forum Hamartia // One-On-One // CLOSED

Started May 10, 2020 by Deleted user

tune

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Ben sat there, still trying and failing to focus on his phone. Maybe he’d seen this particular stand up too many times? But deep down he knew that there was no way to shake the anxiety and dread building up inside of him.

Daphne walked back to Ben when she was done, handing him his chips. She opened her drink as she sat down, taking a sip. She was still worried, but she knew Ben was as well.

“Thanks,” he said, taking the chips and opening the bag. He started eating. Ben was known for being a slow eater, because he liked to savor every bite.

"I…" Daphne trailed off, not sure where to start. "I know you're worried as well. About Cameron, I mean. I know that I'm not the only one worried about him, even though it feels like that in my mind."

Ben looked back at her, turning off his phone and taking out his earbuds. “Yeah, I worry too,” he confirmed. “If you need any support, I’ve got you. I am your brother, and I care about Cameron too.”

"It's just…" She trailed off again. "I have no idea what I would do without him. No, offence, but I can't really start a family with you. Firstly, that would be incest. Secondly, that's gross."

Ben wrinkled his nose. “Well, obviously that’s nasty,” he agreed, wondering why she’d even had to say that. “But I see what you mean. He means a lot of to both of us, you especially.”

A nurse came over to them. "Are you the family of Cameron Donolley?"
"I'm his girlfriend. This is my brother."
"Does he have any family?"
"No, not really. They disowned him years ago. To them, he's already dead."

Ben looked up at the nurse, nervous yet hopeful. Was Cameron going to be okay? Hopefully they would be let back into his room and be able to talk to him.

"We have some news on Cameron. He's stable…but he's in a coma. We don't know when he'll wake up, or even if he will. We're gonna do all that we can to save him, but there's a possibility that you will have to let him go in the future. Follow me."

Ben blinked, trying to adjust to this new information. Cameron was alive! But he was in a coma, which he may never wake up from. After a couple of moments of silence, he got to his feet. How was Daphne taking this news?

The moment she was told that Cameron was in a coma he might not wake up from, Daphne wanted to die. Her throat felt like it was closing up, and she could feel tears welling in her eyes.

Ben glanced at her, seeing her shock and pain written all over her face. He held out his arm to help her to her feet. His own eyes began to sting in sympathy.

"Follow me," The nurse said. "I'll lead you to his room. We won't be moving him to a separate ward, as it would be too dangerous. We wouldn't want to risk anything."
"Ok, yeah. That sounds…alright."

Ben brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes, his hands shaking a bit. This was crazy. They were superheroes; they weren’t supposed to actually get hurt. After so long of avoiding this kind of situation, it was a shock to Ben’s system.

Daphne spotted Cameron through the glass, and her heart sank. He looked like he was simply sleeping, but she knew he wasn't. They'd had to shave his curly hair off to operate, and even though she knew it would grow back she knew it wouldn't be the same.

Ben’s face fell upon seeing his sister’s boyfriend. He looked so peaceful, and that made it easy to pretend that he was just sleeping. But as he glanced around at the others, Ben knew that was definitely not the case.

Daphne walked in cautiously, hesitant to approach Cameron. She sat down on the chair next to the bed. One of the nurses walked over to her. "We found this in his trousers."

(sorry for the wait!)

Ben glanced over to the nurse, curious despite his growing mess of emotions. Naturally he was devastated, but also guilty, worried, and stressed. He had been watching Daphne out of the corner of his eye, concerned.

Daphne cautiously took the small box, then watched as the nurse leaved. As she looked at the box, her heart sank. She didn't want it to be what she thought it was.

Ben glanced at her, worrying at his lip. He had a way of doing that when he was upset. He glanced at his sister, eyes flicking curiously to the box.

Daphne slowly opened the box, and tears sprung to her eyes as she saw what it was. The tears were a mix of happy and sad. "Oh, Cameron," She said softly, taking his lifeless hand.

Ben wanted to ask what was in the box, but internally debated whether it would upset her further. Instead, he settled on watching Daphne take in Cameron’s still form, doing his best not to cry himself.

(sorry!)

Daphne took off her necklace, an empty chain without a pendant. She took what was in the box and hung it on the chain before putting it back on, now visible as an engagement ring. She took Cameron's hand again. "You better wake up."

(it’s okay, i get it!)

Ben swallowed. An engagement ring. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for them to get engaged, but that would be a million times better than this. He wished that they could really be engaged right now instead of this awful waiting the coma would bring, unsure if Cameron would ever so much as open his eyes again.