You press Lin gently into the wall behind him, resting the majority of your weight on his chest. Slowly, you place one hand on his waist and the other on his cheek, deepening the kiss.

For a long moment, Lin is like a streetlight, frozen the space in front of you and blinking dumbly. For a moment, you wonder if you came onto him too sudden, but then all fear leaves you when Lin slowly, delicately, kisses you back. He stands up straighter, wrapping an arm around your waist and another around your shoulders, pulling you closer and trying to take control of the pace. You consent to this, and as your bodies become closer, the kiss grows more intimate. You are hungry for each other, and after tasting Lins lips, you could continue this for eternity.

But Lins bloodshot, sunken eyes stare back at you with as much physical pain as they did before, and the truth of Lins declining health flood back in. You pull yourself away from him, releasing his waist and his lips from your grip. He returns the favor and for a moment, you two do nothing but stare contentedly at one another.

Lin sways on the spot, gasping and placing a shaking palm to his temple. You grasp him once more around the waist, pulling him close and holding him steady. He looks at you dazed, his breath growing more shallow by the minute. "Hey!" You exclaim as you drag his frail body to the couch. You lay him down on the sofa, and dash to the kitchen, soaking a hot rag in warm water.

You pull Lins damp hoodie off and place the steaming cloth on his partially-bare chest. You grab your essential oil diffuser off your bathroom counter and it fills your quaint living room with an eucalyptus scent.

Already, you can tell that Lin is breathing easier, but the wheezing sound that you can hear from several feet away is concerning you. You pick your cell phone up off the carpet and dial your sister's number. Your sister is three years older than you, and so far, much more accomplished, essentially your superior in every way. She had long blonde hair, a doctoral degree, and strong desire to smash the social patriarchy. Most importantly, she could be of some assistance for Lin.

The phone rings only seconds before your sister answers dully: "What do you want." You explain to her your situation and she agrees to make the 15 minute drive from her office to your apartment to see Lin, free of charge. You thank her profusely (to which she replies: "Sure." Before hanging up), and walk over to Lin.

Lin, having regained some mental functionality sometime between the last time you spoke to him, and now, was currently giving you a desperate look. "What's wrong?" You frown, handing him your phone. When he hands it back, it reads:

Not see doc.

"Lin." You say, clicking your tongue, "You've got to be checked out if you want to get better." Lin shakes his head and you hand the phone back:

Expensive

"No, She's my sister, she's not going to make us pay unless it's something serious. Besides," You say, taking his hand, "Money doesn't matter so much right now. What matters is that you get better." Lin holds out his hand, asking for the phone back, but you shove it in your pocket.

He gives you a wounded grunt of displeasure as you walk away, turning of the light and settling into the recliner in the corner. "Try to rest, okay?" Lin sighs moodily and turns over, facing away from you.