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Description
The fool never knew when to give up.

I stood in the darkened corner, watching as he tossed and turned in the narrow bed, muttering incoherent sentences and fidgeting like an impatient child. He was a complete mess; how did the idea of braving a violent snowstorm register in his mind? I could list the countless things wrong with him, but pulling an act like that was not his way.

I began to gnaw at my fingernails and looked to the window, the ghastly howl of the wind sending shivers down my spine. Granted, it was rare that such a feeling would come to me as of late, but when compared to an enemy as dangerous as the weather, a few jaguars were mere pebbles. Silent, I walked over to the window and stared calmly at the uproar happening only feet before me. I could only pray it would die down before tomorrow; if not, the chances of the moron surviving were slim...

A choked groan broke my thoughts. I turned, my right eyebrow flickering at the sight. The heavy blanket was thrown and fell limp to the floorboards as he struggled to sit up, arms buckling from the strain. Not again...! I rushed to his side, grabbing his covers and slipping it back over his body. His hair was soaked and unruly, the mattress drenched in his sweat. Deep down, I felt a twinge of pity for my friend, but admitting such an action would harm not only my pride but his.

"You need to lay down, idiot," I said, placing a hand over his metallic arm. It must have been the only part of him that was cold.

Beneath his gasps, I could barely make out a swear that would make an old woman faint. Rolling my eyes, I carefully pushed him back onto the bed, tucking him in like a loving mother would. He let out a clear 'hmph', averting his gaze from mine. I'd remind him to thank me later.

He moved to his side, hiding the part of him that many would find monstrous, the part  he was robbed of long ago. Both his arm and leg vanished, replaced with  robotic limbs that only added to the horror of the fools that  judged in a matter of seconds. His skin was forever charred, black soot permanently staining his skin. There were times when he acted as if such an experience left him unaffected, but those close knew his facade could only last so long.

—

A thunderous crash from outside jolted me awake and almost out of my chair. I gripped the arms to keep my balance and looked around the room, baffled at how I succumbed to sleep when I had to watch over the fool. The room was dark; I could barely make out a single thing. I fumbled for the book of matches in the corner desk and managed to get enough light to check my watch. Midnight? How in the hell could I have fallen asleep for three hours!

I struck another match, grabbing a short candle and lighting the wick. I moved to the window, finding it completely whitened out and freezing to the touch.  The wind howled like a wounded animal, begging to be put out of its misery at any hand.

I bit my lip, turning my head down the hall and to the front door. Do I dare go out and get firewood? Granted, I would be more than happy to risk my life for my friend's; from all we have been through, I would not be embarrassed to label him my brother. However, the situation at hand didn't call for that, not in his condition.

Growing tense, I pulled my wool jacket closer to my body. The cold was seeping into the house, slithering through miniscule cracks. The candle nestled firmly in my grip, I quietly walked to the bed, descending to one knee and resting my free hand upon his forehead. The fever continued its battle, and there were no signs of it giving up any time soon. In the flickering light I could see his clammy skin, countless drops of sweat spread across his face. His mouth twisted in silent grimace. He wanted to groan, but all that came out were labored gasps. Under the blanket, I saw both hands clench the sheets, his knees slightly bent upwards.

I couldn't help but smirk at this. He really is a moron... but he's a resilient one.
As if on cue, his eye cracked open, bloodshot. He looked up at me, almost surprised that I was here.

"And how are we feeling tonight...?" I managed to slip on my calm face in hopes of keeping him calm.

He didn't say anything, instead licking his chapped lips and looking towards the ceiling. He could never pull off the strong and silent type; he found that too typical.

I spoke again. "Normally when you go out in a snowstorm, it's best to be prepared and not walk out here with just a thin coat."

He pulled the blanket over his mouth and hacked. "I made it... n'that's what matters..."

"You're just lucky I saw you collapse before you froze to death...!" I struggled to keep my voice even, setting the candle upon the nightstand. "What possessed you to do this, anyway?"

"N'of your bus... business..."

"It became my business the second I brought you in here, Caz," I replied, my eyes narrowing.

"I'll tell you later, Xi. Let m'sleep." He rolled to his side again, doing what he could to curl up into a ball.

As much as I hated to say it, he was right. Pestering him at a time like this would do no good. Gently I tucked him in, taking care not to disrupt his sleep. He needed sleep more than he needed to see my face, though he would argue to the death on that subject. I would never admit this out loud, but the fool looked quite at peace when he slept and that trap of his was shut. I think that gave peace to everyone...

He felt my presence still by his side and opened his eye again. "What?"

For a moment, I said nothing and merely stared at his blue eye. I ignored the crimson lines surrounding the iris, entranced by the vision that one eye painted in my mind. It told me of his determination, of his ungodly arrogance, of the memories from years past... of why he risked his life and braved the storm.

He wanted to see me.

I wanted to punch him the second after the realization hit me. I was suddenly overcome with anger towards the idiot. He... How dare he! Of all the stupid times! He could have used that dying organ he called a brain and waited, then he wouldn't be on the brink of death. I gripped the hem of my shirt, my knuckles turning pale, my entire arm shaking. I'll never forgive him, nev...

My hand slowly clasped the ring dangling around my neck, my index finger tracing around the band. Instantly, my rage dissipated, and a serene feeling took its place, I knew he loved me, I knew from the second we met. I didn't mind; though sometimes uncomfortable, I found it amusing. He knew how to make people smile, especially those close. Despite my outcries that I was straight, he never gave up. Could it have been that was what I admired about him?

He spoke again, interrupting my thoughts. "Well? What is it...?"

I cleared my throat, grabbing the candle and brushing hair from my eyes. "Nothing. Get as much rest as you can, because the second this storm is over I'm hauling you back to your place. I don't want to catch your sickness."

He attempted a glare my way, but gave up halfway and succumbed to exhaustion. I checked his forehead again, hoping to find some sort of hopeful change. Nothing. Sighing, I walked back to my chair, setting the candle holder upon the desk and slumping down. My watch read 12:45 AM; only a certain amount of hours left until sunrise, and only an indefinite amount of time until the storm subsided.

—
It was now 2:15 AM, and the storm continued its rampage. The dying candle poured red wax all over my desk, some of it dripping to the floorboards. Despite my layered clothing, my skin began to form goosebumps. I rubbed my hands together, lighting the candle once again and trying to absorb what little heat it produced. There was enough to vanquish the cold from my wrists. I glowered, shoving both hands deep into my pockets.

"Xi..."

I lifted my head, seeing him once again moving to sit up, coughing and wheezing like a fat kid. I uttered a swear and rose to my feet, brushing hair from my eyes again. Alright, playtime was over; if being calm and nice wouldn't work, then perhaps threatening to send him to Izzy's would do the trick. That woman could scare the devil from his hooves.

"If I told you once, I've told you..."

My sentence was cut short. Though the light was scarce, I could easily see his horrific condition. All color of his skin was lost, save for a faint pink on his lips. His sweating had increased; his trembling was shaking the bed frame. The coughing grew harsh, spit flying with every exertion and falling from the corner of his mouth. If I were anyone else, I would have panicked and watched him suffer, possibly hid in a corner and cried until he died.

However, I was unlike anyone else, and I sure as hell was not going to let my brother die.

I quickly wet a small cloth in the kitchen and hurried back to the bedroom, dabbing away all sweat among his face and placing it on his forehead. He groaned and tried to resist, but to no avail. Victory was mine once again. I set him back onto the bed, tucked him in, and quietly carried my chair to his side. He didn't bother to look and pulled the blanket closer.

"Xi...?"

I looked. "What is it, Caz?"

"Am I going... to survive this?" The pain in his voice made my heart almost skip a beat.

I forced a smile. "Of course you will... Come on, you've been through worse, this should be nothing."

"You better be right," he replied, a hint of anger in his tone. He  shuddered and coughed.

"How long do you think it will go on?"

"Who knows. One day, three days..." I rubbed my chin. "I wouldn't dwell too much on it; you need to shut up and go to sleep."

As I began to stand, he opened his mouth. "Wait, Xi... one more thing."

A low growl purred in my throat. "What...?"

"I need to tell you something."

"It can wait until you're better."

He shook his head. "This is important, Xi, and unless you want me to run back into that storm... you'll listen."

Scowling, I sat back down, staring at him. "Alright, what is it?"

"Come closer, it's hard to talk this loud..." He almost sounded like an ill grandmother, beckoning forth their favorite grandchild with a bony finger. I narrowed my eyes, but leaned in nonetheless. Gullible, yes, but anything to shut him up would be a godsend at this moment.

"Okay, speak before my back snaps."

What happened next should not have surprised me, but it took my breath away. In a flash, his flesh arm swung around my shoulders and launched me onto the bed, inches from his face. A broad smirk played on his face and his bright eye glinted in the otherwise dim room. I was taken aback, still, staring. Without warning, he shoved his lips against mine, his weak hand clenching my shoulder and preventing my escape. I moved to push away, pressing my hands on the mattress, but for reasons still unknown, I stopped. I remained in place, watching as his eyelid drooped and a relaxed sensation took over. It felt as if time itself had slowed for that moment only, as the incident had turned into an eternity.

What am I doing...?  This isn't like me; move, already! I thought. But... why wasn't doing it? Why did I stay there, barely paying any attention to his lips and stubble planted against my face? I didn't enjoy it one bit; I found it unnerving. I knew the feeling in Caz was the exact opposite of what I was feeling.

Just as quick as it started, it ended. He  let go of my shoulder and pulled away, letting out a deep sigh. His shoulders slacked, plopping back onto the bed, still facing me. All I did was stare blankly at him, my reaction taking its sweet time to arrive. The smirk grew as he drummed his fingers on the blanket, as if expecting me to yell at him.

The only word I could muster out was this: "Wh..."

"I figured if I were to die from this, I would die while accomplishing what I should have done long ago. Don't tell me you hated it."

My voice returned and I scowled, wiping my mouth. "Words can't describe my feelings towards this. I should break your nose for that."

"Please. You wouldn't harm a poor, ill man such as myself." He forced some pathetic coughs and sniffed.

"I'm about to reconsider that." I wiped my mouth again, standing. "I will not repeat myself for the hundredth time. Sleep. Now."

"Very well, mother." He 'hmph'ed again, yawning. "I'll see you in the morning, afternoon... whatever."

"Good." I slumped into the chair, the legs scraping on the boards. My eyelids began to feel heavy; I had realized right then that I had been awake for more than 24 hours, maybe almost 36... During this time of the year, I rarely paid attention to the hours, only to when the next season arrived.

A single question bounced back and forth in my mind the entire night: why didn't I pull back when he kissed me? I had the chance to overpower him and move away, but I just sat there, dumbfounded. His resilience got on my nerves, his moves towards me literally fueled my anger. This wasn't the first time he did this, and I had my suspicions on it, but it baffled me so. I had the opportunity to push away and end it right there, before our lips touched.

I shook my head, rubbing my eyes. Sleep was overcoming me; I would slip into my dreams at any moment, much to my chagrin. The time was 3:30, and Caz was finally asleep. I could hear a light snore from under the covers, and he looked at peace, finally. I think I saw some color begin to reappear around his cheeks, and his sweating had reduced greatly.
I leaned my head back, watching my idiot friend sleep; I wanted his face to be the last thing I would see before giving into my own sleep. A tired grin appeared before my eyes closed and I drifted off.

He never knew when to give up, and I was okay with that.

Description
The fool never knew when to give up.

I stood in the darkened corner, watching as he tossed and turned in the narrow bed, muttering incoherent sentences and fidgeting like an impatient child. He was a complete mess; how did the idea of braving a violent snowstorm register in his mind? I could list the countless things wrong with him, but pulling an act like that was not his way.

I began to gnaw at my fingernails and looked to the window, the ghastly howl of the wind sending shivers down my spine. Granted, it was rare that such a feeling would come to me as of late, but when compared to an enemy as dangerous as the weather, a few jaguars were mere pebbles. Silent, I walked over to the window and stared calmly at the uproar happening only feet before me. I could only pray it would die down before tomorrow; if not, the chances of the moron surviving were slim...

A choked groan broke my thoughts. I turned, my right eyebrow flickering at the sight. The heavy blanket was thrown and fell limp to the floorboards as he struggled to sit up, arms buckling from the strain. Not again...! I rushed to his side, grabbing his covers and slipping it back over his body. His hair was soaked and unruly, the mattress drenched in his sweat. Deep down, I felt a twinge of pity for my friend, but admitting such an action would harm not only my pride but his.

"You need to lay down, idiot," I said, placing a hand over his metallic arm. It must have been the only part of him that was cold.

Beneath his gasps, I could barely make out a swear that would make an old woman faint. Rolling my eyes, I carefully pushed him back onto the bed, tucking him in like a loving mother would. He let out a clear 'hmph', averting his gaze from mine. I'd remind him to thank me later.

He moved to his side, hiding the part of him that many would find monstrous, the part  he was robbed of long ago. Both his arm and leg vanished, replaced with  robotic limbs that only added to the horror of the fools that  judged in a matter of seconds. His skin was forever charred, black soot permanently staining his skin. There were times when he acted as if such an experience left him unaffected, but those close knew his facade could only last so long.

—

A thunderous crash from outside jolted me awake and almost out of my chair. I gripped the arms to keep my balance and looked around the room, baffled at how I succumbed to sleep when I had to watch over the fool. The room was dark; I could barely make out a single thing. I fumbled for the book of matches in the corner desk and managed to get enough light to check my watch. Midnight? How in the hell could I have fallen asleep for three hours!

I struck another match, grabbing a short candle and lighting the wick. I moved to the window, finding it completely whitened out and freezing to the touch.  The wind howled like a wounded animal, begging to be put out of its misery at any hand.

I bit my lip, turning my head down the hall and to the front door. Do I dare go out and get firewood? Granted, I would be more than happy to risk my life for my friend's; from all we have been through, I would not be embarrassed to label him my brother. However, the situation at hand didn't call for that, not in his condition.

Growing tense, I pulled my wool jacket closer to my body. The cold was seeping into the house, slithering through miniscule cracks. The candle nestled firmly in my grip, I quietly walked to the bed, descending to one knee and resting my free hand upon his forehead. The fever continued its battle, and there were no signs of it giving up any time soon. In the flickering light I could see his clammy skin, countless drops of sweat spread across his face. His mouth twisted in silent grimace. He wanted to groan, but all that came out were labored gasps. Under the blanket, I saw both hands clench the sheets, his knees slightly bent upwards.

I couldn't help but smirk at this. He really is a moron... but he's a resilient one.
As if on cue, his eye cracked open, bloodshot. He looked up at me, almost surprised that I was here.

"And how are we feeling tonight...?" I managed to slip on my calm face in hopes of keeping him calm.

He didn't say anything, instead licking his chapped lips and looking towards the ceiling. He could never pull off the strong and silent type; he found that too typical.

I spoke again. "Normally when you go out in a snowstorm, it's best to be prepared and not walk out here with just a thin coat."

He pulled the blanket over his mouth and hacked. "I made it... n'that's what matters..."

"You're just lucky I saw you collapse before you froze to death...!" I struggled to keep my voice even, setting the candle upon the nightstand. "What possessed you to do this, anyway?"

"N'of your bus... business..."

"It became my business the second I brought you in here, Caz," I replied, my eyes narrowing.

"I'll tell you later, Xi. Let m'sleep." He rolled to his side again, doing what he could to curl up into a ball.

As much as I hated to say it, he was right. Pestering him at a time like this would do no good. Gently I tucked him in, taking care not to disrupt his sleep. He needed sleep more than he needed to see my face, though he would argue to the death on that subject. I would never admit this out loud, but the fool looked quite at peace when he slept and that trap of his was shut. I think that gave peace to everyone...

He felt my presence still by his side and opened his eye again. "What?"

For a moment, I said nothing and merely stared at his blue eye. I ignored the crimson lines surrounding the iris, entranced by the vision that one eye painted in my mind. It told me of his determination, of his ungodly arrogance, of the memories from years past... of why he risked his life and braved the storm.

He wanted to see me.

I wanted to punch him the second after the realization hit me. I was suddenly overcome with anger towards the idiot. He... How dare he! Of all the stupid times! He could have used that dying organ he called a brain and waited, then he wouldn't be on the brink of death. I gripped the hem of my shirt, my knuckles turning pale, my entire arm shaking. I'll never forgive him, nev...

My hand slowly clasped the ring dangling around my neck, my index finger tracing around the band. Instantly, my rage dissipated, and a serene feeling took its place, I knew he loved me, I knew from the second we met. I didn't mind; though sometimes uncomfortable, I found it amusing. He knew how to make people smile, especially those close. Despite my outcries that I was straight, he never gave up. Could it have been that was what I admired about him?

He spoke again, interrupting my thoughts. "Well? What is it...?"

I cleared my throat, grabbing the candle and brushing hair from my eyes. "Nothing. Get as much rest as you can, because the second this storm is over I'm hauling you back to your place. I don't want to catch your sickness."

He attempted a glare my way, but gave up halfway and succumbed to exhaustion. I checked his forehead again, hoping to find some sort of hopeful change. Nothing. Sighing, I walked back to my chair, setting the candle holder upon the desk and slumping down. My watch read 12:45 AM; only a certain amount of hours left until sunrise, and only an indefinite amount of time until the storm subsided.

—
It was now 2:15 AM, and the storm continued its rampage. The dying candle poured red wax all over my desk, some of it dripping to the floorboards. Despite my layered clothing, my skin began to form goosebumps. I rubbed my hands together, lighting the candle once again and trying to absorb what little heat it produced. There was enough to vanquish the cold from my wrists. I glowered, shoving both hands deep into my pockets.

"Xi..."

I lifted my head, seeing him once again moving to sit up, coughing and wheezing like a fat kid. I uttered a swear and rose to my feet, brushing hair from my eyes again. Alright, playtime was over; if being calm and nice wouldn't work, then perhaps threatening to send him to Izzy's would do the trick. That woman could scare the devil from his hooves.

"If I told you once, I've told you..."

My sentence was cut short. Though the light was scarce, I could easily see his horrific condition. All color of his skin was lost, save for a faint pink on his lips. His sweating had increased; his trembling was shaking the bed frame. The coughing grew harsh, spit flying with every exertion and falling from the corner of his mouth. If I were anyone else, I would have panicked and watched him suffer, possibly hid in a corner and cried until he died.

However, I was unlike anyone else, and I sure as hell was not going to let my brother die.

I quickly wet a small cloth in the kitchen and hurried back to the bedroom, dabbing away all sweat among his face and placing it on his forehead. He groaned and tried to resist, but to no avail. Victory was mine once again. I set him back onto the bed, tucked him in, and quietly carried my chair to his side. He didn't bother to look and pulled the blanket closer.

"Xi...?"

I looked. "What is it, Caz?"

"Am I going... to survive this?" The pain in his voice made my heart almost skip a beat.

I forced a smile. "Of course you will... Come on, you've been through worse, this should be nothing."

"You better be right," he replied, a hint of anger in his tone. He  shuddered and coughed.

"How long do you think it will go on?"

"Who knows. One day, three days..." I rubbed my chin. "I wouldn't dwell too much on it; you need to shut up and go to sleep."

As I began to stand, he opened his mouth. "Wait, Xi... one more thing."

A low growl purred in my throat. "What...?"

"I need to tell you something."

"It can wait until you're better."

He shook his head. "This is important, Xi, and unless you want me to run back into that storm... you'll listen."

Scowling, I sat back down, staring at him. "Alright, what is it?"

"Come closer, it's hard to talk this loud..." He almost sounded like an ill grandmother, beckoning forth their favorite grandchild with a bony finger. I narrowed my eyes, but leaned in nonetheless. Gullible, yes, but anything to shut him up would be a godsend at this moment.

"Okay, speak before my back snaps."

What happened next should not have surprised me, but it took my breath away. In a flash, his flesh arm swung around my shoulders and launched me onto the bed, inches from his face. A broad smirk played on his face and his bright eye glinted in the otherwise dim room. I was taken aback, still, staring. Without warning, he shoved his lips against mine, his weak hand clenching my shoulder and preventing my escape. I moved to push away, pressing my hands on the mattress, but for reasons still unknown, I stopped. I remained in place, watching as his eyelid drooped and a relaxed sensation took over. It felt as if time itself had slowed for that moment only, as the incident had turned into an eternity.

What am I doing...?  This isn't like me; move, already! I thought. But... why wasn't doing it? Why did I stay there, barely paying any attention to his lips and stubble planted against my face? I didn't enjoy it one bit; I found it unnerving. I knew the feeling in Caz was the exact opposite of what I was feeling.

Just as quick as it started, it ended. He  let go of my shoulder and pulled away, letting out a deep sigh. His shoulders slacked, plopping back onto the bed, still facing me. All I did was stare blankly at him, my reaction taking its sweet time to arrive. The smirk grew as he drummed his fingers on the blanket, as if expecting me to yell at him.

The only word I could muster out was this: "Wh..."

"I figured if I were to die from this, I would die while accomplishing what I should have done long ago. Don't tell me you hated it."

My voice returned and I scowled, wiping my mouth. "Words can't describe my feelings towards this. I should break your nose for that."

"Please. You wouldn't harm a poor, ill man such as myself." He forced some pathetic coughs and sniffed.

"I'm about to reconsider that." I wiped my mouth again, standing. "I will not repeat myself for the hundredth time. Sleep. Now."

"Very well, mother." He 'hmph'ed again, yawning. "I'll see you in the morning, afternoon... whatever."

"Good." I slumped into the chair, the legs scraping on the boards. My eyelids began to feel heavy; I had realized right then that I had been awake for more than 24 hours, maybe almost 36... During this time of the year, I rarely paid attention to the hours, only to when the next season arrived.

A single question bounced back and forth in my mind the entire night: why didn't I pull back when he kissed me? I had the chance to overpower him and move away, but I just sat there, dumbfounded. His resilience got on my nerves, his moves towards me literally fueled my anger. This wasn't the first time he did this, and I had my suspicions on it, but it baffled me so. I had the opportunity to push away and end it right there, before our lips touched.

I shook my head, rubbing my eyes. Sleep was overcoming me; I would slip into my dreams at any moment, much to my chagrin. The time was 3:30, and Caz was finally asleep. I could hear a light snore from under the covers, and he looked at peace, finally. I think I saw some color begin to reappear around his cheeks, and his sweating had reduced greatly.
I leaned my head back, watching my idiot friend sleep; I wanted his face to be the last thing I would see before giving into my own sleep. A tired grin appeared before my eyes closed and I drifted off.

He never knew when to give up, and I was okay with that.