The bright sun had just begun to set, casting a warm golden glow over the room, but inside the quarters aboard Windblow, everything felt strangely quiet. Nandya was sitting by the window, looking out at the sprawling landscape below, lost in her thoughts. The soft rustle of fabric signaled Seraphine's approach, though the sound was not the usual confident stride of the fiery woman. This time, it was slower, accompanied by an unmistakable sigh of exhaustion.
"Nandya..." Seraphine's voice, usually full of life and strength, sounded weak and hoarse as she entered the room. Her usually flawless appearance was a little disheveled, her golden eyes dull, and there was a subtle flush to her cheeks. "I don't feel so good..."
Nandya turned around, immediately noticing the change in Seraphine's demeanor. The fiery woman was leaning against the doorframe, her hands gripping it tightly for support. Her usual commanding presence was replaced with an almost pitiful air.
"Seraphine, are you okay?" Nandya asked, getting up from her seat and walking over with concern. "You look… different."
Seraphine's lips curled into a pout, and her hands immediately reached out to grasp Nandya's sleeve, tugging at it gently. "I feel awful," she admitted, looking up at Nandya with a mix of vulnerability and mild frustration. "I don't like this. I feel... weak. You have to stay with me, okay?"
Nandya blinked in surprise. The usually strong and confident Seraphine, who was always the one giving orders, now looked so small and needy. "I'm not going anywhere, Seraphine," she reassured her, gently guiding her to sit down on the bed.
Seraphine immediately nestled in closer, wrapping herself around Nandya's arm, her head resting on the other woman's shoulder. "I'm so cold," she mumbled, burying her face against Nandya's side.
"Seraphine, you're burning up," Nandya replied, pressing a hand to her forehead. "You need to lie down properly and rest."
Seraphine shook her head stubbornly, her arms tightening around Nandya. "No… I need you. I don't want to be alone."
Nandya couldn't help but smile at how different Seraphine was when she was sick, but it was also clear that the fiery woman was absolutely determined to cling to her. She gently coaxed Seraphine to lie down, but it didn't stop the redhead from whining.
"I don't want to lie down… What if you leave me?" Seraphine's voice wavered slightly, a hint of desperation in it.
"Seraphine," Nandya said softly, brushing a lock of hair from Seraphine's forehead, "I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay right here with you. I promise."
But as soon as Nandya stepped away to fetch a cold towel to help with her fever, Seraphine's face contorted into a frown, her eyes blinking rapidly as if fighting back tears. When Nandya was out of her sight for even a moment, the fiery woman couldn't keep it together anymore.
"Wait… Nandya?" Seraphine's voice cracked, trembling as she sat up. "Where are you going? Don't leave me alone."
Nandya quickly rushed back to her side, her expression softening when she saw the tears threatening to spill from Seraphine's eyes. "I'm right here, Seraphine. I just went to get a towel," she said quickly, sitting beside her again.
But it was too late. Seraphine's lip quivered, and before she knew it, hot tears spilled from her eyes, trickling down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry... I don't want to be weak," she sobbed, her voice raw and fragile. "But I feel so sick, and you're the only one who makes it better. Please don't leave me."
Nandya's heart ached at the sight of the usually fierce and proud Seraphine reduced to this, but she knew exactly what to do. Gently, she pulled Seraphine back into her arms, holding her close and rocking her slightly.
"You're not weak, Seraphine," Nandya whispered, stroking her hair soothingly. "Everyone gets sick sometimes. It's okay to need someone. And I'll always be here for you, no matter what."
Seraphine sniffled, her hands still clinging to Nandya's shirt, as if afraid she might disappear the moment she let go.
"I just… I don't like feeling like this. Like I can't do anything," Seraphine mumbled, her voice muffled against Nandya's shoulder.
Nandya smiled softly, rubbing her back in slow circles. "You don't need to do anything right now. You just need to rest, and I'll stay with you. That's all that matters."
Seraphine's sobs began to slow, and she sniffled again, but this time it was more out of exhaustion than sadness. Her grip on Nandya loosened just a bit, and she let out a small, content sigh. "Thank you… Nandya. You're the only one I trust with this… with me."
"You don't have to thank me," Nandya replied softly. "Just get some rest."
And for the first time in what felt like forever, Seraphine allowed herself to completely relax, her head resting against Nandya's chest as she slowly drifted into a peaceful, feverish sleep, knowing that she wasn't alone.
As Nandya watched her, a soft smile tugged at her lips, and she whispered, "Rest, Seraphine. You're not weak. You're just human."