#I don’t know if I’ll be able to complete these with chronic pain but I won’t let that stop me from trying!!

[theatrekidenergy]

I JUST FOUND OUT I CAN BIKE WITHOUT* PAIN!!!!! I JUST FOUND OUT I CAN BIKE WITHOUT PAIN!!!!!!! I NOW HAVE TWO PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES I CAN DO WITHOUT PAIN!!!!!!! I CAN BIKE WHEN IM NOT FIGURE SKATING!!!!!!! IM GENUINELY SOBBING RIGHT NOW THIS IS SUCH A MASSIVE THING FOR ME YOU DONT UNDERSTAND

* = check tags for explanation

[slut-and-falcon]

Wicked Fiyeraba Headcannons:

-Fiyero def sits on Elphaba’s lap

- they call each other Yero and Fae; after the Wicked Witch persona dies, they only go by Yero and Fae so less people will be able to tie them to the dead witch and the missing prince.

- one of Fiyero’s favorite activities is to have Elphaba read to him. He finds it very relaxing, and informative. (Fiyero has dyslexia and that why he doesn’t like reading himself- but dyslexia isn’t a diagnosis in Oz, it hasn’t been recogized)

- they take care of young orphaned Animals, and Fiyero got Elphaba an egg apron so she could put all the kittens/small Animals in the pockets while she was caretaking

- Fiyero likes to draw…he draws a lot of Elphaba (and the Animals, but mostly Elphaba)

- Fiyero likes to purchase Vinkun silk scarves for Elphaba. She uses some for practical embellments in her clothing- like as a belt, shawl or hair covering. Others she keeps as house clothes- like as a night shawl. There’s one though- black with red roses- that is only used during intimacy with Fiyero.

- Elphaba and Fiyero have really complex feelings about Glinda…she was Elphaba’s close and only friend for a while, but Fiyero helped Elphaba realize that Glinda treated her like crap (this is apart from not making the sacrifices to leave with Elphaba). Elphaba also had some romantic feelings towards Glinda, and does not know what to do with those feelings. Fiyero loved Glinda, but wasn’t in love with her. He is highly aware of her faults, but still misses her and feels bad for what happened. Both realize that Glinda was manipulated by the Wizard and Madam Morrible, but both also realize that only Glinda is responsible for Glinda’s actions. And can they forgive her for being an anti-Animal/Anti-Witch propaganda machine? For helping in orchestrating Nessa’s death, and creating a trap for Elphaba? They don’t know. Together, Elphaba and Fiyero write letters to Glinda that are then burned before being sent, allowing them to work through all of these feelings and trauma they have in relation to Glinda.

- Fiyero’s favorite thing todo to annoy Elphaba is to use her butt as a pillow. Elphaba hates it (but will tolerate it) and Fiyero loves it.

-Elphaba is very passionate about a lot of stuff, and has a habit of information dumping, even when it’s considered rude. Fiyero likes it, but has felt the need to coach Elphaba for when the time is appropriate to do so, after she accidentally offended Fiyero’s mother.

- Fiyero and Elphaba do the whole “3 taps means I Love You” thing

-Fiyero likes to comb/take care of Elphaba’s hair

- Fiyero is an addict, he got addicted to a ❄️-like ozian drug while in his rebellion/coping-with-being-royalty phase. He hasn’t always been completely honest with Elphaba about it, but he got clean when he joined the Gale Force. He still had carvings, especially with his chronic pain and stress, and he tries to be as honest as possible with Elphaba about his cravings. They both use 🍃 to deal with chronic pain and stress though, but in moderate amounts.

- After being tortured by the Gale Force- Fiyero develops Narceolpsey. It’s a learning curve for both him and Elphaba.

-Elphaba offered Fiyero an open relationship (not because she wanted one but because she thought he would be unhappy with just her, and the novelty would wear off). Fiyero refused (while he had been poly in the past, he refused because he knew Elphaba’s reasonings were based in her feeling inadequate and self conscious).

Hmm I’ll think of more

[harmlessmessages]

WARNING: SMUT

Careless by harmlessmessages. All rights reserved by the author. 

“Careless” tells the story of two strangers who meet at an open mic in Manhattan. She’s a vibrant musician determined to perform even as her body resists her every move. He’s a mysterious young man weighed down by debilitating, chronic pain and a secret as dark as the mask that hides his face. 

Through alternating perspectives, their chance encounter evolves into a night of raw connection and unguarded intimacy. As their stories intertwine, their personal struggles and unexpected likeness surface, revealing the solace and heartbreak of finding hope and relief in one another, even if for one night.

Each scene is paired with a song, making “Careless” an immersive experience where music mirrors the characters’ journeys and the poignancy of their bond.

Song: To Build A Home, The Cinematic Orchestra

38/41

He did not know how long they were there, just that he did not want it to end. Just that he knew that he did not have much time. That they did not have much time left together. 

“I’m leaving tomorrow.” He muttered, holding her naked body in his arms. 

“Wow, okay, thanks for ruining the moment.” She scoffed, but did not tense, did not pull away. 

He smirked, looking at her. “Sorry, that wasn’t my intention.” “What was your intention, then?” She snuggled closer to him, tracing shapes and letters on his bare chest. He tried to follow her motions — What was she spelling? Was there something else she had to say that she wouldn’t speak? For a moment there, he thought he could read her completely, as if they were speaking the same language in the night. But, there were some things she said, the way she looked at him, that he was not certain he could translate.

“I don’t know. I just — I had a lot of fun tonight. With you.”

“Oh, did you?” She rolled her eyes at him. There was that sardonic side of hers, teasing him and challenging him to speak clearly. This wasn’t coming out right, he knew. But he didn’t know what else he could say. There was probably nothing he could say to make this right. 

“I mean, I would have liked to see you again.” He stared up at the ceiling, raising his arm, hand outstretched, closing, squeezing and turning his palms until they were red. He sighed. “I'm going back home. Maybe I should have said that from the start.” 

“Me too.” She whispered. “As in I would have liked to see you, too.” She breathed into a soft laugh.

He wanted to tell her what he really meant. All night, the last few weeks, months, that’s what he really wanted — to just say what he meant. To make others understand. He turned to her, taking her hand, his tone turning serious. 

“Listen, this might not mean much to you right now. But I want you to know something.”

Her smile froze, her eyes focusing on him.

“I — um. Well, I —” he stuttered. He wanted to say that this was the first time in a long time that he had felt this way. That he probably would never see her again, but it wasn’t because of her, of course not, it was because he was going so far away that she would not be able to reach him again. That just because he came and would go does not mean that he would forget this night, or forget her, ever. That he felt sad, so fucking sad, he felt so sad that it had come to this. But there was no turning back for him. Not anymore. 

“What?” She searched for something, anything from him.

He kissed her nose. “Well, maybe I’ll come to Japan this summer. And see you again.” He lied. He had to lie. 

She smiled up at him and kissed him. “I’d like that.”

39/41 

They laid there in silence, holding and tracing each other, eyes closed. She felt there was more to say, from her end and his, as well. But she wouldn’t press him and she wouldn’t pour her heart out. Right now, it felt right to be in his arms, and everything else was unnecessary.  

She gently scratched his head, playing with his hair, until he became still, his hands falling from hers until she could hear him softly snoring. She noticed the stiffness in her fingers, an ache gathering as the cold of the night drew her back into the world outside of them.

His roommates must be coming back soon. It was probably midnight, or after at this point.

Now is the time to leave. Right now, she should go.

She carefully moved away from him, watching his chest rise and fall. Her clothes were scattered across the room, so she picked them up and wore them piece by piece. 

He was beautiful, truly, his skin glowing under the warm light of the desk lamp beside the bed. He was sleeping, yet his eyes looked tired. They looked like that all night. She wanted to know why, but she accepted that she wouldn’t at this point. He didn’t want to her know. And even though she was someone who couldn’t help but wear her heart on her sleeve on most occasions, she understood that other people were not like that.

Her eyes caught the notepad and pen on the side table. Alright, she thought. Maybe this was the end of their story, but she would write to him still, just in case there could be more. She couldn’t help herself. It was another bad habit.

She quietly tore a page from the pad and wrote her last words as slowly as possible, so that his breaths remained the only sound in the room. 

When she was ready, she grabbed his clothes from the floor and placed them on his bed. She sat beside him, tenderly shaking his arm.

“Hey. Wake up.” She whispered to him. 

His eyes fluttered opened, then closed. “Hm?” His groggy, tired voice shook her. She wanted nothing else but to lay next to him again, entangled in his warm embrace.

But she knew she had to leave. Right now, she had to go. “Put your clothes back on. You don’t want your roommates to walk in on you like this.” She laughed through her nose.

He groaned, sleepy. “What time is it?” 

She checked her phone. “It’s almost 1 AM. I’m going to go now.”

“Okay.” He whispered, his eyes closed, half asleep. “Come here.” His arms reached towards her. 

She leaned over him, wrapping her arms around his warm body, nuzzling her face into his soft, curly hair, breathing him in one last time. She wouldn’t forget his scent — dry, sweet, sweaty. 

This was supposed to be sad, wasn’t it? And yet, she didn’t feel sad. She felt something else — was it grateful? Hopeful? She wasn’t sure yet, but she’d write about it tomorrow.

She kissed his cheek, then his eyelids, then his forehead, then his nose. Finally, she gently pressed her lips against his. “I’ll see you later.” She whispered into his ear, and then he grew still again, his tranquil breathing easing in and out, in and out.

She walked to the door, looking back at him laying in his bunk bed one last time, her heart panging with something she has felt before, a long time ago, something like love. How cliche, she thought. All of this was so stupid. She was just a stupid, stupid girl.

The door clicked shut behind her.

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

as a chronic illness creature who is in an almost constant state of pain and fatigue and does not have proper healthcare to be treated for this, I truly do not know how to respond when my healthy friend calls to update me on all the fancy doctors and specialists she goes to for the smallest shit. she got the sniffles but its summer. she felt a little uncomfortable for a minute while walking. she felt her shoulder muscle twinge. not that there is ever any invalid reason to be concerned for your health but girl while you were taking paid vacations days form your comfy job to get a free mri, I was sitting down icing my back for the 18th day in a row daydreaming about being able to hold an income or be taken seriously by doctors or at the very least, get any amount of dishes and laundry and cleaning done so my home can be an alright place to live.

She works very hard and of course she deserves to feel safe and healthy and of course she deserves great medical care I just needed to vent about how emotionally difficult it is to listen to her take for granted so many things that I’ll realistically probably never be able to have or achieve.

I can’t imagine where I’d be in life if I didn’t have all that medical trauma and could just go to a doctor like everyone else, and not have so many meltdowns and panic attacks after that I am rendered not only completely dysfunctional but a huge burden to my partner who has to deal with at least several days of me going nonverbal and screaming and hallucinating and refusing to eat and passing out every few hours

I’m just fucking bitter that everyone just goes to see a fucking doctor like it’s no big deal whenever they have the most trivial of problems, but I have been miserable and completely unable to hold an income for years because of my undiagnosed medial issues and I STILL can’t bring myself to see a doctor without being really insane about it.

And I guess the only foreseeable solution is “suck it up” “just don’t be so weird about doctors” etc, but obviously if I knew how to do these thing I would have done them years and years ago BUT ANYWAYS!ITS FINE! I’M FINE! /s

[timoogismain]

VIKTOR NATION!!! HOW WE FEELING!!!!

Here’s the completed cosplay!! I’m so so proud of how it turned out!! I met so many wonderful Arcane cosplayers and had a ball at the con!! Now for sappy stuff (down belowww) vvv

🦋

Viktor as a character means so much to me. I’ve had chronic pain and fatigue and other health issues since I’ve been 18. When I was 18 till I was around 20 I was so sick I could barely keep my head up. If I wanted to go out, I had to use a wheelchair. And honestly I can’t remember much from those years because it felt like my brain was in a fog most days. I never got an answer as to why this happened or why I still deal with flare ups, but hopefully me and my new doctor can figure something out soon. In the mean time, when I do get flare ups, sometimes I get so scared I’ll be that sick again. I get so nervous using something like a cane in public because I just don’t want to feel like the odd one out. Recently, I’ve been having pain flare ups really bad in my right leg. It’s the whole leg, the muscles and the joints. And when I’ve had my moments of feeling so upset about it, I have Viktor as a character to feel comforted by. I know that might sound silly, but having a character like him makes me feel so seen, and the fact that so many people love him makes me feel comforted too. I think he’s become the most important character to me.

There is also the fact that I was introduced to Arcane and watched it all with someone I love dearly. We watched it all in a couple days and it was genuinely the best time I’ve ever had, getting to spend time with someone I cherish so much, laughing and crying (well, I was crying) and suddenly being aware of how much love is in the world. Arcane is a beautiful series that makes me have hope for myself.

Seeing Viktor in fanart, reading how people write him in fanfiction, it’s wonderful to me! I love him so much and I love being able to be so confident cosplaying a character.

🦋

[sleepdeprivedsimp234]

Omgosh Hia!!! Tis a great and grand day, so for once I’m not sulking for NJ angst, or anything about Jersey actually. I wish to see some of that good good Texas angst, you know, for the funnsies! (Gosh this sounds so modern lolz, normally I don’t modern slang. Anyways we won against Texas tonight so that’s the whole reason for this XD)

YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PERSON MY DEAR FRIEND :)

(Listen I love torturing Texas sm. He just has so many angsting opportunities.)

I’m gonna out these under the cut tho, just in case.

Texas has some nerve damage in his eye and side, which is where he happened to have been given two star scars, courtesy of Mexico’s A+ parenting.

He’s VERY insecure about the tiny bit of pudge that he has. He doesn’t care that it’s not that much or that he can’t help it. He hates it. And he’s tried starving it away a few times, but he never got that far. Someone just hold and kiss the poor thing 😭

He’s ambidextrous, but he doesn’t use his left hand. Why? Well. Growing up, being left handed or using his left hand was forbidden. So um. Yeah his left hand was broken multiple times throughout his life (or at least until it wasn’t forbidden anymore) and now he either can’t feel his hand or he can feel it way too much. And it on days where he can feel it, it hurts A LOT. But he still uses it. Oh! And his hand is really shaky and tbh, I’m not sure that it healed right.

I feel like he definitely has a bunch of branding on him from when Mexico owned him.

This mf can handle A LOT of pain, or at least he’ll make it look like it cuz yknow. He doesn’t want to be scene as weak.

A vast majority of the deaths hes had were absolutely BRUTAL. And painful in most cases too. Even if they were somewhat quick deaths. Safe to say that anyone present needed new pants after.

^at least three of them were from him getting his torso crushed, and he now has a LOT of nerve damage and chronic pain in his back and torso. Mostly his back. And there’s a bunch of scarring too.

^lets not forget about Confederate repeatedly slamming him into a wall (or tree I can’t remember) until he went unconscious.

Listen- for each of his lives no matter what parents he got, he’s gone to church. And honestly, Texas was probably part of the worship team (basically the band that sings the music for non denominational and Pentecostal churches) for a LOT of them. And he absolutely LOVED it. He loved being a part of those teams with other cool people and being able to sing and all that. BUT. A lot of times, the church’s and/or his parents’ views ruined it for him and he kinda dislikes it now. And he’s trans and bisexual too so- r.i.p.

He’s the type to start dissociating when he gets yelled at and go completely nonverbal. He hates it but. He hates being yelled at more.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Texas loves cuddles, and he loves hugs, but. He CANNOT. I repeat. CANNOT. Handle having his arms and/or legs restrained from moving, since he can’t defend himself and he has no idea who has intentions of hurting him or not.

He also CANNOT handle being approached on his blind side. He might panic. He will freeze up. He can’t see whoever approached him, and he doesn’t know who they are or what their intentions are.

^and because I must, PA is an asshole and finds joy in scaring other states, mainly the bigger "tougher" states like Texas, so sometimes he’ll just sneak up on Texas on his blindside and yell "boo!" or smth. They usually end of fighting after since Texas is the type to resort to "fight" in the event that someone scares him. So um. Yeah.

[demigodofhoolemere]

Mystery pain question for my fellow chronic pain folks:

For as long as I can remember I’ve gotten irregular pains in my ankles. I don’t know how to describe this pain, other than that it’s not dissimilar to growing pains, and for years I kind of figured it was probably just part of that. At some point after becoming an adult and clearly not growing anymore, that was obviously not the case.

Nothing ever causes this pain; it will just come on out of nowhere with no obvious reason or trigger, usually just one ankle at a time, and there’s no predicting when it will happen because sometimes I’ll go weeks and weeks without an instance of it and other times it’ll come back fairly quickly after the last time, even successive days in a row. No doctors know what the heck this is and pain meds don’t really do anything to make it stop.

In the past few years it’s extended from only ever being in my ankles. It can now present itself in any of the four limbs, in any spot throughout them. Sometimes it’ll be in one of my knees or wrists and so on, and I’ve now fairly often had it be throughout the entirety of a given limb. At the moment of writing this I have this pain all through one of my legs. Sometime in the past year it was so excruciating throughout an entire arm that I was nearly completely disabled by it, it was agony to do anything with it and I was at the point of tears, which my various chronic pains/illnesses almost NEVER bring me to no matter how bad it can get, my pain threshold is very high. This particular mystery pain is not usually disabling, more just uncomfortable than anything but I can still function well enough during it, but it’s a bit concerning that it’s become enough of a problem that that can happen now. Sometimes it will also be in multiple limbs at once in various spots which is a little annoying; rarely was it ever in both ankles at once throughout growing up so there’s little precedent for it being on more than one side (or limb, now) at the same time, but that’s where we’re at now.

I wish I knew how to properly describe what the feeling of it even is, no description of either muscle or joint pain has ever sounded quite right and I’ve only ever been able to refer to it as simply “my ankle pain” regardless of where it now chooses to present itself. It’s just… this painful discomfort that sort of sits in the spot it’s at, not exactly pulsing or radiating but just… there.

I’m thinking this may be a weird fibromyalgia thing? I’ve never been officially diagnosed with that, but my mom has been for many years now and with the benefit of hindsight she and her aunt think that her mother must have had it based on things she would describe but wouldn’t have had a word for, and as time goes on I’ve developed more and more of my mom’s fibro symptoms. She doesn’t have this same particular problem but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what this is and it was simply the first symptom that hit me even as a child and now it’s gotten worse into young adulthood the way that some of my mom’s symptoms got worse with time.

Does anyone with fibromyalgia understand the kind of pain I’m trying to explain and can confirm that it’s likely fibro? Or anyone with some other lesser known thing that this could be? I don’t know what to make of it anymore.

[officialmichaelnesmith]

sighs

there is literally nothing more exhausting than simply existing as a person with ocd, not even factoring in the exhaustion of it affecting my daily life. everywhere i look there is misinformation and at any moment i’m at risk of hearing some stupid comment reducing my disorder to pattern preference or color coding being particular about the way things are organized. i have such shitty quality of life because of this disorder and i fear that even if i were someday able to be professionally treated for it i’ll still never live the life i could be living because i’ll never be cured of it. this is truly one of the most debilitating conditions i think a person can have to live with and i really would not wish it on even my worst enemy. there’s not a single aspect of my life that isn’t completely dictated by ocd. it’s in everything i do and just about every thought i have. my life is RULED by it and it so heavily affects my daily life to a point where sometimes i can’t even function. i’ve given myself chronic pain in my hands because of the severity of certain compulsions i have. this disorder kills people and i’m often afraid that it might kill me too. i’m so so sick and tired of the jokes and the shallow understanding of what it is i need everyone to educate themselves before i have to see one more dumb “ocd moment” about straightening shit or even numbers or whatever. thankfully i feel like lately there’s been a lot more awareness of it especially from a certain tweet about the us election it seems many people are coming away from it like oh THIS is what ocd is like which i’m thankful for but at the same time god myself and so many others are suffering an already pretty silent battle and nobody even knows about it or the extent of how deep these battle wounds run . it just kind of sucks knowing those who don’t understand and likely never will outnumber those who do and can sympathize. i’m just so tired of being made into a punchline for something that suffocates me genuinely every waking moment of my day

[chronicmigrainetime]

im terrified.

I ve had this for over three years, its constant. its pain, tinnitus, noise sensitivity, the insomnia, the muscle tension, the brain fog. its the occasional immobility. the rare paralysis. its spending three days not being able to practice basic hygiene or eat

I’ve just graduated from uni. Everyone I talk to tells me that Im amazing for even getting beyond my first year with my condition (I started uni within 8 months of me getting migraine). They say I should be proud of myself and I am but

This last year was so hard. My depression is at an all time high, I wake up and go to sleep anxious. My pain was so bad. I spent 4-6 weeks bedridden and alone

How am i supposed to enter the workforce?

I know I’m capable, logically speaking I graduated with a law degree in a debilitating condition. I managed to do quite well for myself despite spending essentially 5 weeks completely incapacitated so part of me knows I’ll be okay.

I also know how bad it gets, how bad it was in the beginning, how bad it was during those weeks, how bad it was just at the end of last year, how bad it probably will be despite my every precaution.

if you have any advice Id greatly appreciate it. I know i need it.

Hi iselenris, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It is scary, and I can understand why you would want to scream into the void about it. I have given it some thought and hopefully I can say something helpful, or at least provide some comfort that you’re not alone.

I can really relate to a lot of what you’ve said here. I became incapacitated by chronic migraines at the start of my second year of uni, had to take a year out and then came back part time. I did eventually get my degree (in physics) but it was a real struggle and incredibly detrimental to me physically and mentally.

Now you and I are both out here with prestigious degrees that we worked really hard for and that we can’t put to use. I agree that it is a tremendous accomplishment and I think you should be proud of yourself, but I also understand the hesitation to celebrate fully. We put ourselves through hell to get here, and that’s not sustainable. So what do we do now? And if we can’t do the thing we wanted to do with our degree, why did we put ourselves through all that?

It’s now two years since I graduated, and I still haven’t ‘entered the workforce’, which is maybe not the most hopeful thing to hear, but I do think in that time I have found an answer to those questions.

My answer to ‘what do I do now?’ Is to make you and your health your top priority. I get the sense that you know that this is a crisis, I think it’s a good idea to treat it as one.

I don’t know your situation so I don’t know how possible this is for you, and maybe this is a frustrating thing to hear, but my main advice on how to do this would be to stop for a while. If you keep going when your body is telling you to stop, eventually it will force you to stop, y’know? Unfortunately, stopping obviously requires outside support, but if you have that now is the time to use it. If you are in a position where you don’t have to work, don’t, and if you’re not, find something that uses the minimal amount of your energy while keeping you afloat. If you have the option of someone else making your meals, take it, if not make your meals as easy as possible. In any case my advice would be to use the time that you have stopped doing other things to:

Rest without feeling guilty, you are doing the work of healing

Unlearn the idea that your worth is tied to your ability to work, you are enough just by being you

Take note of how your body is feeling and respond to what it needs

Prioritise yourself and your body’s needs above any “shoulds” and “oughts”

When you do have the energy to do things, focus on the things that bring you joy or make you more comfortable

Learn about your condition(s) and the things that might help you

Decide what kind of medical care you want to try and get (if any), and get the ball rolling on it

How long will it take to feel well enough to come out of this recovery state? We cannot know. But I know that (thanks to a combination of all of this, and finding some medications that work for me) I am feeling better than I did a year ago, and much better than I did two years ago. I may not have ‘entered the workforce’ but most days I know I can do the work of being a person (which is not an insignificant amount of work!). On the good days I can even imagine getting a job again, and then I’m glad I did finish my degree, because I know it will still be there when the good days become frequent enough for me to use it.

If you are looking for advice on the more medical side of things I will point you to this post, this resources list, and the #ajovy tag on my blog. I can also give more specific advice on navigating medical things if you’d like, but I don’t want to do that unprompted.

I hope that some of this is helpful to you, and I hope you are able to find some improvement. Be kind to yourself

- C

[stargazer-sims]

Journal Entry #50

previously - Journal Entry #49 (part four)

Victor

It's Tuesday again.

I keep doing this, recording entries on Tuesdays. Unlike last Tuesday, nothing much happened today, but that's not to say I don't have news. Even if today wasn’t eventful, the weekend was.

I finally heard from Seiji. It took him until Sunday to reply to the multiple texts I'd sent him on Friday, but better late than never, as they say. What's going on with him will require some explaining, so let me come back to it, 'cause I'm sure you want to know how Yuri and I are doing too, right?

Right. Here comes the health update. There’s some good news and some not so good news.

Good news first; I'm feeling a lot better. It's like my body decided to kick itself into high gear and get some serious healing done since Friday. I’m still getting headaches, but they’re not nearly as intense as they were before, and the blurriness is completely gone from my vision now, which is super encouraging. Today, I didn't take any pain medication for my arms and rib, not even ibuprofen.

In hindsight, I think I probably should've had a little something in the afternoon, because my rib was hurting by the time I got back from spending several hours at the hospital with Yuri. The chairs in there aren’t particularly comfortable and it’s hard for me to sit for long periods of time. But, you know me. I was trying to be a tough guy about it.

My biggest problem right now isn't pain. It's that I'm restless and nearly bored out of my mind. I'm still not cleared for exercise, but I keep trying to sneak in some shoulder stretches and a bunch of leg work whenever I can. Normally, I'd be training, going to work, cooking and cleaning, and taking care of Yuri, but I can't do any of that at the moment and a guy can only take so much inactivity. I'm going kinda crazy with nothing to do.

As for Yuri, his progress hasn't been quite as good as mine. He's slowly getting better, but he's still in the hospital. It's been a whole week as of today, and I don't think he'll be getting out for at least another week.

He hasn't reached the stage where he's bored yet, probably because he's really weak and he's still sleeping a lot, but at least he's able to get out of bed on his own now. He was even up and walking for a few minutes this afternoon. I coaxed him to drink some water afterwards, which probably looked hilarious because I was holding the cup for him and I had to hold it between both hands while he sipped through a straw.

He's still not eating, unfortunately, so they're still giving him intravenous nutrition infusions. I'm sure he's capable of eating independently, but I think he's scared, and nothing anyone's said so far has been enough to motivate him to try.

Dr. Kasongo has already brought up the subject of tube feeding at home, but only with me because neither of us feel Yuri is ready for that conversation yet. Obviously, tube feeding will be an option of last resort, and we really don't want to frighten or upset him any more.

I’ll be honest, the idea upsets me too, not just because I hate the thought of how debilitating it’d be for Yuri, but also because I don’t think I grasped exactly how sick he is until I had that conversation with his doctor. Like, I’ve always understood that his illness is serious and chronic, but I don’t think I fully comprehended the magnitude of it, if that makes sense.

Dr. Kasongo is hopeful that we won’t have to go the tube feeding route, in any case. She’s certain Yuri will settle enough to start a liquid diet by mouth in another day or two, but I'm not sure it'll happen as soon as she imagines it will. Not without some kind of intervention, at least.

The nutritionist came to see him while I was there today, and he had a complete meltdown in front of her. It was pretty clear that he did not want to hear anything about the food plan she was suggesting for him once he's released from the hospital, and his solution was to dissolve into tears and ask her to leave. I think I've seen him cry more in the past week than in the entire duration of our relationship. Yuri hardly ever cries. He rarely shows any emotions really strongly for that matter, regardless of how he's feeling inside, and it's difficult to see him in such a vulnerable state.

The nutritionist told me she's going to ask the doctor to make a referral to a psychologist for him. I already know he's not going to like that, and I’m predicting he'll cause a scene over it, but I do think it's a good idea for him to speak to someone.

That having been said, I can also empathize with his reluctance. At first, I didn't want to talk to the psychologist Dr. Sato referred me to either, but now I actually kinda like him. The initial referral was supposed to have been to talk about the emotional effects of my accident, but I told him I can get over that by myself, so we discuss other stuff instead. I've talked to him about the death of my dad and sister, the stress of being the main caregiver for somebody with a chronic illness, and the challenges of being an immigrant.

He says I'm psychologically healthy and that I don't need long-term therapy. I agree one hundred percent, but having someone objective to confess all my doubts and insecurities to has really helped me feel a lot better mentally. I'm happy to have that support, to go along with the support I'm getting for my physical recovery.

We'll see how it goes with Yuri and his psychologist. I'm envisioning hysterical outbursts, but I'm sure one of us will let you know what happens for sure.

Okay, I guess now it’s time to tell you about Seiji and what happened on Sunday afternoon.

I'd been with Yuri for the morning on Sunday. Mom and Julian picked me up around noon, just after Yuri's grandmother arrived to visit with him. She had Yuki with her as well, so it was probably a good thing I was leaving. According to Yuri, the energy of me and Yuki together in a room can sometimes be a bit overwhelming for other people. The last thing he needed was to deal with that.

Anyway, Mom, Julian and I had lunch at my favourite sushi bar, which was kind of chaotic because neither of them knows how to use chopsticks and even though I'm a chopstick wizard, I can't use them right now either. We all ate with our fingers, which earned us a lot of disapproving stares. I think people were mostly staring at me because I was picking up pieces of maki with the fingertips of both hands together, but I didn't care.

Back at home, stuffed to the brim with salmon, eel, rice and vegetables, I was ready for a nap on the couch and was not at all expecting my phone to ring. When it did, I was startled out of my drowsy stupor, and nearly fell off the sofa. Then, I recognized Seiji's number on the caller ID and all thoughts of napping suddenly dissipated like mist.

I tapped the 'answer' icon on my phone's screen, and didn't even bother with hello.

"Hinamori-san! Where the hell have you been?" I demanded. "Sakura and I have been trying to reach you for days, you know."

"We're not on a first-name basis now, Nelson-san?" was his testy response.

"Really, Seiji? You ghost me for days, and you're annoyed with me?"

"Sorry.”

"Yeah, you should be."

"I wasn't ready to talk," he said. "I went out to the country, to my grandparents' estate, 'cause I just needed to get away for a while."

"What for?" I asked. "And why didn't you tell Masao you were going? Why didn't you tell Takahiro and Fox? Like, how do you leave town without even telling your best friend and his boyfriend?"

"I headed out when Taka was at work," Seiji confessed. "I left him a note."

"You... No, you know what? Never mind," I said. "Why did you need to get away. Did something happen?"

"Did something happen?" he repeated, his tone incredulous. "Dude, are you kidding me right now? How are you even asking that? Like, what do you think happened?"

"I... don't know." I said, perplexed.

"You're so stupid, Victor.” He sounded as though he meant it.

I did my best to force down the familiar sting of humiliation at hearing that. Kids at school used to call me stupid, and it’d always made me feel horrible. My inner child wanted to cover his ears and hide under the nearest desk so he could cry without drawing even more ridicule.

But then, a little voice in my brain that sounded very much like Sayuri Ishida's seemed to whisper, that's not true.

It really isn't true, and I need to keep reminding myself of it. Dr. Ishida had put that monster from my past to rest, once and for all, and I used her words like a shield in my mind. You have an eye condition called hyperopia. Your ability to read is normal. Your intelligence is above average.

“I’m not stupid,” I said, as calmly as I could manage. It was mostly for my own benefit, but still, I wasn’t interested In letting Seiji’s dig at me go so easily.

Seiji made a dismissive snorting noise. “Whatever. Must be the head injury, then.”

I pulled in a deep breath. "Seiji, listen. I really don’t know what you’re talking about. Can you please tell me what's going on? Me and Sakura and Masao have been worried about you.”

“Masao should know,” he said.

“Maybe, but Sakura and I don’t.”

Several seconds passed before Seiji finally spoke again. “Fine. I guess I owe you some kind of explanation. Can you… are you like, okay to go out? I don’t want to talk about it on the phone, but Taka said you’re in a wheelchair and…uh, you know…”

“I’m not in a wheelchair,” I said. “I had to use one for like, maybe three days after I got out of the hospital. That’s all.”

“So, you can go out?”

“Yeah, but you’ll have to come and get me if you want me to go somewhere with you. I’m not cleared to drive yet.”

"When's a good time?"

"Now? I'm not doing much, so whenever works for you, works for me."

"Okay," he said. "If you literally meant now, I can be there to pick you up in like, twenty minutes."

"That sounds good," I agreed. "That gives me plenty of time to grab some water and throw on a sweater."

You're at home, right?"

"I'm at home. See you when you get here."

He showed up about twenty-five minutes later, looking like he'd spent the week in a tent rather than living in luxury at his grandparents' sprawling country estate. His hair was a mess, there were dark smudges beneath his eyes, and he was moving like he was the one who was injured. He looked like he hadn't gotten more than a few hours sleep in the last several days.

"You look worse than I do," I commented, once we'd exchanged greetings.

"You look... surprisingly good," he remarked. He sort of nodded at my arms, where the bottom of my casts were peeking out past the ends of my slightly too-long sleeves. "You know, except for that."

"I'll be rid of these in a few more weeks."

"And then what? Back to the mountain?"

"Naturally," I said.

I couldn't interpret the expression that passed across his features. It didn't last long, but I hadn't missed it, and it could've been anything from disbelief to worry to disapproval. It could've been some combination of all three.

"Let's get going," he said, and although neither of us verbally acknowledged it, we both blatantly pretended the previous few seconds hadn't happened.

The car ride was weird. Normally, Seiji and I would be joking and laughing, listening to music a bit too loud, and talking about our favourite subjects. This time, we were silent, and the only sound in the car was Snowflake by Arashi, playing quietly on repeat.

Where we eventually ended up was in the valley, in Hanamigawa Park. The last time I'd been there was on Yuri's birthday, back in September. The park had been vibrant with colour then. Now, it was brown and grey and dismal, the last vestiges of winter not quite having given way to the tenuous first signs of spring.

We got out of the car, and I followed Seiji across the grass until we came to a bench.

"So...?" I prompted, after it felt like we'd sat there for at least five minutes, staring at our shoes.

"So, what?"

"About that explanation you owe me."

"Yeah." He scuffed the toe of his boot on the ground. "I've been thinking."

"About what?"

"I'm going to move to the city. Try to get a grown-up job. Maybe go back to college or something."

"What are you talking about?" I said. "Your job with the Recreation Association is a grown-up job. There's a lot of responsibility in teaching people how to ski and snowboard."

"It's not the kind of responsibility I want any more, if I ever did."

"What?"

"I quit," he said.

"You quit your job?"

"I quit everything."

At that, an awkward silence stretched between us for several seconds because I had no idea how to respond. I wasn't sure what he meant by 'everything'. I thought I could guess, but I didn't want to assume.

When the lull was starting to feel too long, I finally ventured, "Define 'everything'."

"Everything," he repeated. "I quit my job, I told Taka I'm moving out, and I'm hanging up my board. Masao already knows, so don't bother to ask if I've told him."

"You're not going to compete any more?"

"I'm not going to snowboard any more."

I stared at him. "Why?"

As if it were too difficult to hold my gaze, he looked away from me and began to fidget with his hands. "I can't do it any more," he said.

"But... why?"

"You know how people say the mountain is magical? That there's a guardian spirit?"

"Yeah."

"It's just a story," he said. "The mountain is nothing but a cold, dead rock, and it'll take everything from you with no regrets. With no feelings at all. I named my snowboard because, for some dumb reason, I let myself think it had some kind of spirit inside too, but you know what? It's just another lifeless object."

I had to admit that what he said was correct. From a purely factual standpoint, the mountain is rock and snow, and snowboards are just Fiberglas and wood or carbon, but I have to admit I like the idea of there being something more to them than that. I love the stories of the mountain spirit Yukimatsu and his beautiful sword Shirayuki, and I believe that Elsa is more than a piece of sports equipment. When Elsa and I are flying down the mountainside, I definitely feel something from her, and sometimes I imagine I can hear her singing.

"I thought you loved snowboarding," I said.

“Maybe I used to. Or maybe I still do, but it's like a toxic relationship that you can't seem to leave until it's almost too late. Like, you can't make yourself get out of it until it steals every last bit of hope and happiness you ever had."

"I don't understand," I said, because I really didn't.

"Do you know, I think I might've accidentally hurt Masao, trying to get to you when I saw you go down?" he said. "You know how tiny he is, and he was trying to hold me back."

"I didn't know," I said.

"If it wasn't for Fox, I probably would've..." He didn't complete the thought, but instead continued with. "Takahiro said I was literally screaming. The thing is, though, I don't remember. I don't remember Masao grabbing me, or me knocking him to the ground or... anything. All I could think was, you could be dying and the people you care about most wouldn't even be beside you."

"Obviously I didn't die."

"Yeah, but how were any of us supposed to know that at the time? You didn't see it the way we saw it. Masao said it looked like you could've broken your neck, and I... I couldn't handle losing somebody else like that."

It took a second for my brain to register what he'd just said. Somebody else. Had he seen another snowboarder go down like I had? Someone who hadn't been as lucky as me?

"Who...?" I began, but quickly closed my mouth because something told me I shouldn't pry.

But, it was too late to worry about it when Seiji started to answer anyway. "Didn't Yuri ever tell you about Tsubaki?"

I tried to recall if Yuri had ever mentioned anyone by that name. "I don't think so. Who is she?"

"I thought he told you everything," Seiji said.

"Apparently not."

"Tsubaki was our..." he trailed off, and then amended. "She was the woman I loved."

"Oh."

"She was our teacher in our final year of high school," he went on. "Me, Taka and Yuri were in the same class, so we all knew her. She wasn't that much older than us and most of the boys in our year had a crush on her, but for whatever reason, she liked me and Taka best. Maybe 'cause she was into snowboarding like we were."

"You went snowboarding with your teacher?"

"Not while she was our teacher," he said. "But, we all talked about it all the time, and we'd see her up on the mountain on the weekends."

I'd seen one of my high school teachers skiing on Granite Mountain once. It had felt strange and out of context to me, and I'd tried to pretend I hadn't even noticed him. But, regardless of my effort to ignore him, the rare sighting of my chemistry teacher outside his natural habitat had been enough to distract me, and it resulted in me getting yelled at by my coach at the time.

I'm sure I succeeded in forgetting about it almost immediately afterward, and I’d never even dreamed of bringing it up with him at school. I couldn’t help but winder what it would've been like to have a teacher like Tsubaki, who I could've geeked out about snowboarding with.

"Seems like she would've been a cool person to know."

"She was amazing," he said. "When we graduated, she said we could call her by her given name, and we became friends. We all used to hang out, me Taka, Yuri, Tsubaki and her best friend Mei. We went snowboarding together then, and we did other stuff like going on road trips or going to someone's place for a meal and to play games or watch movies. Or just talk. Tsubaki and I talked a lot."

"What happened?" I asked.

"With me and her?" he said. "She always told me that she didn't want to have a relationship with me, but towards the end, I felt like things were changing between us. She was starting to treat me less like a friend and more like... well, not a boyfriend exactly, but something deeper than snow buddies, you know?" He sighed. "Then everything... ended."

"I'm sorry," I said.

"Yuri really never told you about any of this? He never told you about Tsubaki's accident? How she..." He paused, closing his eyes. "How the mountain took her from me."

It was at that point when I realized Yuri actually had told me. I hadn't made the connection immediately because he hadn't gone into detail and hadn't used Tsubaki's name, and I hadn't wanted to press him for information. "He mentioned he had a friend who died in a snowboarding accident," I said. "We didn't talk much about it."

That figures. Yuri wasn't that close to her anyway." He gave a little shrug. "Yuri doesn't know how to be close to people.”

“That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Are you saying he’s not close to you?” I asked.

“Dude, from where I’m standing, he’s not even all that close to you,” he said. “I mean, where the hell was he when you needed him? At work, and even when all of us were at the hospital with you and we were trying to call him, he ignored us. You know how many times Taka tried to reach him?”

“He was probably in a meeting,” I said.

“Why wasn’t he on the mountain with you? That’s where he should’ve been.”

"His job is important, Seiji. Besides, what happened probably would've happened anyway, even if he had been there.”

"That's not the point," Seiji said. "The point is, he doesn't care about anybody but himself. Why was it you and Sakura who were checking on me? He's supposed to be my friend."

"Sakura and I are your friends too," I reminded him. "Yuri couldn't check on you. He's been in the hospital since Tuesday."

"So what? He's too sick to send a text?"

"Yeah, as a matter of fact, he was." I met his gaze. "Are you seriously mad at Yuri because he didn't text you for a week?"

“I’m mad at him because he’s an asshole. Because he got someone he doesn’t appreciate or even deserve.”

“So, you’re not actually mad at him. You’re jealous.”

“Whatever,” he said. “I know you love him, but wouldn't it be better to love somebody who gives a shit about you? If you'd died out there, he would've just carried on with life as normal."

"No, he wouldn't," I said. "You obviously don't know him as well as you think you do, if that's what you believe."

"I know him well enough," he said. "I've never seen him shed a tear over anything or anyone. But you? You treat everybody like they matter, and you deserve at least that much in return."

"Everyone deserves to be treated like they matter because everyone does matter," I said. "Where are you even going with this?"

"You didn't have to come halfway around the world for Yuri. You could've stayed safe at home and had anyone you wanted.”

“I want Yuri,” I said simply.

"I don't know why. He's a crappy partner."

“Yuri loves me just as much as I love him, and he treats me like I matter," I said. "Maybe you’re convinced he’s a crappy partner because he wasn’t where you thought he should be, but that’s not how it works. We don’t get to script real life to our tastes. It just happens, and sometimes it sucks, and then we gotta figure out how to deal with it.”

“You think I don’t know that?"

"Do you?"

"My life has sucked for the last three and a half years," he declared. "Worse than yours, probably.”

“My life doesn't suck," I said. "There are parts of it that suck. Like, everything's not always easy or fun, but overall it's good, and I'm happy."

"Then, you're delusional." He got up abruptly and started to walk away. "This was a waste of time."

Stunned by the suddenness of his decision to leave, I stared at his retreating figure for several seconds. When I pulled my wits back into place at last, I had to run — contrary to doctor’s orders — to catch up to him.

"Seiji, wait!" I called. "We're not done."

He glared at me. “Yes, we are.”

"You said you were going to give me an explanation."

"I did. It's not my fault that you're too dumb to figure it out."

That was the precise moment in which I lost my temper. I think that if I could've grabbed him and shook him, I would have, but maybe it was a good thing I couldn't.

"I'm not dumb!" I yelled. "I'm sick and tired of everyone saying I'm stupid! I'm probably smarter than you, but I'm not a damn mind reader, so if you want me to understand something, then explain it in a way that makes sense!"

"Fine!" he said. "You want it in language your brain can handle? Here it is. I'm done pretending I'm okay. I don't want to be in this place, hanging around with people who remind me how useless I am and how much I've lost. I don't want to be on that damn mountain every day, thinking of her."

“But—”

"I can't keep running the risk of putting my parents through what her parents had to go through. What I had to go through. It's not worth it. I'd rather have nothing myself than to leave my family with nothing."

"But, there's lots of other stuff—" I began.

“There isn't," he said. "Snowboarding was the only thing I was good at. I’ve failed at everything else. Like, I was rubbish in school, and I was useless as a medic. I couldn’t even…”

“What?”

“There was only snowboarding, but you know what? Snowboarding fucking wrecked my life, Victor! There's no part that it didn't touch, and I can't fix anything now. All I can do now is protect the people I love, and try to forget it."

By the time he was done with this speech, he was crying. Evidently not wanting me to see that, he wiped his sleeve across his eyes so fiercely that I'm sure it must've hurt.

"Seiji—"

"Leave me alone," he said.

“You’ll never forget, you know.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You can go to the city if you want,” I said. “You can go to the other side of the world or a whole other planet, but you're never gonna outrun grief or anger or whatever. You might think you feel better for a while but there's really no place far enough away to escape from it."

"What the hell would you know about it?"

"You might be surprised by what I know about it," I told him. "But I'm not gonna give you a lecture. If you’re not ready, you wouldn't listen anyway.”

"I doubt you know about it like I do," he said.

"Maybe not exactly in the same way you do," I conceded. "But, you know what? I get what it's like when somebody who was the center of your world suddenly isn't there any more."

There was a lot more I could've said. I wanted to tell him I know what it feels like to think about someone every single day and picture how the future might've been different if they were still around. I often wonder about all the stuff Dad and Caroline and I might've said to each other, and all the ways I could've been a better person when they were alive, and how they'll never know what i learned because of them, and who I became because of them.

Tears were still leaking from Seiji's eyes, but he wasn't trying to hide them any more. As I watched, he stood there with his head bowed and whispered, "I couldn't save her. No one could."

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

He shook his head, but regardless of that, he started telling me anyway. "It was just a normal Saturday," he said. "I was working with Mountain Patrol, and my team got the call about an accident up on the expert run. I didn't know it was her until we got there. The advanced care paramedic on our team took one look at her and somehow he knew right away that her neck was broken. It was really bad."

"That had to have been a shock."

"They took her in a helicopter down to the hospital in the valley." He went on as if I hadn't spoken. "You know, to assess her and try to stabilize her. They might've rushed her to one of the big hospitals in Kyoto afterwards, but... there wasn't time. Her parents were in Tokyo, and there wasn't time for them to get here, either. Me and Taka were the only ones with her, and I don't know if she was aware of us being there, but I was holding her hand when she passed."

"I'm sorry," I said.

I thought about my mom. I hadn't found out until many years later that she'd been with my dad in the hospital when he passed and had been able to say goodbye to him one last time. Caroline had been killed almost instantly, so Mom didn't get that final goodbye with her, and I can't decide if that was a blessing or not.

I mean, I can't wrap my head around how terrifying and soul-shattering it'd be to hold your baby as she took her last breath. Watching your partner die would be devastating enough, but losing a child...? And my mom had to suffer through both. The pain she felt must've been immeasurable, making even mine seem minor in comparison.

I don't know how she handled it. I don't know how she survived it. I think if something happened to take Yuri away from me, I'd die too, of a broken heart. Or maybe I wouldn't literally die, but I'd wish to stop existing if he wasn't by my side.

I had to resist the urge to hug Seiji as he stood there crying. His whole body was visibly rigid, and I knew he wouldn't want me to touch him. Takahiro probably would have if he were there, but Taka the compulsive hugger could get away with it and Seiji might even relax enough to reciprocate. In fact, Taka is the only person I've ever seen give Seiji a hug that didn't look unnatural or uncomfortable. Had Seiji always been that way, or had his trauma caused him to change?

He swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I shouldn't have told you all that."

"It's okay. You must've needed to say it."

"Maybe. It was just... that thing you said. About somebody being the center of your world? She was, you know. She would've been, for the rest of our lives. I would've taken care of her, and I think we would've been happy, but... None of that's gonna happen now."

"Have you ever talked about this with anybody before?" I asked.

"Only Taka," he said. "He's the only one who understands. Everybody else thinks it's ridiculous 'cause we weren't even in a relationship."

"A friendship is a relationship. So what if you weren't her boyfriend? That doesn't mean it should hurt less."

"You don't think I'm like, being dramatic or whatever?"

"Why should I think that?" I said. "I don't have the right to tell you how you're supposed to feel or what your grief is supposed to look like, do I? Maybe you're like Yuri and you hardly ever cry for anything, no matter how destroyed you feel, or maybe you're like me and you cry over every little thing, or maybe you're somewhere in between. It doesn't matter. It's all valid."

"Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me for letting you feel however you feel."

"Yeah, I do. Most people would judge me for it."

"I'm not into judging other people for their feelings," I said. "I've got plenty of my own that I'm busy judging myself for."

"You shouldn't. Like, if you can tell me my feelings are okay, you can tell yourself that."

I offered him what was probably a lopsided smile. "I'm working on it. My psychologist says I have to stop creating burdens for myself."

"You're seeing a therapist?"

"Yeah. Unbelievable, right? My doctor referred me to him after my accident, but we've been talking about everything. He's helping me get perspective."

"Perspective," Seiji repeated, as if he were contemplating it.

"You know," I said. "Like how some stuff in your life seems so big and overwhelming, you don't know how you're supposed to deal with it? Sometimes you have to break the situation down and manage it bit by bit."

"Like learning a trick," he said.

"Exactly. Remember when you first learned to ride? There were probably lots of people around you doing all kinds of crazy tricks, and you couldn't even do an ollie yet. Now, you're the one who's flying, but you had to build up to it, one skill at a time."

"So, how am I supposed to do it?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "Maybe start off with figuring out what's really going on in your head. Like, are you sad or angry or scared, or what? And then... I don't know. Ask yourself exactly why. Like, if you're angry at a specific person, or you're scared about a certain thing."

He nodded. "I guess that makes sense. But... do you think I need professional help for that?"

"Maybe? I'm probably the last person you should ask about that. I didn't even know I needed professional help until I was getting it."

"But, it's working, right?"

"Yeah, but it's not magic. You have to want to get your shit together before you can get your shit together, and you have to work at it."

"Good to know."

"Listen," I said. "Everything's gonna be okay. It may take a while, and it might not look exactly how you wanted it to, but it eventually does get better."

"Thanks."

This time, I could feel my smile in my entire face. "You're welcome, but give credit to Yuri, too. He taught me that."

"Yuri taught you optimism?"

"He taught me about resilience," I said. “That’s better than optimism.”

“How so?”

"’Cause it’s realistic. And it’s honest.”

“I see how optimism can be unrealistic.”

“Resilience is sort of like body armour,” I said. “Having it on doesn't mean nothing ever hurts you. Sometimes it hurts like hell, but you get through it and you survive, and eventually the pain isn’t so bad any more. Yuri's constantly showing me that, whether he realizes he is or not."

"Okay," was all he said in response.

He started walking again, in the direction of the park gates. I fell into step beside him, and the quiet between us this time didn't feel quite so fraught.

When we reached the place where we'd left his car, I asked, "What are you going to do now?"

"Take you home, I guess," he said.

"I meant in general."

"Oh." He shrugged. "I don't know. I'm going to Kyoto tomorrow. I've got a couple of appointments to view apartments. Do you want to come?"

"So, you're definitely moving?"

"I guess so."

"What kind of job do you think you'll get when you move there?"

"Does it matter?"

"Not really," I said. "I was just curious."

"I'll probably end up in a convenience store," he said. "But, I was training to be a paramedic before, so I might be okay at taking care of sick people at home or something. And I like kids, so maybe I'd do all right working in a daycare. Or tailoring. I learned how to draft patterns and sew from my mother, so I could probably do that."

"I didn't realize you were training to be a paramedic. When you said 'medic' before, I thought you meant you had the certified mountain rescue course. The advanced first aid one."

"I do have that certification," he said. "But, I was in college for paramedicine. After she... after Tsubaki died, I dropped out because couldn't handle it any more."

"How far did you get?"

"Not very far. I finished the first in-class module, and Mountain Patrol was my first part-time clinical placement. That was it." He made a face that might've been self-disgust. "Useless, right?"

"Not necessarily," I said.

"What?"

An idea was starting to form in my head, but I didn't want to say too much to Seiji until I'd had a chance to talk to Yuri about it first. "You think you could drop me off at the hospital instead of at my house?"

"I'll drop you off anywhere you want," he said. "But, what'd you mean?"

"About you quitting college?"

"Yeah."

"There might be more options for you than snowboarding or working in some dodgy convenience store in the city."

"Right."

"I'll come with you to Kyoto tomorrow," I said.

He frowned at me. "You've got some kind of ulterior motive, don't you?"

"Maybe."

"You're trying to convince me not to move."

"No, I'm not trying to do that. If you want to check out the opportunities in Kyoto, there's no reason not to. All I'm saying is that you might want to go there with something better in mind than working at a convenience store. Like, if you're serious about home care or child care, maybe try it out and see if you like it before you take off to the city and commit yourself to a lease and everything."

"You think I should do that in Mt. Komorebi?"

"Think of it as a safety net," I said. "Stay home for a bit longer, try some different stuff and find out what you really want. Then go off and chase your dream, whatever it is."

"What if I really don't want to stay here?" he said.

"Nobody can force you to stay. All I'm saying is, before you leave, make sure you're deciding and not just reacting."

"Okay," he said. "But I still feel like you're up to something."

"I'll tell you about it tomorrow," I said.

"I'm not going along with it, whatever it is."

"You don't have to go along with it, but you should at least wait to hear what it is."

He drew back his arm as if he were going to punch me, but only flicked my shoulder instead. "You're a massive pain in the ass, you know."

"Yeah," I said. "I hear that a lot, but for some reason, people love me anyway."

"I hate you," he growled, but I knew he wasn't being serious. "Get in the car, Nelson. Wouldn't want to keep you from your pain in the ass other half."

"You didn't really mean what you said about him before, did you?"

If I was expecting an apology or a retraction, I would've been disappointed.

“Some of it,” Seiji said. “He is an asshole, and you seriously could've done better, but if you're happy..." He raised his hands in a gesture that seemed to indicate there was no further comment he could offer. "Anyway, you can tell him I'll come by and see him in a day or two. I'll make Taka and Fox come too, if they haven't been there yet, and I'll bring daifuku mochi. The strawberry kind."

"He's not eating," I said.

"Since when has Yuri ever said no to strawberry mochi? Me and Taka have literally seen him too weak to sit up, and he’d still be lying there demanding a little bite of our strawberry mochi. It's his all-time favourite. That, and tinned peaches, but they're probably already on the lunch menu at the hospital."

"How do you—"

"Just tell him," Seiji said, "And tell him I'll even feed him if he needs me to. Oh, and also tell him to expect a huge piece of my mind for what he did to you. He had no business abandoning you like that, and he definitely has no business taking you for granted. Actually, having somebody as devoted to his pathetic little ass as you are, he should consider himself the luckiest person in the universe."

I didn't show it on the outside, but inwardly, I was both relieved and amused. It might not be an apology, but I figured this was as close as Seiji would get to saying he still considers Yuri his friend.

Even if I hadn't liked hearing what he'd said about my husband, I couldn't blame Seiji for being upset. From Seiji's point of view, maybe Yuri's behaviour after my accident had looked horrible and uncaring, but Seiji hadn't seen him in my room with me immediately after. He hadn't heard the pain and guilt in Yuri's voice when he told me over and over that he was sorry, and he hadn't seen how hard Yuri worked to help me at home when he really should've been resting himself.

"I'll tell him," I said. "I think he'll be glad to see you."

"Yeah, whatever." He opened the passenger door for me, and I climbed into the car. A moment later, he slid into the driver's seat. "I'm leaving for Kyoto at eight in the morning. You'd better be up and dressed when I get to your place."

"Don't worry," I assured him. "I'll be ready."

((More about Seiji & Tsubaki from a different perspective, for anyone curious))

[batsu4eva]

Okay so I’ve said this to a few mutuals before but I had been working on my first VTM oc before I even realized VTM was a ttrpg that existed haha. Carrie was (and still is, tbh) part of a book I’m working on and while writing it I sorta came up with a scientific explanation on how vampirism works. Yes I know there’s probably an actual explanation WoD gave. No I do not care :3 anyways explanation below yada yada. Warning for gross medical descriptions of virus symptoms, death, vomiting and other horrific processes, light mention of miscarriage and, well… blood. Obviously lol. This is gonna be a gross one but I did really get into it and I’m excited to share!

So, if you are like me and like to gain random medical knowledge at times, you know that rabies is one of the worst diseases you can catch and is almost always a death sentence unless you go to the hospital right away. It shuts down every organ in the body before slowly reaching your brain, leaving you a walking, raving corpse that foams at the mouth and is prone to aggression. Now… I mention rabies because as I thought about it, the rabies virus is likely a cousin of vampirism.

Now, how does it differ? Well, first of all, vampirism as a virus isn’t interested in killing you completely because that means it’d have to move onto a different host right away, and it doesn’t see any reason to do that when it can make use of you. Like rabies, it travels into your bloodstream when a vampire bites you, drains you of your healthy blood cells, and for good measure has you swallow some of their own vampirism-infected blood. From there, the virus is free to reproduce, shut down the organs in your body, and reprogram your brain so that it rapidly commands your teeth to become sharp, your nails to grow longer, and overall your body becomes the perfect blood harvester, at the cost of dying in every physical way possible.

The physical downsides? Well, while your body is going through this process, it will also shut down and symptoms of rigor mortis will happen, including you ejecting your fluids… sorry. You will vomit up whatever remains in your digestive system in this horrible red sludge and. Uh. Other unmentionable fluids will eject as well.

Additionally, if you are equipped with the vaginal reproductive system you will have what will feel like the worst period you have ever had in your entire life as all your eggs die at the same time (since your body is no longer able to carry life) and flush out. And if you are pregnant… Well, unfortunately, the same will happen to the fetus. This process is very similar to death because, well, you ARE dying. Minus your brain and nervous system, your body is shutting down.

After this, you definitely will feel better than ever, because the virus that is vampirism still cares about the host being able to provide for it and will give you the best tools possible for doing so (fangs, nails, heightened vision, super speed, etc). Cool, right? Well, from now on, you need to hunt for the oil to keep that machine running, my guy. Why? Well, when you were alive, your bones produced the blood circulating in your body, which circulated back and forth from your brain, and you nourished your bones by eating, drinking, etc. Now, your bones can no longer produce blood, so… you have to steal healthy blood from others. Ergo, blood drinking. Feeding.

And of course, the more you move around, the more you use up the blood that circulates in your body, so you CONSTANTLY have to do it. And, well, what happens if you don’t? I’ll tell you.

You basically have the worst chronic pain you’ve had in your life. It never WILL kill you- again,the vampirism virus is never interested in outright killing the host- but since the nervous system has remained intact along with your brain, vampirism will motivate you by making your body HUUUUUURT to even move. It will hurt to walk. It will hurt to turn your head, hell, it’ll hurt to even blink. It will drive you so crazy you’ll want to claw your own eyes out… or someone else’s. Ergo, frenzy.

Although I don’t know if that’s enough to describe it. Try to remember the most hungry you have ever felt. The most physically tired you’ve ever been. The most pain you’ve ever felt. Now, combine those and multiply them by ten. Congrats, that’s vampirism, the worst chronic condition ever, one that has a kill count. And luckily for you, you’re immortal because the virus wants its vehicle to be in top condition for as long as possible so you can provide for it! Good luck! There’s no way to reverse this condition ever! :)

As for the more mystical elements, like turning to dust in sunlight and all that… I kinda didn’t come up with anything for that yet sorry lol. But I’m proud of this explanation. Hope you all enjoyed reading <333

[duck-ism]

Blog Post #00002

01/08/25

Weekly song: Push- Matchbox 20

Today I woke up at a reasonable 9:35 est, but that’s only because my elbow may have done something weird, I’m not sure, part of the same condition that gives me chronic pain I’m sure. I also woke up to a response from what I’m only imagining is a 38 year old mother of three hyperactive boys to an Instagram reel where I had asked the comment section what a fan animation of F1 racing was supposed to mean because F1 is something I never followed but i had referred the general audience as “Chat” where she then had the audacity to seemingly talk down to me and say “How about we dont call people “Chat”, ok?”. I’m sorry Danielle, but you have no you cannot come into a comment section of a reel clearly intended for a younger audience and tell me not to use slang that today’s younger generations would be using in order to communicate with them, you also have no idea what my background education in language is, which not to brag, but when I have papers for college I’m often writing them at a higher level than what is expected of me. I’m very familiar with the rules of the English language. Therefore, I am more than able to also break them. She’s not my professor or mother, so she can’t tell me how I should be able to speak and communicate. I may be getting unnecessarily upset but I wanted to discuss that some people no matter what age they are will go on to the internet and only try to put you down and let a harmless comment offend them, like Danielle. 

After some, and by some I mean quite a bit of issues from my laptop which I use to write this blog in my google docs of my personal email, I was finally able to start writing this blog. I had intended to write this undisturbed on my living room floor while drinking my daily tea, which is an orange pekoe tea filled to just over half of the mug volume with 2 and half teaspoons of sugar and 2% milk the reset of the way leaving about half an inch at the rim of the mug, alas my laptop had other plans which is fine I suppose as I obviously got to writing anyways. As I mentioned I write my blog in a google docs before copy pasting it into Tumblr and then saving it as a draft and then editing things like text size and editing punctuation and grammar on my phone as my phone seemingly is equipped with grammarly and my laptop which I swore did have it, dosent so for sake of legibility you’re all welcome to thank my phone, despite my grammar usually being fine, well, at least for shorter texts and not personal daily blogs… Y’know?

I got my college timetable last night and because I need to re-take one of my courseswhich is a prerequisit in September as my program only runs once a year, I have Wednesdays completely off it seems, but that also means that I’m at home all of the time, because I failed the only class that was in person… I also need to talk to my boss at my part time job because I haven’t been scheduled by them since August… way to go me… Gods I’m trying so hard to better, but it feels like a brick wall sometimes.

But anyways, enough frustration, I need to figure out how I’m going to fill my time, right now, I have this blog, and I know for fact I need to tidy my room up, due to fatigue, ADHD, and depression it’s hard to just get up and do it. Cleaning definitely means I need to get rid of some old clothes because I keep telling myself I need a new wardrobe but I have to many clothes I don’t wear. I also suppose I have the shows i watch like The X-Files, Twilight Zone, and others, right? Plus, plenty of hobbies. We’ll see as I’m sure I’ll document things here too. I do have a few sewing projects I want to do as well, such as a cosplay one I’ve been planning since May or June of 2024. My idea is a casual denim jacket inspired by Remy LeBeau A.K.A. Gambit from the X-Men comics, adorned with patches that I would say represent his character, like an ‘Ace of Spade’ card patch, as well as the ‘X’ patch and some pink flames on the arms to represent his powers, I also have some pink varsity letters spelling ‘Gambit’ out on the back, it will al be put on a brown denim jacket. I’m also debating getting some square studs for the shoulders inspired by a peice by artist Ash Pierce. Which has a bit of a punk vibe which is a fashion I am often dressing in myself as I also incorporate the ideology and music into my life.

Along with the jacket, I also have a blanket Idea with my love for Baseball, it involves a powder blue fleece blanket a nod to my favorite variation of the Blue Jays uniform, our current powder blue uniforms, as well as collecting patches for every time I’ve been to a stadium or place of interest, I also have a similar project with enamel pins (Dark blue pin banner with pins from every stadium I’ve been to) but for the patches. I originally planned to get a patch for everytime I went, but because I’m a broke college student I may just go the same idea as the way I’m doing my pin banner, one patch for every stadium, as I also can’t guarantee the size either, eh we’ll see. It may because well… Canada, but trying to find a jays patch is incredibly difficult, although I believe I’ve found one good site, again, well see. 

As always, I’d like to thank you for sticking around and until next time, take it easy.

-Ducky

[nevernoire]

CONTENT WARNING vent

i think im stuck in misdiagnosis purgatory. maybe. i don’t know.

ive had lots of ocd symptoms ever since i was a kid. ive had lots of rituals against risk-taking (locking and unlocking doors over and over, obsessive use of hand sanitizer, walking/sitting/going down stairs funky, etc.) it got especially bad when i turned 11, where i would have these forced images implanted into my head of someone getting murdered/SA’d the moment i looked at them. and god forbid i came across a sharp object or came near any sort of window or balcony. i would never leave my room and i’d do anything i could not to trigger it, but even then i would just lie in my bed and cry wishing that i wasn’t “like this.” it got so bad to the point where it would affect me physically and i would involuntarily jerk at every thought i had. i told my mom about it and started therapy, but everyone just thought it was homicidal thoughts. then again i was just diagnosed with mdd and i was having a lot of symptoms of psychotic depression, so it just sorta blended in. i always felt too ashamed to tell anyone about what went through my head, but i was able to confront it at one point in the psych ward. and now i never talk about it. i tried once in 2023, but i chickened out last second.

homicidal thoughts is still on my list of diagnoses. but unlike when i was suicidal, its not me thinking it. when i was suicidal, i genuinely wanted to stop the pain i was in. but even though im on medication that technically neutralizes ocd, those “forced images” feel like they’re the complete opposite of me and everything that i stand for. the weird rituals that i still do to this day are not of my own volition. in the moment it’s because “that’s what’s going to happen if I don’t do them” but really its something making me super paranoid. but whenever i mention any of these ritual things to my therapist, she just processes them as “oh its your chronic pain, you’re protecting your leg bcuz you’re so used to being in pain” or “oh its your anxiety, you’re protecting yourself bcuz you’re uncomfortable in social situations.” that’s only partially true, and I think that’s the thing that “it” uses against me. it tells me to walk down stairs funny and look directly down at my feet because it knows that I’ll believe i will fall and land on my shitty leg.

maybe it is ocd. maybe it’s just my already recognized psychotic depression + panic disorder + adhd combined. maybe its just how i am and im just inherently fucked up. but then again im the same person who believed they were a human-shaped demon for 7 months so idk if I should trust myself on anything ever

[confessions-official]

I absolutely hate myself for wanting what my friend has. She’s disabled. She can’t live on her own and her boyfriend stays with her and treats her so well so she doesn’t have to live with her family who doesn’t give a fuck about her

I may not be paraplegic but I’m also disabled. For me it’s a bunch of “smaller” invisible disabilities. I have chronic pain that’s not too bad sometimes but still affects how much I can lift and how fast I can move and sometimes I have flareups so bad I have no energy and am pretty much housebound. I also have very shitty lungs. I come down with a pneumonia like illness that knocks me on my ass at least twice a year and if I’m lucky it’ll only last a coupke weeks but sometimes it REALLY clings in and is so resistant to antibiotics I’m sick for months. There’s also the autism.

I can pretty much take care of myself but I’d give anything to have someone who’s there like she does. Do I need them? No unless I need to move something heavy during a pain flare up or need to drive long distances which is hard because of the pain but I force myself to do it anyway even though my body is SCREAMING at me to stop because if I don’t I’ll pay for it later but I’ve got to do it all myself because unlike her, I don’t have anyone in my life who gives that much of a damn about me. I have my parents, but they treat me like a fucking toddler even though I’m in college and have a job. If I go back to live with them it’s back to being monitored around the clock, not being allowed to eat without their permission and being treated like a psych ward patient - they’re all or nothing people.

If I need their help with anything at all, that’s how they fucking treat me and I’ll never be able to build a bond wi to anyone outside of them. Unless I can be normal to where you can’t even tell my body is slowly destroying itself, I can’t have a relationship. I can’t expect to ever find anyone as understanding as the kind of person she found, especially because on the outside you can’t tell anything’s wrong with me and I have to deal with people screaming at me all day for being “lazy” , simply not understanding how burned the fuck out I am not only from trying to fight my own stupid body but being traumatized and mentally exhausted from having to be a fucking one man army against an entire world that seems hellbent on killing me and keeps throwing one thing after another at me that I’m forced to tackle one after another but I’m slowing down and soon I won’t be able to keep up with all of this shit.

I know that makes me toxic. I should be focused on money and success instead of wanting love and support. I’m a man. I’m supposed to be a fucking island. But this world has no idea I’m running on fumes at this point. Nobody knows, nobody cares, and I don’t have a single person on my side or even an emergency contact.

I know I know I know! Stop being a man child. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps! Don’t love anyone until you can be an island and don’t need anyone’s help with anything ever. That’s what they tell me. Little do they know that I’ve lost 40 pounds in the last 3 months from stress and being spread so goddamn thin. I have no one who can help. I’m in this completely alone and I don’t know how much longer I can keep going on like this.

I have a boyfriend. But if he knew what I dealt with (he doesn’t think I’m actually sick), if I asked him for help, he’d leave like everyone else. As a man it is NEVER okay for me to need help

 

[the5thelement]

It’s really amazing when you get in an argument with your dad about why you are never around him. which only started because I fucking accidentally flooded my bathroom sink which then leaked into the living room below me which didn’t actually cause any damage that wasn’t there already from a massive storm that we got in the spring. So I told him why would I want to be around you when you constantly say all this fucked up shit to me when your pissed and try to always make me feel like a piece of shit. Two months ago I was the worst I’ve ever been and couldn’t even sit up without losing my vision or fainting and he thought it was the time to tell me I’m lazy and don’t care about anyone but myself because I didn’t ask how him how he was feeling after his doctor appt. I said you love to make me feel like shit when I’m already at my worst but instead of trying to understand that he just proves my point by acting like the irrational man with the emotional maturity of a teenager that he is. He then repeats all the ways he thinks I’m a piece of shit. Which is really only because he can’t stand someone being more unwell than he is. When he’s not feeling well it’s inconvenient for me also to be in too much pain (not in pain anymore,) now I’m dealing with pots, but I can’t possibly be more fatigued than him. so instead of looking bad for not helping my mother with anything it becomes my fault. Oh and also probably mostly because I refuse to go to church with them or pray the rosary with them or complete my confirmation, I can’t even count how many times he’s told me I’m going to hell at this point. It’s really fucking crazy, he’s always been a dick but it wasn’t until I was older that I realized he’s a massive narcissist who honestly if he wasn’t my father I would have absolutely zero interest in ever knowing him. He goes off about how disrespectful I am which actually made me laugh out loud which he didnt like and I said I could say a hell of a lot more to you but I fucking don’t because I don’t want to make mom cry, he finally shuts up for about two seconds, then he tells me to move out. So I said my sisters family will be more than happy for me to move to Nc with her, which then my mom was about to cry so I stopped, but really also my brother said he would let me go to his place in jersey, hell I’ll go my friends in Florida if I had to. So I go to walk away and pack and he yells at me to stay. I’m like well which is it? He honestly just hates that he can’t control me anymore and it pisses him off more that I don’t really react to the bullshit he says Anymore, except today obviously. The only reason I’m here is because I physically couldn’t handle getting a second job to be able to afford living on my own, chronic pain / fatigue is too much. Also all the years I was dealing with my endo pain and trying to find a surgeon, which I got my surgery two years ago and it took a whole year to recover from. But worse than all those years of pain is now dealing with pots and trying to understand why I pass out all the time, these weird neurological symptoms and learning how to manage this properly, I thought I could at least feel like I might be safer around my family. I don’t even really know why I think that though because after my surgery they literally left me the next day to go to my sisters for two weeks. So not they they were of any help during that. Then recently When I started with these pots symptoms after I gave blood, I had literally fainted as my dad was walking towards me and he didn’t even fucking notice and walked away. So I was unconscious in the chair leaning on the counter when my mom walked by and was like rubbing my arm asking if I was okay and woke me up. He thinks he’s always been this fucking gold star father because he worked a lot ( like bare fucking minimum, you choose to have 6 kids.) or because he coached us in sports, sure he was a good coach, but like have a son that gets depressed and tries to kill himself and watch how ill equipped he is for that and it’s not at all because of him.

cool I’m 32 and have now manifested daddy issues lol 😅

[idontplaytrack]

Can you do one where Regina is having a bad dad due to back pain and Janis is the only one who understands why she's in such a bad mood.

✧ In My Bed

Janis ‘Imi’ike x Regina George

Warnings: coarse language, fluff, chronic pain

In which Regina couldn’t take anymore of her friends’ comments and decides to ditch school, just like Janis had told her to do.

“Are you sure you want to go to school, Regina?”

“I’ve already missed a day this week. I don’t want to miss another.” Regina sighs, “Our friends are already asking me why I didn’t show up the other day. I don’t want to answer that question and I won’t be.”

“Exactly. Ignore the question— that’s not their business.” Janis huffs.

“They will bug me.” Regina snorted, “Whatever, let’s go. Let’s not be late.”

“Okay, okay.” Janis agreed reluctantly, heading to Regina’s Jeep with her. “Let me drive.”

“You?”

The brunette glares at her, “Come on, I am perfectly capable of driving.”

“We both know that’s not true.” Regina teased.

“Give me the keys.” Janis sighs, holding out her hand. The blonde looked at her, no glared at her directly. “Give me. The keys.” Janis repeated, “Don’t make me snatch them from your hands.”

“Try me.” Regina smirked, having the keys tightly in her palm. Which she quickly raised her arm and dangled from a height. Janis gave up, getting into the front passenger seat without a word.

Regina guffaws, sticking the keys into the ignition and driving off. Janis sulked, her arms crossed on her chest. “Aw, come on. I’ll be having the back pain whether or not I’m driving.” Regina softened up for a moment. Janis ignores her still.

“Fine.” Regina said, brows raised as she got annoyed for a second. Her eyes were now focused on the road, Janis was simply staring into space.

The drive to school wasn’t long, and Janis about halfway through, asks, “Are you okay?”

“I could ask you the same question, Jay.” Regina bites back a laugh. God, this girl was cute. Why are you so cute?

“I’m fine, I was just…kidding around.” Janis exhales, “How’s your back?”

“It’s making me very irritable.” Regina admits, “Gonna blow my top more than usual. Lunch will be greeeat.”

“Just ignore them.” Janis places her hand on Regina’s thigh, her thumb softly caressing her skin over the fabric of her pants.

“When has that ever worked, Janis?”

Woah. Yeah, okay, Regina was irritated, alright.

“Sorry.” Janis mutters, “Just focus on yourself, I’ll shut them the hell up.”

This wasn’t the pair’s first rodeo, per se. Regina had flare ups like this quite regularly which was unfortunate. Sometimes, well most times, Regina would be careful and be able to tell when one was going to creep up on her and start. Other times, she’d be completely fine one minute and start being in excruciating pain the next. One wrong move, and she’d very much be in bed rather than in school or anywhere.

“Wow, you’re in…sneakers?” Damian pointed out the second he saw Janis and Regina walk up to him.

“Shut it.” Regina snapped.

“Very well then.” He said back in his usual tone, which earned him a menacing glare from the blonde. Janis laughs, Damian smacks her on the arm playfully.

“Hey!” Regina and Janis both exclaimed at the same time, but in different tones.

“Don’t smack her.” Regina added on.

“Relax.” Damian teased, “She’s fine. Unlike you. Back acting up again?”

“No shit.” Regina sighs deeply, “I’m going to homeroom, bye baby.” With a kiss pressed to Janis’ cheek, she departs. Janis and Damian head to their homeroom together.

Regina and Janis were separated by classes for awhile, but had the class right before their lunch break, together. So Regina’s mood got a little bit better after a couple hours of not being able to see her girlfriend. It also helped her feel better about the mild but lingering pain in her back. They sat next to each other, and Regina found that extra comforting today— didn’t admit it though. She would never. But then came lunch, where Regina got severally pissed off by just about anything. Someone sneezed, she rolled her eyes. Some stupid squabble between two other students, Regina glares at them. The different cliques laughing amongst themselves…the noise seemed particularly loud today. Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Regina’s eyes screwed shut in pain when the random zap of pain that went up from the bottom of her spine.

The sight of everyone being in a good mood was the last straw. She knew life wasn’t fair, but was this torturous chronic pain she had to deal with for the rest of her life the fair punishment for her wrongdoings? Regina certainly didn’t think so. She stabs her fork roughly into the tray of cheese fries, “Fuck!”

It wasn’t a loud exclamation, only her table heard it.

“I can’t do this. You were right, I should’ve just stayed home, in my bed.”

“Why are you in such a bad mood?” Karen asked, she was genuinely curious if not concerned.

Regina knew what way she meant it but the tone alone was enough to frustrate her further today. She appreciated the concern, but she just couldn’t. Not today, she felt like couldn’t do anything right.

“Nope, I can’t. I’m going home. I can’t make it another four hours sitting in a desk.” Regina hid her face in her hands, speaking quietly with the intention of only Janis hearing her.

“Why can’t you just take a Tylenol and get through the day? Doesn’t it help—”

“My God, shut up Aaron.” Regina spat, “Don’t you think I would be fine right now if Tylenol helped? Don’t you think I would’ve taken that? So no, I can’t just take a Tylenol and call it a day. The pain makes me unable to walk, I can’t lie down comfortably, I can’t get enough sleep, my mood is shit, I’m snapping at people who don’t deserve it and the last thing I need is you of all people to ask why I don’t do something. You know how bad it gets, you see it. But do you acknowledge how hard it’s been to even just make it through the day. This is not a fucking joke. I’m sorry I did somethings that I’m not proud of, but sometimes I wish you guys would just stop and learn about how deeply this pain affects me in my daily life. But apparently, it’s too much to ask for because it’s been so long and so it must be all in my head, I’m being dramatic, right?”

Janis had her hand on Regina’s shoulder, “Let’s go.”

“What?” Regina takes in a careful breath, snapping out of her rant.

“Let’s go. I’m taking you home.” Janis answered.

“Okay.” Regina gave in, leaving with Janis before anyone could say anything. Janis drives them this time, Regina just…looked straight ahead trying not to focus on anything but her back.

“I’m gonna just lay in bed. You can go back to school.”

“I’m not leaving you alone.”

“Mm, okay.” Regina did not put up a fight at all, which made Janis even more worried.

“Do you want the Aleve or should I run you a bath?”

“Both.” Regina answers, groaning as she sat down on her bed.

“Alright.” Janis retrieves the bottle from the medicine cabinet and a bottle of water from the fridge for her. Then, she proceeds to run a bath, keeping in mind to have the water warmer than usual. While Janis was in the bathroom for a bit, Regina took the pill and laid down on her stomach— something she’d do to try and alleviate the pressure her back had.

After getting Regina into the bath, Janis hung around in the bedroom to wait. And just in case she needed any help. “G? You good in there?”

“…yup. Little sleepy though. Can you come in here?”

“Okay.”

Janis sat down on the floor by the tub, Regina had folded her arms on the side of it, resting her chin there. “What do you need?”

“Nothing.” Regina smiled slightly, “Just wanted you here with me.”

“Oh.” Janis relaxed and smiled back, “Okay.”

“Thanks, baby.” Regina sleepily reached forward to hold onto Janis’ hand, giving it a squeeze, “I appreciate it, really.”

Janis squeezes the blonde’s hand in return, “I hope this flare up goes away soon. But in the meantime, I’ll be right here, G. Whatever you need, I’ll help you with it.”

🏷️Tag list:

@ashecampos @auliisflower @cheesysoup-arlo @frogs00 @ludoesartnstuffs @pda128

💭A/N:

Thanks for your request and for waiting!🫶🏼 Hope you enjoyed this little drabble, anon.