Jora could feel the weight of his hesitation, the quiet relief in his touch as he leaned into her. She knew Sage better than anyone, could read the subtle shifts in his body language and tone that others missed. The words he didn't say were just as clear as the ones he did—maybe even clearer.

Her fingers found their way to his hair, brushing through it gently, a slow rhythm that said she was here. *I’m here*. No pressure, no expectations—just the quiet promise of understanding.

"You're welcome," she whispered softly, her voice like a warm thread between them. She didn’t need him to explain more; she felt it too. The things unsaid, the space between them that wasn’t filled with desire or urgency, but trust. It was enough, and somehow, it was everything.

She let the silence stretch, comfortable and steady, as if she were holding both of their worlds in the space of that simple moment.

Jora could feel the steady rise and fall of Sage's breath against her shoulder as he relaxed further, his weight settling more comfortably into her. She stayed still, content, letting the silence stretch between them. It wasn’t uncomfortable; it was easy. The kind of stillness that spoke volumes without the need for words.

She could tell he was drifting again, the faint shift of his head against her confirming it. She didn't mind. She liked having him here, close. He was quieter than usual, but that was alright too. She knew when to give him space. When to let him rest and when to let him fight through whatever it was that kept him tangled in his own mind.

Her fingers gently traced idle patterns along his arm, a subtle reassurance, something grounding for both of them. She knew there was a weight in him that would take time to lift. He was strong, but even the strongest people had cracks that didn’t heal overnight. She’d seen those cracks in him, the parts he kept hidden, the things he wasn’t ready to share yet. But she didn’t mind waiting. He didn’t need to be ready now. She would be there whenever he was.

The way he felt against her—vulnerable but trusting—was enough for now. More than enough. She could already sense his resolve, how he was pulling himself together. But in this moment, they were both just here, sharing quiet company, the future not so far away and not too pressing.

She could wait. For him. For whatever came next.

And as his breathing evened out and the tension finally slipped away from his frame, she felt her own pulse slow in sync with his, her heart quieting just as his had. This was the calm she needed too.

Jora stirred when she heard Sage's soft hum, her eyes fluttering open to meet the gentle light of the morning sun. She blinked a few times, still half-lost in the warmth of the moment, but the sight of him beside her—his sleepy smile, the quiet comfort of him near—made everything feel just right.

"Morning," she murmured back, her voice low and a little raspy from sleep, but still soft, warm.

She shifted slightly, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her face and offering him a sleepy smile in return. The way he looked at her, like she was the best part of his world, made her heart feel a little lighter, a little fuller. It was a rare kind of peace, one she wasn’t used to, but definitely didn’t want to lose.

His question about her sleep brought her attention back to the moment, and she hummed softly, settling a little closer to him, her hand brushing lightly over his. "I slept okay," she replied, voice soft but steady. "I think it’s easier when you’re here." She paused, her lips curling into a more teasing smile, but there was a warmth behind it. "You make a pretty good pillow." she repeats what he told her before when he used her as a pillow.

It was true, though. Being near him—feeling his presence, his quiet warmth—made the night feel safer, more peaceful.

She took in a deep breath, her eyes briefly fluttering closed again, just savoring the stillness. She could easily stay here like this forever, basking in the simplicity of it all.

Jora's eyes fluttered open at the soft sound of his voice, the warmth of it easing her from sleep. The quiet of the room, the gentle light filtering through the window, and the steady rhythm of his breathing beside her—it all felt so natural, so right. A peaceful, calm morning, with no pressing worries or harsh reminders of the chaos that usually loomed around them. She glanced at him, the faint smile on his lips catching her attention.

For a moment, she simply studied him, noticing how relaxed he seemed despite everything. His wounds were still there, still present in the way he moved, but there was something else too—something softer. The light in his eyes when he looked at her, that unspoken understanding between them, made her heart swell. It was like he didn’t need to hide behind anything anymore. Not with her. And in that moment, she didn’t want him to.

Jora shifted slightly, resting her head against the pillow and letting out a quiet hum in response to his soft chuckle. It felt good to see him laugh, even a little, like the weight of the world wasn’t bearing down on him as heavily. She reached for his hand without thinking, her fingers brushing against his, seeking that quiet connection. His warmth, the comfort of being near him—it made everything feel lighter, even with the storm brewing in the back of her mind.

For now, though, she could push those thoughts away. He was healing, both physically and, maybe, in ways he didn’t even know. And she would be there, by his side, through every step of it.

"I’m glad you're feeling better," she murmured, voice soft but steady, her gaze lingering on him. She didn’t want to push, didn’t want to bring up the things that worried him—she could feel his hesitations, his fears even if he didn’t say them aloud. Not yet, anyway.

But for now, they were together, and in that quiet, simple moment, that was enough.

Jora smiled softly as Sage's hand found hers, his fingers lacing with hers in that almost tentative way he had, like he was still a little unsure if it was okay to want something so simple, so peaceful. She squeezed his hand lightly, just to reassure him, to remind him that everything between them was... easy. Calm. At least for now.

She noticed his shift, the way he finally spoke up about his thirst, and the concern crept into her expression, though she tried not to let it show too much. They'd both been through so much, and she couldn't blame him for wanting to forget about it, if only for a moment. But she knew they needed to take care of themselves too.

"Yeah," she said, her voice soft but purposeful. "I'll retrieve water for you" She gave him a small, reassuring smile before adding, "Don’t want you passing out on me, alright?"

Jora didn’t let go of his hand, keeping it there just for a second longer, as if grounding both of them to the moment. Then, with a quick breath, she got up, already feeling the familiar weight of their situation settling back in. It would be fine. They’d be fine. But for now, she just wanted to keep him close. She ventured out of the room, navigating through all the twists of the corridors. She then managed to find the water. She took 4 bottles before bringing them to Sage. "Just incase you get thirsty again" she explains to him