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.

Comments

[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.

[tempting_the_fates]

"I- I want to turn my mind off. You pick. ...That's part of this, yeah? This thing we have. You take care of me. You know best," Nyx said, for the first time seeming to really understand this dynamic they'd been playing with.

[just_hex]

"Yeah...I can do that. I know what you need," he replied softly, finally loosening his hold.

"Go put on something comfortable. Sweats, yeah?" Hex added.

A simple command, no need for N6x to think. Hex had him now.

[tempting_the_fates]

"Oh," Nyx said. He'd thought they were going out.

"Okay," he said, trying not to look disappointed.

[just_hex]

"And some sort of shower shoes or flip flops. No socks," he continued.

"Then brush your teeth. You have five minutes."

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx nodded a little, wandering off and getting changed. He returned a little while later, changed and refreshed.

"These are the only sweatpants I own," he admitted.

[just_hex]

"They're fine," Hex assured him with a gentle smile. "You won't be in them long."

From Willy's room, melancholy notes rang out as he played to take his mind off the fact that Nyx was sick. He'd used the television before, but now that the other man was leaving with his boytoy, all he had was music.

Hex looked back on the way out.

[tempting_the_fates]

"Wait, we're going out? I'm not dressed for it though," Nyx said, looking down at himself.

He could also hear Will, but that whole situation was too messy to focus on right now. It almost felt like the other man was angry at him for being sick.

[just_hex]

Hex gave him a sharp look and pressed a finger to Nyx's lips.

"No questions. You asked me to take over, so shut up and come on," he told him. "I told you, I know what to do."