SOON TO BE KING

Stella nodded, though it wasn’t so much the way he looked. He had looked normal when she found him. It was that she was told he was gone and nothing would wake him up. She hugged him back, burying her face in his neck to hide it. It was almost embarrassing how much it had upset her, especially when they were friends and it was obvious that she cared about him. Her arm wrapped around him, squeezing him tightly for a moment before letting to. It wasn’t his fault, none of it was. His joking didn’t make her feel too much better, only because she didn’t like to think of him dying at all, not ever. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, her lips forming a pout. How would she get sick of him? It wasn’t something she could picture. Then her fingers pointed out the most obvious words. I kissed you and you woke up. She probably wouldn’t have even said it aloud, but hiding behind a book was much easier, despite her cheeks turning pink and giving her away. It confused her why kissing him had woken him up at all, and she pushed the thought of her parents from her mind. Adam couldn’t be her true love, they were friends…a friend that she cared about and liked kissing. She put the book down, frustrated that she couldn’t speak. There had to be a way to fix that, too, the way they’d fixed him. 

Stella grinned and nodded- Nurse Princess Stella. If only people thought that she had the capability of caring for someone other than herself. She wasn’t sure what to do for him other than to wrap his hand, which she was sure would at least protect it, and she carefully used the bandage she had, wrapping it around several times until she was satisfied that he couldn’t make it worse. When she finished, she looked up at him, catching his gaze. It seemed that was one of the few ways she could express herself at all. Another realization came to her, and she leaned over, reaching for a book on her nightstand before crawling further onto the bed so she could get comfortable. She patted the spot next to her so he would lay down too, and she opened the book, holding it above the two of them so they both could see it. Her eyes scanned the pages frantically, looking for the words she needed. As she found each one, she pointed it out with her index finger, giving Adam a second to follow along as she switched pages and words. I thought you died. She turned her head towards him and frowned, not particularly enjoying the thought.

“That you didn’t mean your little sob story.  You come here thinking you have the right to make me feel bad for moving on. Yet, you really had no issue moving on from me. Cut the act, Adam. You don’t care. Admit so I can be done with you.”

Adam rolled his eyes at her words. Wow. “Jazzssica, please tell me how I have moved on from you? Also tell me why it is wrong for me to move on after you have already done that long ago. So long ago that you are getting married to this man. If you’re so in love with your little Ken then you should already be done with me.” Adam was over it, he did not understand why she felt the need to bring up his life now, they were clearly in the past to her. She put him in her past as soon as he packed his bags and left. He hadn’t moved onto someone new like she did. He wasn’t exclusively with anyone. “I do not have a girlfriend, Jazz. Even if I did, I would still care about you. You became one of my best friends, you were my everything at one point and I would not just throw you to the side. I’m insulted that you believe that since I’m apparently moving on it means I do not care.” He wasn’t moving on. The closest person to him was Stella, she was his friend. Her feelings could not be anything more than that. She was still having issues with her former love. “Can you even tell me who I have moved on with? So then I can be in the loop.”

Stella tried not to smile as Adam filled the silence, his words giving her butterflies; it was beyond frustrating that she couldn’t answer him, something other than the same reassuring smile she gave him over and over. She squeezed his hand as she tugged him along excitedly, only stopping once they reached her room and she unlocked the door. No. She shook her head quickly, not wanting him to think she was in pain. He would worry, when he was the one that was hurt. Just her voice was magically gone. Again, she tried to say something, but not a single sound came from her, and she pouted in frustration, walking inside her room quickly. She pointed to her bed, wanting him to sit down while she grabbed something to wrap his hand with. All she wanted was to help him the way he had helped her. He had joked about being a doctor, but she was smart, she could do that too- it’s just nobody ever thought she paid attention. They doubted her, but Adam never did. When she came back, she settled herself next to him, taking his hand and settling it on her lap, her fingers brushing along his arm soothingly. 

“What is there to admit, Jazzssica?”

Stella gave him a small smile as she dried his hand and shook her head, biting her lower lip as she tried not to hurt him. A blister had already formed and she wanted more than anything to drag him to the infirmary, but she had a feeling he would have none of that. It only meant she’d have to take care of him herself, which she didn’t mind. Stepping back over to the counter, she pulled him with her, wrapping his arm around her and placing it on her waist, a smirk playing on her lips as she picked up her tea. It was rare that she was that straight-forward, but it wasn’t as if she could speak for herself. Being close to him calmed her down more than she expected, and she sipped at her tea, leaning against him contently until she finished. She set her mug down in the sink and turned around, mouthing the words thank you before wrapping her arms around him gratefully, a content sigh escaping her. If she could just have one moment of quiet with him, she was sure she could face her current fears- her voice not returning, the possibility that maybe it was permanent. The minute that she stayed still in his arms did ease her anxiety, and she pulled away only to take his hand, leading him out of the kitchen.

Stells. She grinned a little too proudly at the nickname, a sudden swirl of butterflies in her stomach. Had anyone else tried to call her a name, other than Annalise, she would have absolutely told them off, but she loved hearing it from Adam. She saw him burn himself and how he tried to hide it, concern etched across her face even though he played it off so easily. Still, when he slid the mug over to her, she looked down at it hesitantly before blowing on it and taking a sip. It was much hotter than she expected, but if it didn’t cure her voice, she was sure nothing would. She held up her index finger- the first option. Tea masters. It was really close to what she drank back home, making her almost nostalgic for it. Putting the mug down for a moment to let it cool, she took his hand and inspected his palm, wincing as she saw where he had burned himself. Shaking her head, she pulled him over to the sink and turned on the cold water, running his hand underneath it to try to keep it from getting worse, her hand beneath his so he wouldn’t pull it away. After a few minutes, she turned off the water, drying his hand as gently as possible. 

Stella used her index finger and thumb to attempt to show some kind of measurement, though she knew they’d still have to guess. Even if she hated it, she’d still drink it and pretend to the best of her ability. Or at least, until she could talk again. She arched her brow at him, having no idea what sound the kettle was supposed to make. She’d never even gotten that close to making her own tea. After a moment in his arms, she squeezed him slightly, remembering that not long before she wasn’t sure if he was still alive. It was unsettling how much it bothered her, how quickly she’d run to find him. The panic that had set in, she couldn’t help any of it. She jumped when the kettle whistled, not having expected such a loud noise from such a small thing, her cheeks turning pink from embarrassment as she pulled away from him. Sorry, she mouthed, hoping Adam could read her lips somewhat. 

Stella clapped excitedly as he turned on the stove, admiring the way the flames suddenly appeared so easily. It was as if Adam knew magic- they weren’t like that back home, she was fairly sure, not that she’d ever stepped foot into the kitchen. She nodded at his questions, though she really wasn’t sure how she had her tea. It was always made for her and she’d always liked it, but sugar and honey sounded like heaven just then, the way Adam mentioned them.  In her head, she knew it was ridiculous to like the way someone merely said something, and she was suddenly grateful that she couldn’t speak and say something that sounded stupid. Her brows raised and she smiled at the thought of him taking care of her, to the point where she almost hoped it was just an illness, one that would pass easily with rest and Adam’s help. Eyes reverting to the stove again, she watched as the flames covered the bottom of the tea kettle, relaxing more as her nerves slowly dissipated. Realizing they had time before the water boiled, she stepped toward him and wrapped him in a hug, resting her head on his shoulder. 

Stella winced, she wanted to tell him what the greyface had told her. He couldn’t have just fallen asleep there, could he? Her heart jumped as he ran his thumb across her hand, finding that as much as it made her nervous, it also calmed her down. When they reached the kitchen, Stella watched Adam fuss around the room, smiling softly as he seemed so unsure of what to do. It wasn’t as if she knew any better, and she shrugged her shoulders, her lips parting to laugh- if only he could have heard it. Walking further into the kitchen, she opened up a few cabinets before finally finding a tea kettle- it looked familiar enough. She bit her lower lip as she brought it to the sink, not sure if what she was doing was right. Looking over at Adam, she raised her brows in confusion but filled the kettle with water, taking a guess, and placed it on the stove. At least she had gotten that part right, but how were they supposed to make it hot? 

Stella nodded quickly as Adam figured out she had no voice, no option to speak. At least what the greyface had told her wasn’t true- Adam seemed to be fine. Her brow creased in concern, brushing his hair out of his eyes as a mere excuse to be close to him. Tea, medicine? She shook her head- she hadn’t considered either of those options, why hadn’t she thought of that? The way he took her hand made her feel better, bringing a smile to her face again and she stood, pulling him to his feet. Maybe tea would help. She again nodded, though clearly felt much better about all of it because he was so willing to help her. Stella wasn’t even sure how to make tea, that had never been something she had to do for herself, but she could try to help him. It couldn’t be that hard. Intertwining their fingers, she squeezed his hand as if to tell him that she was okay, she felt better now. 

“My brother is here?” Adam had not gotten a letter of his arrival, but it did not surprise him. Noah had always looked at Adam as someone inferior. “Hmm, I guess I will have to say my hello.”