“Come back to bed. It’s a Tuesday morning. You have no place to be anyway besides with me.”
Love without conditions. Care without prerequisites. None of these made any sense to her. Her life had been crafted in a lack of such affection, and now, to have it…
Her training was useless here. But still, she cleaved to it, for she had nothing else. Or, perhaps… because she was nothing else?
Rhee was against her, cradling her, whispering against her, and despite herself, Aella relaxed into the grasp. Her body was too weak, her mind too foggy. Ah… what was happening?
Despite herself – despite the pain, the confusion, everything – she released a breath of air at Rhee’s words. The closest she’s ever come to to a laugh. “Sound logic,” she mumbles, legs beginning to truly go weak now that she has something upon which to prop herself – and she reaches out, grasps at Rhee’s arms to remain upright.
“You must rest – too.” Insistent, even now.
Rhee smiles at the sound. It’s not a full laugh, but it’s close enough. She will take anything Aella gives right now. She feels the other woman relax in her arms and knows that for now, she’s won the battle.
“I will,” Rhee murmurs. “I’m going to carry you to bed now. It’s quicker and easier for us both.”
With that, she gingerly scoops Aella up, crosses the room in a few swift steps, and deposits her onto the bed. Rhee makes sure that the Betazoid is comfortable on the bed before climbing in beside her. She’s farther from Aella than she was yesterday, but Rhee feels like they’re much closer.
“Is this okay?” Green eyes search dark ones for any sign that the other wants her gone. “Do you want the blanket on or off?”