Daniel pulled the wet sleep shirt from my body, leaving me naked. I was Light blind, and unable to see, but able to sense the energies around me in focused intensity as an effect of the healing. I felt Melusine enter the room and heard them rustling clothing as they maneuvered around each other in the space. It was large enough to fit three people and probably more, but still somewhat compact with the three of us.

I heard the water in the bathtub run and felt the heat of the water as it began to turn from cold to hot. The warm moisture in the air wafted against my skin, as Daniel held me propped against his torso. A knock sounded on the door, and I heard Namjoon asking to come in. Feeling a terse calm bloom within the waiting energy of the room, I tensed and sent a thought to my companions, 'The Light is strong, but certainly he will be safe enough.' I suggested. I felt Melusine shake her head and instead of words inside my mind, I received the sensation that it was not safe for him at this time. I knew there was a reason beyond the excuse and wanted to question her, but for now I bowed to her wisdom.

Melusine went to the door, opened it and peered at the man on the other side, "It is not safe yet, Kim Namjoon. You need to wait further. We are well enough, as is." She told him.

The words came to me, sluggish upon the air, "Okay." He paused, "But could you come get me when it's safe?"

"Yes." Melusine replied, "It will be done." She nodded, and I sensed his disappointment as she closed the door. I knew that the barrier she had put up was an effort to separate us and the inevitable approached more swiftly than before. On the other side of the wall, creating the demarcation between the bathroom and hallway, I could sense Namjoon linger, as he leaned against it, then after a space of many moments, he finally left the hallway, going so far as to grab a mask and hat, leaving the dorm to ride his bicycle. I knew he would not be back until the evening, as his intention was clear inside his mind. My heart sank with this realization and I gave in, temporarily, to the events that were slowly trapping me.

~~~

Daylight waned and evening descended. With it, the dorm grew less quiet as some of the members returned. I had rested throughout the day, sometimes entering into a meditative state, drifting within a sense of timelessness. I was still unable to see clearly, but as the evening grew into its fullness, my sight returned dimly, and I grew somewhat restless, yet contained the restlessness within myself. When I sensed Namjoon's return, I stirred and spoke to the male beside me, "Son. I want a change of scenery. Assist me to the living space, please."

It was only Jaron and I occupying Hoseok's room. Daniel and Melusine had left several hours ago, leaving our small family to gather our strength as we communed in silence, our energies sifting together, separate, yet contained within our familial unit. Jaron stirred beside me, hesitant, "You want to see him, do you?" He asked me quietly. Unlike his usual method of speaking mind to mind, he spoke out loud, his mouth forming the words of our native language. His voice was quiet and just above a whisper, as he waited with anticipation for the answer that was coming.

"I do, actually." I murmured and began to sit up, having the strength to do so, but unable to maneuver completely on my own because of my shadowed vision. I pulled the covers from me and stepped out of the bed, only a little uncertain on my feet, as I tested the weight of my body, on my own. I felt Jaron wrap his arm around my waist, supporting me and continued with an explanation, "I know that my time is limited here, yet I want to see him, if I can." I felt Jaron sigh and with his understanding impatience, I continued, "He has returned. I need to see him."

With a nod, Jaron supported me as we left the room and walked into the living room, where Namjoon stood just outside of the foyer, speaking with Melusine. Her entire body language presented a wall to him. I could not see it, but could feel and see it through Jaron's eyes, who was sharing it with me, at my silent request. Interjecting into Melusine's mind, I interrupted their conversation, 'I know what approaches, and I know I do not have much of a choice, but allow me this, at least.'

Melusine stopped in the midst of her sentence, as she turned from Namjoon to me, facing me squarely. We spoke mind to mind, our facial expressions exposing us, 'You are right. You have little time, a week at best. Lariel has returned and Da'liel will return soon. As Lariel is aware, he says your time is done here. We must return as soon as your sight does.'

Feeling stronger, I stood on my own, extricating myself from Jaron's hold as I stood straight. Unable to clearly see Namjoon, I knew where he stood and gestured to him to come to me. He quickly moved beside me, as Jaron stepped back, and wrapped his arm around me, showing everyone that he would not leave my side easily.

Seokjin, Taehyung, Jungkook and Hoseok watched from the living room, Taehyung and Jungkook paused in their game, with Jin and Hoseok watching the interaction from the couch. All five sets of eyes watched our silent communication, as if attempting to decipher it.

I spoke out loud in Korean for everyone to hear, "With respect, Melusine, I do not much care what Dana saw. I am glad he has returned and is safe, but I am in the here and now and the man I love is beside me." Finishing, I spoke without transition, speaking again in my native tongue, "And I will take the time I need if I have it."

"The bandage will be ripped off." Melusine spoke precisely, in response, "You know it must be."

I knew that she was not happy that I was contradicting her, but her experience was vast as was her patience. With a light exhale, her entire body language changed, and she looked down at the floor, then shook her head. She looked up at me and spoke into my mind, 'It is what it is. Your connection to this man is strong. Lariel will be here and when he is, you will know it is time. He will show you.'

I frowned in her direction, almost straining against the shadows to see the older female. Namjoon gave me a comforting and supportive squeeze and with his encouragement, I leaned into him, "Be that as it may," I spoke again in Korean, then fluidly switched to my native, "I will take whatever I may. At least allow me this." I stated, not exactly forming a question, then again in Korean, "I need this. Please?"

Completely capitulating, Melusine's energy relaxed and she nodded, speaking into my mind, 'Yes. At least until the last moment. I will give you that. It is my gift to you, young one.'

With her words, I relaxed completely against Namjoon and turned towards him, wrapping my arms around his waist, then laying my head on his shoulder. He mirrored my actions and wrapped his arms around me, tightly, his face buried in the crook of my neck. I whispered, "For now, we are together. This is all I want and need." I told him. I felt the ache in his heart grow and sensed his tears, as both our throats became clogged with emotion. A tear escaped my eyes and landed on his shirt as he tightened his hold.

After a moment I extricated myself from Namjoon's firm hold and leaned back, peering at him as best I could, my eyes unfocused. "Help me to sit?" I suggested to him, holding his arms at the elbows, "I would like to spend some time here, before everyone seeks their beds."

Namjoon gazed into my eyes and realized that I could not see well and his own expression dawned into astonishment, "Uh. Yeah. Sure." He said, his surprise evident in his tone. He maneuvered his body, so that his arm lay against my waist and led me into the main portion of the living room. The others made space for me, as Namjoon almost pushed them out of the way with his feet as we passed. I felt and heard the movement, rather than saw it, the effect of a shadow on my corneas.

"What happened to your eyes, Lina?" Taehyung asked curiously from my right, with some concern, "I didn't know your eyes were hurt too."

Behind us, I felt and heard Daniel move into the room, a guarded attitude of energy suggesting to me that he had crossed his arms over his chest. In my mind I could see his position as he stood taller and explained, "She is Light blind, but her sight will return."

"What is that?" Jungkook asked, abandoning his game controller and sitting on the couch next to Hoseok. Taehyung turned the game off and sat on the floor next to the couch, leaning against it between the other two males.

When none of my own people responded, I turned my head in Jungkook's direction as Namjoon helped me to sit on the couch, then placed himself next to me, "It is when the energy is so powerful, that it causes the one who is healed from it to become blinded by it, for a time. Depending on the healing, it can last longer than a week. My own healing was not so dire. I was not at death's door, but it was a powerful healing. It will last as long as that, at the least, but I am already beginning to see shadows, so not much longer now."

I heard Namjoon's thought next to me like a whisper, filtering into my mind, 'So we really don't have a lot of time now.' Pretending I did not hear him, I settled into his side and he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. He kissed my temple, sighing into my hair.

Silence descended on the room, the questions stilled for now. Each of the men seemed to be engaged deep in their own thoughts and my own people were speaking amongst themselves within the confines of their mind. I could feel the whispers of it, but did not hear them. My own thoughts were occupied with the man next to me, as I settled further into his side.

Suddenly the room erupted into sound as the two youngest of the group began to elbow each other and wrestle where they sat, yelling in play, as if the silence was too much to bear and they must suddenly distill it in the raucous chaos they had created. Namjoon glared at them, for a moment, but as Jungkook lifted Taehyung half off the couch and then slammed him into the cushions, Hoseok was forced to duck out of the way and pushed away from them, so that both males fell to the floor in a heap. Jaron, who stood behind us, began to laugh, which set off more laughter amongst our group. Relaxing, Namjoon's face split into a half smile, smirking at the antics of the two younger men. For this moment, the tension was dispelled.