The filled-in clang of the door shutting makes Reza twitch on his bed, his parents looking up as Vince steps back into the room.
The mouthed sorry meant to keep Reza from waking proves unnecessary when he opens his eyes like he’s been waiting, uncanny with their quick focus after days of drowsy dilation.
Mostly turned toward his parents, it’s no surprise when the first words out of Reza’s mouth are “Alright, Mum?” Vince’s heart clenches nevertheless.
It’s weird, watching someone without a capacity for emotion interact with the people they should feel the most for. Reza is polite bordering cordial as he accepts his mum’s hug and the kiss on the forehead from Omar. The ragged edge to his voice while he tells them of his current state reminds Vince that he’d had a wickedly dry throat all o
