Help Me (sequel to Save Me)

Chapter 112

Trigger warning

Two days pass and Emerson doesn't say a word about having cancer to Remington. He knows he needs to and that it's only going to get harder the longer he puts it off, but he also knows how devastating the news will be for Remington, and how he'll most likely spiral and end up back in hospital.

Today he's going to hospital for a test, to see if the cancer is spreading, or if the treatment he has had so far is working. Shy is coming with him for support, and currently they're on the motorway, twenty minutes away from the hospital.

The woman turns her attention from the window to Emerson. "You know you really need to tell Remington, right?" She asks. Ever since she found out Remington hasn't been told, it's been on her mind.

Emerson sighs. "I know. I keep telling myself that I will, but every time I can't do it. And Shy, he won't even look at me at the moment. I've really fucked up with him."

"It doesn't matter if you're arguing or not, Emerson, he needs to know. Just tell him."

The drummer shakes his head, unsatisfied. "I don't know how. He is so breakable. He barely managed when Andy was on tour, how the hell will he manage when I tell him I've got cancer? I can't do that to him."

Shy understands. She has seen how easily Remington is hurt. "Well, you're gonna have to," she says, and the conversation ends there.

At hospital, they wait for nearly three hours before being called into a room. Emerson has his blood taken and a few scans done, and is told they'll have the results in two weeks. Until then, all he can do is hope and pray, and hopefully tell Remington.

On the way home, his phone rings, and when Shy tells him it's Remington, he raises an eyebrow and asks her to answer it. She does, and greets the singer.

"Oh, sorry, is Emerson busy?" Remington asks in his quiet, anxious voice.

"He's driving right now, yeah. I can give him a message."

The boy looks at Andy, who persuaded him to call his little brother, and then talks. "Will he be home soon?" He reaches for Andy, who smiles and steps closer, taking his lover's hand and rubbing his shoulder.

"Yeah, we'll be home in fifteen minutes."

Remington wraps himself in Andy's arms. "Could he come round here for a bit? I wanna talk to him."

Shy looks at Emerson. "Yeah, sure. I'll let him know."

"Thanks. See you later."

Remington hangs up and exhales, leaning into Andy, who rests his chin on Remington's head. "Is he coming here?"

With a nod, the boy closes his eyes. "Unfortunately," he mumbles, "why'd you make me do that?"

Andy chuckles. "Because, beautiful baby, you two need to stop all this arguing. It's not good for you." He sways gently.

Remington whines. "You're annoying," he complains, "I love you."

"You're annoying, too."

The boy lifts his head with a pout. "Now you're just being mean. Don't you love me, too?"

"You know I love you, silly. Don't fall asleep on me. You've got your brother to talk to soon. Sleep after." He ruffles the younger's hair.

Remington yawns and whines again. "'s not fair."

"I know. Life isn't fair."

"Life isn't fair, but you make it better." He pulls away from the hug and smile sleepily, scrunching his face up when Andy ruffles his hair. "Can I skip dinner tonight?" He asks, looking at Andy with big eyes.