Sonder

Chapter 17

It was already afternoon when Xavian woke up. Despite the heaviness on his head, he immediately sat up. He still had time to go to his part-time job.

Xavian stopped in his tracks when he saw Lance sleeping on the chair. His posture looked painful for his back as Lance uncomfortably leaned on the wall.

Xavian's eyes softened at the sight. A stray lock of hair fell on Lance's face, making him frown in his sleep. Xavian carefully removed it from Lance's face.

Xavian noticed how well the sunlight reflected off his face. Xavian stood there for a while, like time had stopped. Without realizing it himself, his face looked so gentle, as if he were looking at someone who was precious.

Lance's hair is emitting a soft light under the sun's rays, just like the warm rays of the sun on a sunny day. He looked so bright and captivating.

Xavian didn't even notice that he was already running late for work or how sore his throat was and how dizzy he was from the fever.

The only thing on his mind was...

Lance.

Xavian's heart suddenly felt so warm, and he couldn't explain why. Lance has always been with him whenever he is down. Xavian never thought someone could care about him so much.

Xavian spent so many years taking care of himself that he forgot what it feels like when someone is there for you. Xavian felt the dark clouds that had been piling up on his head and heart had finally started to disperse.

Xavian's thoughts wandered back to last night, when he almost kissed Lance. He unconsciously looks at Lance's lips, they look so soft under the rays of the sun.

Noticing his thoughts, Xavian gulped and looked away.

Xavian didn't know if he would feel afraid of these emotions that kept on getting stronger, maybe he was just confused, or maybe he yearned for this kind of care. However, he was certain that this feeling in his heart was a pleasant feeling that he wanted to treasure.

Even Xavian himself is quite surprised at how easily he opened his heart to Lance and how easily he trusted him despite all the walls he built up so that he wouldn't get hurt again.

It's just that...it's not hard to trust Lance. Being vulnerable and sharing his problems doesn't seem so terrifying or shameful.

It just felt so normal and natural.

Xavian didn't know how to return to the past. Sometimes Xavian wonders if this is all just a beautiful dream-that one day he will wake up and Lance will be gone.

For some reason, it made him feel afraid.

Lance stirred in his sleep. "Xavian..." Lance rubbed his eyes as they adjusted to the light.

"You're already awake? I made some lugaw, you should eat some before you drink your medicine." Lance had to make and cook it a few more times because he accidentally burned the first batch. This time Lance tasted it first before serving it to Xavian, he was already sick, and Lance didn't want to accidentally poison him.

There are a few burns and bandages on Lance's hands, he probably wouldn't be able to paint for a few days, but it was worth it. He wanted to take care of Xavian.

Lance knew Xavian was used to taking care of himself without asking for any help.

Lance wanted to make Xavian feel that it was okay to rest. Lance may not be able to remove all of Xavian's problems, but he wanted to be there for Xavian the best way he could.