Leon walked back toward her room. On the way, he had already outlined the story in his mind. He asked Finn and James to relay the same back home.
By the time he reached the room, it was evening. He pushed the door open slowly.
Mira was asleep. Peaceful.
For a second, the past month flashed through his mind—her still body, the machines, the silence.
His chest tightened.
"Mira…" he called softly.
"Hmm…" she murmured faintly, half-awake. Relief washed over him.
Just a nap.
He walked closer, adjusting her blanket gently before sitting beside her. For a while, he just watched her.
Then... His thoughts began to move.
Rewriting... Erasing... Rebuilding their story; Line by line.
He replaced truth by something… safer.
She shifted slightly and cuddled him in her sleep.
Leon froze. Warmth spread through him, slow and overwhelming. A smile softened his face. He carefully brushed his fingers against her cheek.
So close... Too close.
He leaned in... just slightly and then stopped.
He pulled back.
**Not yet.**
Her arms remained loosely around him. It was hypnotic; enough to pull him under.
Leon slowly dripped into sleep.
A sudden movement...
His hand shifted.
Empty.
Leon's eyes snapped open.
"Mira...?" He sat up abruptly, panic rushing through him.
Then he saw her. She was sitting on the chair nearby.
Watching him.
He got up instantly and pulled her into a tight embrace.
Too tight... Almost suffocating.
"I... I am.. scared... " his voice cracked against her shoulder. "Mira…"
"It's okay, Leo…" she said softly, patting his head gently. "It's just a nightmare."
She leaned back slightly and placed a small kiss on his cheek, unaware of the storm inside him.
Leon stilled.... Then slowly relaxed.
He pulled back, glancing around.
The room was dim.
The sky outside had turned dark.
"It's… night?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Yes. It's already 8:30."
His brows furrowed instantly.
"Did you take your medicines? Did the doctor—"
"Calm down, Leo," she interrupted softly, a faint smile on her lips. "The doctors came. They checked on me."
A small pause.
"Your friend, Dr. Finn, was here too."
She tilted her head slightly.
"But you were sleeping so peacefully… they didn't wake you."
Leon blinked.
"Huh…"
A faint, embarrassed smile appeared as he scratched the back of his head.