✑【 @bledrot 】✑
Grace’s breath came shallow and uneven, one hand pressed tightly against the soaked fabric at her side as she steadied herself against the edge of the metal table. The room swayed slightly when she shifted, but she refused to let him see just how much.
For a moment, she laughed — quiet, breathless, and bitter “funny,” Grace murmured, her voice rough around the edges. “You sound almost concerned.”
Her fingers tightened against the table, forcing herself upright despite the protest from her body. Blood dripped steadily onto the sterile tile beneath her boots “but let’s not pretend this is about my health, Doctor.”
Her gaze hardened “you didn’t drag me halfway across the world because you were worried I might faint.”
A small pause lingered between them as she steadied her breathing. Then Grace tilted her head slightly, studying him through the blur creeping into the edges of her vision.
“So go ahead,” she continued quietly. “Tell me again how important I am to your /research/” her hand slid slowly toward the overturned tray beside her — not quite reaching for anything yet “…I’m sure it’ll make the blood loss feel better.”