Chapter Text
Meanwhile in his office, Doctor Hyunjin continues to look over the scans of Felix’s brain and talking to himself. “My poor boy,” says Doctor Hyunjin to himself, “I think I’ve found the cause. Somehow there is a tumor in your ear. It’s leading to the voices.”
“Sir,” says the intern, “stop saying that aloud to yourself and go tell him already. Please.”
“Okay,” responds Doctor Hyunjin, “I’m going.” He runs off to give Felix the news.
“My son,” says Doctor Hyunjin, “I found out why you think you hold all their consciousness in your head.”
“Okay, Appa, do tell me,” responds Felix in tears, “please.”
“You have a tumor in your ear. It showed up on the recent scan,” responds Doctor Hyunjin, “it requires surgery.”
“Okay,” responds Felix, “anything to make it stop.”
“Okay, we’ll do the procedure in the morning,” responds Doctor Hyunjin, “until then, please do try to get some sleep.”
Felix nods and bows his head as the doctor leaves the room. Early the next morning, Felix is awakened, taken out of his tube, clothed, cuffed, and led to the operating room, and put under. Once he’s under, Doctor Hyunjin begins the surgery and several hours later, the tumor is successfully removed and Felix is sewn back up. A few hours after that, he comes to and sees himself cuffed to the bed but he doesn’t care.
“Am I better, Appa?” Inquires Felix of Hyunjin. “Please tell me, I’m better.”
“Yes, you’re better, my son,” responds Doctor Hyunjin. “We have one more set of tests tonight but that’s it. I promise.”
“Okay, Appa,” responds Felix. “Okay. Thanks so much, Appa.”
“Of course, son. Anytime,” responds Doctor Hyunjin, a smile actually on his face as he hugs his son, “anytime.”
Later that night, this time on a bed and not in his tube for the first time ever, Felix is hooked up to a final set of tests, all which come back normal. For the first time in all the time he’s been alive, for the first time ever, he’s fallen asleep with no issue and no voices. About two hours later, he awakens with a stretch, well rested.
“So, how are you feeling?” Inquires Doctor Hyunjin of Felix.
“I…I didn’t hear the voices, I don’t hear them anymore,” responds Felix with a smile. “Thank you, Appa.” He jumps up and hugs Hyunjin, “thank you so much!”
“Of course,” responds Doctor Hyunjin as he pats Felix on the back, eventually loosening up and hugging him back, “you’re so welcome, my son. You’re so, so welcome.”
“Please don’t tell me I have to go back in my tube,” says Felix once the two let go of the hug. He gives Hyunjin puppy dog eyes. “Please.”
“No, you don’t have to go back in your tube,” responds Doctor Hyunjin. “Not tonight.”
“Thanks Appa,” responds Felix hugging Hyunjin again, “thank you so so much.” Once he lets go, he goes and sits back on the bed in the secondary lab away from all the tubes and wires. For the first time in his life, he’s outside of the tube and absolutely loving his freedom. For the first time ever, he’s free of the voices and wouldn’t have it any other way. A few minutes later, he falls fast asleep, for the first time ever, sleeping the calmest he’s ever slept.