(5 Years Later)
And so, days blurred into weeks, weeks stretched into months, and before they knew it, years had slipped away like sand through their fingers. Yet, through the ever-flowing tide of time, one thing remained unchanged.
The unbreakable bond between Helios and Poseidon. It did not just endure; it deepened, strengthening into something unshakable. They grew up side by side, yet their paths, though intertwined, led them to become strikingly different.
One radiated warmth, a beacon of light that naturally drew others in. Strong and ever determined. A force of positivity that turned even the bleakest moments golden.
The other, however, became the quintessence of quiet resilience, an untouchable, steady north star who moved through life with an almost unshaken calm, adapting to whatever storms came his way.
Two opposites, yet bound together like the sun and the sea, complementing each other in ways no one else could understand.
In Poseidon's hospital room, now more of a personal space than a medical ward. Everything seemed ordinary at first glance. A study table stood against the wall, a wardrobe nearby, an extra couch for Helios to stay over, and two cricket gear bags resting beside a towering bookshelf filled with books.
Yet, despite this semblance of normalcy, the ever-present reminders of his condition remained: medicine boxes stacked neatly on the bedside table, labels scattered around, Oxygen machine resting on side, and the silent IV stand standing like an unshakable watchman beside his bed.
Poseidon sat on the bed, his legs dangling freely as he flipped through the pages of a book. His white curly hair had grown slightly longer, his frame still slim but no longer fragile. Though his skin remained pale, the golden sunlight streaming through the window lent him an ethereal glow. Taking a deep breath, he turned his face toward the breeze that filtered in and exhaled with a smile. "The weather is nice today," he murmured.
"Yeah, it is..." Helios responded absentmindedly from his seat at the foot of the bed, his wavy blue hair pushed back by a headband. He had grown taller, his posture more confident. Books lay open before him as he sat hunched over the chair, pen tapping rhythmically against his forehead in thought.
Poseidon glanced at him from time to time, effortlessly guiding him through tricky problems.
"Wow~ You're a genius. I didn't even notice that was written in the book," Helios admitted as he quickly copied down the answer.
Poseidon chuckled lightly, "Silly, I just read the book properly. Unlike you, who only skims through it."
"Yeah, yeah~ Poseidon's a genius. I am no match," Helios teased playfully.
They had been through so much together, yet their perseverance and unwavering companionship had become second nature.
Poseidon smiled before suddenly shutting his book, "Are you done?"
"Almost. Just need to color the diagram. Want to do it together?" Helios offered, holding out a red color pencil.
Poseidon hesitated, "Are you sure? Won't your teacher mind?"
Helios grinned mischievously, grabbing a yellow pencil for himself. "Nah, she won't even notice."
Side by side, they bent over the paper, coloring like two artists lost in their craft.
"Did you draw this heart by yourself?" Poseidon asked, visibly impressed.
"Yep! Cool, right?" Helios beamed.
"You should consider being a part-time artist," Poseidon mused.
"Haha, alongside being a doctor? Now that's demanding…" Helios laughed.
At the doorway, Sehan leaned against the frame, silently watching the two boys with a fond smile.
Then, as if recalling something, Helios turned to Poseidon, "Oh, right."
Poseidon paused mid-coloring, glancing up, "What is it?"
Helios's face lit up with excitement, "After this semester, I'll be a middle schooler!"
Poseidon blinked in surprise, "Huh? Really?!"
Helios nodded eagerly, "Yeah! I just need to finish my final exams, pass with top grades, and that's it!"
Poseidon's smile softened, "That's amazing. Then… will you read your new books to me?"
"Of course!" Helios exclaimed, but his enthusiasm wavered for a moment. A flicker of hesitation passed through his eyes. Then, as if acting on impulse, he asked, "Why don't you come with me?"
Poseidon froze. A shadow of uncertainty crossed his face. For a moment, silence settled between them before he finally spoke, his voice quieter now, "I don't think I can." His fingers clenched slightly around the color pencil. "I'm not supposed to be out of bed for too long. How could I attend school? I can barely play cricket with you, and that's only after Sehan begs the doctors a hundred times. And… I get seizures as well and…" His voice grew even fainter, eyes lowering to the page, "...I don't want to be a burden."
The words had barely left his lips when Helios's expression darkened. In an instant, he grabbed Poseidon's shoulders. His grip firm but not rough.
"You're not a burden. Don't ever say that!" His voice carried a quiet but fierce protectiveness, his usual lightheartedness replaced with an undeniable seriousness, "Geez, how many times do I have to tell you that?" He exhaled sharply, dropping back into his chair with a dull thud.
Poseidon blinked, startled, "Ah… sorry. I didn't mean it…" But his voice was weak, and the small smile that formed on his lips didn't quite reach his eyes.
Sehan, who had been watching the exchange in silence, finally leaned back against the doorway, arms crossed, "I'll ask, then."
Both Helios and Poseidon snapped their heads toward him, eyes widening, a glimmer of hope flickering within them.
"Sehan!" Helios called out.
Sehan simply shrugged, resting his head against the doorframe, "How's that?"
"Yeah! I'll ask too! I'll tell Mother and Father that I'll take care of you," Helios added quickly.
Poseidon still looked uncertain, confusion lingering in his expression. But beneath it, something stirred. Something small yet persistent. An unfamiliar but daring hope. Finally, after a long pause, he gave a nod.
Helios placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice steady, unwavering, "Don't worry… I'm right here by your side."
Poseidon didn't answer immediately. But when he smiled this time, it was resolute.
The day soon fading, the last speck of twilight dissolving into the evening. Poseidon's room, as usual, was filled with activity. Karin, Sehan, Sahil, and Layla had all gathered. Their presence bringing both routine and warmth. Layla and Sahil busied themselves with Poseidon's check-ups, while Karin remained close by, offering quiet reassurances with simple gestures.
Meanwhile, Helios lay sprawled on the couch, his hair a disheveled mess. He and Sehan were locked in a game, the occasional bursts of excitement breaking through the steady hum of medical procedures.
"It doesn't hurt, right?" Layla asked softly, her fingers brushing against Poseidon's hand after another IV drip had been inserted.
Poseidon smiled, shaking his head lightly. But as he stared at his trembling hand, a familiar heaviness settled over him, the quiet pain, the forced effort to wear the same mask over and over again.
"Haha! I won!" Just then, Sehan's voice rang out as he jumped in excitement, catching the gaming console that Helios had tossed toward him.
"Tch, why are you so good?" Helios groaned, stuffing his face into the pillow, clearly annoyed.
Sehan grinned, "That's experience for you. Who told you to give me an outswinger on the last ball? Obviously, I was going for the big shot."
"I hate you," Helios muttered dully.
Sehan only laughed, his voice rich with amusement, "I love you though, little brat."
Karin and Layla exchanged warm smiles.
"So, you both want to go to the academy together, then?" Sahil asked as he set Poseidon's reports aside.
Hearing that, Helios immediately sat up straight. Poseidon's finger twitched, he looked low. "Yeah! Please, Father. I promise I'll take care of him!" Helios exclaimed.
Poseidon remained silent. He knew better than to get his hopes up. It was just a request. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Hm…" Sahil hummed as he glanced at the reports, "Judging from these results, Poseidon has been improving steadily. His recovery progress is satisfactory, and lately, there haven't been any paralysis seizures. His longest streak has been a week and four days. Plus, he's been playing with you two a lot, which is great news."
Helios perked up, sneaking a glance at Sehan before turning to Poseidon. But Poseidon only stared at his hands. Even after hearing such promising news, Helios knew he wasn't truly contented. Because…
"But…" Sahil continued. That word. It was inevitable. It always was.
"I still want to keep Poseidon under supervision," Sahil said.
Poseidon let a known smile.
Sahil observing his expression, let a small smile break through, "Two more weeks. If Poseidon's condition remains stable, then you both can attend middle school together. Any Academy you like."
Hearing him, Poseidon's head snapped up, his expression frozen in disbelief.
Sahil smiled, warmth filling his features, "Did you really think I was going to stop you again?"
Unable to meet his gaze, Poseidon lowered his head. A barely audible whisper slipped from his lips, "Really…?"
"Haha! That's amazing!" Helios shot up from his seat, throwing his arms around Sahil in excitement, "Thank you, Dad! I love you, tons!!"
Sahil chuckled, ruffling Helios's messy hair, "Silly kid."
Layla, who had been gently combing through Poseidon's hair, smiled, "There's no need to be so surprised. Karin, Sahil, and I have been discussing this for a while now. Poseidon has lost too much of his time. Time he should have spent having fun. So, we think it's time he steps out of his shell."
Karin nodded, placing a comforting hand on Poseidon's back. He only nodded in response, still at a loss for words.