~ Lucian's Recovery Room ~
~Late Night*
The room was dimly lit, save for the soft golden hue cast by the bedside lamp. Machines beeped rhythmically, monitoring every vital sign, every breath Lucian took. His usually composed figure now lay still, shirtless under the thin sheet, a stark bandage wrapped around his side where the bullet had grazed a vital organ.
Ivy stood quietly at the doorway, her eyes fixed on him. She hadn't changed out of her tactical uniform. Dirt and dried blood clung to her clothes, but her heart felt heavier than anything on her body. After a long pause, she stepped in, shutting the door behind her with a soft click.
She approached his bedside slowly. Seeing him like this—silent, vulnerable—stirred something in her chest she wasn't used to confronting. Her boots made no sound against the marble floor as she lowered herself into the chair beside him.
"You idiot," she whispered, voice barely audible, almost choked. "You weren't supposed to get shot. You were supposed to dodge. You always do..."
Her fingers tightened around the hem of her gloves. "You told me you were untouchable… Remember? That stupid smirk you wore like a crown every time you walked into danger…"
Her throat tightened.
"I told myself I wouldn't care. That this was all business. That you were just another bossy, cold-hearted strategist who annoyed the hell out of me. But now you're lying here… and all I want is for you to open your damn eyes and call me 'reckless' again."
Her voice cracked. She covered her face with her hands, and the tears she had been holding back for hours finally broke free.
"I don't know how to care for people, Lucian," she whispered, lowering her hands and leaning closer. "But for some reason… you made me want to learn."
Tears slipped down her cheeks silently as she bent forward, her forehead resting gently against the edge of the mattress.
"I can't lose you too," she whispered. "I already have too many ghosts."
Suddenly, she felt a warm, faint touch against her cheek. Her breath hitched. Slowly, she lifted her head.
Lucian's fingers were barely moving, but one of them reached up again, wiping another tear from her skin.
His eyes remained closed, but his lips curved, just slightly.
"You cry loud, hacker," he murmured weakly.
Ivy froze, stunned. Her lips parted but no sound came out. Slowly, his eyes opened, dark and hazy—but focused only on her.
"I heard everything," he added.
Embarrassed, Ivy quickly wiped her face, sitting upright and trying to compose herself. "You should be resting, not eavesdropping."
Lucian gave a ghost of a smirk. "Couldn't help it. You talk too much when I'm unconscious."
Despite herself, she laughed—just once, quietly.
And in that small, broken moment, surrounded by pain, fear, and relief, something unspoken passed between them.
A fragile understanding.
A beginning.
~The Recovery Room –
~Morning*
The morning sunlight filtered softly through the sheer curtains of the private room. The sterile hum of medical monitors was the only sound as Ivy sat silently beside Lucian, who had fallen asleep again after wiping her tears the night before. She hadn't moved from that spot, arms folded, trying to act unbothered—yet her eyes occasionally drifted to him.
The door suddenly swung open with force.
*"Lucian!"* Adrian's voice echoed into the room as he rushed in, breathless, eyes wide. A nurse tried to stop him but gave up instantly—nobody stopped Adrian when he was fired up.
Lucian stirred, eyes cracking open slowly. "...You're loud," he muttered, voice hoarse but dryly amused.
Adrian froze halfway to the bed, then grinned. "Damn, you're alive. I thought you'd be half-dead and dramatic. Instead, you're awake and still boring."
Lucian's lips twitched. Ivy stood up, stepping aside as Adrian moved in and clapped a hand on Lucian's uninjured shoulder. "Don't ever do that again, you cold-hearted bastard."
"I'll try not to," Lucian replied, voice still weak but laced with sarcasm.
Adrian turned to Ivy, who avoided his eyes, her expression unreadable.
"Whoa…" Adrian narrowed his eyes at her. "Did you stay here all night? Ivy... were you crying?" He leaned closer, peering at her.
Ivy straightened. "You're delusional."
"I don't think so," Adrian said, winking. "You totally wept over this ice block. Is this where I start planning your engagement? Should I order matching daggers instead of rings?"
Ivy rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the blush blooming on her cheeks.
Lucian, from the bed, sighed. "Adrian."
"What?" Adrian looked innocent. "I'm just celebrating my brother's survival and maybe the rise of Crimson Reign's power couple."
Ivy mumbled something about stepping out to get tea, her steps quick.
Adrian flopped into a chair dramatically. "She ran away. Must be love."
Lucian glanced at the door she left through and then at his brother. "Report."
The air shifted instantly. Adrian's tone became serious. "While you were down, there's been movement. I've traced chatter—someone tipped off Blackwood. But not just anyone. Someone internal. You're going to want to be fully up before we dive into that."
Lucian's jaw tightened.
Adrian added, "Oh—and Crimson Reign territory's being watched. Heavily."
Lucian nodded once. "Start tightening the circle. Quietly."
Adrian stood, then offered a small grin. "Just don't die again. Ivy might actually kill someone if you do."
Lucian closed his eyes briefly. He didn't answer, but the slight upward curl of his lips said enough.