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Chris looked up from a chart, taking a double take across the waiting room. In an armchair sat Cecil, His hair longer than it had been in awhile. He looked exhausted, dressed in a dark cardigan, his stained scrubs underneath. Next to him sat Colton, squirming in his seat and fidgeting with a Tamagotchi. Cecil looked at him, his eyes heavy but his gaze fond, his hand gently carded through the wavy blonde locks.
“Haynes?” Chris asked, walking over. Cecil looked up, and tried to flash a genuine smile. “Hey,” He said quietly. Chris’s eye’s flitted to Colton. “..Are you uh, here for Azari?” Cecil looked down and nodded. “..Right. Well, He’s in the infusion room.” Chris went to lead them, but Cecil gripped his arm. “What can..” Cecil’s eyes fluttered around Chris’s face, eventually traveling down. As if he couldn’t look him in the eye. “What can you tell me about his.. Condition?”
“Haynes–” “You know me well enough by now. You can call me Cecil.” “..Okay. Cecil, nothing’s changed. The tumor is still the same size. He’s started treatments and, with luck, he’ll start showing improvements.” Cecil didn't seem satisfied. “..Chris, we’re both doctors. We’re friends, aren't we? I can take the truth.” “..Cecil, I’m not lying to you. What would I gain from that-""I don’t know. The same thing you gained keeping this whole... situation from all of us?” Cecil snapped, his voice firm.
A few moments went by in silence. Chris looked around and then lowered his voice. “..You have no idea how hard it was to keep this from you all.” Cecil scoffed. “Yeah. I’m sure.” Colton appeared at his side. “It’s beeping again.” He said sheepishly, holding the game up to his dad. Cecil squeezed his eyes shut and sighed heavily before taking the toy and holding down the button in the back. “Y’know, If you fed the damn thing it wouldn’t keep dying..” He said, handing the toy back. Colton took it back happily.
He trailed close behind his dad as they walked down the hall of the Oncology clinic. Cecil was physically uncomfortable. It was sterile and so cold. It didn't feel like the ER. There was hope there. This building had an overwhelming sense of dread. He wondered how Chris stayed sane working here.
They stopped outside an infusion room. Cecil peaked his head into the room. Lain was laid in a reclining chair, the room plain besides a IV drip and a visitors chair.
“..Hey,” Cecil said gently. Lain looked over, confusion and a bit of irritation crossing his face until he spotted Colton. “Mr. ‘Zari!!” He beamed, running over to the recliner. Lain smiled, raising a hand to wave. “Hey kiddo.” Cecil walked in hesitantly, his arms crossed protectively.
“You didn’t say you were visiting.” Cecil’s hand went to fiddle with his hair. “Yeah, well.. I said I'd come eventually… I was waiting for a bit of free time.” Lain looked him up and down, noticing the scrubs. “Did you just get off of a shift?” Cecil looked down. “Uh, yeah..” “..You should've gone home. You look tired.” Cecil shrugged. He was trembling slightly. “No it’s— it’s fine. I was in town anyway. Had to pick him up from Lydia..” He nodded towards Colton.
“..Why was he with Lydia?” Lain asked. “I thought you had complete custody.” “I do.. but I— Macy canceled. I had 3 12-hours this week. I needed someone to watch him..” “I didn’t even know you still talked to Lydia.” Lain said, his voice sharp, as if accusing Cecil of something.
“We met for coffee.. once or twice. She wants to be involved in Colton’s life.” Cecil said, taking a seat. “Now? She’s a few years too late.” Lain huffed. “..Well, better late than never.” “You’re seriously going to let her back in your and Colton’s life?” Cecil shifted. “..She’s changed, Lain. And plus.. I need the help.” “Sure, she’s ‘changed’.” “..Lain, stop. You don’t even know her.” “And you do?!” Lain snapped. “Cecil, you haven't seen her in almost eight years, and you're gonna trust her with your kid? Are you insane?” “She’s his biological mother, Lain! I can't just.. Keep him from her!” “Yes, You can! That’s the point of custody!” Cecil was visibly distraught.
“..You don’t understand. I’m exhausted. Watching Colton, working towards my residency.. this doesn't help!” Cecil said desperately, motioning at the IV drip. Lain’s face soured. “Oh yeah, cause watching me go through treatment must be so hard! You're not the one DYING, Cecil.” Cecil’s breath caught. It felt like someone was sitting on his chest. He had almost hoped for his eyes to mist, for him to cry, but nothing happened. His hand gripped Colton's. “Lain.. do-don’t..” “No, Cecil. Don’t start playing the victim. Face it, you can’t stand the fact that I have my own problems now.” Cecil’s face flushed red. “Lain, That's not true. I’m– I want to be there for you. You just won’t let me..” “I don’t need you to, so stop trying.” Cecil’s heart broke. Colton was looking between the two, confused.
“I don’t… I don’t know who you are anymore, Lain.” Cecil said, anguish written across his face. “Yeah, well. I don’t know who you are either.” Lain grumbled.
Cecil didn’t know what to do in this situation– he’d never seen Lain so.. aggressive. So fed up. So, he runs away. Like he always does. Only this time, he has no one to run to. “Right… Well..” Cecil swallowed, picking Colton up. “It was nice talking to you.” He said bitterly before spinning on his heels and leaving.