Hanahaki - BTS Fanfic #Wattys2017

The Hanahaki Disease

Let me start out by saying that I don't own the concept of the Hanahaki disease! In fact, it's origin is rather unknown, but has been used by several fandoms, including BTS. So my interpretation and portrayal of it might not be 100% accurate but bear with me.

WARNING: Vomiting. Lots and lots of vomiting. And angst. Even more angst.

-Em

I'll start out by saying I've always been one of those people who fell in love easily. No, not when I see someone in the halls and think Oh, they're cute. Not when someone's fingers brush against mine, or when all of the sudden I'm confronted by a stranger.

No, I'm the type who falls in love with smiles that make my knees weak, with eyes that seem to understand me, and with friends that make my heart race as though I just ran a marathon.

So I suppose it made sense that I'd fall in love with my best friend of all people. The one whom I depended on since middle school. Tae was my rock, the one who I could depend on, lean on, and so much more. The one who I told everything to.

But it was one specific day that it all seemed to crash down on me. When I bore a secret I couldn't spill to him.

We were having lunch. It wasn't anything special, just us hanging out for the day as usual. He was inside, getting our orders to bring outside, where I was sitting at the one table we always chose.

He stepped out, kicking open the door gently, two trays in his hands. His rectangular smile made my heart melt, and I found myself admiring how his eyes smiled as well. "Your favorite," he said, placing down the meal I chose every time we came here.

"You remembered!" I exclaimed, somehow finding my mood brighten at the fact. He knew me so well that he didn't even have to ask what I'd want.

"Of course I did, Gi," Tae laughed, using my nickname fondly. My knees felt weak at the syllable. "I'm your best friend after all."

"That you are," I laughed. "You're my other half, Tae."

"Don't forget it," Taehyung teased affectionately, reaching over the table to ruffle my hair, causing me to pout in mock-annoyance. "After all, I'm your soul-mate, remember?"

"Who said?" I smirked.

"Fate," Taehyung shrugged, grinning. "Destiny? We're meant to be together from beginning to the end. That's what a best friend's for, right?"

"To the end," I repeated, finding myself reach out. My elbow rested on the table, and I poked out my pinky to initiate a pinky swear, a childish oath we kept even as adults. Taehyung laughed, but did the same, locking our pinkies together.

"Forever," Taehyung promised, winking at me.

At once, I felt something rising up within me. It wasn't the joy that seemed to seep from my pores nowadays with Taehyung, but this time something was literally rising up within me. I find myself lurch back, and my chair scoots back with me, causing an alarming screeching noise.

"I think I-" At once I run, yanking the door open and running straight for the bathroom. Kicking open a stall door, I paid no attention to it slamming shut behind me. I found myself choking a bit, covering my mouth as the bile started going up my throat, threatening to spew. At once I hunched over, letting it out. I couldn't stop, it just kept going. It barely gave me time to breathe, and it felt as though I was choking although it was coming out, and my throat burned. Tears were falling from my eyes for some reason, though I wasn't sad. Perhaps it was a reaction to it.

Once it finally ended, I looked down, expecting my breakfast to be floating around in muddy toilet water.

Surprisingly enough, instead I see small, pink petals and flowers floating around in the water. Confused, I picked up one of the small flowers from the ground. A cherry blossom.

What the fuck?

I flush the toilet, letting the flowers disappear into the sewers. I don't remember eating these? I might've eaten something that didn't sit well, but I know for a fact I didn't inhale a tree.

Stepping out of the stall, I place the flower on the edge of the sink and began washing my hands. A woman also steps out from a nearby stall and begins washing her hands. I see her eyes wander to the small flower, and she gasps in surprise.

"Oh, you poor darling!" she exclaims, stopping from washing her hands and wiping her hands on her pencil skirt, then embracing me, though her hands are still slightly wet. "You're much too young to experience this, and- oh my dear, I'm so sorry."

"What? What happened? Ma'am?" I gasp in surprise, alarmed with both her genuine and apparent sorry for me, as well as the fact she was hugging me so tightly I was scared I'd hurl again.

"The flower," she says. "You've got the Hanahaki disease, don't you?"

"The what?" I ask, confused. What was she going on about?

"The Hanahaki disease," the woman says solemnly. "A Japanese disease born from one-sided love, where the patient throws up and coughs flower petals. The infection can be removed through surgery, but the feelings disappear along with the petals."

"I thought that was a myth," I say, not completely believing her. "That- that can't be real."

"And neither should throwing up cherry blossoms," she says, eying the flower on the sink. She has a point.

I stare down at my feet, bewildered and scared. "H-How do you know about this? I-I can't possibly- he's my best friend! There's no way-"

"Shh, child," the woman assures me, placing a finger to my lips. "There is a way. You're in love, and it's especially clear if petals fall from your lips. I know how it is darling, I suffered the same fate."

"Did you get the surgery?" I ask her wistfully, my eyes doe-like in concern.

She smiles warmly. "Oh dear, no. When I say feelings disappear, I mean all feelings. The patient is unable to... to feel. To love. There are simple ways to get rid of the disease: get the surgery, fall out of love, or get them to love you back. The man who gave me the disease is the same one who cured it, and is now the father to three of my children."

There's a knock on the bathroom door, and I hear Taehyung's voice. "Gihan? Are you in there? Are you feeling okay? Is everything alright? Gi?"

"Is that the boy?" the woman whispers to me.

"I-I guess..." I mumble, heart racing, though this time in fear. "Please don't tell him."

"Wouldn't dream of it," she replies with warmth. "I wish you the best of luck."

"Gi? Come on, if you don't answer I'll enter. And I really don't wanna enter!" Taehyung cries out.

"Coming!" I shout out. I bow to the woman. "Thank you..." Plucking the small flower, I place it in my pocket, opening the bathroom door to see Taehyung. "Calm down, I'm here. I just w-wasn't feeling well... I think I should go home and rest, actually."

"Alright, I'll walk you home," Taehyung says, wrapping his arm around me in support. My heart beats wildly, and I feel the blood rush to my cheeks.

I look back to the woman warily as I let go of the bathroom door that I was keeping open with my foot, and before it swings shut I see her wink at me, letting me know she believed in me.

And then the door slammed shut.