HEART OF GOLD | CORIOLANUS SNOW

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 109

Lilith winced as her eyes fluttered open—it was too bright. A hand squeezed hers, another pushed her hair back and stayed in her mane. Then, the faint scent of roses struck her, and she didn't care if she was staring straight into the sun.

The glare still had her squinting, and when his beautiful face came into focus, it was with a strong halo behind his golden curls that gave the impression he was an absolute angel.

"Hey," he whispered, smiling and looking even more angelic. "How's your head?"

Her head felt foggy, but it wasn't trying to pull itself out of her skull anymore, which was more improvement than she could have hoped.

"Better."

"Good." But his smile waned as his thumb began brushing idly around her temple. "They gave you something for it. They're running your tests. They should have the results soon."

"Thanks."

It was inadequate to convey her gratitude, especially if her memory proved right, but it was difficult to form elaborate responses. Lilith had trouble even squeezing his hand back—all her limbs and extremities felt leaden—but she guessed from the way his grip tightened and the corner of his lips twitched upward that she'd managed something perceptible.

His other hand remained on her head, but as Lilith nuzzled herself against it, he slid it down to caress her face, and Lilith sighed in pleasure. She wasn't prone, and though she hadn't looked at anything aside from his face since she opened her eyes, there was a vague awareness of being in the hospital: the too-white lights, the odour of antiseptic adulterating his characteristic fragrance, the bed that could be inclined to afford her current position. She might or might not be in the same room as her previous stay with a broken arm, but the sheets and the gown felt the same.

Many things were different, though. It wasn't freezing like it had been at this point of her admission last year, assuming it was the same point, given she couldn't even tell the time, let alone how long she'd been here. Although he was still her first visitor, he wasn't in his military uniform. He wasn't even in his full tuxedo, missing the outerwear and bow tie, even having his first button unprecedentedly undone. He also wasn't in his chair, casting her enigmatic expressions.

No, he was casting her enigmatic expressions from the edge of her bed.

At least that explained the dip she had felt just before being blinded, which was more plausible than rolling around on the lake in a storm, the scenario she had imagined.

Whether it was sedatives fogging up her brain or his unwavering gaze turning it to clouds—or maybe it was just his touch—Lilith could not confirm. His eyes seemed to be a mix of everything from worry to contemplation to tenderness, and she couldn't begin to fathom what was going on in that brilliant mind of his. She was content just to look at him, however, which was a feat in itself, since her eyelids didn't always want to cooperate.

After a moment—well, a long one, anyway—of just staring at each other, he said, "You scared me."

Without quite processing it, Lilith automatically replied, "I'm sorry."

He flashed her a lopsided smile. "You don't have to apologize. I'm just glad you're awake."

Unhesitatingly, Snow leaned in and pecked her forehead.

Although the contact was brief, its effect was far-reaching, spreading a tingling warmth right down to her toes. Her face suffered the worst of it, and despite her flaming cheeks, she shivered at the kiss.

Over the quickening beeps representing her pulse, he asked, "Do you want me to turn up the heat?"

Too embarrassed to speak, Lilith only shook her head at her quilt. In truth, she wasn't cold, and she would rather he didn't leave her side.