"B-Boss? What are you doing here? What do you mean by again? How many times has this happened? Will someone fucking answer me?" Blue bellowed and earned a cold glare from Trevor.

"Never raise your voice at me, Winters. You wouldn't be here if I didn't order Edward to let you in. In fact, I would've had Ryzel treated in a country you won't be able to reach, just to get him away from your bitterness. Man up and drop that immaturity."

"Trev, calm down. Of course, he's confused. It's Ryzel after all. Would you be able to keep a clear head if I was in Ryzel's position?" Jesse asked and the room turned a few degrees colder.

"I will scour the world for you, Jesse if it comes to that. I will use my entire fortune to cure you, but babe... don't ever say that again. I can't imagine a life without you."

Jesse smiled and nodded. "Precisely, so you should understand Blue's position. His mind is all muddy and I'm sure he doesn't know what to do."

Blue is grateful for Jesse's explanation. What Jesse said was on point. Blue is so confused and he's still questioning if whatever that's happening is real. Blue is still in a state of denial a while ago, but when Trevor makes his appearance, everything is slowly sinking in.

Trevor pulled Jesse for a hug and the couple sat on the vacant sofa. "We're here to check on Ryzel. Trevor is Ryzel's primary physician," Jesse explained to Blue and accepted the medical results from Edward. "About Ryzel taking his own life... Edward reported to us that it has happened more than once, but Ryzel never actually push through with it, thank God."

Blue swallowed hard despite the pain in the back of his throat. Ryzel is a strong person, but he must be hurting so much to try to resort to that method. That realization made Blue feel guilty.

Trevor read the results with a blank expression and handed it back over to Edward. "Ryzel is responding to medications slowly. His mental health should also be monitored regularly so I had Edward fly from Germany to here. That's why, you're fired, Blue."

"B-Boss--"

"You have a new mission. Take care of Ryzel. Ryzel is a family to me, and I don't want to lose a family member. If you still love him, now is the time to prove it. If not, Edward and Ryzel will get married in a month."

Blue's mouth parted in shock and Blue turned to Edward who narrowed his eyes at Trevor.

"Trevor..." Edward called Trevor in a warning tone but Trevor dismissed it.

"I'm not kidding, Edward. Ryzel is your fiancé after all. Then, you can move to Germany and have Ryzel get treated there. I want what's best for Ryzel."

Blue was just quietly observing the conversation, fuming with anger. They were talking as if Ryzel is a puppet; as if Ryzel doesn't have a choice. "I will do it. I will give it my all and have Ryzel fall for me. After that, I will free Ryzel from your grasp," Blue promised, his eyes fixed on Edward.

Trevor smirked internally because his plan is slowly coming to fruition. Edward smiled and calmly accepted Blue's challenge. "Sure. Bring it on. I'm not threatened by you, Blue Winters. Ryzel will always choose me."

Blue threw Edward a sharp glare. "I don't care. I will make Ryzel realize that I'm better than you and I can take care of him better. No one loves him as I do."

Present,

Blue gingerly approached Ryzel's bed and noticed that Ryzel is profusely sweating, the latter's breathing heavy and shallow.

"H-Hurts... painkillers... I need them..." Ryzel mumbled deliriously so Blue immediately checked Ryzel's medicine cart. There was a small vial for Ryzel's painkiller so Blue picked up a syringe, emptied the vial, and injected it into Ryzel's IV.

In a few minutes, Ryzel's breathing steadied and Blue was able to sigh in relief. "Don't scare me like that, Ryzel. Be strong, please. I still need to marry you," Blue whispered in a broken voice and blinked away his tears. Blue reached for the soft fabric and tenderly wiped Ryzel's forehead, face and neck.

Edward allowed Blue to Ryzel for the night and gave Blue reminders. Edward also gave Blue a briefer about Ryzel's medicines and the layout of Ryzel's room, so Blue knew where to get which item.

"If he starts to sweat, change his clothes so he doesn't catch a cold. Don't worry; he won't wake up that easily if he's under the influence of his painkillers. Those are potent after all," Edward advised Blue and gave the latter a shoulder pat before returning to his room.

Blue opted for a white cotton shirt and paired bottoms, then changed Ryzel's clothes. After making sure that Ryzel is comfortable, Blue sat beside Ryzel and held the latter's hand. "From now on, I will take care of you. I will never leave your side even if you push me away. I will cling to you and stick with you until you realize that I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to stay, Ryzel. From here onwards," Blue promised and pressed his lips softly on Ryzel's forehead.

Blue sat on the nearby couch and watched Ryzel's steady breathing. Blue is just thankful that Ryzel is still alive. "I wouldn't know what to do if I lost you for good, Ryzel."

The reality is finally dawning on Blue... the reality that God can take Ryzel away from Blue without notice. Life is short and precious, and Blue decided that he will make the best out of it. "I won't give up on you, Ryzel, so please don't give up on yourself."

Blue stared at Ryzel's peaceful expression and didn't notice that he drifted to sleep. Blue is mentally and emotionally drained. A lot of things happened, and Blue discovered that Ryzel is sick, which took a toll on Blue. With his hand entwined with Ryzel, Blue slept like a baby for the first time since Ryzel left.

****

Ryzel couldn't believe his eyes. Agape, Ryzel turned to Edward who was checking Ryzel's vitals, and into the man who was holding Ryzel's hand and silently sleeping on the couch.

"What is he doing here?" Ryzel asked in a low voice, perplexed.

"He tailed us last night and I let him in. Instead of Blue being accused as a trespasser, I thought that being hospitable is a better option for me," Edward answered with a smile and handed Ryzel a glass of warm milk.

Ryzel was incredibly dumbfounded. "Edward, this is Blue. You get what I mean?" Ryzel punctuated but Edward just shrugged his shoulders. Ryzel can't understand why Edward is taking this in a stride. "What if he knows about my disease-- he knows," Ryzel concluded when Edward smiled at him cutely. Edward only does that when he's guilty of something.

"Sorry, Ry. Trevor also came by last night, and an unfortunate thing happened."

"W-What? What happened?" Ryzel asked breathlessly, patiently waiting for Edward's reply.

"About Blue..." Edward trailed off in a sad tone that got Ryzel anxious. Ryzel glanced at Blue who was softly snoring and checked if Blue has any injury or bullet wound. Ryzel was relieved when he realized that Blue is unharmed. Then, Ryzel turned to Edward, irritated.

"Out with it and cut the suspense, Edward! You're killing me!" Ryzel almost bellowed impatiently but controlled his voice. Ryzel doesn't want to wake up Blue.

"Trevor fired him so he's staying with us for the time being."

"Who?" Ryzel asked stupidly and his eyes widened when he realized who it was. "Blue got fired?!" Ryzel's loud voice awoke Blue and with a soft yawn, Blue rubbed the sleepiness away from his eyes. Blue was welcomed by Ryzel's unreadable expression and Edward's soft smile.

"Good morning, Edward," Blue casually greeted Edward, not an ounce of hostility in his tone. Blue realized that his anger is misguided, so Blue pushed his brain's reset button.

Edward was surprised at Blue's sudden change of attitude but just ignored it. "A pleasant morning to you too, Blue," Edward greeted with a smile.

Ryzel hitched a breath when Blue turned to him. "Good morning to you too, Ryzel. By the way, Edward's correct. Boss fired me and I am now unemployed. I will be in your care from now on," Blue added with a wink and pressed his lips on top of Ryzel's hands.

Ryzel parted his mouth in shock. "You've gotta be fucking kidding me."