'Knock! Knock!'

"Bracken?" The hopeful voice of her country's king called out for her as he quietly opened the door. Bracken had been dozing off as she leaned against the headboard of her bed with her Leafbook on her lap and her cup of chocolate milk in her hand as she'd been reading about what was going on in the world.

"Bracken!" Evan repeated as he noticed her sleepy gaze from where she'd glanced at him. His eyes lit up as he surged towards her, the child in him shining through as he trapped her in a hug. Her expression had turned from curious to surprised as her arms instinctively raised to make room for him, consequently saving her drink from ruining her Leafbook.

"You're okay!" He cheered as his grip tightened around her waist. The small pain it caused wasn't anything she couldn't handle though. Passing her cup from one hand to the other, she set it down on her bedside table before returning the king's embrace.

"Glad to see you too." Bracken smiled as Roland entered after him. She smiled a greeting to him whilst he gave her a very mixed expression. On one hand, he seemed relieved that she was indeed okay. On the other hand, however…

He did not look impressed.

"Looks like I'll be getting a good talking to…" She grumbled in amusement so only Evan could hear. He laughed before pulling away with a huge grin.

"Good luck." He whispered in return. Nobody liked a Roland lecture. Everyone had had one at some point. Even Leander. They went on for over an hour and no one ever paid full attention to him the entire way through.

"Save me!" She gasped as Roland came closer. Evan just laughed some more before turning to face the man.

"I'm glad to see you're okay, Bracken." He started, as if trying to make her feel as though everything was gonna be just fine.

"We were all worried about you, you know." Wait for it….

"Maybe, next time you could–" She tuned out after the fourth time he said 'reckless'. Glancing at Evan, she could tell he had too.

This must have been the hundredth time she'd had a Roland lecture…

Huh.

Hands suddenly gripped her shoulders and she snapped her attention back to the man who'd been talking to her. He sighed in exasperation before shaking his head.

"You're just lucky you're concussed." He grumbled, clearly a little irritated. It was over already? She covered her mouth as she yawned and realisation dawned.

She'd nearly dozed off again.

If this got her out of his lecture's she was gonna get concussed more often!

"Bracken?" Glancing away from Roland's concerned gaze, she watched as Leander entered the room with Thetis.

"Hi." She gave a small wave in greeting as Roland moved away. Bracken's eyes widened as he drew closer. "Leander… Are you…" She paused, not quite believing her eyes. "Smiling?" He blushed a tiny bit as his relieved expression hardened into its usual stern self.

"Don't be ridiculous." She laughed as she sat up straight.

"So you weren't worried about me too?" She teased as he stuttered slightly. Doomed if he spoke, and doomed if he didn't. "Those painkillers are great by the way." He breathed a little easier at the change of subject.

"That's good news. How are you feeling?" He asked with a tweak of his glasses. She smirked a little at the look on his face.

"Like you want to hug me but don't want to look like you were that worried." And just like that, his blush was back.

"Nonsense! I-I–" She laughed as she spread her arms wide for him.

"Come here, ya big softie!" He sighed in defeat as he stepped closer before accepting her comforting embrace.

"It's good to have you back, Bracken." He spoke quietly.

"Glad you missed me that much, Leander." She giggled again as they pulled apart.

"You're awake!" A whirlwind of red sped past Leander, knocking him backwards onto his rump as Bracken was once again trapped in a bear hug.

"I am." She laughed as she patted Tani on the back. The young sky pirate pulled back just as Batu's heavy hand landed on her shoulder.

"It's 'bout time yer woke up!" He grinned but his hand had sent shock waves straight to her broken ribs and she yelped in a mix of surprise and pain. A hand moved back to the icepack that was still resting against her skin on instinct. Batu pulled away immediately as she gave him a look of betrayal.

"I'm sorry lass." He instantly blurted, lowering the mood of the room by a few notches.

"It's okay, Batu. Leander's medicine took most of that." She tried to offer a reassuring smile but Batu just backed off a little more, as if unsure if he would hurt her or not.

"Perhaps it is best if we let Thetis check you over again, Bracken. Just to be safe." Leander suggested as he picked himself up off the floor.

"I'd be happy to." Thetis – who had stayed quiet up until now – joined Bracken at her bedside. Leander then herded the group of friends out the door in the most polite way possible before returning to help with the examination.

Why did she get the feeling this was gonna be happening a lot more now?