Deja Vu Battle | 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝟑 (Part 1) ✅

43.

As they walked side by side down the sterile hospital corridor, the atmosphere between Aries and Estella crackled with unspoken emotions. The earlier tension in the meeting room felt like a distant memory, replaced by a sense of intimacy that had been sorely missed. Estella's hand brushed against Aries's back as they entered his hospital room, a gentle gesture that sent warmth through him.

The moment they crossed the threshold, Dennis stepped forward, his expression softening as he caught sight of Estella. Without warning, he pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in her shoulder. "I missed you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Aries watched, surprised, as Estella's eyes widened, a mix of confusion and amusement crossing her face. She patted Dennis on the back, her surprise turning into a soft smile. "I missed you too, Dennis," she replied a hint of laughter in her voice.

After a moment, Dennis released her, stepping back with a sheepish grin, as if realizing how his sudden affection might have come off. He gave Aries a quick nod before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Prim lingered in the doorway, her eyes darting between the two, clearly amazed to see Estella standing there as if she were witnessing some kind of miracle. With a knowing smile, she slipped away, leaving Aries and Estella alone.

The silence in the room was heavy, punctuated only by the soft beeping of the medical equipment. Aries shifted awkwardly in his chair, suddenly aware of the distance between them. He felt exposed, and vulnerable, and not just because of his missing arm. The weight of their shared experiences loomed large, and he wasn't sure where to begin.

"Hey," Estella finally broke the silence, her voice gentle. She stepped closer, her gaze searching his. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been in a blender," he replied, attempting to inject some humor into the situation, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "But I'm glad to be out of that meeting. Those political debates are brutal, even worse than the medical charts."

Estella chuckled softly, but her laughter quickly faded as her eyes flickered to his bandaged stump. She hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. "You don't have to hide from me, Aries," she said softly, sensing his discomfort.

Aries instinctively shifted his position, fiddling with the loose fabric of his tight shirt. "I'm not hiding," he lied, pulling at the hem as if he could make the fabric cover his injury more effectively. "Just... trying to find something more comfortable. This shirt is kind of snug."

But Estella wasn't fooled. She stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. "You're not fooling anyone," she said gently. "You don't have to pretend around me. I want to see you—the real you, not just the brave face."

He felt a lump form in his throat at her words. Aries looked away, biting his lip as he focused on the bandage wrapping his missing arm. "It's just... I don't want you to see me like this," he admitted, the vulnerability spilling out despite his best efforts to suppress it.

Estella reached out, her fingers brushing against his forearm, a silent reminder of her presence. "Aries, this doesn't change who you are. You're still you—strong, resilient. And honestly?" She paused, searching for the right words. "You're still the same guy I care about. This doesn't define you."

He looked up at her, his heart racing as he searched her face for any signs of pity. But all he found was genuine concern and warmth. "You make it sound so easy," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It's not easy for anyone," she replied, her tone earnest. "But we're in this together. You don't have to face this alone."

Aries took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words settle over him like a comforting blanket. At that moment, the air in the room shifted. The awkwardness between them began to dissipate, replaced by a shared understanding that bound them together. He allowed himself to relax just a little, revealing a hint of the vulnerability he had been keeping at bay.