Parasite

It's Fine, But Still Your Fault!

Marina spent much of her time trying to find out how to kill the parasite. She found that Jay was in a coma and stalled the parasite to find her cure, but she was majority unsuccessful. She tested on small samples of it at a time. Fyrus tried to stay with him as much as possible, but Callie and Marie made him go on missions to maybe get his mind off it for a second. Someone always stayed with him while Fyrus was gone though. And usually it was Gab because he wasn't quick enough to say no. Don't get them wrong, they love Fyrus and Jay, but it was pretty boring since Jay hadn't moved since they got him in the room. One day, though, GG experienced something strange.
As usual, he was shooting the white wall with pink ink, well aware that he'd have to clean it up later. He stopped shooting and put down his Splattershot Jr., reaching for a stack of towels that Pearl left for him. "Gab?" GG jumped, then looked up to see Jay looking a him.
"You're awake?" He questioned.
"Yeah...? I mean, I can't move and have been feeling as much like trash as usual so..."
"You can't move?"
"Well, I mean... obviously I can talk but I feel like I have no control again."
"Awe, Jay-"
"Stop that. Where's Fyrus?"
"On a mission but what about you? Should I call Marina?"
"No, it's fine." GG walked up to his side and looked down at him. Jay was on a bed in an isolated room with what they were to assume was medical equipment. "How long until they get back?"
"A while. They just left."
"I guess it's just you and me, then?"
"It's been like that for a while..."
Jay paused, suddenly realizing that the last thing he remembered included what he felt like was himself dying... and for some reason he didn't feel that extraordinary pain he had before. "Wait, how long have I been out?"
"A long time..."
"You couldn't have said literally anything else?"
"I'm sorry, Jay."
"It's fine, I'm just-I-" Jay stopped himself in frustration.
Gab looked at him before pulling a chair up. "What is it, Jay?"
Instead of answering, Jay asked, "Why am I not dead right now? He said it would kill me."
"Who said that?"
"Will you just answer the question?" Jay snapped, then immediately followed up with, "Sorry, Gab. I just don't want to get into it."
"...It's okay." GG smiled at him. "Marina stalled that thing until she can find a cure."
"A big part of me thinks she won't be able to."
"That's just pessimistic!"
"Thanks, I try."
"Don't be that way..."
"Do you have like a mirror or something? My everything feels weird."
"Well, your eye is dripping weird black stuff and it kinda of got all over you from when you coughed some up?" GG tried explaining.
"What? When?"
"Fyrus should explain it. I didn't really know what was happening."
"What do you know, though?"
"Not much."
"Then why did you bring it up? There's no way you don't know anything that I should probably know."
Gab was saved by the bell, or more like the crash. It was from Etce hurriedly running in and accidentally knocking over boxes. GG picked up one that had fallen on Jay. "Hey, Gab, I might've made Fyrus mad and—Jay, you're up?" Jay just responded by glaring at him.
GG whispered to Etce as if Jay wasn't in hearing range, "I think I made him mad, too."
"Oh, good! They can figure it out together."
"ETCE!" A yell was heard from the hallway. Etce silently left through another door to the room.
"What happened to me?" Jay asked GG, as if nothing had happened at all.
"Well..."
"You must know something!" Jay decided.
"I don't know all of it! I'd just give you mixed information."
"Gab, are you serious? You're just going to leave me hanging here?"
"Yes! If Fyrus is coming back then that means I can leave. I'm getting Marina, too."
"No, don't—" GG closed the door before he could finish his thought. Jay huffed and tried to think of what could possibly have happened.
Someone took his hand, practically giving him a heart attack. When he looked up and saw Fyrus, he asked, "I'm never going to be alone again, am I?"
"Not on my watch you're not."
"Thanks, man. I appreciate it."
"Are you okay?"
"No. I'm officially going to kill Gab the next time I can move."
"I'll help you if we can follow up with Etce."
"Sure."
Fyrus sat down in GG's chair, "Why can't you move?"
"I'm annoyed you thought I'd know."
"Well, I don't know. You could've visited God with how long you weren't here."
"Who said I didn't?"
"You've got a point."
They both smiled. "Now that there's no clear wall between us, will you hug me? I've been feeling too much like glass with Gab just sitting there." Jay informed him.
"I carried you here." Fyrus pointed out.
"Yeah, Gab refused to tell me about that. Hug first, then explain?"
"You've got a deal." Jay laughed a bit at that while Fyrus hugged him. He didn't let go for a little while, but neither objected.
Suddenly, from the door, "Don't touch him!" Fyrus jumped and Jay would have. Fyrus stood up and looked to Marina a second before she used his arm to pull him away. "We don't know how the parasite works yet. I almost have my cure, though." She looked to Jay and nodded, "Good morning."
"It isn't morning, is it?" He asked, but got no response.
"Callie said you should go hang out with the others, Fyrus." Marina told him. "I will stay here and Pearl or Marie will likely join me."
"What? Why can't I?" Fyrus questioned.
"You'll find out. I promise. Now, go."
Fyrus huffed and looked at Jay, then walked out. The door closed behind him, but reopened so Marie could walk in. Fyrus made straight for Gab, ignoring Etce who jumped behind the couch upon seeing him. GG looked up him when he stopped in front of him with the kind of face a parent would give to their kid. "Why didn't you just tell him what had happened?"
"It seemed more like your place." The pink inkling explained.
"I didn't even get time to tell him! I bet he's even more confused now."
"Woah!" Vian stood up and stood between them. "What could you be on about that's this important?"
"He didn't tell Jay what happened."
Daniel rolled his eyes, "Don't start a pointless fight right now. Fyrus, you didn't get time now but you will really soon. It's okay."
"He forgot that I stole his bag so yeah it's okay." Etce decided.
That entire evening consisted of Fyrus chasing Etce for his bag and Vian and Daniel teasing Fyrus about his overreaction. Octoboy was away on a mission with Pearl, who both came back confused.