The soft glow of the evening sun faded into twilight, and the Winx Club had gathered around Flora's bedside, ready to offer comfort for the night. Flora had been in a regressed state for several hours now, her speech and behavior becoming increasingly childlike, her voice high-pitched and almost unrecognizable as the Flora they knew. Helia had been by her side the longest, holding her gently as she clung to him, her tiny hands grasping his shirt like a lifeline. Despite her age regression, there was still a deep recognition in her eyes whenever she looked at him—an understanding that she was safe, cared for, and loved. She had become more fragile, more tender, her vulnerability apparent in every soft word and motion."I love you, Helia," Flora had whispered earlier, her words quiet and unsteady as she snuggled against his chest. It wasn't a typical "I love you" for a romantic partner; it was the innocent love of a child who found security in the arms of someone they trusted."I love you too, Flora," Helia whispered back, his heart swelling with affection. "You don't have to worry about anything. We'll take care of you."Bloom, who had been quietly standing by the door, her hands folded together in thought, finally spoke up. "It's incredible how deeply she's regressed," she said, a soft, concerned frown on her face. "Her body is fighting this fever so hard, but it seems like it's taking a lot out of her. And in that... she's retreated to a more vulnerable place. It's like she's not just physically ill, but emotionally overwhelmed too."Musa nodded, looking at Flora with a gentle smile. "It's like her mind needs to find a safe space. A place where she can let go of the responsibilities she's always carried. I think she's just so used to being strong for all of us that when she's unwell, her body and mind just... let her regress.""Let's keep her surrounded with love, then," Stella said with a warm, radiant smile. "She needs to feel safe and loved right now, more than ever. She doesn't need to be the strong one. We've got her."With that, the Winx Club made sure Flora was settled comfortably in bed. They each took turns sitting with her, ensuring she never felt alone. As the night drew near, they knew it would be important to keep her calm and ensure that she had everything she needed. ---Flora, still feverish and in her regressed state, continued to speak in soft, babyish tones. Her small voice barely rose above a whisper as she asked for things she might not have normally needed. "Can I have more blanky?" she asked, her words slow and quiet, like she wasn't quite sure what she was asking for.Musa, who had been sitting at Flora's bedside with a calming lullaby playlist gently playing on her phone, immediately responded. "Of course, Flora," she said gently, standing to adjust the blanket around Flora's shoulders. Flora snuggled deeper into it, looking up at Musa with wide, innocent eyes."Wanna play..." Flora murmured, her voice slipping in and out of clarity. She reached out to the small stack of toys that had been placed nearby—stuffed animals, blocks, and other comforting items. Her hands shook slightly as she grasped the plush bunny, pulling it close to her chest. "Bunny... wuv you..." she whispered, squeezing the toy tightly.Bloom, who had been sitting beside Flora, smiled tenderly. "Would you like us to play with you, sweetie?" she asked softly.Flora's eyes brightened, her small hands reaching toward the others. "Play..." she repeated, her tone hopeful and childlike, as if the simple act of playing would bring her comfort. She babbled softly, her words like a gentle stream. "Pwease... play wif me?"Stella, ever the one to bring joy and lightness, smiled and sat down next to Flora on the bed, taking one of the stuffed animals and gently playing with it. "Of course, little one," Stella cooed, making the stuffed bunny hop across Flora's lap. "Let's make bunny hop all around, shall we?"Flora giggled, the sound pure and innocent, as she watched the bunny hop. "Hop, hop!" she cheered, her voice high-pitched, her fingers reaching out to touch the bunny. "Bunny hop... fun!"Tecna, who had been quietly observing from the corner of the room, chuckled softly. "I think she's starting to feel more at ease. She seems more relaxed now.""I think you're right," Bloom agreed. "The toys help her feel safe. It's like she's regressed into a simpler, more peaceful time in her life. And we're here to make sure she stays in that safe place."The group spent the next hour playing with Flora, indulging her requests for cuddles, toys, and little games. Despite the illness that had brought her to this state, it was clear that Flora was comforted by the routine of play. It was a place where she didn't have to worry about responsibilities, where she didn't have to be strong. It was a place where she could simply be herself, a vulnerable young woman who needed love and care.---As the night wore on, Flora's fever remained high, though her regressed state seemed to offer her some comfort. Still, she was far from her normal self. Occasionally, she would call out for things she needed, her voice soft and helpless, asking for more water, or for someone to hold her hand, or to tuck her in again. She was becoming more and more childlike, her speech returning to the kind of baby talk she hadn't used in years. At one point, she looked up at Layla, her face soft and drowsy. "Layla... pwease... hold me...?"Layla immediately stepped forward, gently sitting beside Flora and pulling her into her arms. Flora nestled against her, looking up with innocent eyes, too weak to even form coherent words. "Fwora... tired..." she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. Layla stroked her hair softly, her heart aching with affection. "I've got you, Flora. You can sleep. We're all here. No need to worry."Flora let out a soft sigh of relief, her body finally relaxing into the warmth of Layla's embrace. "Wuv you..." she whispered again, her voice full of innocent love."You're safe now," Layla whispered, kissing the top of Flora's head. "We'll take care of you."---As the night passed, Flora's fever began to stabilize. She was still deep in her regressed state, but the Winx Club had created a cocoon of safety and love around her that allowed her to heal. They all took turns staying with her, keeping her comfortable, and offering her small doses of medication to ease her fever and discomfort. They kept a constant watch over her, never leaving her side, always reassured by the bond they shared.By the time the first light of dawn peeked through the curtains, Flora's fever had broken. She was still in a childlike state, but the warmth and care of her friends had begun to bring her back from the brink of her vulnerability. Her breathing had steadied, and her small hands gripped the stuffed bunny she had been holding so tightly throughout the night. She was no longer as flushed or feverish, and the soft shine in her eyes slowly began to return.Flora let out a soft yawn and blinked, her eyes taking in the familiar faces of her friends around her. Her voice, still soft and high-pitched, broke the silence. "Is... is it morning?" she asked, her words a little groggy."It is," Bloom answered gently, smiling at her. "You've been resting for a while, but how do you feel now?"Flora blinked again, her gaze shifting between the girls. "I... I feel... better?" she said cautiously, her voice still childlike but clearer than before."You're doing great, Flora," Stella said, her smile radiant. "You're getting better already."Flora looked at them all, a smile tugging at her lips as she let out a contented sigh. "I'm... so lucky... to have you all," she whispered softly, the words full of gratitude. "Thank you."The Winx Club all gathered closer, forming a circle of warmth around Flora, each of them offering their support in their own way. They didn't need to say anything more. Flora didn't need to be strong for them anymore. She simply needed to be cared for, and in that moment, surrounded by the love of her friends, Flora knew that everything would be okay.---
