04-21-2024, 01:35 AM
As Jensen stepped into the dimly lit hospital room, a figure rose from the shadows in the corner—a woman whose presence immediately felt familiar. She muttered something about it being "about time," her voice tinged with impatience and colorful words. Jensen's heart skipped a beat as recognition dawned; he knew this woman from a dramatic night at the Kremlin.
Her face was etched in his memory, not just for the life-threatening injury she had sustained from a broken glass shard but for her haunting words after he healed her: ’God is dead.’ The chill from that night lingered with him still. She had walked away without a word of thanks, a ghostly figure disappearing into the throng, and he was left reeling.
Before Jensen could fully process her presence, a gravelly, slurred voice cut through his thoughts. It was Nox, the man he was here to heal, lying on the hospital bed wrapped in bandages, his condition severe. At the sound of Nox's voice, another thread of memory unspooled—Jensen had met him too, on the same tumultuous night at the ball. Nox, with his distinct American accent, had playfully called him 'Duckling' after an embarassing encounter near the bar.
The pieces clicked together with startling clarity. Sage, who had sent him here, must be connected with Nox, who was connected to Oriena, all part of a circle that seemed to be closing in around him now.
“Ma’am,” Jensen addressed the woman first, though he did not know her name. "I remember you. You were severely hurt, but I know you have not been entirely well since then. Please know, if you ever find yourself in need again, I'm here to help, and all you need do is ask, but if your life is threatened again, I’ll do everything I can to come to you.” He smiled softly, no hurt feelings between them.
Turning to Nox, Jensen approached the bed and sat beside him, trying to offer a semblance of comfort amidst the sterile chill of the hospital room. "Nox, do you remember me from the ball? I didn’t realize you were the same person that Sage described when he asked for my help.” Jensen explained, his voice soft and clear. "You called me 'Duckling’.” His smile was meant to build comfort and trust between them. It came naturally for Jensen.
He studied Nox's face for any sign of recognition, any hint that the memories held as much weight for Nox as they did for him. Though he must surely be on so much medication that his mind may not be entirely clear.
Her face was etched in his memory, not just for the life-threatening injury she had sustained from a broken glass shard but for her haunting words after he healed her: ’God is dead.’ The chill from that night lingered with him still. She had walked away without a word of thanks, a ghostly figure disappearing into the throng, and he was left reeling.
Before Jensen could fully process her presence, a gravelly, slurred voice cut through his thoughts. It was Nox, the man he was here to heal, lying on the hospital bed wrapped in bandages, his condition severe. At the sound of Nox's voice, another thread of memory unspooled—Jensen had met him too, on the same tumultuous night at the ball. Nox, with his distinct American accent, had playfully called him 'Duckling' after an embarassing encounter near the bar.
The pieces clicked together with startling clarity. Sage, who had sent him here, must be connected with Nox, who was connected to Oriena, all part of a circle that seemed to be closing in around him now.
“Ma’am,” Jensen addressed the woman first, though he did not know her name. "I remember you. You were severely hurt, but I know you have not been entirely well since then. Please know, if you ever find yourself in need again, I'm here to help, and all you need do is ask, but if your life is threatened again, I’ll do everything I can to come to you.” He smiled softly, no hurt feelings between them.
Turning to Nox, Jensen approached the bed and sat beside him, trying to offer a semblance of comfort amidst the sterile chill of the hospital room. "Nox, do you remember me from the ball? I didn’t realize you were the same person that Sage described when he asked for my help.” Jensen explained, his voice soft and clear. "You called me 'Duckling’.” His smile was meant to build comfort and trust between them. It came naturally for Jensen.
He studied Nox's face for any sign of recognition, any hint that the memories held as much weight for Nox as they did for him. Though he must surely be on so much medication that his mind may not be entirely clear.