The door flung open and Noel slammed his eye shut for some seconds because of the light from the other room. He slowly opened it as the shadow blocked the light and he saw who it was.
Bennett.
Noel stared at him.
Of all three brothers, it was Bennett who walked in... bright-eyed, moving with the easy energy of someone who had been waiting for this moment and was genuinely delighted it had arrived. He was carrying a tray in one hand, and the moment his eyes landed on Noel sitting upright on the bed, his face opened into the kind of smile that belonged on someone who had just received excellent news.
He set the tray on the table.
He crossed the room and threw both arms around Noel.
"Finally! You're awake," he said, and there was actual relief in it, underneath the brightness. "I was starting to think I'd have to keep feeding you myself. Not that I was complaining."
Noel went still.
He processed that sentence.
He very slowly and carefully pushed Bennett back by the shoulders.
