( OPEN ) | I cannot change the music of the world

[hairstroke]

WHO: Leon Zhong & You!
WHERE: Recollé General Hospital
WHEN: June 20th to the end of the month
WHAT: After getting revived from death, Leon ends up spending the rest of the month at the hospital
WARNINGS: Possible talks of violence and death? Will edit in case something pops up!

▶ OPTION I.

[ Upon entering the room he's staying in, there's a couple of strange things one might notice about Leon. Not only is he much more quieter than usual, but his hair and eye color that changed thanks to Retrospec are back to his original hair color, dark brown and his eyes are now brown and look much more sullen than ever before. Along with that, it doesn't look like he's gotten much rest ever since waking up at the hospital. Not only is there a hint of sadness behind his eyes, they are also red, puffy and there's hints of dark circles developing under them.

He also doesn't seem to be paying attention to his surroundings and is instead, staring off and glancing at the outside view from the window. At first, it might not seem like he's noticed anyone who happens to be visiting but give him a nudge or say something and he'll finally respond. ]

▶ OPTION II.

[ Eventually, he does go back to his usual Leon self since you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Quite honestly, he's getting tired of just sitting around in a hospital bed and being stuck in one spot was beginning to drive him crazy.

So as soon as the coast is clear and there isn't anyone else in his room, he makes his way to the door and peers out the hallways, double checking to make sure no one else is around. Once he felt safe, he sneaks out of his room and begins his trek away from his room to get a break. Success!! No one is able to outsmart the brilliant and sneaky Leon Zhong.

... Or is he not as sneaky as what he likes to believe? ]

▶ WILDCARD.

[ Want to play out other scenarios involving him at the hospital? Feel free to throw in a random prompt or pm me for a personalized starter! You can also reach me at konimi if you want to hash out anything specific! ]

Comments

II

[sketchythief]

[ Hello, brilliant and sneaky Leon Zhong. Meet former sneaky boy number 2. It has been several days after Leon has been hospitalized for Daisuke to find out that Leon was actually hospitalized, so his visit is a bit... late. But that's probably why he catches Leon to be in the right place at the right time. Although Leon's colors are different, he can definitely tell it's him. Perhaps it's the aura Leon carries...

Daisuke is carrying a big paper bag that's the size of a tote bag by the handles and he just stares at Leon sneaking out of his room. He doesn't say anything and stays hidden at first, but he eventually makes himself known and calls out to him. ]

Leon...? What are you doing...

i!!

[spiritoso]

[ When Kaede arrives at the hospital, she's nervous to see Leon. She doesn't really know what to expect, or what to say. So when she walks into his room, she immediately notices that his eye and hair color have gone back to how they were before. It's a bit of a shock, but it's not one that Kaede thinks about for long because he's alive.

Although she tries hard to hold back tears, they start sliding down her cheeks as she smiles. ]

Leon, I'm so glad to see you're awake! [ She wants to run up and hug him, but she's a little nervous to do that just yet. ]

i

[cardcaptured]

[It's early when Xiaolang gets the news, and, despite him getting just as little rest as Leon has, he's up and immediately dashing to the hospital without a second thought. Telling Li-Na about it beforehand hadn't even occurred in his mind-- all he had wanted to do was get there as quickly as he could, and confirm with his own eyes that the impossible had indeed happened.

Once at the hospital, he's walking at the fastest possible clip acceptable in the hallways, eyes scanning for the familiar room number. As soon as he spots it, he all but beelines to it, his heart constricting in his throat over what he might see. Would there be scars? Any other sort of damage?

But the figure in the bed looks... surprisingly more familiar than the one he's gotten used to in the past few months. The same dark hair, the same brown eyes, so much like the cousin he had grown up with, as opposed to whoever Retrospec had been pushing him into. Gulping down a breath, he braces against the doorframe, fingers curling into it, eyes shimmering for just a moment as he tries to find his voice. With all the emotions he was trying to keep in check, it was hard getting even the simplest words out of his mouth. Still, he had to say something, to let his presence known.]

.... Leon.

[hairstroke]

[ HIS BRILLIANT STRATEGY HAS SUCCEEDED AND NOW HE HAS BEEN FREED FROM THE CONFINES OF THAT CURSED HOSPITAL BED- Oh welp. No nevermind. He's totally been caught.

As soon as he hears a familiar voice, Leon stops dead in his tracks and looks like a deer that's gotten caught in a pair of headlights. At first, he doesn't say anything and stands there in silence. (Mostly due to the fact that he's surprised Daisuke came to visit him? I-It's not like he's touched or anything!!!) but after a pregnant pause, he slowly turns and finally looks him in the eye. ]

Ah. ... Hello.

[ #smooth ]

I was... just going to go grab a pudding cup.

[ Of course someone as esteemed as him is totally calm and collected about the situation— okay no, he's really not. He's totally staring at Daisuke like someone who got caught stealing from a cookie jar:

[hairstroke]

[ Kaede is one of the few that can easily snap him out of his morose state. The moment he hears that kind, familiar voice he knows all too well he's immediately brought back down to earth and turns his gaze to where the door was. It really is her. Leon's a little to shy to actually admit it, but she's one of the few people who knows how to brighten his day and it's not an exaggeration for him to say that she's the sunshine in his life. One of his regrets when he experienced death was not being able to express how much he appreciated her. But now, he's determined to tell her one way or the other. ] Kaede... hey. [ He tries his best to smile but seeing her tears tugs his heart strings. So much that it's hard for him to hold back his own. ] I'm glad to see you and I'm really sorry that I worried you.

[hairstroke]

... Xiaolang.

[ Despite that Leon was off in his own world, he somehow felt the presence of someone warm and very dear to him. His heart pretty much instantly knew that it was his dear cousin and he's not the slightest surprised when he shifts his body over to greet him.

With everything that's happened, he was aware that Xiaolang was the one who was worried the most and he hates that he's probably caused to boy to feel so much grief. Even though he came back to life, he still feels a plague of guilt stinging his heart. How much did he suffer while he was away? Xiaolang is the one person who didn't deserve to go through this. As soon as he got revived, one of the first thoughts that crossed through his mind was how worried he was and there wasn't a single moment where Xiaolang didn't enter his mind.

Even though it's only a few seconds, for Leon it feels like hours before he's finally able to smile at his cousin. It's one of the softest expressions he's ever given anyone in his entire life. He moves his body over and pats a free spot on the bed for him to sit. ]

Hey. Come here.

[sketchythief]

[ Daisuke stays quiet for a few seconds after Leon's excuse. He's not a personified lie detector, but even he can tell that was a horrible lie. He stifles a laugh and walks up to him. ]

That must be a really good pudding cup if you wanted to sneak out for it. [ He smiles and holds up the paper bag to call attention to it. ]

I have something better than a pudding cup, so let's go back?

I!!

[steadycourse]

[Kaede has told him everything-- at least, everything that he needed to know regarding Leon and his death. Killed by his girlfriend, Mio, because of a disease. It's horrifying, it's cruel, and he's angry at her-- but mostly upset that such a thing happened to the both of them. She's responsible, yes, but it's not her fault either.

He still has many thoughts about that, but once he hears that Leon is alive in the hospital, Ishida immediately stops everything he's doing to see him. He really doesn't have the time to process his own feelings because all that's on his mind is the fact that Leon isn't gone.

It's not long before he barges into Leon's room, panting from running through the halls and not caring at all for once.]

L-Leon! [He's really here. He's not dead. H-he's okay-- even if his hair is different, that doesn't matter. What's important is that he's not just a memory.]

Y-you're alive... [Tears well up in his eyes and he sounds choked, but Ishida is doing his best not to blink because what if his rival just disappears in that split second?]

[cardcaptured]

[How much did he suffer? More than anyone his age ought to, and it was going to linger with him for some time to come. Losing a beloved family member was always traumatic, especially by violent means-- but to have that, on top of having a close person being the one to commit the deed and betray your trust... it was a lot. Retrospec did one thing right, to their credit-- if Leon had remained dead, who knows what would have happened. He was granted a very fortunate gift, one that millions of grieving people would be clamoring for if they knew.

But no doubt Leon had his own pain to deal with-- he did die, after all, and by the hands of a person precious to him, and Xiaolang wallowing in his own troubles wasn't going to help him through it. He does his best to keep his face in a neutral mask, to not let everything he was feeling show...

... but then Leon smiles, the kindest look he's ever seen cross his cousin's face, and the composure he's been so desperately trying to keep cracks. His face crumples upon itself as he bites his lip, his eyes hot with tears he still didn't know how to shed, and a small choked noise fights it's way from the back of his throat. The steps to Leon's bed start slowly, deliberately, but the closer he gets, the faster he walks, until he's nearly running to get there. The spot Leon makes for him is largely ignored, as he instead pushes himself forward and wraps his arms around his cousin, pulling him in for a hug.

It wasn't the most graceful of embraces-- it was awkward, and a little clumsy, as familial affection wasn't a thing for either of them-- but he goes for it anyway, clutching at him carefully and burrowing his head onto his shoulder. Words and embarrassment can be saved for later. Right now, he was just relieved to have him back.]

i

[invocate]

[Likely only Xiaolang was present when Li-Na found out Leon was alive after he ran off without telling her, thanks cousin. So only one person witnessed her having her second meltdown of the week. But at least this time she cried tears of relief. She'd heard people could be brought back by Retrospec, but she hadn't dared to hope. Not when she'd already learned the permanence of death with her parents. People on the network had said they'd been revived, but she hadn't really believed it.

And she won't believe it even after she maybe hears from Xiaolang until she sees him with her own eyes. So sometime after Xiaolang makes his visit, Li-Na heads to the hospital, too. Unlike some other people, she doesn't rush through the hospital to find him. She takes her time, trying to prepare herself for... for what, she's not really sure. But there's just a little bit of fear that this is all a mistake. It's not actually Leon, it's someone else. Or worse, someone else has come back and he's not the Leon they knew. So whens she finally finds his room, she pauses in the doorway. The man on the bed certainly looks like Leon, once again with his normal hair color. Her breath catches in her chest as she just looks at him. Alive.

Eventually, she makes a sound. Half sob, half whimper. She claps a hand over her mouth in an attempt to muffle it, but it's definitely loud enough for Leon to notice.]

[spiritoso]

[ Kaede shakes her head, wiping away her tears even though they keep coming. ]

You don't need to say you're sorry. [ Of course Leon would feel bad for worrying her.

She runs over to him, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a tight hug, but not so tight that it would hurt him. ]

I'm just glad you're here.

[hairstroke]

... Yes. It's really good pudding.

[ NOT REALLY, IT SUCKS but that was the only excuse that came to his mind.

Almost instantly, Leon's eyes zoom in onto the bag and he's very intrigued by what he brought. He also couldn't deny that it was a nice gesture and it made him really happy.

A smile forms on his face and upon the realization, he suddenly feels embarrassed and nervously coughs in an attempt to hide his blush. ]

W-Well...! Since you came all the way, it would be rude of me to turn you down. For your generosity, I shall lead you to my esteemed hospital room.

[ In an attempt to hide his blush, he scratches his cheek and eagerly walks back to his room, opening the door for Daisuke. ]

[sketchythief]

[ Daisuke is surprised by the gesture, mostly because-- ]

Ah, I should be holding the door open for you instead... [ But you know what, he's not going to fight Leon on it. But he will take note of it. ] It looks like you're recovering well, Leon... I'm glad to see that. Sorry I couldn't come earlier. I didn't get to find out about it for a while...

[hairstroke]

[ Even while zoning out, Leon swears that he heard frantic running in the distance. It catches him off guard but he decides to ignore it, figuring that it's some emergency. However, it's when he hears the sounds of the door slamming and someone barging in, he's definitely brought back down to earth and stares at the visitor with a shocked expression. Honestly, he's really surprised at who came to see him. What's even more startling is seeing his wet, watery eyes. ] Ishida...? [ Did his rival really miss him that much? Witnessing his reaction is truly shocking but at the end of the day, had Ishida been on the other end and was the one that got killed, Leon would have reacted the same way. He can't imagine a world without his eternal rival. Thinking about it and seeing his teary eyes strikes a chord within his heart and honestly, he has to do everything he can to prevent himself from tearing up as well. ] Y-Yeah... I am. [ SHIT. Don't cry Leon, don't cry... ] After all, it's impossible to keep the Leon Zhong down.

[steadycourse]

[It takes everything that he has not to collapse by the door; Ishida doesn't want something like that to happen. Leon is the one that just went through a great deal of trauma... he can't be so pathetic now. Still, he doesn't bother to rub his face as tears begin to spill from his eyes, a small laugh breaking from his throat when he hears Leon's comment.

H-he sounds completely normal.]

I-I'm so glad...! [Maybe he should say something less sentimental, like 'you can't die without losing to me first,' but he doesn't have it in him to make such comments.] I thought you were gone... I thought I lost another friend!

[His voice cracks at that last sentence.]

[hairstroke]

[ Frankly, Leon can't believe he's been revived either. Even though he's heard about the dead coming back to life, it's so unreal that it was incredibly hard to believe. Until now, that is. It's one of the many thoughts that float through his mind as he sits there in silence, staring out the window. But then his thoughts immediately come to a halt when he hears a quiet sob. Just from the voice alone, he already knew who it was and he whips his head to confirm his suspicions. Ah... it really is her. ] Li-Na... [ Leon's voice is strained when he calls out her name. She's another one that he's thought about and worried for. Thinking about the pain that he might have caused her hurts him, hearing her whimper also tears his heart and it's so hard for him to hold back his tears. He's trying but he can't quite hide how watery his eyes were becoming. It's probably dumb for him to get up but he doesn't care. He slowly gets out of bed and stands up, making his way towards her. ] I'm so glad to see you... I... [ He pauses, finding it hard to form words. ] Sorry for worrying you.

[hairstroke]

[ Xiaolang didn't deserve this. Truthfully, Leon felt as though his cousin suffered through so much more than he did. Despite his boiling hatred for this god damn application, he had to admit he was thankful that it brought him back to life. If he didn't have the application, who knows what might have happened. He knew that in th end, he was very lucky that he was back and reunited with his cousin. As he watches Xiaolang's actions, he's getting ready to give him a pat on the head but is soon taken aback by an action he truthfully didn't expect. He felt a warm pair of arms wrapping around him. It's shocking and Leon's so stunned that it takes him a few moments to respond. But when he finally does, he brings his arms around his younger cousin's shoulder and pulls him in close, pressing his forehead against the top of his head. He holds onto him tight, as if he was worried that if he didn't, they would be seperated once again. Despite his prideful personality, he's actually a very sensitive young man deep down inside of his heart. He hates showing weakness and crying in front of people. At this very moment, he didn't care, even as his eyes begin to water. ] I'm so happy to see you, Xiaolang...

[cardcaptured]

[It was one of those many traits that they shared, that soft, tender heart covered up by a more rough personality, although it was probably more obvious in Xiaolang given how touchy he could be about things. It was one of the reasons why he hadn't alerted Li-Na immediately about Leon's revival, not wanting anyone else, family or otherwise, to witness the state he might lapse into upon seeing his cousin alive once again.

And what a state he was in-- he had been careful at clutching to Leon, trying not to aggravate any of his healing injuries, but once he's pulled in close, his arms wrap around his cousin tighter, refusing to let go. In a way, it was a means to convince himself that this was real-- this wasn't a dream, or some sort of sick trick on Retrospec's end. His cousin was alive, he was safe, he was warm and solid and it seemed nothing from the past few days mattered. Nothing, except...

There's a small shudder as the events from that day replay in his head, making him press his face closer into Leon's shoulder. Try as Xiaolang might to conceal his face, there's no hiding the growing dampness on the fabric of his cousin's hospital gown, the hot tears trickling out of their own volition. It only gets worse when he hears Leon's words, and all he can do is nod weakly, his voice hoarse and strained.]

... me too.

[He sucks in a deep, watery breath, before continuing:]

I'm glad to see you, too.

[invocate]

Wait... no, you do not have to get up.

[Li-Na quickly crosses the room to him, hoping to persuade him to get back in bed. But the moment she actually reaches him... she ends up hugging him instead. Tightly. Might need to make a noise if she's squeezing you too tight Leon.]

I thought you were gone. I thought we were alone.

[And then the tears come. Again. They roll down her face and drop onto the front of Leon's hospital gown. And they probably won't stop for a little bit.]

II

[lienhearts]

[His feelings on the situation are complicated.

On one hand, the guy's alive, which is as they were told and better than dead. On the other... they really are in the grips of something strange and unnatural that can lead to their deaths, and yet too their resurrections. It's a dangerous, dangerous line to walk, and they've got no choice but to march on it whether they like it or not.

...Those are pretty much the thoughts running through his mind up until he sees the man himself trying to sneak through the hallways. Given Theo's coming up behind him, he glances at the gift in his hand and makes a split-second decision.

So anyway, enjoy that small panda plush on a collision course for your head, Leon.]

[hairstroke]

[ That's easily one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to him, it instantly warms his heart. He's so incredibly touched that it easily breaks the prideful front that he puts on and he could feel tears streaming down the side of his face. It reminds him that he truly is the luckiest man on the earth and he's blessed with amazing friends. ] Kaede... [ It's hard for him to speak since he is trying not to let out a sob but as son as he feels her warm arms wrapped around him, he becomes unglued and instantly hugs her back. ] Thank you. I know I must have put you through a lot... but I'm so blessed to see you.

[hairstroke]

[ At his rival's words, he can no longer hold his tears back and soon enough, he's crying alongside him. Not only did the crack in his voice get to him, his heart broke at Ishida's words. He couldn't imagine losing a friend. If Leon was on the other end and lost any of his friends, he would be a wreck. Just the thought of that happening to Ishida once before hurts him and he hates that he's already suffered so much. Honestly, he has a lot of questions he wants to ask in regards to that, but he's not sure how he wants to start. ] God dammit Ishida... [ Though he words it like that, he says it with of the utmost fondness. It's easily the kindest tone he's ever spoken in to his rival. He probably shouldn't be getting out of bed, but he gives zero fucks as he stands up and affectionately presses his fist against his forehead. ] You're never going to lose me. I swear that I will always be by your side no matter what.

[hairstroke]

[ Leon's own feelings are pretty complicated as well. On one hand, he hates the application but on the other, he's amazed that he was somehow brought back to life. It's dangerous and he's not sure how to feel about that. Just what kind of power does this application hold? It also made it seem like their lives are disposable because of it.

Never the less... his feelings on Theo are also complicated. Especially when he feels a plush being thrown to back of his head and he nearly falls over. Slowly, he turns his gaze to the culprit and glares at him. ]

You... [ Once he's able to get his footing, he shakes his fist at Theo. ] Is that how you treat someone in the hospital,?!

[ For someone that just died, he certainly has a lot of energy. ]

[lienhearts]

[It's almost a relief to see he's still energetic. It makes all of the... stuff from before seem like a nightmare, rather than reality.

Pity he'll never be rid of those memories]

And is this how a hospital patient is supposed to be behaving?

I'd have thought you'd still be on bedrest.

[hairstroke]

It's fine. Think of it as an honor that I'm opening the door for you.

[ Though he words it like that, in reality, he just doesn't want to feel useless and bed ridden. It's one of the reasons why he's so desperate to escape since he doesn't want to feel weak. ]

Don't worry about it. I appreciate that you even took the time to come visit despite what's going on in the city.

[ He's a little embarrassed to admit it, but it touched his heart that Daisuke kindly set aside some time to see him in the hospital. Leon just wishes that he was anywhere but here.

There's some major reluctance as he drags his feet and makes his way back to the bed. ]