A Light In The Dark

A Light in the Dark - Part Seven

The morning was quiet except for the sound of Percy's labored breathing as he struggled to sit up in bed. His body, still racked by the constant tremors, made even this simple task feel impossible. He stared down at his legs trembled like the rest of his body, and sighed in frustration. The thought of someone new coming into his life—into his homemade his chest tightened.

Today was the day. His first day with a full-time caregiver.

Posidon had tried to break the news gently, explaining that Percy needed more help than he could give alone. Despite Percy's protests, the reality was that he could no longer manage without someone's assistance throughout the day. Percy had been dreading this moment ever since the doctor mentioned that the disease was progressing faster than anticipated.

The doorbell rang, breaking the silence in the apartment. Posidon hurried to answer it, casting a glance back at Percy before stepping out of his room.

Percy sank back into the pillows, a mix of dread and resignation washing over him. He didn't want this. He didn't want to feel like an invalid who needed someone to babysit him all day. But deep down, he knew it was necessary. The tremors were getting worse, his body weaker, and even the smallest tasks were slipping beyond his reach.

A few moments later, the sound of soft voices drifted down the hall, followed by the sound of footsteps. His Father entered the room first, followed by a tall man with short dark hair, wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans. He carried himself with a quiet confidence, though his eyes softened as he glanced at Percy.

"Percy," Poseidon said, walking over to his son's bedside. "This is Adam. He's going to be helping you from now on."

Adam offered a kind smile, extending his hand toward Percy. "It's good to meet you, Percy. I'm here to help out, however you need."

Percy stared at Adam's hand for a second before forcing himself to take it, though his own trembled uncontrollably. "H-hey," he mumbled, his voice shaky, his words slurred together as they often were now.

Adam didn't seem fazed by Percy's shaking. He gently shook Percy's hand, then sat down in the chair beside the bed. "I know this is probably a lot to take in. I just want you to know that I'm here to make things easier for you. Whatever you need, whether it's getting around, helping with meals, or anything else, we'll figure it out together."

Percy nodded but didn't meet Adam's gaze. He felt a lump in his throat, a mixture of embarrassment and frustration rising within him. He hated feeling like this—helpless, like a burden. He glanced over at his dad, who gave him an encouraging nod.

"Adam's been a caregiver for a long time," Poseidon said. "He's experienced, and I think you two will get along just fine."

Percy sighed softly, biting back the sarcastic comment that threatened to slip out. "Y-yeah," he managed to say, though his voice wavered. His body jerked slightly from the tremors, and he tightened his grip on the blanket.

Adam stood up after a moment, giving Percy a bit of space. "No pressure today, Percy. We'll take it slow, just getting used to everything. How about I help you get ready? We can take our time."

Percy hesitated but eventually nodded. He couldn't do this alone anymore, and as much as he hated admitting it, he needed help. "O-okay."

With practiced ease, Adam moved to Percy's side, helping him maneuver into a sitting position. He worked with care, his hands steady as he supported Percy's back and legs before transferring Percy into his wheelchair.

To Percy's surprise, Adam moved slowly, making sure Percy was comfortable every step of the way. There was no rush, no awkwardness. It was strange, but Adam's presence felt less like an intrusion and more like support—a calming reassurance that Percy hadn't known he needed.

Once Percy was settled in his wheelchair, Adam stepped back, giving him space to adjust. "How does that feel?" he asked.

Percy flexed his hands, trying to calm the tremors. "F-fine," he said, though his voice wavered again. It felt strange to be this vulnerable in front of a stranger, but there was something about Adam's calm demeanor that put him a little more at ease.

"Good," Adam said with a small smile. "How about some breakfast? I can make us something simple, or if you'd like, I can help you with whatever you feel like having."

Percy glanced up, still feeling uneasy about the whole situation. But the exhaustion from his tremors and the weight of his disease made him realize how tired he was. "S-sure... I c-could eat."

Adam nodded, moving to the door. "I'll go make something. Take your time."

As Adam left the room, Percy sat quietly in his wheelchair, his thoughts swirling. He hadn't expected things to go this smoothly—he hadn't expected to feel... almost comfortable with a stranger. But Adam wasn't hovering over him, wasn't pushing him to do things he wasn't ready for. Instead, he was just there, in the background, ready to help when needed.

Posidon walked over, placing a gentle hand on Percy's shoulder. "How are you feeling, bud?"

Percy swallowed, unsure how to answer. "I d-don't know. It's w-weird," he admitted. "B-but he's okay. It's n-not as b-bad as I thought."

Posidon smiled, relieved. "Good. I'm glad. Adam seems like a good fit for you. And remember, he's here to help, not to take over your life."

"I kn-know," Percy replied, his voice quieter now. "I j-just... don't w-want to be a b-burden."

"You're not a burden," Poseidon said firmly. "You're my son, and we're going to get through this together. You and me, and now Adam too."

Percy nodded, though the weight of his illness still hung over him like a dark cloud. It wasn't easy, and it wouldn't be, but maybe, just maybe, having someone like Adam around wasn't the worst thing in the world.