𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰

16 - Ceased Worries.

The white walls seemed suffocating, or perhaps it was just an illusion of hers—well these very barriers cover the suffering of a patient inside anyway. This place was a realm of guessing games and she despised it.

Concern clawed viciously at her heart while she listened to the faint squeaks the wheels of each passing medical cart made, also to the clickety-clack of their thousand dollar heels as they walked further into the worst wrath of her anxiety.

The little girl skipping merrily beside her was far too excited to notice the nervous frown she had, ever since they have asked the receptionist her... her boyfriend’s room number.

She knew they are official, real, as she liked to say. But the term—the title was very foreign to her tongue and she didn’t even expect that some time in her life she would say it and this time it was genuine and it had a purpose, and when she says it its tone would be so loving. A love outside family relations—thinking about it makes her rather fascinated.

Elsa was glad to learn that Heine insisted for him to be placed in a suite, which she was grateful to. Although it might not be obvious with the executive director’s usual demeanor, Heine greatly approves of Aiden and while his approval is not needed, Elsa liked that fact.

Because Aiden was different.

Incredibly different.

“You never wear hoodies.”

She flinched in surprise before her friend’s sudden claim, but she didn’t stop walking, and so did Claire. She simply nodded, and tilted her head down and found herself being trapped in the dimension of what his scent smelled like. It almost felt like his arms were around her.

This time Heine picked up the pace and she saw the sly, all too knowing grin plastered on his lips and she rolled her eyes before moving forward.

Room 479—they finally reached it. A lump formed in Elsa’s throat, and with nearly quivering hands she twisted the cold knob in anticipation, murmured prayers emitting from her mouth as she did and she waited for everything to fall apart until,

“You should go in, first. I’ll watch after her,” Heine flashed her a small smile, and Elsa was left contemplating if she should interrogate if he’s the real Heine and not some poorly executing doppelganger.

But when his smile quickly transformed into that same old smirk she always sees every morning in the building, the cocky director was back and she didn’t know if she should be relieved or normally annoyed after hearing him say “I’m sure you two will need privacy. Unless you want your daughter to witness something unsuitable.”

Damn you, Schmidt.

And so she walked in.

She could finally breathe.

“E-elsa,” she saw him wince when he tried to lift himself up–so he could open his arms for her to take since he’s been looking for her the past couple of days and he missed her so damn much but it was also sickening that the IV’s stuck to his body sent him the message he couldn’t. He felt out of his element, he felt helpless.

Not really the first time you’re helpless, a harsher voice hissed in his mind, it’s been like, what? Years?

“Aiden,” Elsa whispered hoarsely. She ran forward and she was careful enough not to squeeze him to death. Her tears came to fruition and Aiden felt the moisture being imprinted to his hospital gown, and weakly, he returned equal affection.