Space Man

Panic

Xavier stayed for a little while longer, his teasing gradually softening into a more thoughtful silence. He moved around the room, checking on the various machines and giving me a few last pieces of advice before he finally stood up, stretching slightly. "Alright, I’ll leave you to it. Joe’s about to get an earful about admin work, so wish me luck," he said, flashing a grin.

I rolled my eyes, feeling the familiar lightness in his teasing. "Good luck with that," I replied, though I was pretty sure Joe wouldn't make it easy for him.

Xavier shot me one last playful look before heading for the door. "Take care of him, Keralis. I’ll check in later," he said, his voice warm with the kind of concern that only family could give. And then, with a final wave, he was gone, leaving me alone in the quiet room.

I turned back to Xisuma, still curled up in his sleep, looking so peaceful and vulnerable without his usual armor. There was something almost angelic about the way he looked now—his face relaxed, free from the tension that always seemed to hang around him. I couldn’t help but marvel at the subtle scars that traced across his face, the gentle freckles that dotted his skin, and the strong yet delicate jawline that made him look so striking.

I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen him like this. Without his usual mask, both literal and metaphorical. It was strange, yet comforting. The soft, rhythmic sound of his breathing filled the silence between us as I gently sat down beside him, just taking in the moment.

As I reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from his face, I was reminded of how much he had been carrying alone. How much he’d been hiding beneath the surface, even from those who cared about him. I wasn’t sure what the future would bring, or how long it would take for him to heal, but in that moment, I knew one thing for sure: I wouldn’t let him do it alone anymore.

The room was quiet, peaceful. Just me and the sleeping angel beside me, and for once, I felt like we were both in the right place. I laid my head down next to him, holding his hand as I sat in the chair beside his bed, the steady beeping of the heart monitor a quiet, reassuring presence in the otherwise still room. It was comforting to hear—proof that he was still here, still with us, despite everything.

The dim lights above flickered occasionally, casting soft shadows across his face, which was more relaxed than I’d ever seen it. His breathing was slow and steady, though the small rise and fall of his chest reminded me of how fragile he was at this moment. The strong, steady Xisuma I knew was nowhere to be found, replaced by a vulnerable, exhausted version of him. He needed rest. And I was more than willing to stay by his side until he got it.

A soft vibration in my pocket broke the silence, and I pulled out my communicator, glancing at the screen. It was a message from Xavier.

“When he wakes up, he will probably panic a lot, just so you know. And he needs to eat something small and easy on the tummy, like yogurt or oatmeal.”

I read it over twice, mentally preparing myself for what might come next. Xisuma had a habit of shutting down when things became overwhelming, and waking up in an unfamiliar place, without his armor or his usual routines, might cause him to feel even more disoriented.

I looked at his still form, gently brushing a lock of his hair away from his face. He looked so peaceful now, so fragile, but I knew that the calm would not last forever. The panic Xavier warned about would likely come soon enough, and when it did, I needed to be ready to help him through it. It wouldn’t be easy, but I would stay with him. For as long as it took.

As I settled back in my seat, I noticed the soft, rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor again. The quiet sound of it, combined with the occasional shift in his breathing, was oddly soothing. The anxiety that had been building in my chest seemed to melt away, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to just be present. To not worry about what would happen next, but to focus on the here and now. Right now, Xisuma needed me, and that was enough.