Julian cleared his throat. "Save that something for another time. Your body is working hard on rewriting itself, and you shouldn't put any strain on it. Rest, sleep, and preserve your energy. I'll have the nurse bring in some broth and Jell-O."
"Broth and Jell-O," Tony repeated. "The cuisine of champions."
"Your digestive system needs time to adjust. You don't want to start with anything heavier." Julian headed for the door, then paused. "Oh, and Tony? Congratulations. Welcome to immortality."
The door closed behind him, leaving them alone in the quiet room.
"Welcome to immortality," Tony echoed. "That's not something you hear every day."
"It's not something most people ever hear." Shira shifted her chair closer to the bed. "I was a little girl when I transitioned, so I don't remember how it felt, but I bet it's a monumental change for you."
"It's terrifying," he admitted. "And exhilarating. And surreal. Mostly surreal." He looked at her. "Is it strange that the thing I keep thinking about is all the books I'll have time to read and all the things I will have time to learn?"
Shira laughed. "Really? That's what you are thinking about?"
"I mean it. I could read every book ever written. Learn every language. Master every skill I ever wanted to try but never had time for. I could become a concert pianist. A master chef. A world-renowned expert in obscure medieval history."
"You could," Shira agreed. "Or you could spend the next few centuries perfecting your ability to curse in Italian."
"I already have that skill perfected, thank you very much."
"Mmm." She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "You know what I was thinking about while you were unconscious?"
"The Dewey Decimal System?"
"Besides that." She smiled. "I was thinking about how strange it is that you ended up here."
Before Tony could respond, there was a soft knock at the door, and the nurse entered with a tray of food—the promised broth and Jell-O, along with a glass of tea.
"Doctor's orders," Hildegard said cheerfully. "Start with the broth, see how that settles, then try the Jell-O. If everything stays down, you can graduate to real food tomorrow."
"Can't wait," Tony said.
The nurse just smiled and left, and Shira helped him sit up enough to eat. The broth was surprisingly good, rich and savory, clearly homemade rather than from a can, and his stomach accepted it without protest.
"You should go home," he said between spoonfuls. "Get some rest. You look exhausted."
"I'm not leaving you."
"Shira—"
"I said no." Her jaw had that stubborn set he was learning to recognize. "I'm not leaving until I see you walk out of this clinic on your own."
"That's very romantic, but you have a ceremony to organize. Where will you get supplies?"
"I'll have them delivered."
"What about clothing? You need something nice to wear, and so do I. You probably also want to do your hair and makeup and all that."
"I'll do that tomorrow. I want to be here in case something happens in the middle of the night."
"Nothing's going to happen. The worst is over."
"Then it won't matter if I stay." She crossed her arms. "You're not winning this argument, Tony. Surrender and accept defeat."
He wanted to say, never! But the truth was that he didn't mind losing an argument to her. She made him feel cared for.
Safe.
