ᴄʟᴀᴡꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴅᴇᴍᴘᴛɪᴏɴ ⤷ ʟᴏɢᴀɴ ʜᴏᴡʟᴇᴛᴛ

.𝟐𝟎

Lottie's eyes fluttered open, the soft hum of the infirmary's machinery a comforting backdrop. She felt a warm weight resting on her chest and glanced down to find Logan's head nestled there. His breathing was steady and rhythmic, a gentle reminder that he was still there with her.

She let out a soft sigh, her fingers instinctively reaching up to stroke his hair. Logan stirred, a low, groggy murmur escaping his lips as he began to wake. His eyes opened slowly, revealing a mix of confusion and profound relief.

When his gaze met hers, Lottie felt a rush of warmth and color creep up her cheeks. Logan's eyes widened slightly, his expression softening with a blend of surprise and adoration. His hand reached up, his fingers gently closing around hers.

"I was so damn worried," Logan murmured, his voice rough and thick with emotion. His thumb traced over the back of her hand in a slow, soothing motion. "I thought I was going to lose you."

Lottie's heart swelled with affection as she looked down at him. She tried to respond, but her voice was barely a whisper. Before she could find the right words, the door to the infirmary creaked open.

Jean stepped inside, dressed in her usual scrubs, her face a mask of professional calm. Lottie's brow furrowed in confusion as she noticed Jean's presence. "Jean?" she said, her voice weak but filled with uncertainty.

Jean's gaze softened, but there was a lingering sadness in her eyes. "You're awake," she said softly. "That's good to see."

Logan's attention shifted to Jean, his expression a mix of gratitude and exhaustion. "Jean's been a huge help around here," he explained, his voice gentle. "She's been working to keep things stable, especially since..."

Jean's face grew more somber, her eyes shifting between Lottie and Logan. "If Logan hadn't donated so much of his blood, you might not have made it," she said quietly.

Lottie's eyes widened in shock. She turned her gaze to Logan, then back to Jean, trying to process the gravity of the situation. "What?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Jean's eyes met Logan's, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. She began to slowly back away, her expression a mixture of sadness and resignation. "I should... give you both some privacy," she said gently.

Logan's grip on Lottie's hand tightened slightly as he watched Jean leave, his eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and concern. The door closed softly behind Jean, leaving the two of them alone in the quiet of the infirmary.

Lottie's heart pounded in her chest, her mind reeling from the revelation. She looked at Logan, his face now a mask of both relief and exhaustion. "You... gave me your blood?" she asked softly, her voice trembling as she struggled to process the magnitude of his sacrifice.

Logan nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah. I wasn't gonna let you go without a fight. I couldn't lose you, not like that." His voice was thick with emotion, and Lottie could see the strain in his eyes.

Lottie's gaze softened as she reached out to gently cup his face with her free hand. "Logan... why? You didn't have to—"

"I couldn't just sit by and watch you suffer," he interrupted, his voice raw. "You mean everything to me, Lottie. I'd do anything to keep you safe. I think it's better that I do that instead of burning down the whole damn world."

Lottie's eyes filled with tears, her heart swelling with a mixture of love and gratitude. "You're always so... selfless," she whispered, her fingers tracing along his jawline. "I don't even know how to thank you."

Logan's hand came up to cover hers, his touch warm and reassuring. "You don't need to thank me. Just... stay with me, okay? That's all I need."

Lottie nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

Logan's eyes softened as he leaned into her touch, his expression filled with a deep, vulnerable affection. "I don't know what I'd do without you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're my everything."

As the minutes passed, the silence in the infirmary was filled with the gentle sound of their breathing and the occasional beeping of the medical equipment. Lottie's fingers continued to caress Logan's hair, her touch tender and soothing.

Logan's eyes fluttered shut as he rested his head on her chest once more, his breathing steadying as he began to relax. Lottie held him close, her heart aching with the depth of her feelings for him. She pressed a soft kiss to the top of his head, her voice barely audible as she murmured, "I love you, Logan. More than anything."

Logan stirred slightly, his voice a sleepy murmur against her skin. "I love you too, Lottie. Always."