Race of a Lifetime

Chapter Twenty-Seven-Gladion's POV

I still feel lightheaded when I wake up, but I can tell I'm in a hospital room. The sterile white walls, the slightly uncomfortable bed, and the beeping of a heart monitor. I look over to see a sleeping form in a chair, her head and messy hair on the bed near me. Adira. I smile softly at her, and move my hand to shake her softly. That's when I notice the IV in my forearm. What happened? I know that Adira was under the mind control and tried to choke me, and before I could I got her to wake up, but after that, I have no memory. I lightly shake Adira, which causes her to stir, then wake up. When she sees me, her eyes widen and she bolts up in her seat.

"Gladion, you're awake! Hold up, I need to let the nurse know." I give her a strange look. "How long have I been out?" She ignores me, rushing over to press a green button on the wall. In walks  a man with dark skin, black hair, and blue scrubs. He looks over to me, and speaks up. 

"Gladion, it's good to see you awake. How do you feel?" 

"Fine. How long have I been out?"

"A week, the speed of the impact caused some damages that left you in a semi-coma after the surgery. We put you on some simple formula for nutrients, and to help your body heal after the procedure. Are you in any pain? If so, where?" 

"No, though I am a bit light-headed."

"That's normal, I'd say one more night for you to recover before being released." He glances at Adira. "I'll let you two talk." Once he's gone, I feel my body relax a little, but then I notice the state Adira is in. Her eyes have dark bags underneath them, her hair in a messy ponytail, and she looks like she hasn't eaten in a few days. "Lillie, Mother, Father, are they alright?" 

"Yes, Mohn had several injuries from being held captive over the years, so he was in surgery for longer than you, a few more hours, but he's alright. He won't be the same though. He's paralyzed from the waist down. Lusamine had a broken rib, but it's not severe, and they were able to fix it. Lillie is fine." I let the news sink in. Father being paralyzed, Mother healed, Lillie being alright. 

"I'm sorry Gladion." I look up to see Adira looking guilty, as if she thinks it's her fault, which I know she probably does. "This isn't your fault." Adira's eyes widen, but then she looks away. 

"I almost killed you. I put you in this predicament."

"When was the last time you ate?" She doesn't look at me. 

"I should tell your family that you're awake." I grab her wrist, forcing her to stop. She turns to me in shock, but I keep my face firm. I can tell she hasn't eaten in awhile. "Answer me Adira, when did you last eat?"

"Four days ago." "Why?" Her eyes are shaded, her baggy eyes making her look years older than she is. 

"I couldn't bring myself too. Not while you were unconscious because of my actions."

"Giovanni was controlling you." 

"I still did the deed. I promised myself when I escaped that I wouldn't be what Giovanni altered me to be, but I still ended up being a danger to others. Just like he wanted. What if this continues? I don't think I could stand to see you or anyone I care for in danger because of me again. I also stabbed Giovanni with two airborne knives. What if end up being just like him?" 

"You worrying about being like that bastard, proves that you aren't. If you were, you wouldn't think about how your actions affect others." She still doesn't look at me, which causes me to do something probably both bold and stupid. I take her hand, and pull her over to my bedside, and kiss her knuckles, causing her to both stare at me, but also to blush satisfyingly. Once I let go of her hand, I'm wondering if I went too far, but I take the opportunity to retrieve her thoughts from that dark place. "Giovanni is gone, you are free, and we are safe, conscious, and breathing. You reunited my broken family, you stopped whatever hell Giovanni had in store for the world, and you saved our sisters, families, and every citizen in Galar. You are not like that criminal, because that type of coward could never be capable of all that. Got it?" I realize that I just let almost all my thoughts about her out into the open, which causes my face to heat up, and I look away. 

"Okay." I look back, surprised by the softness of her voice. Her face is flushed, and her eyes aren't full of fear or turmoil anymore, but admiration and hope. I think I finally got it into her thick skull that she isn't the experimental soldier that monster created, but a person who survived and thrived through a horrific situation. 

"Do you want to see your family?"

"Not yet, I have something I need to tell you."

"If you are about to make another rallying speech about me, I'd have to decline." I smirk, knowing that she must be feeling better if she's making jokes. "I-I think I might like you, not as friends, but more. I'm waiting until I know for sure though." 

"That's sensible of you. We should get a piece of paper and pen so you can make a list or a chart or something." 

"Maybe I already know, and I'm afraid you'll run away." 

"Then you should know better."

"Fine, then Adira Collins, will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes."