towards Olivia. Axel seemed to feel guilty. Like, he didn’t want to. Hell, he even tried to tell us a couple of times before Olivia vaguely ‘explained’ it.” Lukas added.

“Well, it’s good to know Jessica and Axel actually cared.” He smiled. Lukas frowned, hugging Jesse. “Yeah.” Lukas added. “Lukas,” “Hm?” Lukas asked. “I don’t want to be infected. I don’t want to hurt people.” Jesse answered, tears forming. “Neither do I. But, we might be good if we stay here. Hopefully, when we are infected, we will just stay here.” Lukas added.

Jesse smiled, it slowly fading. “What’s wrong?” Lukas questioned again. “I’m sorry I got us in this mess.” Jesse sighed. “What? You didn’t do anything wrong.” Lukas reassured him. “If I was more careful and actually planned this out, I wouldn’t be infected and you wouldn’t be too.” Jesse added.

“Jesse, it’s not your fault. You tried your best. This is a new situation for all of us, it’s not your fault.” Lukas answered, trying to comfort Jesse. “Plus, it’s my fault that I’m going to be infected, not yours.” He included. “I appreciate you trying to comfort me, but it’s still my fault.” He replied.

“Jesse, you were trying to save us. That’s really brave of you, more than anything I would have done.” Lukas  chuckled. Jesse smiled. “I’m glad you came down here.” Jesse added. “Same here.” He grinned back. Lukas took off his jacket, wrapping it around his waist.

“It’s kinda hot in here, heh.” Lukas replied, laughing, Jesse doing the same. “Mhm.” Jesse chuckled. Lukas took off the prosthetic leg, throwing it to the other side of the room. “Just in case when I get infected, I don’t cause too much of a problem when infected.” He chuckled.

“They regenerate limbs quite quickly, actually.”

“Really? Well, just in case.”

Jesse chuckled more. “You know what I find kinda funny?” Jesse added. “Hm?” Lukas asked. “That we were ‘rivals’ before all of this, and now, we’re friends.” Jesse laughed. “Yeah, that is funny.” Lukas agreed. “You know, I’m actually glad this infection came around, in the way that I got closer to you.” Jesse smiled.

“Same, just wish this could have happened without the majority of my friends dying.” He added. “Same here.” Jesse agreed. Jesse began to cough violently. “You good!?” Lukas replied, immediately concerned.

“Y-yeah.” Jesse smiled, the veins around the scratch on his eye spreading. “I just wish the aggressive part of the sickness doesn’t get to us, or at least, come between us.” Jesse chuckled. “Agreed.” Lukas smiled.

They sat down there a while, chatting, the sickness catching up faster than normal. Lukas just wanted to see Jesse in his final moments. He knew this was risky, but he didn’t care. He at least wanted Jesse to be happy.