The Winx had all left for a trip to a nearby magical realm to investigate strange disturbances in the natural world. Flora had stayed behind, her energy drained from the emotional toll she'd been under recently. While the girls were away, the specialists—Sky, Brandon, Helia, Nabu, Riven, and Timmy—had agreed to help take care of Flora for the day. It wasn't the first time they'd been asked to step in when the Winx needed a break, but this time felt a little different. The atmosphere was more subdued, more focused on Flora's emotional needs than anything else.Flora had decided to allow herself to lean into her vulnerability and spend the day in her "little space," a mental and emotional place where she could feel safe and comforted. It wasn't a decision she made lightly; it was one that felt necessary for her well-being. After all, even the strongest people sometimes need time to let their guard down and rely on others.The specialists knew that Flora's emotional state had been fragile lately, and they were all more than willing to help. They had seen how much Flora had been carrying on her shoulders—how strong she tried to be, even when she was struggling—and they wanted to make her feel safe and supported.---It was around mid-morning when Flora entered the common area of Alfea, her usual gentle smile replaced by a soft, distant expression. She wasn't feeling quite herself, and she felt the urge to retreat further into her little space. As she sat down on the couch, the specialists exchanged glances, all silently acknowledging the delicate situation.Sky, always the most observant, walked over and sat beside Flora, noticing how her posture was different than usual—smaller, more withdrawn. He was the first to speak."Flora, how are you feeling today?" he asked softly, his tone gentle. Flora blinked up at him, her eyes slightly wide, and she responded with a quiet, almost childlike, "I don't know... I just don't feel like being grown-up today."Sky gave her a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Flora. You don't have to be 'grown-up' all the time. You can take a break. We're all here to help you however you need."Helia, who had been sitting nearby, overheard and nodded in agreement. "You don't have to do anything today, Flora. You can just relax. We'll handle everything."Flora gave a small sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing as she leaned into Sky's side, finding comfort in his presence. She had been so tired of trying to be the strong one all the time. The idea of just letting go and allowing herself to be cared for felt like a weight lifted from her chest.Brandon and Riven, who had been talking quietly on the other side of the room, exchanged a glance. "So... what should we do?" Brandon asked, looking to the others for guidance.Riven raised an eyebrow but smiled. "I guess we'll just have to keep Flora busy and make sure she's comfortable." Nabu, always practical, stood up. "I'll go get her some snacks and some things to keep her occupied. Maybe a coloring book or something relaxing." He turned to Flora. "What do you feel like doing today, Flora?"Flora looked up at Nabu, her lips pressing into a soft smile. "Maybe... maybe just sitting and resting today. But I'd like some tea, if that's okay?""Of course," Nabu said with a warm smile, quickly heading to the kitchen.The specialists worked together seamlessly, each of them understanding the importance of making Flora feel safe. Helia, noticing Flora's disconnection from the world around her, sat next to her and gently pulled a blanket over her legs. "If you'd like, we can watch something light or just sit here," he said, his voice calming.Flora gave a small nod, her head resting against Sky's shoulder. She felt her heart rate slow as she let herself simply exist in the quiet, without the pressure to be anything. It was like floating in a peaceful, quiet space, away from the noise of her thoughts. Timmy, who was more quiet and reserved, was the one to bring over a small set of jigsaw puzzles. "I thought you might like this," he said softly, setting the puzzle pieces in front of Flora. "We can work on it together if you want."Flora looked at the puzzle pieces, a flicker of interest in her eyes. She nodded slowly, her fingers lightly brushing the pieces. "Okay... that sounds nice," she whispered.As the day continued, Flora began to settle deeper into her little space. She was quieter than usual, but the specialists made sure she was never alone. They took turns sitting with her, helping her with small tasks, and offering comfort whenever she needed it. It wasn't about pushing her to do anything; it was about making sure she felt safe and cared for. They respected her boundaries and allowed her to simply exist in a space of vulnerability without judgment.---Lunchtime came, and Flora was still feeling more withdrawn, though she had started to smile here and there. She wasn't hungry at first, but the warmth of the food and the calm atmosphere eventually coaxed her to eat."I can feed you if you'd like, Flora," Sky offered gently, noticing how she was still hesitant to feed herself. He sat down beside her, offering a spoonful of soup.Flora blinked up at him, surprised by the offer. But it felt comforting, and she allowed herself to lean into the act of being cared for. "Thank you, Sky," she said softly, accepting the spoonful with a grateful smile.Sky smiled back, feeding her slowly and making sure she was comfortable. "It's no trouble at all. Just relax."---As the afternoon passed, Flora began to feel more at ease with the specialists' presence. They were all patient with her, never pushing her to act differently than she felt. If she needed help with anything, they were there. If she wanted to sit quietly, they respected that too.By the time the Winx returned later that evening, Flora had spent the day in a calm and secure environment. She had felt supported and loved, and though she wasn't entirely back to her usual self, she felt a little more at peace. The specialists had done exactly what she needed: they gave her space to be vulnerable, but they also made sure she never felt alone.When the Winx entered the common room, they immediately noticed the change in Flora. She was more relaxed, her usual warmth and kindness starting to return."Flora, how are you doing?" Bloom asked gently, walking over to her.Flora looked up at her friends, her smile a little shy but full of gratitude. "I'm doing better. I think I just needed some time to rest... and you all helped me with that," she said, looking at each of the specialists in turn, her heart full of appreciation.Sky stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Flora, his smile full of warmth. "She was a joy to take care of today," he said softly. "She just needed a little extra care, that's all."Flora's eyes softened as she looked at him, her heart swelling with love for her friends. "Thank you," she whispered, "for being there for me."The Winx smiled, and Flora could sense that they were all proud of her for allowing herself to accept help when she needed it most. "Don't worry, Flora," Bloom said kindly. "You're never alone. We're always here for you."Flora felt a surge of warmth in her chest, and for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel the need to carry everything alone. Today, with the help of her friends, she had learned that it was okay to let go. It was okay to let others care for her.And that was enough for her—for now, at least.---
