MTaD and TGbtS ✨️B R A I N R O T✨️

MTaD-The Bitter Reality

"Zaky?" I gasped.

"Yeah, it's me, jolaqtar."

In spite of the fogginess surrounding me, I suddenly couldn't help but feel as if something was suddenly lifted off my chest at hearing Kazakhstan call me "jolaqtar." Usually, I'd be annoyed, but hearing him call me that made me feel relieved as if all was alright with the world again.

My younger brother stood there before me, his voice speaking in a soothing tone that immediately brought me a sense of comfort. I could tell that he was also worried, but his gentle demeanor remained unchanged.

"Bela is coming by later and Raine is cursing you." Kazakhstan informed. "I called dibs on seeing you first." I couldn't help but chuckle weakly, despite the fact that my breath was still a bit shaky.

"Oh, is that so?" I replied gently, feeling somewhat amused, in spite of the fact that I felt so exhausted. Suddenly, my thoughts dash to North. My eyebrows arch, a cold sweat running down my forehead. He was unresponsive last I saw him.

"Is North okay?" I asked urgently.

"The qisqa?" Kazakhstan answered, "He's in a coma." My heart drops to my stomach and shatters into millions of pieces. If only I hadn't been arguing with him. What were we even angry about? Why did I have to speak up?

"Wh-" I started to ask, but I wasn't even sure about which piece of information I was asking about initially. The thought of North being in a coma took my breath away, and it felt as if my whole world started to spin out of control again.

"I-is he going to be okay?" I managed to squeak out slowly, feeling as if my throat had suddenly grown sore from my shouting. Hearing the answer to that question would determine how I would feel for the rest of my life.

It felt as if an eternity had passed as I waited patiently for my younger brother to answer my question. The seconds felt so long, the uncertainty surrounding me was so thick. Then, he broke the silence.

"Hopefully," Kazakhstan replied softly, his tone soft and solemn. "I hope he can wake out of the coma. But," he paused, his gaze slowly turning to the ground. "If not," he whispered, "there's something I have to tell you."

"What is it?" I clutched the sheets, dreading the worst. It felt like another eternity before Kazakhstan spoke again, his voice still gentle and kind, but bearing a solemn tone.

"I know this isn't the best time for this right after hearing about something like this, but..." he spoke slowly and gently, "it's something you really should know before we go any farther. You see", he paused again, his eyes filling with sorrow despite his soft manner, "if North doesn't wake up, well..."

My heart sank further and further down my throat as I listened to my young brother speak, unable to make out the words in my trembling state. If not? If not what?! Was he about to say that North would...no, no, surely that wasn't it, right?

My stomach dropped once more at whatever Kazakhstan was about to tell me. A million thoughts raced through my mind, as I felt that sinking feeling creep back into my stomach. I slowly began to realize the direction in which this conversation was going, but I still wanted to maintain some semblance of hope.

"If he doesn't wake up, then what?" I whispered, my throat feeling tight once more from the nervousness of this entire situation.

Kazakhstan looked down at the ground for a moment, the tension in the air growing thicker and thicker as I anxiously awaited his response. He raised his head once more and spoke slowly, his voice filled with sadness.

"If he doesn't wake up," he started, before taking a deep breathe and sighing sadly, "then there will be nothing left to do but pull the plug."

My breath hitches. "How long does he have until that happens?"