Edric's ears were obviously getting particularly good at picking up her voice, as moments later the door peeked open and Miss Lynch's face peeked inside the hospital room. He offered a tentative, sleepy smile—he didn't know if she was angry, concerned, or any of the emotions in between—before raising his brows expectantly.

"Come on, now," he teased, though having not spoken in the last two hours, his voice came out a little hoarse.

---