Kai Ying hated hospitals.
The smell. The quiet beeping. The way everything reminded her that her body had failed her.
But most of all, she hated that she couldn't get up on her own.
"Don't move," Le Xin said for the third time that morning.
Kai Ying froze halfway through attempting to sit up, wincing as pain shot through her ribs.
"…I was just adjusting," Kai Ying muttered.
Le Xin raised an eyebrow. "You were about to reopen your stitches."
Kai Ying lay back down reluctantly, jaw tight. Without her glasses, her sharpness dulled, eyes too bare, too honest.
Le Xin sighed and reached for the water. "Here."
Kai Ying took it carefully, fingers brushing Le Xin's.
She didn't let go immediately.
Le Xin noticed.
"Kai Ying.
Kai Ying cleared her throat and released the cup like she'd been caught doing something embarrassing.
"I don't like being useless," Kai Ying said quietly.
Le Xin softened. "You're not."
"I can't even—" Kai Ying gestured vaguely at herself. "I can't work. I can't drive. I can't—"
"You can rest," Le Xin interrupted. "And let someone take care of you."
Kai Ying looked away. "I don't know how."
Le Xin pulled a chair closer and sat beside the bed. "Then learn."
Kai Ying glanced at her again, hesitant. Vulnerable. Like a dog that wasn't sure if it was allowed to come closer.
"…Will you stay?" Kai Ying asked.
Le Xin didn't hesitate. "I already am."
Kai Ying's shoulders loosened visibly.
Later that afternoon, the door opened quietly.
Xiao Lan stepped in first, carrying a neatly packed bag. Tian Rong followed immediately after—far too energetic for a hospital room.
"Oh wow," Tian Rong said cheerfully. "You look terrible."
Kai Ying shot her a glare. "Get out."
Tian Rong laughed and leaned against Xiao Lan. "See? Still scary."
Xiao Lan placed the bag on the table. "Extra clothes. Documents. Your tablet."
Kai Ying looked at her. "Thank you."
Xiao Lan hesitated, then added, "You scared everyone."
Kai Ying nodded once. "I know."
Tian Rong peered at Le Xin. "You're staying, right?"
Le Xin replied calmly, "Yes."
"Good," Tian Rong said, satisfied. "She's been unbearable."
Kai Ying scoffed. "You're one to talk."
Tian Rong leaned down slightly, lowering her voice. "You should've seen her when they called. She almost broke the door."
Le Xin shot her a warning look.
Kai Ying turned slowly toward Le Xin. "You… ran?"
Le Xin looked away. "That's not important."
Kai Ying swallowed.
Xiao Lan observed quietly—the way Kai Ying's gaze followed Le Xin, the way her fingers twitched whenever Le Xin stood.
Like a dog.
Attached.
After a short while, Tian Rong tugged Xiao Lan gently. "We'll come back later. You need rest."
Xiao Lan nodded. Before leaving, she looked at Kai Ying seriously. "Don't scare us again."
Kai Ying replied softly, "I'll try not to."
The door closed.
The room grew quiet again.
Night came.
The lights dimmed.
Le Xin sat by the bed, scrolling through her phone with one hand while the other rested near Kai Ying's.
Kai Ying stared at the ceiling for a long time.
Then finally said, "Le Xin."
"Yes?"
"If I don't say this now," Kai Ying continued, voice low and unsteady, "I'll probably convince myself I shouldn't."
Le Xin looked up.
Kai Ying turned her head toward her, eyes turned dark blue, stripped of armor.
"I like you," Kai Ying said. "No— I love you."
Le Xin froze.
Kai Ying exhaled shakily. "I'm bad at this. I get jealous. I want control. I pretend I'm above needing anyone, but I'm not."
She swallowed. "When you left, I didn't sleep. When you came back, I was afraid to touch you. And when I woke up here and saw you…" Her voice cracked. "I knew I couldn't keep pretending."
Le Xin stood slowly and leaned over the bed.
"You're acting like a poor dog," Le Xin murmured. "Do you know that?"
Kai Ying laughed weakly. "I feel like one."
Le Xin cupped her face gently. "Good."
Kai Ying blinked. "Good?"
"Yes," Le Xin said. "Because dogs stay. They don't calculate. They don't leave when it's inconvenient."
Tears welled in Kai Ying's eyes. She didn't hide them.
"I want to stay," Kai Ying said. "Even if fate keeps trying to tear us apart."
Le Xin leaned down and kissed her—soft, careful, lingering just enough to make Kai Ying's breath hitch.
"I know," Le Xin whispered against her lips. "I'm still here."
Kai Ying closed her eyes, relief crashing through her.
She shifted slightly, instinctively reaching out.
Le Xin allowed it.
Kai Ying's hand curled into Le Xin's sleeve, holding on.
Like a dog that had finally been told it was allowed to stay.
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