How long had it been? A question that lingered in your mind, but you didn't have the answer to it. While you were unconscious you had dreamed. Dreamed of owning a large white house, dreamed of a dog with golden fur being chased by a young boy and girl. Then you dreamed of yourself. Sitting outside in the sun letting the rays bathe you in warmth. As you watched the two children frolic, a pair of feminine arms hugged you from behind. Her face you couldn't quite make out before your eyes opened again. The warmth you had basked in was gone. You were cold, oh so very cold. The first thing you felt was the water. You were in a tub leaned forward slightly. A damp cloth pressed against your back and you heard a slight crack from the presumably dead skin. Wherever you were, it was dark. what little light was provided by candles only became blurs against a black backdrop. You let out a slight cough and felt the cloth press your skin, but not move again. You heard a wet plop as the cloth was pulled from your skin and dropped into a pail or bucket. The person who had been cooling you off moved slowly to where they were slightly illuminated in the dim light of the candles. 

???: Hello there.

Her voice was so soft and delicate. In the extreme blur, you could only make out her soft white skin and brown colored hair. Her features and eyes all a mystery through the hazy vision you possed. She raised a hand and slowly pressed it to your cheek. The feeling of her hand was damp but so warm. The same warmth you felt in your dream. This comforting feeling relaxed you immensely. You lips quivered as you tried to speak out, but your body still lacked the ability to do anything. your eyelids slid closed again and you entered a dreamless sleep.

Timeskip.

The setting was different now. This time when your eyes opened the room was bright. You internally cursed as the blur remained present forever mocking you for not following orders. A sign of what happens to traitors. Who were you kidding? Those bastards were massacring those people and you weren't going to help them anymore! the fingers of your right hand curled, gripping the cotton sheets under you into a ball as you clutched your fist in slight irritation. A door somewhere in the room opened and someone entered the room before softly closing the door behind them. A blurry figure with brown hair walked into sight as they set down a tray and then looked down at you. You hoped it would be the comforting girl from before.

???: Awake again I see.

It was. The woman from before. she moved out of your vision and then something skidded along the wooden floor. She pulled up a chair and took a seat.

???: I'm so glad to see you awake. You've had us all worried since you arrived.

She reached toward the tray and lifted up a small white cup. Very slowly she slid her hand behind your head and lifted it up just enough to where you could drink from the cup she pressed to your lips. It was a sweet green tea. It was amazing. You assumed that you had been given drinks every once in a while, but this was the first beverage you had sampled while conscious in a long time. 

???: I'm glad you liked it.

You hadn't realized it but a small smiled had graced your features after she pulled the cup away. Her hand lowered resting your head against the pillow again as she pressed the back of her hand gently against your forehead. 

???: Your fever is gone. That's very good.

She placed the cup on the tray and then stood up. She reached down and lifted up the tray.

???: I'm sorry I can't stay longer. I'll try to stay with you longer next time. I promise.

She moved to walk away, but you found the strength to raise your hand. Your vocal cords flexed for the first time in a while as you called out to her.

(Y/n): W-wait.

Your voice was deep and horse. Your throat the one word conjured a burn in your throat despite having just drink. The word, though barely louder than a whisper, managed to catch her attention. She turned and set the tray down. She looked down at you and then with both hands took your raised one gently.

(Y/n): Y-Your... name...

She gazed down at you in what you could only hope was lovingly and spoke.

Emilia: My name is Emilia.

That burst of energy was too much. Your heart warmed at knowing her name and your face lit up in a small smile before your head rested back against the pillow and you were lost in the world of dreams again. There was something about her that made you happy to hear her. Even through the haze of your eyesight. She even got you to drink green tea. You had always hated green tea.

Time Skip.

The next time your eyes opened your world was dark. Something blocked your eyes. You summoned the strength in your hand to raise it to your face. you felt the soft cloth under your fingertips and realized it to be a bandage.

???: Awake are ya? 

This voice was different from the delicate one you were used to. It was a male's voice and it was clearly old and rather than gritty it was quite smooth. 

(Y/n): Who are you?

Your voice was returning slowly, but surely.

???: You'll know in due time. Just know I'm the man who blessed you with eyesight again. In a few days time, you will see again.

(Y/n): W-What?

???: Don't ask questions. Save that voice of your for when you can actually talk again without fainting.

Your cheeks warmed as you thought you knew what he was talking about.

???: It's quite the miracle you are alive youngster. Whoever roasted your back clearly knows how to cook because the skin on your back was a nice crispy brown. And the tumble you took into that ravine sure didn't help ya. Your leg was already fractured at that point and that nice little fall you took snapped your leg like a toothpick. 

(Y/n): My leg feels fine though.

???: Considering you basically slept for two years, I'm not surprised it feels better.

What he said nearly had you jumping out of the sheets you laid in, but the old man assumed you would do that and pressed his hand firmly down on your chest keeping you in place.

(Y/n): Two years?! B-But the civil war and-

???: If you would hush I would explain.

Your lips sealed as you waited in the darkness of the bandage to hear this explanation.

???: Our mutual friend Angela brought you here about two years ago and since then you have been under mine and Ms. Emilia's care. I'm surprised she took the time to save a soldier from an army trying to slaughter her people so I'm guessing you did something pretty impressive Mr. (Y/n) to leave an impression that strong on her. But back to the story. These past two years we've been caring for you in and out of sleep. Sometimes you would open your eyes and close them and other times you wouldn't blink for hours, scaring the living bejeebus out of the two of us. 

(Y/n): The year?

???: As of right now... it's 1910. and before you ask, yes the war in Ishval is over.

(Y/n): And Angela?!

???: That I can't tell you sadly. She dropped you off and left town in a matter of minutes along with the rest of her group.

Your heart dropped. Had she been recaptured? Was she dead? Why didn't she just leave you in that fucking ravine?! Why did she have to give up her freedom to save your sorry ass?!

???: Don't worry youngster. I've known Angela for a long time and she's quite resourceful. I'm sure she's fine.

Your ears perked up at the sound of a bag closing.

???: I've got to go for now youngster. I'll see you soon and If my work is still as good as it use to be then you'll be able to see me too.

(Y/n): T-Thank you for doing this for me. 

???: Who said I did this for free?

(Y/n): What? I-I have nothing to g-

???: Then I get to set the price. Once those new eyes of your works, come see me and we'll discuss your part of the transaction.

With that, the old man walked out of the door. It closing loudly behind him. What did he mean? You had nothing and nothing to return to other than a little family owned library and what good would it do to go home just to ask your parents for some money? There was nothing you could do for now. You could barely move and now you were in debt to a man you don't know. What more could a stressed-out former soldier do? Why there is only one option. You can't drink away your troubles quite yet, but as you did in college you can sleep away your troubles. You closed your eyes and hoped sleep would overtake you. It did eventually, but not after your thoughts about your current situations pushed you to the point of breakdown. 

A/n: Thank you for tuning in folks. This is my first chapter since trying to recover so if it is not as good as usual please don't fault me for that. I thank you for reading and if you have a comment or just a general tip do please leave it down below. Your comments bolster my morale as well as help me write better. That is all for now. Farewell, my dear followers.