Chapter Text
Sollux's first sensation was a splitting pain on the right side of his body, and it felt as though he had slammed right into a wall. He forced to peel his eyes open, however he could only get his left eye to blink open into blinding white light. The incessant, loud buzzing in his ears and the piercing light combined into a moment of terror. What was going on? What was happening to him? Was this some twisted version of the afterlife? Or hell? He could swear that he heard murmuring beyond the slowly fading buzzing, and after a moment of hesitation, called out to those voices.
“Where am I?”
His left eye was growing used to the light washing into it, and could begin seeing darkened forms grow nearer to him.
“Sollux?” The voice sounded familiar.
“...Aradia?”
“Yes, it's me.”
Another voice pierced through the buzzing, this one much harsher.
“Wake the fuck up you dumbass!”
“K-Karkat?”
“Who else?”
“I-I can't see. Too bright.”
Sollux vaguely heard footsteps, and almost immediately after the light dimmed considerably. He could see his friend's ever-scowling face grimace right at him. His hearing was almost completely cleared up, though it felt slightly muffled on the right.
“Is this better?”
“Much better.” Aradia reappeared into Sollux's line of sight.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like shit.”
“There was a terrible accident.”
“Oh God...”
“Yeah, but at least YOU will be just fine.” sneered Karkat.
“Essentially, yeah. The concussion should clear up completely, and your broken arm should mend.”
“My eye, though...”
“It's swollen shut, dumbass.”
“Shut up, KK.”
“Also they packed your ear full of gauze. Like fuck do I know why. In case you were shitting yourself with that minute detail.”
“I was... but... accident?”
“Do you remember anything?” asked Aradia.
“No. Was I the only one? What was terrible?”
Aradia became silent. She looked as though she would start sobbing at any minute. After a momernt, Karkat sighed, realizing that he would have to be tasked as the messenger and would likely be shot at at least several times.
“Your brother got fucked up badly.”
“Wait. Mituna was with me?”
“No shit, Sollux. Well... okay you don't really remember that he was sitting right next to you, but yeah. He was in the passenger seat. The car got crushed like a fucking can there. Fucker has braces around his neck and jaw and other broken bones.”
“He's alive though, right?”
“Duh. Otherwise I would have told you that Mituna's fucking dead. But he's not. You're gonna wish that he was though.”
“W...What the hell, KK? Why the fuck did you say that? So he broke some bones. He's alive. He'll pull through and brush it off the best he can. That's what he always does.”
“He broke his skull.” Aradia finally said. “He had a massive brain injury and the doctors aren't sure what's going to happen if he does live.”
Sollux was too stunned to respond. The full minute that passed before anyone spoke felt like a heart-crushing eternity.
“...How is he right now? Is he... awake?”
“Comatose.” Aradia answered flatly. “He's been like that for over two days now.”
“Two days? Have I been out that long?”
“You were too fucking stoned from the goddamn painkillers they were giving you.” Karkat huffed. “They've been lowering the dosage so you wouldn't be a drooling mess when you'd actually be awake.”
“I think I understand...” Sollux was confused, in all honesty, but the drugs in his bloodstream made his mind too fuzzy and apathetic to those facts. “I want to see Mituna.”
“You can't, dumbass! The doctors don't want you sitting up right now! It's going to be days before you can even get out of bed!”
“I have to see him! As soon as possible!”
“Sollux, you're in no shape to do much right now.” Aradia said. “Just try to get some rest, and we'll talk to the doctors and see if they can let you visit Mituna sooner. But only if you promise to rest.”
“...O-okay. I'll do that.”
“Thank you, Sollux. We'll tell you anything new when it comes up.”
“Okay.” Sollux trailed off.
“See you tomorrow or something.” Karkat grunted.
“Sure, KK.”
As Aradia and Karkat left Sollux's hospital room to give him some rest, Sollux could only think of his brother. There was a heavy feeling in his gut that almost made him sick. He wasn't sure if he should cry or shout, but as the morphine started taking over his senses once more, he just uttered. “Goddamn it, Mituna.”