Nina's eyes fluttered open to a white ceiling and the faint scent of antiseptic in the air. For a moment, she couldn't tell if she was dreaming or not.
Her body felt heavy, her mind still fogged by the remnants of sleep—or something deeper.
She blinked, slowly turning her head to the side.
Hwan sat in a chair by the window, slouched forward with his chin resting on his palm. His eyes were half-closed, as though he was on the verge of nodding off.
When their eyes met, Hwan blinked once. Then again. His eyes widened, and in the next second, he launched out of the chair.
"You're awake!" he blurted, rushing to her bedside.
Nina flinched, confused.
"Am I… dreaming?"
"Definitely not."
Hwan reached out and patted her cheek, not once, but twice.
She stared at him in disbelief.
"What are you doing?"
"Making sure I'm not hallucinating."
He said with complete sincerity, the relief in his voice plain.
"Stop it."
Nina shoved at his chest with a scowl.
