He swallowed.
However, he couldn't as the process scratched at his throat. His lips were dry too. More yet, his body felt heavy as though a heavy weight was resting on him, pushing down especially the right side of his chest.
That felt weird.
His eyelids felt sticky when he opened them. The room was filled with soft light. But his eyes travelled to his chest area and that was when he discovered the source of the heaviness he felt.
She was peacefully resting her head on his chest. She must have been there for quite some time then.
Ash raised his hand and ran it through her dark hair, over her soft cheeks. She had become a little chubbier, hadn't she? In a short period of time?
How long exactly had he been asleep?
"Ash?"
He smiled at her but she hardly saw it for she had literally thrown herself on him pushing all the air out of his lungs.
"Princessah you... you put on some weight." He managed to say while trying to pry her off him.
"It's your fault." She said not loosening her grip on him.
"My fault?" Hadn't he been unconscious for some time now? It was not like someone had taken over his body. Or was it? "How's you turning into a pig my fault?"
"I felt bad. They said you might never wake up and I felt very bad so... so... I eat everything when I feel bad." She lifted her head to look at him her face contorting into a crying expression as soon as she saw his face.
She started hitting him, tears pouring from her eyes despite being tightly squeezed shut. "You scared me! You scared me! I thought you'd never wake up. You told me nothing can hurt you apart from me. You lied to me. You..."
Ash pulled her to him, hugging her tight. Her little punches were painful . "You're hurting me Princessah. Only you can hurt me, your punches hurt."
"But..."
"Hush, I'm alright now, aren't I? No scars, no broken bones. Besides, I'm sure our big guy is doing well too." He lowered his eyes and she followed, her face coloring when she realized what he was talking about.
"Ash you..."
"Aw, you know how to be shy now?"
She playfully pushed at him. "You still know how to tease me."
"Ouch!" Ash clutched at the area she had pushed at. "That hurts."
Adey smiled. "Are you okay? They said you were poisoned. Did you start the fire deliberately because... because you thought I was mad at you?" Her eyebrows were drawn in guilt.
"Hey, hey come here." He sat up and she joined him on the bed, laying her head on his chest. "I'm not hurt. I'm perfectly fine, see? I didn't lie when I said only you can hurt me. You should start trusting me now, Princessah."
"I do. I was just scared. You were unconscious for two weeks and they said you were poisoned and..."
"Poisoned by?" Ash asked her. As expected, Devyn had poisoned the room to kill him faster in case the fire couldn't. Somehow Ash felt a sense of pride; he had taught him well.
"I... I... exhaust fumes I think."
Ash felt himself smile. Of course, Devyn would find his way out of everything. Moreover, he wouldn't let his little sister know the truth. Ash decided to let the lie slide for a moment, he would reveal it to her soon.
"Fire can do nothing to me, what more can exhaust fumes achieve?" He ran his fingers through her hair.
Then he lifted her face so that she was looking at him. "Only you can hurt me. When you ran away from me, I nearly got harmed so I was unconscious for some time. See? Don't ever leave me, Princessah. You belong to me for life. You're mine, understand?"
She nodded.
"Good girl." He said. "Where are my clothes?"
"Where are you going?" Adey sat up.
"Home."
"Home? You're..."
Ash cupped her face. "I told you, nothing can hurt me. Nothing is wrong with me. Why would I stay in the hospital if I'm not sick?"
"Are you really fine?" Her eyebrows were drawn again.
"As long as you are mine, I'm fine. And remember, as long as you're still alive, I can never die." He said. "I didn't try to kill myself, Princessah, it would be pointless because I can't die while you're mine. Stop feeling guilty. I wouldn't want to leave the earth leaving you alone with that."
She nodded hesitantly, clearly still not convinced. Ash could hardly wait to find out what Rhys Grier had put across out there. He was behind the guilt the little sister was feeling.
"How about this," He took her hand. "If I ever feel like dying, I'll take you with me so we die together."
"What?"
"We'll die together. Remember, as long as you're still alive, I can't die. Deal?" Ash asked the girl that was then holding back laughter. "I'm serious. I don't want you to go around worrying that I'll commit suicide."
"Fine, fine. I believe you." She moved away from him. "Jeez, why does that give me chills?"
Ash grinned. "Wait for me to dress up then."
"Eh, Ash." She called after him. "What monster were you talking about?"
She had no idea how great the meaning behind his words was. If he was to die, she had to go first if they don't go together. There was no way Rhys Grier would have her while Ash was alive, nor after his death.
She was his, and she would be his forever.