Illusions of Heart; Touko x N

Chapter Twelve: Unraveling Reality

"Huuuaaaggghhhh," I yawned, stretching my arms as far out as they could go. The stretching put stress on my belly, and I flinched. I was still not used to the pain, but I was starting to understand it a bit better. My nap had lasted a good five-six hours, and it was about three o'clock in the afternoon.

"Touko's awake!" I heard Bianca yell from the corner of my room. "Touko's awake!"

"Bianca, be quiet. I'm not the only person in this hospital, you know?" I teased her, propping myself up on my elbows. Her smile was wide and proud. She sped over to meet me by my bed, crushing me in a hug so tight I thought she might open my wound again. "Be careful B, I'm not in the best of shape."

"Sorry Touko, I just-," she paused, "we thought we were going to lose you forever," her sobs echoed in my ears. Bianca was usually so optimistic and bright and cheery all the time, and her sudden change of dynamic surprised me. I squeezed her tightly into my shoulder.

"You weren't going to lose me, B," I blubbered. "I'll always be with you, no matter what."

"I know," she smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes. She motioned for me to scoot over on the bed. We both lied down, squished together, pondering life. "I know. Just don't go leaving me yet, okay? I still need a maid-of-honor, you know?" I laughed, wiping my own tears from my eyes.

"I take it you would still like me to be your maid-of-honor?"

"Of course, who else would I want to be my maid-of-honor?"

"Touya, duh," I teased. "He would look lovely in a dress."

"I thought about it, but Cheren already chose him as the best man so, I had to go with my second best choice," she teased right back.

"Pfft," I blew raspberries. "As if I'm not your first choice." We laughed together. I gave her one last final squeeze, sighing as all the powerful emotion left our bodies in harmony.

"I should probably go grab Doctor Hashimoto, shouldn't I?" Bianca inquired, sitting up on the side of the bed. I mimicked her actions, nodding slowly in reply. "I feel kinda selfish taking this time with you before everyone else, but it felt really nice to talk to just my best friend, didn't it?"

"Yeah, it did," I nodded. "I miss hanging out with my bestie. I'm going to have to throw a two-person bachelorette party for just the two of us. We can get our own strippers and-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

"Bianca, I'm just kidding. I was just planning we watch really soppy romance movies that will have us in tears by the end."

"Now that? That sounds more like me."

"With popcorn and soda-pops and sweets galore!"

"Yummy," she groaned in ecstasy. Usually I was the one to enjoy food this much, but I appreciated our common interest in high calorie foods.

"Well, I guess I should go and request Doctor Hashimoto now," she lifted herself off my bed, "I'll be back in a bit, okay?" I nodded again, sending her off with a warm smile.

Sighing, I laid back on my bed. I was going to get through the day, I was going to get through the day.

"Wow, already up, Touko? I wasn't expecting to see your cute face until tomorrow morning." I sat up again, and smiled appreciatively. "Well, let's get you walking. I was thinking we should try using a walker for now, is that okay?" I nodded to the doctor. Doctor Hashimoto extended his hands for mine, helping me off the bed.

"Whoa," I said, feeling a little woozy.

"You alright?" he asked.

"Fine," I responded, tightening my grip on the walker.