Chapter Text
“What’s this purple one here?” It’s asked by Kody, who’s next to him as Lumine properly shows him the flowers in the backroom.
“Statice! It’s not really popular, but I really like them. Hm.. they do have some meanings but I think the main one usually means remembrance of some sort.” Lumine responds while picking up the flower, examining it to make sure it’s still healthy.
“I feel like I’ve seen those around a lot.” Kody states, beginning to walk to the next aisle.
“Oh well yeah, they’re in the local park. If you’ve been there, which I’m sure you have.”
“Not really. I mean, I’ve passed it but I haven’t actually been there.”
Lumine is unable to suppress the shock on his face, and a few moments pass without him answering that Kody then turns back to look at him.
“What?” He asks, genuine confusion written on his face.
“Well.. it’s one of my favorite parks ever . Would you.. wanna go there?” Lumine asks, uncertain if he’s crossing a boundary of some sort.
“I don't think I would've gone by myself, but if you’re taking me I don't really mind.”
His face grows a little warm, which is unusual for him. He doesn’t know why it did, pushing it away and focusing back on Kody. who’s looking away.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” A cough follows him before Kody speaks again. “If you don’t mind.”
“I’m free anytime! Here, you can have my number so it’s easier to talk.” He offers, opening his phone. He looks over to Kody who looks somewhat surprised, but he quickly smoothes out his facial expression and takes a hold of Lumine’s phone. Their hands brush for only a moment, but Lumine still feels Kody’s hand even after they’ve let go.
They’re warm.
Shaking his head, he accepts his phone back from Kody who’s sent him a message already.
Unknown number
hi
lumine
hi! ヽ(o^ ^o)ﾉ
“What is that?” Kody asks in genuine confusion, looking up from his phone and to Lumine.
“An… emoticon?” Lumine answers back, equally as confused. Kody simply furrows his eyebrows.
“Don’t tell me you don’t know what they are...”
“I don’t know what they are.”
And so Lumine spends the rest of his afternoon showing Kody how to download the emoticon keyboard, while also showing him which ones mean what. Kody eventually understands, and Lumine finds it just a little bit funny when Kody attempts to use one. Something about Kody who has a serious expression and all using a happy emoticon doesn’t match up, but Lumine finds it nice.
kody
ヽ(>∀<☆)ノ
lumine
(〃＾▽＾〃)
Around evening, maybe six or seven o’clock does he receive a text from Kody.
kody
is tomorrow fine
lumine
you mean to visit your dad?
then sure!
kody
okay
ill come in around the afternoon
lumine
okay (b ᵔ▽ᵔ)b
He goes to sleep that night happy, and excited to see Kody once again tomorrow.
It’s the next day, and Lumine sees the slightly clouded over sky and feels the first few droplets of rain on him. He continues to walk, feeling the rain progressively grow harder but makes no move to pull out an umbrella as he’s in front of the hospital building already.
Meeting Kody inside, they head up to Aiden's room as usual, but walking inside the atmosphere of the room doesn’t feel right. He knows he isn't the only one who feels it, as Kody stops short for a moment. There’s a nurse beside Aiden, and looking upon Aiden his skin has grown paler.
Kody rushes over while Aiden slightly turns his head to look at them. He seems a bit surprised, and something like guilt rises up in his eyes.
“What’s going on?” Kody asks, the slightest bit of panic in his voice. Lumine steps aside, feeling like he’s invading something personal as Aiden and Kody speak. He notices Kody’s facial expressing growing more desperate as they speak, and a knot forms in his stomach. His stomach then completely drops when he notices the tears forming in Kody’s eyes.
At some point, he realizes Kody is the only one talking.
Then his brain eventually registers the sound of ringing, and the feeling of hands on his back pushing him out the door. Kody resists, as hard as he can with his arms desperately reaching for Aiden who’s now covered and completely surrounded by nurses.
In the blink of an eye, they’re both right outside the room and it’s silent except the sounds of uneven breathing from Kody. Kody rushes towards the room door, aggressively twisting and turning the doorknob despite it not budging. He looks back and makes eye contact with Lumine, and Lumine can see his stricken expression and the tear that slides down his face. T
hey both look at each other, not saying a word.
Kody sways a bit, now looking away and looking like he’ll throw up any second. Lumine is about to approach him when he turns and walks away. It takes a minute for Lumine to register that Kody is no longer in front of him before he rushes down the hall where Kody is heading in. Kody’s walking seems to grow faster every time Lumine thinks he’s caught up to him.
“Kody?'' Lumine says when hes following him down the stairs.
“Kody.” Lumine says again when they're in front of the entrance.
It’s absolutely pouring outside, the rain from before now ten times worse. It’s grown dark, but the street lamps haven’t turned on yet.
“Kody!” He says one last time, this time making Kody stop short. Lumine catches up to him, but Kody doesn’t turn to look at him. Lumine’s about to speak when Kody cuts him off.
“Don’t.”
It’s said in a weak voice and it’s all Kody says when he attempts to walk again, this time swaying and completely falling back. Lumine rushes to catch him, just barely doing so. He’s lighter than expected, but Lumine not focused on that.
“ Lumine !” It’s yelled out in worry, the sound of rain making it seem like a whisper. He looks up to see Noel rushing towards him, Anna following behind. He wants to respond back, but feels his vision growing blurry and finds that he can’t.
“ What happened here?” Noel’s voice is more distinguishable, and Anna looks over to him and then Kody in worry. Anna then reaches out to carry Kody instead, but Lumine ends up pulling him closer.
“I.. I got him.”