Cutter shot awake, startled by the sound of something moving. He had fallen asleep in a chair by Kate's beside, which had become his designated spot during Kate's recovery. He was back in his usual knight attire as they were still in the castle.
Kate slowly opened her eyes, trying to moisturize her lips with whatever saliva she had left.
Why is my mouth so... dry?
She tried to sit up, but laid back down immediately from the pain.
What the?!
Cutter rushed over, examining her stomach area for any bleeding. He took a deep breath, calming down his feelings of excitement and worry all at once. He had to keep his composure for Kate's sake. "So, you finally decided to join us?" He smirked as Kate opened her eyes back up.
She slowly moved her head, taking in her surroundings. She was in a large bed with white bedsheets and a fancy wooden frame. The room was large, with stained glass windows. "Where...am I?" She continued to look around, still feeling dazed.
Cutter sat back into his chair. "You're in the castle. The King is grateful to you for helping us exterminate several members of the Red Raven Gang, as well as detaining one." He sighed. "Though, he wasn't much help..." He had killed him after only a day of interrogation.
Kate's eyes widened. "The castle?! What?! Wait-" She looked around the room once again. "Where's Kaku?" She tried to get up, but Cutter helped her lay back down.
Cutter clicked his tongue. "Idiot. You should know by now that you have a wound on your stomach. Don't move around so much." He fixed her pillow under her head. "He's around. The doctor said you couldn't accept outside visitors until you regained consciousness." He paused before sitting back down, unsure if Kate would try and sit up again.
Kate pondered for a moment. "Consciousness? How long have I been out for?!" She looked around for a calendar, but to no avail.
Cutter sighed once again, standing up from his chair and stretching an arm out over Kate's chest. "It's been 3 weeks."
Here we go...
Kate tried to sit up, but was stopped by Cutter's arm. "3 WEEKS?! What the hell happened?! Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" If she had the energy, she would apologize to everyone right away. If there was one thing she hated; it was being a burden. All she could do was lay back down, even her heart seeming incapable of beating fast enough to keep up with how she was feeling.
Cutter rolled his eyes. "That's actually not that long, considering the extent of your injuries. Just be grateful you're alive. Had you been operated by any other medical team, you probably wouldn't have made it." He sat back down into his chair. "No more apologizing."
Kate nodded her head slowly.
The sooner I recover, the sooner I can go home...
She turned her head so she could face Cutter. "When can I see Kaku? I'm worried about him."
I need to see him...
This angered Cutter. "Would you stop worrying about other people for a damn second?! You're the one who's injured. Kaku is a grown ass man, he will be fine. Just focus on getting better." He felt the veins popping from his head. It wasn't the fact that Kate was worried about Kaku that made him angry, it was the fact that he knew the truth and he couldn't do anything about it. It was evident that her feelings for Kaku were real, and he knew what the end result would be...
He can't give you what you want.
As much as he didn't want to let her- Kate wanted to see Kaku. It wasn't any of his business in the end, and he owed her after all. He stood up from his chair and headed towards the door. "I'll go get him now. Don't move." He turned the door knob, but was stopped by Kate calling his name. "What?" He answered bluntly.
She smiled. "Thank you for everything. I know you've been looking after me the whole time. I'm so happy to have you as a friend." She closed her eyes once again.
Cutter blushed, not expecting to hear Kate say that. "Whatever." He closed the door behind him. He was happy and frustrated all at once.
He hadn't left her side since the day she was injured. He made sure the castle staff attended to her, and monitored her vitals often.
The doctor encouraged talking to her, feeling it would help her regain her consciousness. Cutter read her the newspaper every morning, and a chapter or two of whatever book he was reading in the evening.
Kate was truly shocked by the fact that she had been unconscious for 3 weeks. She could recall seeing Cutter, and wondering why the weather had changed so drastically several times in one day. It turns out she was simply popping in and out of consciousness sporadically throughout the last 3 weeks.
Kate blushed at the thought of him staying by her side so diligently. Although he would claim it was because he owed her- she couldn't help but view him differently now.
He's kind of...sweet.
Kaku was waiting in his usual spot outside the castle gates. He had just gotten off work, and was in his uniform. He stood up immediately as soon as he saw Cutter. He hadn't seen him since their last talk. "Hiya Cutter! How are you today?" His heart was racing.
Please let me see her...
Cutter rolled his eyes at the younger man's cheery attitude. "Shutup. Follow me." He motioned for the guards at the gate to stand down, permitting Kaku entry into the castle. "Her wound still isn't fully healed, so don't go jumping on her." He knew it wasn't his place, but he felt somewhat protective over Kate.
Kaku nodded, trying to hold in his excitement.
I'm going to make things right.
The two men stood outside of Kate's recovery room door.
Cutter glared at Kaku. "She just woke up, so I'll give you 15 minutes. If I hear her scream, I'm coming in- got it?" Part of him hoped she would... he wanted an excuse to punch Kaku in the face. How could he lie to her for so long?
Kaku couldn't help but feel somewhat irritated. Cutter made it sound as if Kaku was nothing but an ordinary friend. "I got it, pal." He didn't break his eye contact. "I care about her enough to possibly compromise my part in my assignment, so you'd better believe I'm going to be careful with her." If Cutter hadn't known the truth, Kaku would have played the 'I'm her husband card'.
Cutter rolled his eyes and knocked the door before opening it. "You have a visitor." He eyed Kaku. "Let me know if you want me to kick him out at any point." He stood to the side, closing the door once Kaku entered.
Kaku removed his hat as he slowly approached the bed. He watched Kate's chest rise and lower as she breathed. He panicked when he noticed how thin she had become. The several wires connected to her body made the sight even more worrisome, but he knew he should be thankful she was alive.
It's really her...
He took a seat in the chair beside her bed. "Kate?" As much as he wanted her to rest- he hoped she was awake.
Kate fluttered her eyes open, a rush of blood coursing through her body as soon as she saw him. "Kaku." She smiled, sighing once she remembered she couldn't sit up yet.
Kaku knelt beside her bed, leaning his arms by her legs. "Kate I need to te-" he stopped as Kate placed a hand on his arm.
She continued to smile, feeling relieved to finally see him. "I'm sorry for everything. Especially for that night..." Kaku was about to interrupt, but stopped himself once Kate continued talking. "There's nothing I want more than to just have things back to the way they were... I know I did and said some things, but I don't want to ruin what we had before. I miss my friend." She looked at him hopefully.
At the time she believed that Kaku had feelings for her, but his actions and his blunt rejection of her made things clear. She wanted him, but she would rather have him as her friend than nothing at all.
Kaku felt stunned. He wanted to tell her how he truly felt. He had planned what he was going to say, but if he did now- it would go against everything Kate had just asked for. He decided he'd do it at a later time.
Darn it...
He stroked her head, noticing she was fighting to keep awake. "You got it, little miss. No more cold shoulder." He removed his hand hesitantly. He had been craving her in so many ways, that even petting her head was invigorating. "Get some sleep. I'll be back again tomorrow." He sighed. "Well, if your guard dog lets me." He chuckled slightly, a small pain in his chest as he watched Kate smile. He wanted so badly to confess how he felt, but he knew it'd be too much for Kate in her current state.
Kate passed out before she could say goodbye. The drugs doing their job.
Kaku walked out of the room, obvious he was feeling somewhat down. He waved a hand at Cutter, walking past him as he stared at the ground. "Thanks. I'll show myself out." He continued to sulk. Kaku had everything planned in his head, but never expected to receive the curve ball Kate had thrown at him. He was feeling conflicted. Would confessing be the right thing to do?
I'll do whatever it takes to make her happy.
Cutter huffed. "She should be out in a few days. No need to visit until then." His face remained expressionless as Kaku waved again to acknowledge what he had said.
He entered the room, taking a seat in his chair. Kate would be discharged soon. While her wound still felt painful- it was mostly due to the rare side effects of the medication she was taking to prevent infection. For the most part- it was healed.
Cutter fought with the foreign feelings brewing inside of him.
I really am a selfish bastard...
While he was happy Kate was alive, and that she would be able to return to her life in a few days- he didn't want her to go. As tedious as it all seemed, he had actually enjoyed looking after her. She was the first and last thing he saw each day, and it made his days brighter.
He shook his head to stop himself from planning how to convince the doctor to recommend her to stay longer.
She has a man.
While this was true, Cutter knew it wouldn't be forever. Perhaps if he waited until the day Kaku's mission ended...
I'll be there for her.
He held his arms behind his head, crossing his legs as he looked at Kate before drifting off to sleep.