Willy

[tempting_the_fates]

from here

Nyx looked unsure, then nodded, climbing off his lap and following after him.

This was a shit idea. He was sick, he shouldn't be putting poison in his body as well. ...But nothing sounded more tempting than this. He didn't want to think or feel. He wanted to switch off.

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[willysilver]

Willy reached out and shoved the door back open and stepped inside.

"Shut up," he said, tossing a strip of rubber at him.

[tempting_the_fates]

"I don't want your shit, Will. Not if the cost is my dignity," Nyx snapped back.

God knew he wasn't going to have much of that left soon. He'd seen how cancer could destroy someone, had watched it chip away at his sister, bit by bit. Dad had never been in the picture, and mum had passed too young. Rose had basically raised him herself- And then he'd gotten to watch as the sickness and its supposed cure had taken her from him too. He'd watched her fade, from bright and wonderful, full of life, to a shell of the woman she'd once been.

And then she was just gone.

The strip of rubber landed on the floor, and he couldn't help but stare at it. He'd never been good at shooting up, needles made his hands unsteady. He'd always had to ask someone to help.

[willysilver]

"You left your dignity in that doctor's office," Willy replied, quiet and not unkind, but a painful truth.

He got the words out without his voice breaking, though his eyes burned and welled up.

He knew what Nyx was in for.

[tempting_the_fates]

"I can't do it myself," Nyx said quietly. "I'm not good with needles."

He should be telling him to fuck off, to get out- But the idea of being alone was worse than the idea of letting himself fall back into bad habits.

He should call Greg, he should call... Hex.

[willysilver]

"You never have been," he said as he moved closer to pick it up.

He let it dangle from his fingers.

"If you really want it, sit down. Give me your arm," he told him.

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx watched him for a moment, and then slowly sat down.

Bad choice. Wrong choice. He could feel it in his bones.

[willysilver]

Willy sank to his knees, spread Nyx's thighs, and moved in closer. Reaching for his arm, he knew which vein was easiest for him to find.

He wrapped the rubber around Nyx's bicep, tied it off with a twist and a snap, then picked up the vial of god-only-knew what sort of pharmaceutical and the needle.

[tempting_the_fates]

"They're doing all sorts of blood work," Nyx said awkwardly, still painfully aware that this was a bad idea. Though he didn't say no, didn't tell him to stop

[just_hex]

Willy hadn't even broken the needle out of the package when there was an urgent pounding at the door.

Bang bang bang. Bang bang bang.

Willy's head jerked to the door, then looked at Nyx. He wasn't expecting anyone.

Silence, then Nyx's phone chimed.

Are you home? Boss news!!!!!

Bang bang bang.

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx pulled off the band, leaving it in Will's hand as he awkwardly rushed to the door. He was pale and unsteady as he pulled it open.

Though as he found himself face to face with Hex, the reality of it all slammed into him again, leaving him a bit breathless.

[just_hex]

Hex was breathless and full of energy...until he saw Nyx and it all fell.

"Aw, hell. You sick?" he asked, reaching to feel his forehead. "I'm sorry. I should have called."

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx still couldn't bring himself to speak at first, letting Hex rest his hand on his forehead, and leaning into his touch.

"Cancer," he finally spat out, the word just hanging awkwardly between them with nothing else to support it.

"They did some blood work. It's cancer. That's... That's what's been wrong with me."

[just_hex]

Hex blinked a couple times and tilted his head, as if it were the first time he'd ever heard that curious new word.

"Not really, though, right?" he asked, more scared than anything. "There's got to be a mistake. A mix up..."

[tempting_the_fates]

"Leukemia," Nyx replied, pausing a beat before adding. "I've got an appointment next week to talk about treatment."

[just_hex]

"Leukemia," he repeated.

A moment later his arms shot out and he pulled Nyx into a tight embrace.

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx was startled, standing stone still at first, and then slowly melting into the embrace.

He hadn't realized how badly he needed this.

[just_hex]

Hex held on for a long time, and when his hold eased off, he began to sway.

"It's going to be alright," he promised.

He had no idea, but he sounded so convincing.

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx wasn't so sure about that, but something about Hex's voice almost made him believe it.

"Will you stay here tonight?"

[just_hex]

Of course. Yeah, yes....if you want me to," Hex nodded.

He loosened the embrace, but didn't let go. Instead, he pressed a kiss to Nyx's forehead.

Willy came out of Nyx's room and disappeared into the kitchen.

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx was aware of Willy, the energy between them still tense. He wasn't sure what was happening there, and in truth he couldn't bring himself to think on it tonight.

"You had news or something, I'm sorry. What was it?"

[just_hex]

"It's just an audition," he said with a shake of his head. "A pilot. It...doesn't seem important now...."

[tempting_the_fates]

"No, no it is, Hex. Tell me about it, I want to hear," Nyx insisted, his hands shaking a little. "It'll be good, it'll take my mind off it, maybe."

[just_hex]

"It's a weekly drama on network telly about high school football in Alabama ," he replied.

"I got the call today that they wanted to look at me," he added, feeling the strangest guilt over his excitement.

[tempting_the_fates]

"Told you people would be keen once they saw you," Nyx smiled. "You're brilliant."

He pushed his hair back out of his face, exhaling with a soft sigh. "I don't want to be sick. Can we just pretend I'm not for a bit? Can we just be normal? Let's.. I dunno. Let's go out. Let's do something. Anything."

He wouldn't even know about treatment until next week. Couldn't plan the future, couldn't start mourning without knowing what would be lost. If he stayed in, he'd just go crawling back to Will for another high- Hex wouldn't let that happen though, he could tell. Hex would keep him safe, make it better. That was just what Hex always seemed to do.

[just_hex]

Hex only smiled.

"Do you feel like having a bit of fun? Or were you hoping for something frisky?" he asked, wrinkling his nose.

Could he pretend he didn't know what Nyx had said? Could he act like everything was fine?

Of course he could.