Dr. Michel gave Leo a small nod. She was responding.
Beside him, the second doctor quietly pulled open a small tray and began preparing a light calming injection. This solution was used for patients who entered shock and could not steady their breathing. It was not heavy dication. It was mild and safe, ant only to relax the nerves and stop the trembling running through her body.
"She will still need grounding," Dr. Avery said quietly, his voice gentle, never rising above Bella’s uneven breaths. "Warmth, touch, steady breathing. Talk to her. She trusts only you right now."
Leo nodded once, his jaw tightening with worry as he shifted her closer. He rubbed slow circles between her shoulder blades. His other hand held hers gently, guiding her trembling fingers to relax.
"Breathe with , Bella. I’m here," he whispered against her ear, each word slow and warm.
Bella leaned into him, her forehead sinking into his shoulder. Her breaths were still uneven, but softer than before. Small sobs shook her chest as she tried to follow his rhythm.
Dr. Michel watched her nervous system slowly respond. "Good. This is good. Keep holding her. She is grounding through you."
The second doctor approached quietly, holding the injection but waiting for Leo’s signal.
"It will help her body relax," he said gently. "Just enough to stop the panic. It will not make her sleep."
Leo looked at Bella’s trembling form and nodded without hesitation. "Do it."
Dr. Avery stepped closer. "Ma’am," he whispered softly, "I am going to give a small injection. It will help. You are safe."
Bella did not seem to register his words. Her body was still stiff with fear, but she did not pull away because Leo’s arms were still around her.
Leo held her tighter, his lips brushing her temple.
"Bunny, look at ," he whispered. "I’m right here. No one is touching you except ."
Bella’s eyes fluttered, unfocused, barely eting his.
That was enough.
Dr. Avery gently injected the dication into her arm. Quick, expert, painless.
Bella flinched only a little. Then her breaths slowly began to lengthen.
Dr. Michel exhaled softly. "Good. Her body is relaxing. She is responding."
Leo did not move his arms from around her.
His thumb brushed her cheek, catching fresh tears.
His breath stayed close, guiding her breathing.
His voice stayed low and calming, the only anchor she could hold.
"Bunny, you’re safe," he whispered again. "No one will hurt you. I’m not leaving."
Bella sniffed, her voice trembling. "Leo...?"
"Yes, baby," he murmured, pulling her closer. "I’m right here."
The mont the injection fully began to calm her trembling, Leo nodded once, and the doctors understood.
He wanted privacy.
They backed away quietly.
Dr. Avery gave one last reassuring look. "Call us if she shakes again, sir."
Leo did not respond. His entire focus was on Bella.
He waited until the door closed.
Then he exhaled shakily and helped Bella lie down, adjusting the pillow beneath her head. She did not resist. She moved like a frightened child, clutching his sleeve until he sat beside her again and took her hand back into his.
Her fingers wrapped around his imdiately, desperate and tight.
Leo brushed her hair gently away from her face. "Bunny, it’s okay. You’re safe," he whispered.
But she did not blink.
Her eyes were wide, too wide, empty and full at the sa ti, staring straight at him as if he were the only thing she recognized in the world. Her chest rose and fell in tiny, rapid breaths. Her lips trembled. Her pupils were stretched, dark with fear.
If it were any other mont, Leo would have teased her for staring at him like that. He would have kissed those wide eyes and enjoyed being the center of her world.
But not now.
Now his throat burned.
Because he knew that look. It was the look of soone who had gone sowhere dark inside themselves and had not fully co back.
He held her hand tighter.
"Leo?" she whispered, her voice small, like a little girl calling for help in the dark.
His heart cracked.
"Yes, baby. I’m here," he said imdiately, leaning down to kiss her forehead and lingering there, as if he could pull all her fear out through that touch.
Bella did not blink.
Her eyes followed him in small, frightened movents, as if she were scared he would disappear the second she looked away. Her breathing stuttered every ti she lost sight of him for even half a second.
"Leo," she said again, her voice shaking.
"I’m here," he repeated, his voice softer than he knew he could speak. He kissed her cheek, her temple, her hand. Anything to ground her. Anything to convince her she was not alone in that mory.
"Leo?" she whispered again, like a broken record of fear.
He did not mind. He did not care if she said his na a hundred tis. He did not care if she clung to him until morning.
"Keep talking to , baby," he whispered, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. "I won’t leave. Not for a second."
Bella swallowed hard. Her eyes were still wide, still filled with that trembling emptiness that made Leo’s chest ache.
Her lips parted as if she wanted to breathe but could not settle enough to do it properly.
"Leo... don’t go," she whispered.
He leaned closer at once, cupping her face gently.
"I’m not going anywhere," he said softly against her forehead. "Even if you sleep, even if you close your eyes, I’ll be right here."
Bella did not blink. Her fingers tightened in his sleeve, gripping it as if she would fall apart without his touch.
"Leo," she said again, barely audible.
He stroked her hair and kissed her head again. The sixth ti, maybe the seventh. He lost count.
"I’m here, bunny," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "I’m right here. You’re safe. I’ve got you."
Her eyes glistened, but this ti not with tears.
With trust.
Blind, terrified trust.
The kind that ca from soone who had been hurt before and was holding onto the one safe person they had left.
Sothing burned inside Leo.
He would kill anyone who touched her. Anyone.
Even if that f*cker had once been his friend.
He would burn the world if it ant she would never look at him with this kind of fear again.
He squeezed her hand gently.
"I’m here," he murmured once more.
And Bella, still staring straight at him, whispered his na again, as if it were the only word her heart rembered.
User Comments
0 comments from readers