Arizona couldn't help but smile through her tears, relief washing over her as she realized that Y/n had heard her—had really heard her. Despite everything, Y/n was still sharp, still her fiery, stubborn self beneath the pain and exhaustion. That spark hadn't dimmed, and it filled Arizona with hope.
"You did?" Arizona said softly, brushing a strand of Y/n's hair from her forehead. "Then you know I meant it. I'm not just saying it because you almost—" her voice cracked slightly, the weight of what could've been hanging in the air, "—because we almost lost you."
Y/n's gaze softened further, her breathing still shallow but steady. She was so tired, but there was a warmth in her eyes that hadn't been there before. "You... you saved me. Again."
Arizona shook her head, her thumb tracing gentle circles over Y/n's hand. "No, Y/n. You saved yourself. I just... I was just there." She paused, searching Y/n's eyes. "I meant what I said. I love you, and I was terrified I'd never get the chance to tell you again."
Y/n's expression flickered with something unreadable, a hint of vulnerability behind her tired eyes. "Arizona..."
Arizona leaned in, her voice soft but resolute. "You don't have to say anything now. Just... just rest, okay? We'll figure this out later."
But Y/n, despite her obvious exhaustion, tightened her grip on Arizona's hand, shaking her head just slightly. "No. I need you to know something." Her voice was a little stronger now, though still rough from disuse. "I pushed people away for so long... because I didn't think I could handle anyone seeing me like this. Weak. Vulnerable."
Arizona's heart clenched at the raw honesty in Y/n's voice. She had always known there was more to Y/n's coldness, more to the walls she'd built around herself, but hearing her admit it out loud—it made everything clearer.
"I didn't want anyone to know how scared I was," Y/n continued, her eyes dropping for a moment. "I'm the 'great Montgomery,' right? I'm supposed to be strong. But after the accident, after everything I went through... I felt like I wasn't that person anymore. So I kept everyone at a distance. It was easier that way."
Arizona stayed quiet, listening intently, letting Y/n get out what she needed to say.
"But you..." Y/n looked up at her, and there was a softness in her gaze that Arizona hadn't seen before, a crack in the armor that had been so impenetrable. "You never gave up on me. You saw through it, even when I tried to push you away. And... I think I've been in love with you for a long time. I was just too scared to admit it."
Arizona's breath hitched in her throat, her chest tightening with emotion. Hearing Y/n say those words—after everything—was more than she could've ever hoped for.
"You don't have to be scared anymore," Arizona whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Not with me. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
For a moment, there was silence between them, the weight of everything they'd been through lingering in the air. Y/n's eyes closed briefly, exhaustion finally winning out, but her hand still held Arizona's tightly, as if grounding herself.
Arizona leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Y/n's forehead, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. "Rest," she whispered. "We've got all the time in the world now."
Over the next few days, Y/n's recovery was slow but steady. The hospital staff had rallied around her, offering support in their own ways, though most still kept their distance, respecting her need for space. April, of course, had been in and out constantly, her worry palpable, but she'd relaxed considerably now that Y/n was out of immediate danger.
Arizona barely left Y/n's side, making sure she had everything she needed, whether it was adjusting her pillows, fetching water, or simply sitting in silence, holding her hand. They hadn't had another deep conversation since that first night, but they didn't need to. The words had been spoken, the feelings laid bare, and now they were simply healing together.
