Yuna:
The room was quiet when Yuna woke again.
The soft yellow light from the chandelier still glowed above, warm and gentle. For a moment, she didn't move—just lay there, listening to the calm silence, feeling something she hadn't felt in hours.
Safe.
Her fingers shifted slightly.
And she felt it.
A firm, steady hold.
She turned her head slowly.
Ethan.
Still there.
Sitting beside her.
His hand wrapped around hers, his posture slightly leaning forward like he never really rested.
Her lips curved faintly.
"…You didn't leave."
Ethan looked at her.
"No."
Her voice was soft, still weak.
"You stayed the whole time?"
"Yes."
Simple.
But it meant everything.
Yuna slowly pushed herself up, and this time Ethan supported her without saying anything. His hand moved to her back, steady, careful—like he knew exactly how fragile she still was.
"Sit properly," he said quietly.
She nodded, letting him adjust the pillows behind her.
For a moment, she just watched him.
The way he moved.
The way his attention never left her.
"…Did you eat?" she asked suddenly.
Ethan didn't answer.
That was enough of an answer.
She sighed softly.
"You didn't, did you…"
"You should focus on yourself."
"And you should eat too," she replied.
A small silence followed.
Then Ethan stood up.
"I'll bring something."
Yuna blinked slightly.
"You're… making it?"
He looked at her.
"Yes."
That surprised her.
She watched him walk out of the room.
And for the first time—
A small smile stayed on her lips.
---
A little later, he returned.
With a tray.
Simple food.
Warm.
Fresh.
He placed it carefully in front of her.
"You should eat."
Yuna looked at the food, then at him.
"You made this?"
"Yes."
She picked up a spoon slowly, her hands still a little weak.
Ethan noticed.
Without a word—
He took the bowl from her.
"I'll feed you."
Yuna froze for a second.
"…You don't have to."
"I know."
But he didn't stop.
He took a small portion and brought it closer.
Yuna hesitated—
Then slowly opened her lips.
The food was warm.
Comforting.
She swallowed quietly.
He continued.
Slow.
Patient.
Careful not to rush her.
Each movement was controlled, but gentle in a way she hadn't seen before.
She kept watching him between bites.
"…You've changed," she whispered.
Ethan didn't look up.
"No."
"You have."
A pause.
Then he said,
"I just didn't need to before."
Her chest tightened slightly at that.
After she finished eating, he handed her water.
Then the medicines.
"Take these."
She made a face.
"I don't like medicines."
"You need them."
She sighed but took them anyway.
"Bossy."
Ethan didn't respond.
But there was the faintest shift in his expression.
---
After that, the room fell quiet again.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
Yuna leaned back slightly, her energy still low.
Ethan sat beside her.
Close.
Not distant like before.
Her fingers slowly reached out—
And held his hand again.
This time, more naturally.
"…Ethan," she said softly.
He looked at her.
For a moment, she didn't speak.
Just looked at him.
As if trying to understand something.
Then—
She moved slightly closer.
Ethan didn't stop her.
Her other hand came up slowly—
Resting lightly against his chest.
"I was really scared," she whispered.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"I know."
"I thought I lost you…"
"You didn't."
Her eyes softened.
"…Then don't make me feel like that again."
Silence.
But this time—
Ethan didn't look away.
He leaned slightly closer.
Close enough for her to feel his breath.
Yuna's heart started beating faster.
Her fingers tightened lightly on his shirt.
For a second—
Neither of them moved.
Just stayed there.
In that fragile space between distance and closeness.
Then—
Yuna closed that distance.
Her lips met his.
Soft at first.
Hesitant.
Testing.
Ethan didn't respond immediately.
But he didn't pull away either.
A second later—
He did respond.
His hand moved to her waist, steadying her as he deepened the kiss.
It wasn't rushed.
It wasn't forceful.
It was slow.
Intentional.
Like he was learning something he never understood before.
Yuna's breath trembled slightly as she leaned closer into him, her fingers gripping his shirt more firmly.
The kiss grew deeper—not aggressive, but consuming.
Their breaths mixed.
Warm.
Uneven.
Ethan tilted slightly, his hold on her tightening just enough to keep her close without hurting her.
Yuna felt everything—
The warmth.
The closeness.
The way he didn't let her go.
Her eyes closed as she gave in completely to the moment.
Not thinking.
Not questioning.
Just feeling.
After a moment, they slowly pulled apart.
Their foreheads almost touching.
Their breaths still uneven.
Yuna looked at him.
Her voice barely a whisper.
"…You still say you don't love me?"
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
His eyes stayed on hers.
Deep.
Unreadable.
But not empty anymore.
Instead of answering—
He leaned in again.
This time softer.
Slower.
A kiss that didn't need words.
And Yuna understood—
Maybe he didn't know what love was.
But whatever this was—
It was real.