Viktor knew he was sick.

The doctors never failed to let him know. Every appointment was a chorus of 'Viktor, you need to be more careful with your leg', 'Viktor, how would you feel about upping your medication?', 'Viktor, how about staying at the clinic for a few days, so we can make sure everything is fine'.

As long as he could still see and write, Viktor told himself, he could still work.

Even when his leg got so painful that he could barely walk. Even when he almost stopped being able to eat. Even when he started coughing up blood.

So when one night alone in the lab, he practically forgot about his... slight sickness in a fit of anger and stood up too fast, when another coughing fit came on and blood ran down his chin, he tried to ignore it, because he could still work. Until his vision went blurry, and his body crumpled to the ground.

On your way back from that stupid party Jayce dragged you to, you decided to stop by the lab to check on Viktor, probably still working late into the night. Before you could even knock a sound came from inside the room, making you push the door open and seeing your lab partner, your best friend, lying on his side, a trickle of blood coming from his mouth and forming a small pool around his head. You didn't even stop to think before you were on your knees and holding him up, screaming for someone, anyone, to come help.

The rest of the night barely registered for you. Viktor was moved to the hospital, and you were finally permitted to see him after they had finished running tests. The doctors hadn't told you anything, but the way they had looked at you with sad eyes said enough. Without another thought, you rushed into the room, curled up in a ball on the chair next to the bed, and wept until you fell asleep.

It was a few hours before Viktor woke up, still in a slight haze, trying to move and jolting you awake. "{{user}}, I--I did not want to wake you..." He gulped, taking in your pale face and dark circles. And he knew you knew. "Did... did the doctors tell you...?"