If Texas had it her way, she would be smoking in here.
She wouldn't be able to help it - the stress she's just barely holding back is starting to creep over the edges of her face; she's making it known just how much she hates being here like this.
Instead, she has to resort to using candy. With the chocolate-dipped stick between her teeth, she turns her head to look at Amiya, Rhodes Island's figurehead, with frustration.
"I want to stay with her," Texas told her outright, "but I can't. I have to just… leave her here, while we get things started."
Amiya nodded sympathetically. Texas was referring to the mission that the Doctor and Kal'tsit had organized together, putting Texas on the squad that's to be involved with some high-level, clandestine operation. Normally that would be just fine, but…
Amiya turned her gaze back to the sleeping angel on the medical bed in front of her. Exusiai had been knocked out on the last excursion, concussed and wounded and thankfully found before her condition could worsen. It was a quick extraction, much to Texas's relief, however the Sankta would be taking quite a bit of time to heal from this one.
"It's a good thing we found her when we did…" Amiya muttered, frowning at the sight of a bandaged and bedridden Exusiai. It always hurt her to see a comrade in dire straits, and Exusiai had earned quite the accolades during her stint with Rhodes Island. To say she was a valuable asset to the landship would be a gross understatement.
Texas sighed. "It can't be helped. She's here. That's all that matters," she decided, willing her strength back to the forefront. "Who is taking the lead with her recovery?"
"Operator Hibiscus," Amiya confided, and Texas grimaced.
"Don't let her feed Exusiai any of that crap. Actually… if you could take over as primary physician for her, I would… really appreciate that," Texas confessed.
Amiya did a double take. "Me? I'm no physician really. Hibiscus, Ansel, Warfarin, those are the operators better suited to something like… this," Amiya added quietly.
"Maybe I misspoke. I just want to make sure she's taken care of." Texas paused. "She cares about you, and Rhodes Island, just as much as she cares about me, and Penguin Logistics. I'm sure she'd be willing to prove it even more than she already does."
"That's…" Amiya trailed off, looking pensive about the whole thing. She supposed she didn't see the harm in providing aid to someone like Exusiai, who ought to be easy enough to handle. The Sankta wasn't infected, and she was carefree enough to go along with whatever the Cautus might give her. After thinking about it for a minute, Amiya nodded her head and tried a small smile. "If you want me to take care of Exusiai for you… then OK. I can do that for you."
Texas nodded, the corners of her lips tugging up in a small smile. "Thank you, Amiya. It would mean a lot to me - to us - if you just… helped her feel better. She might not show it, but she's very emotion-driven. You'll probably see what I mean, exactly…"
"Nnghh…"
Oh? Is she waking up?! Amiya looked up from her book, leaning beside Exusiai's bed. "Shh. It's OK! I'm here. You're safe…"
"What… what happened…?" Exusiai screws her eyes shut, thankful that there was no blinding light to welcome her back to the waking world. Instead there was a little lamp above her head, in the form of her own Sankta halo, which did a good enough job of illuminating the room they were in. Exusiai blinked the blurriness away from her vision, and she looked around.
She knew right away that she was lying on a medical bed, and that Amiya was the only other person in here. There was a television perched on the wall, with some cartoons already playing on it, and through the window on the east side of the room, Exusiai could see that it was already nighttime. It was quiet, but the landship would continue to roam across Terra whether or not she was awake to see it. She took a deep breath, and let it pass through her lips.
"How long was I out?" Exusiai asked. And Amiya answered her.
"A whole day… which is, concerning, honestly," Amiya admitted, "but we ran a few tests on you while you were sleeping, and you're going to be OK! I just wanted to, umm, make that known before anything else. You just need your bedrest, and your med—wait, what are you doing?"
Amiya watched as Exusiai threw off her covers, and swung her legs around the edge of the bed. She wobbled as she moved, but she smiled widely. "I'm going! There's another mission going on, isn't there? Let Texas and the others know that I'm ready when they are!"
"Oh no you don't!" Amiya winced, coming up to put her hands on Exusiai's shoulders, to gently help the angel back down. "You seriously need your rest, Exusiai! You're in no condition to run recon, let alone fight!"
"Sure I am! Let me just… oohh…" Exusiai tilted her head back, and she groaned with pain. "Wow… the room is… spinning… hah…"
Amiya gently helped Exusiai lay on her back, once again looking sympathetic towards the older angel. "When we found you, it looked like your halo was trampled. In reality, a chunk of debris more or less… slammed against your skull. It's what caused your concussion. Then there's your fall after the fact. If we took any longer to extract you, you might have permanently damaged it."
"So that's why my ears are still ringing…?"
"Are they still ringing?" Amiya kept one hand on Exusiai's shoulder, and she put the back of her other hand against the angel's forehead, gently brushing her crimson hair aside while she evaluated the bedridden Sankta. "Please don't move without my permission again. I don't want you to leave until we're absolutely sure that you can even stand on two feet."
Exusiai smiled. "Yes, ma'am. Heh… when you talk like that, you know, it makes you sound much older than you actually are. Like Dr. Kal'tsit, except… actually tolerable!"
"Er, thanks…" Amiya forced a smile away from her face, while she checked the Sankta's temperature and disposition. "I want you to know that Hibiscus will be here soon to—"
"No." Exusiai shook her head.
"No?" Amiya blinked.
"I don't wanna eat whatever she's making! Let me cook my own meals."
"I just told you that you can't go anywhere…!" Amiya shook her head. "Guhh."
"Guhh yourself! Get me something from the cafeteria, then? Pretty please?"
"I suppose that can be arranged… but first, give me a minute to evaluate you a little longer, OK?"
"Sure, sure…~" Exusiai closed her eyes and smiled widely. "Wow… Amiya herself, taking care of me! I must be dreaming. Do you really have the free time to spend on someone like me?"
"I do," Amiya assured, "all my work is done for the weekend. I tend to get it out of the way as soon as I can, and then I have the Doctor, or Dr. Kal'tsit, look it over. Besides… I'm more so a figurehead these days - that's not really a secret. In addition, Texas had personally asked me to look after you while you recover, and she—"
"Texas…" Exusiai cast her gaze to her lap, her eyes only partly open. "Did I… let her down? During the mission, I mean," she clarified.
"What? No, no you didn't," Amiya assured, her brow knit with worry. "Why would you think that?"
"Because I got knocked out! And, you know… I was a liability? This kind of stuff never happens whenever we're in Lungmen, but… well, I guess I don't know Sargon too well yet. The terrain there, it's not really what I'm used to." Exusiai realized she was stammering, and she quickly shut herself up. "Do I sound like I'm making excuses for myself? Ha ha… sorry. Ignore me!" She quickly went back to smiling a carefree smile. "I'm just glad you both care so much!"
"Of course we do," Amiya told her, remembering what Texas told her about Exusiai's emotional slip-ups. She could feel them even now, and she wasn't even touching the angel anymore. Her proclivity for empathy made people like Exusiai easy to read, even if they might otherwise keep their thoughts to themselves for others' sake.
"But I just want to remind you," Amiya continued, "I'm not really a doctor like the others. All I can do is provide mental and emotional recourse."
"Well, I'm not dead yet!" Exusiai threw her arms up, and she immediately winced as she did so. "Oop. Mistake!"
"Gah! Lie still!" Amiya put her hands back on Exusiai's shoulders, and helped the angel settle into bed. "Please don't fidget so much. Is your head throbbing?"
Exusiai pouted. "A little…"
"How does your halo feel?"
"Feels like I have a loose tooth."
"Don't stress it so much, either." Amiya's Cautus ears bent down with worry. "If you disobey me, I'll be forced to call Hibiscus in here to spoon feed you whatever she's cooked up."
"Yikes! I'll be good, I promise!"
"Ha ha. Good to hear…"
Connecting to the neural network of Rhodes Island…
…
…
…connection established.
A swirling logo is all that can be seen on Amiya's phone screen, before the camera feed comes in, and she's face-to-face with Texas from across the network.
"Good morning, Tex—ah! You're… you're covered in blood."
On the small screen, Texas only shrugs her shoulders. "Don't worry. None of it's mine. How is Exusiai?"
"Straight to the point, huh?" Amiya smiled, tilting her head as she video called the Lupo operator. "She's doing well. I'm making sure she eats well… or at least, I'm trying to. She keeps convincing me to get her things like pizza and fries."
"And you're letting her get the better of you, huh?" Texas accused. Amiya paled.
"When you say it like that, it makes me sound irresponsible."
"Don't worry, I'm just teasing. It feels good to make her happy, doesn't it?"
"Mm." Amiya found herself nodding. "She's… interesting. So bubbly, but I can tell she's hiding a lot of stress and anxiety deep inside. I don't even have to touch her to feel it, using my abilities… it's practically radiating from her, like her halo's light."
"Amiya, you have to be a little strict with Exusiai." Texas raised her forefinger as she spoke, on-screen, and Amiya suddenly felt like she was being lectured by one of her superiors again. "Don't let her sweet-talk you into getting her snacks, or playing video games all day. She needs proper rest… and care. The healthy stuff is what's important, she knows that."
"I know… I understand." Amiya smiled. "It's sweet hearing you talk about her like that. You sound like an Exusiai expert."
"Yeah, well…" Texas trailed off, pretending to be looking at something else. Amiya could tell that she put Texas on the spot, and so she changed the subject.
"How's the mission going?"
But Texas didn't want to change the subject just yet. Not really. "Amiya," she suddenly thought to ask, "how is she sleeping?"
"Huh?" Amiya blinked. "How is Exusiai sleeping?"
"Mm-hmm. Is she sleeping… well? Or…" Texas's words trailed off. Amiya could see that Texas was walking past a collapsed tenement, perhaps the result of a previous skirmish.
"Well… she's not sleeping very well," Amiya admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. "It seems like she has trouble falling asleep, and staying asleep. I've asked her if there's anything I could do to help - maybe melatonin tablets or hot tea - but nothing's working conclusively."
"Just as I thought…" Texas sighed, shaking her head. "I should have known."
"I'm sorry… did I make a mistake?" Amiya asked.
"No. Not you. Just… Exusiai's stubborn."
"What do you mean?" Amiya noticed that Texas's cheeks were getting red. She wondered at first if the Lupo was getting overheated from her mission environment, but then…
"So, Exusiai really only falls asleep… if someone's in bed next to her," Texas told Amiya. And Amiya blinked once, then twice, then three times without saying a word.
"...huh?"
Texas rolled her eyes. "Exusiai only falls asleep when she's cuddling with someone. Otherwise, she has trouble," Texas reworded her prior statement. "Meaning, if you want her to get proper bedrest, the best thing you can do is… hold her. Closely."
"That would have been convenient to know before you left," Amiya sighed, feeling a twinge of embarrassment take hold.
"I had assumed she would get over it," said Texas, "if I wasn't there, and if she was in a hospital bed. Apparently not… but, well, that's that."
"Texas… Are you asking me to sleep with Exusiai?" Amiya asked, openly.
Texas pouted. Now she really was blushing. "There's a reason we always share a room, or a tent, whenever we're in the field. I know how to keep her operating at full capacity."
Now it was Amiya's turn to start blushing. "I-I see…"
"It's not… it's not vulgar. It's purely situational. It's purely therapeutic."
"Uh huh."
"Hey, Amiya? You sound like you don't believe me."
"No no, I believe you."
"What's with that look on your face? Hey, Amiya…!" Texas jabbed a finger at the camera. "What are you thinking…? You'd better not make any icky assumptions about me and Exusiai."
"No no, of course not…"
"Ugh. I'm hanging up. Just please take care of her."
"Ha ha. OK, Texas… by the way, why are you covered in blood? I thought this was supposed to be a clandestine operation?"
Texas frowned. "Well, stealth was optional."
"I can feed myself, you know."
Amiya smiled. "Hush. Open your mouth."
Exusiai raised an eyebrow. "Is that an order?"
"Yes."
Exusiai parted her lips then, and Amiya gently guided a forkful of apple pie into the angel's little mouth. Exusiai sealed her lips around the fork and closed her eyes, humming and blushing with utter delight. It was so sweet on her tongue that the Sankta wiggled her body joyously, like she was getting just a little bit closer to a delectable heaven.
"Haaah! So sweet! So yummy!" Exusiai smiled so widely that Amiya couldn't help but smile back. "Hibiscus definitely didn't make this!"
"That's right." Amiya couldn't help but swell up with amusement. "I did."
"You?!" Exusiai gasped.
"...well, actually…"
xx
"Operator Robin, I have a task for you." Amiya held up the folder containing all the instructions, which quickly found its way into the Anaty woman's hands. Needless to say, Robin was stunned.
"A pie? I've… never baked an apple pie before." Robin blanched. "I was expecting something a bit more… appropriate for my skill suite. This might be beyond me."
"Pretty please? It's for someone important. If you do this for me… then I'll assign you as the Doctor's personal bodyguard for a week."
"Haaahhh… is that so…" Robin quickly straightened her back and saluted, so vigorously that her bountiful chest wobbled. "In that case… I'll get started right away!"
xx
"I made the entire thing by myself with no help at all," Amiya lied.
"You're so skilled," Exusiai winked. "All this for me?"
"Aha, well… I don't think you should tell Texas. She probably wouldn't like it that I'm spoiling you so much. Come to think of it… neither would the medical team. Cakes and cartoons aren't exactly a part of your recovery plan."
"Well that's why you're my new favorite doctor," Exusiai praised. "Are you doing all of this because you have a super huge crush on me? You can be honest! I'd fall for me too~"
Amiya winced. "Do you want the honest answer?"
"Uh oh. Why does that question feel like a bomb I have to defuse?" Once again, Exusiai was greeted with one of Amiya's sympathetic little smiles.
"There's a lot of tension… here," Amiya told her, gently, placing her too-soft hand against Exusiai's chest.
"Against my boobs?"
"...No, Exusiai. You know what I mean."
"Ahaha… right…" Exusiai reached out, just as gentle, and she wrapped her slender fingers around Amiya's wrist. The girl was younger, and smaller, so much so that even Exusiai can wrap her hand around Amiya's wrist with no effort whatsoever. "I'm fine. I promise."
"You're not fine. You're—" She caught herself, suddenly feeling frustrated. She almost wondered why she was feeling so frustrated with Exusiai all of a sudden, before she remembered that she was still "connected" with her. Indeed, empathy was a two-way street. One that Amiya walked until her feet cracked and bled, despite the precautions given to her.
The Cautus cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. I'm overstepping my bounds."
"No no! It's fine. I'm sorry. I just…"
Exusiai reached up, smiling warmly enough to melt the mountains of Kjerag, and she touched Amiya's cheek. "The CEO of Rhodes Island shouldn't worry about a silly Sankta like me! You should worry about more important things."
"Like what?" Amiya tried - and failed - to ignore the burning feeling on her cheeks.
"Like I don't know dude, taxes?"
"I prefer worrying about my operators." Operators like you, she almost said. "It's more grounded, and you're easier to focus on."
"But I…" Exusiai stopped herself from saying any more. Amiya wasn't having that.
Oh no you don't…
She reached out and put her hand on Exusiai's cheek, too. The scene they were displaying was intimate enough that they could both be thankful that they were alone. Still, the nearest worry for Amiya was the underlying thought that seeped right through her fingertips, and flowed like a river straight up to her empathy-riddled brain.
"I hate being so vulnerable sometimes. I hate that I'm not bulletproof. I hate making people worry about me. I hate being so… dependent."
Amiya could relate. She could tell what Exusiai was thinking with just a light touch, and sometimes, when Exusiai was feeling particularly melancholy - no matter how much effort she put into suppressing it deep down - Amiya could just pluck her thoughts out of thin air. They were that potent.
I feel so strange about all this… so melancholy all of a sudden…
Amiya took a step back, and cleared her throat. Exusiai blinked with some surprise, the redness definitely there on her cheeks.
Amiya huffed. Then she pouted.
"Let me help you feel better. I promise it's alright. I wouldn't be doing this… if I wanted to be doing something else. So please don't think you're a burden. You're far from anything like that. You even have the promotions to prove it," Amiya added, trying to smile.
Exusiai smiled back. "Pfft. So, more apple pie, then? Maybe you really are a bad doctor, Amiya… all this sweetness might be the death of me!"
Amiya jabbed another hearty piece of apple pie with her fork, before holding it up to the resting Sankta, who parted her lips to welcome Amiya's fork back into her waiting mouth. Exusiai closed her eyes when she leaned in closely, which meant of course that she couldn't see Amiya's tail wagging as quickly as it was. An absolute blur of fluff.
First she's feeling sour, now she's back to sweet… Texas must have her hands full often… Amiya considered. The emotional whiplash left the empath's head spinning, and not just because she quite enjoyed the activity going on between them here and now. Amiya enjoyed being useful, even if being useful, in this context, meant feeding a cute girl (a coworker, no less) apple pie while she lay in bed.
"How do you feel?" Amiya openly asked her. Exusiai shuddered with delight at that last spoonful of apple pie, equal parts gooey apple and crunchy crust.
"I feel good! My head doesn't hurt so much anymore… and I feel less dizzy! I bet I'll be able to walk in a straight line by this time tomorrow," Exusiai thought aloud.
"Do you feel sleepy?"
"Mm-hmm, yeah. I don't… sleep very well in medical beds. It's just a personal thing," said Exusiai, who Amiya knew was lying by omission.
"Well, don't worry. Tonight, we can try something new. I think it's going to help you sleep," the Cautus assured.
"Ooh, really? Whatcha got for me, huh? Aromatherapy candles? A white noise machine? Or a sugar-induced coma?"
Amiya laughed. "You'll see. I promise you'll like it…"
"It's getting late… you should try to get some proper rest, Exusiai," Amiya told the Sankta, gently. Exusiai knew that she had to get some rest, of course. She couldn't protest a good night's sleep in her condition, and given the circumstances… it's not like she didn't want to let the days go by. However, going to sleep was easier said than done, when it came to the flustered and needy angel.
"You said you wanted to try something new tonight? To help me sleep," Exusiai reminded her, "don't tell me you forgot!"
"I didn't forget." Amiya smiled. "I'll go and get it. I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere!"
"Ha! And where the heck am I supposed to go?" She watched as Amiya turned and left, noticing that wagging bit of fluff on her backside. Exusiai chewed on her lip thoughtfully, contemplating the merits of having the likes of Amiya take care of her like this.
She's so small… and so nice… am I really worth all this trouble? She's wasting her time on me… she should be getting actual work done. Maybe when Amiya gets back, I could tell her to leave me with someone from Medical. Sure it won't be as nice, but…
And so it went. When Exusiai was alone with her thoughts, it didn't take very long for her to slip back into her phase of doubt and wonder. Her mind traveled aimlessly, like a sailboat across the ocean, surrounded by fog. People like Texas, and Amiya - they were lighthouses. They kept her grounded, and guided.
And safe…
Her eyes went wide once Amiya came back into the room, wearing pajamas. Exusiai gasped, and then she grinned, and then she burst into a laugh. "Amiya?! What the heck?!"
"Surprise!" Amiya held her hands together. "I, er… may have learned that you… have a very particular habit that helps you sleep. That thing you do with Texas. And she's not here, so, ah…"
"Oh my God," said Exusiai. Amiya winced.
"You hate the idea? Gah, I should have known. I should have asked first. Did I make things awkward? I'm sorry! I should have asked," she repeated, drilling her foot against the ground shyly.
"Oh my God! You're so CUTE!" Exusiai giggled. "Is… are the others OK with this? I mean, this would probably look SUPER SUS to anyone who… came in. Amiya of Rhodes Island, sleeping with a…" She trailed off. "You get the idea."
Amiya waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I have sleepovers all the time with Rosmontis or Kal'tsit and even Closure. This might be a bit different, but… it's close enough. I'm sure no one's going to mind. And besides… it's YOUR comfort I want to focus on tonight, OK?"
"Ahh, geez… you're gonna make me blush, Amiya. Are you sure? You really don't have to do this… I don't want you to be uncomfortable just because I… because I'm being coddled and worried about, again," she added.
"Uh-uh. No frowning!" Amiya pointed at Exusiai, and did her best to look stern. It wasn't very convincing. "Now scoot!"
"Heheheh… yes ma'am!"
Exusiai scoots over as best she could, throwing off the covers so that Amiya could lie down next to her. The Cautus approaches from the side, and once she puts her hands right on the mattress, Exusiai's heart leaps.
Holy shit… I'm… gonna sleep with Amiya…? No one's gonna believe this. Not that I should tell anyone, anyways. Am I gonna end up on a watchlist?
Amiya smirked. She didn't tell Exusiai that she could read her feelings, and gauge her thoughts. Nonetheless, she found it sweet; charming. Just like the angel herself.
In a few moments, the covers were back over Exusiai, except this time, the covers were over Amiya, too. The Sankta didn't dare move a muscle, despite needing cuddles to get a full rest. So Amiya took the initiative once again, turning her body part of the way to face Exusiai, blushing faintly.
"You're nervous," the little CEO stated.
"Well, d-duh! Who the heck wouldn't be nervous about this?! I mean… ah geez!" Exusiai's heart was beating a mile a minute. "You're… this is…"
"This is fine, Exusiai. Would I really be here if I didn't want this?"
"Good p-point, but still! Aahhhh…!"
"Stop being so nervous… and get some sleep. Pretty please?"
"I'm cool, I'm cool!" Exusiai did her best to assure Amiya, who lay in bed with her.
"Mm-hmm. So cool. You're the coolest."
"Are you being sarcastic?!"
"Noooooooo." Amiya reached out, making grabby-hands at the angel. With that, Amiya seemed even smaller, somehow. Even younger. Which made what Exusiai was doing all the more… out of place, to put it mildly.
Her pajamas are so cute… she's so cute… she's so soft… she's so warm… BNUUY…
Amiya giggled again, flipping herself over so that she was cuddled up against Exusiai's chest. The angel was already wearing a loose shirt, given as courtesy by the medical team; something like an apron or a smock. It felt like a blanket when it was on her, but with the CEO of Rhodes Island cuddling up to her like this. So cutely, so snugly, so… dangerously…
She was no match for her. She was already drowning in comfort; in a soothing and wonderful relief. Sleep had largely eluded Exusiai for the past few days, but now? She really had no chance to resist the coze. This time, sleep finds the angel easily. She allows herself to lighten up - to see past the trouble - and she drifts off before she knows it, leaving Amiya to just lie there, with her head on Exusiai's chest, listening to her heartbeat. Like a metronome; a rhythmic beat, nice and steady, which soon has her slumbering too.
Ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump…
And in one another's arms, soaking up all that loving comfort, neither Exusiai nor Amiya could remember a time when they slept as comfortably as they did then.
Evening passed, and morning followed. Exusiai woke up before Amiya did. The light from the window bathed the room they were resting in, giving a warm and relaxing glow to their mess of tangled limbs and blankets.
Tangled… limbs…
A look of abject horror made its way to Exusiai's face - for only a moment - before she realized that she still had her clothes on. Amiya, too, was still dressed in her full-body pajamas.
Oh thank God I didn't do anything totally illegal. She couldn't help but think about it, at least a little bit. Her fortune, or lack thereof - if someone came in now, she didn't know if she had the energy to explain it all.
But Amiya's cute and sleeping face helped illustrate anything but misfortune. When she and Texas lazed about in the mornings like this, it was so natural for Exusiai to run her fingers through the Lupo's jet black hair. To scratch Texas behind the ears, and listen to those delighted sounds that slipped from her. Sounds she would swear she didn't make, but Exusiai knew better. Texas was as much a glutton for affection as she was. She just made a big deal about hiding it.
I wonder if I can…
Daringly, and against her better judgment, Exusiai reached up and ran her soft fingers through Amiya's earthy brown hair. She was careful with her touches, slow and steady while she handled the Cautus's head, parting the locks from her small, soft face. She traced the tips of her digits along the base of Amiya's rabbit ears, outlining them as if drawing a map for future reference. She even scratched her a little bit there, testing the waters. Did Amiya like this? She went a little bit harder, running her nails in a soft graze against the teenager's head.
To her shock, Amiya moaned in her sleep. It was a sound that Exusiai wasn't expecting to hear, and she recoiled suddenly.
UH OH FUCK.
Amiya's eyes opened, suddenly. She blinked, and then looked straight up at Exusiai when she realized she had been sleeping with her head on an older woman's chest.
"...Hi. Good morning," Amiya whispered, before yawning against her knuckles.
"H-hey! I slept great. Just an FYI." Exusiai laughed nervously. "Thanks."
"Mm-hmm…"
Exusiai watched as Amiya unwrapped herself from her. Like an octopus stretching in the morning light: Amiya's arms and her ears seemed to straighten up towards the ceiling as she yawned again, steadying herself in the too-small medical bed that they had somehow managed to share uninterrupted, given the circumstances.
Without a word, Amiya swung her legs around the edge of the bed, and she stood up. And just like that, she left. No goodbye.
Exusiai winced as if in pain. Either she'd done something in the night without realizing it… or the reality of what they'd done just hit her all at once. Of course she shouldn't have shared a bed with Amiya. Of course! Even platonically… it was wrong for her to do something so callous. She was greedy. She was unbecoming, and if anyone else responsible for Amiya had found out what she did, it was—
Before the whirlwind of thoughts could totally consume Exusiai, Amiya popped her head back into the room, pleasantly surprising Exusiai. "Amiya?" She asked.
"I need to shower," Amiya said meekly, staring at the floor. "I… smell like you. Heh…"
"Oh! Sorry," said Exusiai, giving a wobbly smile.
"Don't be. I'll come back… once I make sure we're in the clear."
"Pfft. Sure thing… and thanks again. I can't remember the last time I—"
"-slept so well? Me too." Amiya grinned. Then she left before she could say any more.
Exusiai, alone again, stared down at her own lap. Bunching up her shirt, she brought it up to her face and allowed herself the pleasure of a long, deep whiff.
Smells like Amiya… smells… so good… ahhhh… geez…
The scratching sound of a pencil against a clipboard was oh-so satisfying. Like chocolate for the ears. Exusiai had no problems whatsoever with it. Even if Ansel's gaze was scrutinizing, he was only doing his job. And for an intern, he was damn good at his job.
"I think you're in the clear, miss Exusiai," Ansel told the Sankta, respectfully. "You don't need to sleep in here anymore. You can take one of the dorms on Rhodes Island, if you don't already have one."
"My roommates here keep leaving me! What's up with that?" Exusiai grinned.
"Alright, we can put you in your own dorm room for the time being, especially given your rank. You can also move around just fine - no more dizziness?" He held up three fingers. "How many fingers am I holding up?"
"Twenty-five thousand."
Ansel went back to writing. "I see your sense of humor hasn't weakened, either."
"Ahaha. Lighten up a little~"
"Speaking of last-minute adjustments… given your status as a second-promoted operator here aboard the landship, you don't have to worry about a high co-pay. We can get that squared away with the billing department later."
"Hooray for health insurance! Say, if I ever leave Rhodes Island…"
"Would you have to pay a premium for treatment? Oh, most definitely. It's in your best interest to stay with Rhodes Island for as long as possible. Especially given your… proclivity for danger, action, and being an overall nuisance."
"Yeah yeah. You know you love me, bunny boy!"
Ansel smiled lightly, shooing her away. "I'm happy you're feeling better, Exusiai. Now get the heck out of here."
Amiya opened the door and gestured towards the inside of the dorm room.
"Ta-da! All cleaned-up and ready for you."
"Woo, nice!" Exusiai stepped into the large dorm room. It was as they told her - given her promotion, she was liable for extra perks. A solo dorm was just one of the many benefits, and so far…
…it looked exactly like the medical room she just left, actually. At least the TV was a bit bigger. And hey, she had a proper bed again!
"Yesssss. Ah, I missed having a normal bed!" Amiya giggled as Exusiai threw herself onto the freshly-made bed.
"You weren't in Medical for that long. You act like it's been forever." The bunny-eared girl crossed her arms with a knowing smile. "Texas will be back on the landship tonight. Until then, feel free to… you know. Stay out of trouble?"
Exusiai smirked. "Never."
"What if I order you to stay out of trouble?"
Exusiai sucked in air through her teeth, lying supine on her new bed. "Then I guess I'm gonna have to listen… especially since…"
Amiya tilted her head. "Hm? What?"
Exusiai sat up, her hands on the mattress behind her. "Thanks, Amiya. Seriously. You turned a days-long hospital stay into… uh… well it was still days-long, but time really flew when you were with me! So… uh…" Her words trailed off in the space between them. "Wow, I'm so shit at this! I didn't think that far ahead."
"You never do." Amiya smiled warmly, walking into the dorm room and approaching the angel. "I had a nice time. Taking care of you, I mean. It was nice. I'm glad I was so useful in your time of need."
"You kidding? Seriously, you're the best."
"I certainly try…"
"And you succeed!"
"Well, so do you! You ended up hurt because you work so hard… remember?"
Exusiai opened her mouth to speak, but then she closed it again.
Really, she didn't know. Amiya could sense that trepidation again. Growing…
Like an infection.
Oh, Exusiai… if only you could see how much you mean to us…
Amiya held her hands behind her back, and she sealed her eyes shut. "I'll tell Texas you were well-behaved… though we might need to schedule a dentist appointment for you soon."
"Ugh nooooooo. Hell no."
"Mm, I'm afraid this isn't up for debate, Exusiai. Think of how much Texas and I will appreciate it. I'm sure you have a cavity or two."
"Guhhhh!"
"Guhhhh yourself." Amiya grinned. She silenced Exusiai before she could make another retort…
…by dipping forward from her place beside Exusiai's bed. In one swift motion, she could peck the angel on the forehead, planting a sweet and chaste kiss right on the Sankta's face.
Muah.
Exusiai's eyes went wide as saucers, and she flinched. "A-Amiya! Ah…?!"
"Mm." Amiya held a finger up to her own lips in a shushing gesture. "Texas told me that you like forehead kisses, too. She was right… ha ha."
"Amiya…" Exusiai chewed on her lower lip. "We…"
"I know. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me." The CEO of Rhodes Island had no qualms about turning around now, as she left, to show off just how quickly her little rabbit tail was wagging. "But I have work that needs doing. Truth be told… there were a few things I was putting off, so that I could take care of you."
She turned around, and raised her forefinger, around which sat a sparkling azure ring. One of many. A permanent reminder of who she was, even beyond whatever Exusiai could possibly desire. "You're important to me. To us," Amiya told Exusiai. "Never forget that."
Exusiai gulped. "I… I won't."
"I know you won't. Because we're not going to let you forget."
Exusiai was taken aback by such a terse response. There was something there, in Amiya's gaze… even as she turned away a second time. Even as she left the room, and closed the door, and the room was bathed in an empty silence. Amiya's expression just then… stayed at the forefront of Exusiai's mind. She didn't know just what to make of that expression.
She only knew that she wanted to see it again.