(Song fits him so well.. )

Time Skip: A Week Later...

     I awoke to the sound of movement in my hospital room. I shot up both out of paranoia, and pure fear. I heaved a sigh of relief as I saw a nurse, and watched as she changed my IV bag. 'I'd be lying if said I had gotten out of that "incident" scotch free. Aside from my physical injuries, my mental state has been going downhill. Lately, I've been feeling more on edge and weary of anyone, and anything around me. After the first few days of my stay at the hospital, I started to have flashbacks of what happened.

   The only reason being, because of my memories returning to me. I was able to deal with it for a while, that is, until those flashbacks turned into nightmares, violent ones at that. I'd feel like I'm going through the whole ordeal again, like I'm living through the same events over, and over. These nightmares are only deterring me from getting any wink of sleep and I'm suffering because of it. When I do manage to slip away, I only end up forcing myself to wake up before another one ensues. It's an endless cycle of torment. I can't tell anyone about this, because I know for a fact if I go to my superiors, they'll dismiss me for me being mentally unstable without a second thought.

      No, asking for help is not an option, at least not right now. I've worked too hard to get my position, and I won't lose it just because of some damn nightmares. I can get through this, I used to have nightmares all the time. On the bright side, König has been staying with me, to aid the nurses in caring for me. In doing so he's seen me have full out panic attacks ,and he always tries his best to comfort me whenever I breakdown. I'm thankful for him, truly, but his comfort doesn't really help with my nightmares. If anything, I rely on him and his company too much.'

   The nurse bided me a 'good morning', waking me up from my little reflection moment. I nodded my head in response to her, watching as her face scrunched up in worry and concern. She looked like she wanted to ask me something, but she stopped herself. She waved goodbye to me before making her way out of my room. I zoned out for a bit, and the sound of the door being clicked closed brought me back to reality. I swiveled my head around, looking for something- no someone. 'Where is König?'

   When my one eye failed to locate his huge body, I sighed, and decided to shift over to the edge of the bed. Every day, I would have to call for assistance to get out of it. Whether I needed water, to stretch or to use the bathroom, I was never allowed to walk on my own. It was strictly forbidden by the nurses, but it was mainly König who stayed on my ass about it. Today, however, I had decided that I was going to walk by myself. I had depended on the nurses way too much, calling them every hour or so just to help me walk. 'They're probably tired of me already. I'm just going to the bathroom anyways, it's not that far.'

   I took in a deep breath. 'Alright, I can do this. First detach the IV.'  I had watched both the nurses, and König do it so many times that I'd learned to memorize the steps -just in case of an emergency. Once I got free of the IV, I planted my palms into the mattress, preparing myself to stand. I took in a deep breath, 'One...two...three.'  I pushed myself to stand a bit too hard, as I almost ended up faceplanting in the process. Unfortunately, I didn't think about how or what I'd use to stabilize myself, so I started flailing my arms around to keep myself from falling. I soon realized it wasn't working as my body began falling drastically forward.

   I panicked a bit, and reached out to grab-hold of a nearby table, making a whole bunch of noise in the process. My heart was pounding aggressively in my chest. 'Okay, okay. I'm fine. I made it through the first few steps. You've got this Belle. Let's just hope the nurses didn't hear that.'  I thought to myself, while I stood there leaning on that table, steadying myself. Eventually, I worked up the courage to push off it, wobbling a few steps to a nearby wall. I pressed my palms against it and began balancing myself to take wider, and faster steps. Bad idea. As I slowly made my way closer, and closer to the bathroom, I lost my focus and took too big of a step. I ended up tripping over my own two feet, leaving me with no time to prepare for the fall, and no time to catch myself.

   I hit the floor, hard. So hard, I ended up knocking the air out of my lungs. I laid there coughing, and trying to catch my breath, while relishing in my own embarrassment and frustration. 'I was so close.'  I took in a deep breath, trying my best to ignore my pulsing face and sore body. I attempted to sit up many times, but I couldn't. The pain was too much, everything hurt like hell. 'All those days of not getting proper sleep has definitely caught up to me.'

   I sighed, and let my head rest on the cold floor. 'I guess I'll just lay here until a nurse or König comes in'.  I did just that. I laid there on that cold floor, and all I could do was think. I wondered if anyone at the base found out what happened. If König had told my team what had happened to me. If Laswell was heated that I didn't give her my bi-weekly report last Friday. Out of nowhere, I heard voices outside my door.

   I instantly paused my thoughts, and listened. 'Good morning.' I heard König's raspy voice as he greeted the nurses at the front desk. I learned that it was something he always did. It was a habit of his that always alerted me of his presence, and then the reality set in. 'Oh shit, he's back.' I started to try and figure out what my excuse would be, why I was laid there on the cold and dirty floor that is. Then the sound I dreaded the most reached my ears; the sound of my door being squeaked open.

    "Liebling...?" His voice sounded tired, but worried. I didn't say anything, hoping that he would go back out to the nurses to ask where I was. It would give me enough time to crawl back to my bed. I'd figure out my story then, I just couldn't let him see me like this. I looked more than pathetic, I looked pitiful at most. It went silent, but not for long. I heard him drop whatever he was carrying, the sound of his boots hitting the tile as he paced about. I prayed that he wouldn't turn the corner, that he'd go back out and ask the nurses where I was in his panicked state, but my prayers were unanswered.

   I listened as the sound of his boots, and muffled cursing came to a sudden stop; the moment I dreaded the most happened yet again. I listened as he took quick, long strides in my direction. He rounded the corner, and I watched as his shadow covered my entire body. I shut my one eye, and waited for him to say something, but he didn't. He stood there, towering over me in deafening silence. I couldn't see him, but I could feel his eyes burning into my skin as he examined my body, now curled up in the fetal position. I heard him near closer to me before finally speaking.

   "Liebling...are you awake...?" He sounded unsure of himself, and part of me started to feel horrible for ruining his mood as he didn't sound like this before. I slowly opened my one eye and nodded. I heard him release a shaky breath, and mumble something inaudible. He kneeled down, and without saying a word, he scooped me up in his arms, and squished my body close to his. He slowly stood up, and began to walk back in the direction of my bed, but he stopped. 'Oh shit, is he about to question me...?'  He took in a sharp breath, and looked down at me. "Liebling...where were you trying to go...?"

   He did question me, but not in the way that I had expected. I shook my head a bit, breaking myself free from my trance, and pointed in the direction of the bathroom. He glanced over to it, and nodded. He turned around and began to walk, but he paused again. "Would you like to walk on your own? I can...assist you." He whispered. I felt my eyes light up, and I nodded. He chuckled, and slowly let me down, "Is it ok if hold you here?" He asked,

   I felt one of his large hands tap my belly. Blood rushed to my face, and it took everything in me to not crack a smile. I slowly nodded. He took the initiative, gently wrapping an arm around my waist. He extended his other hand outwards, beckoning for me to take a hold of it. "Whenever you're ready, just walk. I'll be here to catch you if you fall." He said, and this time I couldn't stop the goofy smile from spreading across my face. I nodded in acknowledgment, and prepared myself to walk again.

   Even though he was holding me steady, I still felt self-conscious about falling. I didn't even realize that I hadn't moved an inch until he said something. "Everything ok, Bärchen?" He asked. I jumped a bit, and nodded. Slowly, I took one small step after the other. All the while, König was right behind me, keeping me steady and upright. Every step I took was followed by a small praise from him. Eventually, we made it to the entrance of the bathroom, and my body gave out for the 6th time since I first started walking.

   König held me up with no effort, using his body as a wall to keep me from falling backwards, his arm wrapped snuggly around my waist to keep me from sliding down. "You did it, good job Wunderschön." He said. A small smile pierced through my lips, and I nodded in approval. "Is it okay if I pick you up? Just for a moment." He asked. I didn't respond for a moment. 'Damn, I still want to keep walking, but I also don't want to decline his help...'  I nodded again, this time with less enthusiasm as part of me didn't want to get carried. His arm tightened around my waist ever so slightly, and I felt myself begin to levitate a bit off the ground.

   He gently placed my feet onto his boots, and lightened his grip on my waist. Slowly, he penguin walked with me on his boots, into the bathroom. He turned, facing me towards the mirror. "Can you move at all?" His voice was soft, and light. I nodded. Looking in the mirror, I felt my body convulse, and I almost fell completely forward. "Bärchen...? What's wrong?" König had caught me just in the nick of time. I shook my head, not wanting to speak. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I looked disgusting. Bandages covered the entire left side of my face. My hair was dry, and unkept.

  My lips were chapped and my nose, dear god it looked horrific. Two wooden sticks were shoved up both of my nostrils, and the edges were crusted with dried blood. I brought a hand up to my mouth, and finally found the strength to look away from my hideous reflection. "Liebling, please, tell me what's wrong. Talk to me." He begged. I choked back a sob. 'Was this what he was looking at all this time? How could he look at me like this? I look, and probably smell putrid.' A single tear fell from my eye which quickly developed into a full out sob. 'Great. Now I'm crying in front of him...again.'  I felt him tighten his hold on me, using both of his arms to bring my body closer to his. He had given up on trying to ask what was wrong, and settled on soothing me instead. "Shhhh, it's alright. Let it all out." He cooed.

   I felt him rest his chin on the top of my head. He gently rocked both of us side to side in a calming manner. After a while, I had cried so much my head began pulsing again. I opened my mouth to say something, but all that came out was incoherent and slurred words -if I could even call them that. I tried over and over again to speak, to try and ask him why, let alone how, he could even bear to look at me. Each time he'd just hush me and continue rocking us side to side. After what felt like forever, my crying ceased. Even after I stopped hiccupping, he still kept on comforting me. With great effort, I let out a raspy, "Thank you..."

   He paused for a bit and hummed a response. He softly unraveled his arms from my waist, keeping one hand planted on my belly to prevent me from falling forward. I looked up at my reflection in the mirror. Somehow, I looked even worse than before. My bandages were soaked, and my one eye was now bloodshot red. I watched as König followed my gaze. "Would you like me to clean you up a bit? It won't be the best, but I can try." I pressed my lips into a thin line, choking back another sob as I looked away from my reflection. I nodded. He tightened his grip on me and hoisted me up onto the counter.

  "Wait here, I need to get some things from the nurses. Can you... stay upright, or no?" I nodded, avoiding his gaze. Now knowing how I looked, I couldn't bear to keep eye contact with him. He huffed and dashed out of the bathroom. I heard the door to my room open and close, suggesting he'd left. I sat there on the counter in silence, swinging my tired legs from time to time. My mind had decided to spare me and keep quiet. I examined my hands, flipping them over as if they were a new feature. There was nothing I could really do besides wait for König to come back. Almost as if he'd heard me, I heard the door to my room open and shut. I turned my head in time to see him round the corner, holding a whole assortment of things in his arms. Once he reached me, he dropped everything in the sink and heaved a heavy sigh.

   "Okay, I'm going to put you on the toilet. Are you okay with me picking you up again, Liebling?" I nodded, still avoiding his gaze. He picked me up with no effort and shifted me over to the toilet. His shut the lid and placed me on top. He made sure I was comfortable before turning his attention to the pile of stuff that he'd thrown in the sink. He carefully took out things and started putting them on the counter. Once he cleared the sink, he took a rag and dampened it. He took off his gloves, shoving them into his pocket. He kneeled in front of me, "Close your eyes for a second, liebe." I obeyed and felt as he softly began wiping my face with the cloth. "Ja, you can open now." I did so and I glanced at him for a brief second before dropping my gaze again. He half stood up from his kneel, grabbing a brush and what looked like moisturizer. He shook the moisturizer up and set it aside.

   Grabbing a piece of my hair, he worked to detangle it with the brush before squirting moisturizer on it. 'He's doing it backwards. I don't really have room to complain though.' Section by section he repeated the process until my exposed hair was completely untangled. He let out a loud sigh and dropped the brush. I kept my gaze directed towards the floor and instead watched him through my peripheral. "There, all clean. Do you feel better?" I nodded and he let out an inaudible chuckle. "You should, you look good. Not that you don't always look.... beautiful. I mean- ah Scheiße!" I watched as he brought his hand up to cover his face.

   A smile threatened to show, but I suppressed it. I finally looked up at him, and this time he avoided my gaze. A hoarse laugh left my lips. "Thank you König.... for everything." I watched as his eyes lit up and he began nodding profusely. He picked himself up off the floor, grunting as he did so. I watched as he cleaned up his mess that he'd made of the supplies he'd brought back earlier. "Ready to go back to your bed or do you want to walk around more?" He asked. He turned to face me, waiting for my response. I nodded. "You want to go back to your bed?" I nodded again. "Alright, give me a sec." I patiently waited as he tidied up the bathroom completely. Once he was done, he turned to me with outstretched arms. "Ah, did you want to walk back, or did you want me to carry you?" In all honesty, I did want to walk back, but at the same time I was too tired.

   I shook my head, hoping he'd realize what I was trying to tell him. "You want me to carry you?" I nodded. "Alright." I raised an arm up and he placed his neck in the curve of it. He bent down to capture my legs and carefully hoisted me up. He walked out of the bathroom and slowly made his way around the corner. Once he reached the edge of the bed, he placed me down and began covering me with the sheets. I panicked a bit, remembering how I woke up this morning. I reached out and grabbed his wrist, causing him to jump a bit.

    He looked up at me, concern lacing his eyes. "What's wrong?" I don't know what came over me but I grasped at his cold, pale hand, embracing it in my own two shaking ones. "Can you...lay... here with....me? The words came out jumbled and barely coherent. I looked up at him, taking note of the visible shock in his eyes. He looked down, "I'm sorry. I can't...I'm too big for this bed liebling. I can stand here if you want, but I can't get in that bed, I'll crush you."

My eyes widened and I surveyed the space that was next to me. Using my free hand, I patted the notable space next to me. He sighed, "I can't- " I cut him off. "Please.... just...for a.... little bit...?" I watched as he dropped his shoulders in defeat. "Alright, give me a second, okay?" I nodded and let go of his hand, watching as he rounded the corner, heading back to the bathroom. A few minutes later he emerged, he had taken his vest and pads off. Leaving him in a black compression shirt. What really caught my attention was the black banclava that was also in his hands, the one he wore underneath his sniper mask.

  'He took off the banclava?'  He slowly made his way over to the bed, dropping his gear down onto a nearby table. He stopped just short of the bed and brought his hand up to scratch the back of his neck. "Are you sure about this? I mean what If I crush you? What if- "I outstretched my hand, opening and closing it, signaling for him to come closer. He obeyed and I took his large hand in my smaller one. "Liebe, I'm 310lbs. I'm going to snap this bed in half!" I payed him no mind as I tugged at his hand, pulling him even closer.

   I patted the empty side next to me in the bed and he groaned. "Okay, okay. Let me take off my boots." He bent down, untying his boots with one hand as he refused to let go of mine. He kicked them to the side and took in a deep breath. He let go of my hand and supported himself as he crawled into bed with me, shaking the entire thing in the process. He slowly let himself down next to me, releasing a sigh of relief when the bed didn't collapse under his weight. "Well, I guess it didn't break. What a strong bed." He let out an awkward chuckle and I couldn't help but smile. I turned over on my side to face him, paying extra attention so as to not poke myself with the IV.

    I opened my arms in a manner that resembled a hug. He said nothing. Instead, he pulled me closer to him and threw covers over the both of us. I rested my head on his bicep and prepared myself to say something. "Thank you. Really, Kö...nig. I mean...it. Thank you for everything..." I mumbled into his chest. He hummed a response and began patting my hair with one hand and softly rubbing my back with the other. That, along with his steady deep breathing, lulled me to sleep quickly.

(3601 Words)

✍(◔◡◔)

// Hehehe....heya how've you been..? //