So, this was supposed to be for a writing prompt list I reblogged a long time ago, and I was planning on writing something new and special for it... May I just use a snippet of my actual short story I wrote in my free time instead? ❤️
...In relief.
He slowly leads her to one of the patient rooms Shoot was staying in a few floors above. Number 410, it read on the plate. The door was invitingly wide open. Knuckle encourages her to peek her head around the door frame, just to see him before she goes in fully, and the sight she's greeted with makes her inhale a surprised breath sharply. Luckily, no one picks it up.
Shoot was…indeed alive. He was sitting up partly against a pillow in his bed, back to the headboard, appearing to be in good health. Shoot did look rough, actually, paler than usual. Exhausted, for sure. His body was covered in bandages yet again, though very few than his normal ones. A thick cast was covering his right foot, much to her worry. It made her cringe a little. The poor man looked to be resting his eyes, breathing slowly.
Knuckle leans in carefully to whisper into _____'s ear. "Stay right here."
A soft couple of knocks to the opened door at the entrance, and Shoot opens his eyes to Knuckle in the doorway.
"Oi, Shoot. I brought you something."
Shoot keeps his tired eyes on him, confused, yet curious, until Knuckle waves at someone out of his line of sight behind the wall. A small hand comes out and takes his own when offered, and an equally small, young woman appears in the doorway.
_____ couldn't breathe. Neither could he.
Shoot's eyes are shot open wide, breath hiked at the sight of his love, here, in his hospital room, already shaking and overrun with emotion. His eyes were watering uncontrollably as he blinked. He was not dreaming this. This was real. His right hand started shaking, too. An overwhelming sense of surprise, relief, and joy poured over his whole person in a mix of pure emotion.
He couldn't help the softest exhale leaving him, along with her name falling from his lips in a breathless whisper.
A hand clutched at her chest, aching. She tried to say his name, but her voice broke. Nothing could come out. Tears were already pouring.
The urge to run to him overcame her, throwing herself at Shoot to wrap her arms around his neck. He immediately throws his good arm around her form, pulling her into him as tightly as he could muster with his weak condition. Both lovers sobbed into each other, growing louder and louder at each declaration they made.
"Shoot!" _____ cries, voice strained, hiccuping and shaking. She couldn't get close enough to him. "Oh, Shoot! God, I'm so glad you're okay! I've missed you so much, I was so worried!"
"I am, too. I'm happy you're here...that you're okay... Oh, _____–!" He rambles as he buries his face further into her thick hair on top of her head, kissing her over and over on her hairline for the time being. Shoot wasn't done holding her yet. He refused to let go, and so did she.
Knuckle stood against the door frame, trying his best not to cry, but failed, a few tears falling from his face unwillingly. He watches the tender reunion silently.
They're so caught up in their choking sobs over each other that they don't notice Knuckle leave them be, retreating to the dining area.
Time seems as if it stopped when in each other's embrace. It felt like the sweetest dream, to be together like this again. Shoot rubs the small of her back, kissing her temple and cheek that he could reach without moving too much. _____ nuzzles her face in the crook of his neck, pressing her upper body against his chest in an attempt to make up for not hugging him in so long. Finally, all of their tears were shed, and they could both relax and enjoy the moment for what it was.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you…" A small peck to the corner of her mouth, what he could catch. "I never stopped thinking about you while I was gone, _____. I was so worried about you… I'm just happy that you're here."
_____ continues to grip him tighter and tighter…only to suddenly realize that she may be hurting him. Quickly picking herself up from him completely and releasing her tight embrace around his neck.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" Shoot's eyes are wide when she holds her hands up defensively, one keeping to his chest. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't be all over you like that! You're hurt!"
Shoot ends up chuckling at her, to her surprise, assuring that he was alright. "No, no! It's okay! I'm fine." He places his hand over hers and squeezes it softly. That, along with his warm and happy mood made her heart flutter. "You weren't hurting me at all. Don't worry."
Her face was a little pink when she smiled. God, he hadn't seen that in so long. His heartbeat picked up, smiling down at her. He was truly overjoyed.
She was, too, and relieved.