Helios' eyelids fluttered slowly open, the darkness of the nightmare still clinging like smoke to his thoughts. His breathing steadied, awareness gradually filtering back as he focused on the gentle glow filtering through the curtains. The familiar surroundings of his room provided immediate comfort, the nightmare already fading to a distant memory.
But as he shifted slightly, Helios noticed a presence by his bedside. Turning his head, he found Kurai sitting silently, staring at him with those familiar cold, silver eyes. Her expression was neutral as always, unreadable and reserved, but the intensity of her gaze held a sharpness that told him she had been waiting for him to awaken.
Helios smiled softly, despite the dull ache lingering in his chest and bones. "Morning, Kurai. Sorry about… everything."
Kurai remained silent for a moment, her gaze steady, unwavering. When she spoke, her voice was a low, frosty murmur. "The connection between our hearts… it is growing stronger. I do not like it. Don't use it to summon me to your dreams again."
Helios let out a small chuckle, even though it hurt a bit. He slowly raised his hand and placed it gently over his chest, feeling the steady beat beneath his palm. "That's fine," he said, his voice calm, even reassuring. "You're the only one who understands me in this world anyway. If it had to be anyone, I'm glad it's you. I'm sorry to have dragged you in so suddenly."
For a fleeting moment, something in Kurai's gaze softened, though her expression remained carefully blank. She placed her hand against Helios' forehead, her fingers cool against his warm skin. She lingered briefly, seemingly confirming his state of recovery before abruptly standing up, breaking contact as swiftly as she had made it.
"You've been asleep for an entire day," she said, her voice regaining its usual brisk, authoritative tone. "You need to eat and regain your strength."
Helios sighed dramatically, sinking deeper into his pillow. "Maybe I'll just lay here a while longer. It feels nice and peaceful—"
Without warning, Kurai leaned forward, grasped him firmly by the collar, and lifted him effortlessly from the bed. Helios gasped slightly, eyes wide with surprise, as she tossed him unceremoniously onto the floor. He landed with a dull thud, groaning more from the indignity than the actual impact.
Kurai stared down at him coldly, her violet eyes glittering sharply. "Hurry up. I lack patience right now."
Helios rubbed his head, slowly pushing himself into a sitting position. "Alright, alright! What's gotten into you today?" he asked, his voice teasing despite the situation. "You're even grumpier than usual."
She narrowed her eyes, her jaw tightening slightly. "The little girl I brought to heal you," Kurai replied icily, each word sharp as a dagger, "has been pestering me endlessly with her questions. Fix it, Helios, fix it or I will silence her myself."
Helios blinked, realization dawning slowly. "Skuld?" he asked hesitantly.
As if summoned by the mere mention of her name, hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. The door swung open, and Skuld burst in, eyes bright and relief washing over her face as she saw Helios awake and upright.
"Helios!" she exclaimed, rushing over to him, completely oblivious to the deadly glare Kurai shot her way. "You're awake! Finally! Are you alright? How do you feel? Does anything hurt? Can you move okay?"
Helios laughed softly, gently raising a hand to slow down her rapid-fire questions. "Slow down, Skuld, I'm okay now. Just a little sore and stiff."
She knelt beside him, still fretting, checking him over as though she hadn't already healed him extensively. Her sincere concern was endearing, a stark contrast to Kurai's icy indifference.
"You had us all worried, especially me," Skuld continued softly, her voice trembling slightly. "We weren't sure if you'd ever wake up. I tried healing you again and again, but your wounds—"
Helios placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, stopping her gently. "Thank you. Really. You've done more than enough. I'm sorry to have put you through all this trouble."
Kurai let out a sharp sigh from her spot near the door, crossing her arms impatiently. "If you're done reassuring each other, perhaps you might actually get something useful done," she snapped.
Skuld finally seemed to notice Kurai's irritation and shrank back slightly, her cheeks flushing pink. "Oh… sorry. I didn't mean to bother you."
Helios gave Kurai a pointed look before turning back to Skuld. "Don't worry about her. She's just grumpy. It's a chronic condition."
Kurai glared daggers at him, eyes narrowing dangerously, but Helios merely offered her an innocent smile in return.
"You're insufferable," she muttered coldly, turning sharply on her heel. "Handle your business quickly. I've tolerated enough."
As she disappeared through the doorway, Skuld let out a relieved sigh, looking cautiously at Helios. "She really doesn't like me, does she?"
Helios chuckled softly, shaking his head as he carefully pushed himself up from the floor. "She doesn't really like anyone, but she tolerates me, so there's hope yet."
Skuld smiled weakly, helping him to his feet. "I still have so many questions," she confessed softly, looking up into his eyes. "But first, you need to eat and rest properly."
Helios sighed, nodding reluctantly. "You're probably right. Food does sound good right now."
She guided him carefully out of the room, supporting him gently. "We'll talk later, right? About everything?"
He nodded reassuringly, patting her arm gently. "Promise. I'll answer everything you want to know, Skuld."
Behind them, unnoticed, Kurai stood quietly in the shadows of the hallway, her eyes tracking their movements closely. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed tightly as if shielding herself from the discomfort that stirred within her.
"Connections," she murmured to herself with disdain, the word bitter on her tongue. Still, she did not move away, her eyes fixed on Helios' back as he walked away with Skuld, her gaze softer than she'd ever care to admit.