V's Diary (One shots)

I was never there (pitBabe) [5/8]

“When you wake up phi, we’ll go to Krabi. I’ve made the arrangements. It’ll be just two of us okay, no one else.” Jeff spoke hushedly as if he were confessing his silliest crimes.

It had been 10 days since the accident, they were just waiting for Charlie to wake up.

“I think the beach vibe will suit you, you’ve always loved the sound of waves crashing. I remember all the nights you slept to those white noises, I think I kind of understand it now. I won’t mind a bit of humidity if it means we get to live by the ocean.

Cleaning sand would be a headache though, it’s like glitter-”

“You…you’re rambling Jeff.” a feeble voice interrupted Jeff’s monologue, he had a hard time processing the voice, maybe his ears were ringing.

But his brother never really disappointed him, he was awake.

“And you don’t clean,” Charlie commented as Jeff failed to voice out his thoughts, the syllables were hard to decipher but still understandable.

“I do, I clean whenever you leave.” Jeff protested half-heartedly, he was starting to tear up but refused to cry. No more crying, Charlie won’t like it.

“I hardly leave you alone.”

“You left me alone though.” The younger’s voice cracked, he could still feel the phantom smell of Charlie’s soothing scent tainted with sharp metallic blood. “I’m sorry.”

“You should be, you have to make up to me or I won’t reply to your texts.” Charlie hates being left on seen so he agreed, he would have even without the threat.

“What do you think about a beach house phi?”

“Sounds fun.”

“I know right, the house is small but cozy. P’Pete sent the pictures, it has a nice sea view and the area is less populated.” Jeff called the doctor as he continued to chat with his brother.

They talked about mundane things, without the mention of the accident or near-death experience.

As the doctors completed their checkup, Jeff resumed his position by the bed.

“How long have I been here?” it was Charlie who decided to breach the topic. He decided that there was no use delaying the inevitable.

“10 days since your accident, about 4 days since the doctor confirmed you’ll be fine.” Jeff’s voice lost the vibrance they held seconds ago. “What about others?”

“Others who?”

Charlie did a double-check, Jeff’s a meticulous person, always mindful of the way he works out his thoughts and speaks of things. The blatant denial of everyone’s presence surely meant something.

“The X-hunter team?”

“Everyone’s fine, I asked for indefinite leave, and our salary for this month in advance. We’ll be leaving as soon as you can get out of the hospital, you need to rest phi.” Jeff didn’t order Charlie as per se, he just gave an ultimatum.

One thing Charlie always has been proud of was the fact that Jeff never loved him situationally, it was never based on Charlie’s efficiency in providing, Jeff loved him at his best and at his worst too.

This time, it was a silent question will you still choose me? Over everyone else?

And the answer, as unexpected as it would be, had always been clear.