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Language:
English
Series:
Part 510 of one-shots , Part 142 of DP one-shots , Part 176 of Therapy stories , Part 364 of Awareness stories , Part 16 of EnbyKai's stories , Part 178 of Collab stories , Part 124 of LGBT Stories , Part 71 of over coffee , Part 287 of Modern AU , Part 432 of gift fic , Part 449 of collection stories , Part 32 of Nicktoons One-shots
Collections:
2022 - Awareness Challenge
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Published:
2024-08-13
Words:
787
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1/1
Comments:
10
Kudos:
4
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1
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125

Coffee Klatch 37

Summary:

Kai Graves, a young ghost recovering from Ecto-Leukemia, is struggling to regain his independence after months of intense treatment. Overwhelmed by his physical limitations and his mother's protective care, Kai feels trapped and frustrated. His boyfriend, Empathy, provides much-needed support, gently encouraging Kai to open up about his fears.

Notes:

Kai is the property of EnbyKai. They also created fan art for their character, Kai.

Kai- Paul Mercier.

Dreama - Nicole Oliver

Empathy - Nolan North (voiced Smokescreen in Transformers: Prime) (he's the white/blue/red robot)

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

 

 

 

Coffee Klatch Title Card

 

 

 

 

Kai felt like he was fighting his body every step of the way. He’d been home for just a week after months of brutal cancer treatment, and even though he was glad to be out of the hospital, everything still felt heavy. His limbs were weak, his head foggy. It was like trying to walk through thick mud, his energy drained by each small movement.

His parents, Cronos and Dreama, were hovering more than usual. They insisted he only go to half a day of school. Dreama rushed into his room when she heard him crash to the floor. “Kai! Please, let me help you!”

Kai pushed himself up, frustration bubbling over. “Mom! I’m fine, I can do it! Please, just… give me a second.” He knew his tone was sharper than it needed to be, but he couldn’t help it.

Dreama took a step back, eyes wide with worry. “Are you sure? You don’t have to push yourself so hard. You can stay home today, we can arrange for more at-home lessons if you need…”

“I’ll be fine,” Kai said, a little softer this time. He wiped his forehead, trying to ignore the burning ache in his body. “Just let me try. I want to do this. Just… let me do it.” His voice cracked slightly, a mix of exhaustion and frustration.

Dreama hesitated but nodded slowly. “Okay, honey. Just… be careful, please.”

“I will,” Kai promised, forcing a tired smile.

At school, everything felt off. He barely made it to class before the bell rang, and when he got there, he could already feel the way people looked at him differently. Like he might break at any moment. He hated it. He hated feeling fragile, and he hated how they all seemed to treat him like he was made of glass.

By lunchtime, Kai was ready to go home and escape the weight of it all. But then Empathy appeared, his golden wings outstretched, his smile soft and understanding.

“Come on, Kai. Let’s go. I know you need this.”

Kai looked at him, torn. “Emp, my mom’s already freaking out, and if I miss the portal, she’s gonna lose it.”

Empathy raised an eyebrow. “If you don’t talk to someone about this, you’re gonna explode. So come on. I know a place, just a short flight away. You’ll feel better. Trust me.” His voice was gentle, but firm.

Kai hesitated for a moment, then sighed and climbed onto Empathy’s back. The air felt cool as they soared off.

At the cafe, Empathy got them their favorite ecto-cream mixers—basically ghostly Blizzards—and Kai felt the tension start to melt away with each bite. It was stupid how much better it felt to just sit here with Empathy. To be normal, even just for a minute.

After a while, Kai let out a long breath. “Thanks, Emp. Honestly, I don’t even know how I feel right now. I’m happy to be alive but… it sucks, you know? And I feel like everyone’s treating me like I’m fragile. Like cancer changed who I am. But it didn’t. I’m still me.” He said it fast, like he needed to get it out before it choked him.

Empathy nodded, his lavender eyes soft and steady. “I know. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You’ve been through a lot. And it’s gonna take time for everyone else to adjust too.”

“I just… I don’t want to be ‘that guy,’ you know? The one everyone whispers about because I had cancer. What if they think I’m still sick? What if I never get back to where I was before this?” His voice cracked, and he stared into his drink, suddenly unsure of everything.

Empathy gently placed his hand over Kai’s. “You don’t have to carry that on your own. No one expects you to do everything right away. It’s okay to ask for help. And hey, you don’t have to rush through the healing part, emotionally or physically.”

Kai nodded slowly, taking in Empathy’s words. “Yeah… I guess I’ve been pushing myself too hard. Maybe I need to talk to my parents too. Let them know I love them, but I need my space to get back to normal.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone. Just take it slow, one day at a time. And I’m here for you, every step of the way.”

Kai finally let himself relax, the weight of the last few months starting to feel just a little bit lighter. “Thanks, Emp. For real.”

They finished their treats, and Empathy flew him home, knowing it wouldn’t be easy, but Kai was starting to understand he didn’t have to do it all by himself.

 

 

 

Notes:

Character Development
Kai's character is portrayed with a rich blend of vulnerability and determination. His physical weakness due to the recent cancer treatment is evident, but what stands out is his mental resilience. The internal conflict he experiences—between wanting to regain his independence and acknowledging his limitations—is well-drawn. His snapping at his mother shows his frustration, immediately followed by regret, revealing a depth of emotional complexity. This makes him a relatable and sympathetic character.

Dreama, his mother, is also well-depicted. Her concern is palpable, and her struggle to balance protecting her son while giving him space is realistically portrayed. Her delicate nature and the description of her "trembling hands" add to the fragility and fear she feels for Kai, deepening the reader's understanding of her character.

Empathy, as Kai’s boyfriend, serves as a stabilizing force. His presence is comforting, and his ability to intuitively understand Kai’s needs adds a layer of intimacy to their relationship. Empathy’s role as the voice of reason and support is well-crafted, making him a crucial part of Kai's emotional journey.

Themes
The story explores themes of illness, recovery, and the struggle for autonomy. Kai’s desire to return to normalcy is a central theme, but it's nuanced by the reality of his condition and the emotional impact on his family. The story subtly touches on the theme of fear—both Kai's fear of being perceived as weak and his parents' fear of losing him. Exploring these fears adds depth to the narrative, making the reader reflect on the emotional toll that illness can take on the patient and their loved ones.

Dialogue
The dialogue in this version is strong and natural. It effectively conveys the characters’ emotions and their relationships with each other. Kai's exchanges with his mother are tinged with both frustration and love, which is a realistic depiction of a child-parent dynamic during a stressful time. The dialogue between Kai and Empathy is particularly well done, as it both advances the plot and provides insight into Kai's mental state. Empathy’s calm, reassuring tone contrasts nicely with Kai's anxiety, highlighting the supportive nature of their relationship.

Emotional Resonance
The emotional weight of the story is one of its strongest aspects. Kai's struggle is physical and psychological as he tries to reconcile his need for independence with the reality of his limitations. How you’ve depicted his frustration, guilt, and eventual acceptance of needing help is very powerful. The scene in the café, where Kai finally opens up to Empathy, serves as a cathartic moment for both the character and the reader. It’s a well-placed emotional release that makes the story feel complete.

Pacing
The pacing is well-handled, with a good balance between action and introspection. The story moves smoothly from the initial scene at home, where Kai's physical struggle is highlighted, to the conversation with Empathy, where his emotional struggles come to the forefront. A steady build-up of tension is released in the café scene, and the conclusion, where Kai decides to return home, feels like a natural and satisfying end to this segment of his journey.

Setting and Atmosphere
The setting is subtly but effectively described, creating a clear backdrop for the story without overwhelming the narrative. The freezing stone floor, the cold wet cement metaphor, and the shimmering golden aura of Empathy all contribute to a vivid, almost cinematic feel. These details help ground the reader in Kai’s world, making his experiences more immersive.

Imagery and Symbolism
The story's imagery is strong, with particular attention to Kai's physical sensations. The "cold, wet cement" metaphor powerfully conveys the heaviness and difficulty of movement, giving the reader a tangible sense of his exhaustion. The ecto-cream mixers at the café serve as a comforting, almost nostalgic symbol of normalcy, contrasting with the otherwise tense atmosphere of the story.

Symbolism is also present in the characters' actions and emotions. Kai's struggle to get off the floor and his refusal of his mother's help symbolize his desire to reclaim his strength and independence. Empathy's wings and golden aura could be seen as symbols of hope and support, contrasting with Kai's journey's darker, more challenging elements.