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Pao -
It was only after making sure that Seren was in bed and getting medical attention that Rhys borrowed her keys to grab some dry clothes for her to change into. He didn't bother to stop and grab a change for himself, though, just wanting to by her side as soon as possible. Once he was in her room he grabbed a chair and pulled it to her bedside, took a seat and heaved a heavy sigh as he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.


"You ********' scared me," he murmured, his loving gaze on her sleeping face. He was tempted to reach up and caress her cheek, but he had a feeling his hands were a little too cold for that and he didn't want to risk waking her up. So instead he leaned down and pressed a very soft kiss to the back of her hand. Hopefully it wasn't enough to wake her. And that was essentially how he slept, holding her hand as he rested his head in his arms.


Aria -
Seren woke the next morning, coughing a bit from water she had accidentally swallowed in that horrible battle, and the crashing waves that the unknown individual from Halloween. She took a good moment to catch her breath, and process her surroundings. She was... not in her room, Rhys was not in her arms, but... her eyes traveled down to where he held her hand and rested besides her. She blinked, slowly, trying to work out what had happened, because last she remembered, she had been being assaulted, and... convinced she was going to die, too, without saying goodbye to Rhys.


Instead, she was alive, even if she felt like utter s**t... there was a very unpleasant sensation along the side of her upper left arm, as if she had an ugly cut or wound there. She bit her lip, wanting to check, but worried about waking Rhys, since he held her right hand. She was silent for a long moment, then closed her eyes, tight, holding in the horror she still felt at the idea that Rhys might have had to find out she was dead, with no chance to protect her. She knew it would have shattered him, as it would shatter her if it was reversed.


Pao -
He barely slept, really, and felt like s**t whenever he woke up, but every time his aching back did wake him up he would also glance up to check on her before pressing another soft kiss to her hand. Which was exactly what he did this time when he stirred awake, quietly groaning as his back protested his choice of sleeping position.


Rhys glanced up, blinking the sleepiness from his eyes, and saw that her eyes were still closed so he sighed and kissed her hand, gently giving it a squeeze before he started to straighten himself out. There was almost no sense in trying to sleep again now that it was morning, anyway. He stretched as quietly as he could, but he ached all over and felt a bit like he had the chills...probably because he slept in drenched clothes, but he didn't care so much.


Getting up, he looked down at her, worry still etched into his features as he reached to gently rest against her cheek.


Aria -
The kiss to her hand had her eyes opening, just in time to see him stretching, and she smiled a little as his hand reached out to her, her own sliding up to press gently against his. "How... did I come to be here, baby?" She asked, softly, and discovered to her chagrin that her voice was rough, and her throat sore and dry.


After a moment, she sighed, realizing she probably should have expected it. She had screamed, and inhaled a touch of the water, so her throat was probably temporarily damaged. She sighed a little, and caressed his hand, gently, her eyes watching him.


How long had he been here? How long had she? His clothing was a rumpled mess.... She still needed to check her arm, too.


Pao -
Relief very visibly washed over him when she rested her hand on his, and he let out a long sigh at her question. "Something felt off ever since you sent that text," he answered quietly, eyes on hers as his brows furrowed and the worry returned while he recalled what had happened. "So I followed you to the Haunted House. Caught you just before something slammed you against the wall with a s**t-ton of water..."


He sighed again, barely able to smile as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "You've been resting since you got here. I just went and got you some clothes to change into for when you woke up, they said you might be here for a couple days 'cause of your injuries." Which bothered him but he was just glad she was okay.


Aria -
Her eyes darkened for a moment at the mention of the water, and she finally said, softly "I don't know what she was... But she was so angry. She attacked me on sight, and was so strong... I couldn't seem to do anything, because of it." Her fingers gripped his hand, gently, as she remembered. "I don't know if she lost someone to us... But she clearly really hates us, a lot." A pause, then she added "Or she's utterly batshit crazy... She wanted me dead, I'm pretty positive."


Her eyes refocused on his face, and she turned her head a little to kiss his palm, lovingly, and she whispered "Thank you for saving me, baby. I honestly thought I was going to die there, alone." She closed her eyes for a long moment, trying not to cry, as she leaned into his hand. "Thank you, thank you, thank you..."


She then gently pulled away, and shifted so she could examine her left arm. It seemed she had gotten a long slice along the forearm in that battle, and it looked likely to scar.


Pao -
"Let's just go with batshit crazy until someone gives us a better reason" he said softly, lips curled down into a small frown as he watched her go back over it with him. When she finally refocused and gave him a little kiss he, again, did his best to give her a smile, albeit one weighed down with concern. And when she thanked him he shook his head and sighed.


"Always, love. Would do it again in a heartbeat," he replied quietly, though he really wanted to say more. Wanted to express that he'd do anything for her, to make sure she'd come home to him...but she pulled away before he could so looked over at what she was inspecting.


"Was a pretty nasty cut when you got here. They stitched you up as soon as they got you stable," he explained, and then blinked and looked over at the little pack he'd brought. Gently he kissed her forehead again before moving to grab said pack and setting it on the bed. "Got you a change of clothes here. Threw in a shirt of mine in case you just wanted something loose and comfy..."


Aria -
Seren nodded in agreement at the batshit crazy comment, eyes closing again for a moment. She felt like she would never forget the face of that Halloween woman. She opened her mouth to speak again, and found herself coughing once more. After a moment, she paused and said "I would ask for water, but right now the idea of water sounds appalling... Do you think there's even the slightest chance there might be tea in this place somewhere?" She sounded wistful.


She then said "Did they say how any days? Did they say if you can... stay with me?" She said, her eyes worried at the idea of having to try to get enough sleep to properly heal without him in her arms. "I mean... if you want to. I know you've spent a lot of time here not too long ago..."


She blinked and smiled at the thought of clean clothes, and also at the soft kiss. She whispered "Yeah, clean clothing sounds amazing... And I might try your shirt... depends on how much it covers, baby..."


Pao -
He made a face when she coughed.


"I'll go get you some tea, baby," he said in a tone that would hopefully keep her from protesting, and then shook his head. "They didn't say, but we heal up pretty quick so I'd say 3, maybe 4 days? Could be longer though...and yeah, they said I could stay." He smiled at that, soft and loving as he opened up the pack.


"And what do you mean 'if I want to'? Of course I do....plus it's gonna be hell tryin'a sleep without you and knowing you're in here, healin' up." At that he pulled out his shirt first, and held it to her. "So you can see if it's too big? I'll get that tea once you're all changed."


Aria -
She blinked at the face he made, unsure what to read in that. "Something wrong?"


His offer to get her tea earned him a combination of a grateful expression and a wistful look that suggested she wanted to have him stay. "Thank you, love... I hope it won't take too long." She did not want to be alone for longer than necessary, not after... what had nearly happened. "And good... good." Her relief at the fact that he would be allowed to stay, at his wish, was written blatantly on her face.


She beamed up at him a little when he confirmed he wanted to stay. "These aren't the most comfortable beds, after all. I don't want to presume, love..." She took the shirt and carefully shifted in the bed to make it easier on herself to get it on. She'd dealt with dressing with injuries, but never one on her arm. She then managed to pull her shirt, carefully, up and off, then took his. She managed to get it on, and found that, despite it being loose, the neck was tight enough to cover the important things. She gave a sigh of relief, and took the rest to change, gratitude on her face.


Pao -
"Just that cough," he replied to her question first, "I'll get the tea as quick as I can for you, baby." At that he stood back, smiling at the obvious relief on her face when he told her he'd be staying.


"We could be sleeping on the floor and I'd choose to stay," he said as he peeled off his jacket. "Hell, they could offer be a month's worth of leave and I'd choose to stay." He draped his jacket over the chair he'd been sitting in as he stepped closer again and helped her a little bit with changing, softly adding, "I'd choose you over anything else in a heartbeat, love."


Once she was all ready he gave her a little kiss, expression a bit brighter. "Lemme get that tea, alright? Be right back."


And he was gone, hopefully not for too long. While the kettle was boiling he threw together a quick little breakfast--eggs, bacon, toast, and the needed condiments to go along with those things--and had everything on a tray that he carefully carried back with him to her room.


Aria -
"Screaming and a bit of water inhalation, love. I'll be over it quickly." She gave him a bright smile for his concern.


"I'm glad..." She whispered, her eyes bright at his very vehement statement about his willingness to be at her side no matter what, for a good night's sleep. "I doubt I'd sleep at all well without you here." She gave him a grateful look for his assistance, because with one arm semi-out of commission, it was a lot harder than usual to get the clothing he got her on.


She returned the kiss, and sighed as he left, but nodding in acceptance. When he came back with rather more than tea, she looked surprised for a long moment, then gave him an even more grateful look, because she knew she needed food to properly heal. "You go out of your way to take care of me, baby... Thank you..."


Pao -
He shot a bright smile her way before carefully setting the tray on the bedside table and pouring her a cup of tea first. "I love you, baby," he said, leaning to give her a kiss on the forehead as she took the cup from him. "I do what I can, when I can."


He set her plate up, then, glancing over at her now and again to make sure she was okay...just a bit more of his concern shining through even if there was nothing likely to happen to her while he buttered her toast. Once he had it all ready he took turned to her, plate in hand, then nodded.


"Scoot," he said, smile soft as he took a seat on her bed. "You got one hand outta commission, right? So you hold your tea with your good hand and I'll use mine to make sure you get at least a little bit of breakfast."


Aria -
She took the tea with a bright smile, and closed her eyes at the kiss. "You do so much for me... It is amazing to me how much you do." Not because she did not believe he would, but because it was still hard to get used to having someone care for her like this, and take care of her. All of these things were amazing to her. "You are wonderful."


She took a sip of her tea, watching him with bright, loving eyes. There was a part of her that was still incredibly amazed that she was here, alive and breathing, let alone that he had managed to come rescue her. She vaguely remembered that last hit. She had been hanging on, desperately, Diwata screaming at her in her mind to try to use her pendant.


But the water had her so screwed up that she couldn't, and she was unconscious very shortly after, because that wall of water had overwhelmed her, and her shield, very fast.


She blinked, having gotten lost in thought, when he spoke, and then she shifted over, giving him a look of gratitude. "Thank you, baby..." She whispered, surprised but pleased. Sure, they'd fed each other bites of food before, but this was a little different... This was being cared for, in a very sweet and loving way.


Pao -
He took the compliments in happy silence, really just beyond grateful that she was still here and he could still take care of her like this. Because, for him, she'd done so much more of that, and he didn't view it as catching up or making things even between the two of them...but he just genuinely wanted to do as much for her as she did for him. To really take care of her simply because he loved her.


So he cut up a little bit of the egg and offered the bite to her. "You're welcome," came his soft reply, "and careful, might still be a little hot."


Aria -
She rested carefully against the pillows, though she really wanted to snuggle into him. She just was aware it would probably cause her to get in the way of his arm while he helped her to eat. She sipped her tea as he got the first bite ready, and then gave him a sweet smile, before leaning forwards to take the bite off of the fork. She had a feeling this was going to be a touch slower than a normal meal, given the process required, but she would be ok with that, even if the toast got a touch cold and soggy.


Once she finished the first bite, she went back to sipping her tea, appreciating the way the warmth felt on her dry and raspy throat. She pondered how best to show her boyfriend she truly appreciated his help as she sipped, her eyes watching him with love.


Pao -
They worked through the meal slowly and in relative silence, exchanging smiles and loving looks, and the toast probably had gotten a little cold and soggy, but he was glad she had enough of an appetite to finish the plate. When she was done he got up and set the empty plate back in the tray before moving back to the bed and taking a seat again.


And then he nodded toward her. "Refill? And then...maybe I could take up some space beside you?" He blinked then, and quickly added, "Not to sleep, just...I've been wanting to hold you since you got here but didn't wanna wake you. And then this morning you wanted tea and I wanted to make sure you ate..."


His voice sort of dwindled, sounding more sheepish near the end. "I mean, seeing you like that...I know you're here and all but I just..."


Aria -
She nodded at the offer of a refill on her tea. It felt so good and soothing on her throat. His question, though, made her brows lift. "Baby? You don't need to explain yourself. You can take up all the space you want, and hold me as much as you want. Just... don't bang my arm, and we're good, right?" She said that last bit in a tone that said 'I know you wouldn't do it on purpose, ever.'


She blinked, though, as he dwindled off, and her eyes closed for a moment, knowing how much yesterday must have affected him. She opened them again and said "I know, baby. I know... Hold me all you want... I want to be in your arms again, Rhys. You know I feel safer, and happier when you hold me..."


Pao -
At her nod he took her cup and refilled it, eyes focused on the simple task as she spoke. He set the thermos down and handed her, her tea first before giving her a weak smile at her last words. "I'll watch your arm," he said after a beat, and then moved to lie down beside her.


It was an odd bit of maneuvering because he was being extra careful, but once he was beside her he snaked an arm around her shoulders and gently pulled her against him, and he closed his eyes as a sigh of relief escaped him as soon as he was settled. "You really scared me though," he whispered, "I know I can't say 'don't do that again' 'cause of what we do, but..."


Aria -
She smiled him, loving and bright, then waited while he scooted in, holding her tea with care. She wished he was more comfortable with certain things, though, because otherwise she'd have suggested he settle in behind her, with her between his legs... But she had a feeling he wasn't ready for that yet. Once he was in position, she more than willingly rested right against him, her eyes closing for a long moment.


His words had her eyes popping open and she sighed, and took a sip of her tea before she answered. "I know, baby. I didn't want to go alone but that's what they assigned me. I didn't know what else to do. I can't exactly demand they send someone with me, or that you come when you have other duties... I was terrified, honestly, and the worst part, for me, was the idea that I would never get to see you again, to hold and touch you, tell you how much I love you." She was trembling some, enough that her tea was threatening to slosh out, so she put it on the table by the bed, before she put her hands on her face, trying not to cry.


Pao -
A frown had set in as she spoke. He understood it all perfectly well, and he wished he could protest as much as she must have wanted to ask for a partner to back her up in the Haunted House...but they were both apparently s**t out of luck with changing that kind of thing around Deus. So when she started trembling he waited only long enough for her to set her tea down and then he just pulled her into a tight hug.


"Me too...I felt it almost as soon as you sent that text," he said softly, "like something bad was gonna happen...just glad I was almost off duty when you sent it so I went after you right away." There was a pause as he sighed, "I'm sorry I got there so late."


Aria -
She cuddled right into him, pressing her face into his shoulder instead of her hands. It took her a good few minutes to calm herself enough that she wasn't crying, and she whispered "I didn't expect rescue. That you did was a miracle, and I owe you my life. I'm so glad you came at all, baby..."


She held him close, half twisted so that she could be semi-facing him. The idea of that having not happened still was in her and she almost had trouble believing this moment was real. "Thank you for trusting your instincts. I'm sorry, so sorry, that I scared you like that. I know how terrifying it is..." She found herself thinking of her hours of worry in Siberia, and knew he must have felt the same.


Pao -
He held her close, just nodding his head as she spoke because he didn't want to pile on a whole lot more. "You're here now, baby," he whispered, "and at the end of the day that's what matters most to me. That you're safe and sound and in my arms..."


He gave her a little bit of a squeeze then, not wanting to let go just yet. He couldn't imagine going through this time and again, and it was a rather hard pill to swallow knowing they didn't have a much of a say in the matter. And it only made him want to cherish their time together all the more.


Aria -
She sighed and cuddled in close, her head resting against him. After a minute, she picked her mug of tea back up and took a few slow, calming sips, her eyes closed for the moment. "I never want to not come home to you. I always want to make it back." After a moment, she considered, then added "Did... did you carry me out?" Her brow was furrowed. "I can't imagine that insane Halloweener letting you, but... It was that or my pendant." She paused again, before continuing "If it was my pendant, how do we get a new one?"


She finished her tea after that, and snuggled in closer, her good arm wrapping around him, and her head moving into a more comfortable position for resting. She wished she could just go home, but she was still exhausted and in pain. It wasn't like she could not care for herself, after all, she'd been dealing with scarring injuries in a far more awkward place for years... But she understood the concern. On top of that, she had a feeling she couldn't walk on her own right now, tired as she was.


Pao -
He couldn't help but chuckle as she slipped in a little something about work there, and after she settled more comfortably against him he kissed her forehead gently. "Pendant was fastest and safest way. Just put in for a new one, like you'd request for furniture," was his eventual reply. "I can do it for you while you're in here, if you want."


And it was only then that he really started to feel the exhaustion setting in, now that they were comfortably resting on the bed as they normally did back in one of their rooms. He fought down a yawn, though, and leaned back a little so he could get a look at her face as he brushed some strands of hair aside. "Was there anything from your room you wanted me to get? Or from the library, maybe? Y'know, a few books to read while you're here."


Aria -
"That would be... awesome. I don't want to risk not having one..." It wasn't really about work, for her, in this situation. It was making sure she could get the ******** out the next time she was in a bad situation, so she could be sure to come back to him. "I'd really appreciate that, babe." She sighed, softly, and cuddled in just that much closer.


She was letting herself relax, after that, when he spoke again. She blinked some, then said "Mmm later? Not right now. Unless you have to go... I'd rather you be here. Maybe later, though. Something to read would be nice, and my hairbrush..." She paused, frowning a little at that, wondering how much of a challenge brushing her hair without the use of her left arm would prove to be.


Pao -
"I'll put in for new ones next time I get a chance, then," he said after a beat, pressing a soft and lingering kiss to her temple as she relaxed. He was glad to see that given it was important to not get too stressed out when recuperating, which was what she'd be doing for the next few days or so. When she finally answered him he nodded, quietly sighing his happiness.


"I can go later, baby. Just tell me when you feel like you want your brush and anything else from your room that you can think of. I probably can't get to the library 'til sometime tomorrow, though." He swept a few more strands out of the way before noting her frown, his brow rising out of curiosity.


"Something wrong?"


Aria -
She smiled at the kiss, then tilted her head to kiss his cheek, lovingly. "Thank you, baby." She closed her eyes again, and was considering asking him to lay back, so they could actually sleep a bit, together, but decided to wait for the moment, let the food and tea settle a little as she cuddled into him. She did some slow, meditation style breathing to relax a bit more.


She smiled and considered, then said "A few more clothing changes, since I'll be here a few days, and my toothbrush and toothpaste?" She didn't want morning breath or anything like that, not for longer than necessary. "And, to be honest, it's tempting to wait until you have to leave, because I just... don't want you to go."


His question made her chuckle, and sigh. "Trying to work out how to brush my hair properly with this arm..." She nodded towards the injury.


Pao -
Rhys took mental notes of what she listed, wanting to be sure he didn't forget anything for when he went to go grab her things. And then he smiled, soft and loving, at her next words. "I don't have duty until after lunch, so you can have me for basically the whole morning," he chuckled as he very gently gave her a squeeze, particularly mindful of her arm.


When she voiced her concern he blinked then, and considered something for a moment. "I can do that for you, if you want? Or at least help?" He blinked again. "I mean if you want. I'm not exactly a hair expert or anything."


Aria -
"Wonderful!" She said, enthusiastic in a tired way. She leaned into the squeeze, and planted a kiss on his cheek, then rested her forehead against his cheek, just drawing warmth and comfort from the presence of her wonderful boyfriend who saved her. The best person in the world, in her mind, and just.. he made her feel so safe in this moment, safe and warm.


His offer had her lifting her head and studying him, a smile slowly crossing her face and getting bigger over the course of several seconds. "That would be even more wonderful. I would be... eternally grateful, baby. I don't even have words for how much that would mean to me."


Pao -
Her enthusiasm was met but an amused but loving laugh, and he closed his eyes and just reveled in the fact that his amazing girlfriend was still here with him, safe and sound and now hopefully at least feeling a little better and more cheerful than she had been when she woke. He stayed in moment until she looked up at him, and he looked right back down at her.


His smile slowly grew to match hers, beaming with all the love he felt for her at her answer to his offer. "Good," was all he could really think to say to that. He reached a hand up to her cheek though, as he kept his eyes on hers. "Mm...I love you, baby."


Aria -
"I love you too, Rhys." She hugged him gently, leaning against his hand, her eyes focused on his beautiful green ones, pushing away all the thoughts of how she came close to never seeing them again. She sighed softly, as she made herself focus on the now, on the fact that she was alive and he was alive, and they were there, together.


Finally she murmured "Baby, can we lay back? I'm still pretty tired and don't want to risk falling asleep like this. Might get a crick, and I bet you're still stiff from sleeping in that horrible position you were in when I first woke."


Pao -
He gently caressed her cheek with his thumb, already lost in her gorgeous blue eyes and in the shared moment, however brief. At her request he nodded and gave her a bit of room to adjust first. "I'm fine," he said as he scooted down so he was soon settling in beside her again. He was a little less than fine, but didn't see the need to make her worry so he downplayed it a little.


"Maybe a little stiff, but a good rest should get rid of it just fine."


Aria -
"Make sure to take a hot shower, too, while out, babe. It'll help the last of the stiffness fade." She wasn't stupid, she knew he didn't want her to worry about him, and suspected he was, in fact, downplaying how stiff he was. "Wish I could give you a massage, but..." She sighed softly, between his touch issues, and her arm, that wasn't going to be happening in the next few days.


"And if you want, we could just take a nap, here and now?" She managed to control the urge to yawn, not wanting to seem like she was in a rush to get more sleep.


Pao -
He nodded at her suggestion, all too familiar with that particular method of getting rid of the aches and pains after a good workout. "I'll make sure to do that, babe," he murmured, giving her a little smile full of gratitude. Though the offer to give him a massage made his smile tilt a bit sideways as he thought about what they still had left to get over.


"A nap sounds good, though," he eventually skipped ahead, not wanting those thoughts to take center stage. He wanted to keep the focus on Seren, because right now her recovery topped his priority list. "You should be getting lots of rest, anyway. And I'll be right here if that'll help you sleep well."


Aria -
She snuggled in close once they were both settled back on the bed, and snuggled in, nuzzling into him a little for the comfort, and simply because it felt nice too. "Good. I don't want you all stiff, after you slept like that, over worries about me." She gently squeezed his hand, and then closed her eyes, feeling comfortable... well, as comfortable as possible with a big stitched up wound on her arm... and warm, and safe.


"All right... that sounds awesome, love. Thank you for... everything." She murmured, before closing her eyes again, and just getting as close to her normal sleep position as she could manage on this unfamiliar bed. It did not take much time at all for her to drift off in his arms.


Pao -
He kissed her forehead, chuckling a little bit as she voiced her concerns. He only nodded his response though, and then sighed contentedly as she snuggled in and quickly drifted off.


While normally he would have gone to sleep soon after her, this time he sort of just lay awake for a time, eyes on the ceiling and his thoughts wandering. Occasionally he would lean a bit and glance down at her adorable sleeping face, expression soft and loving as his worries melted away at the sight. It took a couple of hours for him to finally fall asleep, cheek resting against her head, but laying there with her safe in her arms settled his nerves well enough that he was able to have a quiet, restful sleep.


Aria -
Hours later, she woke up, feel much better, at least on the 'rested' scale. Her arm still ached, no surprise, but she was no longer feeling like she'd been slammed into walls repeatedly. Which of course she had been, and also slammed with water, etc. Here, she was asleep and safe and warm and happy. She shifted, just a little, to look at her boyfriend.


She found herself smiling, feeling happier then she had when she woke up earlier. It all felt more real now, that she had survived and she was safe and with him. She considered, and tried to just give him a gentle kiss, hoping not to wake him.


Pao -
He'd slept peacefully, but not particularly deep, so when she kissed him he stirred lightly, slowly smiling at the sensation. "G'morning," he murmured, refusing to open his eyes for a moment and instead choosing to turn and bury his face in her hair.


"Sleep good, babe?" he asked, voice muffled given his position. He did feel a hell of a lot better than earlier, though the aches were still on the cusp of completely fading so moving, while not "difficult," was still uncomfortable.


Aria -
She chuckled at his automatic comment, and she hugged him close, snuggling in a little more. "Barely... I think it's probably close to 11:30. But good morning, love." She closed her eyes again, loving the feeling of him resting like this against her. He made her feel so happy.


She smiled at his question. "Mmmm yes, like I usually do when I'm in your arms, love..." She murmured. Frankly, she was amazed that they'd missed a nightmare episode for her since they'd been sleeping together. She knew it would happen someday, but so far they'd avoided it, and it made her happier.


Pao -
"Good," was all that came out after a beat, and he nestled against her for just a bit longer before finally pulling back, sighing quietly as he looked down at her. "Me, too," he said, still quietly as he took in her features for the umpteenth time since they started their relationship. He reached up to gently brush his fingers across her cheek, then he slowly traced her jaw down until his fingers gently cupped her chin.


"Better than bein' hunched over like I was last night, that's for damn sure."


Aria -
She leaned into his gentle touches, eyes just focused on his, admiring them, watching the way he looked at her. She loved the emotions she could see in them when he was in these moments, and it left her feeling warm and soft inside. She leaned up to give him a small kiss on the cheek, not wanting the morning breath she was sure she had to blast him in the face.


"I bet, love... I can only imagine how horribly uncomfortable you must have been..."


Pao -
He smirked at the kiss, returning it with one to her forehead as she spoke. "It wasn't that bad, but a bed is obviously better." He grinned then and cuddled in close, knowing that he'd have to leave soon to go grab her stuff and get ready for his own shift. Not to mention he hadn't eaten yet, though he wasn't feeling the hunger most likely because his concern for her outweighed that need at the moment.


"You said you wanted your brush and...what else?"


Aria -
"The angle you were bent at had to hurt your lower back, babe." She nuzzled into his neck, closing her eyes again for a long moment. "But I'm glad it wasn't too bad. I'd feel a touch guilty." She pressed her lips to his neck, soft and gentle, and sighed. "I'm assuming, given you got my stuff, you snagged my keys while I was unconscious?" She asked, not sure if he had mentioned it or not. "Thank you for doing so... It means a lot to be in warm, clean clothing, rather than a hospital robe, or damp, wrinkled stuff."


She blinked, and smiled. "A couple extra changes, and my toothbrush and toothpaste."


Pao -
"An hour on a foam roller should get out the rest of the kinks," he murmured, sighing as she nuzzled and showed her affection. There were still times he couldn't quite wrap his head around the fact that he had a girlfriend that he loved and that loved him right back...years ago if someone had told him he would be so lucky he might have actually socked them in the face for mocking him.


"Yeah," he was about to apologize for grabbing them without permission when she thanked him, so he held his tongue and gave a soft smile instead. "I'm hoping there won't be a next time, but if there is can I take that as permission to do that again? And okay."


He mentally repeated the short list so he didn't forget by the time he got back to her dorm.


Aria -
"If that works, good..." She murmured back, her good arm tightening round him, lovingly, for a moment. "And a hot shower should finish the job." She found herself wondering, for a moment, if the idea of standing in pouring water was going to be scary the next time she tried to do it... After all, that's what that insane Student had assaulted her with. Lots and lots of water, pouring on to her.


She hoped not. It would not improve her life to have to battle another PTSD-ish reaction.


She smiled up at him and said "I hope so too, but with this job, better safe than sorry. Of course you have my permission... You practically live with me already, after all." Once they'd gone to London, it would be dealt with, and he would live with her. "I trust you with my life. I trust you with my heart. What are my keys, next to that?" She said, in a loving and slightly teasing way.


Pao -
"Mm, a hot shower..." he hadn't given relaxation much thought beyond laying in bed with her, so when she mentioned it he immediately added it to his to-do list for when he finally went. It wasn't enough to make him want to run though...because she was still here, and truth be told he didn't want to leave her until he absolutely had to.


He kissed the top of her head as she spoke, lips curls up in a small smile, one filled with love and just a hint of amusement at the teasing tone near the end. "Guess a small piece of my brain's kinda slow on the uptake," he chuckled as he gave her a squeeze. "And I love you, too."


Aria -
"Make sure to take one... I feel gross, and wish I could, but I bet I'm not allowed to until that..." She nods at her stitched up arm. "Heals enough they can take those out." She sighed and shuddered some, her skin already crawling a little at the idea of going more than a day or so without a shower.


She smiled at the kiss, enjoying the feeling as she always did. It always managed to make her feel warm and loved, and safe. "Yes, I do love you. And it's ok... I'm here to remind you that I trust you that much, any time you're worried about it. If I had a spare key, I'd have given it to you weeks ago, after all." She had offered, well before the incident, let alone the week in Siberia.


Pao -
"I will, just not rushing to leave." He sighed after glancing at her arm, thinking it'd take at least another day before they could pull the stitches. They healed quick but not instantly, so he imagined she'd be a little uncomfortable going without a shower for another day or so. "Hopefully a few books and havin' me around helps with passing that time," he said softly before taking his eyes off of the wound and nuzzling into her a little bit more.


He couldn't help sticking close, especially after what she said. "Might need those reminders sometimes, but just gotta say that the reminders are a mutual thing if you ever doubt that I love and trust you with everything that I've got."


Aria -
She gave him a warm smile at his comment, glad to know he wanted to be here, even over a shower that might help him relax. "Good... At least one of us will feel clean." She sighed as well, and looked up at him, from where she was resting her head on his shoulder. "I just hope that I don't end up too smelly, I don't wanna make your nose have to deal with that. But yeah..." She kissed his neck again. She was going to try not to kiss him properly til she brushed her teeth, because of the breath thing, even though she really wanted to. "Having you here will help. The books will be a bonus."


She smiled softly and pressed another kiss in, simply because his words made her smile. "I'll always be willing to remind you, whenever you need it." Was all she said, though, her arms a gentle level of tight around her wonderful boyfriend.


Pao -
Her concern about hygiene was one he expected, but he chuckled anyway and gave her another kiss to her forehead to reciprocate her kiss. "I doubt it'll be that bad, baby. You're just gonna be lying here so not like you'll be a sweaty mess." Though even then he never had any complaints when they worked out.


"Thank you, baby," was all he could say again at her words before sighing. "Alright, I really wanna kiss you so how 'bout I go get cleaned up and get your stuff? Shouldn't take too long...maybe an hour, tops?"


Aria -
She made a slight face and sighed. "I guess. I just hate being gross and dirty. It's been a long time since I've had to wait to take a shower because of injuries..." Her voice went a little small for a moment, because the last time had been more challenging than those and involved her back, of course. She closed her eyes for a moment, before sighing and trying to force herself to calm down and focus on him. "Well, at the worst, I shouldn't get quite as wiffy as you did, when you were stuck here." She patted his arm, gently, above his scar. "I definitely feel bad for you during that time. It had to feel disgusting."


His next words made her sigh for a moment, but she nodded softly. "Yeah... Alright. I'll be right here when you return." She said that last bit in a silly voice.


Pao -
When her voice changed, however slightly, he gave her a little squeeze and a kiss to her head, hoping it'd keep her from going too far back and settling on those memories. Thankfully it didn't seem like she would be, though, and at her words he thought back to his extended stay after his promotion and wrinkled his nose. "Yeah, disgusting's a pretty good word for it."


When she voiced her agreement to his plans he chuckled and gave her a quick hug before peeling himself away and getting up, doing a few little stretches to get his muscles going again once he was on his feet. "Alright, I'll shoot you a text when I'm on my way back."


With that the brunette headed out. He got in a quick shower before running up and grabbing the things she asked for, and he even swung by the kitchen and got her some tea before he headed back to the infirmary. It was only then that he sent her the promised text message, and then he started on his way back.