𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 { 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 | 𝟏 }

Chapter 23:News

Turn away

Cause I'm awful just to see

-My Chemical Romance (Cancer)

✧✦✧

Third pov

Kora was the first one to stand when she saw the doctor walk over to the pair solemnly. "So?" She pressured, "Tell me, what's wrong with my Father." She demanded, her voice indignant. "Ms Kora, your Father is awake now...but..." Kora frowned, "But what?" She demanded. "His cancer....it's gotten worse-" "Wait, what do you mean 'his cancer has gotten worse'? Father has never had cancer!"

The doctor bit their lip, "Miss Kora....your Father was diagnosed with throat cancer two months ago....and just recently...we've diagnosed him with lung cancer."

Thatch's eyes had widened, and he immediately looked to Kora. Her fists were scrunched, and there was a shadow over her eyes. "Kora?" Thatch called. "Take me to him." Kora demanded. "Just a fair warning, he's only just woken up, and he's very confused and disoriented." The doctor warned. "Kora...do you want me to come with you?" Thatch asked. Kora was silent for a moment, before she nods, "I need you."

Thatch's heart panged all of a sudden. Memories of what happened in the past hour surfaced in his mind. He couldn't get Kora out of his mind, how she had clung to him. He didn't know if he should try and stop himself from thinking such things. 

'Whatever, just be there for Kora.'

He stood with Kora. He didn't stop her when she slid her hand in his. They felt cold, and were shaky. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, before they followed the doctor to where Akira was situated. 

The only thing Kora could think about, was the fact that she's never known that her Father has cancer...two cancers to be exact. She couldn't believe it, he's always appeared healthy for so long, and now that this has popped up, she didn't know what to think. She wanted to cry. She wanted to tell him that she was sorry for acting childish. She wanted to apologise to him for any wrong doings that she's done. 

The doctor stopped in front of room number 707, and turned to the two, "He's in here. I'm giving you two at least five minutes." Thatch nods in place of Kora, due to her being absolutely frozen, "Thank you." The doctor inclines their head, before opening the door for them.

'Oh god.' Kora thought.

There, the mighty and feared Mardelna Akira laid in a hospital bed, machines hooked up to him, and bandages wrapped around his head. "Papa...." Kora croaked. Thatch looked at Kora worriedly, as she approached the bed. Akira looked over to the two silently, "Kora, you're safe..." "That's the least of my worries..." Kora sighed as she knelt down to the bed, "You....you have...cancer...why? Why didn't you tell me?" Kora whimpered. Akira sighed, weakly scruffing her hair, "I had hoped that I could be cured quickly before you had found out." "I am your daughter, Papa! We tell each other everything! I'm the only one you have left..." Kora cried. 

Thatch didn't know what to do. He didn't know if he should just leave, or stay. He felt that he should just wait outside, and leave the two of them to talk, but Kora had wanted him there with her.

"Kora, I'm not going to let this weak disease kill me. If I did, then my last name isn't Mardelna." Akira declared. "Papa...you're getting old. It's going to be soon where your body can't fight back..I just need you to be careful, okay? I'm gonna get all the best doctors to cure you, alright?" Kora assured. 

"But...Papa..did someone attack you? Them doctors said that you were attacked." Kora asked. Akira sighed, "I cannot even remember. It had all happened so fast, I couldn't remember the face. I can definitely remember that my attacker was skilled, they said that it was a warning, and to be careful." "To be careful about what?" Kora questioned. "They mentioned you, Kora..." "Me?" Kora breathed.

'Who could this be? What have I done, I haven't even done anything yet!'

"I do know one thing, they had an accent...I couldn't tell what kind. But whoever they are...they're after you. Which is why I want you to lay low, and not do anything stupid. Everyday after school, you're coming right back here, you got that?" He grumbled. Kora nods, "Yes, understood."

"I'm sorry, it's time that you both leave." The doctor said, walking in. Kora sighed, "I'll have it that things will be under tight security at home." "Don't be stupid." Akira warned. Kora chuckled, "Thats gonna be hard."

✧✦✧

"Kora?" Thatch called as they went inside her room, "What are we gonna do?" He asked. Kora turned to look at him, "Thatch....I'm worried. If people are going after the people I love, and I have no way of stopping it, then it's all my fault. The worst part...is that I don't know how to stop it." She sighed, crashing onto the bed. "I'm sure we can figure something out, Kora. But for now...do you still want me to sleep next to you?" He asked

Kora's mind finally went back to before, when she had kissed him. She had suppressed all of those memories when she was in the hospital, but when she got home, they all came back. Back then, it felt like Thatch was the only one there for her when she needed someone. He didn't push her away. He didn't disregard her with disgust...he let her in with the same openness.

'It still doesn't stop the fact that he still has feelings for that Valkiria.'

"I need you. Please." She whispered. Thatch nods, and walks in with her. "I'll be there if you need anything."

Suddenly, Kora had a thought.

'Am I falling for Thatch?'