AT THE SAME TIME
JAXON'S POINT OF VIEW:
The room was hushed, the only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the soft whispers of the healer's chants. Xavier lay between us, still pale, still unmoving. His breaths came in shallow waves, his chest barely rising beneath the blanket we'd draped over him. Michael sat on the opposite side, his eyes locked on Xavier's face, fists clenched so tight his knuckles had gone white.
I couldn't sleep. I hadn't slept since we pulled him up from that damn cliffside, his body cold and lifeless in my arms. The healer worked tirelessly, her hands glowing with faint silver light as she ran them over his wounds murmuring incantations I didn't understand but desperately hoped would work.
"How long is this gonna take?" I snapped, the tension in my chest coiling tighter with every passing second.
The healer didn't even flinch.
"It takes as long as it takes." She replied coldy, her hands never faltering. "You're lucky he didn't crack his skull."
Michael's gaze flickered to me.
"She's right. He'll wake up. Just… patience."Michael sad.
I scoffed, leaning back against the headboard. Patience. As if it was that simple. My eyes locked onto Xavier's face, still too pale, his lips slightly parted. His fingers twitched every so often, like he was grasping for something in his sleep.
"He looks…fragile." I muttered, the words slipping out before I could catch them.
Michael grunted in agreement.
"You're just noticing that now?"Michael asked.
I shot him a glare.
"Not like this." I growled, fists tightening. "Not broken."
The healer's hands paused, her eyes narrowing as she focused on a particularly nasty bruise blooming across his collarbone. Her fingertips glowed brighter, and the skin began to knit itself back together, slowly but surely. I watched, mesmerized, until Michael nudged me.
"He's stronger than he looks." Michael said, voice low. "He survived getting pulled from another world. He can survive this."
"Doesn't make it any easier to watch." I bit back, running a hand through my hair.
We fell into silence again, the only noise coming from the crackle of flames and the healer's whispered chants. Hours slipped by, Michael eventually dozed off in the chair, his head slumped back, mouth slightly open. I stayed where I was, eyes never leaving Xavier. His breathing evened out after a while, color returning to his cheeks. I didn't realize how tense I'd been until I finally exhaled, shoulders slumping. I reached out, brushing my thumb against his hand. His fingers curled instinctively, holding onto mine with a weak grip.
"You're gonna wake up." I whispered, more to myself than him. "You have to. I'm not done with you yet."
The healer straightened, cracking her back as she finished the final incantation. She glanced over her shoulder, nodding.
"He'll wake soon. Just…keep him warm. He's been through a lot."She said.
I didn't bother thanking her, I couldn't tear my eyes away from Xavier's face. Michael stirred beside me, rubbing his eyes groggily.
"Anything?" He mumbled.
"He's getting warmer." I replied, squeezing Xavier's hand tighter. "He'll wake up."
Michael nodded, eyes heavy with exhaustion but filled with relief.
"Good." He whispered, voice cracking.
We sat there, both of us unwilling to leave his side. And when his eyelids finally fluttered, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Xavier stirred beneath the blankets, his eyelids fluttering like he was fighting his way back to consciousness. My breath caught in my throat as his fingers twitched against mine, the grip weak but real.
"Xavier?" I leaned forward, practically hovering over him.
Michael perked up from the chair, shaking off sleep as he dragged it closer. A soft groan slipped from Xavier's lips. His eyes cracked open, hazy and unfocused. He blinked a few times, confusion flickering in his gaze as he stared up at the ceiling.
"Hey." I whispered, voice softer than I had intended. Relief crashed through me, nearly buckling my knees. "You with us?"
He turned his head slowly, eyes landing on me. His brows knitted together, and for a second, fear flashed across his face. But it vanished just as quickly, replaced by something softer, familiarity, maybe.
"Jaxon?" His voice was barely above a whisper, scratchy and raw.
I couldn't help the grin that split my face.
"Yeah. It's me."I said.
Michael leaned in, his expression surprisingly gentle.
"And me too, in case you forgot."Michael muttered.
Xavier's eyes slid to Michael, recognition sparking. His lips twitched up in the faintest of smiles.
"Didn't forget…just…where am I?"Xavier asked.
"You're back in the main hall. Healer patched you up." I explained, my thumb unconsciously rubbing circles over his hand. "You took a nasty fall, but you're safe now."
His gaze drifted down to where I held his hand, and he blinked like he was seeing it for the first time. I almost pulled back, but his grip tightened, fingers curling around mine. That single action sent a wave of warmth flooding through my chest. Michael chuckled under his breath.
"You gave us a damn scare, you know that?"He said.
Xavier winced, his free hand coming up to touch the bandage on his temple.
"Feels like I got hit by a truck."Xavier groaned.
"More like a cliff." I muttered, and his eyes widened in realization. "What the hell were you thinking? Running like that?"
Xavier's eyes dropped, a blush creeping up his cheeks.
"I…don't know. I just…panicked."Xavier said.
Michael's hand came down on his shoulder, firm but gentle.
"You're not running anymore."Michael muttered. There was a tension in the room, thick and heavy.
"Just…thanks." Xavier mumbled instead, voice barely audible.
"Get used to it." I replied, squeezing his hand once before finally letting go. "We're not going anywhere."
Michael nodded in agreement, his hand lingering on Xavier's shoulder.
"You're stuck with us now." He said.
Xavier's eyes softened, and for a split second, I saw something crack in his guarded expression, like the beginning of trust. It was fragile, barely there, but it was enough.
Good." He whispered, just loud enough for us to hear.
Michael shot me a knowing look, and I couldn't stop the grin spreading across my face. I was going to protect him and make sure he will never leave us again.