"Good afternoon, William."
Charlie smiled as she entered the medical tent, sitting beside the sleeping man.
"Just thought I'd check on you." She ran a hand through hair, smoothing it out. "Hope you've been having good dreams today."
There was no response but Charlie kept silent for a few minutes before speaking up again.
"So much got done today. Wilson finished a house. The very first one. It's for Wigfrid and Wes. It was his wedding present to them. Oh, William I wish you could've seen that. Wigfrid and Wes were so happy. Oh and I actually helped gather food without getting scratched up once. I'm getting really good at it. Not a master by any means but least I'm getting up there."
"And you'll be a master in time, Charlie."
Charlie jumped, looking behind her, seeing Wilson was now present. He grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Sorry, didn't mean to spook you. Was just here to check on William myself since I wasn't able to do it this morning."
"I-It's fine." She smiled sheepishly. "I was just seeing how he was doing. It doesn't hurt to let him know what's been going on. At least, I like to think he can hear me."
"I'm sure he can. Our ears can still pick up sounds even when we're asleep. It can be really effective with comatose patients as well since certain sounds or voices can cause activity in the brain so it's good for him if he gets to hear you."
She nodded, moving aside to give Wilson his space as he got right to work with examining William. She couldn't help but become a bit nervous. Just worried to hear: No change.
"W-Well… How is he?"
"Hm… He's doing a lot better today." Wilson made a few scribbles in his notebook. "His lungs aren't as congested." He whipped out his stethoscope, listening to William's heart. "... Increased heart rate. Not unhealthy but… unusual compared to the last week or so." He narrowed his eyes a little, listening to his lungs again. "..."
"Wilson?"
Wilson kept silent, glancing to William's face, noticing his eyes were twitching. His own eyes widened at this.
"It couldn't be." He took off his stethoscope.
"Couldn't be what?" Charlie asked, worry appearing in her eyes.
Wilson took one of William's hands in his, giving it a squeeze.
"William, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand."
No response.
"William." Wilson repeated. "If you can hear me, squeeze my hand."
Wilson stayed silent, waiting…
Till William's hand twitched, squeezing Wilson's hand lightly, a small gasp escaping Wilson's mouth.
"William." He looked to Charlie. "Charlie, I think he might be regaining consciousness."
Her eyes widened before they filled with joy.
"He hasn't responded that well before." She added, hesitating before taking his other hand. "C-Can I?"
"By all means. I think hearing your voice would be more effective than mine since I'm still a stranger to him."
She nodded before looking at William.
"William, it's Charlie. If you can hear me, please, squeeze my hand."
William's hand twitched before squeezing her hand, quite tightly at that. His eyes twitched before they slowly opened.
"Goodness…" Wilson whispered. "He's awake!"
Charlie was overjoyed as she squeezed his hand in return.
"Hi, Will." She moved into his line of sight, some tears in her eyes. "Welcome back."
William looked at her, squinting his eyes a bit.
"H-Huh…?"
"Hm?" Wilson raised an eyebrow. "Is… he having trouble seeing?"
"Oh! He's always had trouble with his eyes." She dug through her pockets. "I have something to fix that." She pulled out a pair of circular glasses. "Here we are!"
She slipped them on over his eyes, William's eyes relaxing as soon as the lenses came over them. Least they were relaxed till they widened at the sight of seeing Charlie clearly, a gasp escaping his mouth.
He quickly sat up, cringing a bit, bringing an arm around his injury.
"O-Ow…"
"Easy." Wilson cautioned him. "You're still healing. Don't try to move so fast."
"I'm right here, William. Right here." She moved closer, cupping one of his cheeks.
William placed his free hand over hers, tears brimming in his eyes.
She's okay… Oh thank heavens, she's okay!
He leaned in closer, moving his hand to her cheek, taking in all her features.
Charlie was the same as he remembered her. The same warm eyes, the same smile and the same look she always gave him when she was happy.
She leaned into his hand, nuzzling it. "Oh Will it's you. It's really you!"
William smiled a little, tears streaking his face.
"C-Charlie… Oh my dear sweet Charlie."
He brought his arms around her, hugging her as tightly as he could, Charlie returning the gesturing.
"I missed you, so much." She buried her face into his shoulder. "The real you."
William ran a hand through her hair, keeping her close.
"S-Sorry it took me so long to come back. Charlie… I… I'm so… so sorry for what I did. To you and everyone. I… I'm so sorry."
Charlie pulled back gently, cupping a cheek in her hand again.
"It's come and gone William. It was wrong and we all had our part in it but we can move past it." Charlie kissed his cheek gently. "I forgive you. Just… please don't do something like that again. Okay?"
William nodded, hesitating before kissing her cheek in return.
"Okay." He brought her close again, Charlie relaxing against him, sighing happily.
William gave a small smile before looking to Wilson, seeing the man was keeping off to the side.
He had a gentle look on his features.
"It's good to see you awake, William. You had your friends worried for quite some time. I'm sure the others are going to be ecstatic when they see you."
"I suppose." William's smile faded. "... I… I did a lot of things I'm not proud of. I'm surprised anyone would want to see me."
"You have people that care about you." Wilson nodded to Charlie. "Sure, you messed up but you want to make up for that, right?"
"Yes… In however way I can."
"Then that's all that matters." Wilson went over to them, kneeling down, placing a hand on his shoulder. "They were mad but they've moved past that, just like Charlie has. They just want to see you as yourself again. Think you can do that?"
William looked at Wilson before looking to Charlie, the woman content in his arms.
He gave a small smile.
"For hers and their sake, I certainly can."