↳ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 ー 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘

𝐋𝐗𝐈𝐗 ー 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧

◉

"Sierra."

She blinks. Blinks again. The face in front of her slowly focuses one facial feature at a time. Thick, slitted brows. Honeyed eyes. Dark beard. Tattoos.

"Rogue?"

He smiles softly. It's unlike him. His face wants to reject the softness of it as if it's a virus.

"Hey darlin'."

"Why are you here?"

She's curious but she's outwardly overjoyed by his presence. It's been so long. The city felt bleak without him here.

"Got back in the city a few hours ago, plane was delayed because of the storms. Alex didn't want to fly," he explains it all so gently. "How's our girl?"

"I'm okay."

"What are you doing out here by yourself?"

"I needed a walk."

He won't mention how it's more than just a walk from the hospital to here. Even on wheels it would be a journey.

"How long have you been out here?"

"Umm... an hour?"

He nods. Lowers his voice dramatically when he turns his head to speak to Ryder. "Get him here now."

She's watching the man scurry away. He's hushed when he speaks on the phone. He then beckons another man over, conversing with him quietly.

There's so many men here. When did they get here?

"Hey darlin'."

She focuses on him again. "Hey."

"I'm gonna help you up."

"Okay."

"I need you to open your hands so I can hold you. Can you do that?"

It sounds silly. Of course she can. She opens her hands as requested and he catches the object that falls from her right one. It's discreetly passed to the man hovering behind him.

"Keep lookin' at my face."

"Your face."

"That's it."

He firmly grasps her hands. Hers are slipping on the sleeves of his leather jacket. Presumably from the rain. Though it isn't raining anymore. When did it stop?

"Focus on me."

She tries to but something about the sky is far more entrancing. It's not until he repeats himself that she finally gives him her attention. Her legs are unsteady, her knees ache as she stretches them, but she does as instructed.

"We're going to walk this way." He begins to move. "Eyes on me." Slowly he turns her around. "Keep moving, that's it. Now close your eyes."

At first she's reluctant. When he nods assuringly, she hesitantly closes her eyes. Every sound is amplified. Something crunchesー it's plastic. A bottle. Suddenly water is poured over her hands. Then material is dragged over her hands and arms to scrub and dry them.