Leafy love 🌿🗡️ Griefer x reader

Chapter five - healing

For the next few weeks, you visited the hospital every day. Whether or not you wanted to admit it, it gave your days a little spark — something to look forward to. Brad always had a snarky comment about your outfit or your hair, never failing to come up with some new way to roast you the moment you stepped through the door.

Eventually, you started firing back. Sometimes, he'd even rate your comebacks like a grumpy judge at a talent show.
You still didn't exactly get along, but it was a subtle improvement from the death threats he used to greet you with.

Mayor Thaniyel would stop by now and then to check on his son. Every time, you'd get to tell him how much progress Brad had made — even if Brad himself never admitted it. The mayor always looked so genuinely grateful when you spoke.

"I just want to thank you again. Seriously," he told you one day, voice thick with emotion. "You don't know how much this means to me — knowing Brad is under good care. I couldn't ask for anyone better. I truly mean that. Thank you."

From behind you, a muffled groan cut through the moment.

"Dad, you're going to embarrass me... What did I tell you about calling me Brad in public — especially with the Player around?"

You turned to see Brad pulling a blanket over his face like a sulking teenager. Mayor Thaniyel sighed softly, and a more solemn expression crossed his tired face.

"Oh, I remember when you loved that name. Pea... you'd come running into my arms."
His voice lowered with nostalgia. "Where did the time go? What happened...?"

The mayor looked distant for a moment — lost in memory — while Brad simply lay there, sadness creeping over his face. You stepped out of the way quietly, letting the mayor approach the bed. He sat beside his son and cupped Brad's cheek with one hand, smiling gently.

"No matter what you say or what name you go by... you'll always be my little boy. Nothing will ever take that from me."

His thumb gently stroked Brad's cheek. Brad looked over at you briefly, his eyes asking for a little space. You nodded and stepped out of the room.

You couldn't hear much — just the quiet murmur of voices — but after a moment, you caught the muffled sound of Brad crying.

"...I-I'm so, so sorry, Dad. I'm sorry I couldn't be a better son..."

The mayor's voice was soft and full of ache.

"Shh... Shh, my boy. It's all right. You're still my baby. I could never be mad at you. I know what happened — I know it was the sword, those voices. You were just so sweet, and that cursed thing— I don't know why they came after you. But I promise, I'll always keep you safe. I'll be better. I should've protected you... This was my fault..."

The rest was unclear, lost behind the door. You caught fragments of Brad's tearful retorts. It was hard to listen to — raw and real.

Trying to give them some privacy, you wandered toward the vending machine. You dug into your wallet, pulled out a few Tix, and fed them into the machine.
You pressed 2B for a soda, 4A for a pack of chips, and 1C for a bottle of water — Brad might not ask, but with all the crying he was doing, he'd need it.

Eventually, the mayor stepped out of the room, eyes red and teary. He waved at the staff, then at you, giving a quiet nod of appreciation before leaving the building.

You made your way back into the hospital room, gently pushing the door open. You half-expected Brad to throw some sarcastic jab your way — maybe something about crying like a child — but to your surprise, he said nothing.

You placed the water bottle down beside him and simply sat.

That silence cut deep. Not because you said anything — but because you didn't.
To Brad, it felt like judgment. Like your eyes were a mirror, reflecting back every mistake he'd ever made.
That wasn't what you meant at all, but he couldn't shake the weight of it.

He tried to brush it off, tried to mask the ache behind a joke.

"Heh... I must look like a wreck right now."
He picked up the water bottle, turning it in his hand before bringing it to his lips.

"Hah... I guess so," you replied casually. "But hey — so do I."

Brad looked up, blinking in slight surprise. Your voice wasn't mocking. It was... understanding.
Comforting.

He scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Damn right you look like one."

Then he made the poutiest face possible, just to drive the point home — and you couldn't help but laugh.