CHAPTER 166

CHAPTER 166
AUTHOR NOTE: (I sincerely apologize for the late update. Been caught up with a lot of things, but this is the last time you will wait for any update because we are pushing towards the end of this book. Thank you for following me throughout this journey.)

(THREE MONTHS LATER)

The hospital hallway is quiet, the air smells faintly of antiseptic, and the sound of nurses' footsteps echoes off the clean white tiles. 

Xerxes moves slowly and carefully, pushing his IV stand beside him, wearing the hospital gown for patients and slippers, looking like nothing he would have ever expected, and his legs feel weak, but he is pretty determined to get to his destination—to the other side of the floor.

Three months. That’s how long it has been since he has been in the hospital. Time sure flies when you no longer keep count of the days; everything almost feels like it happened yesterday, or it’s like thinking he’s going to finally die one minute, and the next moment, his heart isn’t hurting anymore, and the doctors are doing everything to keep him alive. Xerxes doesn't think he deserves their hard work. They won't want to save him if they know the kind of man that he is. Xerxes was almost craving for the rest, perhaps to have a nice grave and be long gone, but Ciel just won't let him die; it's endearing knowing the efforts he has put in to make sure Xerxes lives.

It’s been three long, dragging months of hope and waiting, but this morning, the nurse had whispered to him during his check-up that he is free to leave his room and have a stroll. Xerxes has been lying on that bed for far too long to reconsider; he takes the first chance he sees.

He reaches the door to Room 208 and doesn't hesitate for a second before slowly pushing it open, and there he is, Sebastian, propped up against the pillows, awake but blinking slowly as his gaze lands on Xerxes like someone trying to believe what they are seeing.

Xerxes flashes him a smile as he gets closer to the bed and then tilts his head, scanning his assistant and best friend over. His legs look like they are going to be in bad shape for a very long time, as they are all wrapped with white bandages, and also his head is wrapped with one. “Well, well. Look who finally decided to stop sleeping like a princess.”

Sebastian turns his head, and for a second, his tired face cracks into a faint smirk. “You look like shit too. Guess we both are having the worst time of our lives,” he mutters, then lets out a cough, his throat dry. He’s only been awake for two hours after being in a coma for three months, according to the doctor, and the world almost feels new and unfamiliar to him. He always thought that if he was going to sleep for a very long time, he was already dead. 

Xerxes lets out a laugh. “Thanks. You don’t look too hot yourself.”

Sebastian’s eyes go glassy, and he looks at the ceiling, leaning his head back. “I thought I died. I remember… Lucas crying… gunshots… I made it. I’m glad to see that you are alive too.”

Xerxes nods. “You are one stubborn man, Vaughn; you took quite the hit and survived. You deserve a second chance at life more than I do. I am glad you made it through.”

“I thought I was dreaming when I saw you walk in,” Sebastian says with a dry chuckle. “Guess I missed you too much.”

Suddenly, the door flies open. They reel at the same time, and Lucas stands at the door, eyes wide, holding a paper cup of coffee that falls out of his hands as his eyes stay locked on Seb, tears forming in his eyes.

“Sebastian?” Lucas whispers, almost unable to believe what he's seeing. It was an hour ago; he swore Seb was still unconscious when he left, and it's been a hell of three months, and now, he's awake, staring at him with pale skin and tired eyes.

Sebastian looks at him, smiling gently. “Hey.”

Lucas suddenly can't find his voice as he takes a step forward, and then he rushes to the bed, throwing his arms around him, hugging him tightly and sobbing into his chest.

“I thought I lost you," Lucas cries, shaking. “You scared me so much… I couldn’t sleep; I couldn’t breathe without you.”

Sebastian reaches up with shaky arms and strokes Lucas’s hair. “I’m sorry,” he says softly, shutting his eyes. “I didn’t mean to stay unconscious for long."

“You didn’t,” Lucas choked out. “You came back to me. You came back.”

Xerxes smiles at the two. “I’ll give you both some time,” he says, then he drags his IV stand toward the door. “Try not to cry all over him. He just woke up,” he says over his shoulder.

Lucas laughs through his tears, still hugging Sebastian tightly. He can't believe it; after three months of what feels like loss of hope and helplessness, he gets to feel like this. 

As Xerxes steps into the hallway and shuts the door behind him. He sighs, his heart feeling lighter than it had in months, something he is not used to feeling. But just as he turned the corner, someone crashed into him, too. He instantly wears a smile.

“XERXES!” Ciel shouts, instantly wrapping his arms tightly around him.

Xerxes stumbles back, surprised. “Whoa, whoa! What are you doing?”

Ciel pants as he looks out of breath, his eyes wild. “I’ve been looking all over for you! You weren’t in your room. I thought something happened. I thought—

Xerxes chuckles and gently touches Ciel’s face. “Relax. I’m not dying.”

Ciel doesn't laugh or crack a smile; his green eyes are hard as he glares at him. “That joke’s not funny anymore,”  He says as he lets go. “Not after everything. You scared the hell out of me.”

Xerxes instantly softens. He reaches out and wraps his arms around Ciel's waist, pulling him to his chest.  “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I should’ve waited for  you.”

“I don’t care where you go,” Ciel mutters, leaning into his touch. “As long as you come back to me.” 

Xerxes smiles faintly and whispers into his ear, “I always will.”

Neither moved for a long time, just holding each other in the hallway as doctors and nurses passed them by.

Xerxes is tired but alive. Healing, but standing and in that moment, surrounded by machines and white lights, something warm and human pulses between them—something stronger than pain. Xerxes never thought he would feel this lucky to be alive and love someone this much.

~

Back in Sebastian’s room, Lucas sits beside him, holding his hand tightly, afraid to let go; he doesn't want to ever let go.

Sebastian’s voice is weak but steady as he says. “I love you, Lucas.”

Lucas looks up, eyes wide, and his heart skips a beat. “You—you do?”

Sebastian nods slowly. “I should’ve said it before. I thought I had more time.”

Lucas beams, then leans forward to kiss his forehead. “We have all the time in the world now. I’m never letting you go. I love you so much, too.”

Sebastian smiles, his thumb brushing gently against Lucas’s hand. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go either.”

Xerxes curls up as he watches them through the glass window, Xiao beside him.

“They’re going to be okay,” Ciel says softly.

Xerxes nods. “Yeah. I know they will.”

“And us?” Ciel asks,  glancing sideways at him.

Xerxes looks down at him, into Ciel’s eyes. “We already are.”