Chapter 102: Did you miss me, baby?
The next few days passed quietly, with Ash dutifully tending to Elijah’s every need. Every morning, Ash would silently enter the room with a tray of food, helping Elijah sit up to eat. He carefully spooned soup into Elijah’s mouth, cleaning up after him without a word. Because this was the only thing he could repay his saviour.
Elijah would try to make light conversation, filling the silence with stories about his travels, about the places he’d seen, and people he’d met. Ash, for the most part, nodded along, occasionally offering a soft hum of acknowledgment, but never really speaking.
Ash wiped Elijah’s face gently with a damp cloth after one of their quiet meals. Elijah watched him carefully, his brow furrowing in frustration.
"Why aren’t you talking much?" Elijah finally asked, his voice tinged with irritation. He shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position in bed. "You used to talk a lot more. Now all you do is nod, smile, and act like you’re only here to serve me."
Ash looked up, startled by the grumpy look on Elijah’s face. It was so unexpectedly adorable that a small laugh escaped him before he could stop himself. Elijah’s scowl deepened, but Ash couldn’t help the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Does it bother you?" Ash asked quietly, still smiling.
Elijah’s expression softened at the sight of Ash’s laugh, but he was still taken aback by the sudden joy in Ash’s eyes. "Yes, it does. I feel like I’m talking to a wall sometimes."
Ash shook his head softly, the smile lingering on his face. "I just...I like listening to you. It’s more comforting for me to hear your voice. I don’t need to talk."
Elijah blinked, stunned by Ash’s words. His gaze drifted to Ash’s lips, suddenly noticing how soft they looked as he spoke. For a moment, the air between them seemed to thicken, the room filled with a silent intensity that neither of them had expected.
"Ash..." Elijah started, his voice quieter now, almost unsure.
Ash cleared his throat awkwardly, pulling back slightly as if realising the tension between them. "I’m just happy you’re okay," Ash mumbled, his voice barely audible.