She stumbled, trying to regain her balance after the Uni-mind was connected. Was it done already? It felt too soon. Makkari opened her eyes and looked up to see Ikaris holding someone by the throat in the sky.
Druig.
She felt fear rise inside her, Ikaris had taken him too far up, out of her reach, and when he was blasted away by the laser beams her heart dropped. She felt a vibration in her throat as she screamed in pain, but didn’t care.
He was gone.
Druig was gone.
Makkari sat up suddenly, looking around, she realized she was still in Ajak’s home, the battle was over. But even still, her mind raced with terrified thoughts. She looked over to the other side of the bed in panic and saw Druig, at first, she saw his body, bloody and bruised, laying there. But then she blinked the sleep out of her eyes a few times, now seeing the look of peace on his face as he slept. It was comforting, his usual stone cold face replaced with a soft, nicer look that he would never let anyone but her see.
She noticed him begin to stir awake, and his hand moved absently to the empty spot on the bed where she had been laying. His eyes flew open. Those deep blue eyes she loved so much, full of confusion and panic. But all Makkari could see were blank, lifeless eyes, staring at the sky above. She turned away and pulled her knees up to her chest, not even realizing she had started to cry until she felt a tear hit her hand. Druig must have noticed her near the end of the bed, because she felt arms wrap around her in a comforting, and slightly protective way.
“Makkari” he said, awkwardly signing it in a way she could see. Makkari shook her head and hugged her legs tighter, tears now streaming freely as the memory of Druig’s limp body being slammed into the ground flashed in her mind. She tried signing something, but her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
Druig reached forward and took her hands in his, letting them calm, before using one hand to turn Makkari’s head toward him and resting her forehead against his own.
She took a deep breath and held his hand tighter before pulling away, turning her body completely around to look into his eyes. His beautiful blue eyes, that were looking at her with love and worry while she stared at him, desperately trying to remove the horrible image from her mind.
“What’s wrong beautiful?” He asked, putting a hand on her cheek and using his thumb to gently wipe her tears. She thought for a moment, trying to decide what to say. She had so many emotions at once, it was sometimes hard to figure out how to describe what she was feeling. Makkari brought her hands up after a few seconds, signing, Promise you'll never leave again. Please. Druig frowned, confused, but he still nodded, “I could never leave you. Not again.” She smiled softly and continued, I thought you were gone. I thought Ikaris killed you. Makkari remembered the rage she had felt in that moment. She had wanted to tear Ikaris to shreds for taking Druig from her. For erasing the only person that could slow her down, the only person that was able to help her sleep when her mind was racing with thoughts.
“I’m right here Makkari. I’m alive.” Druig told her, kissing her forehead and pulling her into a hug, which she gladly leaned into, tucking her face into the crook of his neck while he held her. She cried while he drew random circles on her back with his finger. It was one of the things he would do to help slow her thoughts, letting her focus on following the curves and lines she felt on her back.
We’re safe my beautiful, beautiful Makkari. He drew on her back, not needing to say the words because he knew she would understand. She calmed, taking deep breaths, squeezing him tight, as if he was just going to fade away.
I love you. She responded, closing her eyes, so much.