Sometimes you allowed what others said to get to your head, especially in battle. You're a very emotional and passionate person so it's very easy for you to be offended or upset when it came to others bad mouthing or questioning the ones you cared for and loved or even you and your intentions with others.
That's what happened this time. Burning words were thrown at you, taunting you about your squad mates and mocking your captains reliance on you. It enraged you to hear such nonsense, they had no idea how wrong they were.
You had unfortunately let your guard down, allowing them to overpower you with a cheap sneak attack.
Cursing to yourself, you self reflected as you laid in a pool of your own blood. Kyle and Simon looked like they were about to meet the same fate as well unfortunately and it killed you to not be able to move. The need to protect your squad mates bubbled in you and with everything you had inside, one last spell had been casted.
Nothing but black smoke shrouded the area, creating a toxic smog to your enemies. Kyle and Simon knew well enough to not worry about your magic affecting them, as you had full control on who to target. The last mistake your enemies had made was breathing in your poison through a shocked gasp from seeing you able to stand.
Choking and tearing at their painful fate, they ended up collapsing, releasing your friends from their demise.
"(Y/N)!" You couldn't keep your eyes open. You couldn't stand. You couldn't stay conscious enough to make it back to the Clover Kingdom. Your wounds have been quite deep but the pain made you numb already. Maybe this was it; You would be happy. You protected the people whom you called your friends.
~
An airy bubble enveloped your body as you slowly opened your eyes, unable to move. You felt heavy and unmotivated.
"Ah, I see you're awake." An unfamiliar voice. Footsteps were heard getting closer to you.
Dr. Owen.
"You can't move because I have you encapsulated right now. Your injuries were very serious when you arrived and I had almost lost you but thankfully, you're very resilient. I'm glad to see you're awake now." His comforting smile made you feel relieved and safe, knowing you could see the people you loved again.
"I will release you from this spell in a bit. You will find it hard to move as you will be exceptionally sore. There are some nasty bruises all over your body as well but please, be at ease knowing that you did a wonderful job protecting your squad mates. Your captain will also be contacted after I release you."
"Did he seem mad?" Your voice was quite hoarse. Dr. Owen walked away to grab a glass of water, holding it as he released the spell you were resting in. The coolness of the air sent shivers all over your body.
"I know he is a very stoic man but I could read the concern very clearly in his eyes." He saw you trying to sit up to drink the water so he helped you slowly and smiled.
"How are you after that?"
"I expected more pain."
"You're healing surprisingly fast." After he handed you the water, he excused himself.
The dimly lit room seemed lonely and very quiet. You wished you were home in your own bed, resting and reading with your cat beside you.
As you drank the water, it was like a dry desert experiencing a drought of rain for the first time. It had hurt the first 2 sips but became soothing soon after.
Part of you wanted to get up and leave but with Dr. Owen contacting your captain, you will definitely be scolded if you were found even standing.
Without warning, the door slammed open. Your eyes darted at the door and there stood your captain.
"That was fast." He marched over to you silently, seemingly angry.
"Nozel?" He placed his hand on the back of your head and brought it to his chest. The strong scent of his cologne hitting you made you feel so relaxed. It was a familiar scent that you had enjoyed on him many times in the past, in fact he only wears it because he knows you like it so much.
"Your foolish ways caused you to be injured so."
"I'm aware." You were used to his sassiness and was able to swerve around it like a pro by now, understand to decipher is mannerisms and words.
He pulled away and glared at you. Though he held a scowl on his face, his eyes seemed to have held a look of betrayal in them. Your face softened, giving him a small reassuring smile.
"Nozel, I know I failed you but please understand... we are not the same. I know that sometimes people use personal ammo as a weapon on the battlefield but I'm just too ardent about people I care for to let certain things slide."
"This is why I call you foolish."
"But-"
"Why do you think you have failed me?" You were slightly shocked. He was upset at that but not at you sticking your neck out for your emotional beliefs? You'll take it.
"Uh... I... well." You exhaled before smiling again, this time it was more natural. Raw happiness shined through it, making his heart flutter at the sight.
"I almost died silly. Remember the first day we exchanged our feelings for one another, you said, and I quote: 'Don't go dying on me or I will kill you myself.'" He sat down in the chair beside the bed and crossed his arms.
"I refuse to believe I sound like that."
"If you ask me, that's something Yami would say." He scoffed and looked away, genuinely insulted.
"To compare me to that savage foreigner... it's just-"
"Nozel?" Your shrill voice melted his annoyance, immediately looking at you. A light sweat glistened on your body as you looked weaker.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just, I need to rest I guess. I'm feeling some pain." He stood up and shortened the distance between the two of you, looking at you closely.
"Where does it hurt so I can tell Owen?!" You grabbed his hand and placed it on your chest. His face got hot, pulling away immediately.
"(Y/N)! This is not the time for messing around!" You giggled before laying yourself down, sighing at the comforting feeling of the bed beneath you.
"You're so cute when you get flustered Nozel." A knock was heard at the door and in walked the doctor.
"She is sweating and saying she feels pain." His words felt like a concerned demand for his lovers medicine. Owen nodded and administered some medication to you, helping you with the pain.
"This will do the trick. She just needs to rest." The hint was loud and clear, even though Nozel disliked the idea of leaving you.
If he didn't leave, you would force yourself awake and try to talk more.
"Can you stay longer?" Your small voice made Nozel a bit sad because he wanted to stay. Hell, he wanted to hop in bed with you and comfort you any way he could've but, he knew he had to allow you to rest.
"I will be back first thing in the morning. Get some sleep. The sooner you heal up, the sooner I can reprimand you for almost dying on me." Of course he had to act all cool and cold in front of Owen. You smiled and closed your eyes.
"Yes my love." A blush painted his face as your nickname for him being said in front of someone else was pure embarrassment for him.
Owen smiled and dimmed the lights in the room.
"She will be fine. Give her some time and she'll be her old self again." Nozel turned away in a huff, his cape swishing before settling behind him.
"I'm unsure if that is good or bad." The tiniest smile tugged on his lips before making his leave and preparing for your arrival back from the hospital within the next few days.
Although he was cold and stoic on the outside, he was a flustered man that was still discovering how to love on the inside.
