Fatal Familial Insomnia

by juno (junoosaur)

Summary:

Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI), is a rare genetic condition that causes sleeping difficulties(insomnia), memory loss(dementia), and hallucinations. It is a degenerative disease, meaning symptoms get more severe over time. Symptoms of the condition are life-threatening, and there is no known cure.

Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI) can be passed down from certain generations, specifically from a biological parent. There is usually a history of infectants in the family's generation, being able to pass it down upon generations.

Ah, but unfortunately for our beloved Yoisaki Kanade... she had no idea her mom was diagnosed with this illness. Her father never told her when she was young, believing it would be better to have it kept a secret for her own sanity.

 

He didn't think it would pass down onto her.

Notes:

this au takes a lot of its lore from the canon game!! and its mostly a future au, so the current niigo timeline wont be staying. and yes, kanade's father is all better here :3 kanade inherited the wicked condition from her mom and this is also the illness her mother died from

basic character info, i'll update these every few chapters or so, i'll add their mental stability bullshit after the first chapter

 

Asahina Mafuyu — Age 37, licensed doctor, current romantic partner of Yoisaki Kanade, current doctor of Yoisaki Kanade, old friend of Shinonome Ena, old friend of Akiyama Mizuki.
Shinonome Ena — Age 36, professional artist, old friend of Yoisaki Kanade, old friend of Asahina Mafuyu, current caretaker of Yoisaki Kanade, current romantic partner of Akiyama Mizuki.
Akiyama Mizuki —Age 35, tailor, still works at a boutique, old friend of Yoisaki Kanade, old friend of Asahina Mafuyu, current romantic partner of Shinonome Ena.
Yoisaki Kanade —Age 37, diagnosed with Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI), stage 1, first month in after being diagnosed, current romantic partner of Asahina Mafuyu, current patient of Asahina Mafuyu, old friend of Akiyama Mizuki, old friend of Shinonome Ena

Chapter 1: introduction!!!

Summary:

introduction, basically answering questions and niigo info cards

Notes:

uuuhm i'll be posting chapters very slowly because writing takes time guys!!

anyways if u have questions pls just post them in the comments and i'll be answering sum basic shit

these are just sum basic shit i'll go over about the stuff that will happen in this au and questions yall might ask

 

is kanade going to die? — secret ;)

what happened to kanade's dad? — he's all better now, he's kanade's second caretaker after ena's

does mafuyu still live with kanade? — obviously

what happened to mafuyu? — mafuyu inevitably gave into her mother's wishes into becoming a doctor. maybe this was the right decision after all(for kanade's sake)

what happened to mafuyu's parents? — currently they check on mafuyu every day after she comes home from work, but hell she almost always stays at the hospital looking for a cure

why did i do this? — because i found the disease through a video and thought it fit kanade

 

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thats all i can go over if u guys have questions just comment them i'll try to reply since it's the weekend for me rn

Notes:

we are cooked gang!1!!

updates will be slow because i have school, and writer's block

and NO GANG my writing is shit so this will be shit and the updates will be slow!! its either yall be patient because if i abandon this fic i WILL go back to it

Chapter 2: " take care of yourself "

Summary:

mafuyu is being like kanade holy shite guys

mafuena and mizumafu mentioned/j

Notes:

this is really rusty writing guys i am NOT an experienced writer😓😓😓 pls bare with me

and i reuse a lot of words i dont have a large volcabulary sori guys

take this as mafuena or mizumafu idc

[ 3rd person pov(i think) ]

"is everyone here?"
K mumbled into her mic.

"yahoo!~ present!"
Amia cooed teasingly into her mic, maybe a little too close...

"yeah, yeah, we get it. keep your mouth away from your mic next time, you'll kill my ears..."
Enanan grumbled and scolded Amia, as per usual.

 

an awkward silence stretches between the three of them, but before K could unmute herself...

 

"i'm here."
Yuki responds plainly.

 

"okay, it looks like we're all here..."
K let out a sigh of relief.

"what took you so long?"
Enanan grumbled, already preparing to scold the purple-haired girl just through her microphone alone.

"i was doing my homework. my desk was messy, so i had to clean it up."
Yuki responds blankly.
"i didn't realize i already joined."

"...you could've muted yourself."
Enanan mumbles, but its too quiet for anyone else to hear.

 

"we should get started. the song is almost done."
K speaks up, her tone gentle and quiet.

it's always been like this for nightcord.

it's almost like routine for all four of them, one they all enjoy together.

Mafuyu wishes it could've stayed this way.

 

───────────────────

 

it's been 19 years since they had last had a meeting on nightcord.

it's currently 1:24 PM in the hospital.

it's been a month since Kanade was admitted to the hospital.

 

───────────────────

 

the hospital is bustling with noise, patients, doctors, nurses rushing through the halls left and right. typical day for mafuyu, but...

she stops to a specific room during her lunch break.

Mafuyu's hand reaches out to grasp the doorknob, turning it and pushing the door open. she gets greeted to the sight of her patient, and her girlfriend, Yoisaki Kanade, and her old friend, and patient's 24/7 caretaker, Shinonome Ena.

Mafuyu walks into the room, shutting the door quietly behind her. her eyes watch Kanade on the bed as she sleeps soundfully from the medication Mafuyu prescribed her to force her to go to sleep.

then her eyes land onto Ena, who's lounging on the sofa chair next to Kanade's bed, scrolling on her phone.

"what are you doing."
Mafuyu snaps, glaring at Ena. her eyes are swollen from the sleepless nights she spends at the hospital, her eyebags long sunken into her skin ever since she became a licensed doctor.

to Mafuyu, Ena is being careless and ignorant. instead of watching over Kanade and monitoring her, she's scrolling on her phone, acting like she has more important things to do.

Mafuyu marches over to where Ena sits, towering over her as her hand reaches out to grasp Ena's phone and tear it away from her.
"quit slacking off. you should be watching her."
Mafuyu's tone is firm as she carelessly throws Ena's phone onto the bedside table next to her, approaching Kanade's bed to check her pulse.

Ena stands up, fists clenched in frustration.
"what was that for, Mafuyu!? she's fine! i put her to sleep after she ate. she's fine."
Ena growled out, her tone laced with anger and exhaustion.

"that's not enough. you should've checked on her pulse, her breathing, if she's even asleep."
Mafuyu adjusts a few pillows on Kanade's bed. Kanade stirs, but Mafuyu reassures by cupping and caressing her cheek.

"oh, chill out! you're being paranoid! it's only been a month since she's been admitted and you're acting like she's near death everyday."
Ena crosses her arms, and rolls her eyes. she's annoyed by Mafuyu's constant paranoia of Kanade's condition, and her constant nagging on how she should monitor Kanade's every move.

"and she is. she's been having more trouble sleeping than she did before, and even the sleeping pills i've been giving her are lasting shorter."
Mafuyu responds solemnly, her back still facing Ena. her eyes watch Kanade's face, glued to the way her chest rises and falls gently with each breath, to the way her eyelids and fingers twitch while she sleeps peacefully. every time she sees even the slightest pause makes her panic.

"but it's still helping! and i don't want to be seeing you putting excessive drugs on her just so her symptoms would smoothen out. she's fine."
Ena argues, putting her hands on her hips as she glares at Mafuyu's back.

"i wouldn't do that to her if it would worsen her symptoms. i'd only do that to dull her symptoms."
Mafuyu makes no move to face Ena, her eyes watching Kanade closely as if expecting her heart to stop.
but Ena's hand reaches out to grasp Mafuyu's shoulder, forcing her to turn her body to face her.

her eyes meet Mafuyu's, both glaring back at each other. she can see the exhaustion in Mafuyu's eyes, the light drained from inside. it's been days since Mafuyu got any proper sleep, and she's been sleeping at the hospital for nearly a week.

"go home, Mafuyu. you need a break. all of the doctors and nurses are worried about you."
Ena says firmly, gripping Mafuyu's shoulder tight. Ena knows Mafuyu can get as stubborn as Kanade whenever she wants to, but that doesn't deter her from being concerned for her friend.

Mafuyu pushes Ena's hand away from her shoulder, turning to face her back towards Ena once more
"i'll be fine, don't worry about me. i can watch her for the rest of the day, you can go home."
Mafuyu blankly reassures, her voice clearly hoarse and laced with fatigue.

"you've been telling me that for 4 days straight!"
Ena is harsher this time, grabbing Mafuyu's shoulders with both hands and forcing her to turn to her and look at her.
"you're going home whether you like it or not! you won't be able to help Kanade if you pass out!"
Ena yells at Mafuyu, leaning in closer to voice her frustration clearer. she's worried about Mafuyu, and even afraid she might be the next one to get admitted to the hospital if she doesn't rest for at least a few days.

Mafuyu avoids Ena's gaze. it's true, she's been ignoring her own needs in favor for Kanade. she's been reaching out to multiple doctors on what to do, and a lot are researching on Kanade becuase of how rare the disease is. despite that, Mafuyu is still paranoid, knowing the high mortality rate of the condition. she can't risk losing Kanade now.

"but i need to-"
Ena cuts Mafuyu off.
"i'll take care of it! go home. Kanade will be fine with me, i usually have a day off on the weekends. i can watch over her for today."
Ena reassures, easing her grip on Mafuyu's shoulders as she looks into her eyes, stern yet also troubled by Mafuyu's habits.

"...i'll go."
Mafuyu mumbles, placing her hand on Ena's before gently pushing Ena's hands off her shoulders. she flashes Ena the slightest smile before leaving the room.

 

───────────────────

 

it's currently 7:34 PM.

 

Mafuyu has filed a leave, which none of her coworkers even blame her for and encouraged her to get some rest after she dealt with one last patient.

has slept the entire afternoon on an empty stomach.

she's woken up around 7 PM, planning her cook herself the simplest dinner to at least got some food into her stomach, until the doorbell rings.

Mafuyu groans, standing up from the fridge as she slams it closed and drags herself to the door. she didn't order anything, or invite anyone over, so she has no idea what to expect.

 

"yahoo!~"
Mizuki waves as soon as Mafuyu opens the door, a bright smile plastered on her face. Mizuki steps into the house as Mafuyu barely acknowledges her.

Mafuyu watches Mizuki step in, shedding her heels at the doorstep as Mizuki turns to face Mafuyu. it's been a while since Mafuyu has seen Mizuki, seeing as she seems engrossed in mostly fashion and her work at a boutique. nevertheless, the woman is being cheeky today to try and cheer Mafuyu up.

"you look horrible, Mafuyu~ you look like a bear mauled you and spit you out!"
Mizuki laughs, putting down her bags at the dining table as she carries herself to the kitchen.

"mm."
Mafuyu hums, watching Mizuki walk to the kitchen while she's still stuck at the doorstep trying to process everything and the overwhelming scent of Mizuki's perfume.
she watches as Mizuki starts taking out loads of ingredients onto the kitchen counter, neatly organising them. it's unexpected, but Mizuki knows her way around the kitchen somehow...
"why the sudden visit?"

Mizuki chuckles, already grabbing a chopping board and a knife as if this were her kitchen.
"sorry for the lack of greetings, Ena messaged me telling me you barely ate this whole week, and i couldn't help myself but rush over to cook something up for you to eat after she sent you home~"
Mizuki winks at Mafuyu from the kitchen, seemingly chopping up vegetables.

Mafuyu finally steps away from the doorstep and approaches Mizuki at the kitchen, standing by her awkwardly.

"that's fine. i can cook something for myself."
she reaches out to try and take the knife away from Mizuki before Mizuki swats her hand away.

"no can do, missy! you need rest, and you need it now!"
Mizuki drops the knife on the cutting board, turning to Mafuyu with a playful stern tone, putting her hands on her hips.
"take a nap on the couch while i handle things from here."
Mizuki smirks.

"i already did. i just woke up from one."
Mafuyu stares back at Mizuki with lazy eyes, slowly blinking as if she's still half asleep.

"well, you look like you're sleepwalking."
Mizuki's smirk widens before she grabs Mafuyu by the arm and starts dragging her to her bedroom.
"and it looks like you still haven't had enough sleep."

Mizuki easily tucks Mafuyu in from her lack of restraint and moves to the light switch to turn off the lights.
"sleep some more. i'll call you when i'm done cooking."
Mizuki's tone softens as she glances back at Mafuyu with a soft smile before leaving the room and closing the door.

despite everything happening so quickly, a small smile blooms on Mafuyu's lips as she stares at the door.

"thanks, Mizuki."

before she falls asleep.

Notes:

i am literally writing this on a dusty old laptop which the period key doesnt even fuckinf work so i gotta copy paste it URGHRSGRHSGHGR

also its so hilarious that i wrote the draft in discord LMAO

and sorry guyyyyys correction it's kanade's FIRST month into the condition sorry guyyyyssssssssss sooorrrrrryyyyyyyyyy

i rushed the last part fuck

Chapter 3: " caretaker "

Summary:

mizuki and mafuyu talk. thats it

feeding you mizumafuers

Notes:

*mgulp* heyyyyyy... it's almost been a week

pls bare w me ts might be super short

mizumafu crumbs REAL/j

"mafuyuuu!~ food's ready!"
Mizuki called out from the kitchen as she plated the food she's been cooking. the kitchen smells great.

Mafuyu groans, sitting up in bed. she's taken two naps since the afternoon, and still feels like she could sleep for the rest of the week.
"...coming."
Mafuyu stretches languidly as she throws her legs over the bed, getting up and dragging herself to the kitchen.

"it smells good. what did you cook?"
Mafuyu approaches Mizuki's side, standing by her as she glances at the food Mizuki has plated.

Mizuki trails off on the mountain of food she's cooked, naming every plate.

Mafuyu remembers the first time Mizuki has cooked for her. it isn't the first time Mizuki has cooked for her.

"i remember the first dish you cooked for me. beef stew, was it?"
Mafuyu speaks up abruptly, breaking Mizuki's chain of words. beef stew was supposedly Mafuyu's favourite dish despite never remembering it's taste before. it's what her mother always cooked for her.

"oh, yeah! you're right. that was your favourite, wasn't it?"
Mizuki glances at Mafuyu.
"though... i'm guessing you don't have any favourites anymore since you still can't taste..."
Mizuki chuckles nervously.

"that's fine. i'll still eat, since you insist."
Mafuyu responds.

"of course you're still eating! i'm not leaving you on an empty stomach to collapse!"
Mizuki scolds before grabbing Mafuyu by her shoulders, pushing her to sit at the dining table before sitting across Mafuyu, pushing the plates towards her.
"dig in, it's all yours."

Mafuyu glances at the food.
"...all of this?"

Mizuki smirks.
"yeah. here,"
Mizuki stands up to grab Mafuyu a pair of chopsticks, handing it to her as she sits back down.

"...do you really have to watch me eat?"
Mafuyu glances at Mizuki nervously.

"well, duh! i have to make sure you eat until you're full. Ena told me you've been living on coffee and crackers..."
Mizuki pouts playfully at Mafuyu before further pushing the plates towards her.
"go ahead, we can talk about something while you eat."
She smiles at Mafuyu, encouraging her to eat.

"fine."
as Mafuyu takes her first bite of food, Mizuki initiates a conversation.

Mizuki leans forward, resting her cheek on her palm while maintaining eye contact with Mafuyu.
"sooo... tell me, what's gotten you this worked up at the hospital?"
Mizuki tilts her head, with curiosity before looking away nervously, hesitant to admit her assumption.
"...is it because of Kanade?

Mafuyu silently nods in response.

Mizuki sighs, straightening up.
"Mafuyu, i get you're desperate, but at least-"

Mafuyu cuts Mizuki off.
"-take care of myself?"
She guesses with an unreadable expression.

"yes! i mean, look at you!"
the bright tone Mizuki typically holds fades more and more as she watches Mafuyu's features while she eats.
"you have dark circles under your eyes, they're practically swollen too, and you look so pale!"
her brows furrow in worry.
"please... take care of yourself. we're almost losing Kanade, i can't lose you too."

Mafuyu looks away with guilt, setting down her chopsticks on her plate as she sighs.
"i promise i'll try. Ena watches over me at the hospital as much as she watches on Kanade. i'll try eating more often."
Mafuyu reassures, but it doesn't feel genuine. she goes back to eating her food and avoiding Mizuki's gaze, hoping she'd drop the topic.

watching Mafuyu avoid the subject of her own well-being, Mizuki doesn't decide to push, for now.
"...if you say so."
Mizuki hesitates.
"how is Ena doing?"

Mafuyu looks up at Mizuki, swallowing her food before answering.
"doesn't she contact you?"

Mizuki shakes her head.
"no. i guess she's been as busy as i am lately."

"well... she's fine. she volunteered to watch over Kanade, so she's staying at the hospital right now."
Mafuyu reassures.
"we go back and forth between watching over Kanade."

Mizuki smiles softly.
"that's good."
she leans forward, leaning her elbows on the table while resting her cheek against her palm.
"how's Kanade been doing?"

Mafuyu tenses up at the mention of Kanade.
"she's... been having more trouble sleeping, but i prescribed her new sleeping pills, stronger this time, to help her get some rest. other than that, she's fine. she's been eating more than she used to, which makes me less worried."
yet there's still some clear paranoia in Mafuyu's eyes, judging by how she's pushing her food around with her chopsticks.

"what's to be worried about, Mafuyu?"
Mizuki tilts her head with concern.

Mafuyu hesitates.
"it's... nothing."
she sighs, finishing her last bite of food.

Mizuki pauses, looking away from Mafuyu. an awkward silence stretching between them before she speaks up.
"i haven't visited Kanade yet. when are visiting hours open in the hospital?"
Mizuki glances back at Mafuyu, a hopeful glimmer shining in her eyes.

"for sundays... it's around 2 PM to 9 PM."
Mafuyu gathers the plates.
"i can get you scheduled instead so the staff won't bother you. i'll tell Kanade and Ena you're visiting."
Mafuyu stands up, carrying the dirty dishes to the sink before Mizuki stops her.

"i'll deal with that! go back and rest."
Mizuki chuckles, gently pushing Mafuyu aside as she starts rinsing the plates.
"i'll visit next week. i'll message you when i'm visiting."

Mafuyu glances at Mizuki's back, stunned.
"...if you say so."

Mizuki giggles, glancing at Mafuyu over her shoulder.
"i mean it, you need your rest. you deserved it."
she smiles warmly at Mafuyu.

Mafuyu reciprocates, finally meeting Mizuki's gaze.
"...thanks again, Mizuki."
she says before retreating to her room.

 

───────────────────

 

it's currently 8:53 PM.

 

ah, what a day it's been for Mafuyu.

she closes the door of her room on her way in, not bothering to turn on the lights as she flops onto her bed.

she stares at the ceiling, engulfed by the darkness of her room as her thoughts wander.
her phone then pings.
Mafuyu picks up her phone, glancing at the notification.

a message from Ena, simply saying,
"kanade's fallen asleep."

Mafuyu's arm falls back to her side, staring at the ceiling once more as her thoughts swallow her.

Mafuyu knows the sleeping pills she's been giving Kanade has been working less and less, and that only means she'll develop more symptoms.

she can't have that. she can't lost Kanade, after everything they've gone through...

 

she has to find a cure.

Notes:

I WAS SO LAZY WITH THIS CHAPTER AUUGGHHHHH but now we will have all of niigo interacting in the next chap :3

also apologies for the late updates, maybe i might release a chapter every week or so! my mental health isn't doing the best and i have school... thanks for the consideration :3

Notes:

we are cooked gang!1!!

updates will be slow because i have school, and writer's block

and NO GANG my writing is shit so this will be shit and the updates will be slow!! its either yall be patient because if i abandon this fic i WILL go back to it