Bastian
Chapter Odette's Diary 4 - April 17th

✧Nursing Diary (4)✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

April 17th

Bastian was now able to walk without crutches after starting full-fledged muscle training. His weight was gradually recovering thanks to proper meals and exercise. There was no permanent physical damage, although his right leg was still uncomfortable. The medical staff predicted a slower recovery, but his tenacity led to a faster one.

 I was proud of him and his many merits, he was a meticulous, sincere and friendly person. He also has a strong will, and patience. However, he has some unhealthy habits that I felt sorry about.

Bastian seemed to enjoy smoking too much. During his time in rehab, he had managed to quit for a short while, but once he was back on his feet, he picked it up again. I saw him smoking in a row with his colleagues yesterday, seemingly without any worries

I knew cigarettes was seen as a gentleman’s taste, but he was still recovering and should be mindful of his health. I needed to come up with a plan to help him overcome this addiction.

His drinking habit also bothered me, but I’ll wait and see. It didn’t happen often because I wasn’t a good drinking buddy.

Starting this week, food was being prepared to be distributed to young wounded soldiers living alone in the official residence. It’s not that difficult because it made enough food for Bastians. I had colleagues who wanted to join, so I set up a separate food volunteer group, and I was the leader. I tried to do my best to fulfill my responsibilities.

Food was being prepared for young wounded soldiers living alone in the official residence this week. It was not difficult task as it made enough for everyone. I set up a separate volunteer group with colleagues and took on the role of leader, trying my best to fulfill my responsibilities.

Important Notes:

-Help Bastian reduce his smoking habit→ Limit to tree cigarettes daily, then gradually decrease to two

– Meeting to plan food volunteer group activity: April 19th at 6 p.m. in the nurse’s lounge.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Are you planning to join the army as a cook next time?” Bastian teased her from the doorway of the kitchen, where Odette was stirring the stew pot with a ladle in hand. He was still in his tracksuit, reeking of the sun.

 “I actually have my sights set on becoming a sniper, but being a cook wouldn’t be too bad either. I’ll take it into consideration,” she quipped and returned her attention to the stove. The heat rising from the pot filled with fifty servings of stew was like midsummer sun, but Odette chose cooking over buying ready-made meals.

Odette today was just like a young woman her age. She spent the day with her friends, laughing and enjoying herself. She looked fresh and Bastian couldn’t help but be drawn to her.

As the North Sea breeze gently caressed his face, Bastian quietly went about his tasks in the kitchen. He heated up a glass of milk and added just the right amount of cocoa powder. Taking a sip, he found it almost too sweet, but  it was just right for Odette’s taste. He checked the temperature to ensure it was warm enough for her to drink.

“Thank you, Bastian.” Odette said as she flipped fluffy pancakes on the griddle. Bastian, without fail, would always make her favorite hot chocolate to accompany their breakfast and it had become a part of their daily life.

Odette always looked at the can of cocoa on the counter when getting rations, but never bought it. Bastian thought she was just looking for fun, but when he saw her keep looking, he changed his mind.

 Last weekend, while buying cigarettes, he surprised her by buying the cocoa. She was away distributing rations at the time, and it brought her great joy when she returned. The cocoa was a low-grade military item purchased with ration tickets, but seeing her happy face when she received it made it all worth it.

Odette hesitantly confessed that she really wanted to drink cocoa, but held back as she was currently performing her royal duties.

Bastian understood the simple can of cocoa held grand meaning to her, how important reputation and honor were to her, and he respected her choice to protect that even such a thing  not personally mattering to him.

Bastian took his cocoa to the table where a hearty meal was prepared and ate the baked pancake Odette had made. She watched him silently eat as she drank her cocoa.

“Good thing I didn’t repair it,” Odette said, satisfied with her decision to leave Bastian’s shirt as it was. She was upset seeing him lose weight and have his clothes become too big, but she didn’t want to fix the size, believing he would be healthy again soon and he did. Though the arms were still a little loose, they would fit perfectly next month.

“You’ll do well this time as well.” she added. After  Bastian emptied the plate. Odette held out the box she had packed in advance.

“What is this?”

K. He recognized the box with his initials engraved on it.

“Open it,” Odette smiled as Bastian followed her order. The cigarette that had been inside disappeared, leaving only three left. “I don’t mean you should quit smoking. I won’t forbid something you like.”

“Are serious?” Bastian leaned back in his chair, waiting for Odette’s next move.

“Yes, it’s true. However, it would be better for your health to cut back on smoking. Let’s do it together. How about we start by limiting ourselves to just three cigarettes a day?”

“Are you suggesting we do this together?”

“I’ll check the box every night and give you a kiss for each cigarette left inside.”

Odette mentioned her condition, and Bastian laughed. He grabbed a box of cigarettes. “It’s a battle between a princess and a cigarette. Do you think you’re overestimating yourself?”

“I trust you.” Odette smiled and took another sip of cocoa. She had given him a gift, but it felt like she was being punished. It seemed like she was losing this game.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

After the ongoing ceasefire the once bustling military hospital was now quiet, with fewer patients. Odette rushed out, grateful for an early end to her shift, her mind raced towards Bastian’s cigarette box. She couldn’t help but wonder how many were left

Her anticipation grew as she approached their home. It was a silly thought – using the number of cigarettes as a measure of love – but it still made her heart flutter with excitement like a child.

Odette stopped in front of the village park and saw a tall soldier with platinum hair standing under a birch tree with new leaves. “BASTIAN!” 

“I was wondering who’s coming – looks like the Princess has arrived.” said Admiral Demel, dressed casually, stood next to Bastian. “What a coincidence, Princess, I just delivered good news.”

“What happened?” Odette asked.

“Negotiations have ended. The war is officially over.”

A smile lit up Odette’s face as she heard Demel’s words. Bastian was smiling, yet his eyes remained emotionless, as if carved from stone. Realizing the situation, Admiral Demel quickly changed the subject, “The war is over now, so we have to fix your relationship. Before returning to Berg and facing speculation and rumors, why not reconcile first, Admiral Klauswitz?”

“For now, let’s keep our relationship as it is.” Bastian calmly answered,

“What is the relationship between the two now?”

“Well, we’re in a relationship.” Bastian quickly spoke, with Odette smiling in agreement. 

The admiral, who had been about to laugh, let out a sigh. An unconventional relationship between an ex-husband and ex-wife living together in a new house, even the seagull that flew by seemed to be laughing at them.

Without further words, their conversation ended. Bastian and Odette said goodbye and walked towards the official residence across the road. As they left, the admiral smiled and shook his head.

Typical of today’s youth.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Odette finished combing and went to the window. The cigarette box on the chest of drawers drawing her attention. She couldn’t resist staring at it, even though she knew it would be better to wait for Bastian. 

The bell rang ten o’clock, he was late again. Bastian stayed in his study late into the night, it was a recent change that had started last weekend but she didn’t ask why. She didn’t want to meddle in his affairs or prod at his emotional wounds. She chose to wait patiently for him to open up when he was ready.

Not wanting to disturb him, Odette opened the cigarette box alone. She didn’t expect much on the first day and was ready to praise him even for one cigarette. But the box was empty. Disappointed, she put it back. Did she set her expectations too high? He was busy today, maybe three cigarettes wasn’t enough for him.

. Looking at his eyes before, she felt a fleeting sense of understanding for his thoughts after hearing news of the war’s end. Perhaps his heart was weary, after years of constant running towards the horizon of battle, and now, suddenly everything was over. It seemed that on days like this, he needed a cigarette to ease his feelings.

Odette let out a soft sigh as she placed back the box on the table, then she heard a knock.

“Bastian?” Odette forced a smile, hiding her disappointment. 

Bastian walked in and raised his hand, revealing three cigarettes between his fingers. “I think I’ve put in enough effort at this rate. Now it’s your turn Princess. Where’s my gift?” he grinned, shaking the cigarette in his hand.

Odette laughed as she was tease. She ran and hugged her lover.

Three kisses tonight.

Now it was her turn. 

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