In city Blue -
It had been more than a week, and the time had finally come to remove the stitches. Ember's brother accompanied her to Dr. Zayne's hospital, offering silent support as she walked with cautious steps.
Inside the examination room, Zayne worked carefully, he carefully give her anaesthesia, his hands steady and precise as he removed the stitches from Ember's leg. His touch was gentle, his expression calm, exuding the professionalism she had come to associate with him. Once he was done, he met her gaze with a warm smile.
"Try not to put too much pressure on your leg for the next few days," he advised, his voice soothing yet firm. "If it hurts, take a painkiller. And if you need anything, feel free to contact me. Here, I'll give you my number."
He scribbled something onto a small slip of paper before extending it toward her. Ember hesitated, her fingers twitching slightly, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. Something about taking that number felt... wrong.
Zayne immediately noticed her reluctance. His brows knitted together in concern as he studied her face.
"Is something bothering you, Ember?" he asked gently, tilting his head. He had seen her a few times before, but something about her was different today. She wasn't as cheerful as she had been on her first visit. That usual bright smile—the one that had once made the sterile hospital room feel a little warmer—was missing.
Ember parted her lips as if to speak, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she pressed them shut again and looked away, biting her lip nervously.
A pang of guilt hit Zayne. Had he done something wrong? Running a hand through his hair, he sighed softly before speaking again, his tone filled with understanding.
"Hey, Ember, I just want to be your friend. But if you're uncomfortable around me, I can ask another doctor to take over your care. It's completely fine."
His words hung in the air, gentle yet laced with unspoken concern. Ember swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to say something—to explain—but the emotions swirling inside her felt too heavy to put into words.
Ember's head shot up, her eyes wide with alarm. "I'm not—" she started, but her voice faltered before she could finish.
Zayne's brows furrowed as he studied her. "Then what is it?" he pressed, his concern deepening. "If I'm not the problem, why the long face? You won't even look at me anymore. At your second visit, you acted like I was going to hurt you, like you were scared of me. And now you are behaving strange. What's going on?"
Ember bit her lip harder, then began chewing her nails—a nervous habit Zayne had already noticed. He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a softer, more reassuring tone.
"Ember, you can tell me anything. I promise I won't involve your parents. Whatever it is, it stays between us."
She hesitated, her fingers tightening around the hem of her shirt. A deep breath, then another. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's not you, Dr. Zayne. The other day, I was talking to my friend about... well, your good looks. My boyfriend overheard part of the conversation, and he got jealous. Things got a little heated when we were trying to clear it up, and... he accidentally hurt me. He feels awful about it now, but when I see you, I remember his angry face, how he lost control in that moment."
Zayne's expression darkened, concern flickering through his eyes. His professional demeanor wavered, replaced by something more personal—genuine care.
"Wait," he said, his tone serious. "Are you saying this foot injury was because of him? No, that can't be right—you had this injury before we met. Did he hurt you somewhere else?"
Ember's breath hitched at the intensity in his voice. She shook her head quickly.
"No," she insisted. "It's nothing serious. Just a nail scratch on my waist. It happened during that argument, but it's healed now. Really, it's fine."
Her words came out rushed, desperate to dismiss his concern.
Looking at her , Zayne let out a long sigh of relief, though a trace of worry still lingered in his eyes. "Alright," he said, his voice gentler now. "But if anything like this ever happens again, you need to tell someone. Promise me that."
Ember nodded, and for the first time in days, a bright smile spread across her face. It was small at first, hesitant, but then it grew—warm and genuine.
"Thank you, Dr. Zayne," she said softly. Then, with a playful glint in her eyes, she added, "If your offer to be friends is still on the table... I'd like to take your number now."
Zayne was momentarily caught off guard. That smile—it was like the sun breaking through after a storm, chasing away the heaviness that had filled the room moments before. For a second, he just stared, momentarily speechless.
A knock at the door pulled him back to reality. Ember's brother had arrived to take her home.
With only a slight hesitation, Zayne handed her the small slip of paper. "Here," he said with a smile. "If you ever need a friend to talk to, don't hesitate to call me. I'm really happy to be your friend."
As their hands brushed during the exchange, Ember felt an unexpected warmth in his touch—a quiet reassurance she hadn't felt in a long time. She held onto the paper carefully, her heart feeling lighter.
"Thank you, Dr. Zayne," she said again, her voice sincere. Then, with one last glance at him, she turned and left the room with her brother. The smile remained on her lips as they walked out.
Zayne watched her go, a soft smile playing on his own lips. He couldn't help but hope she would be okay—and that maybe, just maybe, she would call.
That night, Ember lay in bed, her mind weighed down by the past few days. Things with Dylan hadn't been right. He had distanced himself—not completely, but enough for Ember to feel the growing space between them. He was there, yet somehow, he felt so far away. The tension between them was suffocating, and she hated it. More than anything, she longed to mend what was broken.
Determined, steeling herself with a quiet resolution—she would fix things. With that thought anchoring her heart, she slowly drifted off to sleep.
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In shine -
When morning came, her eyes immediately flickered to the couch where Dylan had been sleeping for days. His tall frame was sprawled across it, his brow furrowed even in sleep. Ember rose quietly, moving with soft, careful steps until she stood beside him. She watched him for a moment, her heart aching at how restless he looked, even in slumber. Without hesitation, she climbed onto the couch, pressing herself against him as she wrapped her arms around his body in a gentle embrace.
Dylan stirred, but he didn't wake. As if by instinct, his arms encircled her, pulling her closer, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. The warmth of his touch soothed the unease in Ember's heart, and slowly, she felt herself relax. In the quiet comfort of each other's presence, they both drifted into a peaceful sleep.
An hour later, Dylan's eyes fluttered open. He blinked in surprise, realizing Ember was nestled against him, her head resting against his chest. For a moment, he simply stared, taken aback by the sight of her so close, her breathing slow and steady. Carefully, he shifted, intending to move without waking her—but as soon as he did, Ember's grip tightened around him, a soft murmur escaping her lips.
A faint smile played on Dylan's lips as he carefully adjusted his hold on her. Just as he was about to lift her, she stirred, her lashes fluttering open. A sleepy smile spread across her face as she whispered,
"Oh, honey, good morning. Let me sleep a little longer. I haven't slept this well in so long."
She tightened her arms around his neck, snuggling closer, her warmth pressing against him. Dylan let out a quiet chuckle, his heart swelling at the sight of her so at ease in his arms.
Dylan sighed, his heart softening despite himself, and gently placed Ember back on the bed. But just as he turned to leave, she reached for him, her fingers curling around his wrist, pulling him closer. The sudden tug caught him off guard, leaving him hovering over her, his hands planted on either side of her. Their faces were inches apart, their breaths mingling in the quiet space between them.
Their eyes locked, the intensity of the moment stealing the air from the room.
"Don't push me away like this," Ember whispered, her voice trembling with vulnerability.
Then, to Dylan's surprise, she closed the remaining distance between them, pressing her lips to his in a gentle yet earnest kiss.
Dylan froze, startled by the suddenness of it. For a heartbeat, he didn't move, too caught off guard by her boldness. But before he could react, Ember pulled back just slightly, her gaze searching his, her eyes pleading.
"It's not your fault," she murmured, her voice cracking. "And it's not my fault either. We're happiest when we're together—nothing else matters. Please, Dylan, don't push me away again."
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and within seconds, they spilled over, trailing down her cheeks. The sight shattered something deep inside Dylan. Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him.
"Okay, okay," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I won't push you away anymore. Just please, don't cry."
He felt the way her body trembled against him, how her hands clung to his shirt as if afraid he might disappear. Slowly, her sobs quieted, though her cheeks were still damp, her eyes swollen and puffy from crying.
Dylan pulled back just enough to look at her, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "You look like a puffy fish," he said, unable to resist.
Ember's eyes widened in indignation. "Don't make fun of me!" she huffed, her lower lip jutting out in a pout.
Dylan burst into laughter, the sound filling the room like a melody. He hadn't laughed like this in days, and it felt good—so good.
That was all it took for Ember's pout to transform into playful mischief. Grabbing a pillow, she swung it at him with surprising force.
"Take that!" she cried, hitting him again and again, her grin growing wider.
Dylan raised his arms in surrender, still laughing as he tried to shield himself. "Okay, okay! I'll stop!" he said between chuckles. But even as he surrendered, he couldn't help but add, "You really do look like a puffy fish!"
Ember gasped, feigning outrage before launching another pillow at him. Their laughter echoed through the room, the tension that had weighed them down for days finally melting away.
Eventually, exhausted from their playful battle, they collapsed on the bed, breathless and grinning. The silence that followed wasn't heavy this time—it was warm, comforting, filled with unspoken words and the lingering echoes of their laughter.
For the first time in days, everything felt right again.
After finishing her bath, Ember made her way to the breakfast table, while Dylan retreated to his room. The scent of freshly cooked food filled the air, wrapping the home in warmth. As Ember took her seat, Nana's eyes lit up, relief washing over her face.
"Are you feeling better now?" Nana asked, her voice a mix of concern and tenderness. "It's been a more than week since you've been up and about."
Ember offered a gentle smile. "Yes, Nana. The doctor said I can walk now."
But Nana frowned slightly, shaking her head. "You should still rest for a few more days. You have no idea how panicked Dylan was the day you got hurt and "
She paused mid-sentence, her gaze shifting toward the stairs. Following her line of sight, Ember turned—and there stood Dylan. His expression was a mixture of exasperation and concern, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
"What are you doing downstairs?" Dylan's voice was firm, edged with frustration. "How many times do I have to tell you to rest? Your stitches haven't even been removed yet!"
Ember's eyes widened slightly as realization hit her. Oh no, I forgot to tell him!
Turning to him, she spoke softly. "Dylan, I was going to tell you. I went to the doctor yesterday, and they already removed my stitches. I'm fine now."
Dylan's gaze flickered down to her leg, his sharp eyes catching the scar where the stitches had been. Noticing the absence of a bandage, he let out a sigh before rubbing the back of his neck.
"Fine," he muttered, gesturing toward the table. "Have your breakfast."
Relieved that he wasn't pushing the argument further, Ember nodded and continued eating. But just as she finished the last bite, Dylan stood up—and before she could react, he scooped her into his arms in a sudden bridal carry.
"Dylan!" Ember exclaimed, startled as he effortlessly lifted her into his arms. "I told you, I'm fine now! You don't have to do this."
He ignored her protests, his steps steady and unwavering as he carried her toward her room. "You may feel fine, but you're not pushing yourself too far under my watch," he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
When they reached her room, Dylan gently placed her onto the bed. His tough exterior softened as he met her gaze, concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you sure you're okay now?" he asked, his voice quieter this time.
Ember nodded, offering him a reassuring smile. "I promise. I can walk on my own now."
Before Dylan could respond, a cheerful knock sounded at the door.
"Good morning!" came an all-too-familiar voice.
Adrien.
Ember's face brightened as she turned toward the door. "Hey, Adrien! Tell Dylan that I'm fine," she said playfully, throwing a teasing glance at Dylan. Determined to prove her point, she stood up with newfound confidence. "Look, I can even dance now!"
With a light twirl, she took a few graceful steps as if performing a small dance. But just as quickly as her confidence soared, a sharp sting shot through her foot.
"Ouch!" Ember gasped, her balance faltering as pain jolted through her leg.
Before Dylan could react, Adrien was already there, catching her just in time. His arms wrapped around her securely, steadying her as her breath hitched from the pain. Dylan took a step back, his jaw tightening, hands briefly clenching at his sides before he forced himself to relax.
Adrien gently carried Ember back to the bed, his movements careful as he wiped away the tears that had started to form in her eyes.
Dylan stood silently for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, stepping closer, his voice came out firm but laced with concern. "I told you not to push yourself. You can't do this yet, but you just had to try."
Ember looked up at him, her face crumpling with emotion. Her lips trembled as she struggled to hold back her tears, but it was no use. Seeing her so vulnerable, Dylan let out a sigh before pulling her into a gentle hug.
"Alright, alright," Dylan murmured, gently patting Ember's head. "I told you to be careful, didn't I? Don't cry. I'm here, okay? You're not alone."
Ember buried her face in his chest, her silent sobs soaking into his shirt as he held her close. His arms wrapped around her protectively, his presence steady and reassuring. Adrien, sensing the moment's intimacy, quietly stepped back, giving them space.
After a while, Ember's breathing steadied, and she wiped away the last of her tears. Adrien approached again, his gaze warm yet observant.
"Let me check your leg," he said, kneeling beside her. Gently, he examined the area, noting that the stitches had healed well, but the pain she felt earlier was a clear sign that she still needed more time to recover.
"Ember," Adrien asked softly, "what did the doctor prescribe for you?"
She hesitated for a moment before replying in a quiet voice. "He gave me a gel for massages and… um, told me to rest for another week." Her voice trailed off, almost as if she was reluctant to admit it.
Dylan's sharp gaze immediately snapped to her, his eyes narrowing. "Rest for a week?" he repeated, his frown deepening.
Adrien nodded and handed Dylan a small prescription slip. "She'll need some painkillers and ointment to help with the discomfort. Make sure she takes the medication as directed and avoids putting too much pressure on her leg."
Turning to Ember, he placed a painkiller in her palm. "Here, take this now."
She obediently swallowed the pill, sighing as she leaned back against the pillows.
Just as the atmosphere started to settle, Adrien's expression shifted, his voice growing more serious. "Ember," he began carefully, "I've got some new information about your teleportation."
Ember's eyes widened with anticipation. She immediately leaned forward, her heart pounding. "What is it?" she asked eagerly, her pain momentarily forgotten.
Adrien let out a slow sigh, exchanging a glance with Dylan before continuing. "I already spoke to Dylan about this and shared some of my findings. There are connections I've made—especially after observing what happened when you were injured. The thing is…" He hesitated, as though searching for the right words. "You seem to appear here whenever a particular star emerges in the night sky. I found a similar case in another country—a man who teleported in the same way for an extended period. When the star disappeared, so did his teleportation."
Ember's curiosity deepened, her voice soft but urgent. "How long did he teleport for?"
Adrien's expression grew more serious as he studied her. "More than three years… but I can't say for sure if this applies to you. The details were written in an old book called The Star and the Man. It's worth noting, though, that the man's health suffered greatly because of it."
Ember's eyes flickered with thought, but the weight of exhaustion from her too much crying was beginning to take over. Her head tilted slightly, her eyelids growing heavy. Before she could respond, sleep overtook her.
Dylan, watching closely, immediately moved to her side. With careful hands, he pulled a blanket over her, tucking it around her shoulders. His gaze lingered on her peaceful face, his expression softening with something unspoken before he finally turned back to Adrien.
"Let's talk somewhere else," Adrien said quietly.
Dylan nodded and led him to the rooftop.
The afternoon air was warm and gentle, with the sun casting a golden glow over everything, stretching the sky above them in endless blue. Dylan crossed his arms, his posture tense. "What is it you couldn't say in front of her?"
Adrien exhaled deeply, his gaze drifting toward the horizon before locking onto Dylan's. "I told Ember what she needed to know—but not everything. The truth is, while testing her blood, we discovered something concerning."
Dylan's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Adrien hesitated for a moment before finally revealing the truth. "Ember has hemophilia. It's a condition that prevents her blood from clotting properly, which can result in excessive bleeding. That's why she lost so much blood when she was injured. In severe cases, patients can lose so much that it becomes life-threatening."
Dylan stiffened, his jaw clenching. His grip tightened around his arms as he absorbed the news. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut—every time Ember was hurt, she wasn't just in pain. She was in danger.
The thought hit Dylan like a thunderclap. His legs gave way, and he stumbled back, sinking into a nearby chair. Adrien quickly steadied him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
Adrien continued, his tone calm but unwavering. "That day when Ember was holding her head, saying it hurt—she wasn't exaggerating. She was experiencing a severe headache tied to her teleportation. She told me about it like it was nothing, but from what I observed, it wasn't just a small pain. It happens every time she transitions between here and her original location, especially when she forces the process."
Dylan's mind reeled, flashing back to the hospital—the helplessness, the fear of watching Ember suffer with no way to ease her pain. The memory clawed at him, filling him with guilt and frustration.
Adrien's voice cut through his thoughts, steady and resolute. "You need to stay strong for her. She'll need you, Dylan. She may act tough, but when things get worse, she's going to need someone by her side. You can't let this break you."
Dylan exhaled shakily, running a hand through his hair as he fought to regain his composure. He felt a renewed sense of determination settle over him. Adrien reached into his bag and handed him a small tube of massage gel. "This will help with the pain and reduce the scar on her leg," he explained.
Dylan took the gel, his grip tightening around it like a silent promise. "I'll take care of her," he said quietly but with unwavering certainty.
Adrien gave him a reassuring nod before heading home, leaving Dylan alone under the vast sky. The afternoon sun was sinking, painting the clouds in hues of gold and crimson, while the faintest glimmer of the moon emerged in the distance.
Dylan looked up, his chest tightening with the weight of what lay ahead. But one thing was clear—no matter what happened, he wouldn't let Ember face this alone.