Wake of the Dead | Three

Chapter Fifty-Seven | Jasper & Killian

"Jasper?" A soft, musical chime coaxed Jasper into wakefulness, the voice was followed with ruffling of bedsheets as Killian tried to sit up.

"No, no. Lay down, I'm coming." Jasper soothed hastily. He can't move around too much, he might get hurt, right? Or that IV might tear out...does he really still need that? He stood up and shook off the sluggishness of sleep. Once he'd reached his partner's bedside, he carefully reached out. "Can you see me?" In the darkness, Killian shook his head. Jasper set his extended hand on his lover's cheek, careful not to frighten him.

Killian leaned into his palm, raising his own hand to hold his. "Are you really here?" He asked with wide eyes. "I'm not still dreaming?"

"Do you remember anything that happened?" Jasper asked, "How you woke up?" If he doesn't I'll talk to Hasan. That isn't a terrible sign, is it? Surely he'll be alright?

Killian shook his head, his brows furrowed with a frown on his lips. "Not much," the young man admitted, "but I think...you were with me, weren't you? I don't remember anything. Just the people who were here." A pang of sympathy tore through Jasper's chest. His strong, brave Killian had been frightened, beaten into passivity by his new situation. I'd be scared too, but I can see it. I can still see the fire in his eyes. Around me it dims, but it's still there. Dormant maybe. But it won't be for long. "Can you turn on a light? I can't see. I want to see you!"

Jasper pressed a kiss onto Killian's forehead. "Of course, baby. Anything you need." When his hand momentarily lowered from his partner's face, he could suddenly understand just how frightening it would be, relying on your eyesight your whole life, only to have it stripped away in a single moment—if not forever, even just momentarily. Even if his vision doesn't recover, if it's impaired or if he'll be blinded—it doesn't matter. He's mine. That won't change a thing. There was a candle on the bedside table, it wasn't much. He'd find a flashlight once it was lit, just to help even more.

"Where's Midnight? Is she here?" Killian whispered. He's so quiet. You'd think somebody would be listening to us...maybe he's frightened they will. But why would he be? There isn't anybody else here, unless he's scared of Hasan. "She's a big horse." He added, "Really big."

Jasper took his lighter from his pocket and flicked it until a flame ignited, then held it up to the candle. It wasn't a large one, it barely provided anything, but it was scented of lavendar—even if it didn't shed much light, it could still help Killian relax. "She's here, just outside the window, actually." Jasper said, smiling even if he knew his lover couldn't see it. "I think she misses you. She also doesn't like Darren."

Killian chuckled, "She doesn't like anybody." Jasper's smile devolved into a concerned frown when his partner's chuckle broke off into a cough, one that emerged from his chest—and no doubt would have hurt his throat. Once he retrieved a flashlight from the room's dresser against the wall opposite from the bed, he flicked it on—making sure to point it away from Killian. Shining it in his face isn't going to help at all.

An idea crossed his mind. "Close your eyes for me." He said, "Tell me when I can turn it on."

There was a few seconds of silence, then Killian's muffled reply came, "Okay."

Jasper set the light on the dresser, turning it towards the bed to light up the whole space. Killian's eyes slowly peeked open when they got used to the change, then he smiled up at him once he joined him on the bed again. "I can see you now." Killian said, then lifted his arms to demand a hug.

Jasper scooted his way closer to the middle, then set his hands carefully under his partner's arms, moving him to sit between his legs in his lap. Killian snuggled closer, pressing his face against Jasper's neck. "I missed you." He rasped, the tone of his voice wavering like a river current.