She wanted to argue. Wanted to send him away so she could fall apart in private like she’d been doing for months.
But she was so tired.
“In my culture, bathing is typically communal. At least with family. We do not fly well with wet wings, so we stay close when one is indisposed.” His antennae lowered, almost… submissive. “I am not here to do anything you do not want. I just wish to care for you.”
That broke something loose in her chest.
When was the last time someone had taken care of her? Really taken care of her, not out of pity but because they wanted to?
She couldn’t remember.
“Fine,” she whispered.
She reached for the hem of her shirt, but her hands wouldn’t cooperate. They were shaking too hard, fingers clumsy and useless.
Maelic noticed. Of course he did.
“May I?” he asked softly.
She nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.
He lifted her shirt over her head, helped her step out of her jeans when her legs wobbled. Helped pull her bra off when her arms wouldn’t cooperate.
She stood before him completely bare, and he didn’t leer. Didn’t make it sexual. Just looked at her with something that felt like reverence.
His gaze caught on her hand. The bandage she’d haphazardly put on after showering this morning was filthy—dirt-caked and stained from her frantic work in the woods.
Her fingers flexed, trying to hide it. Like she was embarrassed by the evidence of how hard she’d pushed herself.
“Let me see,” he said quietly.
She hesitated, then extended her hand. He unwrapped the soiled bandage carefully, revealing the cut beneath. Still angry-looking, but healing. Not infected, thank the goddess.
He moved to the sink, wetting a clean cloth with warm water. Returned and cleaned the wound with gentle precision, his touch feather-light despite his size.
She watched him work, throat tight. Hard to believe this was the same alien who’d pinned her against the barn wall on their first meeting.
He worked in silence, focused entirely on her hand. Reached for the first aid supplies she kept under the sink, wrapping her hand in fresh, clean gauze with the same careful attention. When he finished, he pressed a kiss to her wrapped knuckles.
“There.” His voice was rough. “Better.”
“In you go,” he murmured, offering his hand.
She took it. Let him steady her as she climbed into the hot water.
The heat hit her like a physical blow. Too much sensation all at once. She hissed, muscles seizing, but then—
Oh.
Her body melted. The tightness in her chest eased just enough to breathe. The constant tension in her shoulders released. She sank deeper, water lapping at her collarbones, and let out a shaky exhale.
She didn’t even realize she was crying again until Maelic’s hand cupped her cheek.
“Easy,astara.” His thumb swept across her cheekbone, wiping away tears. “You’re safe now. Just breathe.”
“I’m sorry,” she choked out. “I don’t know why I can’t stop—”
“Don’t apologize.” His voice was firm. “Not for this. Never for this.”
