[ closed ] let us wipe away those tears

[finethanks]

who: Eichi Tenshouin (finethanks), Gladiolus Amicitia (leatherdaddy), Leonard McCoy (legendary_hands), Yuuri Katsuki (yokunaru), & possibly more as I go!
what: Catch-all for April, hit me up if you want a thread and I'll make us a starter!
when: Throughout April
where: Various places
warnings: Eichi talking about death a lot probably, that's about it

[As I plan out threads I'll keep them all here, but I'm super open to adding new ones! My CR meme comment is over here if anyone wants to plot something, or reach me at my contacts to figure something out. Even if you have no ideas, I'll probably be able to come up with something. ♪

Thread starters will be below!]

Comments

[leatherdaddy]

You're still not dressed?

[ Gladio sounds a little displeased at that, but he's used to this. Noct wasn't easy to rouse in the morning and he was sluggish until practically nightfall. But he's also tenacious. ]

Come on, get changed. We can get coffee on the way. [ Eichi's going to need a hell of a lot more than just coffee, Gladio... ]

[finethanks]

I performed my hardest last night, you know? It's an exhausting thing.

[Let him live, it's the crack of dawn! He sighs gently, leading Gladio inside and letting him close the door as he heads straight for the kitchen.] I shouldn't have coffee, so let me just brew some tea while I'm changing. You can have some as well, Gladio-kun.

[Slowing down is fine, surely. He's at least moving quickly in setting up the tea, and once that gets started on the stove he'll go head over to the bedroom to grab his workout clothes...]

[leatherdaddy]

[ Gladio is antsy, wanting very much to get a move on and well. Fine. He'll stay for a cup but he's anxious to get some of that cooler air deep within his lungs as he gets his blood pumping.

How quickly he forgets about Eichi's condition. ]

How late do those shows keep you up, anyway?

[finethanks]

It depends.

[He answers that a little shorter than he normally would. None of his sentences are nearly as long and rambling, but he's still polite, stepping away and behind a door to change. He'll leave it cracked just to keep talking to Gladio!!]

Last night, once I got back, I lost track of time and danced with Yuuri on the balcony until I couldn't stand.

[He's a little slow changing, but finally he steps out in suitable clothes for some exercise.] Don't worry, I'll drink the tea quickly.

[leatherdaddy]

Heh.

[ See, this? This should have been the point at which Gladio just marches Eichi right back into bed. Except he thinks he's joking and laughs it off. Big mistake.

Gladio leans from where he's sitting to continue the conversation, but mostly keeps his attention on his device, which he starts swiping. Hm, should he try this weird 'Friendr' app... only to lose interest when Eichi returns. ]

...Hoh, that was fast. Don't worry about it, just drink normally. [ Actually, he likes his tea. And it'll heat his core, too. ] Where did you perform?

[finethanks]

"Etcetera."

[He pours the tea with an unsteady hand, but he's well used to this, bringing a second to help straighten it so it pours without incident. One cup, then two.] It's one of the many night clubs around the city. As soon as I arrived, I was offered jobs at four of them.

[Setting the teapot back down carefully, he brings Gladio his cup first, sets it down in front of him and gestures to the sugar and cream he's set out on the table if he'd like it. Then he goes to retrieve his own cup, bringing it to the table and taking a seat with a quiet sigh.

He's really feeling exhausted today. Was it that he got too worked up last night? Or is his health just dipping? He really hopes it's not the latter. Some tea might help. Some fresh air, as well... He'll go easy on the sugar, and add just a tiny bit of cream...]

You're free to come watch me at one of them, if you'd like, Gladio-kun. ♪

[leatherdaddy]

[ It's a good thing Eichi's back is to him as he pours, otherwise that tremor would not have gone unnoticed and Gladio would have told him to take it easy, departing without him.

He knows exhaustion when he sees it, but for Eichi this is par for the course - he's accustomed to concealing his weakness. He escapes notice today. ]

Do I get a backstage pass?

[ Of course Gladio will support a friend, but he can't not ask for an upgrade. He's half kidding in that hopeful way a buddy does when he knows he's asking for too much but with the confidence that no harm's done when it's refused. Besides, if it can fluster Eichi even a little more to wakefulness, it'll be hilarious and hopefully effective. ]

[finethanks]

[With a teacup for each of them, Eichi is able to sit down and relax for this short moment. It's not enough to ease his heart, but very little is when he's like this. He's relying entirely on the thought of fresh air, right now. Both of his hands wrap around his own teacup for warmth, but one pulls back shortly after to scrub lightly at his eyes, trying to wake himself up. It comes with a surprised laugh at Gladio's comment.]

A backstage pass? What are you hoping to be able to do backstage? [He tries to tease back, dropping his second hand back to his tea and bringing the cup close to his lips. Yes, tea always makes him feel better.] What we're doing now is already like that.

[Gladio gets to see a side of him that his fans don't.]

[leatherdaddy]

[ It's true, being immediate neighbors means a level of intimacy an idol might not have with many of their fans. ]

Really? You mean you're not some kind of hot shot celebrity yet?

[ With his own staff and production team and manager all lined up waiting to do the so-called emperor's bidding? Yeah, Gladio's teasing just a little bit and smirks as he lifts his own steaming cup, letting the scent and warmth drift up to his face. The scent is... actually really good and draws the Shield's attention down to the cup. ]

Hm? Hey, what's in this? Smells nice.

[finethanks]

Fufu, I won't be satisfied until my face is on every sign. [Just to tease right back. He won't consider himself a hot shot until he's reached the very top that he can reach, here. This isn't like school.

But he appreciates the interest in the tea, and as he sips his, he explains.]

It's a special type of Chinese tea called Dianhong. This particular variety is Yunnan gold. It's sweet, isn't it? [It smells flowery, but the taste is certainly sweet with fruity undertones. It's smooth and not bitter at all.] I thought a tea like this would wake me up a little. ♪

[leatherdaddy]

Maybe by the time you've completed your tour in Quarantine, your adoring fans won't let you go. Ever think of that?

[ He's joking of course. A joke to take the edge off the daunting duration of their stay here as advertised to each newcomer during their orientation. Gladio himself is still on the fence about that. ]

Hmm. Guess I'll have a taste. [ Lifting the cup - improperly, of course, with his fingers gripping the lip of the cup itself and drinking from the gap between thumb and forefinger. None of this trying to fit his fingers through some dainty handle. ] ...!

[ Holy shit, that actually tastes good. Good enough that Gladio stares into the liquid as he pulls away and swallows. ]

[finethanks]

[He simply chuckles at Gladio's teasing, too tired to follow it up with anything else. He has to save his energy, he knows, or this little outing won't turn out so nice. But still, he's foolish and holds back from revealing any of that.]

How do you like it? [Since he did notice that amazed look at it, and his own cheeks heat up a little in his amusement. Or, is that actually a fever? Unclear right now, but Eichi is going to drink his tea super fast.]

[leatherdaddy]

It's freakin' delicious!

[ He never knew water steeped in a variety of dried vegetation could taste so good! Like most people from his world, his beverages come pre-packaged and with a label describing the consumable and touting it's benefits. This is the real deal, and tastes better than anything else, even better than what Jared made when he was alive. ]

You seriously know your stuff. [ So far Gladio has failed to notice the fluster, chalks up Eichi's hurried drinking as enthusiasm inspired by the great taste and hoist his own cup to toss down the rest. ] Bottom's up! Day's wastin'

[finethanks]

Fufu, we can have some more afterwards, as well.

[ Yay, Gladio likes it! He decides to leave their teacups on the table for now, since he'll just deal with it after, and pushes himself up now that he's finished it. Toying with the edges of his jacket, he looks to Gladio. ]

I'm ready, then. Where will we be heading today? [ Wherever it is, he's finally ready to be awake and follow Gladio wherever he wants to lead them. Jogging, he can do this, right?? ]

[leatherdaddy]

Let's just take it easy. [ 'Easy' being a totally subjective term. Gladio claps his hands on his knees just before hauling himself up out of the chair. Pushes it back into place because these apartments aren't exactly large and he is so the extra space to get by is an absolute necessity. ]

We can loop around the apartment block a few times.

[ Which is kind of... a lot of jogging. This building is enormous, but at least it's not a jog up and down the riverbank, right? ]

[finethanks]

[Fucking "easy" he says. E a s y. Eichi smiles politely and lets silence soak in for a moment or two before he moves to get the door.]

I'm feeling exhausted already. Fufu, you won't leave me behind in the dust, will you?

[But alright, they're doing this. He can do this, maybe. Probably. Out he goes with Gladio, and as soon as the man starts, he will start very slowly himself!!]

[leatherdaddy]

[ After some stretching and warming up, Gladio's ready to go - clearly revitalized by the cold morning air. It... probably feels like icy fingers digging their way into Eichi's frail lungs and limbs though. ]

Look, I'll jog backwards so you can keep up - it's a good workout anyway, and I'll look a little less stupid if I'm with a partner.

[ See? Your weakling status is a huge help to him! Be grateful! ]

[finethanks]

[The cold air hitting his lungs should be the first warning. It stings and aches, a slow throbbing that comes with every breath and uneven heartbeat, and he brings his hands up to his mouth to breath into them with a quick little sigh. Gladio must be so warm. If he thinks about catching up to him, it might help...

But that comment...]

Running backwards, won't you crash into something? [He laughs, reaching out despite the ache crawling through his bones to playfully slap Gladio's arm.] However you'd like to run, let's get started.

[His thoughts are if he doesn't start now, he never will. So, they jog!! And Eichi immediately shows just how out of shape he is, struggling with his speed and his pace and even with breathing. He's breathing heavily even after a short amount of time...]

You know, I'm really not made for this sort of thing like you are, Gladio-kun... [He manages those words as an excuse for his falling behind.]

[leatherdaddy]

You won't let me, right? [ Gladio laughs, casting a quick glance over his shoulder. Apparently he's not ashamed of looking like a complete ass this early in the morning if it means Eichi looks a little less...

Gladio slows a little as he realizes the self-proclaimed emperor looking even paler than usual. Is he okay like this? ]

What, this? You probably work harder during your performances, right?

[finethanks]

I don't hold back, of course...

[ It is getting harder to speak while jogging, even as Gladio slows. They've gotten pretty for for Eichi, haven't they? But they haven't even circled half of this building yet. His steps slow even more in his jog, and his eyes dim a little as he stares at Gladio and past him. He can't even do this, of course... ]

[leatherdaddy]

[ Gladiolus slows and slows until he's going in reverse, walking straight towards Eichi until he's close enough to put his hands on his shoulders to stop him. Stares straight into his face too, because that look just now? He looks like he's about to faint. ]

Hey. Are you alright?

[ Surely he's not this weak, right? ]

[finethanks]

[This is a nightmare.

Everything slows down because Eichi is beginning to panic. He can't breathe properly, and even as his steps slow and Gladio's solid hands grip him, the motion with which he grinds to a halt is sickening. All color is absent from his face now, and he lifts a hand to cover his mouth as he coughs.

That alone is enough to have him falling forward into Gladio's hold a bit more, legs wobbling at this sudden strain overwhelming him. His whole body is crying out over this simple thing. This easy thing. He can't do even this, so what use is this body?

He doesn't want to die yet. He's not ready to die yet. Not here, not now, not here... His mind races, and he coughs again, his free hand resting against Gladio's chest for support.]

I'm... fine, I just need a moment— [But there's blood in that hand, and all of that racing Eichi's mind is going through stops suddenly when it gets to be too much. His legs give out entirely, his eyes flutter closed and he slumps against his poor friend.]

[leatherdaddy]

[ In the state Eichi's in, the sudden sense of vertigo seems like the new normal. In reality, Gladio saw the red staining that parchment-pale skin and the dark purple smudges under each eye that stand out as the color drains from his face and hauls him up. Eichi's head lolls to the side, murmuring something like fine and moment before Gladio makes a hissing sound through his clenched teeth and holds his chin upright in his hand.

He's so light, even when he goes limp he barely weighs a thing. Or maybe that's just the adrenaline that his heart dumps into the rest of his body as he realizes this is bad and he hasn't any curatives on him. ]

Eichi! Oi!

[finethanks]

[For the moment, Eichi is unresponsive. His bloodied hand stays curled near his collarbone as the other arm slips limply to hang to the side, and his head leans against whatever support Gladio can offer him. It's clear that he's alive, at least, because his breaths are steady now, and if checked for a heartbeat, it'll still be unsteadily there.

It's all black, and it likely will be until he's had a couple of minutes for his body to "reset" like this. Gladio's warmth helps a little, at least, since it seems that even with his own jacket he's ice cold to the touch.]

[leatherdaddy]

[ This is a nightmare. ]

Eichi... Eichi!

[ Jogging's not in the stars today, not when he needs to break into a run in the direction of the hospital. Gladiolus pulls him closer to his chest, letting his own body absorb the shock of his full on run, shoes pounding asphalt in the hopes that he doesn't jostle him too much. It can't really be helped, so it's speed he relies on the most to carry him and Eichi to the aid he needs.

As Eichi's awareness swims in and out of consciousness, he can hear the way air thuds out of Gladio's lungs as he races forward, the violence of doors being kicked inwards. Hurried voices, accustomed and trained to deal with these sorts of emergencies with an urgent kind of calm unique to front-line medical workers.

And then the steady beep of some monitor tracking his heart. ]