The next morning, Mik woke early, anticipation for the evening making it hard to sleep. They peeked into Alex's room, finding their brother already awake, propped up against his pillows. The quiet hum of the oxygen concentrator filled the room with its steady rhythm. Though pale and tired, Alex managed a smile when he saw Mik, shifting the nasal cannula slightly as he turned his head.
"Hey, squirt," Mik said softly, settling on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay, I guess. Just tired." Alex fiddled with the worn edge of his space-themed blanket, the rockets and stars faded from countless washes.
Mik hesitated, then said, "Listen, I was wondering... do you think you'd be up for a little stargazing tonight? Around 9:45?"
Alex's eyes lit up slightly, some of his old enthusiasm sparking to life. "Really? You'd stay up late with me?"
"Yeah, I thought it might be fun." Mik tried to keep their voice casual, though their heart was racing. "We can bundle up and sit on the porch for a bit. If you're feeling up to it."
"I'd like that," Alex said, his voice stronger than it had been in days.
As evening approached, Mik's heart raced with anticipation. At 9:40 PM, they helped Alex into a warm jacket, trying to keep their hands steady as they zipped it up.
"Are you sure about this, Mik?" their mom asked, concern etched on her face. "Alex needs his rest."
"Please, Mom," Mik pleaded. "Just for a few minutes. I have a feeling something amazing is going to happen."
Their parents exchanged a look, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright, but only for a short while," their dad said.
The family stepped out onto the porch, the cool night air making Alex shiver slightly. Mik wrapped an arm around their brother, supporting him. The porch swing creaked softly as they settled into it, its familiar sound comforting in the quiet night.
"So, what are we looking for?" Alex asked, his voice weak but curious. His breath made little clouds in the chilly air.
Mik smiled mysteriously. "You'll see. Just keep watching the sky."
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
As the minutes ticked by, Mik could feel their parents growing restless. But at exactly 9:47 PM, it began.
The first streaks of color painted the sky, eliciting gasps from the entire family. Swirls of vibrant purples, greens, and blues danced across the heavens, more vivid and dynamic than any aurora they'd ever seen. The colors seemed to ripple and pulse, like waves in an otherworldly ocean.
"Mik, what's happening?" Alex whispered, his eyes wide with wonder. His grip on Mik's hand tightened.
Before Mik could answer, a melodious hum filled the air. It started softly, then grew in intensity, resonating deep within their chests. It was as if the cosmos itself had begun to sing, a harmony so beautiful it brought tears to their eyes. The sound wasn't quite music, yet it carried emotions no earthly instrument could convey - hope, healing, transformation.
Their parents stood speechless, mouths agape. Mik felt tears streaming down their face, overwhelmed by the beauty and the strange sense of rightness that washed over them.
As the celestial symphony reached its crescendo, Mik noticed something extraordinary. The plants in their mother's garden seemed to be swaying in rhythm with the music, despite the lack of wind. For a moment, Mik could have sworn they saw new buds forming and leaves unfurling in fast motion, as if spring had decided to arrive in the span of minutes.
The event lasted for what felt like both an eternity and mere seconds. As the colors began to fade and the music softened, Mik turned to Alex expectantly, hoping to see some immediate change.
Alex's eyes were drooping, the excitement having drained what little energy he had. "That was amazing," he murmured sleepily. "But I'm really tired now."
Their mom stepped forward, concern replacing awe on her face. "Let's get you to bed, sweetie."
As their parents helped Alex inside, Mik lingered on the porch, their eyes still fixed on the sky. They pulled out their phone, fingers flying across the screen.
StarGazer101: Cayde, did you see that? It was incredible!
CelestialObserver: I did, Mik. The world is changing. Keep watching Alex closely.
StarGazer101: But he seems the same. Just tired.
CelestialObserver: Patience, Mik. Some changes take time to manifest. Trust me, things are going to get better.
As Mik finally headed to bed, their mind whirled with the events of the night. The Celestial Symphony - for that's what it had felt like, a symphony of stars - played over and over in their memory. They couldn't shake the feeling that something monumental had just occurred, something that would change everything.
Before heading to their own room, Mik paused in Alex's doorway. The steady hum of the oxygen concentrator provided a quiet rhythm to his sleeping breaths, its green status light pulsing like a tiny earthbound star. For the first time in months, Alex's breathing seemed easier, more natural, even with the nasal cannula. It might have been Mik's imagination, but they could have sworn the machine's usual labored sound had softened, as if it didn't need to work quite so hard anymore.
Change was coming, one breath at a time.