Chapter Text
Link always loved honeysuckle. The sweet smell reminded him of summer nights in North Carolina and Rhett.
But not anymore.
It was while he was brushing his teeth when he noticed it. A spit into the sink held a single petal, tinted with his blood to make a lovely shade of pink. Anxiety shooting up, he took a few deep breaths to convince himself it’s a fluke. It was not possible.
Later that week, while they were filming, Link reached for the barf bucket and trying something particularly heinous. The dry heave produced nothing but a few buds. His eyes went wide and he wiped his mouth as he clutched the bucket protectively against his chest. He hoped no one had noticed. Just before walking away from the desk, he pulled the petals out, pocketing them. Hiding the evidence and willing his body to cooperate.
But then the coughing started. And more appeared. One night, Link woke in a panic, unable to breathe.
The doctor visit confirmed the worst.
Hanahaki Disease.
He knew it was always a possibility to get it, but Link wasn’t sure why it decided to inflict him now. As far as he was concerned, he harbored his adoration and love for Rhett for years. But here he was, seeing the x-rays and feeling the vines as they began to wrap around his lungs.
Medicine had come a lot way since the discovery of Hanahaki’s so the suppressants worked for a while. But the close proximity to Rhett on a daily basis felt like it was waging a war in Link’s body. Rhett’s presence had always been overwhelming and the medicine was just no match for Link’s love. It was just too strong. Eventually, he just stopped taking them.
Without the suppressants, the slow progression of the disease felt as though it ramped up to ludicrous speed. Link had to excuse himself from filming, meetings, even quiet moments in the office so that Rhett would never know. In the process, he could feel himself pulling away from Rhett. Trying to alleviate his symptoms and ease the pangs of love.
Because Rhett could never know.
Link knew—he just knew—how Rhett would react to Link’s love. I love you, man, but I’m straight. I could never love you the way you love me. How could you ruin us?
That last one rang in Link’s head as he nursed his whiskey. He had taken the day off after waking up from a veritable petal shower in the toilet all tinged with blood. It was getting worse.
He knew people could die from Hanahaki’s. The question was, did he want to be one of them?
There were two options. One, confess his love. Which, Link dismissed outright. Two, he could have surgery. Extract the flowers so they never come back. But this also meant the love he had for Rhett would disappear.
As he considered his options, the phone rang. He answered.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Linkster. How’re you feeling?” The bright tone of Rhett’s voice triggered the tightening of vines in Link’s chest and he groaned.
“That bad, huh?” Rhett sounded concerned. “Is...is there anything I can do?”
Link let out a weak chuckle as his grip on the phone tensed. “No, it’s just a bug. I’m sure I’ll be fine soon.”
“Seriously, Link,” Rhett began, his voice carrying an edge of tension. “If you need anything, you know you can just talk to me. I know...I know things haven’t been right for a few months. But our friendship is one of those things, you know. You can throw anything at it, and we’ll be okay.”
Link wished that were true.
“I know, man,” Link said. “It’s not anything, I promise. I just need some time.”
There was silence. Link held his breath as he waited for Rhett to say something—anything.
“Okay,” Rhett said quietly. “Let me know if I can do anything.”
“I will,” Link said, feeling the desperation to get off the phone as the vines felt like they climbed higher and his stomach churned. “Talk tomorrow.”
“Good night, bo,” Rhett whispered, and it triggered Link’s stomach. Sprinting to the bathroom, he made it to the toilet just in time as an avalanche of honeysuckle burst from his mouth. His senses filled with the sweet smell and the metallic tang of blood as his body retaliated against his cowardice.
It was too much. He couldn’t keep pushing Rhett away. But he didn’t want to die.
Surgery it was, then.