You squeezed your eyes shut and regained your composure before slowly opening them and looking around.
Wait a minute...why was this place so familiar...
You became aware of the soft mattress you were sitting on, and you were comfortably tucked into it with a large green bedsheet and lofty pillows. You saw the dark wooden interiors and windows that were made of stained glass in different shades of green.
This was Kaveh's house!
You slowly tried to get up and felt a sharp stab of pain strike your abdomen. You cursed loudly as your hands flew to the wound on your stomach...that was now cleaned and well- bandaged. You had completely forgotten about that wound.
"Y/N!!" you heard a frantic shout as the door flew open and saw the Kaveh practically run into the room. "What happened?" he asked, rushing over to you. You met his worried gaze and now that he was up close...he looked exhausted.
You felt his arms on your shoulders as he repeated the question, and you saw the concern in his eyes growing by the second.
"I'm fine, don't worry," you assured him, gently pushing his hands away and watched as his expression flooded with relief. You took in a deep breath and composed yourself before slowly standing up, holding onto the side of the bed for support. You straightened your posture and looked him in the eyes. "See I told you I'm fin-"
You felt another stab of pain and your legs away beneath you as you cried out. Kaveh immediately stretched out his hands and gently caught you in his arms. You looked up and saw his face dangerously close to yours. The tips of your noses were almost brushing and you were breathless for a moment as you studied the stunning range of orange and red hues in Kaveh's eyes.
"See, what did I tell you??," he remarked, looking at you with an I told you so expression. "Now just get some rest," he said before lifting you up and setting you on the bed. "Now don't move from there," he said, sternly.
You sighed in defeat and were about to complain when another wave of pain in your head shut you up. You flinched and your hands flew to your head. After the pain subsided you looked up to see Kaveh's hands hovering beside you in case anything happened, with an overwhelming amount of worry in his eyes.
You were taken aback, unfamiliar with this sensation. Why...does he care so much..?
"Oh no..." he murmured, and you saw his gaze fall onto the wound on your head. You gently touched it and your fingers came away wet. Looks like it was still bleeding.
"Wait right here!" he said before rushing out of the room. He swiftly returned with a bowl that was steaming and a new bandage tucked between his arms. After carefully setting down the bowl, he sat beside you on the bed and gestured for you to come closer.
"I made you some soup...it should help with the pain. Now come here," he said.
You stared at him for a moment, a bit confused. A bit surprised. A bit...flustered.
"No, I can do it myself, don't worr-" you were interrupted as Kaveh grabbed your arm and pulled you towards him. The sudden action made something flutter in your chest and you softly gasped in shock.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you??" he asked, regret evident in his eyes.
"No, it's nothing," you replied, still trying to process what happened.
"Good...now just stay still okay?" he ordered as he gently unwrapped the old bandage. You looked up at him and saw his brow furrowed in concentration as he wrapped the new bandage. You became increasingly aware of how close you were to him and something about the look in his eyes....the care in his hands when he dealt with your wound....the concern in his voice when something was wrong...
It all made your face feel warm.
It made your heart flutter ever so slightly.
"All done," he said, affirming his actions with a nod. He got up and your hand, as if acting on its own, reached out to grasp the tip of his sleeve before he left.
He looked at you with a puzzled expression and you immediately let go, confused by your own actions. "Sorry...it's nothing," you cleared your throat. You watched as he headed towards the door and felt your heart sink a little, only to feel lighter after realizing he'd only meant to close the door and come back.
'What the hell is wrong...'
Kaveh pulled a chair beside your bed and sat down after handing you the bowl of soup.
"Now I'm not an expert chef or anything...but I love soup and this one always helps with a terrible hangover," he said, slightly shuddering while recalling those memories.
You couldn't help but let out a laugh. It was the first genuine laugh you'd had in a while but you flinched as the wound in your stomach started acting up again.
"Careful..!!" he exclaimed, ready right beside you just in case.
"I don't get it...why?" you asked, unable to hold in your curiosity any longer.
"Why...should you be careful??" he asked, puzzled.
"No I mean...why all of this??" you asked, vaguely gesturing at everything around you. "And this," you pointed at the soup. "And this?" you pointed at the bed. "If I was in your bed then where did you sleep? Why are you doing all of this for me??"
Kaveh looked taken aback at your questions. "Well...I didn't sleep actually. It's stupid but I was too worried to sleep," he said sheepishly.
There it was again. That pesky flutter in your heart.
"And about "all of this"...I mean it's the least I can do to repay you. I know I haven't exactly been the best client. Besides, anyone would do the same," he replied, resting his head in his arms on the bed, beside you.
"You clearly haven't been to the desert much..." you mumbled in response. "Anyways, it's my job to protect you so don't feel bad. And...thank you for this," you said, turning to Kaveh only to find him fast asleep beside you.
As you looked at his peaceful sleeping expression, you couldn't help but reach out and brush a strand of hair away from his eyes. You noticed slight dark circles under his eyes - probably an effect of being awake all night waiting for you to wake up. Your heart fluttered as you watched him smile in his sleep as you gently patted his head. "This idiot..." you whispered to yourself.
Before you knew it, you were also fast asleep.
.
.
.
You awoke much more relaxed this time, to some muffled voices coming from outside your door. Rubbing your eyes as you sat up, you noticed that the door wasn't completely closed.
You were able to peek outside through the slight crack in the door and saw Kaveh talking to another man. You could make out a few details of the stranger's appearance - he had gray hair and was dressed in all black save for a teal cape and headphones.
You tried to get a better look and froze as the gray haired man's eyes shifted and looked directly at you through the small crack in the door. His sharp gaze sent shivers down your spine and you quickly lay down again, pulling the covers over your head. Instead you decided to focus on what they were talking about.
You had thought they were just having a conversation but now that you listened, it was clearly an argument. You heard Kaveh's exasperated voice clashing with another deep, calm voice you assumed belonged to the stranger.
"Why is there a stranger in my house?" you heard the calm voice ask, tinged with annoyance.
'Isn't this Kaveh's house...?'
"She's not a stranger okay? She's my bodyguard!" Kaveh's all too familiar voice replied.
"Where did you get the money to hire a bodyguard?" the stranger asked, skeptically and much more annoyed than the last time.
"That doesn't matter!! She's hurt, so be a decent human for once and let her stay! It wouldn't kill you to show some kindness every once in a while," you heard Kaveh scoff.
"If she's hurt then you obviously should've taken her to the hospital. Why on earth did you bring her here?"
"Are you kidding me?! Do you know how expensive that is?!" Kaveh exclaimed, and you could practically see his exasperated expression in your mind.
"So you had money to hire a bodyguard but don't even have money for emergencies??" you heard the gray haired man say, followed by a sigh that even made you feel ashamed. "Besides, healthcare is free in Sumeru, Kaveh,"
You had a feeling you weren't supposed to be here...
You heard a dramatic scoff that could only belong to Kaveh. "You know what, I'm done talking to you."
"Same here,"
A few moments later, you heard the door to your room open and you sat up.
"Oh, Y/N you're awake!" Kaveh said, stopping once he met your eyes. "Are you feeling better??"
"Oh yea, much better. Thank you for letting me stay," you said sheepishly, remembering the argument you heard. "Um, I hope I'm not intruding or anything,"
"Of course not, who would you think that??"
"Well...I couldn't help but overhear you talking to that man with gray hair earlier.."
Kaveh rolled his eyes. "You don't have to worry about him for now, he's just my....roommate. And besides, something came for you," he said, walking over to hand you a small white envelope.
- x -
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