Celine awoke to the soft hiss of the oxygen machine. A pink sticky note lay where rumi had once been. Picking it up she read it
‘I wanted a snack from the vending machine brb.’
she smiled faintly before turning her gaze back towards the girl in bed and her heart ached. How could this have happened? Could she have stopped it somehow? No, she had tried that before and she had failed. The magic involved was just too complex to understand. Then she saw it. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming. until the faintest movement caught her eye.
(Y/n)’s fingers twitched.
Celine bolted upright, heart in her throat. “(Y/n)?”
The girl’s eyelids fluttered, heavy and dazed. Her lips parted, voice a fragile whisper. “...Celine?”
“Oh, thank the gods,” Celine breathed, half laughing, half crying. She leaned forward, brushing a trembling hand across the girl’s forehead. “You’re alright, sweetheart. You’re safe. You're in the hospital, okay?”
(Y/n)’s gaze drifted, taking in the sterile room, the steady hum of machines. “Rumi…?”
“She’s here,” Celine said gently. “She stepped out to get a snack. She wouldn’t leave you.”
That brought a faint smile to (Y/n)’s lips. “Sounds like her…”
It was then that the door opened with a soft squeak and there stood Rumi, clutching a half-open bag of chips and a bottle of water, her expression frozen.
For a second, she didn’t move. Then the chips slipped from her hands, scattering across the floor as she rushed forward.
“(Y/n)!” Rumi gasped, nearly tripping as she raced to the other side of the bed. “Oh my god, you’re— you’re awake!”
(Y/n) managed a weak smile. “Hey… you got me chips?”
Rumi choked on a laugh that sounded suspiciously like a sob. “I’d have brought you the entire vending machine if I thought it’d wake you up!”
Celine watched, her throat tight as Rumi wrapped her arms gently around (Y/n)’s shoulders. The reunion was quiet, heartwarming and tearful, but full of joy.
Then, before anyone could say another word, the door opened again.
A man stood there. pale, exhausted, and almost unrecognizable with his disheveled hair in the dim light. His suit was wrinkled, Tie undone with large dark circles under his eyes. For a moment, he just stared. Then he moved closer, his breath hitching with each step.
She blinked, vision clearing just enough to see him. He was older than she remembered, streaks of gray at his temples, eyes rimmed red. He looked like a man torn between guilt and relief.
“Dad…” Her voice came out hoarse, barely a whisper.
He stepped forward instantly, his hand shaking as it hovered over hers, as if afraid to hurt her. “I’m here, I’m right here. I came as soon as I heard. I—” His voice caught. “You scared me half to death.”
Rumi turned away, pretending to be very interested in something across the way, fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. The moment felt too tense, too private but she refused to leave. She just couldn’t.
(Y/n) tried to smile, but it was shaky. “You… you were gone for so long. I didn’t think…” subconsciously she squeezed Rumi’s hand and she immediately squeezed back, letting her know she was there.
“I know,” he whispered, guilt flooding his face. “I know, baby. I was trying to fix things. I thought if I could just—”
“Fix me,” she finished softly.
He froze, eyes glistening. The words hung there between them, fragile and devastating.
Celine’s jaw tightened at the girl's words, her gaze steady and cold as she tried not to glare daggers at the man in front of her.
“I missed you,” she said, voice barely audible.
He squeezed her hand. “I missed you too.”
Celine’s heart twisted where she stood a good distance away trying to give them the space she knew they needed. Rumi glanced up at her, reading the worry on her face. Both knew this reunion wasn’t the neat, tearful fix they had imagined.
Celine grimaced, her arms folded, a storm of emotions behind her calm expression. For so long she wanted to see this reunion. In fact she’d dreamed of it for (Y/n)’s sake but now that it was happening, she couldn't help feeling her chest tighten. Because she saw the way (Y/n)’s eyes darted toward her every few seconds, silently asking for reassurance. Asking her for support. And the look on her face told her she was scared. Almost like she was talking to someone she didn't know. A stranger
In an instant Celine crossed the small hospital room, the soles of her shoes scuffing against the cold floor. The steady beeping of the heart monitor filled the silence.
(Y/n) looked so small in the large bulky hospital bed, still pale but livelier than she had been earlier.
Quickly she stopped beside the bed and hesitated for only a moment before sitting gently at the edge. The mattress dipped slightly under her weight. “Hey, sweetheart,” she said softly, the words laced with that calm, steady tone she’d used for years. The kind that always made bad days feel better.
(Y/n) turned her head toward her, a faint, tired smile curving her lips. “Hey.”
Across the bed, Rumi perked up at the woman now closer than she was before. Her hand still tightly grasping (y/n)’s right hand. She’d been unusually silent the past couple of hours but she couldn’t blame the poor girl.
None should have to see their best friend go through something like that but… there was nothing they could do about it now.
Celine gently reached over and brushed a loose strand of hair from (Y/n)’s forehead. “You ok?”
(Y/n)’s smile faltered. She looked around at those around her. The people she cared about most and all she saw in their eyes was fear and worry and an indescribable ache she didn’t know how to classify. “I really scared everyone, didn’t I?”
Celine exhaled through her nose, not quite a laugh, not quite a sigh. “You gave us a few grey hairs, that's for sure. Especially this one.” She glanced over at Rumi, her tone softening. “She wouldn’t leave your side all night.”
Rumi straightened instantly, the tips of her ears flushing pink. “I—I was just making sure she was ok,” she muttered, looking down at her lap.
Celine’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Mm. Of course.”
That earned her a quiet snort from (Y/n), small but genuine. The sound lightening the aura of the room slightly.
Her father, who had just been sitting there, hands folded, watching, let out a slow breath. His shoulders eased a little, and for the first time since he got here, he smiled. “She takes after her mom, worrying over everyone but herself.”
Celine glanced at him, but didn’t comment. She turned her attention back to (Y/n), her voice gentle again. “The doctors said your vitals are good. They want to keep you for observation a little longer, just to be safe.”
(Y/n) frowned slightly. “But I feel okay now.”
“I know,” Celine said, reaching to adjust the blanket over her legs. “But you scared them too. Let them keep an eye on you for a bit. No one’s in a rush.”
Rumi leaned forward, resting her chin on the arm of the bed. “You scared me too. You should’ve seen the way Celine acted. I thought she was gonna punch someone.”
Celine shot her a mock glare. “Rumi.”
That actually drew a laugh from (Y/n), fragile, breathy, but real.
Her father’s expression softened again as he watched the three of them. the way Celine’s hand rested protectively on (Y/n)’s wrist, how Rumi’s teasing made her smile. He didn’t interrupt, just sat there and let the warmth of the moment envelop them. But he couldn’t help the ache that clung to his chest.
Celine glanced at (Y/n) once more, her tone quiet but firm. “Well you’re safe now. That’s all that matters.”
(Y/n) nodded, her eyes heavy but peaceful. “Yeah… it’s nice. Just being here with you guys.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, the room felt like home.
For a while after that, no one spoke. The machines hummed softly, rain tapped faintly against the window, and the fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. .
(Y/n)’s hand rested loosely in her lap as she resisted the urge to pick at the IV in her arm. A wave of exhaustion had washed over her and the IV was making it difficult to be comfortable. Celine stayed beside her, one hand lightly tracing circles over the blanket, more to comfort herself than anyone else. Rumi had finally started to relax too, slumped against the side of the bed.
Her father had stayed quiet throughout it all. He stood near the window, watching the clouds drift outside as the dark sky turned into a soft dusty lavender.
He looked back at his daughter who was now semi cuddled up to the other girl with purple hair. She looked exhausted.
“I should… let the doctors know she’s awake.” His voice was curt and rough.
Celine looked up, her tone gentle. “They’ll be relieved. She’s been the talk of the floor.”
He nodded, a faint, humorless smile tugging at his lips. “Yes. I can imagine.”
He turned to his daughter, stepping closer to the bed. “I’ll be right back, sweetheart. I promise.”
(Y/n) blinked up at him, still hazy but alert. “You’re not leaving, right?”
He froze, the question stung more than she probably meant for it to. He didn’t turn his body, only his head as she spoke over his shoulder. “No. I’m not leaving. Not again.”
Celine’s gaze flickered between them with a quiet ache she tried not to let show.
Rumi, watching from where her head was placed on (y/n)’s shoulder, looked away, her thumb rubbing against her knuckles.
Mr. (L/n) stood after a moment and straightened his jacket. “I’ll go find the doctor. You two stay with her.”
He opened the door, his hand pausing on the frame for just a heartbeat before he left. The door clicked softly shut behind him, leaving the room tense.
(Y/n) sighed, sinking deeper into the pillows. “He looks tired…”
Celine brushed a hand along her arm. “He is. He’s been running himself ragged trying to help you.”
Rumi looked up at that, a faint frown tugging her mouth. “Maybe he should’ve stayed and helped her here instead.”
“Rumi,” Celine warned softly, but there was no real anger in it. Because in reality Rumi was just saying what she herself also thought.
Like mother like daughter I guess.
(Y/n)’s eyes closed, her lips curving into a faint, bittersweet smile. “I think he’s trying. In his own way.”
Celine’s gaze softened at her words. “He is. He just doesn’t always know what to do.”
Looking through the glass panel in the door, Celine saw (f/n) speaking quietly with the doctor. His hand running through his hair, shoulders tense. After a few moments, he nodded at whatever the doctor said and started back toward the door, a new look of determination in his face.
She quickly turned her attention back to the two girls.
He stopped at the door, watching the three of them for a moment. his daughter, pale but smiling faintly between her teacher and her best friend.
Then, he opened the door. Only peaking his head in and called.
“Celine,” his voice came, curt and firm. “we need to talk.”
Celine looked up slowly. Her eyes flicked to (Y/n), who met her gaze with a faint, puzzled look, and to Rumi, who gave her a slightly nervous look.
“Alright,” Celine said, rising to her feet calmly. She rested a reassuring hand on (Y/n)’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back, girls”
Together the two adults stepped into the hallway, the air colder out here the hospital filled the silence.
“As soon as she’s stable enough, I’m taking her to America.”
The words hit like a slap.
Celine folded her arms slowly, her tone controlled but cold. “You’re doing what?”
“She nearly died, Celine!” he snapped, his voice shaking. “I won’t sit by and watch it happen again. There are specialists there. People who can help her.”
“Help her?” Celine’s voice rose, disbelief cracking through her composure. “You still don’t understand, do you? This isn’t something you can medicate or fix with machines. What’s happening to her is part of what she is. It’s her connection to the Honmoon. It’s ancient, we don’t understand it.”
“I don’t care what it is,” he said, pacing, grief boiling beneath his words. “I buried my wife because of this madness, and I refuse to bury my daughter too!”
“You think I don’t know that?” Celine snapped, stepping closer now, eyes burning. “You think I haven’t spent every day terrified that she’d end up like her mother? But while you’ve been off chasing god knows what, I’ve been here! watching her grow, keeping her safe, holding her hand when the pain came.”
He started first, voice strained. “Look, I can't thank you enough for everything you’ve done, Celine. But I think it’s time she came home with me.”
Celine’s arms crossed slowly. “Home? You mean the estate you’re barely in? Or whichever hotel you’re living out of this month?”
His jaw tightened. “You know I’ve been doing everything I can to find a cure. If there’s a chance—”
“And in the meantime,” Celine interrupted sharply, “who’s been here when she got bronchitis? When she stayed up all night studying until she passed out at the kitchen table? When she cried because her father was too busy to come for her eighth birthday? “
He flinched, but she didn’t stop.
“You’ve been gone while she’s been living a life right here. She doesn’t need a cure, she needs a father. She needs a family.”
He met her glare with one of his own. “I know that! You think I haven’t hated myself every day for missing it?” His voice cracked. “She’s all I have left of her mother.”
Celine’s eyes softened, but only for a moment. “Then treat her like she’s here now. not like she’s something you might. Loose.”
He fell silent, breathing hard, his hand trembling slightly at his side.
And then, Celine turned away before stopping, her voice lowering into something fierce and protective.
“Have you even asked her what she wants?”
He blinked, stunned, speechless.
Celine shook her head slowly. “Because I have. Every day. And what she’s always wanted. more than anything in the world. Was not a cure, or answers. It was for you to come home.”
She walked away down the hall a few feet before sighing. “I’m going to go get the girl's food.” Then she left.
When the hall had gone still, he groaned running his hands down his face before he wandered back toward the room but he couldn’t bring himself to go in. He turned his back to the wall and leaned his thoughts running wild through his head only to be interrupted at the sound of a soft voice.
Peaking through the glass he saw Rumi still sitting by his daughter's bedside, a blanket now wrapped around their shoulders, as they leaned against each other.
“Do you want to hear a story?” she whispered, brushing a strand of hair from (Y/n)’s face. “It’s about a tiger and a magpie and a dragon and a fox…”
He stood in the doorway, unmoving until he had to cover his mouth with one hand to keep from breaking apart.
He hadn’t heard that story in years. Not since his wife… Now, hearing it again, told in another voice, to the same child. He pressed his back harder against the wall and closed his eyes. The ache in his chest was unbearable, but beneath it, a small flicker of hope.
And for the first time in a long time, he didn’t feel so alone.
A/N: hey y’all! Sorry it’s been a minute a lot of things have happened and I’ve had no time to post but we’re back! I hope to post more!
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