When a Lynx Meets a Leopard [Ash Lynx x fem reader]

Chapter 104: Shorter?

Song: About Damn Time
By: Lizzo

Ash's POV

(Y/n) has been acting weird ever since I regained my consciousness. It's like she's hiding something, but I couldn't quite work out what. I didn't let it bother me. If it was something really important, she'd tell me, right?

On my first day out after being discharged, she wouldn't let me do anything. (Y/n) treated me as if I was made of thin glass, worried I'd break at any given moment. I just smiled it off. It felt nice to be truly cared for, so I let her worry about silly things happening. For example, me tripping up over anything and everything. I didn't mind. I didn't mind at all. It meant I got to hold her hand, something I'd missed greatly before the whole coma thing.

We had lunch in a small café near the hospital, and (Y/n) just talked and I listened. Her eyes glistened as she spoke, telling me about how much she and my guys had missed me. It was weird to think about. I always knew I'd die in a horrific and painful way, and laying on that library desk, I truly thought that was where I'd die. If I was honest, it wouldn't have been all that bad. The amount of blood I lost had almost completely nulled the pain, and all I could hear was (Y/n)'s voice reading her letter to me. No, it wasn't nearly as nasty as I had imagined. But, I'm glad I lived. So glad I survived.

After walking down the sidewalks around Manhattan for a bit, I started to notice (Y/n) get a little more nervous. Her walk sped up, and her hand was squeezing mine repeatedly. We'd ended up in Chinatown, and because it was midday on a Sunday, there were people everywhere. At first I though that was what was bothering her, but something told me that wasn't it. I gently pulled her into an alleyway, making her face me. "(Y/n)? What's wrong? You seem to be rushing." 

I waited for a moment, tilting my head to the side slightly and holding both her hands, rubbing my thumb over them softly. She swallowed hard, averting her eyes from mine. "In truth, I'm not sure how you're going to react. So yeah, I'm a little nervous." She chuckled lightly, finally meeting my eyes. I furrowed my brow, having absolutely no idea what she was referring to. That was when something moved in the shadows. How I hadn't noticed them before, I don't know. I'm usually more aware than that, but I was too focused on (Y/n) I guess. Instinctively, I got ready to fight whoever this person was, but (Y/n) stopped me. 

"Long time no see, Ash." That familiar, casual voice chirped, as the shadow moved closer, hands behind their head. "Who are you?" I demanded, refusing to believe it was who I first thought. "Eh? You don't remember me? (Y/n) told me you didn't forget anything after your coma!" The man I feared it to be moved forwards, coming into the light in one step. He was different. His hair had been shaved off, his eyes sunken with tired bags beneath them, a black tattoo snaking up his arm and the smell of cigarettes on his breath. He was also alive, not dead. Shorter, my best friend who I killed, was alive. 

The next few seconds lasted hours as I stuttered out the starts of words, never finishing one. I looked over at (Y/n) for reassurance, and she just smiled back, tears brimming her eyes. 

"Shorter-" I managed to choke out, taking one step forwards and practically falling into his arms. I knew he'd catch me, and he did. Shorter was back, and I didn't know if this was real or just some cruel trick. But it didn't matter. In that moment I had my best friend back, and all I could do was cry into his shoulder, something I never though I'd do again.

~~~
I chose this song because Shorter definitely likes it-
I can't explain why, but I feel like he does

Anyways,
Have an amazing day/night,
~Author♥️