Sick (Peterick AU)

If I Believe You, Would That Make it Stop?

Pete bursts into my room, quite noisomely. I dont think he's ever known how to be subtle. He seems to have discarded his wheelchair. Whether or not by doctor's orders, I'm not sure.

At first, he pays no mind to me, opening the blinds, and the window that was initially hiding behind them. Golden light, along with a cold breeze of Chicago air, falls from the outside world and filters to my room's floor.

Pete stands at the windowsill, just staring. I suddenly feel as though I'm not actually there. It's as though I'm only there in spirit; with a mind, but not a body. I'm outside of my own body, just watching. This is beyond surreal.

When Pete abruptly turns and claps his hands, I jolt. He smiles at me. What I throw back isn't much of a smile, but more like a sleepy grin. I suppose it would actually look like that if I were actually sleepy. I'm really not; more exhausted than sleepy. I can keep awake, though.

"Hey," he says, walking towards the bed. "We're gonna do stuff today."

My initial reaction was something along the lines of 'what in all of hell?' Then a question bloomed in my mind. "And just what kind of 'stuff' will we be doing?"

"Outdoors stuff."

I feel my eyes widen. Outdoors? Has he gone insane? How are we supposed to do that? Am I even allowed to go outside? Why didn't I know about it? Where will we go?

Pete answers a few of my questions with his response. "I talked to Ryan and Dr. Priddy, and they both agreed that it would probably do you some good to get out of here for a bit. Ryan said he could drive us dang near anywhere we want!"

My breathing hitches for second, and I begin to fear that I'll start coughing, but the fit doesn't come. This is all a lot to take in at once. How did Pete get to Dr. Priddy? I have far too many questions to be answered in one day.

"I was thinking we could go to the farmer's market," Pete starts again. "We could meet Brendon. I know you have to eat hospital food while you're up here, so I'm sure you'd appreciate some decent fruit." His last statement ended with an air of uncertainty. I genuinely smile for the first time in what seems like years, and nod. Pete does the same, suddenly running out of the room.

He comes back a few seconds later with Ryan and a wheelchair. I look around me with interest. I really thought all of these monitors were totally necessary.

I move to the edge of the bed, and Pete and Ryan help me into the chair. Ryan disconnects everything but one IV. Then, we're off.

Down the hall, on and off of the elevator, and though a few more hallways until we finally get to the front lobby. Ryan stops to talk to the girl at the front desk, telling her about our plans.

I realize now that I don't know how long I'll be outside. I don't care. I look up to Pete, and see him smiling down at me. Something inside me starts pulling, tugging, telling me to move. I don't know what it wants me to do, though.

I stay still in the wheelchair, my only movement coming from shallow breaths and blinking.

Ryan comes back quickly, and I'm suddenly pushed into a new universe of light and warmth; one that doesn't smell of off-brand cleaners or pee.

I close my eyes and inhale, taking in the slight scent of cherry blossoms. How I've missed those. Pete takes my hand, and I look up at him, offering a small grin. It isn't much, but it conveys my feelings to him perfectly.

Still, he flashes me his toothy, squinty smile, knowing that I'm content. I sigh, keeping my grin. It feels like a lot of what I lost to my horrid lungs has finally come back to me. I have the urge to jump up and start running, though that's probably a really bad idea.

We reach the car and Ryan helps me inside while Pete puts the wheelchair on the back. Soon after, we're out of the parking lot.

I don't know what street we're on or what direction we're going, and I quickly come to the conclusion that trying to read road signs will only frustrate me. It would be good to assume that Ryan at least halfway knows his way through the streets of Chicago. After all, he would have to travel on them every single day, no matter how he does it.

I'm still a bit anxious, though.

I eventually decide to just take in the scenery, and try not to really read or think anything. We round a few corners when I suddenly remember that there is, in fact, a human being three inches away from me. I hope he's not hurt that I've just been staring outside the whole time so far.

When I turn around, I see that Pete had been holding a conversation with Ryan, apparently I'd blocked them out completely.

"I'm just sayin', man. Harry would've been so much better off in Slytherin." Ryan argues his point.

"But," Pete begins his dispute. "He asked to be in Gryffindor. That takes a lot of courage, bro." I giggle a bit at their childishness, somehow grabbing almost all of the attention in the car. Ryan still had a road to watch.

"Oooh," Ryan jumps at the first opportunity to make fun. "Has the infamous Patrick finally decided to join our fun?" I scrunch my nose at him in the rearview mirror, despite my so obvious grin.

Pete nudges me with his elbow and winks at me. "Pick a side, 'Trick!" I think a bit on the offer. Would either of them get upset depending on the side I choose?

"You should pick Peter's side," Ryan breaks up my thought bubble. "He's gonna need the help."

Pete looks amused, and plays along. "Oh, I'm sure George here would love to have some backup after I completely roast him." My smile grows wider and wider with every word either of them say.

"Personally," I take their attention once again. "I think you're both absolute nerds." Ryan's jaw drops comically low. Pete's does the same, with an added hand on his chest, all in mock offense. I can't help but smile at all of this. I feel happier than I've ever felt before.

Its such a strange feeling, happiness. Its so bubbly and light, yet shallow. It can be popped like a balloon if you're not careful.

When was the last time I was happy?

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the air, as the car jolted to the side.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion. I felt myself go numb, my arms flying through the air. I hear screaming. My thoughts are reduced to simple words as fear paralyzes my body.

Me.

Ryan.

Pete.

This won't end well.

•••

Oops