The next time Lucien opened his eyes, it was dark and the only light filtering into his small hospital room was from the hallway. The light entered the room in streaks and it was just bright enough to illuminate the silhouette of the woman beside him: Jean.
She was curled up in the chair, her legs tucked tightly beneath her and her hand hanging awkwardly off the chair, resting on his arm. It didn't look comfortable at all and his heart went out to her. Even in the dim light, he could see the lines on her face and the circles around her eyes.
He twitched his fingers, desperate to stroke her skin and he managed to just brush over the inside of her wrist. Looking down, he was pleased to see his engagement ring sitting proudly on her finger, sparkling against the light.
Jean hummed in her sleep, shifting to try and get comfortable. Lucien smiled softly at her, noting the way her nose scrunched adorably when she shifted positions. He managed to wrap his fingers around her wrist and tug gently, hoping to wake her.
It would be a risk to ask this of her, but it was for her own good. And, if he was being honest with himself, he was desperate for her.
"Jean? Jean, love, wake up."
If he lived to be a hundred, he would never love anything more than the sight of Jean waking up: sleepy, bleary eyes peering out at him from behind thick eyelashes, breaths coming out in little puffs as she tried to get her bearings.
Immediately she was at his side, wincing as her stiff muscles protested at the sudden movement. "Are you alright? Do you need a nurse?"
She was already half out of her chair and headed for the doorway when he stopped her, tugging at her wrist. "No, no, I'm alright." She frowned at him. "Then what is it?"
He scooted over on the bed, wincing at the movement, and made room for her on the small twin bed. "That chair is ridiculously uncomfortable and there's plenty of room here. Just thought you might want to kip here for a few hours instead?"
She hesitated, biting her lip. "Lucien…"
He laughed, the action jostling his ribs and causing him to wince again. "I'm hardly in a state to take advantage." He raised his eyebrows at her briefly then his features softened and he simply looked at her: his own personal angel.
"I just want you close."
His words convinced her and she agreed, slipping into the bed beside him with a warning, "Just for a few hours. The nurses won't know what to do with this if they walk in…"
Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, he hummed in agreement. "I'll protect you." She curled herself next to him and found he was right, she was already more comfortable, not just in the bed, but by having his warm presence beside her–solid and real and alive.
Sleepily, she pressed a kiss to his shoulder and neck and chest before laying her head back down on his shoulder. "Not if I protect you first."
Holding her close, Lucien smiled into her hair, the sound of her soft snores already filling the room. Now. Now he could sleep.