Lucas's sweat clung to Haisley's skin, but she didn't care. What mattered now was making sure Lucas felt safe and comfortable. She pressed her forehead gently to his shoulder, letting the warmth of her body work naturally, transferring what little calm she had left into the soul of the man fighting a high fever.
The sound of Lucas's heartbeat was weak but steady, making Haisley's chest tighten. She wanted to cry, but she knew now wasn't the time to give in to emotions. Lucas needed her not as a protector, not as a savior, but as a shelter. As someone he could trust.
Time passed slowly in the fragile silence. Lucas's breathing began to slow, his body temperature gradually lowering from the burning heat it once held. His tense body started to relax in Haisley's embrace. Every now and then, his eyes fluttered open slightly, as if trying to pierce through the haze clouding his vision. When he saw Haisley's face, though faint, a glimmer of peace appeared in his gaze.
