Nix and Aqua finally woke up from their strange sickness. The hospital room was cold and quiet, the only sound a soft beep from the heart monitor. They turned to each other in confusion.
"What's going on? Why are we at the hospital?" Aqua asked, her voice still weak.
Kaori rushed into the room and immediately wrapped them both in a hug. "Thank the gods you're both alright. I was so worried!"
Nix sat quietly, overwhelmed. *I'm not sure what happened... but it feels nice that Kaori cares about me,* he thought. The warmth of her concern made him feel safer, even a little happier.
Aqua repeated, "Mom, what happened? Why are we here?"
Kaori pulled back and looked at both of them. "You two had dangerously high fevers. Dr. Chris couldn't explain it. I was scared… but you're okay now. That's all that matters."
She hesitated, keeping her deeper thoughts to herself. She wasn't ready to tell them about the strange connection Dr. Chris had noticed between them.
"How are you both feeling?" Kaori asked.
"I'm feeling alright," Aqua replied.
Nix remained silent, and Kaori gently turned to him. "Nix, I know this must feel strange—being with a new family, in a new place. It might feel lonely, but it doesn't have to be. We're here for you. I'm here for you. I just hope, with time, you'll trust us."
Without saying a word, Nix suddenly hugged Kaori tightly and began to cry. She hugged him back, knowing without words what he was feeling.
*There's definitely something different about him,* Kaori thought. *Something that makes me care even more.*
Trying to shift the mood, she smiled. "How about we go get some ice cream?"
Both Aqua and Nix nodded.
"Alright, let me check with Dr. Chris to make sure you're good to go," she said, stepping out.
Left alone, Aqua turned to Nix. "Sorry your first day with us ended up in the hospital."
Nix looked at her, surprised. "No, don't apologize. I just can't believe I've been in the hospital twice in the same week… but I'm really glad you're okay."
Aqua smiled. "You mean *we're* okay. You count too, you know."
Nix smiled softly. Her voice had a calming effect on him.
Kaori came back into the room and caught him smiling. "Wow, Nix—you have a really nice smile. I'm so glad you're feeling better. Dr. Chris says you're good to go, but we'll need to come back for a check-up. Now let's get that ice cream!"
—
They headed to a park with a small ice cream stand. The air smelled like grass and melting sugar, and the sun peeked through the trees overhead.
"So Nix," Aqua asked playfully, "what's your favorite flavor?"
"Strawberry."
"No way! That's my favorite too!" she laughed.
Kaori watched them with a warm smile as they grabbed their cones and walked out of the shop.
Her phone rang. "Go sit on that bench while I take this call," she said.
Nix and Aqua sat down on the bench nearby, enjoying their ice cream.
"How's your ice cream?" Aqua asked.
"It's good," Nix replied.
"You don't have to be shy with me," she added gently. "We're friends."
"That makes me really happy," Nix said. "I know I've been quiet since we met, but—"
Suddenly, he felt heat build in his chest and radiate through his arms. His palms grew warm—almost too warm. He looked at his hands, confused but silent.
At the same time, Aqua's ice cream dripped onto her shirt.
"Ugh!" she laughed. "Oh no!"
They both burst out laughing.
—
Kaori stepped away to answer her phone.
"What's going on, Chris?"
"Kaori, I've been testing Nix and Aqua's blood… and something strange is happening. Impressive, even."
"Is it bad?" Kaori asked.
"I'm not sure. But when I called you, Nix's blood started reacting to Aqua's in real time. It's like their bodies are… linked. How are they doing?"
"They're fine. I just looked back—they're laughing together. It's honestly a relief."
"Wait—you said they're together right now?"
"Yes. And getting along really well."
Dr. Chris fell quiet. "Kaori, I've got to go. If I'm right about this… it could be groundbreaking. I'll call you later." *Click.*
Kaori stared at her phone. "Oh, you son of a… whatever. I'm glad he's focused."
She walked back over. "You two having fun?"
"Yes!" they replied.
"I think the day's getting hotter—your ice cream melted on you, Aqua." She handed her napkins. They all laughed.
"Let's head home. I think Zane and Lina are cooking. Be ready to taste the best food ever, Nix."
—
On the way home, Nix sat in the backseat, deep in thought. *What was that heat? Did I cause it?*
Aqua glanced at him, slightly concerned. *He looks stressed… Did I say something wrong? He looked so weird just before my ice cream melted.*
—
"We're home!" Kaori called as they stepped inside.
Zane peeked out from the kitchen. "Just in time. Lina made dessert. Hope you're hungry, Nix."
"A little," Nix said. "We had ice cream after the hospital."
"What?! You went for ice cream without me?!" Lina gasped.
Kaori laughed. "Relax—I brought you cookies and cream. You know I wouldn't forget your favorite."
Lina lit up and ran to the freezer. Everyone laughed.
"Alright," Kaori said. "Let's eat. Lina, save that ice cream for after dinner—we're officially welcoming Nix with this meal."
They gathered around the table. Nix blushed slightly when Aqua looked at him. She noticed… and quietly kept it to herself.
—
After dinner, Kaori whispered to Zane, "We need to talk later."
Zane winced. "Every time you say that, I feel like I forgot to raise the toilet seat."
She laughed. "Not this time. It's about Aqua and Nix. Chris thinks they might be connected."
"Connected how?"
"They had matching fevers. Same heart rate. It wasn't a virus—Chris couldn't even explain it."
"That's freaky. I've never heard of anything like that, not even in the military."
"I know. I'm going to the hospital tomorrow to run tests with Chris. He hung up on me earlier—he's definitely onto something."
Zane nodded. "We trust him. Let's see what he finds."
—
That night, Nix lay awake, staring at his palms.
*That heat… it came from me. I could feel it build in my chest, move through my arms...*
He held up his hand. A small, flickering flame burst to life—warm but not burning.
His thoughts wandered to something buried deeper—his father's words, years ago, wild with panic.
*A man with fire in his hands…*
*Could he have been talking about someone like me? Am I like him?*
Then he thought of Aqua. The fever. The hospital.
*What if that wasn't a coincidence?*
*What if I caused it?*
Guilt tightened in his chest like a vice.
The flame shifted—its color darkening, distorting. Purple veins of energy licked through it like corruption.
His breathing quickened. Across the room, a faint glint in the mirror caught his eye. His reflection stared back—
—his eyes glowing. Deep violet. Bright. Unnatural.
The fire in his palm roared briefly, then collapsed in on itself. He clenched his fist, forcing it out.
*If I'm the reason she got sick… what does that make me?*
No answers came—only the faint pulse of shadowed heat, still alive beneath his skin.
Then, like a switch had flipped inside him, the energy drained from his body. His limbs grew heavy, his head light. Nix collapsed back into bed, the world dimming around him.
The last thing he saw before slipping into unconsciousness was a faint purple glow fading from his fingertips.