BEREAVEMENT - The Forgotten Solution

Chapter 17 - KEEP

< < < ( ) > > >

"I don't think I can keep doing this."

"You're letting this all get to you, you're seriously going to push him away like how you did to all of us?"

"He never had time to actually recover. And I'm not pushing him away, that's what you don't understand. I'm putting someone's life at risk right now. I already lost many, why do I need to lose more?"

"We didn't know this was going to happen. Stop being stupid about this, think it correctly, Manjiro!"

The silence became between them when Draken spoke that loudly. Draken was out of breath for arguing and being tense while Mikey was in misery. The boys had a disagreement after what had happened.

"I don't want to hurt the boy I love." Mikey squinted his eyes. His words brokenly in a choke as he tried to hold in back the tears. "He's.. he's already destined to be with someone. And that someone loves him much healthier than I do.

Deep down, I wish I was that someone. That— that girl." His hand clenched onto his chest when his eyes were locked on Takemichi's.

Takemichi was resting. Finally resting on the bed asleep. Bandages and kits that were wrapped around his arms, stomach, legs, and head to make him finally recover. This was the chance for Mikey to actually reflect and make this right.

*** ** * ** *** ** * ** *** ** * ** ***

It was in the middle of the night, or at least it looked like it was. The bed he was on was a very soft cushion. A rich, nice mattress that Takemichi wasn't really used to. The night light once reminded him of the two together— or even the night where he was laughing with Toman. Mikey was there by his side— always by his side. Or like, Takemichi was always by Mikey's side. He tried making sure the blond walked through the right path since every time he left his side his Mikey would never be happy. No one would be happy. Takemichi promised to the world that he would never give up— and he never did. But now, it seemed like he had no choice anymore. Takemichi was slowly dying inside and he was terrified of dying.
The Time-Traveler never thought of his death or was scared of it in a long time— but he wasn't a cowardly scared, he was scared that he'd be left behind. Or that he leaves behind all of them. He was scared that he'd miss significant moments with the people he dears most. So he needed to fight for his life— he needed to work harder for his life and everyone.

But yet, there he was.

Mikey was snuggling beside him under the blanket with his arms wrapping around Takemichi. His cold, soft skin pressed onto the boy's as he was sleeping in a bit of worry and stress on his face. Though, the celebrity wasn't wearing his usual PJ's. A black tank-top that showed a bit of his chest— with some other black, baggy sweats. His peaceful rest made Takemichi smile warmly. He was glad that Mikey was all okay.

His vision became clearer— liquid or some stain was on Mikey's face. When he narrowed his eyes to focus in the dark light, it was a bright, dark color.
Takemichi jerked off in shock— looking down at the boy's long-slim fingers that were held around him. He immediately tried moving his hand to hold onto Mikey's, feeling a sense of coldness and bittersweet.

A rush of terrified and nervous filled through his veins. He tried getting out of the boy's grasp— panicking with blank thoughts.

"What's wrong, Takemitchy?" His eyes slowly opened with his tone deepened and raspy.

"Mikey! Mikey, are you hurt?!"

"Hm?"

"The red— your hand!"