Chapter 139: The Weight of Rest and War
As soon as I entered the room, I scarcely had a moment to absorb the fragrance of home before being embraced. The impact almost pushed me back, but I regained my balance as Camille and Sienna crashed into me simultaneously.
"You're back!" Sienna's voice was muffled against my shoulder, her grip unrelenting. "Do you have any idea how worried we were?"
Camille was no better. She pressed a kiss against my cheek, then another, then one more for good measure. "We thought you were going to end up in another hospital, or worse—dead again."
I chuckled, a small, tired sound. "It'd take more than that to get rid of me."
They didn't seem convinced. Sienna held on like I might disappear if she let go, and Camille's usual teasing had a desperate edge. Eventually, Alexis stepped in, setting her bag down with a quiet sigh.
"Let him breathe, you two."
Sienna pulled back slightly, but her arms remained around my waist. Camille, on the other hand, merely leaned her forehead against my chest. "No. He almost died. He gets hugs and affection, and he's going to like it."
I smiled, the warmth of their concern finally settling in. "Alright. You win."
We went to the living room, and for the first time in what seemed like ages, I let myself to unwind. The atmosphere was saturated with gentle chatter, intermittent laughter, and the aroma of tea brewing on the countertop. Camille was curled up on my left, Sienna on my right, and Alexis sat close by, browsing through one of her research journals while obviously tuning in.
"So?" Sienna nudged me gently. "Are you okay? Really?"
"I'm alive," I answered, stretching out my sore limbs. "That's enough for now."