Dazed, Petra blinked as she tried to recognize the blurry shapes that filled her vision. Slowly, she groaned at the dull pain ringing around her head.
Eventually she worked up enough strength to look around her surroundings. There was white, lots of blinding white. And the smell of medicines and anesthetic lingered in the air. But then she turned to her left and found the Captain pulled up in a chair.
She would have said something, but Petra noticed he was asleep. She noted the bags under his eyes seemed darker than usual. And he was still in that sweaty uniform from the last expedition.
Last expedition? How long had she been out of it?
Carefully, she leaned over, trying not to curse at the pain that shot through her body. As she brushed a few strands of hair out of his eyes she realized he looked so much younger while asleep. While he aged better than most people, stress always painted his features. Now he almost looked peaceful.
"Ugh," A low groan came from him, and Petra quickly retreated back to her bed. Once she was back in place, she wondered why she was so embarrassed over doing that.
Because you were being super weird, Petra. Seriously, you don't just get all up in someone's face.
As the Captain started to stir, Petra shifted around, unsure what to do, til deciding to just relax. He gave a long yawn and slowly, silver eyes opened to meet hazel.
"Morning Ral," Another yawn as he stretched his arms some.
"Good morning, Captain." She drew small circles in her sheets, unsure what to say. A pregnant pause hung over both of them, neither one really acknowledging the others' presence. Petra was thinking she should just go back asleep at this point and put an end to the awkwardness.
Just then, the Captain started to sigh. "You're looking at me like I just grew a second head, what is it?"
"My memory's a little fuzzy, sir." She ran a hand through her hair before wincing at all the tangles her hand caught.
"Oh," The Captain looked off to the side. "Auruo got snatched up by a titan, but you got him out. Still both you guys when flying into the side of a building. Erd managed to stop the titan before it got ya'll, but you were still banged up." At that, it all came back to her. Then she hadn't been thinking far ahead, just that she needed to act before it was too late.
"Are they alright?"
"Yeah. Auruo woke up yesterday and Gunther sprained his ankle, but that's it injuries-wise."
"Good." Petra breathed a sigh of relief. She would have been content to got to sleep after that, but then a lingering question came to her. "How long was I out?"
"Three days."
"Then why are you still filthy?" The Captain froze at that, a flush creeping up his neck.
"Things have been crazy. You three have been stuck her, I've been buried in paperwork, gotten even less sleep lately-"
"Yet you still tried to stay up to watch over your soldier." Petra couldn't help but let a small smile flirt across her face.
"Uh-" Any excuse he had was cut off by the entrance of a stony-faced nurse. She rattled off the details of Petra's condition before rambling some about self-care. By the time she was done, Petra had forgotten the Captain was even in the room.
She was about to drift to sleep when suddenly, the Captain's voice brought her back.
"I hope you get better soon," He squeezed her shoulder ever so lightly, spreading warmth to the rest of her body. He was about to leave when Petra finally replied,
"Thank you, Levi." He froze again, this time in mid-step. "Is it alright to use your name, sir?" He gave a stiff nod in reply and then practically took off from her room.
It still hurt a bit, but Petra couldn't help but laugh.
A.N. I rarely write them when they aren't in a relationship yet, so this was fun. I love the "watching over loved one in the hospital" trope.
