The Great War

V

Theo sits halfway on the bed staring at me, "What?" I ask, his hand squeezing mine here and there, it's like he was checking if I was really there.

"Nothing."

I sit up and cross my legs, "What happened?" I ask him quietly.

He shifts uncomfortably and looks down at our interlocked hands, "You flatlined twice. I thought you were gone." He says in a quiet voice, it broke at the end as he rubbed his face with his free hand.

"You weren't responding to anything the doctors did, it was like you died." He pulls his hand from mine and wraps his arms around my waist pulling me closer to him. "I sat here day in and day out for you to wake up."

I furrow my brows, how long was I gone? He pulls back and cups my face, seemingly trying to touch everything he could like I was gonna disappear.

"How long?" I mumble questioningly,

"About 2 days,"

My eyes widen as I forget how to breathe, "I was asleep that long? Really?" He nods his eyes showing his exhaustion, "Have you slept at all? Eaten?"

He shrugs, "How could I? You were practically dying in front of me." I sigh and scoot back on the uncomfortable hospital bed and pat the spot in front of me. He unsurely situates himself so he's half laying between my legs. I run my fingers through his hair.

"Please sleep, I'll be here when you wake up." I feel him melt as soon as I began. He sighs out relieved.

"Promise?" he mumbles exhaustedly,

I smile and run my nails softly over his cheek. "I promise."

He hums quietly in response and wraps his arms around my waist once he turns onto his stomach, laying his head on my belly. Almost like magic he was asleep, I expected him to struggle but he didn't. He was out like a light.

I look up at the door as it opens, Lilium walks in looking just as tired as Theo. "You're awake!" She gasps out staring at me wide eyed.

I give her a soft smile and nod, "I am, Theo finally agreed to sleep." She smiles and walks over trying to be as silent as she could. She hugs me avoiding touching Theo for the sake of his sleeping. She pulls away after a moment of lung-crushing.

"You should rest too, take a shower and eat whatever you need. I'm okay,"

She seems unsure about my request before hesitantly nodding after a moment. "I'll be by later, okay?" I nod as she waves bye and leaves the room, the door clicking shut behind her.

I look down at Theo, his face smooshed as he breathes in and out quietly. I smile as I watch him sleep, he looked peaceful for the first time in weeks. I run my fingers through his hair a few times as he mumbles a few incoherent words.

I lift his head carefully and scoot down getting more comfortable, he was basically half-way on top of me at this point. I lean my head to the side on my pillow and close my eyes, my fingers twirling some strands of his hair as I listen to the rhythm of his breathing.

𖤐

I yawn and slowly open my eyes adjusting to the lighting of the hospital again. I look down and Theo isn't there. I sit up in a rush as I look around not seeing him. "Theo?"

I push the blanket off my legs and get up on wobbly legs, I felt tears prick my eyes as the rush of panic hit me. Was that all a dream? The second I took a step forward my legs failed, and I hit the floor with a thud. I groan as I sit on the floor, tears in my eyes, trembling hands. I looked like a child who got their toy taken away.

"Daphne?" I look up and see a frantic Theo rushing into the room and kneeling down in front of me. "Are you okay? What happened?"

I release a breath of relief as I pull him to me and hug him tightly, "Nothing, I'm okay, just scared." I mumble into the corner of his neck as he lifts me up by the waist. I hook my legs around his hips as he sits down on the bed, holding me tightly to him.

"You're alright, I was just calling Lilium in the hall. I didn't wanna wake you." He mumbles into my hair, rubbing my back comfortingly. I sniffle and lean more into him.

"I'd rather you spook me awake by calling her here then wake up alone." I mumble and he chuckles and nods.

"I'll do that from now on then."

I nod in acceptance and force him to stay in our current position. He falls back purposefully and bearhugs me. "Theo—" I wheeze out as he squeezes me affectionately.

"I like my lungs." I laugh out as he releases some pressure.

"I know." He mumbles as he turns us around so I'm on my side and he's facing me. "I love you." He mutters quietly staring into my eyes.

I give him a soft smile and lean forward kissing his nose, "I love you too, dork."

He grins and pulls me into him again and gives me a proper kiss on the lips. He pulls away after a moment and places a hand on one side of my face smiling at me lovingly. "You're beautiful, you know that?"

I shrug and place my hand on top of his, "I look like I'm a zombie but thanks."

He rolls his eyes and laughs breathily, "Sure." I grin at him and sit up, "Where do you think you're off to?" I snort out a laugh when he pulls me back down on top of him and holds me there like a koala.

𖤐

"Thank you for bringing food, hospital food sucks ass." I mutter with a mouth full of food, my hand covering it as I speak.

"You're welcome." Lilium smiles as she takes a bite of her sandwich. Theo sat behind me, his legs on either side of me as he ate his food scrolling on his phone.

I nudge his leg making him look up confused, "What?"

I laugh quietly and look away from him, "It's only nice to say thank you, Theo."

He looks lost for a second before catching on and looking at Lilium, "Oh yeah— thanks."

She nods at him chuckling, "You're welcome, Theo." I slide the rest of my food away from me and lean back onto one of Theo's legs and cross my arms.