Germany did not welcome them softly.
It never did.
The moment the jet landed, everything became movement again.
Not chaos.
Control.
Hedi stepped out first.
Then turned without hesitation.
And walked back inside.
[Jet Cabin – Immediate After Landing]
Anxin was still sitting.
Recovering quietly.
Eyes slightly tired.
She barely had time to react before—
Hedi lifted her.
Not gently.
Not asking.
Directly.
One arm under her knees.
One behind her back.
Anxin blinked once.
"...What are you doing?"
"Leaving."
"I can walk."
"No."
That was it.
No negotiation.
No delay.
Just decision.
She frowned slightly.
"You're being dramatic."
He didn't even look at her.
"You're injured."
"It's minor."
"It exists."
"...That's not logic."
"It is mine."
" she huffed"
And with that—
he carried her off the jet.
Like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Like she belonged there.
In his arms.
[Private Hospital Wing – Germany]
The facility was already prepared.
Not public.
Not standard.
Private medical wing under his direct control.
No unnecessary staff.
Only trusted doctors.
When Hedi walked in carrying Anxin—
the entire medical team froze for half a second.
Not because of her condition.
But because of him.
The doctor stepped forward carefully.
"Sir... we need to assess her condition first."
Hedi placed her on the hospital bed.
But did not step away.
The doctor examined her carefully.
Cuts.
Bruising.
Fatigue.
Nothing critical.
But enough to require rest.
Finally, the doctor spoke:
"She needs at least 48 hours of complete rest and full monitoring."
A pause.
"Strictly no stress, no movement beyond necessary care."
Hedi nodded once.
"Good."
The doctor blinked.
"...sir?"
"I said good."
Anxin looked at him.
"You're enjoying this."
"I am ensuring compliance."
"That's not the same thing."
"It is in my system."
"it's not that serious."
"For me, even if it a pricked finger it is serious."
[Hospital Room – Confinement Begins]
Once doctors left—
silence returned.
But not empty silence.
Controlled silence.
Hedi had already adjusted everything:
monitors silentroom temperature perfectlighting softenedsecurity outside door
Not prison.
But controlled safety.
Anxin leaned back slightly.
"So I'm officially grounded now?"
"You are recovering."
"That sounds like a polite version of imprisoned."
"It is not."
She looked at him.
"...you're lying."
"No."
A pause.
"Yes."
That made her exhale a small laugh.
Hedi walked closer.
Without asking—
he pulled the blanket properly over her shoulders.
Neatly.
Precisely.
Like everything he did.
Anxin watched him.
"You know doctors can do that."
"I am not a doctor."
"That's obvious."
"I am the reason they are allowed to exist here."
"...that's terrifying."
"It is efficient."
He adjusted the pillow slightly behind her head.
Then stepped back.
But didn't leave.
A nurse brought medicine.
Anxin took one look.
"...this is too much."
Doctor: "It's standard."
Hedi: "She will take it."
Anxin: "I said it's too much."
Hedi: "Take it."
Anxin stared at him.
"...you're very bossy when I'm injured."
"I am always bossy."
"Not this much."
She sighed.
Then took the medicine.
But very slowly.
Just to annoy him.
He noticed.
Of course.
But said nothing.
Only watched.
She reached for water.
Before she could—
Hedi already handed it.
Perfect timing.
No words.
Just efficiency.
Anxin looked at him.
"...are you always this prepared?"
"Yes."
"For everything?"
"Yes."
"Even me?"
A pause.
Then:
"Yes."
That answer lingered longer than expected.
Night fell.
Room dimmed.
Anxin lay back slightly.
Tired.
Not from injury.
From everything after injury.
Hedi was still there.
Sitting beside the bed.
Not sleeping.
Not distracted.
Just watching.
"You should rest too," she said quietly.
"I don't need it."
"That's not how humans work."
"I am not operating as a normal case."
She turned her head slightly.
"...you're impossible."
"Yes."
Silence.
Comfortable now.
Not heavy.
Anxin shifted slightly in bed.
Pain faint.
Nothing serious.
But enough to make movement slow.
Hedi noticed instantly.
He moved closer.
Not asking.
Just checking.
"You're still hurting."
"It's fine."
"It is not."
"...you say that a lot."
"It is accurate often."
She sighed lightly.
Then, unexpectedly—
she grabbed his sleeve slightly.
Just lightly.
Not desperate.
Just... grounding.
Hedi stopped.
Looked at her hand.
Then her face.
"...stay," she said softly.
He didn't hesitate.
"I am here."
"No... closer."
A pause.
Then he sat slightly closer.
Not touching fully.
Just near enough.
Anxin's eyes slowly relaxed.
"...you're really not going to leave, are you?"
"No."
"Even if I tell you to?"
"No."
"...that's annoying."
"It is stable."
She closed her eyes slightly.
For the first time in days—
no fear.
No alertness.
Just presence.
Hedi stayed exactly where he was.
Watching her fall asleep slowly.
Like it was the only thing in the world worth observing.
And for him—
that was enough.
Not power.
Not control.
Just her breathing staying steady.