A gentle knock broke the silence.
Before either of them could respond, the door cracked open, and a nurse peeked in, her smile polite but warm.
"Good morning," she said, voice soft enough to match the morning light slipping through the window. "Sorry to interrupt."
Felix turned his head slowly. Matteo stood almost instantly, instinctively positioning himself between the bed and the door—not protective exactly, but steady, as if his place had always been right there whenever someone entered.
The nurse wheeled in her cart, its rubber wheels rolling quietly across the polished floor. "Just here to check vitals and get you started on your morning meds," she explained. "Won't take long."
Felix gave a slight nod, unsure if he should speak. His gaze flicked toward Matteo again, who offered a small, quiet look—almost a nod of reassurance.
"Is it okay if I sit?" Matteo asked, moving toward the corner near the window.
