It was a miracle that neither of them were seriously, really. Morphs popping out of every corner, too many for them to fight off alone...if Nino and Karla hadn't shown up when they did, it could have been much worse.
But the harrowing experience was the last thing on Fiora's mind, much to her dismay. Rather, she couldn't stop thinking about how rashly she'd acted. It was almost embarrassing, the way she'd charged in front of him at the risk of being shot down by that sniper. It wasn't as if Sain couldn't take care of himself...this was the man who insisted on protecting her even in the throes of an illness, after all.
Fiora shook her head as she remembered that day. Sain was...exasperating, to say the least. His flowery praises, his persistence, his misplaced values as a knight. Even after she'd told him she wasn't interested he refused to leave her side.
And at some point, she realized, his presence had become almost reassuring. Somehow knowing he was always there made her feel safer during the rougher battles. Even his more annoying habits weren't quite so annoying anymore.
Perhaps what I did back there was my own way of thanking him, she thought as approached his tent. She could see the faint outline of his hand polishing his armor, and was relieved to see he was alone.
"Sain? Might I speak with you a moment?" she asked. He abandoned his task and flung open the tent's flap, ushering her inside.
"Lovely Fiora, what a pleasant surprise! I never imagined you would someday be the one to seek me out!" he proclaimed. "Why, I'm still recovering from the shock of your insistence on protecting me!"
"Be quiet for a minute and listen to me," she commanded, and he fell silent. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I want to apologize if I've been cold to you...and to thank you for not turning your back on me despite that. I truly appreciate your help during those battles."
"My dear, if you thought I would abandon you in a time of crisis simply because of your behavior, you've got the wrong man in mind!" Sain replied, then suddenly grew serious as he took her hands. "I really do care about you, Fiora. Even if you never love me, I don't want to see anything happen to you."
"...I see." Fiora looked away momentarily, a blush heating her cheeks. "Then I want you to remain by my side. Always."
When she turned to face him again, he was actually blushing and seemed (for once) at a loss for words. Finally, his grip on her hands tightened, and he grinned a mile wide.
"If that is what my darling Fiora wishes, then consider it done."