DOOM SAGA I - I'll be home tomorrow

Matthew 19:29

Argent d'Nur

When she came down the stairs she heard a busy rummaging as Valis worked on her household chores, Aether sitting on a warm carpet on the other side of the room, playing with some wooden blocks and sticks from outside. Intrigued she quietly walked past the table and stood before him. He looked up at her gleaming gaze, and smiled, before holding up a big block for her. Timidly she smiled back and overcoming her hesitation she knelt down to start building a tower with it.

"Hold on, I'm no young wolf anymore...", Valen scoffed as the Slayer escorted him up the stairs and back inside. When they opened the door, lively noises saturated the air. Io was running around with Aether, a small blanket knotted around her shoulders like a cape as they fought imaginary creatures around the house. He had to jump aside as they dashed by and he could barely believe seeing her that energetic and loud. The men sat down at the table, watching them nearly run over Valis as she was poking the fire in the pit and shoving hot coals to the back. Her laughter was mesmerizing to hear and he closed his eyes to soak in this very moment. A tender smile crawled upon his lips. It should always be like this, he thought.
He felt the tingle of the hairs in his neck before he even felt the pain stabbing his chest. He jumped from his seat to reach out as Io's legs gave away, stumbling abruptly. It all happened in just a second, making the others shriek in shock and turn to them.
Helplessly she hung half on his shoulder, and he held her secure while he knelt on the floor. Her body buckled as it fought for air but the spasm in her chest wouldn't let her breathe, lines of saliva running from her gaping mouth. Her arms and legs feebly looked for more hold, more strength, and he firmly kept his hand on the base of her head. Panic would be the least helpful thing. It would be over soon.
He knew she did not hear him as her head was drowned in noise and lightning, but he whispered to her anyway. She moved, and slammed her teeth into his shoulder. Deep. Mercilessly.
He grunted quietly; it helped her to stifle the screams of dread. Still holding onto her head when she found air again, leaning even deeper into him, he calmly stuck his hand inside her pants, reaching for the touch button to stop the alarm that was endlessly calling.
He was calm. Unnaturally calm, focusing on nothing but her.
He raised her up and carried her away, upstairs, where nobody could see them... hear them...
She needed time to collect herself, and others -- strangers -- had seen her like this would bother her for longer than her condition. The embarrassment was already drawn into the folds of her face when he laid her down and sat at her side waiting. The struggle of her feelings was being depicted as a whole movie of expressions, but barely any tear fell. She was getting stronger, though this one had been bad. She would be up again in no time, he thought. Minutes passed when she was calming, snuggling his hand to her cheek and looking into his prudent eyes as he let his head rest beside hers.
A soft knock woke them from their dreamscape and Valis pushed aside the curtain made from thick fabric to enter. She held a cup in her hand, worry was still present in her gaze. She licked her lips unsure and timidly came closer to give it to him. It was just water.
"...to drink.", she mumbled with her eyes darting between them as she tried not to stare.
"The bath will be ready in a few minutes... if you are okay with sharing it with Aether... and me...", she said laughing hesitantly, "...you can come down and...".
The Slayer opened his mouth to answer Io was quicker.
"Yes..." she uttered and nodded at her weakly.
"I would like to come...", her voice was still raspy, and contrasting her hurtful eyes a humble smile shined. She moved stiffly and took a few deep whiffs to gather her energy again.
"Can you... can you help me... Valis?", she asked and looked up to the woman.
"Uh...errr... of course!", she uttered goggle-eyes and aided her to stand up after the Slayer had made some space. He was observing her intrigued; she had never asked somebody else for help, not that there had been much chance before. But he felt that it was still taking some effort from her to open up to the woman. Yet, willpower was something she wasn't lacking for sure.