The hospital room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Christian lay in the bed, staring at the ceiling, his fingers curled into the sheets.
He barely moved. Barely spoke.
When the doctors checked on him, he nodded. When the nurses asked if he was in pain, he said no.
But Steve knew the truth.
Because Christian wouldn't let him touch him.
Wouldn't meet his eyes.
Wouldn't even flinch when Steve whispered his name.
And that? That hurt worse than any bullet ever could.
⸻
The first night, Steve sat in the chair beside the bed and didn't sleep.
Christian did, but not peacefully.
He woke up shaking, his breathing ragged, his body stiff as if he expected someone to grab him.
Steve moved on instinct. "Christian—"
Christian jerked away so fast he nearly fell off the bed.
Steve caught him before he could hit the floor, his hands barely brushing against Christian's arms.
Even that was too much.
Christian tensed, eyes wide, chest rising and falling in sharp, panicked breaths.
Steve pulled his hands back immediately.
"I won't touch you," Steve promised, his voice low, steady. "You're safe."
Christian didn't respond. He just curled his arms around himself and shook.
And Steve?
Steve sat there and ached.
⸻
The days passed.
Christian didn't leave the hospital bed, even when the doctors said he could.
Steve brought food, but Christian barely ate.
He spoke only when necessary.
And when he did—his voice wasn't his.
It was hollow.
Like Luca had taken something from him and left nothing but an echo.
Steve could handle a lot of things.
But this?
Watching Christian disappear inside himself?
It terrified him.
⸻
One evening, as the sun set outside the hospital window, Steve sat beside Christian, holding a cup of untouched coffee.
"You're gonna get better," Steve said, voice quiet.
Christian didn't look at him.
Steve continued anyway. "I don't know how long it'll take. But I'll be here. Every step of the way."
Christian's fingers twitched against the blanket.
Steve clenched his jaw. "I swear to you, Christian. You will get better."
Christian finally turned his head, his gaze unfocused. "How can you be so sure?"
Because I'm leaving, Steve almost said.
Because the only way to keep you safe is to let you go.
But instead, he forced a small, tired smile.
"Because I won't let you go through this alone."
Christian stared at him for a long moment.
Then, without a word, he closed his eyes and turned away.
And Steve?
He sat there, already mourning the goodbye Christian didn't know was coming.