"They've definitely both been better. I think we all have. I think Brandon's suspected a relapse briefly when his symptoms started to return and signpost it, but it's only been a relatively short space of time between then and when he got the test results to confirm it. It was enough of a gap of time for Merlin's stress levels to go through the roof and they weren't communicating so well. Brandon is trying to hold on to his agency over himself that he pretty much lost during his first fight because he was so unwell. Merlin just wants to protect him and take care of him. Wrap him up in cotton wool, per se. Which is something I very much understand as one of Jace's primary carers. He and I have had similar rough patches when we were learning to find a rhythm together. Illness, disability, injury, it's all such a tough cookie to crack because we're all different. They're so young too. Merlin was only nineteen when when he met Brandon. Brandon was twenty-three. That's a massive load on young people. What they do have, however, is each other. Their love is as strong as it can be and they're a great team. Like seriously, they're beautiful together. They've got all our support and everyone will be on hand to help again. I think it's just one of those take each day as it comes things. For now, right this minute, the focus is trying to get Merlin to rest so he can recover from his surgery which can be easier said than done. Brandon will start treatment in a few weeks, once they decide what way they'll be going with it. Merlin can't donate more bone marrow right now anyway. He needs to regain his strength a bit more. He's lost weight and hasn't been eating much, so that'll be the first aim. Brandon, physically, is holding up okay. I think he's just very fatigued. Don't make any big decisions just yet. I'll talk to him first."

He smiled and gave Cillian his tea now the photo was set aside. "Still, I'm sorry it happened how it did. It's not a pleasant thing to learn. But I'm not sorry that it did happen because we got Merlin out of it. Your DNA created a really amazing son and we're blessed to have him. If only that made it all breezier? Trust me, I know how overwhelming this stuff is. I met my own biological family, even after discovering my father had passed away quite young from a heart attack. I got twin brothers and a sister out of the deal. It's surreal how shit like this comes about. How did your family take it when you discovered you had a son out there that you'd never met? How do they feel about you coming here to meet him? We've got some Irish friends here in New York. Actually, one of the oncologists who saved Brandon's life is Irish from County Larne, I believe. Don't quote me on that. Her husband is Scottish and he oversaw Brandon's bone marrow transplant."