Only a few hours after Warren went to bed, someone shook him awake. He jumped in surprise as Lady Rosa stood over him. She put a finger up to her lips and motioned with the other hand for him to follow her. With a shrug, he grabbed his cloak and sword belt (just in case) and tiptoed out of the room.

“I hate to wake you,” she whispered once they were in the hallway, “but your friend’s going to be hounded by tons of people during the day and as his doctor I want him to be as…stable as possible.”

“Um, okay. Got it. Thanks, I think.”

Lady Rosa gave Warren a smirk, then started more quickly towards the medical wing, which she said wasn’t far. Warren was relieved to see she was right, and within minutes they had reached a series of white wooden doors. Despite the time, people were still coming and going, carrying bandages or food for patients. A few gave him strange looks- likely because he was walking around in pajamas and slippers- but he was too preoccupied to be embarrassed.

“This way, Sir Warren,” Lady Rosa said with a teasing smile. She had reached a door further down the hall and was about to step inside. He hurried to catch up to her, both eager and nervous for what awaited him.

Warren couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief upon seeing the room was pretty much what he expected a normal infirmary-type room to look like; a bed covered in white sheets, a plain bedside table, and a chair by the window. Seated in that chair was Duncan, who was keeping a watchful eye on Rei. Warren greeted him, occasionally glancing over at the bed as they talked.

“Your timing is impeccable,” Duncan said with a small smile. “I was worried Lady Rosa would have more trouble waking you.”

Both Warren and Lady Rosa crossed their arms and gave him a look. “What’s that supposed to mean?” they said simultaneously.

Duncan laughed, and Warren couldn’t help smiling in spite of himself.

“Anyway,” Lady Rosa said with a roll of her eyes, “we unfortunately don’t have much time to chat. I’d give us…” she paused and looked upward, as if calculating something in her head. “Ten minutes.”

Warren’s eyebrows shot up. “Ten minutes? As in, ten minutes until…” he didn’t finish the thought, instead eyeing Rei.

“You got it, kiddo.”

She motioned for Duncan to follow her into the hallway.

“Wait-” Warren said frantically. “Where are you going?”

Duncan put his hands on Warren’s shoulders. “We will be nearby, helping tend to some of the other patients. If you or Prince Rei need anything, please don’t hesitate to inform us, but Lady Rosa thought it would be best if he is with someone he knows when he awakens.”

Warren could only manage a quiet “Oh” as he watched the other two leave. He then pulled the chair over to the bed and waited.

I guess it’s just you and me, Rei.

He lowered his head and whispered, “Please be okay.”

Those ten minutes seemed to last an eternity and Warren had rested his head on the side of the bed as he waited, fighting his need for sleep. A strange sound jolted him awake. It had almost sounded like…

A heartbeat.

Warren sat as still as he possibly could, trying to stay silent. And then he heard it again. Hesitantly, he leaned closer, now hearing several steady beats. Rei’s chest rose and fell gently, and soon he was breathing normally. Warren stood up and paced anxiously around the little room, suddenly stopping as he saw Rei quickly sit up, his eyes shifting nervously around. Warren ran over, hesitated, then wrapped his arms tightly around Rei.

“Warren…?”

Warren let go, crying and smiling and worried he’d wake up to find none of this was real.

“You’re here. You’re okay.”

Rei wore a puzzled expression. “I…Yeah. Yeah I am.”

He smiled, but it quickly vanished as he clutched the sides of his head and squeezed his eyes shut.

“It was real,” he muttered. “All of those things happened and I…and I-“

“Rei!” Warren exclaimed.

Rei regarded him with wild eyes and when Warren hugged him again, he was trembling all over.

“It’s going to be okay,” he said, trying to convince himself of it, too. “We’ll do whatever we can to help you, alright?”

Rei nodded and wiped his eyes on the nightgown’s long sleeves.

“How…” he started, his voice quivering. “How do I move on from this?”

It was a question Warren had had on his mind for a while now, but all he could do was hopelessly shake his head.

“If I knew I’d tell you.”

Rei smiled sadly. “I appreciate your honesty, Warren.”

Warren was trying to fight the urge to scream or find a good corner to cry in. Rei was back, but this all felt so wrong.

“You’re different now, Rei,” he blurted out.

To his surprise, Rei laughed a loud, hearty laugh.

“I died, Warren. That sort of thing changes people.”

Warren pouted. “Don’t even joke about that.”

“Would you rather I start crying again?” he said teasingly.

Warren frantically waved his arms. “N-No, please don’t. I’d prefer the morbid jokes.”

Rei laughed again, and his eyes began to water. He took a deep breath and leaned back against the pillows. “I really missed you, you know. To me it doesn’t feel as if much time has passed, but when I think about how this must have been for you, for mother, for everyone, I-”

Rei put his head in his hands, covering his eyes and muffling sobs. Warren put a hand on his friend’s shoulder, encouraging him to take deep breaths.

“Father will be furious if he sees me like this.”

Warren tapped his chin. “Well you don’t need to worry about that.”

He couldn’t help feeling bad when Rei gave him another hopelessly lost look.

Warren sighed. “How do I put this…? Rei, we’re not in Faylinn.”

Realization dawned on Rei and for a moment his panicked expression returned. Warren quickly waved both hands.

“Please don’t freak out- everything’s okay, I promise.”

Rei seemed only slightly convinced, so Warren took a seat on the bed, sighing as he told his dear friend everything in the hopes that it would help. From Rei’s mother sending him on the mission in secret to nearly dying of frostbite (which made Rei feel even worse about Warren rescuing him, but he still insisted Warren continue) to arriving in Edrys, meeting the royal family and then waiting for Rei to wake up.

“And you know the rest,” Warren said finally, his throat dry and his voice hoarse from recalling certain events during his travels. Rei sat up, putting his hand on Warren’s shoulder and smiling softly.

“Thank you for sharing all of this with me,” he said. “I will have to thank the king and queen as well, for all they have done."

Warren’s mood immediately improved. “And Princess Devri too. I’m sure she’d be glad to see you.”

Rei’s eyes widened, but his frown quickly disappeared. “Devri and I used to hang out and write letters to one another, but that was over ten years ago.” He sighed wistfully. “I certainly hope she’s been well.”

Warren gave him a hopeful smile. “Would you…like to see her?”

Rei smiled sadly. “I would love to. But…I am not ready. Heh. I can barely speak to you without falling apart; I do not wish for Devri to be burdened by me.”

“I don’t like when you talk about yourself that way, but I guess I understand.” He punched Rei lightly on the arm, causing him to flinch.

Shit. I forgot.

“Damn it. Rei I-” Warren slapped his forehead. “I’m such an idiot. I know I shouldn’t do things like that and-”

Rei held up a hand to stop him. “Don’t worry about it,” he said, though his tone clearly implied otherwise. Warren shrunk, wishing the floor would swallow him up. Now all too aware of what his words and actions had done, he sat silently for several minutes, looking away whenever Rei tried to get his attention. At last Rei said, “I apologize if I’ve upset you.”

Warren’s eyes went wide and he quickly turned, startling Rei.

Calm down, dummy.

“You haven’t upset me; don’t be stupid. If anything, I should be the one apologizing.”

Rei gave him a sideways smile and stifled a yawn.

“You’re tired?” Warren said in surprise.

Rei laughed, adjusting the pillows and lying back down. “I wouldn’t call the experience I’ve had ‘restful’, Warren. Would you?”

Warren laughed, his face flushing slightly. “I guess not.” He stood up to fix the blanket. “You get some rest and I’ll go find Princess Devri if you’d like.”

Rei didn’t answer, and for a moment Warren thought he’d fallen asleep. At last he said quietly, “I hate to sound selfish but…I would prefer if you’d stay.”

Warren quickly nodded, sitting on the floor next to the bed with his back against the wall.

“I’ll be right here- promise.”

Rei smiled, closing his eyes and drifting off. Despite the strange interaction they’d had, Warren couldn’t help thinking, It’s good to have you back, Rei. He rested his head on his knees and kept his eyes on his friend. It was a knight’s job to protect his prince, after all.