(18+ only) Ollie and Leora's Whirlwinded Romance

6

(Leora's POV)

Drew had brought in paramedics to take us both to the hospital. He also made certain to arrange for both of us to be taken to their best hospital room.
The treatment and care I received was like a dream. The room was quiet, filled with comfortable furniture, and even smelled good. Was this the life Ollie had led?
"Are you his wife?" one of the nurses asked.
My heart started pounding.
"N-no! Just...a...special friend."
The nurse sounded skeptical but didn't say anything else. A small group of nurses came in and most of them rushed over to Ollie to stablize his condition.
"So, remind me again how you managed to step in so much broken glass?"
I sighed.
"I'd rather not say. I was...very distracted with worry, I suppose."
"Well, worrying about yourself before your...friend...look at what it's cost you."
"I should have gone to him when he first went into the hospital."
The nurse didn't reply to me.
"I am going to take you off to an examiniation room. The medical team will work on getting all of this glasses removed. It isn't the Esper Union, but we will do our best."
"Thank you Miss," I bravely smiled.

...

I had been through hell and back having the glass removed from my feet as I was returned to the hospital room. When I arrived, Gaius and Discboom were with Laura and Drew.
"Hi. What are you all doing here?"
Discboom looked at me with seriousness outlined in her face.
"Are you feeling alright to have a talk?"
"Um, sure," I said.
"Laura and Drew told us everything."
"Everything?" I asked.
Discboom nodded.
"Are you ready for this talk now, or do you want to wait?"
"I can talk now," I replied.
"When did you start seeing Ollie?"
"About half a year ago," I smiled, "After Ollie saved my life, we had a connection. We started off as friends, but then things took a turn."
I stopped, not wanting to gush too much.
"Look," Discboom said, "I can see how much you care about Ollie. You can barely contain yourself. I actually have never seen you this happy while at work. You have always been so serious since coming here from the Shadow Decree."
I nodded.
"So I understand that you instructed Ollie to keep your relationship a secret. Otherwise, you would both be dismissed. So, you knowingly were in a relationship with him despite knowing the consequences."
"Yes."
"After hearing Laura and Drew's side of the story, Gaius and I had a talk. Drew has been with us for some time and is a very high ranking general, as you well know."
I waited for her to continue.
"With that being said, I would normally start the process to have you dismissed. However, along with Gaius and Drew, we have all decided to change our current policy."
"Oh," I said.
"Outside of work relations are permitted, but professionalism must be maintained at all times," Discboom explained, "Even if you are both equals."
"I see," I smiled, finally understanding.
....

(Ollie's POV)

By the time I came to, I was in a hospital room. Not far from me was Leora, looking out of the window. I looked over and saw that Drew and Laura were fast asleep in some chairs. For a VIP hospital room, this place sure was lousy. It suddenly occurred to me that perhaps I had gone to a regular hospital because I had blacked out again. If this was the best they could do, then I would accept it.
Gaius and Discboom walked in and Discboom gasped in surprise.
"You're awake, Ollie! How are you feeling?"
"Like I have slept very well," I sheepishly admit.
Laura grabs me into a squeeze while Drew gently hug me on the other side.
"You had us all worried sick Ollie!"
"Let go, you're squeezing me Laura."
I look over to Leora, who is smiling at me, and I see her feet are bandaged up. My heart starts racing. She had stepped on glass before I had blacked out. I hear a noise. It must be the heart monitor I am on.
"Ollie. What's wrong? Are you okay?" Laura asked me.
"Ollie, don't worry. I am alright now," Leora smiles at me, "They removed all of the glass pieces and they're waiting for my feet to recover."
The noise from the heart monitor stops.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you," I said.

Gaius hugs me, completely throwing me off and I lose my train of thought.
"I understand that you're worried about your girl. But trust me, you still need to take it easy for a while."
When Gaius pulled back, I looked at him and felt confused. When did he find this out? Were Leora and I both dismissed now? Was all that secrecy for nothing?
"We had a talk, all of us, while you were unconscious," Discboom explained, "Laura and Drew told me and Gaius everything. We decided to change our policy for interpersonal relationships outside of work. With that being said, you're free to continue to be with Leora. Even if you become a general, you must stay professional at all times. No PDA or affection of any kind."
"Even if you were to tell me I couldn't be with Leora, who are you to try and stop me?" I crossed my arms.
"Oh, he's definitely back to his old self again!" I heard my sister laugh.

I heard the nurses fussing near Leora's bed. Her heart rate had jumped up like mine had earlier. I knew she was OK, just worried for me for standing up to one of my superiors.
"But as long as you can agree to keep to the new rules, then everything will continue to run smoothly at HQ!" Discboom smiled.
"It's about time you changed the rules. I always thought it was unfair," I said.
"I do see your point. We probably should have changed things long ago, right?"
"Yes."
"Well now you can just grow into the next general of HQ one step at a time; no need to rush things," Gaius said to me, "You have the potential to become one of our best, but don't burn yourself out at both ends. You understand, right?"
"Right," I nodded.
"Now that everything seems to be settling down, we will head back to HQ ourselves," Discboom said, "Please get better soon as we look forward to seeing you both back on campus."
"Thank you," I nod.
As Gaius and Discbook left, Drew came up to me.
"Laura went and got us snacks," he explained, "The doctor had advised me while you were speaking with the generals that you should be ready to be discharged by today. We can come back and see Leora as she continues to recover—"
"What?" I ask, "Are you out of your mind? Leora is coming back home with me."
"But Ollie, she has some time left to recover–"
"She is not going to be staying alone in a hospital room when I have plenty of space for her to stay with me. I'll even set up her care in my room. By the way, was the glass cleaned up in the room?"
"Of course," Drew smiled, "I took great care to clean everything up. It was the least I could do to help. That way, as soon as you were better, you could transition back to home life."
"Thank you," I smiled at him.
I turned towards Leora.
"You're alright with that, aren't you?" I ask her.
"I...I have to go pay my rent."
"How much is it to cancel your lease?"
"Cancel? You mean, buy out of it?"
"Whatever it costs, I will pay it. I want you to come stay with me for good."
"But what about Anita?"
"There is enough space for all of us," I smiled at her, "I love you Leora, and I want to be with you."
I could hear Drew "aw'ing" and getting emotional. Laura had returned at this moment too and she was squealing and hugging me.
"You aren't still mad at me?" Leora asks me.
"We can have a long time after we get back from the hospital," I said.
"I would have helped you both long ago if you would have only asked," Drew said to Leora, before looking at me.
"Right right."
"Ollie. Don't be so guarded around us," Laura said, "You can trust us."
"Can I? Can I trust anyone? Even you all?"
"I know it's hard since our parents died—"
"You have no idea," I interjected.
"Ollie?"
We all stopped and looked towards Leora.
"You can trust your loved ones," she smiled at me, "Those who break your trust aren't worth thinking about."
I didn't say a word but I couldn't help but smile, even a little.