When the movie finally ended and the lights flicked back on, Karl was the first to jump out of his seat — his robe rumpled, his hair sticking up in all directions from how many times he’d yanked at it in excitement during the film. He turned straight to Ruby, eyes round and shining, his mouth running faster than his brain.
"Wife! Wife! That was amazing! The way the scenes changed, and those big monster shadows — you did that, right? Right?! That was your editing thing, yeah? You’re so smart! So cool! I want to watch it again!"
Ruby laughed, cheeks flushing warm as she tried to hush him, but Karl wasn’t done. He spun around and grabbed the sleeve of a stranger in the aisle — a tall ghost in a fancy city robe who was stretching his arms. "Hey! Did you know? My wife did that! The whole editing — the thing that made the shadows move like that that was my wife!"
The poor stranger looked startled, blinking at Karl’s messy hair and bouncing excitement. "Oh... um... congratulations?" he mumbled politely, eyes darting to Ruby. Ruby’s face turned pink, her ears burning as she grabbed Karl by the back of his robe.
"Karl!" she hissed under her breath, dragging him away before he could harass the entire theatre. "Stop embarrassing me — you can praise me at home, alright?!"
Karl only laughed, tugging the empty popcorn bucket over his head like a silly crown. "But wife! Everyone should know! Our wife is the best—"
"Outside, Karl!" Ruby groaned, hauling him through the lobby while Milo and Julian trailed behind, laughing at Karl’s dramatics. Adrian just smirked and quietly helped Milo adjust his scarf as they walked.
Outside, the rain had started again that light, misty drizzle that turned the city streets a dark, slick red as it hit the ground. Ruby popped open the bag she’d smartly carried with her and handed out thin rain suits, one by one.
"Here, put these on. They’ll keep your robes dry," she said, helping Milo slide his arms through the sleeves first. The suits crinkled with every move — thin, plasticky, easy to wear but always a bit itchy and sticky if you kept them on too long. Karl made a face as he pulled the hood over his messy hair.
"It itches!" he whined, tugging at the collar. "I hate these! Wife — we need better rain clothes! I’m gonna scratch all over—"
Ruby rolled her eyes, pressing her palm to his forehead. "If you get soaked, you’ll scratch even more. Be quiet."
She tucked the extra suit bag under her arm, making sure everyone was fully zipped up and covered. Then she told them to wait under the covered walkway while she jogged off toward the parking area. The drizzle tapped gently on her hood as she reached her sky car, her boots splashing in tiny puddles of crimson water.
When she finally drove back around and rolled down the window, she found them exactly as she’d left them — Karl dramatically pretending to faint from the "itch," Milo holding onto Adrian’s sleeve for balance, and Julian shaking his head at both of them with a patient smile.
"Get in before you catch cold!" Ruby called, exasperated but laughing.
One by one, they clambered into the car — rain suits rustling, cheeks pink from the drizzle. And as the city lights blurred past outside, the little car filled with the warm sound of Karl’s praise, Milo’s sleepy giggles.
When they finally reached the hospital again, the sky was still heavy with that soft drizzle, turning the parking lot into a quiet sea of red puddles under the street lamps. Ruby parked the car carefully right by the entrance, so Milo wouldn’t have to walk far.
Karl was the first to hop out, still muttering about his itchy rain suit. He pulled the hood off his head dramatically, grumbling as he helped Milo out of the backseat. Milo clutched Karl’s arm tightly, his fingers trembling just a little as his shoes splashed down onto the wet ground.
He turned his head to look back at Ruby, who stood by the open car door. The bright lights from the hospital doors behind him made his eyes shimmer with that soft, watery glow.
"I... I also want to go home, wife..." Milo said, his voice so small it barely rose above the pitter-patter of the rain. He bit his lower lip, trying so hard not to look like he was about to cry, but his eyes were already glossy. The thought of returning to that quiet white room alone again tugged at something deep in his gentle heart.
Ruby’s chest ached at how sweet and honest he was. She stepped closer, cupping his soft, cold cheek in her hand. "I know, sweetheart... I know," she murmured, brushing her thumb over the damp strands of hair that peeked from under his hood. "Don’t worry. You’ll get better soon and when you do, we’ll all be waiting for you at home. I promise."
Julian stood just behind Milo, resting his palm on Milo’s back, his gentle warmth seeping through the thin rain suit. He leaned in, his voice low but so warm and sure it wrapped around Milo like a soft blanket. "She’s right. You’re so brave, Milo. Rest well, listen to the healers and before you know it, you’ll come home to us. We’ll keep your bed warm for you."
Milo sniffled, his lips curling into the smallest, shyest smile as he peeked at Karl. Karl puffed up his chest, squeezing Milo’s shoulders. "And I’ll save all the best snacks for you! So get strong fast, dummy!"
A tiny giggle escaped Milo’s throat at that, his watery eyes shining in the parking lot lights. He leaned forward and hugged Ruby gently, the plasticky rustle of his rain suit crinkling around them.
And when Milo and Karl disappeared through the hospital doors, Ruby lingered by the car for a moment, the drizzle tapping softly on the hood. She let out a quiet breath, her eyes tracing the glass doors until she couldn’t see Milo’s figure anymore. Beside her, Julian stood with his hand resting gently on her shoulder, a steady weight that grounded her thoughts.
Karl’s voice still echoed in her ears, his promise to stay up all night and keep Milo entertained with funny stories. Ruby had to bite back a smile. At least Milo wouldn’t feel lonely with Karl around.
—To be continued...🪄