When I wake up the next morning - or, at least, I think it's morning - it's not like this weird mountainous hospital room has windows - I smile, because I smell Jackson. But then I frown, rubbing at my eyes, because...

I mean, I took a shower. His scent wouldn't be all over me anymore, so why...

But then, when I follow my nose and peer over the side of my bed, I burst into a smile because I have my answer.

Jackson's laying there, on a way-too-small mattress of all things, dead asleep. I grin, looking at him, wondering how the hell he got here and why he's not back at the Academy yet, but...

Well, also, I just look at him. Because he's so damn handsome, even with his mouth hanging open and his arm splayed out to the side, and so incredibly precious to me, even though we've only been bonded for less than two days.

Before I can stop myself, I crawl out of bed and drop down onto his mattress, curling up at his side with my head on his chest. Jackson jumps the moment I touch him, but he instantly calms when he realizes what happened. "Don't scare me like that," he murmurs, instantly wrapping his arms around me and pulling me tight.

I laugh. "Good morning to you too."

I can almost feel him rolling his eyes at my insistence on a greeting. "How are you?

say, though my stomach instantly growls in response. "Starving,

chest. "Just stay still with me for a moment, Jacks," I whisper, wanting nothing more than to have a peaceful few minutes with him before the rest of the world

like everything, in this moment, is...completely fine. Which, honestly,

up, I raise my chin to look up at him. "Jacks," I

to go." Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ

I squeak, sitting up to stare at him. He tightens his arms,

it's simple. "I wouldn't leave without you. The professors got pissed, but what are they going to do, carry me? I'm bigger than they

night with me in the hospital

unworried. "I'm just getting a demerit on my record." "What's

at me for a second. "Ari, I'm like...very good at this military stuff. They're not going to kick me out and lose everything I can offer just because I slept in

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