— — ONE SHOT — —
The hanahaki disease was just supposed to be a fairy tale but it was becoming more common after the first outbreak from 2056.
Caused by unrequited romantic feelings for another person.
Symptoms are coughing up or vomiting flower petals.
Conditions often worsen over time.
It’s fatal if left untreated.
There are three potential cures. The most common one in their day was having the flowers surgically removed, which often takes away all feelings and in some cases, all memories of their beloved. Sometimes they won’t feel love ever again. Wilbur hates how people would willingly give up their heart to resolve and tamper with their own raw emotions. The other two were far less likely, with varying degrees of success that were based on each other. The first was reciprocation, with the beloved returning the cursed person’s feelings and fully curing them. The second, if it remains unrequited or is never acted upon, is death.
He’s known about this for a while, when he first suspected he may be coming down with the symptoms so the pamphlet Phil had handed him led him to look up at his dad, unimpressed.
“I know all of this dad.” He waved it at the older blonde, cutting him off as he opened his mouth. “I’m not getting the surgery.”
“But Wil-” Tommy protested before falling silent as he shot him a glare.
“I said no. I don’t want to live a life where I can’t feel anything. If that means I die, then I die.”
Techno snorted from his position leaning against the doorframe at the border of Wilbur’s bedroom, though he didn’t look at the brunette. He hadn’t been able to make eye contact with his twin the moment Wilbur had given them the news. His younger brother, Tommy, sat on the edge of the bed, blue eyes wide with concern, as he clenched the hem of Philza’s sweater. Their father stood at the bed, eyes studying the brunette.
“Look dad, we knew it was a possibility that any of us could get this. It’s literally written in our DNA when you had it for mom.” Wilbur’s tone softened. “I’ll be okay.”
“You’re sure about this?” Phil asked resignedly. “You’re sure this person is worth it?”
A small smile hinted at his expression as even Techno turned to study him at the question. “I promise.”
“How bad is it?” Tommy asked softly, shifting anxiously across the bed spread.
“Not bad yet.” Wilbur shrugged. “I only started coughing up petals a week or so ago.”
“Can I see them?” Phil’s voice was slightly sharp and he knew it was because he wanted to see what kind they were. Very smooth dad.
He reached toward his bedside drawer into the top part, riffling through a series of paper that borderline flooded it with his own song lyrics and music sheets before he felt something soft and velvety brush his fingers. Wilbur softened slightly at the feeling as he pinched the petal with his thumb and pointer finger and drew it out.
It was a jasmine petal, a sunny yellow color that reflected his beloved’s personality perfectly.
“That’s-” Phil sucked a breath in through his teeth.
“It’s platonic.” Wilbur twirled it between his fingers for a moment before looking up to meet Techno’s studious red gaze. “I searched it up already the moment I suspected something. This is a jasmine flower. Yellow petals in most cultures symbolize friendship, not romantic feelings.”
Tommy let out a loud sigh of relief and Phil’s shoulder slumped slightly at the declaration, a softer light rekindling in his blue gaze. Techno’s brow furrowed, picking up what he left unspoken but he remained quiet, eyes flicking questioningly to Wilbur’s, who offered a faint shake of his head. Not here.
The younger blinked before leaning against the wall again, keeping his mouth shut. He was so lucky Techno was his twin. He really was a good brother. Wilbur offered a soft smile in Phil’s direction. “It’ll be okay dad.”
“How did you manage to fall in love with a stranger of all people?” Techno grumbled a couple days later. They were the only two who were currently home, with Phil currently doing work in the office and Tommy still at school for soccer practice.
“I know, I know.” Wilbur groaned into his pillow with a faint chuckle. “I didn’t mean to Techno.”
His twin snorted. “Could’ve fooled me. Everyone else thinks it’s Sally.”
“Ew.” Wilbur’s face twisted into a scowl at the mention of his ex.
Red eyes softened faintly but the question that reluctantly escaped Techno’s mouth was not the one Wilbur was expecting it to be. “How’d everyone else take it?”
Right, he’d told everyone in his friend group what was wrong at school today. “Fine. They’re all a little sad but overall they support me. Though not everybody agrees with my decision.”
“I heard.” Techno chuckled lowly. “George thinks you’re insane.”
“Well he can shut up.” Wilbur’s tone was a little more bitter than he meant it to be. “His stupid disease worked out because he was only like a day in before Ninja asked him out.”
“How did his other two friends react?” His brother hummed curiously. “Those two soccer players Tommy is always talking about. Snapmap and Dream or something like that?”
“Didn’t really pay attention.” Wilbur lied.
“Mhm sure.”
“I don’t even know them that well!”
“Sure, sure.”
“Tech!”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” He smirked before standing up. “Dad wants you to go pick up Tommy by the way.”
“Uggghhh. I’m dying, why am I running errands?” He groaned, earning a hard stare from his brother and he ran a hand through his hair sheepishly. “Sorry, too soon. I’ll go now.”
“Toms!” Wilbur called from the chain link fence. The younger blonde waved at his name but didn’t move to join him yet, using exaggerated hand signals as he talked to his little friend group that consisted of three other boys close to his age.
He rolled his eyes but allowed a little smirk to appear as he enjoyed the sun on his face. Until an itching started up in his throat. He kept his mouth firmly shut as he tried to muffle his coughing, feeling it fall back when he refused to let it out only to build back up and tickle at his throat relentlessly.
He clenched his eyes shut as his chest began to heave, trying to shove everything back down before one more wheeze forced his mouth open and he began coughing harshly, until a few yellow jasmine petals unstuck from his throat and splattered to the floor. He took a moment to gain control over his breathing before frowning faintly to himself. I didn’t see him here. What-
“Are you alright?” A warm hand brushed his shoulder and his eyes shot open.
“Dream?” He laughed nervously, straightening up quickly. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m on the varsity team.” The blonde blinked, caught off guard. “Sometimes Coach asks us to help with the new players. But my brothers are also on the team.”
Huh. Wilbur hadn’t known that. His hand was still hovering nearby, green eyes wide with concern. “Was that what you were telling George about? Hanahaki?”
“Yeah.” Wilbur admitted. “George has had it before, I assume you know what it means.”
The high schooler nodded before he glanced at his cleats. “He got lucky.”
The brunette’s eyes widened at the statement. He’d never really heard anybody share the same sentiment he had out loud about the other, least of all from his supposed best friend. Dream carried on with the conversation before he could dwell on it too long. “How bad is yours?”
“I started suspecting something at the beginning of this month.” Wilbur admitted. “Didn’t start coughing until last week though.”
“What are they?”
“Jasmine petals.”
“Jasmine?” The blonde echoed, brow furrowing. “Aren’t those usually white?”
Wilbur grinned. “Nah, they can be a lot of colors. Depending on the culture they mean different things. So yellow is just friendship.”
“It’s a platonic disease?” Dream covered his mouth with his fist, the beginnings of his smirk still visible. “Sorry, that’s not funny. I’m just surprised.”
“If you say anything about Sally I will beat you up.” Wilbur teased. Dream’s grin widened before he began laughing, soon bursting into the full on tea kettle wheeze he was famous for in the school. It was infectious and soon he was laughing as well.
“Wil!” Tommy screeched, running up the incline toward them, his friends on his heels. “Are you okay!?”
He waved at his little brother, still trying to catch his breath as the laughter began to calm down. Two of Dream’s younger brothers were close on his tail, as always.
“Don’t worry Toms, Wilbur is fine.” Dream smiled, this one smaller but softer as the younger boys reached them. “How’d practice go for you guys?”
“It was great!” Tubbo perked. “But I thought mom was gonna pick us up today?”
“Nikki had somebody call in sick for the bakery and nobody could cover her shift. And Puffy is still watching over Foolish and Drista from the flu.” Dream replied with a shrug, ruffling the brunette’s hair before doing the same to the taller ravenette beside them. “Everything alright Ranboo?”
“I’m not sure Purpled likes me.” The younger teenager admitted, glancing back at the blonde who they’d been talking with earlier, now strolling off with Punz, a trumpet player Wilbur knew from marching band.
“Aww, Boo.” The blonde laughed. “Of course he will. Tommy warmed up to you, didn’t he? I’m sure Purpled will too, he’s just nervous about starting public school.”
“No I didn’t! He tried to steal my best friend and I graciously decided he could hang out with us so he’d stop!” Tommy protested. Tubbo and Ranboo smiled slightly at the protest and Dream shook his head in mocking despair. Wilbur hid his own smirk as Tommy flushed a little. He’d always looked up to Dream and he found it hilarious that anything the blonde said had such a great impact on him.
“Sure Toms. I’m sure that’s what happened.”
“Big D~” He whined, starting Dream’s fit of laughter to return just as hard. Wilbur didn’t bother hiding his widening grin before he remembered Phil would probably worry if they returned too late.
“Well, we better head out.” He sighed before smiling at the blonde. “But it was nice running into you. I appreciate your support.”
“Oh, of course!” Dream brightened. “You’re my friend Wilbur. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
His heart lightened slightly at the words and for a moment it felt like his lungs were clear. “I will.”
Loverman is online
Loverman: Who is spamming my inbox
Colorblind: that would be me
Loverman: …
Loverman: Who is this
Furry: Sapnap stole George’s phone.
Loverman: Ah
Colorblind: spoil sport
Colorblind: anyway, we were wondering if you’d wanna come out to the arcade with us
Colorblind: it’d be fun to hang out but only if you’re up to it
Loverman: …who told you
Colorblind: awpe’ighuo4wuso
Colorblind: I got it back. One sec.
Arson is online
Arson: i overheard tommy talking about it with tubbo, ranboo, and purpled during practice
Arson: you good
Loverman: I didn’t realize this many people cared, maybe I should do this more often
Feesh: Wilbur Soot that is not funny.
Loverman: It’s kind of funny
Blade: It’s a little funny.
Dadza: Do not encourage his dark sense of humor.
Colorblind: Ew, why’s there an adult on here?
Dadza: Oh for Prime’s sake-
Speedy is online
Speedy: what’s going on?
Arson: dream
Speedy: hi?
Arson: convince wilbur to go to the arcade with us
Speedy: oh! wil, you feel better?
Loverman: A little bit, thank you
Furry: What even happened? I thought the disease was receding?
Loverman: It was…
Blade: His hanahaki came back with a different color. Apparently he’s now gained romantic feelings for his beloved.
Loverman: IT IS NOT MY FAULT
Feesh: Oh? Wilby I’d love to take you back~
Feesh was kicked by Dadza
Speedy: pfft-
Furry: Oh snap.
Colorblind: Dang, savage.
Loverman: Yeah, the petals are purple now but I’m good
Blade: Good?
Loverman: Shush
Dadza: He’s been spitting up more petals recently. But I don’t see anything wrong with hanging out.
Arson: yes
Arson: dadza stamp of approval
Speedy: lets gooooooo!
Furry: As long as nobody invites Sally I’ll come
Loverman: Valid
“I’ve got you.” Dream murmured in his ear, rubbing circles into his back and shoulders as he gagged over the toilet, trying to clear his lungs as a torrent of purple jasmine petals cascaded into the bowl and floor of the bathroom stall around them. “I’m so sorry Wil.”
It’s not your fault. He couldn’t speak. He hoped the blonde understood anyway.
He knew something was different today. He’d been coughing up flowers and leaves recently but today it was just one, speckled with his own blood. White petals mocked him. A new beginning.
So it would be today. He either died or he confessed his love. At this point he was exhausted with it all. He was ready for it to be over.
With that heavy thought on his mind, he swung open the glass doors to the new pizzeria restaurant and stepped inside to where Dream was waiting.
Wilbur took a deep breath, unable to look up from his combat boots and the speckled tile below them, before letting it out shakily, refusing any temptation to look up and read Dream’s expression. “That’s why I never told you… but I just needed you to know. You deserved to know.”
“And…” His heart was thundering in his ears, his lungs felt constricted, and he couldn’t focus on anything. This was it. These would be his final words. He’d better make them count. “And I just want you to know I love you.”
It hit him instantly. Chest racking coughs erupted from his lips as white jasmine flowers pushed through his mouth, scratching and sticking to the pipe in his throat and stealing his breath away. The blonde didn’t need to answer. The disease was doing that for him. His knees shuddered and he crumbled to the floor, nearly hitting his head against the corner of the table before arms wrapped around his chest and under his armpits before he could. Instead they gently lowered him to the floor and Dream’s face was suddenly filling his vision, green eyes wide and frantic.
His vision went dark.
The first thing he processed when he woke up was the steady beeping of various machines and instruments. The second thing was the warm hand holding his and the weight on top of his left leg, just below his knee.
His breath caught when he realized who was with him. “Dream?”
He cringed at his voice, croaky and dry from however long he’d been asleep. His throat throbbed at every syllable but he was alive. Dream didn’t stir from his position stretched across the bed but Wilbur didn’t have the heart to bother him again. He glanced around the room and startled when he saw a vase of white jasmine flowers and a card leaning against it.
He slowly reached forward and snagged the paper without jostling himself or the blonde too much before flipping it open;
Wilbur,
You stayed true to your heart and what it longed for the most. Your confession saved your life, even if it was almost too late. That last bout of the disease should’ve killed you but instead was purged from your body. I’m so proud of you son.
I trust your decision and your brother’s trust mine. Nobody can exactly hate Dream, no matter how hard Techno has tried.
He’ll likely still be with you. Call for the nurse for water and then talk to him. You both have some things to work out.
With love, Dadza
“W-wil?” Dream’s scratchy voice had his head snapping away from the card in hand toward the student who was studying him with wide, hopeful, terrified eyes, still dull with sleep.
New beginnings huh? He smiled gently.
“I’m here.”
