The Patient And I (Cai Xukun x Reader)

Chapter 2

Xukun crumpled and tossed yet another perfumed letter, containing words straight from a woman's heart, into the  bin. These confession letters were getting on his nerves more than it should.

The nurses were now classified into two categories; the professional staff and absolutely intolerant love sick puppies. The amount of candies and heartfelt notes stuffed underneath Xukun's pillows were beginning to progress from worrisome to just plain irritating. Unfortunately, he had found out the hard way that rebuffing their advances just made them even more enthusiastic in their quest for a little love in the deary confines in the hospital.

But there was actually one silver lining to this miserable prison sentence.

As the days went on, Xukun found himself leaving his room more often than not, much to his doctor's dismay. The older man didn't didn't see the harm in letting the handsome patient roam a bit more than he had suggested, and Xukun was able to convince him that it was helping him with the whole healing process and peace of mind. It wasn't completely a lie, because the more time Xukun spent with Ash, the more he could feel himself getting better just from being in her presence. It didn't take long to realize that in the moments he was with her, he was the happiest, which only encouraged him to occupy most of his day in her company. Xukun met up with Ash for daily walks around the courtyard and even played a few rounds of whatever games were lying around in the recreational room.

Apparently taking turns racing down the hallways in wheelchairs was frowned upon and not tolerated within hospital premises (the nurses stationed on their floor would take extra precaution to make sure the troublesome duo were always on their feet and not on wheels).

One thing Xukun always remembered to do was to take turns playing Pokemon on the Gameboy, which was the reason that the two happened upon each other on the first place. The battles almost always ended in his loss in every gym-- he was bitter at first, always complaning about the outcome not being fair -- but with the way Ash's smile spread across her face in amusement, like a much-needed firework that lit the dismal boundaries of this miserable place he was in, it never felt like a loss.

Ash always accompanied him to get food as well, since sitting alone in the hospital cafeteria wasn't actually a Grade-A experience. Xukun couldn't help but notice that she never got anything for herself. Her tray was barren of any food, but displayed the variety of his Gameboy catridges as she wondered which on to play with next. Instead, Xukun just settled for pulling up a seat infront of her and inhaling his food for the both of them.

He made sure to toss a confession letter from one of the interns out into the trashcan when he made his way towards the sofa can dispenser. Goodness, the women here were nothing if not persistent.

"you're not going to eat?" Xukun asked before he started tucking into his tray infront of him. "Want me to feed you something? These spring rolls are kind of tasty."

"No, I'm fine. My treatment makes me lose my appetite and i'd rather not vomit infront of my new friend." Ash replied with a confident smile. "Doesn't make good for impressions."

It truly made Xukun wonder how someone who looked so lively, could possibly be ill. He examined her physique now that he was in a better position and facing towards the girl in his chair, although the only thing he could focus on were her eyes, they were so full of life that he was so sure that she was sturdy and not at all worried about anything. She must have been weak, but at that moment, neither her body nor spirit seemed to show it.

Xukun grinned momentarily before reaching over to flick her forehead. "I'll just eat enough for the both of us then!" he replied as he started to shovel the food dramatically into his mouth.

"I highly doubt that's possible," Ash laughed, but proceeded to sit and watch as Xukun polished off his meal with a distant look in her that disappeared as soon as he was done.

Soon the days went by, melding easily into passing weeks, time transtioning so easily that it went almost unnoticed by the duo. During that time Xukun and Ash were able to learn more about each other with the countless conversations that filled their otherwise quiet days.

"How old are you?" Xukun asked after the two sat down on the bench during one of their regular courtyard excursions.

"I'm legal, if that's what you're asking." Ash threw him a playful wink and watched his amusement as his eyes began to widen until they bore resemblance to full size dinner plates.

"T-that's not what I meant---" Xukun started to stutter, and she swore that his ear turned into an incredible shade of fire engine red, they looked like they were about to burst.

"So how old are you?" Xukun returned the question, watching balefully as she tried hard to suppress her laughter from his own priceless reaction.

"I'm 23," she replied while trying to regain her composure.

"Well for a 23-year-old, you're sure straightforward. I'm sure you've had a boyfriend... Or girlfriend before?" Xukun asked breezily as he reached over to pluck a fallen leaf from her head and flick it to the ground below.

"I've had a boyfriend, but that was before i got sick. There aren't too many suitors lining up to get into my hospital bed. Maybe you can spare me some of your admires from around the ward." Xukun smiled freebly at her joke and anothet question made it's way out of his mouth before he could judge if it was innapropriate or not.

"Mina how long have you been here?"

Xukun looked at her warily as she pondered the question for a moment before providing him with an answer that made his heart clench in a way that made him want to tear the traitorous organ out of his chest.

~~~waaahhj i didn't knew i would update. But ta-da here it is. Enjoy~~~