In the Shadows~zayn au~Completed ✅EDITING

~Chapter 67: Buckets and Suspicions~

                  

A/N: Well, I wish I could say that busyness is the culprit for taking so long to update, but , alas, that is not the case. Looking for a job sucks, lemme tell ya.

Also, the picture at the top is the edit I'm thinking of using for the cover. Thoughts? Love it? Hate it? Should I keep the cover I have? Let me knoooow!

Regardless, here is a longer update. Hope you like it. There's a bit of news dropped that will come up later if I can swing it soooooo VOTE, COMMENT, but most of all: ENJOY :)

Zayn woke her regularly over the next few days, making sure she had moved positions and giving her water.

The most demeaning moment came when she needed to relieve herself. She couldn't very well go all the way to the hull of the ship where the head was, so she was forced to squat over a bucket, assisted by Zayn. He'd brought her a clean set of clothing, but she was still weak as a babe and needed help moving around. She was getting stronger, albeit at an excruciatingly slow pace.

Her voice returned just as slowly. As it was, her tone was rough and she feared it would never recover the timbre she was used to hearing in her own head. To her ear, she sounded like someone who had been smoking most of their life.

Now as Zayn came in, carrying her food and bucket, she decided she'd had enough.

"How are you feeling this morning?" he asked, setting the bucket down by the door and carrying the food over to the bed.

"I-I need to relieve myself," she admitted. No matter how many times he'd helped her in this exact situation, she could never get over the embarrassment. Today was going to be different, though. Today she would not be using the bucket.

"Why don't you eat first?" he suggested. "We'll save the more unwholesome activities for last."

"I'd like to go to the head," she replied stubbornly.

"Kalysta, no," he sighed. "You're still too weak."

"I want to try." She set her jaw and pinched her eyebrows, hoping he'd see that she meant business. There was no way she would give up before trying. Today she was feeling extremely refreshed. "My food can be a reward for getting there and back.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea." His voice was cautious. He joined her, sitting on the bed.

"Please?" she begged. Her dignity was entirely gone. "If I spend another day in this cabin I'm going to lose my mind."

He sighed again, looking resigned. "We can try, alright?" he clarified. "If I see that it's too much strain on you then it is back to here and you'll use the bucket."

"Yes, master," she agreed, rolling her eyes. "I'd think you'd be eager to have me up and about so you don't have to help me on the bucket."

"I want you to make a full recovery." Now his voice was earnest. "Whatever that takes, I'm willing to do. I've seen people bed-ridden from an accident like yours. You'll recover at your own pace and I don't want to push that."

"I do, however." Kalysta was adamant. She would go on deck today, and use a normal privy for herself.

"Very well," he acquiesced, standing. He set the bag on the bed and readied himself. "I want you to put your arms around my neck," he instructed, crouching. "I'll lift you up and then shift my support to start walking, alright?"

She nodded, doing as he said. When she had locked arms around his neck, he stood carefully, his hands gripping her waist.

"Are you alright?" he breathed when they reached a full stance.