Chapter 38

3rd person pov:

The hours ticked by in the hospital room, each minute stretching out like an eternity. The sterile white walls around them felt suffocating, as if the very space was closing in. But within that small room, the most important thing was the fragile figure lying in the bed—Fourth, whose time was slipping away like sand through their fingers.

Gemini, Pond, and Phuwin remained in silence, each of them taking turns to sit by Fourth's side, to speak words of comfort, to hold his hand, or simply to sit quietly, offering their presence. The hospital staff had come and gone, checking on his vitals and making adjustments to the machines keeping him alive. But despite their efforts, Fourth's condition was not improving.

Gemini's heart ached as he watched Fourth's chest rise and fall, his breathing still shallow and labored. The doctors had done all they could, but now, it felt like they were just waiting—waiting for the inevitable.

At one point, Fourth stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open to meet Gemini's gaze. He gave a weak smile, the corners of his lips trembling, and Gemini couldn't help but squeeze his hand.

"I'm here," Gemini whispered, his voice hoarse. "I'm not going anywhere, Fourth. Just hold on a little longer, okay?"

Fourth's eyes flickered with a glimmer of recognition, though they were clouded with fatigue. "I'm sorry... I... didn't want you to see me like this."

Gemini shook his head quickly, his grip tightening on Fourth's hand. "No. Don't apologize. I'm here because I want to be. I'll always be here for you."

Fourth's eyes seemed to soften for a moment, but then he winced, his breath hitching slightly. "I didn't... want to drag you into this. You've... been through so much already."

Gemini brushed a lock of hair from Fourth's forehead gently, his fingers trembling. "You're not dragging me anywhere. This is where I want to be. With you."

A long silence fell between them, broken only by the beeping of the machines. Pond and Phuwin stood by quietly, their eyes locked on Fourth as if willing him to hold on, to fight against the inevitable.

Eventually, it was Pond who spoke, his voice thick with emotion. "Fourth, you don't have to be strong anymore. We're here. We've always been here for you."

Fourth turned his head slightly to look at Pond, and for a fleeting moment, there was a sense of peace in his eyes. "I'm sorry... for all the worry. For everything."

"You don't need to apologize," Pond replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "We've always known you were strong. You're our little brother. You've always been enough."

Phuwin added softly, his voice steady despite the sorrow that filled the room. "We love you, Fourth. We're here with you. You're not alone."

Fourth's breath caught slightly, and he let out a weak sigh. "I wish... I wish I had more time... to..."

His words trailed off, and Gemini saw the effort it took for Fourth to speak. There was so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to do, but his body was betraying him, each breath becoming harder and harder to take.

"We'll make the most of the time we have left," Gemini said, his voice firm despite the rawness in his chest. "We'll make sure you're not alone. We'll create memories, even if it's just a few more moments."

Pond's eyes met Gemini's, and though there was a deep sadness there, there was also an understanding. The only thing left now was to honor the time they had, to cherish these final moments with Fourth.

The hours continued to pass, but it wasn't the ticking of a clock that kept them grounded. It was their shared silence, their shared presence, that kept them anchored. They were a family, bound together by love and by the knowledge that sometimes, love was all they could offer in the face of something as powerful as time itself.

As night began to fall outside, the room darkened, but the warmth of their collective bond still filled the space. They weren't ready to let go, but they knew they would have to. Not now, but soon.

Gemini took a deep breath, brushing his fingers through Fourth's hair once more, his voice soft but resolute. "I love you, Fourth. Always."

Fourth's eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and when they opened again, he gave a faint smile—a smile that seemed to say everything he couldn't express in words.

And for that brief moment, Gemini held onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, love could transcend even the most unbearable of goodbyes.