by Alli Reshi
"We're both idiots, aren't we? How long have we lost because we were too stupid to say something? To stop thinking ourselves not good enough for the other and say it?" Devin seethed though to no one but himself.
"Not a second more. I love you Devin, prince of Faaralith." I breathed, guiding him into a tender kiss. Giving him plenty of time to object. If anything, he leaned further in meeting me wholeheartedly in the sweet kiss. Both of us too hurt to put too much passion into the action, but we didn't need it. The sweet glide of lips was more than enough.
"As I love you, Demitri, son of house Theasta." Devin mimicked when we had to part for air. Then he pulled me into a kiss of his own. I could taste the hint of him on his lips. A taste I craved to explore in all its wonder, though maybe not right now. There was one thought that still bothered me, a statement that I needed answers for.
"But back when you had been shot all those long weeks ago. You said traveling with me would be hell for you. If you've loved me so long, why?" I pulled away enough to watch him. Needing to know. My voice dropped off, unsure how to finish the thought.
"Because I thought you didn't love me in return. To have all that pent-up love and you only think I was a friend. To have to live so close with you all the time. I couldn't think of anything worse," Devin said, smiling sadly. Brushing his fingers through my hair. I leaned into his touch relaxing with the understanding. What fools we had been, but no longer. I peppered kisses over his face before lingering on his lips. Devin deepens the kiss with a swipe of his tongue, and I sighed into the motion. I flinched when Devin puts a hand on my still tender ribs. I caught his hand as he pulled away, bringing it up to kiss along his knuckles and finally his palm. Devin moved his hand to cup my cheek, bringing me closer for another breath stealing kiss, more mindful of how the both of us ached. A knock on the door interrupted us. I moved to pull away, but Devin's growl stopped me.
"Is everyone awake and decent in here?" Amy called. Waiting for an answer before coming in.
"It's fine Amy. I think Devin has a few questions for you anyways." I chuckled. Ignoring when he hit me with his unwired hand, his content smile didn't fade. I could get used to this with no problem. Amy walked into the room only giving us a roll of her eyes.
"All right, out with you. I can't look at him with you taking up all the space," Amy said. Careful to not jostle Devin, I climbed out.
"If you're going to be a nuisance then you can explain what happened yesterday." Devin huffed. I could see most of it was for show, I thought Amy might have gathered that, too.
"Our first glance at you when we took the bullet out might not have been as good as we thought it was." Amy stopped to pull something out of her pocket. In a clear plastic jar was what looked like a small sliver of bone. I paled at the sight.
"See this little guy here got overlooked. The thing is, it was no problem when you were lying there in a coma. Then when you woke up and started moving, probably more than doctor advised mind you. It started to slip around and move. Making nasty work of soft tissue. While that would hurt, it wasn't too much of a problem. Until it reached some of the tissue around your heart. Then it started being a problem. With this gone, you'll heal fine and be back to normal." Amy explained occasionally rattling the bone sliver. Devin gave it a disgusted look.
"So, you cut me open and went searching for something wrong?" Devin said, scowling at Amy. I could only hope that the two of them would stop antagonizing each other, but that didn't look like it would happen anytime soon.
"Well, yes and no. Yes, we cut you open, but we had a fair idea of what to look for. It sounds worse than it was really." Amy shrugged unaffected by Devin's deepening glare.
"So how much longer am I stuck here then?" Devin grumbled. I could only shake my head at his antics. Some things would never change. His obstinacy being one it seemed.
"Oh, easily a month." Amy estimated. The look of horror on Devin's face was well worth any torment he might retaliate with. "Or two weeks, it's up to doctor discretion. Well, that and how well you heal, and how apt your home care might be." Amy smirked deviously, amused by Devin's glare.
"Come on Devin. I thought you were agreeing to stay here quite a while, not a moment ago, or was I misinterpreting you. Though there was only so much actual talking going on after a certain point. Your lips moved quite marvelously," I said, grinning cheekily at Devin's sudden flush.
"Hush, you. I was expecting quite a bit more you, and far less hospital beds." Devin groaned. I leaned over to kiss his temple.
"Where you are, you can expect me to be there too. I'm not leaving for a long time beloved." I whispered. Devin caught my chin guiding me down for a proper kiss.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, most beloved." Devin answered. Yes, this would be the beginning of something amazing. I was looking forward to every moment of it. Eventually Amy shooed me off again to look over Devin properly. A knock from the door drew my attention to Benn, as he walked in holding a file. "Don't get too comfortable boy, there is still work to do. You know how it is: 'nother day 'nother case," Benn said, handing me the file.
"And no rest for the weary. Who are we dealing with this time?" I mused, already immersing myself in the details for a Lenex decapitation. There would always be another crime to solve, but with Devin by my side, I couldn't think of anything better.
FIN
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alli has always had a love for just about any story she can get her hands on. Be it from books, TV, or even video games—if there’s a good story, she will love it. Given that, it’s easy to see how Alli moved on to making stories of her own.
Raised in a small Colorado town, Alli also has a love of the outdoors and enjoys hiking. Nowadays she lives in a bigger city and fits in just fine there too, liking how close and comfy everything is. Often at home with her two cats, Alli is never far from her computer whether for work or for play. She believes the truth is a multifaceted thing and always works to write the world, and subsequently the truth of the world, as she sees it.
twitter: @AlliReshi
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