Lucien lay down on his back, staring at the ceiling. At least if I die, I'll get to see René again. He thought, folding his hands behind his head.
It's not in the Cards (O/O)
The moment the doctor was gone from sight, Aki slid to his knees. He trembles before breaking down into tears. He sobbed, letting out an anguished scream. He wanted this nightmare to end. To find a cure.
Lucien started coughing again, and looked at his arms. A red rash was forming on his skin, and he let out a breath.
Aki stood. He needed to see Lucien with his own eyes. Assess the situation. He needed to figure things out. He walked swiftly through the halls, and made it to Lucien's room. He knocked firmly, his hands trembling.
"Come in." Lucien called, frowning as the words scratched at his already sore throat.
Aki slowly enters the room and inhaled sharply. "So… it's true…" He whispers quietly, walking to the others side, "I'm so sorry…" He whispers. "It's my fault…"
Lucien's eyes softened. "It's not your fault, Aki." He replied quietly, reaching out to touch him, then pulling his hand back just before he could touch Aki. I can't risk getting him sick.
Aki trembled a little. "But isn't it? You… you stayed with me… when I should have been responsible? I had been around sick people and now you've gotten sick- Zephyr is dead, you're sick, thousands of people are dying and I can't even manage to find a cure-." He cried.
Lucien shook his head a little, and sat up. "Aki, no." He said softly. "None of this is your fault. I'm so sorry about Zephyr, I really am."
"It's my fault. I couldn't find a cure, and I still can't find one…" He kneels in front of Lucien's bed. "I'm so sorry…" He whispers, his eyes shutting as he felt every emotion rush through him.
Lucien let out a breath. To hell with it. He gently cupped Aki's face in his hands. "Aki. You have nothing to be sorry for." He said quietly, but firmly. "I believe in you. I know that if there is a cure for this, you'll find it. And if you don't, then there probably wasn't one in the first place."
Aki looked up when his cheeks were grabbed. He looked up, his eyes puffy with tears. He wanted to cry, but he held the tears back. He looked at the other in surprise and maybe a little hope. "I- Okay…" He whispers softly. "I-I'll try and find a cure…" He murmurs, his eyes shutting as he tried to regain his composure.
Lucien nodded. After a moment of hesitation, he pressed a soft kiss to Aki's forehead. I can always blame it on the disease if he gets upset. "I believe in you." He repeated.
Aki bit his lips, making sure to keep calm. He starts when the other kissed his forehead before smiling a little. "Thank you…" He whispers softly. "I- I needed that…"
Lucien pulled away, and nodded. "Yeah. You're welcome." He replied with a soft, gentle smile.
(Btw, how does the disease progress? Just so I know what I'm doing?)
(So it starts with the red eyes, rashes, soar throat, then it progresses to migraines, irritation, black throw up which has a consistency of watered down tar, and so on. It get's pretty gruesome. I used it in one of my stories)
Aki smiled in reply before standing slowly. "I'll get back to work." He smiled before looking up at the other. "Please rest… I'll be back soon."
(yikes. Okay thanks. I'm assuming a fever, too? Possibly a touch of delirium-ish?)
Lucien nodded, and picked up a book from his bedside table. "Okay." he said softly. "Good luck."
(Yep!)
Aki bowed before hurrying off, wanting to find a cure as soon as possible. This time. It wasn't his master, it was the kingdom he had to save.
(alrighty!)
Lucien noticed the bow, and wondered what it meant. Had the kiss been overboard? Damn. It probably was. Probably the bow was meant to reinforce the fact that no matter what Lucien's feelings might or might not be, Aki wasn't interested. It was just professional, nothing more. Lucien knew that that was for the best.
Aki was always formal with people of higher rank then his own. He was always nervous that he would get yelled at. But that bow was a promise that he would work hard. He gingerly touched his forehead, smiling a little at the kiss. Maybe it meant nothing- maybe Lucien meant it as an assurance. He wasn't sure. But he knew that the prince wasn't allowed to marry a commoner, much less a man, like himself. It was against the kingdoms rules.
Lucien groaned softly. This is just going in circles. Just read your book, Lucien. He cracked open the book, and started to read again.
Aki got back to work, making sure to work harder this time. He was sure he was getting close. He was almost there. He just needed a few more things. Maybe try that there and take that out…
Lucien coughed again, but kept reading his book. He pulled the blanket up over himself, curling up.
He sighed as he worked, feeling exhausted but not willing to stop, and not willing to take a break. He needed more time. He needed to work harder.
Lucien shifted, and eventually put the book away and fell asleep.
(Time skip?)
(sure. Want me to do it, or do you want to?)
(Could you please? Possibly a few days later?)
(yup!)
It had been a few days, and Lucien's health was declining. He didn't leave his bed much anymore; he wasn't yet throwing up, but he was having headaches that were gradually getting worse, and a growing fever, along with irritation at pretty much everything.
Aki was still working, only taking short power naps to get him through the days. He barely ate, only needing the bare necessities. He tested the potion again and again, somehow always messing up. There must be something missing. But what? He was so desperate to find a cure… He sighed and stretched, going to Lucien's room. H needed to help the other with his medications.