Yuna:
Yuna sat carefully on the chair beside Luca's bed, still a little weak but determined not to show it.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
They just looked at each other.
Really looked.
As if making sure the other was truly okay.
"…You look terrible," Luca said finally.
Yuna frowned slightly.
"You don't look any better."
He smirked faintly.
"I got shot."
"I got kidnapped," she shot back.
A small silence—
Then both of them let out a quiet breath.
The tension eased.
Yuna's eyes softened.
"…I was really scared," she admitted.
Luca leaned back slightly against the bed.
"…I know."
"I thought…" she hesitated, her fingers tightening on her dress, "I thought I wouldn't come back."
Luca's expression darkened for a second.
"But you did."
She nodded slowly.
"…Because of you."
He shook his head.
"Not just me."
Her gaze shifted slightly—
Toward the door.
Where Ethan was standing.
Still.
Silent.
Watching everything.
Yuna looked back at Luca.
"He came," she whispered.
Luca followed her gaze for a brief moment.
Then looked back at her.
"…Of course he did."
Yuna blinked slightly.
"You say that like it's obvious."
Luca gave a faint smile.
"For you? It is."
She didn't reply.
But her cheeks warmed slightly.
---
They continued talking.
About small things at first.
How she was feeling.
How much pain he had in his shoulder.
"How bad is it?" she asked, glancing at the bandage.
"Not enough to kill me."
"That's not funny."
"It's true."
She sighed.
"You always joke about serious things."
"And you always worry too much."
"Because you make me worry!"
Luca chuckled softly.
The atmosphere lightened.
For the first time in days—
It felt normal.
Like before.
---
After some time, the door opened quietly.
Ethan walked in.
Both of them looked at him.
His presence immediately changed the room again.
Calm.
Controlled.
He stepped inside, his gaze briefly checking Yuna—
Making sure she wasn't tired.
Then he looked at Luca.
"I've handled your hospital bills."
Yuna blinked.
"…What?"
Luca raised an eyebrow.
"You what?"
Ethan's voice remained neutral.
"The treatment. Medication. Everything is paid."
Yuna looked at him, surprised.
"You didn't have to do that."
Ethan didn't respond.
To him—
It wasn't something worth discussing.
But Yuna smiled softly.
"…Thank you."
Her voice was genuine.
Warm.
Luca looked between them.
Then let out a small breath.
"…You really didn't have to," he said to Ethan.
Ethan's eyes shifted to him.
"I know."
A pause.
Then Luca added,
"I would've handled it."
"I know that too."
Silence.
Luca studied him for a moment.
Then—
His expression changed slightly.
More serious.
More… sincere.
"…Still," Luca said quietly, "thank you."
Yuna looked at her brother, a little surprised.
It wasn't easy for Luca to say things like that.
Ethan didn't react much.
But he didn't ignore it either.
---
Luca leaned back slightly, his eyes still on Ethan.
"For bringing her back," he added.
The room went quiet.
Yuna's breath caught slightly.
Ethan didn't say anything.
But his gaze shifted—just for a second—
Toward Yuna.
Then back.
"It was necessary," he said simply.
Luca shook his head.
"No."
A pause.
Then—
"It wasn't necessary," he corrected. "It was a choice."
Ethan's expression didn't change.
But he didn't deny it.
Yuna watched them both.
Something about this moment felt important.
Unspoken.
But understood.
---
Luca sighed lightly.
"…I owe you."
Ethan's response came immediately.
"No."
"You do this for my sister and say no?"
"I didn't do it for you."
The honesty was sharp.
Direct.
But not rude.
Yuna looked down slightly, her fingers fidgeting.
Luca noticed.
And a faint smirk appeared on his face.
"…Yeah," he said. "I figured that."
Ethan didn't respond.
---
A small silence followed.
Then Yuna spoke softly,
"Can we not turn this into a serious moment?"
Both men looked at her.
She smiled faintly.
"We're all okay. That's enough."
Luca exhaled.
"…You're right."
Ethan didn't argue.
---
Yuna shifted slightly in her seat.
Her energy was slowly fading again.
Ethan noticed immediately.
"That's enough for today," he said.
"I'm fine," she insisted.
"You're tired."
"I just sat here—"
"You're tired," he repeated.
She frowned.
"You're controlling."
"And you're ignoring your condition."
Luca chuckled.
"She's not going to win this."
Yuna looked at him.
"You're supposed to be on my side!"
"I am," Luca said. "But he's right."
She sighed dramatically.
"Great. Both of you against me."
Ethan stepped closer.
"Stand up."
She hesitated.
"…Now?"
"Yes."
She rolled her eyes slightly but obeyed.
The moment she stood—
Her balance wavered just a little.
Ethan's hand was already there.
Holding her.
Steady.
Yuna looked at him.
"…Okay, maybe I am a little tired."
Luca smirked.
"A little?"
She ignored him.
---
Before leaving, she turned back to Luca.
"…I'll come again tomorrow."
"You better rest first."
"I will."
A pause.
Then she added softly,
"…Don't get shot again."
Luca laughed lightly.
"I'll try."
---
As they walked out of the room—
Yuna's hand naturally found Ethan's again.
He didn't pull away.
Didn't hesitate.
Just held it.
Firm.
As they walked through the hospital corridor together—
For the first time—
It didn't feel like survival anymore.
It felt like…
Moving forward.