Celine awoke to the soft hiss of the oxygen machine. A pink sticky note lay where rumi had once been. Picking it up she read it
âI wanted a snack from the vending machine brb.â
she smiled faintly before turning her gaze back towards the girl in bed and her heart ached. How could this have happened? Could she have stopped it somehow? No, she had tried that before and she had failed. The magic involved was just too complex to understand. Then she saw it. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming. until the faintest movement caught her eye.
(Y/n)âs fingers twitched.
Celine bolted upright, heart in her throat. â(Y/n)?â
The girlâs eyelids fluttered, heavy and dazed. Her lips parted, voice a fragile whisper. â...Celine?â
âOh, thank the gods,â Celine breathed, half laughing, half crying. She leaned forward, brushing a trembling hand across the girlâs forehead. âYouâre alright, sweetheart. Youâre safe. You're in the hospital, okay?â
(Y/n)âs gaze drifted, taking in the sterile room, the steady hum of machines. âRumiâŠ?â
âSheâs here,â Celine said gently. âShe stepped out to get a snack. She wouldnât leave you.â
That brought a faint smile to (Y/n)âs lips. âSounds like herâŠâ
It was then that the door opened with a soft squeak and there stood Rumi, clutching a half-open bag of chips and a bottle of water, her expression frozen.
For a second, she didnât move. Then the chips slipped from her hands, scattering across the floor as she rushed forward.
â(Y/n)!â Rumi gasped, nearly tripping as she raced to the other side of the bed. âOh my god, youâreâ youâre awake!â
(Y/n) managed a weak smile. âHey⊠you got me chips?â
Rumi choked on a laugh that sounded suspiciously like a sob. âIâd have brought you the entire vending machine if I thought itâd wake you up!â
Celine watched, her throat tight as Rumi wrapped her arms gently around (Y/n)âs shoulders. The reunion was quiet, heartwarming and tearful, but full of joy.
Then, before anyone could say another word, the door opened again.
A man stood there. pale, exhausted, and almost unrecognizable with his disheveled hair in the dim light. His suit was wrinkled, Tie undone with large dark circles under his eyes. For a moment, he just stared. Then he moved closer, his breath hitching with each step.
She blinked, vision clearing just enough to see him. He was older than she remembered, streaks of gray at his temples, eyes rimmed red. He looked like a man torn between guilt and relief.
âDadâŠâ Her voice came out hoarse, barely a whisper.
He stepped forward instantly, his hand shaking as it hovered over hers, as if afraid to hurt her. âIâm here, Iâm right here. I came as soon as I heard. Iââ His voice caught. âYou scared me half to death.â
Rumi turned away, pretending to be very interested in something across the way, fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. The moment felt too tense, too private but she refused to leave. She just couldnât.
(Y/n) tried to smile, but it was shaky. âYou⊠you were gone for so long. I didnât thinkâŠâ subconsciously she squeezed Rumiâs hand and she immediately squeezed back, letting her know she was there.
âI know,â he whispered, guilt flooding his face. âI know, baby. I was trying to fix things. I thought if I could justââ
âFix me,â she finished softly.
He froze, eyes glistening. The words hung there between them, fragile and devastating.
Celineâs jaw tightened at the girl's words, her gaze steady and cold as she tried not to glare daggers at the man in front of her.
âI missed you,â she said, voice barely audible.
He squeezed her hand. âI missed you too.â
Celineâs heart twisted where she stood a good distance away trying to give them the space she knew they needed. Rumi glanced up at her, reading the worry on her face. Both knew this reunion wasnât the neat, tearful fix they had imagined.
Celine grimaced, her arms folded, a storm of emotions behind her calm expression. For so long she wanted to see this reunion. In fact sheâd dreamed of it for (Y/n)âs sake but now that it was happening, she couldn't help feeling her chest tighten. Because she saw the way (Y/n)âs eyes darted toward her every few seconds, silently asking for reassurance. Asking her for support. And the look on her face told her she was scared. Almost like she was talking to someone she didn't know. A stranger
In an instant Celine crossed the small hospital room, the soles of her shoes scuffing against the cold floor. The steady beeping of the heart monitor filled the silence.
(Y/n) looked so small in the large bulky hospital bed, still pale but livelier than she had been earlier.
Quickly she stopped beside the bed and hesitated for only a moment before sitting gently at the edge. The mattress dipped slightly under her weight. âHey, sweetheart,â she said softly, the words laced with that calm, steady tone sheâd used for years. The kind that always made bad days feel better.
(Y/n) turned her head toward her, a faint, tired smile curving her lips. âHey.â
Across the bed, Rumi perked up at the woman now closer than she was before. Her hand still tightly grasping (y/n)âs right hand. Sheâd been unusually silent the past couple of hours but she couldnât blame the poor girl.
None should have to see their best friend go through something like that but⊠there was nothing they could do about it now.
Celine gently reached over and brushed a loose strand of hair from (Y/n)âs forehead. âYou ok?â
(Y/n)âs smile faltered. She looked around at those around her. The people she cared about most and all she saw in their eyes was fear and worry and an indescribable ache she didnât know how to classify. âI really scared everyone, didnât I?â
Celine exhaled through her nose, not quite a laugh, not quite a sigh. âYou gave us a few grey hairs, that's for sure. Especially this one.â She glanced over at Rumi, her tone softening. âShe wouldnât leave your side all night.â
Rumi straightened instantly, the tips of her ears flushing pink. âIâI was just making sure she was ok,â she muttered, looking down at her lap.
Celineâs lips curved into a knowing smile. âMm. Of course.â
That earned her a quiet snort from (Y/n), small but genuine. The sound lightening the aura of the room slightly.
Her father, who had just been sitting there, hands folded, watching, let out a slow breath. His shoulders eased a little, and for the first time since he got here, he smiled. âShe takes after her mom, worrying over everyone but herself.â
Celine glanced at him, but didnât comment. She turned her attention back to (Y/n), her voice gentle again. âThe doctors said your vitals are good. They want to keep you for observation a little longer, just to be safe.â
(Y/n) frowned slightly. âBut I feel okay now.â
âI know,â Celine said, reaching to adjust the blanket over her legs. âBut you scared them too. Let them keep an eye on you for a bit. No oneâs in a rush.â
Rumi leaned forward, resting her chin on the arm of the bed. âYou scared me too. You shouldâve seen the way Celine acted. I thought she was gonna punch someone.â
Celine shot her a mock glare. âRumi.â
That actually drew a laugh from (Y/n), fragile, breathy, but real.
Her fatherâs expression softened again as he watched the three of them. the way Celineâs hand rested protectively on (Y/n)âs wrist, how Rumiâs teasing made her smile. He didnât interrupt, just sat there and let the warmth of the moment envelop them. But he couldnât help the ache that clung to his chest.
Celine glanced at (Y/n) once more, her tone quiet but firm. âWell youâre safe now. Thatâs all that matters.â
(Y/n) nodded, her eyes heavy but peaceful. âYeah⊠itâs nice. Just being here with you guys.â
For the first time in what felt like forever, the room felt like home.
For a while after that, no one spoke. The machines hummed softly, rain tapped faintly against the window, and the fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. .
(Y/n)âs hand rested loosely in her lap as she resisted the urge to pick at the IV in her arm. A wave of exhaustion had washed over her and the IV was making it difficult to be comfortable. Celine stayed beside her, one hand lightly tracing circles over the blanket, more to comfort herself than anyone else. Rumi had finally started to relax too, slumped against the side of the bed.
Her father had stayed quiet throughout it all. He stood near the window, watching the clouds drift outside as the dark sky turned into a soft dusty lavender.
He looked back at his daughter who was now semi cuddled up to the other girl with purple hair. She looked exhausted.
âI should⊠let the doctors know sheâs awake.â His voice was curt and rough.
Celine looked up, her tone gentle. âTheyâll be relieved. Sheâs been the talk of the floor.â
He nodded, a faint, humorless smile tugging at his lips. âYes. I can imagine.â
He turned to his daughter, stepping closer to the bed. âIâll be right back, sweetheart. I promise.â
(Y/n) blinked up at him, still hazy but alert. âYouâre not leaving, right?â
He froze, the question stung more than she probably meant for it to. He didnât turn his body, only his head as she spoke over his shoulder. âNo. Iâm not leaving. Not again.â
Celineâs gaze flickered between them with a quiet ache she tried not to let show.
Rumi, watching from where her head was placed on (y/n)âs shoulder, looked away, her thumb rubbing against her knuckles.
Mr. (L/n) stood after a moment and straightened his jacket. âIâll go find the doctor. You two stay with her.â
He opened the door, his hand pausing on the frame for just a heartbeat before he left. The door clicked softly shut behind him, leaving the room tense.
(Y/n) sighed, sinking deeper into the pillows. âHe looks tiredâŠâ
Celine brushed a hand along her arm. âHe is. Heâs been running himself ragged trying to help you.â
Rumi looked up at that, a faint frown tugging her mouth. âMaybe he shouldâve stayed and helped her here instead.â
âRumi,â Celine warned softly, but there was no real anger in it. Because in reality Rumi was just saying what she herself also thought.
Like mother like daughter I guess.
(Y/n)âs eyes closed, her lips curving into a faint, bittersweet smile. âI think heâs trying. In his own way.â
Celineâs gaze softened at her words. âHe is. He just doesnât always know what to do.â
Looking through the glass panel in the door, Celine saw (f/n) speaking quietly with the doctor. His hand running through his hair, shoulders tense. After a few moments, he nodded at whatever the doctor said and started back toward the door, a new look of determination in his face.
She quickly turned her attention back to the two girls.
He stopped at the door, watching the three of them for a moment. his daughter, pale but smiling faintly between her teacher and her best friend.
Then, he opened the door. Only peaking his head in and called.
âCeline,â his voice came, curt and firm. âwe need to talk.â
Celine looked up slowly. Her eyes flicked to (Y/n), who met her gaze with a faint, puzzled look, and to Rumi, who gave her a slightly nervous look.
âAlright,â Celine said, rising to her feet calmly. She rested a reassuring hand on (Y/n)âs shoulder. âIâll be right back, girlsâ
Together the two adults stepped into the hallway, the air colder out here the hospital filled the silence.
âAs soon as sheâs stable enough, Iâm taking her to America.â
The words hit like a slap.
Celine folded her arms slowly, her tone controlled but cold. âYouâre doing what?â
âShe nearly died, Celine!â he snapped, his voice shaking. âI wonât sit by and watch it happen again. There are specialists there. People who can help her.â
âHelp her?â Celineâs voice rose, disbelief cracking through her composure. âYou still donât understand, do you? This isnât something you can medicate or fix with machines. Whatâs happening to her is part of what she is. Itâs her connection to the Honmoon. Itâs ancient, we donât understand it.â
âI donât care what it is,â he said, pacing, grief boiling beneath his words. âI buried my wife because of this madness, and I refuse to bury my daughter too!â
âYou think I donât know that?â Celine snapped, stepping closer now, eyes burning. âYou think I havenât spent every day terrified that sheâd end up like her mother? But while youâve been off chasing god knows what, Iâve been here! watching her grow, keeping her safe, holding her hand when the pain came.â
He started first, voice strained. âLook, I can't thank you enough for everything youâve done, Celine. But I think itâs time she came home with me.â
Celineâs arms crossed slowly. âHome? You mean the estate youâre barely in? Or whichever hotel youâre living out of this month?â
His jaw tightened. âYou know Iâve been doing everything I can to find a cure. If thereâs a chanceââ
âAnd in the meantime,â Celine interrupted sharply, âwhoâs been here when she got bronchitis? When she stayed up all night studying until she passed out at the kitchen table? When she cried because her father was too busy to come for her eighth birthday? â
He flinched, but she didnât stop.
âYouâve been gone while sheâs been living a life right here. She doesnât need a cure, she needs a father. She needs a family.â
He met her glare with one of his own. âI know that! You think I havenât hated myself every day for missing it?â His voice cracked. âSheâs all I have left of her mother.â
Celineâs eyes softened, but only for a moment. âThen treat her like sheâs here now. not like sheâs something you might. Loose.â
He fell silent, breathing hard, his hand trembling slightly at his side.
And then, Celine turned away before stopping, her voice lowering into something fierce and protective.
âHave you even asked her what she wants?â
He blinked, stunned, speechless.
Celine shook her head slowly. âBecause I have. Every day. And what sheâs always wanted. more than anything in the world. Was not a cure, or answers. It was for you to come home.â
She walked away down the hall a few feet before sighing. âIâm going to go get the girl's food.â Then she left.
When the hall had gone still, he groaned running his hands down his face before he wandered back toward the room but he couldnât bring himself to go in. He turned his back to the wall and leaned his thoughts running wild through his head only to be interrupted at the sound of a soft voice.
Peaking through the glass he saw Rumi still sitting by his daughter's bedside, a blanket now wrapped around their shoulders, as they leaned against each other.
âDo you want to hear a story?â she whispered, brushing a strand of hair from (Y/n)âs face. âItâs about a tiger and a magpie and a dragon and a foxâŠâ
He stood in the doorway, unmoving until he had to cover his mouth with one hand to keep from breaking apart.
He hadnât heard that story in years. Not since his wife⊠Now, hearing it again, told in another voice, to the same child. He pressed his back harder against the wall and closed his eyes. The ache in his chest was unbearable, but beneath it, a small flicker of hope.
And for the first time in a long time, he didnât feel so alone.
A/N: hey yâall! Sorry itâs been a minute a lot of things have happened and Iâve had no time to post but weâre back! I hope to post more!
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