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“Don’t you think that’s fascinating?” he asks after explaining something about black holes that went completely over my head.

I hesitate, not wanting to disappoint him. “I… I’m having a little trouble with my memory right now, Bobik. Some things are still fuzzy.”

His brow furrows with concern. “Tetyamentioned something about that. You got hurt?”

“Yes.” I touch the back of my head where a faint tenderness still lingers. “I hit my head, and now I can’t remember some things. But the doctors say it will get better with time.”

He considers this with the seriousness of a much older person. “The brain is incredible at healing itself,” he says confidently. “Did you know that neurons can form new pathways when old ones are damaged? It’s called neuroplasticity.”

Despite my confusion, I can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “Is that right?”

“Absolutely! We talked about it when you were helping me with my science project, remember? About how the brain adapts to injury?”

I don’t remember, of course, but I nod anyway, not wanting to see disappointment in those intelligent eyes.

“It’ll come back to me.”

“I can help,” he offers earnestly. “I’m really good at explaining things.”

Diana returns shortly after, bringing snacks and reminding Bobik about his medication schedule. As she guides our conversation, I notice how she carefully steers us away from topics that might highlight my memory gaps. She’s protecting both of us— Bobik from confusion, and me from embarrassment.

Before we leave, Bobik reaches for my hand. “You’ll come back soon, right?”

“I’d love to,” I tell him, meaning it completely. Despite my fogginess, being with him feels right— comfortable in a way few things have since I woke up in that hospital bed.

As I leave with Diana, I think back over the time I spent with the boy. The sense of familiarity appeals to me. Maybe it will spark something.

“I’ll take you back to your room,” says Diana, but I shake my head.

“It’s fine. I know my way,” I assure her. “Besides, I’d like to take a walk.”

She eyes me for a moment before nodding. “I’ll see you later,” she says before heading off down the hallway. I watch herleave, then, on impulse, turn in the opposite direction, toward Aleksei’s study.

I find him there, surrounded by paperwork. He looks up when I enter, his dark eyes unreadable. There’s been a cautious sense of ease between us since that night we spent together. We haven’t spoken about it, but I’ve been back there since then, the connection leaving me more relaxed in his presence. Yet still, I’m not sure how he’ll respond to my next request.

“I spent some time with Bobik today,” I say without preamble.

His eyes narrow. “I wish you’d spoken to me about that first.”

My eyes narrow too. “Is it a problem?”

He pauses before responding. “No.” There’s another pause. “You remembered him?”

“Yes,” I say. “Well, not entirely, but enough to know he’s brilliant. He must be bored being confined to his room all day, and frankly, so am I. I think it would be good for both of us if we spent some time together.”

Aleksei’s expression remains carefully neutral, but I see the way his fingers tighten slightly around his pen. “His immune system is compromised after the surgery,” he says. “We need to be careful about exposure.”

“I understand that,” I persist. “But surely with proper precautions—?”

“It’s not just about physical health,” he interrupts. “Bobik is… sensitive. He’s been through a lot.”

I understand the unspoken concern. Bobik might become attached to me, depend on me, and what happens if my memory returns and I decide to leave? What if I remember why I should fear this man who watches me with such intensity?

“I’m not going to hurt him,” I say softly. “I may not remember everything, but I know how I feel when I’m with him. He’s special to me.”

Something shifts in Aleksei’s expression— a softening around the eyes, perhaps.

“Fine,” he concedes after a long moment. “But with precautions. And only for short periods until we’re sure he’s recovering well.”