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Terios peeked around the corner to see Stone on the couch. Seeing him sitting with a cane nearby made his chest tighten with worry. He knew Stone's health had been deteriorating… rapidly. The image of him struggling to stand seared itself into Terios’ mind, creating a sinking feeling in his stomach.
Stone didn't notice Terios’ gaze. He brought the pit of his elbow to his mouth, coughing deeply a few times, as if he was coughing up phlegm. Pulling back his head, Stone's face dropped, and Terios caught a glimpse of red splotches on Stone's sleeve. “Damn it…” He cursed under his breath.
“That's… Blood…” Terios muttered, catching Stone by surprise. The sight of the blood made Shadow feel queasy, not because of the fact it's blood, but from who and where it came from. “You're coughing up blood now…”
Stone stumbled over words. “No, it's just cranberry juice.”
“Is that seriously the best lie you could come up with?” Terios’ brows furrowed with frustration and worry. “You don't need to lie to me like I'm some kid!”
After a few moments of eye contact, Stone broke it with a sigh. “You are a kid.”
Terios’ expression fell to one akin to hopelessness. He walked over to Stone, and sat beside him on the couch.
“Please don't die…” Terios’ voice was small and fragile, as if on the precipice of shattering completely. It broke Stone's heart to see him like this. “I can't…” Terios mumbled, Stone wrapping his non bloodied arm around Terios’ shoulders, pulling the teenager close. “I already had this take away someone who was close to me…” Terios leaned himself against Stone, just like how he did when he was younger. “I can't have it taking you too…”
“I'm gonna hold out, okay?” Stone set his chin atop Terios’ messy black hair. “I'm not going to die on you.” The words felt like an acknowledgement of the inevitable, despite being a denial of if.
“Please…” Terios’ tears stung his eyes, dampening the fabric of Stone’s shirt where he pressed his face to. “You're the only adult I feel comfortable with…” His breath hitched as he felt himself start to crumble. “Please don't die…”
The desperate yet hopeless begging of the teenager caused a few tears to prick at Stone's eyes. Terios doesn't let himself be this fragile, Stone can't remember the last time he saw Terios cry, so this …
“I don't know if I could live without you…” Terios curled up against Stone, failing to hold back sobs. All Stone could do is hold Terios close as he sobbed quietly.
“M– Maria… she…” Terios choked out. “Her symptoms… they were like yours…” Stone held him close. “When she was… closer to death… she started to cough and vomit blood…” Stone froze as he realized. “I don't think… You have much longer…”
Stone knew it was dangerous, that doing this was risky, but knowing he'll likely die soon… The gravity of the situation finally set in.
“I'm sorry…” was the only thing Stone could mumble, only causing Terios further despair.
Neither spoke further, choosing to hold each other close as they grappled with the knowledge, knowing time is finite.