It was dreading, how time seemed to fly so fast. Perhaps, it always did. But only almost 9 months ago, you came to the realization of it. A day to never forget, you couldn't recall the last time you broke down that hard upon hearing about his sickness, your world crashing into an instant— But who could blame you?

It was already a miracle that he managed to continue acting 'normal' in the likely first 14 months he went through it. You partly blamed yourself for not seeing it soon, all those signs despite the front he forced himself to put on.

But you were aware, that he wouldn't last long. No matter how much your heart wished to delude itself in its extant hope, it was only a matter of time.

No. Not at all. But— As long as he didn't say his soulmate final words, he would manage. Right? At least, that was what you wanted to believe. And yet..

In that hospital bed, Kuroo could barely speak now, more infrequently as his condition worsened rapidly. He could barely move— Endless tubes poking from his skin that hooked him to the machine as he struggled to breath, even.

And it just kept going downhill at each visit— Each overnight stay. You felt so helpless— So useless.

But.. He could still live, right?