The hospital room was very quiet except for the steady beep of the heart monitor. Jaytee sat in the chair beside the bed, his body was tense, and his fingers were folded into fists as he stared at Nora. Her face was peaceful in sleep, in contrast to what had happened earlier.
The sight of her getting hurt, because of him, played over in his mind like a dream. He remembered the moment she collapsed, blood coming down her temple, the way her body had gone limp in his arms.
He had almost lost control. A sigh escaped his lips as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His eyes traced and fell off her chest. He had stayed there for a long time, unmoving as if leaving her side would somehow make things worse.
He was supposed to be dangerous. Untouchable. A creature that lurked in the shadows, not someone who sat by a girl's bedside, watching over her like a guardian. Yet here he was.
Nora stirred. Jaytee straightened, watching as her eyelashes flipped open slowly. Her brows furrowed slightly before her gaze met his.
"You're here," she mumbled sleepily. He exhaled a small laugh, his voice low. "Not like I had a choice. You got yourself hurt because of me… It's the least I could do."
Nora gave him a weak smile. "You say that like I regret it."
Jaytee shook his head, his expression was unreadable. "You should."
She tried to sit up, but she was in pain. His hand came all out before he could stop himself, gently pressing her back down. "Don't. You need to rest."
For a moment, they just stared at each other. Something in the air shifted, and thickened.
Nora steadied her head, studying him. "You've been here for a long time, haven't you?"
Jaytee didn't answer, he only smiled, it was just the both of them. "That's sweet," she teased, her lips curving into a smirk. "Didn't peg you as the sentimental type."
"I'm not," he said flatly, but his fingers held his knee.
She laughed softly, then winced, reaching for the bandage on her head. Jaytee grabbed her wrist before she could touch it.
"Don't," he warned, his voice was quiet but firm. "It'll heal faster if you leave it alone."
Nora blinked up at him, and in that moment, her teasing demeanor faded into something softer. Her eyes looked into his face, lingering on the sharp angles of his jaw, the slight crease in his brows, and his lips, she was noticing how lovely they were.
"You were scared," she said suddenly.
Jaytee stiffened. "No, I wasn't."
She hummed, unconvinced. "You were."
"Nora….."
"You think I didn't see it? The way you looked when you caught me? Like you thought I was….." She swallowed. "Like you thought I was ...." She kept quiet, unable to complete her statement.
Jaytee didn't say anything.
There was silence between them, it was heavy with unspoken words.
Nora's lips parted, hesitant. Then, before she could second-guess herself, she lifted her hand and brushed her fingers along his cheek. Jaytee stilled.
Her touch was featherlight, tracing the sharpness of his cheekbone, and the warmth of his skin. It was innocent and soft, but it sent something electric through him, something foreign and terrifying. Wad this the same guy that scared her?
His breath hitched. Nora smiled slightly. "Your face is warm."
Jaytee swallowed, his voice lower than usual. "I'm human. For now."
"For now?" Her fingers lingered for a second longer before she let them fall. "Jaytee... what are you?"
His gaze darkened. "You don't want to know."
She hesitated. "I think I already do."
Jaytee's jaw clenched. "Then you should be afraid."
Nora shook her head. "I don't think I can be."
"You should," he repeated, his voice tighter, almost desperate.
"Why?" she challenged, leaning in slightly. "Because you're stronger than everyone else? Because you fight differently? Because you feel different?"
Jaytee exhaled sharply. "Because I'm not meant to care about you."
Her breath caught in her throat. Jaytee tore his gaze away, looking toward the hospital window. "I wasn't supposed to let you in. I don't get to have this, whatever this is. I almost hurt you previously, you saw what I did to Ben. That wasn't…." He shook his head, struggling for words. "That wasn't human."
Nora studied him, something in her eyes. "You are human, Jaytee. Maybe not completely, but enough."
He let out a bitter laugh. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Then tell me," she urged, reaching for his hand this time. "Tell me what I don't know."
Jaytee looked down at their hands. Her fingers, soft and warm, barely wrapped around his. He could feel her pulse, it was steady, trusting.
Jaytee could ruin her. He could break her. But she wasn't afraid.
His grip tightened for a moment before he let go, stepping back.
"Nora…" He hesitated, his expression torn. "I can't do this."
She frowned. "Do what?"
"This," he said, gesturing between them. "You and me. Whatever you think this is."
She looked hurt for the first time that night. "Why not?"
Jaytee exhaled sharply. "Because I'm dangerous. And because…" His throat bobbed. "Because I don't want to hurt you."
Nora held his gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "But what if I don't care?"
Jaytee's breath stilled. Something in the way she looked at him made him weak and wanting, made something inside him crack.
He had spent his whole life pushing people away, keeping them at a distance for their good. But with her, with her, it was different.
A knock on the door made them both freeze. Jaytee's entire body went rigid.
The moment shattered. Nora sighed, falling back against the pillows. "You always do that."
"Do what?" His voice was rougher now, guarded.
"Push me away the moment it gets real," she murmured.
Jaytee said nothing. The knock came again, firmer this time.
Nora looked at him, something unreadable in her eyes. "Will you still be here when I wake up?" she asked softly.
Jaytee hesitated. Then, just barely, he nodded.
Nora smiled sleepily before her eyes fluttered shut again.
Jaytee remained beside her, he couldn't leave.