Ian paced around in the dark hallway and hissed, "Oh? You aren't even picking up my calls now?" He kicked a nearby chair in anger, knocking it over.
He grinded his teeth before sneering, "Is this how it is? Let's see how you'll remain this ignorant when it's your brother's life on line. Edward Felix..." He got a crazed look in his eyes as he dialed a number and continued, "-You forced me to do this."
August leaned on Edward's shoulder, dozing off. Edward's eyes were also closed as he sat in a half conscious state, about to fall asleep. It was tranquil as they laid down with their beloved, pretending this could last forever. Both of them turned a blind eye to all the things that didn't add up about the other, pretending that everything was alright. They lived with the hope that it'll get better soon, even though they knew the situation would only go downhill in the future.
They desperately tried to make it work, even though in their hearts, it was clear that any efforts would be fruitless.
Edward's phone rang shrilly. It was a different ringtone, reserved for the hospital. He hurriedly grabbed his phone from the side, his hand bumping into August's chest. But he couldn't care right now, he couldn't care about anything else right now. A sudden call from the hospital...It could never mean anything good. He picked up the phone, a sense of foreboding haunting him. "H-Hello? It's Edward."
The nurse on the other end asked, "Mr. Edward? Your brother's condition was stable a while ago, but it suddenly deteriorated. Can you come to the hospital right now?"
Edward was already up, panicked and disheveled. August fell onto the couch, the sudden impact waking him up. Still half asleep, he asked, "Ed...Edward? Where are you going?"
He didn't even care to grab his jacket or even a scarf as he left in his slippers, not bothering to reply.
Just as he was about to go, he suddenly turned around, approaching August.
"Edward? What are you doing-" August stopped, surprised as Edward suddenly kissed his forehead. The kiss was very short, feeling like a quick brush of lips against his skin, almost like an illusion. Edward looked at him straight in the eye, helplessness dripping from his eyes.
"I'm sorry…I have to go. I can't say where, but it's important,'' He was at the door and waved, his expression like this might be the last time he comes here. "I'll be back…I hope."
August could only watch helplessly as he went away without any further answer or explanation, just like he'll do someday in the future. Although August said he'll not pry in Edward's secrets and circumstances, he still felt it like thorns in his heart whenever Edward did things like that, showing so much care and urgency for someone that wasn't him. Wanting to own him like that wasn't right, but August couldn't help but wish to be the only person for him, just like Edward is to him. Edward's world might have many people, but his only has him.
Edward panted and grabbed a passing nurse. "My brother!" He stuttered, panicked, "H-How...How's he?"
The nurse was stunned and softly replied, "Please calm down, sir. What's the name of your brother?" She coaxed, all too familiar with panicked people, "-Only then can I tell you his condition."
Edward took a deep breath, attempting to calm down. Still, he shuddered and replied, "...E-Ethan. Ethan Felix."
The nurse got a familiar look in her eyes. "Oh, Mr. Ethan? Then, you must be Mr. Edward, right?" She smiled, "Don't worry, he's stable now. Would you like to wait here for some time? The doctor will be with you in a minute."
Life returned to his eyes as he slumped on the nearby wall, relieved. He didn't even remember how he came here. The whole journey was a frantic haze, his brother's condition being the only thing on his mind. Fortunately, there wasn't much traffic on the way, or else he would've surely crashed with the speed he was driving.
A shadow passed by the hallways. Edward didn't notice as a nurse passed by him, her pace hurried and anxious.
Someone came down the corridor, purposefully making his steps louder, as if announcing arrival. He spotted Edward in a corner and cried in an exaggerated manner, "Edward!" He rushed over and said, "I heard about Ethan."
Edward looked up to see Ian, exhaustion visible in his eyes. He didn't reply or acknowledge him and continued to stare down, ignoring the other man completely.
Ian, already used to his behavior, seated himself beside him. He too didn't make any effort to talk either, continuing the silence. Ian didn't bother feigning panic anymore, returning to his usual attitude. Leaning back, he made himself comfortable, completely unlike the tensed man beside him.
"Mr. Edward?"
"Doctor...How's Ethan?"
"Everything's alright, for now. It turned out to be some issue with the oxygen as it was cut off for some time, resulting in fluctuation in his vitals."
Edward's eyes turned cold. "...What? Seriously?" He sneered, "Oxygen was cut off? Don't you check your instruments?"
The doctor shuddered. He knew it was their fault and Edward's anger was fully reasonable. He himself would've been fuming if his family member's life would've been endangered due to some technical issue.
"I'm sorry. We'll take care that something like this doesn't happen again."
"You better do," Edward warned, a murderous look flashing in his eyes.
The doctor reassured him some more before taking his leave. A nurse came and offered to take them to see Ethan, but Edward shook his head. "No...I'll just wait here for some time."
"But Mr. Edward, don't you want to visit your brother?" She thought about possible reasons for his rejection and assured, "Don't worry, he's alright now. You being there won't disturb him."
"I, uh,-" He struggled to find the right words before lightly sighing, "I'll calm myself here first."
The nurse nodded in understanding. Working in a hospital, she knew there were many different ways people handle tension and grief. Some seemed to question god and rant about their fate, while others just couldn't build up the courage to see it with their own eyes, preferring to stay away and wallow in their misery alone. "I understand," With a small smile, she added, "Just let me know when you're ready. I'll be just there-" She pointed in the direction of the main entrance, "-At the reception if you need me or you can call any other nurse. Goodnight."
Edward looked on with thankful eyes and murmured a sound of acknowledgement, "Mhm. Goodnight."