'i knew i love you then
but you'd never know
cause i played it cool when i
was scared of letting go'

⊂((・x・))⊃

R a y

"So you should just take it really easy, we barley got you to start breathing on your own," the doctor jokes around, but I just nod, not matching with his humor.

"Well, you'll be able to go home depending on how your situation looks like," he smiles politely before existing the room, leaving Ace and I alone before Blake barges in.

"Man, they take forever telling someone they're alive," he complains since he's been sitting outside every time the doctor comes in.

"No one asked you to stay," Ace sarcastically remarks which is unusual.

"Hey now, do I hear a thank you?" Blake touches his chest dramatically.

I tune them out, staring at the ceiling thinking about all the things that have happened in the past few days.

"Ray?" Ace stares at me worriedly. I weakly smile, not being able to speak with my throat being on fire from the lack of water.

"Kid, what's wrong?" Blake also says, his eyebrows furrowed.

When I try to speak, I start coughing violently while they both rush to get me water and patting my back. I gulp the glass of water and act sleepy so I could get a moment alone.

I hear Ace sigh before getting up and storming out.

"You shouldn't be too hard on him," Blake says. "He's still worried about you, we all are. We don't know what happened in that dungeon, but we'll make sure Antonio pays," Blake's soft voice suddenly turns murderous.

I look up at him, pushing back tears and nodding. He kisses my head and heads out, I hear some yelling coming from Ace and Blake before closing my eyes and falling asleep.

"Ace, it's one o'clock, let's just go," I hear harsh whispering next to my ear. I open my eyes panicked, but see Ace's face centimeters away from mine.

"You're beautiful," Ace says, alcohol reeking out of his systems.

"Buddy, you woke her up," Blake shakes his shoulders gently, motioning for him to get up from laying next to me.

"It's alright Blake, I got it," I say in a low voice, reaching for my water to clear my throat up.

"He drank too much, not finding Antonio is making him lose his mind," Blake explains and I can't help but feel guilty as well.

Once he leaves the room, I turn my attention back to Ace that doesn't look drunk at all. Even in such state, he still looked like a professional businessman with his suit on.

"You know," he startles me, "you haven't been talking much. Now I'm not one to judge but it's worrying me that my once cheerful bird is now quiet."

"Yeah," I force myself not to get lost in my thoughts again.

"And you know what sucks?" He says in a low voice. "I don't know what you're going through, I just want to know what happened so I can skin that guy alive," his eyes were almost shooting lasers out with hatred.

"I'm sorry," I sink into his chest more.

"Yeah, me too," his voice holding remorse. I didn't once think how this is affecting him. He is the big scary guy after all, everyone assumes he doesn't have emotions and I should've known better.

one week later

"No crackers?" I gape at Ace that just smiled apologetically. It's been over a week since Ace came in drunk and I decided to get better. Easier said than done.

"I contemplated killing the guy, but realized it would be a bad idea," he shrugged, casually flopping into the bed the nurses put in two days ago.

"I don't appreciate being left alone running the business!" Blake barges in whining, kicking his shoes off along with his suit jacket.

"It is one of the cons of being second in command," Ace says, looking at my chart as he does everyday.

"The thing is, I'm not," they continue bantering before the door is being opened wide open again for Rose to barge in.

I found out she was staying in the hospital for two days after her unfortunate miscarriage. However, she seems to be doing better or at least that's what she wants us to think.

"So there's no crackers," Rose lays on my bed, pouting.

"That's what I said!" I laugh slightly.

"Boss Lady!" I hear a handful of men yell and in comes in the marshmallows that make themselves comfortable on the couch that was added in for them. Everyday, the mellows available come to visit me which warms my heart.

As we continue our normal conversations, a new nurse comes in for the usual examinations. She stops dead in her track when she was the people in the room. A crazy redhead lady still yelling about food, a mafia leader and his right hand man, men inked with tattoos.. I wouldn't blame her for screaming like she just saw a ghost.

Unfortunately, everyone but Ace were kicked out, still thinking Ace is my husband. If not, they're probably too terrified to question him.

"Peace and quiet," he hasn't left my side since the day I opened my eyes, transferred all this work to his laptop that he bought for the hospital.

"They sure are a lively group," I chuckle.

"If they get too loud next time, I will kick them out myself," he pulls me into his arms, having finished taking a shower since it's now 9 pm.

"I just want you to go home and rest up," he says worriedly.

But the thing is, here in his arms, I am home.