Episode 20 — I Think We Were Lovers (11)

“About living in the officer’s quarters…”
“Say whatever you want. It’s fine.”

Ashley didn’t rush. He took her pale hand in his and looked at her with steady green eyes. Agathe tensed a little, then spoke carefully.

“I think it would be better if we sleep separately.”

…Ashley inhaled sharply. He hadn’t understood her at first. He’d decided she’d move into the quarters with him, but he hadn’t given a thought to sleeping arrangements. So that’s why she hadn’t answered earlier — it was because of the sleeping situation.

Now he understood last night’s Agathe. She’d been worried about the bed from the start. Gossip would be a secondary concern.

Ashley could’ve argued that they’d sleep in separate rooms — that she was still recovering, after all — but he didn’t. Instead, he said calmly, almost naturally:

“I don’t see why that would be a problem.”

He wasn’t trying to tease or embarrass her — he genuinely didn’t get why it mattered.

“Well, we’re not… yet,” she started.
“If sleeping together bothers you, don’t worry. I’m not some shameless man who’d jump on a patient.”

He knew what she was about to say and quickly brushed away her concern.

“There’ll be a military truck tomorrow morning. We’ll leave for the quarters then.”

She still looked tense and stiff, which annoyed him a little, but he kept his voice even and finished planning the schedule.

“Pack after breakfast.”
“I’ll pack my things,” she offered.
“You’re not fully healed. Don’t overdo it, follow the doctor’s advice.” He kissed the back of her hand gently.

“I’ll come back later. Don’t pack yet — will you wait?”
He let go of her hand, smiled, and opened the door. As he left, Agathe breathed out the held breath she’d been keeping the whole time.

She couldn’t catch her breath while he was in the room — how strange. He hadn’t hurried, he’d reassured her kindly, and yet she couldn’t calm down. When he held her hand, everything about his touch made it hard for her to keep her composure. He kissed the back of her hand like sealing it, then left.

She fanned her face to cool it. Since the moment he first suggested moving into the quarters, sleep arrangements had been her biggest worry. She loved him and her heart raced around him, but sharing a bed wasn’t a decision to make lightly.

Agathe tried to calm herself and replayed their conversation. She realized she’d been mistaken. In the captain’s eyes, she was a patient who needed rest before anything else. She shouldn’t have even brought up sleeping together — she scolded herself.

Just then, Eliana opened the door, carrying a tray.
“It’s me, Eli,” she called.
“Breakfast’s here.”

“Thanks, Eli.” Agathe accepted the soup and tasted it. Eliana watched her closely. Agathe had been weak when she woke ten days ago and looked thin, but lately her face had filled out, and she’d started to look beautiful again. Her blonde hair shone, and her formerly dull eyes now had a bright sparkle. Even sitting on that shabby bed, she seemed to glow.

Eliana felt odd about it.
“You look alive again,” she said.
“Maybe I’m getting better.” Agathe shrugged.

Eliana wasn’t subtle. “So you’re really dating Captain Gloucester, huh?”
“Well… about that.” Agathe tried to be casual.
“You could have told me,” Eliana blurted, hurt. A friend should be told these things first.

“I’m sorry… Eli.” Agathe put down her bowl and apologized sincerely — she hadn’t meant to hide anything.

Eliana leaned close, voice low. “What did you say in the washroom the other day?”
“What did I say?” Agathe asked, confused. She remembered the odd scene: when she’d been acting all flustered, she’d suddenly said she’d be back in two days, as if she expected to leave. Eliana had taken it seriously.

Before Eliana could finish, someone knocked. “It’s Ashley,” she said, startled, grabbed the tray, and hurried out the door to greet him.

Ashley came into the room carrying a large box. Curiosity got the better of Agathe. “What’s that?” she asked. He set it on the table but didn’t answer. Then he leaned in and murmured close to her ear, “Don’t expect too much.”

His small warning calmed her a little, though her heart still fluttered. Agathe opened the box.

Inside lay a pale green dress, folded neatly. It looked like fine fabric and good tailoring.
“Captain?” she asked, surprised. Why would he give her such an expensive dress?

“It’s to celebrate finishing your first round of treatment. You could wear it when we go to the quarters,” he said. “You’re the one leaving the hospital soon — you should have something prepared.”

She’d been so tangled up in worries about sleeping arrangements that she hadn’t thought about what leaving the camp would even mean.

“I already got a present,” she said, smiling.
“Huh?” He laughed low and warm — it wasn’t forced; it was a pleased, natural smile. Seeing him light up like that made Agathe feel dazzled. He looked kind and loving.

“If I guessed the size roughly, it might not fit perfectly,” he added, pulling the dress up and holding it against her, tilting his head as if measuring.
“It should fit,” she nodded. Even if it were small, she’d squeeze into it somehow.

He looked relieved. The little domestic moment — him checking her dress, her nodding — settled something in her chest.