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Today was just a routine recheck. Soon Ren would graduate from hospital physical therapy to a specialist off-site that knew how to fine-tune wing tines and delicate yet strong snake muscles. He still had a couple of appointments left and he was determined to wow the nurses. But first, he made his way back to his old room, where he had been strapped in traction for so many months. He was almost surprised that no one had filled his old bed still. But he was less surprised that his old room mate was still there, too. No, not surprised, but certainly unhappy about it as well.

He was glad he caught an attending nurse as he peeked in. "Hello. How is he, nurse? Any change?" It seemed like it had been such a long time since he had been back to visit. Life moves on but the bedridden don't go anywhere. Rye looked as pale and tiny as ever in that bed as he approached and added some flowers to an end table. Fragrant, he knew the smell would fill the room with life soon enough. "Can I open a window? It rained earlier today and the birds are really going crazy."

"Ah," he replied softly. He couldn't really imagine what his father must be going through. His own brother had visited several times (not nearly enough, but he understood), and he was not one to talk about his own suffering. If he suffered so much with a brother expected to make a full recovery, then someone who couldn't even expect his son to wake, well, that was unimaginable. And taking him off life support, while a terrible and difficult decision, seemed like a logical one to make. The father had to think of his own survival at some point.

Busying himself with the window, he was careful to open the window and check the screen for any gaps. "Looks secure," he turned and smiled gently. "Listen to that, they really like this kind of weather, don't they?" He returned to Rye's bedside and made certain he was out of the nurse's way. "Well, I have a bit of time before my appointment so I can stay for a little while." He wanted to come afterward too, but he had always felt awkward if there were family there to see him, so it all depended on whether he had other visitors.

A long snake body like his had the advantage of providing "instantaneous chair," and he settled down beside the bed as comfortably as one can on cold linoleum in a cool room with a breeze (though the breeze had that hint of spring warmth). "Yeah..." he murmured, and taking Rye's hand. It was so tiny and cool. The nurse had already gone and while he was aware of her own upwelling of emotion, it hardly registered. He had not seen the blips, nor would he as he had seated himself facing the door. He had never heard Rye's voice, he had never seen his eyes or any expression on his face. Yet he couldn't help but feel choked as he added, "We'll just have to make the best of it."

He sighed and smiled sadly at a face he couldn't help but feel would never smile in return. "Well, Rye. I came here today for physical therapy. I came to see you first, as usual, and I thought that maybe if your father isn't here, I'll stop by afterward too." It was easy enough to speak as if Rye was actually listening, and if he was, he'd know more about Ren than anyone. "I still get shooting pains along my tail, but I've been told that will probably go away eventually. It feels like lightning. My wings are getting stronger though. Someday I'd be able to take you flying."

(I'm sure the nurses will realize what's going on soon. owo <3 )

The inner struggles that Rye had faced and the inability to communicate even his physical pain were lost on those around him. Perhaps it would all seem like a dream to him if he ever woke up. Ren had even half-expected Rye not to recognize him at that time. It would be enough if he could know that Rye would be all right.

He wondered if he should even tell Rye what they had been saying. But why would it matter, if Rye could hear, he would have heard the news before anyone. "Does it bother you that everyone's going to just let you die? They don't want to, but they feel that there's no choice. You've just been getting worse over time, but I wonder why that is. Are you giving up, or is it because you're just lonely and withdrawing from the world that's letting you go anyway?"

He squeezed Rye's hand. He didn't want to make any judgements, and honestly he didn't blame anyone. But the situation was simply awful. Awful certainly for the family and those around him feeling helpless to the situation. But how much did Rye suffer? Was he aware of everything but unable to react? Or was he dreaming on a level even the doctors couldn't detect? Or was he really gone, all that remained being a shell harboring nothing more than false hopes for the living? "Whatever it is Rye... if there's any possibility at all, I will try to be here for you on that day. Even if it isn't in the room, I wonder if you'd look for me when you go?"

He sighed and without letting go, turned to look out the window. He wished there was something a little more scenic out that window. Cities were always so dreary, even if thankfully the birds had visited today. It was then that he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. And stared at the monitors.

"NUUURRSE?"

(Ah, there we go. >D )

After the nurse had arrived, Ren looked back down at Rye as she mentioned his coloring. Sure enough his palor had become a healthier, rosy color. "what did I do? I spoke to him." He leaned closer and raised Rye's hand to his face and kissed the knuckles gently. "Rye, whatever you're going through, I'm right here. I won't go anywhere. My appointment can wait," he added with half a chuckle. Then he noticed the faint tremors and blinked, wondering if this was some kind of seizure. Worriedly, he looked up at the nurse. "He's twitching."

"Ah, all right," Ren all but whispered, but if the nurse didn't hear him, he did vaguely nod his head. Rye's fingers had twitched, or so he thought. "Rye, it's me, Ren. I'm still here." Now with this development, he wasn't at all sure what to say. Should he keep talking? What he had been saying, he might get ousted for. "If you're trying to wake up..." He frowned in thought. "We're waiting for you. You've been sleeping for a very long time. So try to wake up, if you're ready."

Ren certainly was not expecting Rye to waken, let alone grab his wrist. He was too shocked to reply at first, or to alert the nurse. But she was ready enough to flee the room in search of the doctor. No doubt she would also call for Rye's father. "You are in a hospital, Rye. I'm Ren... I was in the bed next to you for a while, so you could say I'm your room mate. Or I at least I was, until a couple of weeks ago." He smile and gently patted the hand that still clutched tightly to his wrist. "Now that you're awake, you should rest. Your father should be here soon."