Love is Weak

Chapter 20 - Vulnerable

Keith

"You like her."

I looked at Josh. "I've already told you that."

He laughed, "Then you should know she likes you too."

What?

"What?"

He covered his mouth. "Whoops, I wasn't supposed to say that."

"But you did."

"But I did."

"When are you going to tell her?" Adrien asked.

I shrugged. "Probably never."

"Well, that's painful," Josh said.

"I suggest you're the first thing she sees when she wakes up," Adrien said.

"Maybe that would sway her a bit." Josh smiled.

"Possibly," I agreed.

"Then we should probably head back. Wouldn't want to miss a moment of her sleep." Adrien grinned too.

"I'll tell Ki the plan." Josh typed on his wrist comm as we turned around and headed back to the med wing.

Lillian had been moved to a more permanent room, and I took a seat next to her bedside. The rest of the unit had left me alone, probably watching on a camera somewhere.

She looked oddly pale. She had an IV drip, for what purpose, I didn't know, and she looked weird in the hospital getup. Her hair was out of its usual braid, and she had a blanket covering most of her.

I decided to be a little dauntless and touch her hand. My gloves were off, and I felt how soft her hands were.

Warm, too.

And I waited.

For an hour, probably.

For her to wake up.

Lillian

There were many things to register when I woke up. Like the immense pain in my lower back, the blanket covering me, or the bright lights that were shining down on my face that I noted through my eyelids. But the only thing I could remotely comprehend, and even then the comprehension was fuzzy, was the fact that someone was touching my hand. I had a feeling I knew who it was, and I didn't want to open my eyes, for fear that he'd leave. His hands were warm and soothing as they traced my fingers. It offered a distraction from the pain. Something pleasant to focus on.

I opened my eyes, and they were met with the most beautiful sight.

Where in hell did that thought just come from.

Keith froze, pulling his hand away slightly.

I caught the tips of his fingers before they were gone completely.

"Don't stop."

My voice was raspy.

He didn't say anything, but continued with the motion that calmed me so much. I vaguely wondered where the rest of the team was, but I had no intention of asking. This moment would never be recreated. I loved it too much.

But you made a promise.

And you like him.

Tough choice, but an easy one.

For him to be at my side, who knows how many hours after the mission...

The mission.