The sobbing made the pain even more unbearable, but he couldn't stop, so he groaned mid the silent cry that became anguishing.

Addai gently cleaned the gruesome wounds on Mine's back while he waited for him to calm down. The bedsheets would need to be changed, but Mine wasn't willing nor had enough strength to get out of bed, so Addai placed some fresh sheets over the stained one so Mine could be comfortable while waiting for the analgesics to do their work so they could change the sheets.

A hard work, indeed.

The power was still off, the bedroom was hot, and Mine was tired of sweating and panting from the fever and hotness. Even though Addai helped him to take his shirt off, it was still hot, and he felt like he could pass out anytime... until the same person who was always near him brought more cold towels and fresher sheets.

Mine then wanted to sleep, but it was a struggle.

"You need to sleep..." Addai worried.

"I... don't want to..." Mine said with difficulty.

What if it was all a dream?

What if Addai wasn't there and Mine was still at the Chronos' dimension?

What if Addai was a mirage, and he was all alone?

"Sleep," Addai laid beside him, a hand gently caressing Mine's head.

"Addai... don't let me have nightmares..." Mine pleaded for an impossible wish.

"You're the Great Mine. You can overcome any nightmare," Addai chuckled, and Mine let out a faint, annoyed huff. "See? This way you will not have nightmares. All you need is to huff out the worries."

"..." Mine turned his head to face Addai and faintly smiled, feeling the fever slowly subside. "Maybe you're right."

"See?"