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Hughie heard a faint sound coming into his ears. He didn't recognize it instantly, but as long as he was gaining consciousness, he discovered it was a Billy Joel song playing softly somewhere.
Soon, he also felt that he was lying down on something... comfortable. The sheets were smooth as silk, and his head was in a pillow. And... his head felt a little heavy. Then Hughie realized he was in a hospital bed.
He slowly started to wake up. His eyes were heavy and his head swayed a bit. It was like being hungover. His vision was blurry and he was tired, even though he just woke up. He closes his eyes, almost surrendering to his sleep again.
- Hughie? - a voice whispers.
The young man recognized almost immediately the voice. It was Annie. His Starlight.
- Hughie, can you hear me? - she calls again.
He opens his eyes again, and this time, the blurriness started to gain focus. He saw Annie's pale skin, then her blonde hair and finally, her brown eyes. Her face was partially close to his, and he couldn't help but give a faint smile.
- Hey... - he says, his voice dry.
- Hey. - she says. - How are you feeling?
- Strange, I think.
- It's okay. You're good right now.
A pause. Annie caresses his hair. It's still soft.
- Does anything hurt?
- I... don't know. My head is spinning a little bit.
- Maybe it's the anesthesia running out. It's normal.
Hughie nods his head, still confused about everything. He looks down, notices his stomach bandaged and puts his left hand on it. Annie also looks and puts his hand down to the bed again.
- Ann...
She looks to him again.
- ...how long I've been out?
- For two days. The injury was ugly, but my cauterization helped to stop the bleeding. You knocked out after it.
Then Hughie remembers. The explosion, the van flipping multiple times, the shrapnel in his stomach, Annie using her powers to cauterize his wound...
- Oh...
- What?
- Nothing. It's that... I remember it now.
He looks around again.
- Where's... Where's Butcher?
- He had to go out in a mission today, but told me to warn him if you woke up.
Hughie lets out a warm laugh.
- How he was?
- I was impressed that he truly cares about you. I didn't think he was so desperate in life, because we don't know each other well. And...
Annie's eyes fill with tears, and she tries to fight them.
- Hey... - Hughie holds her hand. - What's wrong?
- I... - she says, her voice breaking. - ... I was so fucking scared. I was afraid of losing you there.
Then she breaks down in tears and hugs her boyfriend.
- I don't know if I could handle it if I lost you. - she cries. - When I saw you there, bleeding out in our arms, I thought the worst. I wasn't sure if you were going to survive, if I hurt you burning your wound, the fact that I accidentally killed someone with my power...
Hughie lets her cry and holds Annie tight.
- I know that I'm too good for you.
Sniffing, Annie stares at Hughie.
- Look at me. I'm here. I'm alive and good because of you two. And I don't give a damn if I'm too good or that I'm going to put myself in danger. I don't care as long as I have you.
She smiles at him.
- I love you, Annie. And even if I died, I wouldn't give up on protecting you.
Annie smiles through the tears, and the two kiss.
- It's okay. - he reassures her.
They spend a little time cuddling with each other on a hospital bed, a strange thing to do if you're a Super and human couple. Then a message from Butcher pops on Annie's phone.
💬 Oi, Twinkle Star
💬 Is Hughie okay?
Annie rapidly responds.
💬 Yes 🙌🏼
💬 He woke up a hour ago
💬 Thank goodness
💬 I'm arriving at soon as possible
💬 I've never thought I would say this
💬 But
💬 Thanks 👍🏼
She looks at Hughie. They're listening to a whole Billy Joel playlist on her phone, and he's singing softly with his eyes looking at the ceiling. She smiles and texts Butcher back.
💬 It's nothing. 💛