Chapter Text
It took three whole weeks for the hospital to agree to send Wemmbu home.
He was still going to be on bed rest for a long time - the doctors estimated around six months at least - but he was finally back in the comfort of his own home. He had to be wheeled out to the car in a wheelchair as he still had no strength in his legs and Mane had lifted him into his seat.
Mane had frowned, his face holding a slight bit of guilt. Wemmbu was pretty sure his brother was thinking about how light Wemmbu had gotten during his stay at the hospital. Mane had always taken pride in the way he raised his brothers. Wemmbu remembers how chubby he and Flame both were as kids, Mane always making sure they were well fed.
Wemmbu knew that Mane would be stuffing him with food as soon as possible. Not that Wemmbu minded, he loved his brothers cooking and couldn't wait until his stomach could handle full meals again!
Flame had sat in the back with him on the ride home, keeping him stable as he couldn't wear his seatbelt properly over the bandaged stitches in his chest. Wemmbu rested his head on his brothers shoulder, letting out a small yawn. Flame rested his own head on top of his, an old habit from when they were younger.
Wemmbu was tired, this was a lot of excitement for him. He'd spent weeks in a hospital bed, going in and out of consciousness. This was the longest he'd spent awake since before he arrived at the hospital.
It really was no surprise that he fell asleep barely two minutes into the drive.
~
Mane couldn't help but glance back in rearview mirror, smiling at the sight of Wemmbu fast asleep against Flame. The middle brother stayed wide awake, making sure Wemmbu didn't jolt around even with Mane's careful driving.
It was a lot different compared to the chaotic ride to the hospital all those weeks ago. This ride was slow, calm and quiet. Mane felt the tightness in his chest start to ease, happy that he was finally taking Wemmbu home, alive.
Eventually, Mane pulled into their driveway and parked the car. They hadn't been back since Wemmbu was hospitalized, their friends had all chipped in to tidy up the house and bring them clean clothes. Mane was just happy he could bring Wemmbu into a clean home.
His plan was to set up Wemmbu's bed in the living room and to move himself into the spare room downstairs. It would keep Wemmbu near the kitchen and downstairs bathroom, while also making sure Mane and Flame could hang out with in him the living room. If Wemmbu needed help during the night, Mane would only be a room away as well.
Maybe when Wemmbu could walk more on his own, they'd move him back up to his own room. But Mane didn't trust Wemmbu not to try walking down the stairs. This would do for now.
Mane settled Wemmbu and Flame on the couch, covering them with a blanket before walking off to set up the living room.
~
"I'm boooooooored!" Wemmbu whined.
Mane sighed as his brothers head dropped onto his shoulder, his gaze being met with an offended pout, "I know, Wemm. But there's not much you can do at this point."
Mane was sitting with Wemmbu in the boys bed, positioned against the large window of the living room so that Wemmbu can get some fresh air whenever he wanted, even when bedridden.
Wemmbu huffed and carefully crossed his arms over his chest, "Why can't I just go back to sleep?"
"If you can sleep, then do," Mane chuckled, "I think it's a good thing that you're awake more often."
Wemmbu groaned, "Yeah, but I can't do anything!"
Flame giggled from the couch, "What about all that homework that Egg brought over?"
Wemmbu rolled his eyes, "I'm not well enough for school stuff! Right, Mane?"
Flame cackled as Wemmbu's sweet, innocent eyes turned towards Mane, causing the man to fold immediately, "If you don't feel up to it, don't push yourself."
Wemmbu grinned as he - once again - got his way.
~
"Wemmy!" Spoke grinned as he ran into the house, hanging off the side of Wemmbu's bed, "Wemmy, when can we go back to the arcade?!"
"It might still be a while, Spoke," Minute patted the boys head as he came in after him, "How's it going, kid?"
Wemmbu groaned and flopped against Egg, "I'm so bored! I can't even shower by myself!"
Mane winced from his place on the couch. Wemmbu had been so happy to be allowed in the shower after months of sponge baths, only to be disappointed once again due to his inability to stand without assistance. Wemmbu's first shower after his illness was filled with tears and Mane's hushed words of comfort.
At least Wemmbu got his hair properly cleaned.
Egg blew some hair from his face, "You'll get there eventually. Have you been doing your homework?"
Egg himself was still looking a little rough. He'd almost lost his best friend, so it made sense that he was still getting used to the fact that Wemmbu did not actually die. But school had been hard without Wemmbu, he'd become a target for bullies and teachers alike. But one trip down to the school by Minute usually set them straight for a while.
"Oh-! I'm just so tired!" Wemmbu leaned back into the pillows dramatically, causing the entire room to snort.
The things that boy would do to avoid his homework.
~
Mane and Flame stood to either side of Wemmbu, holding his arms as he pushed himself up.
His legs were weak, having not been used in months, but Wemmbu was determined to keep pushing forward. His stitches had been removed the week prior and he was finally cleared by his doctor to start light movements. Right now, he just wanted to make it to the kitchen and sit with his brothers for breakfast.
His body shook, legs trembling with each step. His brothers carried most of his weight as they moved slowly to the kitchen. Finally, they sat him down at the table and let him catch his breath. Flame stood behind him, holding his shoulders as the youngest leaned back, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
"You good, bro?" Flame whispered, leaning down to hug Wemmbu.
Wemmbu sighed, "Yeah, I'm good."
Mane placed a plate of hot pancakes in front of Wemmbu before shooing Flame away, "Good. I expect this plate to be licked clean."
"Maaaaaane!" Wemmbu whine, still a little breathless, "Are you really doing this again?!"
"Doing what?" Mane blinked, genuinely confused.
Flame laughed, "Whenever something happens to one of us, you have a habit of stuffing us full of food. It gets to a point where we can't even eat anymore the entire day."
Mane gasped, "I do not do that!"
"Yes you do." both of his younger brothers deadpanned.
Mane couldn't believe he'd been betrayed like this! By his own brothers, too!
~
"What about going out for dinner tonight?" Mane offered.
Wemmbu perked up instantly. He could move around the bottom floor of the house on his own, while still having some difficulty with the stairs. He could also take himself outside for a bit, sitting in the sun on a hanging swing Mane had bought for him.
But he hadn't actually left the property since he came back from the hospital.
"Yes!" Wemmbu grinned, "Yes, yes, yes! Please!"
Mane chuckled as Wemmbu climbed over him, happy at how energetic the boy was getting. It was almost like this whole ordeal had never happened.
Almost.
Wemmbu was still noticeably more tired than he used to be. He'd have an extremely hard time with the flu and similar illnesses - having just recovered from a sinus infection rather recently - it had been worse than his normal illnesses. Mane hadn't waited this time and took him straight to the hospital.
"Okay! Okay," Mane pulled the boy down next to him, "where should we go?"
Wemmbu started listing off place, occasionally being interrupted by Flame's ideas. Mane felt a warmth in his heart.
It wasn't perfect, Wemmbu was still in a fragile state and he would stay like that for the rest of his life. They'd always panic anytime Wemmbu so much as sneezed and their health insurance provider would still hate them.
But Wemmbu was alive. He still had a chance at life and that was all that Mane could ask for.
~
Wemmbu sat next to the familiar grave, leaning his head on the stone holding his dear friends name.
"Hey, Rejoice," Wemmbu sighed, "been a while, huh? Sorry."
They sun was bright and the breeze was soft, as it always was when he visited the graveyard.
"So, I didn't end up dying," Wemmbu chuckle was slightly pained, "don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that I lived!"
He wasn't lying, he could still live a mostly normal life. He could still go to school and he had the chance of going to college or getting a job or going on vacation or- or… anything else he could think of!
But there was one thing…
"I wish it hadn't of taken them so long to come up with a cure. I wish you had the same chances that I do."
Rejoice would never get to grow up. He'd forever be a child, taken away so early that it felt unfair.
Life was unfair.
"I guess I won't be joining you as soon as I thought," Wemmbu smiled sadly as he got up and started to walk away, "I'll live a good life and then we'll see each other again, okay?"
His chest felt lighter, like a weight had finally been lifted after years of pressing him down. It didn't have anything to do with that illness - Wemmbu thinks so at least - more like something that originated in his head and heart.
Like he can finally live happily without regret.
What Wemmbu didn't see was a small figure, glowing in the soft afternoon sun. The blond boy smiled in pure, unfiltered joy at the sight of his friend - still alive, still going - and clutched a sunflower close to his chest. He closed his eyes and disappeared, satisfied with what he'd seen.
A sunflower sat on the top of a grave, shining in the sun.