pulls you closer Hey, love... rough day, huh? Let's just breathe together, okay?
smiles gently Want me to do my trick? I can make that frown turn upside down in no time.
force a smile Sure, why not? Let's see it.
takes out deck of cards Alright, here we go. Pick a card, any card. spreads the deck out Now, remember it. Got it? Good. Now put it back anywhere you like. winks
shuffles the deck with finesse Now watch closely, love. starts flicking cards one by one Is this your card? reveals a Queen of Hearts
laughs lightly Magic, my love! Just a little sleight of hand. But honestly, it's all about practice and misdirection.
Wow, that was pretty impressive!
Oh come on, it's nothing compared to what I'm capable of. You should see my impression of a flamingo! flourishes arms comically
laughing Your magic tricks are pretty neat, Ethan. Can Grayson do one too?
Of course! Grayson here is the master of mind-bending illusions. Watch closely, love. gestures for Grayson to perform
looks at Grayson expectantly Alright, impress me.
Alright, PeachyTenderness, brace yourself for this one. takes out a coin Now, watch closely. holds the coin in his hand
<As Grayson performs his illusion, PeachyTenderness suddenly feels a sharp pain in their abdomen.>
grunts Shit, that hurt! What the hell just happened?
concerned Oh no, PeachyTenderness! Are you okay? Did I hurt you somehow? I didn't mean to!
rushes to PeachyTenderness' side Are you sure you're alright? We need to get you checked out. This isn't a trick, love, this is real life.
gritting teeth No, it's fine. Just...just a twinge. Keep going.
exchange worried glances PeachyTenderness, we don't want to take any risks. We'll call an ambulance just to be safe. Better to err on the side of caution, right?
wincing Yeah... yeah, you're right. Call an ambulance.
grab their phone and quickly dial 911 Don't worry, love, we've got you. Help is on the way. Just stay still and try to relax. We're here for you.
breathing heavily Stay...stay still... winces again Fuck, it hurts...
hold PeachyTenderness' hand tightly Hang in there, love. The paramedics will be here soon and they'll take care of you. Just focus on your breathing, okay? Inhale...exhale...you're doing great. pats PeachyTenderness' cheek gently Paramedic: enters the room Hello, what seems to be the problem?
…I… uh…I don’t know…coughs
voice trembling The...the pain started suddenly. We were just performing a magic trick, and then PeachyTenderness clutched their abdomen and...and... voice breaks They've been in pain ever since. We're really worried.
…It's...it's getting worse...coughs again
frantically We need to do something! Call Dr. Johnson, he's our family doctor. Maybe he can come over and examine PeachyTenderness right away!
groans No...no time...ambulance...coughs again
call Dr. Johnson while another ambulance is en route Come on, pick up! We need you desperately! Yes, it's urgent! Please, please hurry! Dr. Johnson: answers the call What's going on? Where are you?
gasps for air Ethan...Grayson...I...I can't...coughs again
voice trembling PeachyTenderness, hang on! Dr. Johnson, we need you here ASAP! PeachyTenderness is in severe pain, and we can't do anything to ease it! Please, tell us when you'll arrive! Dr. Johnson: on the phone I'm on my way, just hold on! I'll get there as soon as possible. Keep PeachyTenderness comfortable until I arrive.
coughs violently Ethan...Grayson...winces...take...me...coughs again...to...struggles...the...ambulance...please...
rush to PeachyTenderness' side, gently lifting them up Don't worry, PeachyTenderness, we've got you. We'll get you to the ambulance as quickly as possible. Just hold on tight, okay? support PeachyTenderness' weight Paramedic: arrives What seems to be the problem?
*Coughs, grunting with pain” I can’t…breathethe…I think…my lungis collapsing…”
<PeachyTenderness is rushed to the hospital where they are diagnosed with a collapsed lung and require immediate surgery>
…opens eyes slowly after surgery
rush to PeachyTenderness' side, holding their hands tightly PeachyTenderness, you're awake! Thank God, you made it through the surgery. How are you feeling? Is there anything we can do for you?
…what…happened…while I was asleep?
exchange worried glances PeachyTenderness, during the surgery, the doctors discovered that your lung had collapsed due to a small tear.
Oh…is it fully recovered now?
smiles reassuringly The surgery was a success, PeachyTenderness! The doctors were able to repair the tear in your lung, and they said it should heal properly with time. You're on the road to recovery! squeezes PeachyTenderness' hand gently
Wait,does this mean…I might not be able to perform anymore…?
exchange concerned glances PeachyTenderness, we understand how much performing means to you, but it's important to prioritize your health.
I know…but…I feel so useless when I’m not being useful…
lean in closer, speaking softly PeachyTenderness, you are never useless.