powerless // f.w

Life Force

Jaeden came in to find them sleeping a few hours later. He took a seat by the window, watching over them.

When Finn woke with a start, Jaeden was there in a second to calm him.

Once Finn had finally relaxed his breathing, Jaeden insisted he get something to eat.

"You haven't eaten in hours dude," Jaeden sighed, "I'll keep watch on her. I promise I'll call you if anything changes"

Finn finally gave in and stood on wobbly legs, kissed Declan's head, and wandered into the fluorescent lights to find something to eat.

He didn't find the cafeteria. Instead he stumbled into Cam's room. The boy had his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling steadily with his calm breath. His sister Maya was asleep near him.

Finn walked over to his bed.

He stared at the boy in front of him. He remembered how, when he first met Cam, he thought Cameron and Declan were dating. They were so... close. They understood each other like telepathy. Like two halves of one being. They were one entity. But at the same time, he learned to see the pieces of them that were unique. Cam was a force of perseverance and hard work. He never rested a day. He was constantly doing something bigger and more impactful and crazier than the last thing. But he also got consumed in things; too devoted to them, even when they got toxic. He had a hard time letting go and moving on. He got stressed easily. He was a worrier. He lashed out sometimes. Finn remembered waiting outside their trailer while they had a screaming match. Cam had never sounded so scary. Even when he had threatened Finn to his face in Declan's room. But he was fearless with his kindness. Even in his moments of aggression or anger, it was all out of kindness.

"Thank you" He whispered, "For everything you've done for her. For everything you've done for me. And for us. You've been the best person to her. To all of us. And you've gotten her through everything in her life. Every single thing. I'm gonna take care of you guys as best as I can. I can promise you that. I'm sorry that this happened. I'm sorry I let this happen to you, I'm sorry. I'm sorry..." He started to choke up.

He startled when Maya suddenly put a hand on his shoulder.

"That was very sweet" The girl smiled sadly at him, her hair the same curly texture as Cam's with his same eyes and kind smile.

"I didn't mean to wake you" He apologized as he stood up and rubbed at his face.

"Eh, I'm a light sleeper" She shrugged and led them to the window, "So how is Declan doing?"

"Not really sure. They say that her condition is stable and that nothing has changed" He muttered as he made his way over.

"I'm sorry that she seems to have gotten the worst of all this" Maya huffed as they both sat down.

"I just want them both to be alright" Finn sighed.

"They're gonna be okay. They're gonna come out of this" Maya placed a comforting hand on his leg.

"Yeah" Finn strained to smile.

"You want a sandwich? Mom makes them better than anything they give you here" Maya offered, pointing to the bag next to her.

"Sure" Finn nodded. The girl smiled as she handed him the food, and Finn noticed how painfully similar her smile was to Cam's. Same brightness. Same genuine warmth.

"How's Cam?" He asked the girl.

"Stable" She sat back and shrugged, her gaze wandering to the boy in the bed behind Finn, "Odd word to choose, don't you think? Stable. Because it only takes them one second not to be. Doesn't feel very stable. Or comforting"