Status Updates From Bitter Medicine

this is actually such a cute book

“Apology accepted. As long as you work on seeing yourself as a person and not a vending machine.”

“Be well, my heart.”

“Of course you’d take his side on this.” Tony sniffs, then grins. “He’s the one who knocked Yìwú out after you died and your magic stopped working. You should have seen him. Threw the heaviest punch I’ve ever seen in my life. That man is poetry in motion. It was beautiful.” Tony pats his chest, looking wistful.

Everything slows to a standstill. He’d do anything for Elle. He’d fetch the stars themselves and lay them at her feet if she asked. As long as she looks at him with those shining eyes and that adoring smile, he’s hers completely.

Goosebumps are nothing. For her, the brilliant, funny person who’s saved his life and who makes him laugh, goosebumps are nothing.

Luc holds her like she is precious and adored, cradling her face, touching her as if he could write oaths into her skin with the whorls of his fingertips. Her surroundings fade as she immerses herself in him, her heart soaring, every single fiber in her vibrating with how true and right it is to be here with him.

Who takes care of you? Why do you think that you’re so unimportant that you can sit there in your misery and call it noble?

He’s never allowed himself to be this close to Elle, hasn’t entertained the notion of hugging her. He’s preserved the space between them as carefully as a curator with a priceless item, wanting to put their friendship in a glass case, afraid to let anything near lest it break. She’s his friend, and that’s enough. He should be satisfied.