CHAPTER 155: AWAKE AGAIN

The door closed gently behind Camila, leaving only the hum of machines, the faint patter of rain, and the hush between two hearts trying to find their rhythm again.

Billy stood in the center of the room, still damp, IV cord lightly tugging at his wrist. But his eyes — they were on Artur. Just Artur.

Artur stood by the wall now, hands in his pockets, gaze lowered. He looked like he was bracing himself, like he wasn’t sure what to do now that the moment they’d both imagined was really happening.

Billy stepped closer.

Slow. Careful. Like the air between them might shatter.

"I missed you," he said, barely above a whisper.

Artur finally looked up, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. His voice came hoarse, uneven.

"You were asleep for days," he said. "I sat there every night wondering if I’d ever hear your voice again."

Billy smiled faintly, eyes wet. "I dreamed of you."

A pause.

Artur blinked, almost startled.

"You... remember something?"

Billy shook his head gently. "Not memories, just... feelings. Like I was looking for someone. Someone who felt like home. I kept following light, and sound, and... warmth."

Billy’s voice trembled. "I kept searching, even in the dark. Every time I felt close to peace..."

He looked up at him.

"It was always you."

Artur’s jaw clenched. He turned away for a second, rubbing at his eyes. When he faced Billy again, his voice was low but steady.

"You scared the hell out of me."

Billy reached for his hand — lightly at first, then fully.

Their fingers laced, quiet and familiar.

"You once told me you don’t believe in promises," Billy said softly. "But I do."

"And I promised I’d come back... if you’d still have me."

Artur didn’t answer right away. He just stepped closer — chest to chest now, forehead gently pressed to Billy’s.

His voice came in a whisper.

"I never stopped waiting."

Billy’s eyes shut. He breathed him in like oxygen, like something that finally made sense again.

"I think I’m falling in love with you all over again."

Artur gave a trembling laugh against his cheek.

"Then let me catch you this time."

They stood there in the hush — two hearts bruised and brave — as outside the storm passed quietly into the night.

The soft glow of the overhead light caught in the edges of Billy and Artur’s embrace, a quiet calm between them.

Their fingers still loosely intertwined, their heads resting gently together.

Then—

The door opened.

Camila stepped in first, followed by Dr. Harris and a nurse trailing behind with a tablet in hand.

Camila’s eyes widened. She froze in place for a moment — relief washing over her like a second wave.

"He’s awake?" she said breathlessly, eyes flicking between them.

Billy and Artur slowly parted. Billy smiled, faint and teasing.

"Took me long enough, huh?"

Camila rushed forward, nearly tackling him in a hug — carefully minding the IVs.

"You absolute idiot," she whispered shakily, gripping him like she didn’t want to let go. "You scared the hell out of me."

Billy leaned back just slightly, a cheeky sparkle in his tired eyes.

"You cried, didn’t you?"

Camila pulled away, sniffed, and smacked him gently on the shoulder.

"Shut up."

Dr. Harris stepped closer, chuckling quietly.

"Well, sarcasm intact. I’d say that’s a very good sign."

The nurse began checking his vitals while Dr. Harris flipped through the digital chart.

"Do you know where you are?" he asked, voice gentle but assessing.

Billy nodded, gaze steady.

"City General. Third floor. Cardio-Neuro unit."

Camila blinked.

"You remember that?"

Billy nodded again.

Then softer, with a weight that hadn’t been there earlier:

"I remember... everything."

Artur’s eyes searched his. Billy turned to him fully.

"My name is Leon Sandoval. I’m an actor... I grew up here, in the city. And one day, I nearly drowned during a shoot... woke up in a place I didn’t know... with people I’d never met... but I found a life."

His gaze locked with Artur’s.

"I found you."

A silence fell over the room — soft, reverent.

Dr. Harris gave a quiet nod. "I’d like to run a few neuro checks tomorrow, but this..." he glanced around, "this is nothing short of incredible."

The nurse smiled as she finished. "Vitals are strong. BP stabilizing. He’s doing better than expected."

Camila wiped her eyes, trying not to cry again.

"God, I really thought you’d make me wait another week," she muttered.

Billy gave her a grin.

"I had to make a dramatic entrance, didn’t I? I am an actor."

They all laughed, even Artur — soft, breathy, but real.

"Welcome back, Leon," Dr. Harris said gently.

Billy looked at him, then shook his head.

"It’s Billy, actually... if that’s alright."

He turned to Artur once more, that soft defiance in his voice.

"That’s who I chose."

The room had never felt so full. Not with noise — but with presence. Warmth. Breaths shared, glances held. Even the sterile walls seemed softer somehow.

After the checkup and a few more lighthearted exchanges, Dr. Harris and the nurse excused themselves quietly, promising to return in the morning with a full team for further assessments.

Camila lingered by the door, watching as Billy leaned back into his pillow — not out of weakness, but peace.

His fingers still brushed gently against Artur’s hand resting on the edge of the bed.

"I’ll let you two rest," Camila whispered, her voice touched with tenderness.

Billy glanced at her, eyes kind.

"Thanks for staying."

Camila smirked. "Don’t think this gets you out of sibling teasing forever."

"I’m counting on it."

She stepped out, gently closing the door behind her — a final hush settling over the room.

Billy turned his head, slowly, to face Artur — who hadn’t moved much. He sat close, just watching him with a quiet sort of reverence.

"You look like sleep forgot you too."

Billy reaches out, brushing his thumb over the dark circles beneath Artur’s eyes.

Artur gave a dry laugh under his breath.

"I didn’t. I couldn’t."

A beat.

"I thought maybe... maybe I pushed you away for good."

Billy exhaled through his nose, then reached out — a slow, confident move — resting his hand over Artur’s heart.

"You didn’t. I was always coming back. Even if I didn’t remember... I think a part of me always knew."

Their hands stayed there, fingers intertwined over soft fabric and fast heartbeats.

The rain had stopped outside. Just the drip of a gutter in the distance and the gentle hum of machines.

"Will you stay?" Billy asked, already knowing the answer.

Artur nodded, stood just enough to press a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"Until you ask me to leave."

Billy’s smile was sleepy, but real.

"Then get comfortable."

Artur pulled the chair closer, his hand never leaving Billy’s. He leaned back, exhaling. His shoulders, after days of tension, finally sagged into rest.

For the first time in a long time... they both closed their eyes.

Together.

And the night, at last, was quiet.

Soft sunlight filtered through the half-drawn blinds, painting golden lines across the white hospital sheets. The hum of machines continued, steady and calm.

Billy stirred first, his eyelashes fluttering open to the sight of Artur—still sitting beside the bed, still holding his hand, still here.

Artur had dozed off at some point, chin tucked slightly into his chest, the faintest trace of exhaustion clinging to his features.

Billy didn’t move at first.

He just watched him.

The way the morning light hit Artur’s curls... the curve of his lips, even in sleep. That familiar calm he carried, now painted in soft amber.

He smiled.

"Hey," he whispered gently, voice hoarse but warm.

Artur stirred.

Blinking slowly, he adjusted in the chair, then lifted his head. For a moment, his gaze was clouded with sleep—but when he saw Billy watching him, his eyes sharpened with something more than relief.

"You’re still here," Artur said softly, like a truth he needed to hear aloud.

Billy squeezed his hand.

"Told you I wasn’t going anywhere."

Artur swallowed hard. He didn’t speak, just leaned in and pressed his forehead gently to the back of Billy’s hand.

A knock came on the door.

Camila, carrying two cups of coffee and a bag of breakfast snacks, peeked in.

"Morning," she said softly, eyes hopeful.

Billy grinned. "Morning."

She stepped inside, balancing the tray.

"He’s awake, and already being smug. I guess that means we’re really back to normal."

She handed Artur a coffee without a word and gently nudged Billy with a warm pastry.

"Your favorite," she said. "Even if you don’t remember it. I do."

Billy took it, his eyes misty but playful.

"You’re the best."

Camila sat beside them, finally letting herself relax.

"Dr. Harris is on his way. Mom’s already called three times."

Billy chuckled softly. "Of course she has."

Artur smiled faintly, watching the two of them, but his gaze kept drifting back to Billy—as if reassuring himself that this was all real.

And outside the window, the morning bloomed quietly.

A new beginning.