In A Day Or Two

Chapter 6: The Burden

I've been staying at the Pearsons' for quite some time now. Xianon doesn't want me to leave—not after what happened yesterday. She'd had another episode, worse than the last, and we all decided it was safer to bring her to the hospital before anything else happened. Everyone's worried. We try not to say it out loud, but her condition... it's getting worse.

When I stepped into her room, the smell of antiseptic and the low hum of the machines greeted me. She was awake, sitting up slightly against the pillows, her pale face softening when she saw me.

"How are you feeling?" I asked gently, walking closer until I was standing by her bed.

"Much better," she said, and her voice was so quiet I almost missed it. She reached out, wrapping her arms around me in a soft hug the moment I sat down. Her smile warmed me in a way nothing else could. "Where's Mum?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "Didn't see her. She was already gone when I arrived."

Her lips curved a little. "How are Aqua and Blue?"

Oh. The fishes.

"Still swimming?" I replied, uncertain.

She let out a small laugh and gave my arm a playful push. "Jerk."

"What? How would I know? Fishes don't talk," I defended, feigning innocence.

"Well, you could've just said they're fine and eating on time," she said, crossing her arms in mock annoyance.

I chuckled, leaning in to kiss the top of her head before pulling her into my arms. I didn't bother answering. I just held her. I missed her—so much—and right now, I didn't want to let go.

"I missed the sea," she murmured into my chest, her voice muffled but wistful.

"And you didn't miss me?" I asked, putting on my best fake frown.

"Of course I do," she said softly, pressing a kiss to my nose before hugging me again.

I smiled faintly, running my fingers through her hair, smoothing it gently. "Well, if you really miss the sea, you'd better recover immediately."

"Aye aye, captain," she mumbled against me, her lips curving into the smallest smile. I felt it more than I saw it.

And I stayed there, holding her, trying not to think about how fragile she felt in my arms—or how much I hated the thought of her ever slipping away.

Days pass too quickly. We're out again, pretending like everything is fine. Sometimes Xia only has mild attacks—dizziness, vomiting—but other times, it's worse. The coughing fits leave blood on her lips, and I can't deny how much it terrifies me. We can't do much about it anymore, yet she keeps fighting, moving through life as if nothing's wrong. But at night, when the house is quiet, I sometimes hear her crying in her room. I know she's struggling, the same way I am—just silently, in our own corners.

Nothing's changed except my love for her. It's grown heavier, deeper. And with each passing day, I can't shake the truth gnawing at the back of my mind—she won't be here for long. I hate myself for thinking it, because even imagining it feels like it's already killing me. Xia has been my home for months now, and if I lose her... my whole world will collapse with her.

"Earth to Francis..." her voice cuts through my thoughts, light and teasing.

I blink, forcing a smile. "Sorry, what were you saying?" I scratch the back of my neck, trying to hide the heaviness in my head.

"I said I wanna go swimming." She points toward the glittering sea.

"Baby, it's too hot." I groan, dragging the word out. "I don't wanna get sunburned."