Cocooned in Love

Part 2: The Brood

The rest of the day passed quietly, with Feydris and Althar working in silent harmony as they tended to Haleigh's weakened, vulnerable form. The small home remained bathed in the soft, golden light of Zora's day, the shadows shifting gently as time moved on. The jungle outside hummed with life, but inside, the atmosphere was calm, though heavy with unspoken tension.

Haleigh lay mostly still, her body exhausted from the trauma it had endured. The tightness in her swollen abdomen was a constant reminder of the weight she carried, the eggs pressing against her insides with every subtle movement. Her mind swam with confusion, still unable to fully comprehend
what had happened to her, but she had little choice but to accept the care being given to her. The two towering mothmen moved around her, working in a rhythm that was both efficient and strangely comforting, despite her fear and pain.

Feydris and Althar communicated with one another through subtle gestures and the flicker of their antennae, their friendship apparent in the way they worked together. They rarely spoke, relying on the deep bond between them to know what the other needed.

Althar gathered fruits and herbs he had collected earlier, arranging them in a large leaf bowl before kneeling beside Haleigh. He peeled and prepared the strange, exotic fruits with care, their soft, colorful flesh gleaming in the light. His wings fluttered faintly as he worked, his golden eyes focused on ensuring that everything was ready. The aroma of the food was faintly sweet, and though Haleigh's stomach churned with anxiety, the smell made her realize just how hungry she was.

Feydris knelt on the other side of her, his long fingers still shaking slightly with the weight of guilt as he gently pressed more salve into her bruised and stretched skin. He applied it to her swollen belly with the utmost care, his touch soft and reverent, as if afraid that any wrong move might hurt her further. His wings fluttered softly, the faint rustle filling the room as he worked, his eyes flicking toward her face every so often to gauge her reaction. He could see the tension in her body, the way her lips trembled with unspoken pain, and it cut through him like a blade.

Althar reached out with a piece of soft, golden fruit, holding it close to her lips. Haleigh hesitated, her wide eyes flicking from Althar to Feydris and back again, but her body's need for nourishment overruled her fear. Her stomach growled audibly, and with a shaky hand, she accepted the offering. The fruit tasted sweet and slightly tangy, the unfamiliar flavor both strange and comforting in its own way. She chewed slowly, her body too tired to rush, and Althar patiently fed her small bites, waiting for her to take each piece.

Throughout the day, the two friends took turns caring for her, their actions coordinated and fluid. Whenever her body shifted uncomfortably beneath the weight of the eggs, Feydris would move closer, his wings gently fluttering as he helped adjust the blanket around her or applied more of the soothing salve. His antennae twitched with every change in her scent, alert to her needs but careful not to overwhelm her with his presence.

Althar, meanwhile, kept a close eye on her nourishment. He would quietly offer her more fruit, more water, his movements calm and deliberate as he ensured she had enough strength to recover. His golden eyes remained watchful, though not intrusive, always aware of her fragile state.

As the day wore on, the two Luminae worked in complete synchronicity. Feydris's deep hum, low and melodic, filled the room as he tended to her, and though Haleigh still couldn't understand him, there was something oddly soothing about the sound. She found herself leaning into the care they provided, too exhausted to resist or question the way they moved around her like silent guardians.

At one point, when Haleigh stirred from a light doze, she found Althar quietly rearranging some of the herbs in the room while Feydris remained beside her, his fingers still working gently to apply the salve. His eyes met hers briefly, and though she didn't have the strength to speak, the sadness and regret in his gaze were unmistakable.