Morning came slowly.Gray light filtered through the tall windows of the medical wing, washing the room in pale silence.Ethan had not moved.He remained seated beside Don’s bed, one hand still wrapped around his, his head resting against the edge of the mattress. Sometime during the night, exhaustion had pulled him into a shallow, restless sleep.He woke to movement.A slight pressure against his fingers.His eyes snapped open.For a moment, disoriented, he simply stared.Then he felt it again.A weak squeeze.Ethan’s breath caught.His gaze shot upward.Don’s eyes were open.Still heavy with exhaustion.Still dulled by pain.But unmistakably open.Relief hit Ethan so suddenly and violently that his vision blurred.“You’re awake.”His voice came out rough, barely above a whisper.Don looked at him quietly.There was no confusion in his gaze.Only recognition.And something softer Ethan couldn’t immediately name.For several seconds neither of them spoke.Then Don’s lips moved.“You s
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