Apollo lay unconscious on the hospital bed, his face pale but peaceful. His father sat nearby, his worry evident in every furrow of his brow, every restless shift of his posture. Beside him, Amari sat rigid, exhaustion etched into his features, but his gaze never strayed from Apollo.
Apollo's dad glanced over at Amari, his voice soft but firm. "Amari, you should get some rest. You look like you're about to collapse."
Amari shook his head quickly, his tone sharper than he intended. "No. I'm fine." His eyes didn't budge from Apollo, the quiet determination keeping him rooted in place.
Apollo's dad sighed, recognizing the stubbornness but choosing not to fight it. He didn't have the energy for a back-and-forth. The room was steeped in silence until the door burst open, and Apollo's family rushed in, frantic and loud.
