Shattered Innocence

Bound by Love and Resolve

I support him as we transfer him onto the plane, and after a few hours, we touch down near the mansion once more, bringing him inside for further treatment. Lily is prepared and has transformed the lab into a makeshift medical room. She assists me in connecting the necessary equipment while I explain the soldier's condition.

Lily's intelligence and competence are evident, and I finally ascend the stairs, trusting her to care for him. Undressing, I step into the shower, allowing the warm water to wash away the traces of blood. Weariness weighs heavily on me, threatening to pull me under. This week began with joy and love, surrounded by my family and my beloved, and now I wash away the blood of a nearly lifeless soldier who has been subjected to experimentation.

The knowledge that the man responsible for all of this remains one step ahead of us weighs heavily on my heart. I feel like a failure for not uncovering the truth and protecting the man downstairs.

I failed to safeguard my family. As if sensing my turmoil, Nora wraps her arms around me from behind, her naked body pressed against mine, still warm from the shower. I shudder, and tears escape my closed eyes.

"Are you alright?" she asks gently.

"No," I admit, my voice choked with emotion. "Not at all." Turning to face her, she pulls my head to her chest, but I sink to my knees, resting my forehead against her stomach. She caresses my hair and back, whispering comforting words, and then she joins me on the floor, wiping away my tears.

"You did everything you could."

"Did I?" I whisper, searching her gaze. I feel exposed and vulnerable.

"I feel like I let everyone down. We continue to fight, but is it enough? People are suffering, and I can't save them all."

"You can't save everyone," she responds firmly, causing me to pause.

"We do what we can, but I won't allow you to lose yourself or sacrifice everything to save the world."

"But—"

"No, you've spent so long taking care of others, but now it's my turn to care for you, Ivan. I'll be there for you when you can't be there for yourself. You did everything within your power, and that's what we'll keep doing. But never at the cost of your own well-being and happiness. So tell me now, and we'll stop and turn away."

"We can't—"

"We can if it means saving you and keeping you by our side," she argues, determination gleaming in her eyes, as if she would battle any inferno for me. I believe she would, this wounded and resilient warrior. I believe she would fight against anything to protect us.

"I love you," I confess without reservation.

"I know," she grins.

"I love you too, and that's precisely why I won't let you self-destruct." Holding me close, she provides solace as I let myself break, and then she washes away the remnants of my sorrow before helping me into fresh clothes.

Nora sits me on the closed toilet lid, brushing my hair, and throughout the process, I keep my head against her stomach, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. I begin to rebuild myself as she tends to me, and I must admit, it's comforting to have someone care for me in this way. When she tilts my chin up and kisses me, appraising me with a nod, my heart swells.

"Perfect," she declares. I surrender that last fragment of myself to her, to my Nora, my protector, my love.

"You determine your own future, Ivan, and wherever you go, your family will follow. We can't do this without you." I know she's right, and the others look to me for guidance. Perhaps I'm not the strongest or the fastest, but I am the healer, their confidant, and their friend.

"I-I need to see this through. We all do. I just had a moment of weakness."

"We all have those," she murmurs softly, tenderly stroking my face.

"But you'll never have to face them alone." I smile then, pulling her close and kissing her until a knock interrupts us.

"The plane is here." Those simple words convey understanding, and I wonder if he heard everything. Mikhail is skilled in that regard.

"The plane is here," she whispers.

"We must continue forward to bring an end to this. That's how we'll save him and all the others. Are you with me?" She extends her hand, and without hesitation, I place mine in hers.

"Always."