Vode stiffened as Idara tended to his wounds, her face heated with emotion. "You can be so full of yourself," she said, her voice laced with frustration. "What were you trying to prove? That you're stronger, faster, more powerful?"
Vode's expression softened as he gazed at Idara, her words piercing his ego. "I wasn't trying to prove anything, Idara. I just wanted to protect you," he said, his voice gentle.
Idara's eyes welled up. "You nearly died right there! What would I have done if something had happened to you?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.
Vode's face twisted in a mixture of guilt and frustration. "I know, I know. I wasn't thinking. I just reacted," he admitted, his jaw clenched.
Idara bent forward, her voice taking on a urgent tone. "You can't keep putting yourself in harm's way like that. You're not invincible, Vode."
Vode looked away, his eyes averted. "You already miraculously saved me and my friends from imminent doom," Idara said, her expression softening. "When I opened my door and saw you, I was short of words. And when I blinked and saw you using some weird powered stuff to rescue my friends, I was dumbfounded even more."
Idara reached out to touch Vode's arm, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Vode. But please, be more careful."
Vode nodded, his eyes still averted. "I will, Idara. I promise."
The two stayed there for a moment, the tension between them was strong. Their eyes locked, and Vode felt a lump in his throat. Idara unintentionally licked her lips, as if caught in a trance.
But finally, Vode spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's get some rest, then leave. We'll need to figure out our next move."
Idara stood up immediately, her movements swift. "Oh, yes! Let's do that. I'll go freshen up now."
She walked out of the shower with a towel on, her unbraided natural hair long and full. She wasn't a supermodel, but she was undeniably fine.
"Vode, go freshen..." she started to say, but was interrupted by his reckless snoring. He was already too exhausted, so she went to her own bed and watched him sleep.
Her hostel had been burned down, and Vode couldn't go to his hostel either, so they ended up staying the night at a hotel. The night was cold and long.