The Scientist

Xisuma

Xisuma pov:

From where I stood, looking at Xavier, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of guilt settle deeper in my chest. The bruise on his head was so noticeable—spanning from his temple to the back of his head, even touching his ear. The way it looked now, with those sickly yellow and purple tones, told me it wasn’t fresh, but that didn’t make me feel any better about it. I knew I had caused it, and every time I looked at him, it was a painful reminder of my mistake.

He didn’t seem interested in talking much, which was understandable given his condition. Xavier was always more reserved, especially when he was hurt, and today was no exception. Instead, he clung to Hels, finding comfort in his presence. Honestly, I wasn’t fussed about that. It was... kind of sweet, actually. There was something about seeing the two of them together, Xavier holding on so tightly, that made me feel a little less terrible. At least he had someone he trusted right now, even if it wasn’t me.

Still, his overall state was worrying. He looked exhausted—dark circles under his eyes, his usual sharpness dulled. And what was most concerning? He barely ate or drank anything. I tried not to let my concern show too much, but every time he pushed away a glass of water or ignored the food set in front of him, my heart sank a little deeper.

I just wanted him to be okay, but I knew I couldn’t force him. If I pushed too hard, it might only make things worse. So, I let him be, hoping that when he was ready, he’d talk or at least take care of himself. Until then, all I could do was stand by and hope Hels’s quiet support was enough to help Xavier get through this.

We had moved from across the hallway into my own apartment, and I was trying to coax Xavier into drinking some warm water, but he stubbornly refused. I could see the slight frustration in Hels's eyes as he watched Xavier, his expression a mix of concern and determination. Eventually, after what felt like a small eternity of gentle persuasion, Hels decided to take matters into his own hands. “C’mon, Xavier, just a little sip? It’ll help,” he urged, gently pulling at his hand to get him to sit up.

Xavier remained unmoving, his gaze fixed on the floor. It was as if he were in a world of his own, wrapped in whatever thoughts consumed him. I could sense Hels’s patience wearing thin, and I didn’t blame him. After a few moments of quiet coaxing, Hels switched tactics, trying to coax Xavier into the bed. “Look, it’s just a bruise. You’re safe to sleep. Let’s get you comfortable, okay?”

After some hesitation, Xavier finally relented, shifting slightly to hold Hels's hand more firmly as he settled back against the couch. Before I knew it, his eyelids grew heavy, and soon enough, he was asleep, still clutching Hels's hand as if it were a lifeline.

Watching him drift off, I felt a wave of concern mixed with relief wash over me. “Hels, I have to ask,” I began, lowering my voice to keep the moment intimate. “Why do you trust him so much? Why does he trust you?”

Hels glanced at Xavier before answering, his brow furrowed in thought. “Trauma bonded, I guess? If I had to guess, it’s something deeper than that, though. I feel like there's more to it than just shared pain. He has a unique perspective on things, you know? And honestly, he’s such a unique person. I’ve barely ever seen anyone like him, especially with his condition.” He let his gaze linger on Xavier’s bandaged hand, a soft look in his eyes.

“Why did you guys call each other Xisuma and Wels?” I asked, curious about the names they had chosen for one another. “Was that just a nickname?”

Hels chuckled lightly, shaking his head. “Not quite. We did it so we’d never forget your names. It was a way to keep our family close to us, even when we felt so far apart. I didn’t realize it wasn’t his real name until after I met you. You look so much different than he does, even though he said you guys were twins.”