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They hadn't had a chance to talk yet. Not really.
Which was fine with her, if she was being perfectly honest with herself. Vex was still so shocked and awestruck and happy that he was back and he was alive that she hadn't taken the time to figure out what she wanted to say to him.
She doubted that he'd heard what she’d said before he woke up. And even if he had, he probably wouldn't remember it. His body and soul had gone through so much that she had absolutely zero expectations. She loved him dearly, but there was always a small chance that he was angry with her for walking away from him.
Maybe he even hated her.
Vex took a deep breath and leaned her head against the wall. She didn't really think that he hated her. But the guilt she felt was overwhelming and she needed to talk to him before she started crying about it again.
It was difficult, though. He'd been bathed and fed and rested. Then everyone wanted to chat with him, update him on what he'd missed. Keyleth seemed especially excited to tell him about her and Vax, though Vex never got the impression that Percy even noticed what was going on between the two of them.
His sister was with him at that moment and Vex certainly didn't want to interrupt them. Cassandra had been absent from the group’s discussion about reviving Percy - the magic that Vax has described reminded her of the Briarwoods and though she wasn't going to stop them from trying, she was scared to get her hopes up on something that sounded so dark.
Vex was happy that she came around. She was Percy’s only living family and Vex thought it'd be nice to get to know her better. If they had the opportunity.
“Vex’ahlia?”
She turned her head to find Cass standing outside Percy’s room and staring straight at her. “Hi,” Vex responded, not sure what else to say.
“Have you slept at all?” Cass asked, walking closer and laying her hand on Vex’s arm. “You looked exhausted even before the ritual.”
“Can't sleep.” Vex sighed and gave the younger woman an awkward smile. “I need to talk to him, but…well. How is he? Maybe I should let him rest, or-”
“He's been talking about you quite a bit,” she interrupted. “I think you should go see him now.” Cass tilted her head in the direction of his door. “I've no doubt he wants to see you.”
Vex didn't know how much Cassandra knew about their relationship prior to her embarrassing, romantic speech during his revival. There wouldn’t have been much time for Percy to tell her before they went off on another world-saving mission. It was nice to know that she approved, though.
“Right,” she responded, pushing herself off the wall. Her heart started beating faster as she realized she still hadn't figured out what to say to him. “Thank you.”
“Just remember that he's still recovering,” Cass said semi-jokingly as she walked off. “Don’t exert him too much.”
Normally such a comment wouldn't have embarrassed her, but Vex felt herself blush at that. She did want to touch him and feel him again, but at that moment she just wanted to hear his voice and make sure he knew how she felt.
She knocked lightly on the door and opened it, wincing at the creaking sound before poking her head in. “Percy?”
His eyes widened and almost seemed to light up at the sight of her. “Vex!” he said excitedly, adjusting himself into an upright position.
Vex came into the room fully and closed the door behind her. “How are you feeling, darling?”
He smiled at her with that insanely charming smile that she loved, loved, loved. “Better. Not my best, but…well. Anything’s better than being dead.”
“Don't I know it?” she replied cheekily, walking over and taking a seat on the edge of his bed. She'd taken a moment to decide where exactly to sit - her natural instinct was to scoot him over and plop her butt right next to his, but the rarely-used, more rational part of her brain told her to sit further away. Next to his legs. Neutral territory.
They silently stared at each other for a few comfortable moments, then Vex took a deep breath. “I'm…sure you're feeling overwhelmed. With everyone talking to you at once.”
“It's been fine,” he answered quietly, staring down at her right hand. It wasn't too terribly far away from his own, and his fingers twitched like they wanted to feel her against him.
“Right.” She lifted up her hands and held them together in her lap, playing with her fingers. It was difficult to come up with the words she needed to say. “I just…I wanted to say…”
Percy held his breath, staring at her profile.
“I'm so sorry.”
“Sorry?” Percy asked, genuinely confused. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Vex.”
“Of course I do!” She whipped her head towards him, frustrated that tears were pricking at her eyes again. “I shouldn't have-! I…I was a coward, Percy. You opened your heart to me and I walked away. It was awful. Unforgivable. I…it was cruel.”
He blinked slowly at her, then smiled sadly. “It's fine. I knew you weren't ready to say it and pushed you anyway.”
Vex shook her head. “But I should've been. I was holding myself back and I…” She took a deep breath and leaned towards him on the bed, staring straight into his eyes. “I love you, Percival. I'm in love with you.”
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wet, her hair a mess, and her voice slightly hoarse. She felt desperate - needing him to know how much she regretted not telling him how she felt sooner.
Percy’s expression softened and he gave her a dreamy smile. “I know.”
Not expecting that response, Vex’s cheeks burned hotter and she glanced away from his gaze. “I-I know, but…I wanted you to hear it from me. It's not the-”
“I did hear it.”
She shut her mouth and connected with his eyes again, blinking slowly. “...you heard?”
Percy groaned and sat up even straighter, scooting as close to her as he could, and grabbed her hand with his. He gave her hand a tight squeeze and smiled again. “I heard every word, Vex’ahlia. Your voice grounded me, made me remember who I am.”
The blush on her cheeks didn't go away as she considered just how vulnerable and open she'd been at that moment. She used her free hand to play with her hair. “...I meant it. All of it.”
He tugged her hand, pulling her towards him, and Vex was more than happy to comply. Their lips touched and it felt like a fire was ignited in her heart - she breathed out every moment of longing she'd felt about him and melted into the kiss. She'd missed him so, so much.
Vex pulled away for air and was about to dive right back in when Percy lifted a shaky hand to her face, gently caressing her cheek with his thumb.
“Could you say it again?” he asked, eyes closed and lips reddened with her lipstick.
She smiled and pecked his lips once, then twice. “I love you, Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo. I love you so much and I cannot wait til you have your strength back so I can show you just how strongly I mean it.”
Percy chuckled and kissed her again - a deeper, stronger kiss that time, though it only lasted a few seconds as he pulled back for some air. “I'll keep that in mind while I'm recovering,” he said with a charming smirk.
Vex felt like a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders as he held her face in front of his and kissed her once again.
“What would I do without you?” he mumbled softly against her lips.
She took another deep breath and lifted her hands to grab his, holding them against the top of her chest. “Let's never find out, darling. Neither of us are allowed to die again anytime soon.”
Percy turned her hands so he could hold hers and he exhaled loudly. “I’d hate to go against the direct orders of a Whitestone noblewoman.”
At that, Vex felt the dam break. The thought of being a Lady in his home, a part of the thing he held most dear, the chance to be with him in such a beautiful place with such wonderful people - made the tears spill from her eyes again. She laughed and leaned forward to kiss him once more. “I love you.”
“And I love you,” he responded eagerly, wiping away her tears. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
She shook her head and reached out her hand, laying it on his chest to feel his heartbeat. “I'm not leaving your side ever again.”
He smiled and put his hand on top of hers. “I wouldn't want it any other way.”