Sorry for the lack of updates the past week; English prelim exams took priority(although 'revision' ended up as watching 'How To Get Away With Murder' without stopping but shhhh don't tell my English teacher). I promise this WILL get updated; just understand that it might be a little slower for the time being than my original updates. It's my last month at school before study leave starts so obviously studying and finishing my English dissertation and science projects are taking priority at the moment. Thanks for Reading(:! This chapter was written over the course of quite a few nights and I tend to like just writing these all in one to keep on the same line of thought so I'm not entirely happy with this; I guess I like Leo's end bit though?

Life Moves Pretty Fast(Part 4)

And so they set to work. They designate a particular table and from somewhere, they manage to fashion a candle which acts as a nice- but perhaps underwhelming- centrepiece. The others keep holding Leo back, coaxing him into taking a rest every so often despite his insistence on rolling around, keeping busy. He insists upon being the one to charm the dinner lady into making the lukewarm lasagne extra special, and an extra little wink and wince in a bid for sympathy earns the proposition for wine; the bottle of which however, never actually materialises.

He is also the one to break the news to Kenji. He's nearing the end of his shift now, filling the last few minutes talking to Nurse Jackson just hoping that he isn't called to an emergency which will drag his shift out further. He looks dejected to say the least, nonchalantly discussing something trivial as he's trying to distract himself from the disappointment of his cancelled date.

"Don't look so glum," Leo rolls down the corridor, grinning at the pair of nurses ahead of him. "I don't think your date is cancelled after all."

Nurse Jackson smiles, shaking her head as if she expected something like this. She nods for Kenji to go and so he does, staggering hesitantly behind Leo as they head back towards the lunch hall.

It's Dash, however, who has the task of talking to Floyd. He finds him in the middle of the corridor somewhere, nearing the end of his own shift but still looking drained. He runs a hand through his messy dark mop of hair, exhaling an exhausted breath. He's slight in appearance, thin without appearing gaunt and despite features that should alienate him from beauty, there's something about the curves of his cheekbones, his deep-set eyes, his crooked nose, his dishevelled aura that culminate to make him somehow handsome. He shifts into worry when he sees Dash, thinking that perhaps there is an emergency which will drag out his day but settles once Dash's face sinks into a smile.

"Dude," Dash signals for him to follow him. "Shift over?"

"Yeah," he nods and begins walking beside Dash. "Don't tell me there's an emergency and I'm needed?"

"No, no. Lunch hall. Now. Your date isn't cancelled after all."

Floyd remains confused until finally, they make it to the cafeteria. They make it just as Leo rolls through the door with Kenji and as pathetic as this event seems, there's something special about the tiny flickering candle at the centre of the table and the fairy lights fashioned from somebody's room and the steaming hot plates of cafeteria lasagne. The kids scarper from their little project, leaving the pair in solitude. Floyd hides a shy smile, staring down at his feet as Kenji blurts out an unnecessary apology.

"I had no idea they were planning this," Kenji rushes through his words. "I know you're probably wiped out and wanting to go home so if you want to rearrange this whole thing I wouldn't mind, or even if you don't want to do this at all-"

"Kenji?" Floyd's voice softens.

"Hm?"

"I want to do this. You think I'd rather enjoy this crappy lasagne alone?"

"Don't let Madge hear you say that. This lasagne is her pride and joy. She put her blood sweat and tears into this meal."

"So that's why this is so salty?"

They laugh for a moment. Letting their joviality fizzle out into an awkward silence yet their little actions are bumbling, both of them dodging the other so as not to make themselves seem too keen. Floyd is tense to begin with, running his hand through his messy fringe with every mouthful of food or so as he keeps looking up. Kenji tries to play it a little cooler, yet his fork keeps hitting the plate every so often as he melts. And then they find their groove, but only once they are nearing the end of their night.

"So how's the new job?" Kenji leans back, taking a sip of water.

"Stressful," Floyd shrugs. "Is it always this... crazy?"

"Yes. Yes it is."

"The kids that organized this... They do stuff like this often?"

"Often is a bit of an understatement. They're good kids."

"I've only met Dash," Floyd nods. "The one in the chair's pretty sick, hmm?"

"Leo," Kenji exhales the name, bitterness in his voice. "He was meant to be out of here about two weeks ago but... there's now a tumour in his brain and a collection of tumours in his lungs so chemo and trial drugs are his only option for now. But he's strong. He'll get through."

"Anyway," Floyd chokes out an awkward laugh. "No talking about work. I think we should head home, I guess? Need a lift."

Kenji considers it for a second before deciding to be brave.

"If it's no trouble-" he downs the rest of his water and stands up.

"Kenji it's no trouble at all," Floyd rises from his chair and places his hand on Kenji's shoulder. "You just stay round the block from me right? Come back to mine for a few drinks, eh? I swear, I'm a lot more fun than I seem right now; I'm suppressed by today's work and the lack of alcohol in my system."

"So I'm not speaking to the real Floyd right now, am I?"

"You're speaking to a very sleep and alcohol deprived Floyd right now; that's something we can easily change, K."

They make it out to the car in silence. In the safety of the car park, they do what they've been wanting to do all night. Floyd initiates the kiss, approaching with a pause to allow Kenji to consent before their lips press together. Tonight is going to be a good night.

Kenji is sure of it.

Leo remains with the others for as long as they can. They collect themselves in his room, spreading themselves across the space. He's feeling bad again; not in the way that he feels dizzy or sick or unwell in any obvious way. He just feels something lodged within himself like lead, seeping into every cell, organ, tissue until his body is consumed by a lethargy. He needs to sleep, but he understands this kind of marathon; the longer he stays awake, the easier he'll be able to cope with things for the rest of this run of chemo. He keeps on running even though his limbs feel like they're closing up and even though within himself it's obvious that he's not okay, the others don't seem to notice at first.

Dash does, but doesn't say a word. He examines the room for a moment, allowing the menial conversation to wane before he initiates his plan; he's not going to embarrass Leo by telling them all to leave for his sake. In his slot to make conversation he instead allows awkwardness to fill the room; there's nothing really more for them to say and with that they begin to disperse. First Kara, complaining about how boring they are. Then Jordi, yawning and making some quip about his leg still hurting. Then Emma, eventually.

"Thanks," Leo shrugs, even though he's not entirely sure what Dash did to get them all to leave.

"Feeling okay, man?" he helps Leo out of his chair and into his bed.

"Kind of shaky," he holds up his left hand to show Dash the way it trembles. "I'm pathetic."

"No. You're sick. Big difference there, my friend. Anyway, I can see by your squinty little face that you want me to go so you can sleep in piece."

And then he's gone, leaving Leo to contemplate his day. He falls asleep in mere seconds.

Today was originally about me. This morning, I was the priority. This afternoon however? I didn't want to be the centre of attention. The funny thing about hospitals is that everything is a fight for that attention; we can't admit it but we all want to be the centre of attention. We all want to be the one they are talking about in the doctor's lounge, musing over the next steps to getting us home. I won't be priority for long; the priority is for the people who have hope. People like Charlie and Kara and Emma and heck, Jordi's prognosis is looking pretty good. People like Dash and me aren't going to be priority too often. We're slow dynamite; we're the ones who'll die young or otherwise live with things we can't escape. It's taken me a while to realise that I'm okay with that because do you know what? Life moves fast. It's not about what happens at the end. It's about what is happening now. And even if what is happening now isn't exactly the best of situations, there is light.

There is always light.