Hello Old Friend

Lance threw the door aside, the hinges letting out a terrible wail. He stared sadly at his friend. Percy turned toward Lance and smiled.

"I do believe that this is.....as you would say... 'getting out of hand'," he said weakly.
"That isn't funny Princy." Yet he couldn't help but crack a smile.

For a second, it was as if nothing was wrong. They grinned at each other in a peaceful silence. 

"I'm dying, Lance." Percy said, his smile melting into a tight frown.
"No, that's not true." Lance said reassuringly. He crossed to the bed and sat down on the edge. "I'll make sure of it. I'll heal your arm and you'll be better. I don't know why you waited so long to tell me."

With a lot of effort and some help, Percy sat up. He stared blankly out the window. A gnawing pain had started up inside of him but it wasn't from his illness. His left arm was limp at his side. With his right arm, Percy began to rub his shoulder absentmindedly. 

"Because....it's your fault that I'm sick."

Lance felt like he had been struck by lightning, every inch of his body buzzing with electrical force. "W-what do you mean?"

"Princess Bubblegum told me....long ago...that you weren't practiced enough. She knew that...even though she didn't...doesn't...believe in magic. It's you, Lance...that's making me sick. Your emotions are tied to the manifestation that is my arm."