TW: Effects of blood loss, maybe suicidal thoughts (not sure if it counts)

Michael's head spun as he slowly regained consciousness, trying to figure out why he felt so ill. His breathing was quick and shallow, leaving him with the awful sensation of being unable to catch his breath. Not to mention he could feel his heart pounding but not properly. Not that he could quite figure out why it was wrong with as exhausted and confused as he was.

He struggled to move but felt a hand land on his arm, stopping him.

"Mi...el?" He could hear a voice but could only make out fragments of what was being said. "Pl... wa...up."

He couldn't make out what he was being told and felt his heart rate quicken further as he began to panic and tried to thrash around.

"Hey! Stop, you're... hurt yours..."

Two hands landed in his shoulders and he tried to lash out with his leg but stopped when pain shoot through him. He hissed and the weight on him immediately let up.

His mind raced. Where was he? Who was with him? Why did his leg hurt so badly? Where was Katelyn?

He abruptly stopped moving when the thought of his girlfriend filled his mind. Where was she? Usually any time he'd get himself hurt she'd be right there to yell at him for being stupid. Why wasn't she here?

"... Michael?"

He paid the voice no mind as instead of forcing himself to open his eyes and move, he tried to remember what had happened. Honestly it's the first thing he should have done, but his mind wasn't quite in the right place.at the moment.

The last thing he remembered was... Adventuring with Katelyn. They were wandering some kind of forest before coming upon... A cave? Right? The two entered the cave and after that things got a little fuzzy.

Then all the memories hit him at once. Everything from the cave in to his exit. He felt sick. His heart pounded in his ears. He wanted to scream, cry, vomit, he - for a brief moment - wanted to die.

In the small amount of time he'd been wrapped up in his thoughts he hadn't heard the other person moving around the room. I'm fact he'd forgotten about them completely until he felt a straw at his lips.

"Drink... Please..." The person practically begged.

He hesitanted only for a moment before sipping. His mouth was flooded with the taste of his favorite spinach pie.

Ambrosia, his mind numbly pieced together. Already he felt better.

Well, physically anyway.

He forced his eyes open and winced at the bright lights of the room.

"Michael!" The person, who he now recognized as Ritchie, (how couldn't he have got that?) exclaimed, standing over his bed.

Michael just stared at him. Face blank and expression less.

Ritchie shifted nervously. "Are you-? I mean, uh, how are you feeling?"

"She's gone."

It wasn't a question. Ritchie flinched lightly looking away. The son of Hermes took a breath before raising his head and letting out a quiet "Yeah."

Michael just nodded quietly, in a slow acceptance.

"Michael..." Ritchie faultered for a moment as he tried to think of what to say.  Eventually he settled for just checking on the other. "You didn't answer my question. How are you feeling?"

Michael glared. "How do you think I feel?" He threw on a mocking tone and continued. "Why I feel peachy. Life couldn't be greater ya'know!?" He had an edge of hysteria showing as he spoke.

"Michael-"

"I just lost one of the only people I care about and it's my fault so how do you think I feel Richie?!"

"I just-"

"Katelyn is dead all because I had to explore that stupid cave! If not for me she'd be alive!"

"Please calm down-"

"Shut up! Just shut up!"

Michael's shout echoed in the sudden silence as Ritchie obeyed and fell quiet. The son of Athena felt abruptly light headed as he took a few steadying breathes. He ignored the world spinning around him and locked eyes with Ritchie.

"I want to die."

Ritchie lunged and grabbed Michael by the front of his shirt. "Shut up!" He spat glaring. "Don't say that! You... You don't get to leave me... I..." Ritchie fumbled for words and Michael could see the terror in his eyes and he sighed.

"I said I wanted to. Not that I would."

"Wha..."

"I won't let her death be in vain. I won't die until there's something worth dieing for."

"Please don't say that. Nothing could be worth you dieing."

"Promise me something. When that happens, when there's something I have to die for... Promise you won't stop me."

"What are you talking about!?"

"Ritchie please,"

"I just told you that you don't get to leave me!"

"Please Richie!" Michael abruptly shouted. Ritchie stared at the others pleading eyes. "I... I have to believe that there's something I'm living for. And if it's for me to die like many other of us then please... Let me."

Ritchie stared dumbly and in complete silence, his mind fighting to understand what Michael was getting at.

"I'm asking you to let me do what I'm still here for, if that's the case."

"I..."

"Ritchie please."

The ginger swallowed and carefully released the others shirt. "I promise." He eventually whispered.

"Thank you."

The two were quiet for a few moments before Ritchie hesitantly asked. "Are you in pain? Like, physical pain?"

Michael blinked. "Uh now that you mention it my leg really hurts... My eye too."

Ritchie nodded and quickly moved to grab a few pills from a nearby bottle. He pulled out a water bottle form a drawer and passed them to Michael.

"I figured. Take these. They're pain killers. They should help, at least a little bit anyway."

"Thanks." Michael quietly took them then sat fiddling with the water bottle. "Umm, I'm sorry. For yelling at you..."

Ritchie gave him a soft smile. "It's okay. You're under a lot of stress. And feeling the effects of of heavy blood loss. Kaykrae figures you lost at least two liters... It's kind of expected you weren't thinking clearly. Plus you're grieving." His s smile fell. "I am too. Sorry I grabbed you like that... Thanks didn't hurt you?"

Michael shook his head. An awkward silence filled the room and it was obvious neither of them knew what to do. After a few moments Ritchie took a few steps back and sighed.

"I'm gonna go..." As Ritchie turned to leave Michael's body reacted on it's own, lunging forward and catching Ritchie's arm.

"Wait!" Ritchie turned and looked startled at the panic on the others face. "Please, don't leave me!"

Michael felt tears gather in his eyes as he released Ritchie to wipe them away. He expected Ritchie to turn and leave but he felt the bed dip. Glancing up he saw Ritchie sit next him. Michael scooted over and Ritchie laid next to him.

"I'm not going anywhere if you don't want me to."

Michael laid his head on Ritchie's shoulder. "Thank you." He whispered.

Ritchie rolled his eyes and nodded, with a small smile playing at his lips. Michael could practically read the words on his face.

'I'm not going anywhere.'

And Michael couldn't have been more grateful.

A/N: Bleh not sure I like this. I mean it's a cool concept but I couldn't get into the vibe of complete sad mourning for Katelyn. So it turned slightly to Michael fighting through blood loss and Ritchie helping him. As well as feels for the end of the series and why Ritchie agreed to leave Michael so easily. Might do another sadder version. For @X1PandaFlamewX  Sorry If not what you wanted but I've been planning this for a while and yeah

Also geez I've been on a random writing spree for some reason. Don't get used to it. Not proof read either, as is typical, so let me know of any mistakes.