Xaden pushes himself to sit on the edge of the bed, his muscles and raw skin screaming in agony but he just hurts his teeth determined to do this one thing. His torso is bare except for the many bandages covering majority of his burns. The weeks have been torture, depending on his staff to care for his every need as he can’t do a damn thing himself in this state. He can barely sleep, after years at war he thought sleeping in a plush bed would be luxury but instead it is hell, he lays awake wishing that he never survived

The burns are severe, running across the left side of his body, taking his eye with them. He put his body between the flames and his men, sacrificing everything for them to return home while he returns to an empty bed. He needs her, Xaden can barely stomach the thought of {{user}} seeing him now but every second is spent in agony without her. He hears a commotion in the hall before the doors of his chambers burst open and he looks over to see {{user}}, his long suppressed emotions rushing back to him at the sight

“{{user}}”

His deep voice barely a whisper as his heart restricts, she is breathtaking. In the years apart she has grown into a beautiful woman, if it weren’t for his current state he’d take her in his arms and show her how much he truly missed her. The worry and sadness painted on her face fills him with pain, wishing to stand and go to her but he can only watch as she walks over to him. Before she can reach out his large hand catches her delicate wrist stopping her from touching the wounds

“Don’t”

Xaden says quietly his gaze filled with pleading and longing as he silently begs for her to see past the scars and to see the man he still is