「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(192) Blossoming

Lynn's POV

I woke groggily, instinctively stirring on the bed and my entire sensible body screamed in a horrendous ache. Welcomed by a splitting migraine, I grunted softly and my eyes fluttered open to almost complete darkness but it took me no more than a second to recognize where I was situated.

My retinas soon adjusted to the room that deliberately lacked illumination to aid in my recuperation and I weakly turned my head towards him, carefully examining the face I had not seen in seven long years.

It was older, wiser, and definitely packed with more worries and responsibilities, but thankfully for the most part, it was still peaceful, empathetic, and utterly beautiful.

"Charles," I croaked faintly but his slumber seemed deep, and he failed to respond even with the slightest twitch.

"Charles," I repeated, this time stretching out a hand to squeeze his palm and he jolted up in shock.

He stunned awhile, taking a brief moment to register his surroundings, before he anxiously tightened his grip on my hand and quickly leaned forward in his chair.

"Lynn," he breathed shakily, moving to caress my cheek that was greeted by the warmth of his soft skin.

"I'm so glad you're awake," he confessed quietly, his lips curving into a smile of relief.

"How are you feeling?" He probed, concern never leaving his tone or face.

"As good as you," I answered humorously and he chuckled, a sound so sweet I wished it would ring forever.

"What happened?" I investigated feebly, flashing him a delightful smile but his expression turned contrastingly somber.

"You hit your head," he revealed cheerlessly.

"You've been out for four days and I thought... I thought you'd be like Jubilee..." Charles confessed, grimacing as the painful words slipped from his tongue, yet I could find not even one in time to alleviate his agony.

Surely, my dreadful history with comas and Jubilee's situation that never improved beyond what I already knew the day I left the mansion only served to scare the wits out of Charles when my body had been involuntarily trapped in that unconscious state.

"I'm sorry, love. I'm sorry I had them take you back. I'm not sure you're ready, but... You were hurt and I couldn't just leave you. Especially not when you have no help or no shelter," Charles profusely explained, cupping my hand in both of his as he rested his elbows nearing the edge of the bed.

"I'm sorry. I truly am..." Charles mumbled, his apologetic tone piercing countless arrows through my heart as he dejectedly lowered his head to his hands.

"It's alright, Charles. I understand," I whispered sincerely, stroking the back of his hand with my thumb to comfort him.

"I couldn't stay anyway," I lamented, hopefully inaudibly.

Charles glanced up at me, his watered crystal blue eyes glistening like a wondrous starlight almost evoking my own tears as they met with mine. His remorseful face pinched me without mercy, but observing it had now been graced by a little less guilt with the bright smile I mustered in reassurance, my heart felt marginally mollified.