Honestly- I need to write a title for this but I don't even know what would be a good title. Suggestions would really be appreciated XD
After their meal, their day seemed to pass in the comfortable silence they both came to know since they met. Neither of them ever found the need to speak yet neither of them could find the resolve to leave each other’s company even for a brief moment. Dana would always just be an arm’s length away from Roland. And Roland… Well, he would just be sitting close to her. Not at a distance that would make her uncomfortable but at times, he could feel himself being drawn to her as if his body knew that it would be safe with her around… or perhaps his body knew something else that he has yet to realize. The thought really was something he just couldn’t wrap his mind around but for now, it didn’t matter.
Dinner and their day ended just like that, with Roland just stealing glances at her and Dana, who would just smile at him whenever she would catch his gaze
“You seem to be enjoying the view, Roland” Her tone was teasing, rather flirtatious yet the light tinkering chuckles was enough to tell him that she was plain out amused at the unusual attention.
“I- well... “ He raised a hand to cover as much of his reddening cheeks as he could in the most natural way possible but it didn’t seem to work when he heard her chuckles turn into soft laughter “Well, furniture isn’t all that pleasing to look at all the time…” was what he simply said before he got up from the dining table
“No need to be sulky- I was just teasing!!! You can look as much as you like, Roland” She reached for his hand as she flashed him her brightest smile, that which broke down his earlier idea of hiding himself in the couch he was allowed to use as a temporary bed.
“I wasn’t, I was just going to head to sleep soon” He gave her soft hands a gentle squeeze, that which made her smile more.
“Hey… Don’t do anything reckless like leaving so early in the morning. I told you. You can stay here for a while” What was once a bright smile was replaced with a stern look he didn’t imagine he could give but he nodded and gave her hand one more light squeeze before he bid her a good night.
---
The night he spent there was the most comfortable one he had in a long time. Despite crashing on a sofa, he found himself peacefully drifting off to a silent slumber that continued until he heard the shuffling of feet all over the place. When he peeked an eye open, he found Dana shuffling around in her uniform. He could only make a low whistle as he got up to sit.
“So this is nurse Dana in her battle gear”
He didn’t even need to hear her say anything to know that he startled him. Just the squeak and instantly turning to his direction was enough to tell him.
“Did I wake you? Sorry, I got called in on emergency situations. A number of people have been getting attacked on the streets and the numbers have been getting higher. Some of them were on the brink of death when the medics found them”
His eyes widened and the realization dawned on him that the people looking for him would go through any lengths just to get him to come out. They knew how much he hated getting innocent civilians involved, and now… They’re using the very thing he hates to lure them out.
“Damn those f*cking b*stards-” He all but growled and in an instant, she was already by his side, hushing him as she held his arm, hoping that rubbing his forearm would calm him down enough.
“Who are they? Were they the ones you were trying to escape from?”
She received no answer but instead, she was met with such a rage filled gaze that she could barely recognize him as the same man that just last night, could barely keep his eyes off of her. It somewhat terrified her but it only made her hold onto his arm tighter
“Will you do something reckless like going to them when your wound hasn’t even closed up yet?”
“Don’t go to work today and I won’t” The rage filled gaze had melted at her words, now all that remained in his eyes was pleading “Please… they might find you and hurt you too”
“I can’t do that, Roland” As much as his words had melted her, she had already informed the hospital that she would be arriving.
“Then… let me at least go with you. I’ll… I’ll stay in the hospital. And wait there until your shift ends” he slipped his arm out of her hold and this time, it was him who was holding onto her hands. He was still pleading her and it seemed that he was determined to go no matter what she said so with a heavy sigh, she only instructed him to get dressed in the oversized hoodies that she owned, as well as the face mask that could cover up his face
“You have to make sure you will stay hidden if you’re insisting this much. I’ll ask them when we get to the hospital if you can stay in the nurse’s lounge. But promise me. You’ll stay put and that you’ll try not to do anything that will agitate your wound. The threads haven’t even melted yet”
She couldn’t understand what went on in his head at times but it seemed that this one of the quirks that made him different. She could barely contain her amusement when he raised his pinky finger and guided her hand to do the same.
“I pinky promise that I’ll stay hidden and stay put and you promise that I’ll be allowed to go with you on those terms” He laced his lone digit with hers and as soon as their digits were interlaced, he pressed his lips atop both their digits “Now I’ve sealed the promise. We should get going now”
Sweet naman nong kiss 😚. But, ayan na nga ang problema na kakaharapin nila. Napakahirap naman ng sitwasyon nila, sana kasi ordinaryong tao lang si Roland ee 😕.