Imperial Coffee

Auxiliary: Part Twenty-One

A/N: I'M SO SORRY FOR THE UNANNOUNCED HIATUS. It was the end of high school, so I had a crap ton of finals and projects, and then I was graduating, and it was parties and grad night, and then it was camping, but—*breathes*—I'm back for the summer! 

THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH ME YOU GUYS~ I also suggest reading the end of the last chapter to remember what happened (hint: it involved a kiss *wiggles eyebrows*) 

Cinder felt like she was burning. Maybe that wasn't the right word, though her cheeks were red, and her hands were warm—but, no, it wasn't a fire. It was more of a...moment. It was more like the warmth of sun rays in a spring meadow or the soft heat of hot chocolate in winter. She didn't feel like she was melting or like she was burning up, but more like she was just right. Like she'd stumbled on a little piece of home, a little sliver of perfect.

When Kai drew away, it felt like they had been together for hours, but it had been no more than a minute. Kai's lips were red, and she absentmindedly pushed messy hair from his face. She guessed she looked the same.

Kai coughed awkwardly and looked away, but she caught the hints of a smile. He looked like he wanted to say something but didn't know what. Cinder's hands were shaking, she observed detached. Just a little tremble. The calm she felt was replaced by a fast heartbeat, tinted cheeks. Like it took her brain time to process what happened—like she still wasn't quite sure that they'd kissed.

Cinder cleared her throat. "I know I already asked you this, but how are you doing?"

Kai looked back at her. He leaned back against a pillow propped against the wall, adjusting until he was snug.

"I think even better now than I was five minutes ago," he said with a teasing grin.

Cinder crossed her arms but smiled back.

"No, really. I heard you had surgery, but they didn't tell me for what."

Kai's smile softened. "It's a little hush-hush right now. Though I admit I'm nervous being the one to tell you."

Cinder's heart dropped.

"You said you're okay. Don't tell me that you're—what with Peony—please don't—" She wrung her hands. If she lost Kai too, if there was even that chance...

"It's not life-threatening," Kai said. "At least, not anymore. It hasn't gotten infected or anything, and the operation was safe compared to alternatives. I really am fine."

"Then I don't know why you're worried," Cinder said. She couldn't remember when she stood up, but she sat back in the chair. Now her hands were shaking for another reason, and she figured it wouldn't end anytime soon.

Kai took a deep breath. "It's just...a bit of a change."

"It's okay," Cinder said. "Whatever it is."

Kai nodded. His hands were balled together in a fist. He watched the sheets. Cinder followed his gaze. He was looking at his legs.

"I won't be able to walk again," Kai said. "At least, not the same way I did before."

Cinder smiled. "That's it?"

Kai's Adam's apple bobbed. Cinder wasn't sure he was breathing. "What do you mean 'that's it'?"

"I mean, this is a big deal. A big shift in daily life," Cinder said. "But it's not...painful? Right?"

Kai shrugged. "I was out most of the operation. Though I'll say it's weird...almost as if the limb is still there."