teddy bear

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POV: Bible

It was honestly so boring.

Lying there doing absolutely nothing? Not Bible's tea at all. He hated it. And the worst part? Knowing Jes would probably come visit soon, but not knowing when.

He kept glancing at the clock, watching the seconds tick by like a slow death. Jes hadn't said a time. Rude.

So he waited. And waited. And when the door finally opened, it was just the nurse. Ugh. He flopped back into his cushion with the most exaggerated pout known to mankind.

Yeah... he did Jes dirty.

Pretending not to remember him after the accident? It was dramatic. Even for him. But how did that brilliant, borderline idea even come to life?

Well, he was still mad.

Mad even after hitting the curb like a maniac, flying through the air like a trash bag, and getting dumped by fate into a dumpster-like situation. Even after crashing in the most humiliatingly painful way, staring up at the sky thinking this is it, God's collecting me personally, he was still mad at Jes.

And when he woke up in that hospital bed, bruised and bandaged but very much alive, there it was. The anger. But also, not the kind of mad where he wanted Jes gone. No. That idiot still meant something to him.

Damn it.

So the fake amnesia? Yeah. It was a test. A little punishment. He wanted to see if Jes actually cared. If all those sweet words were real. If he really meant that he changed. That he wanted him.

Okay, maybe he went a bit overboard with the insults. Just a bit. He was biting them down now. But he couldn't help it, he was dramatic, not heartless. And Jes deserved to sweat a little.

Still... maybe he would dial it down. Just a little. Maybe.

But damn—why was it so satisfying watching Jes worry like that?

The usual cool, collected Jespipat, Mr. Professional, was cracking at the seams. His polished, composed persona was melting down in real-time, and it gave Bible so much pleasure.

You're worse than worse, he thought, feeling himself smirk. No, you're a full-on psycho. He scolded himself internally, but did he stop? No. Not even close.

And then, finally, at freaking 11 a.m. (Late, that bastard), the door creaked open.

Bible rolled his eyes before even looking. Must be the nurse again, he thought, already reaching for his most dramatic sigh.

But no. No. It was Jes.

And he was... hiding behind a giant plush teddy bear.

WTF.

Am I five?! Bible's eyes narrowed as Jes tiptoed in like some awkward Disney character.

"Good morning~" Jes chirped in a high-pitched, cutesy voice—like the teddy was talking.

Bible blinked once. Then twice.

"...You've gotta be kidding me."

He wasn't sure if he wanted to throw the bear at Jes, throw Jes out of the room, or just burst out laughing. Possibly all three.

But why did he feel so flustered?!Why did he low-key want to cuddle the bear and the damn bear's daddy at the same time?

Get a grip, Bible. This is not the moment to blow your cover and tell him you actually remember everything.

Jes hovered at the door with that dumb look on his face, nervous, hopeful, and soft in a way that made Bible's stomach do flips he refused to acknowledge.

"Can I come in?" Jes asked, tiptoeing toward the bed like he was approaching a wild animal... or a moody boyfriend with a memory problem. Fair.

He placed the giant teddy bear awkwardly next to Bible on the bed.

It was huge. Like take-over-the-bed huge. It dwarfed Bible instantly, swallowing half his frame in fluff.

Jes stepped back and tilted his head. "No, that doesn't look right..." he mumbled, reaching to rearrange it, clearly overthinking it.

Bible snatched it out of his hands before he could do another "aesthetic fix," stuffing it next to him like it was his idea all along. Then he half-hugged it, half-strangled it, trying to act like this was totally casual and cool.

Which it was not.

It was giving unhinged toddler with pride issues.

Still, Bible kept his chin up, glared at Jes, and muttered through gritted teeth, "This doesn't mean I like you or the bear."

Jes just blinked at him with that tiny, soft smile — the kind that crept under Bible's skin and bloomed right in his chest like some annoying allergic reaction.

And damn it. Damn it all.Why did his face feel like it was on fire?The urge to kiss this man was criminal.

Maybe they'd have to hospitalize him for tragic taste in men or something.

Because there Jes stood, casual sweater, pants that fit just right, that soft, messy-styled hair, and... oh god. The aftershave.He shaved this morning, Bible thought, and his brain practically short-circuited.

He loved kissing Jes when he was freshly shaved. It was smooth, clean, and that scent? That scent made him dizzy. It was like... citrusy and heartbreak. Cologne and betrayal. The full Jes experience.

And now? Now he had to hold back.He was supposed to be mad. Punishing. Distant.Not thirsting.

He hugged the bear tighter. If he squeezed any harder, the poor plush might combust.Jes tilted his head, still smiling gently. Bible wanted to throw the bear at his face.

Or marry him all over again.Whatever came first.

Jes hovered near the bed, clearing his throat. "Can I sit here?" he asked, motioning to the edge of the mattress like he was asking permission. Bible gave him a look, shrugged, then nodded once.

Cool, detached, vaguely annoyed. Classic Bible.

Jes lowered himself gently, like the bed might explode under the weight of tension between them. "How'd you sleep?"

Bible sank deeper into the pillows, arms crossed. "Like a bear," he grumbled. "Knocked out cold. That hospital-grade stuff kicked me into another dimension."

Jes chuckled lightly, raising a brow. "And... did you maybe remember something?"

Bible narrowed his eyes, scanned Jes from head to toe like he was sizing up a used car. "Actually," he said slowly, voice low and casual. "I did remember something."

Jes's whole face lit up.

Bible tilted his head, expression flat. "I remembered... that I forgot my appointment with the mechanic. He was supposed to fix my bike yesterday."

Jes just stared.

Bible blinked.

Jes blinked.

Bible smirked. "What? That's a critical memory. Man has his priorities."

Jes let out a long, soul-weary sigh, muttering under his breath, "This is gonna be a long road..." Then, with a quiet kind of boldness, he reached over and took Bible's hand.

Bible's eyes widened like someone just handed him a live grenade. Jes was slick, so slick. The man knew Bible was "memoryless," and yet here he was, touching him like they were still tangled in each other's lives. Still familiar. Still his.

Jes kept it calm. "I talked to the doctor. You can go home tomorrow," he said, thumb brushing over Bible's knuckles. "They'll give you painkillers, and we'll do follow-ups with the doc, but you're free."

Bible couldn't help the tiny smile that twitched at the corners of his mouth. As much as he hated being here, he hated showing it even more. Still, the idea of going home made something warm flicker in his chest. Until—

"What home?" Bible asked, raising a brow.

Jes smiled, those soft creases appearing near his eyes again as he gently kneaded Bible's hand. "Our home."

Bible blinked. Then snorted. "I'm not going to your house."

Jes didn't even flinch. "I talked with your brother and your dad. Nobody wants you back."

"What?!" Bible sat up a little, outraged.

Jes held up his hands, laughing. "Direct quote from your brother: 'Keep him. For God's sake.'"

Bible glared, jaw tightening. But inside, a tiny sting of guilt sat sharp in his chest. Because, well, yeah. He may or may not have told Bas to say exactly that. It was all part of the master plan. Bas hated it. Called it childish. Said Jes didn't deserve a lie like this. But Bible had his reasons. He always had his reasons.

"Fine," Bible mumbled.

Jes grinned, full of pride. "Oh, look at us making progress. Yesterday, you would've cussed me out if I even suggested taking you home."

Bible looked at him, deadpan. "People can learn manners. Doesn't mean I suddenly believe I'm your husband. Let's call it what it is—roommates."

Jes didn't respond with words. Instead, he lunged forward and pulled Bible into a hug, squeezing him way too tight.

"Ow—OW—Jes!" Bible winced, his bruised ribs protesting loudly.

Jes immediately loosened his grip. "Shit—sorry, sorry," he whispered, but still didn't let go completely. His voice softened as he pressed his face into Bible's neck. "I'm just... really glad you're still here."

Bible sat frozen like a stiff board, unsure whether to push him off or... just let him be.

Jes let out a shaky breath. "I really thought I'd lost you forever," he said, voice low and rough. "God, I already miss you like crazy. The bed doesn't feel the same without you. Even the cat's refusing to sleep in it."

Bible blinked. "...I have a cat?"

Jes chuckled against his shoulder. "We have a cat. And yeah, he's been full-on dramatic since you left."Now, leaning in, his face way too close.

Bible could feel his gaze fixed on his lips. He swallowed hard.

"What's his name?" Bible asked, trying to sound casual.

"Tiny," Jes replied without missing a beat. "Like your tiny hands... and your tiny lips."

He was definitely staring now. Bible had to physically force himself to turn his head away, just to break the spell and stop Jes from kissing him right then and there.

Jes cleared his throat, finally pulling back just a bit, though his body still pressed close against Bible's.

„Uh... sorry, it's a habit of mine. Kissing you. I was always the one making the first move." Jes said, almost absentminded, like he was lost in old memories.

Bible snorted. "Can't believe I kissed a man." Gotta keep up the act.

Jes smirked, eyes gleaming. "Oh, you did. And not just that."

Bible's face flushed bright red. "Wait, what do you mean, 'not just that'?" he asked, voice cracking a little.

Jes slowly dropped his gaze down, right where Bible's lower half was hidden under the sheets. Bible's eyes shot wide open.

"I would never!" he declared, arms crossing defensively, already cringing at the thought.

He couldn't help but wonder how he'd always ended up being the one giving his poor tiny hole up to a guy with an oversized third leg. He huffed, half annoyed, half amused.

"It's okay—I still remember," Jes said with a soft grin, patting Bible's healthy leg gently.

"I'll come by tomorrow morning to pick you up, alright? Around ten."

Bible almost, almost, pouted at the fact that Jes was already getting ready to leave. Tsss, he thought bitterly. What could possibly be more important than staying with me, huh?!Minus one thousand husband points. Aura completely tanked.

Jes, like the mind reader he sometimes was, added quickly, "I need to go home and get the bed ready for you. Gotta make sure you can lie down properly with that broken leg."

Okay... that's kinda sweet, Bible admitted to himself.Back to plus one thousand. Zeroed out. Balanced.Great math, Bible. Excellent emotional accounting.

He nodded, trying not to show that he was actually satisfied with the answer. Jes gave him one last soft look before heading out of the room.

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POV: Jes

Huh... that went better than expected, Jes thought, letting out a deep sigh as he stepped out of the hospital room.

It hadn't really been his plan to leave Bible this early. But there was so much to take care of if he wanted to bring him home tomorrow.

The doctor hadn't exactly been thrilled about the idea of an early discharge either, Jes had to talk, negotiate, and sign enough forms to feel like he was applying for a mortgage, not just bringing his husband home.

Now there was a list of things to prepare: meds, support pillows, bathroom adjustments... and food. He knew Bible would complain the second the fridge didn't look like it belonged to a spoiled rockstar.

But beyond all the checklists and errands, Jes knew the real reason he was pushing so hard to make it happen.

He just wanted Bible close.Near enough to hear him breathe.Even if Bible insisted on being a grump about it.

And yeah, maybe it was selfish. But Jes had already lost him once, he wasn't about to let that happen again. He needed to make things right. To fix what he'd broken. And maybe, just maybe... to marry Bible again.

But for that, he'd have to do everything he could to make him remember—

Not just the facts.But the feeling.The way it felt in Paris, once.Warm. Certain. Like the world could fall apart, and they'd still choose each other.

Only this time...

For forever.

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POV: Authorsob He is so in love.Like, pack it up folks. Man's out here rearranging hospital policy, prepping bedsheets with high-level precision, and about to re-propose to his unconscious husband with a cat named Tiny as a witness.

Someone hold my pencil, I'm too emotionally compromised to keep writing.